Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of somatic symptoms in British secondary school children using the Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI).

OBJECTIVE To present normative and psychometric data on somatic symptoms using the Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI) in a nonclinical sample of British young people, and to assess associations with stress and functional impairment. METHODS A total of 1,173 students (11- to 16-years old) completed the CSI and self-report psychopathology measures. RESULTS The median CSI total score was 12 (5, 23). Headaches, feeling low in energy, sore muscles, faintness, and nausea were most frequent. Girls scored higher than boys, and respondents aged 13-14 years lower than younger children. The CSI showed good internal consistency and exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors: pain/weakness, gastrointestinal, and pseudoneurological. A quarter of respondents reported somatic symptoms were made worse by stress. CSI scores were moderately significantly correlated with impairment and emotional symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The CSI, complemented by information on functional impairment and stress is an appropriate measure of recent somatic symptoms and somatization risk in young people for use in the UK.
Thiol redox modulation of tumor necrosis factor‐α responsiveness in cultured AIDS‐related Kaposi's sarcoma cells

Both clinical and experimental evidence indicates that AIDS‐related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS‐KS) has a multifactorial pathogenesis with factors such as HIV viral load, latent virus induction, and opportunistic infections contributing to disease progression. However, a consistent feature that unites these apparently diverse putative etiologic agents is sustained serum elevations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). While virtually every cell responds to TNF‐α with gene activation, the extent of TNF‐α‐mediated cellular signaling is regulated by a delicate balance between signal activation and signal arresting events. Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), which are generated as a consequence of TNF‐α membrane interaction, are part of this TNF‐α‐initiated cellular activation cascade. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that AIDS‐KS cells possess impaired oxygen intermediate scavenging capacities, thereby establishing conditions permissive for the intracellular retention of ROI. In this study, we used cellular capacity to upregulate the cytoprotective enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to address the extent of cellular response to TNF‐α. Concurrent with the SOD analyses, nucleotide profiles were obtained to assess cellular bioenergetic responses during TNF‐α challenge. Proliferative growth levels of mitochondrial (Mn)SOD activities showed an activity spectrum ranging from lowest activity in AIDS‐KS cells, to intermediate levels in matched, nonlesional cells from the AIDS‐KS donors, to highest activities in HIV− normal fibroblasts. In contrast, following TNF‐α challenge, the AIDS‐KS and KS donor nonlesional cells showed a 11.89‐ and 5.86‐fold respective increase in MnSOD activity, while the normal fibroblasts demonstrated a 1.35‐fold decrease. Subsequent thiol redox modulation studies showed that only the normal fibroblast cultures showed a potentiation of TNF‐α‐mediated MnSOD upregulation following GSH depletion. In addition, provision of the GSH precursor, N‐acetylcysteine during TNF‐α challenge only diminished MnSOD activity and mitochondrial compartmentalization in the AIDS‐KS cells, a finding that likely reflects the lower levels of reduced thiols in this cellular population. Our data, which show that a perturbation in their cellular thiol redox status accentuates AIDS‐KS cellular responsiveness to TNF‐α, suggest a biochemical rationale for the recognized TNF‐α AIDS‐KS clinical correlation. J. Cell. Biochem. 68:339–354, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human heart-lung transplantation: physiologic aspects of the denervated lung and post-transplant obliterative bronchiolitis.

Eighteen sequential follow-up measurements of pulmonary function were obtained over a period of 21 months after heart-lung transplantation in a patient who had undergone surgery for end-stage pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. In the early postoperative period, there was a moderate decrease in VC and TLC but gas exchange was maintained at essentially normal levels. The most conspicuous features of postoperative lung function were a very low airway resistance and an increase in FEV1/VC ratio above 95%. These alterations were associated with an unusual shape of the maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve. Instead of showing a uniform decrease in expiratory flow as expiration proceeds to residual volume, the post-transplant MEFV curve showed a peak followed by a gently sloping plateau ending at a knee where flow suddenly fell. The knee occurred after exhalation of 80% VC. From the sixth postoperative month, the patient developed rapidly increasing air-flow obstruction, which proved to be due to obliterative bronchiolitis. As air-flow obstruction worsened, the knee on the MEFV curve progressively occurred at a higher lung volume, the flow plateau shortened, and flow after the knee became smaller at a given volume. From the ninth postoperative month, it was no longer possible to identify a plateau-knee configuration on the MEFV curve, which resembled that seen in severe obstructive airway disease. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
VEGF as a Paracrine Regulator of Conventional Outflow Facility

Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates microvascular endothelial permeability, and the permeability of Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelium influences conventional aqueous humor outflow. We hypothesize that VEGF signaling regulates outflow facility. Methods We measured outflow facility (C) in enucleated mouse eyes perfused with VEGF-A164a, VEGF-A165b, VEGF-D, or inhibitors to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). We monitored VEGF-A secretion from human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells by ELISA after 24 hours of static culture or cyclic stretch. We used immunofluorescence microscopy to localize VEGF-A protein within the TM of mice. Results VEGF-A164a increased C in enucleated mouse eyes. Cyclic stretch increased VEGF-A secretion by human TM cells, which corresponded to VEGF-A localization in the TM of mice. Blockade of VEGFR-2 decreased C, using either of the inhibitors SU5416 or Ki8751 or the inactive splice variant VEGF-A165b. VEGF-D increased C, which could be blocked by Ki8751. Conclusions VEGF is a paracrine regulator of conventional outflow facility that is secreted by TM cells in response to mechanical stress. VEGF affects facility via VEGFR-2 likely at the level of SC endothelium. Disruption of VEGF signaling in the TM may explain why anti-VEGF therapy is associated with decreased outflow facility and sustained ocular hypertension.
Behavior of an order release mechanism in a make-to-order manufacturing system with selected order acceptance

The value of holding orders in a preshop pool, prior to their release to the factory floor, is a somewhat controversial topic. This is especially true for make-to-order manufacturing systems, where, if capacity is fixed and exogenous due dates are inflexible, having orders wait in a preshop pool may cause the overall due date performance of the system to deteriorate. In such circumstances, selective rejection of orders offers an alternative approach to dealing with surges in demand whilst maintaining acceptable due date performance. This reports on the behavior of such a make-to-order manufacturing system under a control policy involving both an order release component and an order acceptance/rejection component.
Unpacking student growth percentiles: statistical properties of regression-based approaches with implications for student and school classifications

Approved: ________________________________ Thesis Supervisor ________________________________ Title and Department ________________________________ Date ________________________________ Thesis Supervisor ________________________________ Title and Department ________________________________ Date 3 UNPACKING STUDENT GROWTH PERCENTILES: STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF REGRESSION-BASED APPROACHES WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT AND SCHOOL CLASSIFICATIONS by Katherine Elizabeth Castellano A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychological and Quantitative Foundations (Educational Measurement and Statistics) in the Graduate College of The University of Iowa
PGQL: a property graph query language

Graph-based approaches to data analysis have become more widespread, which has given need for a query language for graphs. Such a graph query language needs not only SQL-like functionality for querying structured data, but also intrinsic support for typical graph-style applications: reachability analysis, path finding and graph construction. We propose a new query language for the popular Property Graph (PG) data model: the Property Graph Query Language (PGQL). PGQL is based on the paradigm of graph pattern matching, closely follows syntactic structures of SQL, and provides regular path queries with conditions on labels and properties to allow for reachability and path finding queries. Besides intrinsic vertex, edge and path types, PGQL also has the graph as intrinsic type and allows for graph construction and query composition.
THROMBOTIC EFFECTS OF ASPARAGINASE IN TWO ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA PROTOCOLS (NOPHO ALL-1992 VERSUS NOPHO ALL-2000): A Single-Institution Study

Asparaginase is essential in the treatment of lymphoproliferative malignancies, but it is associated with several side effects. The objective of this study was to compare asparaginase-induced alterations of the coagulation inhibitors and the impact on central line-associated thrombosis in children treated according to 2 different asparaginase regimens. The study enrolled 30 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and they were divided into 2 groups with respect to asparaginase preparation and protocol (NOPHO ALL-1992 versus NOPHO ALL-2000). The coagulation inhibitors antithrombin, protein C, and proteins S were measured prior to and during asparaginase therapy, and incidence of central line-associated thromboses was compared to evaluate the protocols' thrombogenicity. Thirteen children received Erwinia asparaginase and 17 children received E. coli asparaginase. Independent of protocol, the coagulation inhibitors were significantly reduced during asparaginase therapy (p < .001), and central line-associated thromboses were frequent. Four children developed thrombosis in the course of asparaginase therapy, and there was a correlation between asparaginase-induced fall of antithrombin and occurrence of new thromboses (p = .01).
Peritubular Capillary Basement Membrane Multilayering on Electron Microscopy: A Useful Marker of Early Chronic Antibody-Mediated Damage

Background Chronic antibody-mediated rejection is an important cause of late graft failure. Developing an early marker of the disease may allow diagnosis and treatment before irreversible graft damage has occurred. The aim of this study was to assess whether, on electron microscopy examination, peritubular capillary (PTC) basement membrane multilayering precedes and predicts the development of transplant glomerulopathy (TG). Methods We used a vintage matched case-control method. Sixteen case-control pairs were created among all renal transplant patients from October 2005. Cases were patients who developed TG, and controls were patients with a late (>36 months) posttransplant (indication or surveillance) biopsy without TG. Electron microscopy was carried out on a biopsy taken earlier in the posttransplantation period for both cases and controls. Results For every additional PTC of 25 examined with three or more layers in the early biopsy, the risk of having TG in the later biopsy was increased by 1.4-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.9; P=0.015). For every PTC of 25 with five or more layers, the risk was increased by 1.6-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.7; P=0.063). Thus, the risk of future TG increased substantially with every additional PTC of 25 showing multilayering in the early biopsy. Conclusions Peritubular capillary basement membrane multilayering on electron microscopy is a useful marker of early chronic antibody-mediated damage, and information can be obtained by assessing PTC with three to four layers of basement membrane in addition to those with five or more layers. This finding must be validated in a prospective study.
Endovascular Reconstruction with the Willis Covered Stent for the Treatment of Large or Giant Intracranial Aneurysms

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of large or giant intracranial aneurysms with the Willis covered stent. Methods: Nineteen patients, each with a large or giant intracranial aneurysm, were treated with the Willis covered stent. Of these 19 aneurysms, 6 were giant and 13 were large; 18 were located in the cranial internal carotid artery and 1 in the vertebral artery. Results of the procedure, technical events and complications were recorded. Clinical and imaging follow-ups were performed at 3 and 6–12 months after the procedure. Results: Placement of Willis covered stent was successful in all patients. Complete aneurysm exclusion was achieved in 13 of the 19 aneurysms immediately after the procedure. No mortality or morbidity developed during the treatment or the follow-up period. During the follow-up period, complete aneurysm exclusion was achieved in 18 of the 19 patients; 11 aneurysms were totally involuted, 3 decreased to 25% of the original diameter, 4 decreased to 50% and 1 remained unchanged. Nine patients experienced full recovery, 9 improved and 1 was unchanged. No obvious in-stent stenosis was noted. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of large or giant intracranial aneurysm with the Willis covered stent is feasible, safe and efficacious in selected cases. Endoleak is a frequent issue after initial covered stent placement, but can be eliminated or dramatically reduced to minimal endoleak by additional covered stent placement and/or balloon reinflation. Minor endoleak is likely to spontaneously resolve over time.
A Psychometric Theory of Evaluations of Item and Scale Translations

A psychometric theory of equivalence of meanings of items and item responses in original and target language versions of psychological scales is developed. Equivalence of translated items is defined in terms of probabilities of a specified response being evoked by two stimuli among individuals with the same amount of the latent trait assessed by the items. In the case of translated items that form psychological scales, the stimuli are the source and target language versions of the item. The specified responses are correct or positive responses to these measurement items. The extent to which items are equivalent across the different language versions can be evaluated within the framework of item response theory (Lord & Novick, 1968). Methods of equating scales containing culturally general, etic, items and culturally specific, emic, items are outlined. These techniques can be used to increase the cultural relevance of scales by generating and including emic concepts while permitting comparisons across cultures and languages on the basis of scales equated with reference to the common, etic items. Results of applications of these techniques to one instrument (the Job Descriptive Index; Smith, Kendall, & Hulin, 1969) translated into five languages and administered to approximately 3,000 employees in six countries are discussed briefly.
Study on the Conception Rate of Dairy Cows Artificially Inseminated During Natural Heat and By Synchronization in Fogera Woreda , North-West of Ethiopia

The study was conducted from September 2014 to August 2015 in Fogera Woreda of North-Western Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing the effectiveness of synchronization with PGF and evaluating the 2 efficiency of pregnancy of dairy cows artificially inseminated during natural heat (oestrus) and by synchronization. Out of the total 620 (497 local and 123 cross breed) heifers and cows inseminated artificially, 194 females were conceived (pregnant) with the overall pregnancy rate of 31.29%. A total of 527 females, by natural heat and 93 females, by synchronization (after a single injection of 2 ml PGF , IM) were inseminated. 2 It was found out that the proportion of cows that successfully conceived significantly differed (p< 0.05) between the two methods. Higher rate of conception was observed in natural heat (32.07%) as compared to synchronization (26.88%). Similarly, higher rate of pregnancy were observed in cross breed cows (52%) than local breeds (48%). However, there was no any significant difference (p> 0.05) observed in the conception rate of the two breeds. Regarding to synchronization, 100% (17 out of 17) of crosses and 98.68% (75 out of 76) of local breed cows were responded to heat oestrus after a single injection of PGF within 14 days. However, 2 the difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05) between breeds. Finally, it can be concluded that prostaglandin F was effective to synchronize dairy cows although the rate of pregnancy was very low. 2 Therefore, selection of dairy belts, farmers and cattle for synchronization should be crucial. In addition, strategic feed supplementation of synchronized cattle should be essential. Moreover, only those cows that showed standing estrus should be inseminated.
What is taught, what is tested: Findings and competency-based recommendations of the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee of the Society of Critical Care Medicine

Introduction:Addressing an unexpected shortfall of intensivists requires early identification and training of appropriate personnel. The purpose of this study was to determine how U.S. medical students are currently educated and tested on acute care health principles. Hypothesis/Methods:A survey of critical care education with telephone follow-up was mailed to the deans of all 126 medical schools. Web site review of medical school curricula for critical care education was performed. Upon invited request, four members of the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee (UGMEC) reviewed 1,200 pool questions of step II of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) given to graduating medical students for critical care content. Descriptive statistics are employed. Results:Survey response rate was 49% and 88% by the second mailing with Web site review. Forty-five percent of U.S. medical schools responding had formal undergraduate critical care didactic curricula averaging 12 ± 3 hrs: 60% were elective, 60% taught in the 4th year. Eighty percent of clinical ICU rotations offered were elective. Sixty percent of schools taught 11 key critical care procedures in the 3rd or 4th year; 17% required them to graduate. Nineteen percent of Step II USMLE questions had critical care content; 58% dealt with pulmonary or cardiac disease. Conclusions:Graduating medical students are tested (and licensed accordingly) on critical care knowledge, despite an inconsistent exposure to the discipline in medical school. The UGMEC has drafted competency-based recommendations for acute health care delivery that encourage mandatory didactic and procedural critical care training. The UGMEC recommends that critical care rotations with didactic curricula be required for undergraduate education and that acute care procedural skills be an important component of these curricula.
Pharmaceutical industry sponsorship and research outcome and quality: systematic review

Abstract Objective To investigate whether funding of drug studies by the pharmaceutical industry is associated with outcomes that are favourable to the funder and whether the methods of trials funded by pharmaceutical companies differ from the methods in trials with other sources of support. Methods Medline (January 1966 to December 2002) and Embase (January 1980 to December 2002) searches were supplemented with material identified in the references and in the authors' personal files. Data were independently abstracted by three of the authors and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results 30 studies were included. Research funded by drug companies was less likely to be published than research funded by other sources. Studies sponsored by pharmaceutical companies were more likely to have outcomes favouring the sponsor than were studies with other sponsors (odds ratio 4.05; 95% confidence interval 2.98 to 5.51; 18 comparisons). None of the 13 studies that analysed methods reported that studies funded by industry was of poorer quality. Conclusion Systematic bias favours products which are made by the company funding the research. Explanations include the selection of an inappropriate comparator to the product being investigated and publication bias.
Systemic inflammatory response following acute myocardial infarction

Acute cardiomyocyte necrosis in the infarcted heart generates damage-associated molecular patterns, activating complement and toll-like receptor/interleukin-1 signaling, and triggering an intense inflammatory response. Inflammasomes also recognize danger signals and mediate sterile inflammatory response following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Inflammatory response serves to repair the heart, but excessive inflammation leads to adverse left ventricular remodeling and heart failure. In addition to local inflammation, profound systemic inflammation response has been documented in patients with AMI, which includes elevation of circulating inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules, and activation of peripheral leukocytes and platelets. The excessive inflammatory response could be caused by a deregulated immune system. AMI is also associated with bone marrow activation and spleen monocytopoiesis, which sustains a continuous supply of monocytes at the site of inflammation. Accumulating evidence has shown that systemic inflammation aggravates atherosclerosis and markers for systemic inflammation are predictors of adverse clinical outcomes (such as death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and heart failure) in patients with AMI.