Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration: full recovery after liver transplantation

Liver diseases may give rise to variable degrees of neurological impairment, which mostly consist of the syndrome of hepatic encephalopathy, due to the toxic effect of ammonia on the brain during episodes of liver decompensation. In a minority of patients, repeated episodes of liver failure can lead to a chronic progressive encephalopathy, not necessarily related to hyperammonaemia, known as acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD). 1 The pathogenesis of AHD is unclear, but the relation with the acute form of hepatic encephalopathy seems a crucial point. Cerebral deposition of manganese may have a pathogenetic role. The disease may appear after one or more episodes of hepatic coma or, rarely, become manifest in the absence of them. Neuropathology typically discloses degenerative changes in the basal ganglia. The modern techniques of neuroimaging disclose these lesions in vivo.2 The clinical picture varies, neuropsychiatric changes and movement disorders usually being prominent. The syndrome is poorly responsive to medical therapy, thus being considered largely irreversible. View this table: Neuropsychological testing before and after liver transplantation (LT) We report on a patient with AHD who was cured …
Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies Deregulation of MicroRNAs Involved in Both Innate and Adaptive Immune Response in ALK+ ALCL

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is divided into two systemic diseases according to the expression of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). We investigated the differential expression of miRNAs between ALK+ ALCL, ALK- ALCL cells and normal T-cells using next generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, a C/EBPβ-dependent miRNA profile was generated. The data were validated in primary ALCL cases. NGS identified 106 miRNAs significantly differentially expressed between ALK+ and ALK- ALCL and 228 between ALK+ ALCL and normal T-cells. We identified a signature of 56 miRNAs distinguishing ALK+ ALCL, ALK- ALCL and T-cells. The top candidates significant differentially expressed between ALK+ and ALK- ALCL included 5 upregulated miRNAs: miR-340, miR-203, miR-135b, miR-182, miR-183; and 7 downregulated: miR-196b, miR-155, miR-146a, miR-424, miR-503, miR-424*, miR-542-3p. The miR-17-92 cluster was also upregulated in ALK+ cells. Additionally, we identified a signature of 3 miRNAs significantly regulated by the transcription factor C/EBPβ, which is specifically overexpressed in ALK+ ALCL, including the miR-181 family. Of interest, miR-181a, which regulates T-cell differentiation and modulates TCR signalling strength, was significantly downregulated in ALK+ ALCL cases. In summary, our data reveal a miRNA signature linking ALK+ ALCL to a deregulated immune response and may reflect the abnormal TCR antigen expression known in ALK+ ALCL.
Examining the Influence of Team-Referent Causal Attributions and Team Performance on Collective Efficacy

This study examined the relationship between team-referent attributions, team performance, and collective efficacy beliefs in recreational sport teams. A total of 248 recreational volleyball players from 45 different coed teams participated in the study. Participants completed a subjective performance measure and the Causal Dimension Scale for Teams directly following a match and then completed the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sports prior to their subsequent game. Using hierarchical linear modeling, it was found that both objective and subjective measures of performance positively predicted collective efficacy at the team level. In addition, stability negatively predicted collective efficacy beliefs; however, this relationship was moderated by objective performance.
A Synthesis and Extension of the Weiner and Kelley Attribution Models

Attribution theory and research has centered around 2 basic models: (a) the achievement-motivation model, which has been concerned primarily with self-attributions and is characterized by the work of Weiner and his colleagues (e.g., Weiner, 1986; Weiner et al., 1971), and (b) Kelley's cube, which has been used primarily to describe how observers use information to make attributions for the behavior of others (e.g., Green & Mitchell, 1979). The presence of these 2 distinct models, each with a different area and scope of application, has presented a number of problems for researchers in: comparing self- and social attributions; synthesizing the results of different studies; and examining the leader-member attribution process, particularly with respect to actor-observer biases. This article examines these problems and proposes a synthesized model integrating the dimensions of both models. The synthesis provides a theoretical foundation for classifying and comparing self- and social attributions while explica.
Molecular analyses of the lactococcin A gene cluster from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis WM4

The genes responsible for bacteriocin production and immunity in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis WM4 were localized and characterized by DNA restriction fragment deletion, subcloning, and nucleotide sequence analysis. The nucleotide sequence of a 5.6-kb AvaII restriction fragment revealed a cluster with five complete open reading frames (ORFs) in the same orientation. DNA and protein homology analyses, combined with deletion and Tn5 insertion mutagenesis, implicated four of the ORFs in the production of and immunity to lactococcin A. The last two ORFs in the cluster were the lactococcin A structural and immunity genes, lcnA and lciA. The two ORFs immediately upstream of lcnA and lciA were designated lcnC and lcnD, and the proteins that they encoded showed similarities to proteins of signal sequence-independent secretion systems. lcnC encodes a protein of 716 amino acids that could belong to the HlyB family of ATP-dependent membrane translocators. LcnC contains an ATP binding domain in a conserved C-terminal stretch of approximately 200 amino acids and three putative hydrophobic segments in the N terminus. The lcnD product, LcnD, of 474 amino acids, is essential for lactococcin A expression and shows structural similarities to HlyD and its homologs. On the basis of these results, a secretion apparatus that is essential for the full expression of active lactococcin A is postulated.
WHEN THE DOCTOR IS A “LADY”: POWER, STATUS AND GENDER IN PHYSICIAN‐PATIENT ENCOUNTERS*

An extensive body of research indicates that men interrupt women much more often than the reverse, across a variety of situations. Some conclude that men's interruptions of women in cross-sex conversations constitute an exercise of power and dominance over their conversational partners. To be sure, power is an important facet of many other social relationships, such as those between whites and Blacks, bosses and employees, and—of immediate interest—doctors and patients. Moreover, much of our existing knowledge of sex differences in behavior confounds gender with status. This paper reports results of an exploratory study of interruptions between physicians and patients during actual “visits to the doctor. ” Findings based on detailed analyses of videotaped encounters offer empirical support for an asymmetrical view of the physician-patient relationship: physicians interrupt patients disproportionately—except when the doctor is a “lady. ” Then, patients interrupt as much or more than physicians, and their interruptions seem to subvert physicians' authority. Discussion focuses on the respective roles of power, status and gender in face-to-face interaction.
Joint hypermobility and fibromyalgia in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES--To test the hypothesis that joint hypermobility may play a part in the pathogenesis of pain in fibromyalgia, schoolchildren were examined for the coexistence of joint hypermobility and fibromyalgia. METHODS--The study group consisted of 338 children (179 boys, 159 girls; mean age 11.5 years, range 9-15 years) from one public school in Beer-Sheva, Israel. In the assessment of joint hypermobility, the criteria devised by Carter and Bird were used. Any child who met at least three of five criteria was considered to have joint hypermobility. Children were considered to have fibromyalgia if they fulfilled the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, namely, widespread pain in combination with tenderness of 11 or more of the 18 specific tender point sites. The blind assessments of joint hypermobility (by AG) and fibromyalgia (by DB) were carried out independently. RESULTS--Of the 338 children 43 (13%) were found to have joint hypermobility and 21 (6%) fibromyalgia; 17 (81%) of the 21 with fibromyalgia had joint hypermobility and 17 (40%) of the 43 with joint hypermobility had fibromyalgia. Using chi 2 statistical analysis, joint hypermobility and fibromyalgia were found to be highly associated. CONCLUSIONS--This study suggests that there is a strong association between joint hypermobility and fibromyalgia in schoolchildren. It is possible that joint hypermobility may play a part in the pathogenesis of pain in fibromyalgia. More studies are needed to establish the clinical significance of this observation.
Trehalose Mediated Growth Inhibition of Arabidopsis Seedlings Is Due to Trehalose-6-Phosphate Accumulation1[w]

Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is required for carbon utilization during Arabidopsis development, and its absence is embryo lethal. Here we show that T6P accumulation inhibits seedling growth. Wild-type seedlings grown on 100 mm trehalose rapidly accumulate T6P and stop growing, but seedlings expressing Escherichia coli trehalose phosphate hydrolase develop normally on such medium. T6P accumulation likely results from much-reduced T6P dephosphorylation when trehalose levels are high. Metabolizable sugars added to trehalose medium rescue T6P inhibition of growth. In addition, Suc feeding leads to a progressive increase in T6P concentrations, suggesting that T6P control over carbon utilization is related to available carbon for growth. Expression analysis of genes from the Arabidopsis trehalose metabolism further supports this: Suc rapidly induces expression of trehalose phosphate synthase homolog AtTPS5 to high levels. In contrast, T6P accumulation after feeding trehalose in the absence of available carbon induces repression of genes encoding T6P synthases and expression of T6P phosphatases. To identify processes controlled by T6P, we clustered expression profile data from seedlings with altered T6P content. T6P levels correlate with expression of a specific set of genes, including the S6 ribosomal kinase ATPK19, independently of carbon status. Interestingly, Suc addition represses 15 of these genes, one of which is AtKIN11, encoding a Sucrose Non Fermenting 1 (SNF1)-related kinase known to play a role in Suc utilization.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Comorbid Substance Abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse are commonly co-occuring conditions, it is generally recommended that an individual must first receive successful substance abuse treatment before posttraumatic symptoms can be addressed. Given the high comorbidity of these conditions, however, it would be helpful if more broadly focused therapies were available that simultaneously targeted common functional processes underlying the multiple problems of the dually diagnosed. Both PTSD and substance abuse can be conceptualized as disorders with significant experiential avoidance components. One treatment that has been specifically developed for the treatment of experiential avoidance is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In this case study, application of ACT for an individual with comorbid PTSD and substance abuse is described, and its effects are examined.
De novo cryptogenic refractory multifocal febrile status epilepticus in the young adult: a review of six cases.

BACKGROUND Status epilepticus (SE) is a common neurological emergency. In around 10 percent, the etiology of SE is not clear, i.e. cryptogenic SE. AIM To describe six young adult patients with de novo cryptogenic multifocal febrile SE with poor outcome. METHODS Retrospective chart review. RESULTS We describe six patients who presented with de novo SE. All were young adults with an unremarkable previous medical history. In all except one, the family history for epilepsy was negative. All had a febrile illness in the week preceding SE. Investigations were unable to reveal the underlying etiology. SE proved refractory to conventional antiepileptic drug treatment (AED) and anesthesia was required to control seizures. Seizures during SE or ensuing epilepsy were multifocal. Brain pathology in four patients was normal in two and showed changes secondary to seizures in two. Outcome was poor in all cases: one patient died during the course of SE, another patient remained with severe mental and physical disability as well as refractory epileptic seizures, the other four developed refractory multifocal epilepsy. One of these patients died a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and one drowned during a seizure. CONCLUSIONS Six patients were reviewed who presented with de novo cryptogenic multifocal refractory febrile SE. The possible etiologies are discussed. Based on the similarities in these cases, a distinct refractory SE syndrome might be assumed. Further prospective studies will, however, be required to validate this hypothesis as well as to elucidate its etiology and optimize treatment.
An optimal distributed trigger counting algorithm for large-scale networked systems

Distributed trigger counting (DTC) is a problem related to the detection of w triggers with n nodes in large-scale distributed systems that have general characteristics of complex adaptive systems. The triggers come from an external source, and no a priori information about the triggers is given. DTC algorithms can be used for distributed monitoring and global snapshots. When designing an efficient DTC algorithm, the following goals should be considered: minimizing the overall message complexity and distributing the loads for detecting triggers among nodes. In this paper, we propose a randomized algorithm called TreeFill, which satisfies the message complexity of O ( n log ( w / n ) ) with high probability. The maximum number of received messages to detect w triggers in each node is O ( log ( w / n ) ) with high probability. These results satisfy the lower bounds of DTC problems. We prove the upper bounds of TreeFill. The performance of TreeFill is also evaluated by means of an agent-based simulation using NetLogo. The simulation results show that TreeFill uses about 54–69% of the messages used in a previous work called CoinRand. The maximum number of received messages in each node of TreeFill is also smaller than that in the previous work.
Neural Integration of Top-Down Spatial and Feature-Based Information in Visual Search

Visual search is aided by previous knowledge regarding distinguishing features and probable locations of a sought-after target. However, how the human brain represents and integrates concurrent feature-based and spatial expectancies to guide visual search is currently not well understood. Specifically, it is not clear whether spatial and feature-based search information is initially represented in anatomically segregated regions, nor at which level of processing expectancies regarding target features and locations may be integrated. To address these questions, we independently and parametrically varied the degree of spatial and feature-based (color) cue information concerning the identity of an upcoming visual search target while recording blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses in human subjects. Search performance improved with the amount of spatial and feature-based cue information, and cue-related BOLD responses showed that, during preparation for visual search, spatial and feature cue information were represented additively in shared frontal, parietal, and cingulate regions. These data show that representations of spatial and feature-based search information are integrated in source regions of top-down biasing and oculomotor planning before search onset. The purpose of this anticipatory integration could lie with the generation of a “top-down salience map,” a search template of primed target locations and features. Our results show that this role may be served by the intraparietal sulcus, which additively integrated a spatially specific activation gain in relation to spatial cue information with a spatially global activation gain in relation to feature cue information.
ENNA: software effort estimation using ensemble of neural networks with associative memory

Companies usually have limited amount of data for effort estimation. Machine learning methods have been preferred over parametric models due to their flexibility to calibrate the model for the available data. On the other hand, as machine learning methods become more complex they need more data to learn from. Therefore the challenge is to increase the performance of the algorithm when there is limited data. In this research we used a relatively complex machine learning algorithm, neural networks, and showed that stable and accurate estimations are achievable with an ensemble using associative memory. Our experimental results revealed that our proposed algorithm (ENNA) achieves on the average PRED(25) = 36.4 which is a significant increase compared to Neural Network (NN) PRED(25) = 8.
Angle at the Medial Border: The Spinovertebra Angle and Its Significance

Background. The evolution from quadrupedalism to bipedalism has adjusted the balance of the upper limb to extensive movement at the shoulder. The scapular angles provide the point of attachment and control to various muscles and have been associated with the different movements of the shoulder girdle and joint. This has made the morphometric and anthropometric study of scapula a subject of extensive investigation. Aim. In the present study, the angle at the medial border was measured in the South-Southern Nigerian population and an anatomical name was ascribed to the angle. Method. The study was conducted on 173 scapulae (75 right and 98 left) obtained from various Anatomy Department of South-Sothern Nigerian Universities. The angle at medial border was obtained by pinning the edge of the superior and inferior angles, the lined traced out, and the angle measured using a protractor. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data. t-test was used to determine mean angular difference in the sides. Result. The mean ± SD of the medial angle was observed to be 136.88 ± 7.70° (R = 138.13 ± 7.06° : L = 135.92 ± 8.05°). Statistical analysis using the Z-test for mean difference showed the medial angle was found to be higher in the right side of the scapula (mean difference of 2.214 ± 1.152°), but the observed difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The above findings have adjusted the scapula from three to four angles (lateral, superior, inferior, and medial) formed from four borders (lateral, superior, inferior, and superomedial and inferomedial). The medial angle because of its anatomical location was named “spinovertebral” angle, owing to its position at the scapulae spine, and located in medial proximity to the vertebra column. Conclusion. The medial angle (now referred to as the spinovertebral angle) of the right side of the scapula is wider than the left. The representation of the spinovertebral angle is very important, as the directional attachment of the levator scapulae may be altered if it increases or decreases greatly hence resulting in stiffness of the neck. At this point, it could be postulated that the scapular is quadrangular rather than triangular.
Modification of composition of a nanoemulsion with different cholesteryl ester molecular species: Effects on stability, peroxidation, and cell uptake

Purpose: Use of lipid nanoemulsions as carriers of drugs for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes has been increasingly studied. Here, it was tested whether modifications of core particle constitution could affect the characteristics and biologic properties of lipid nanoemulsions. Methods: Three nanoemulsions were prepared using cholesteryl oleate, cholesteryl stearate, or cholesteryl linoleate as main core constituents. Particle size, stability, pH, peroxidation of the nanoemulsions, and cell survival and uptake by different cell lines were evaluated. Results: It was shown that cholesteryl stearate nanoemulsions had the greatest particle size and all three nanoemulsions were stable during the 237-day observation period. The pH of the three nanoemulsion preparations tended to decrease over time, but the decrease in pH of cholesteryl stearate was smaller than that of cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl linoleate. Lipoperoxidation was greater in cholesteryl linoleate than in cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl stearate. After four hours’ incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with nanoemulsions, peroxidation was minimal in the presence of cholesteryl oleate and more pronounced with cholesteryl linoleate and cholesteryl stearate. In contrast, macrophage incubates showed the highest peroxidation rates with cholesteryl oleate. Cholesteryl linoleate induced the highest cell peroxidation rates, except in macrophages. Uptake of cholesteryl oleate nanoemulsion by HUVEC and fibroblasts was greater than that of cholesteryl linoleate and cholesteryl stearate. Uptake of the three nanoemulsions by monocytes was equal. Uptake of cholesteryl oleate and cholesteryl linoleate by macrophages was negligible, but macrophage uptake of cholesteryl stearate was higher. In H292 tumor cells, cholesteryl oleate showed the highest uptakes. HUVEC showed higher survival rates when incubated with cholesteryl stearate and smaller survival with cholesteryl linoleate. H292 survival was greater with cholesteryl stearate. Conclusion: Although all three nanoemulsion types were stable for a long period, considerable differences were observed in size, oxidation status, and cell survival and nanoemulsion uptake in all tested cell lines. Those differences may be helpful in protocol planning and interpretation of data from experiments with lipid nanoemulsions.