Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bullous variant of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy

BACKGROUND Spontaneous bullous serous retinal detachment (RD) with subretinal exudation complicating idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) is a rare and infrequently described clinical entity. Clinical observations are described on this variant form in 11 patients, the largest series reported to date. METHODS 13 eyes of 11 Indian patients having this entity were followed up clinically and angiographically for 12–24 months (retrospective, longitudinal). None of the patients had any previous history of other diseases nor were they on any medications. Four eyes received laser treatment (group A); nine eyes were not treated (group B). RESULTS All 11 patients were male, aged 23–49 years (median 37 years). The clinical and photographic records revealed subretinal exudation and inferior bullous serous RD complicating ICSC with evidence of large, single or multiple, leaking retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) in all the cases. In group A, resolution of serous RD occurred in 12 weeks (median) with a visual recovery of ⩾20/30 in three out of four eyes while in group B resolution of serous retinal detachment was observed in 14 weeks (median) with eight out of nine eyes achieving a visual acuity of ⩾20/30. Subretinal fibrosis developed in two eyes in group A and none of the eyes in group B. CONCLUSION The disease is an exaggerated form of ICSC and can occur spontaneously without any history of corticosteroid therapy. Recognition of this atypical presentation is important to avoid inappropriate treatment. These observations suggest that with respect to the duration of the disease and the final visual outcome laser therapy offers no additional benefit over the natural course of this variant form of ICSC.
The circadian rhythm of leptin is preserved in growth hormone deficient hypopituitary adults

Leptin acts as a satiety factor in regulating food intake and body homeostasis, but its regulation is not well defined. Specific leptin receptors have been found in the brain and it has been hypothesized that leptin production by adipose tissue is under neuroendocrine control. A circadian rhythm has been demonstrated with highest leptin levels between midnight and early morning hours. The possibility that hypopituitarism (or pituitary surgery ± radiotherapy) abolishes this leptin rhythm was investigated by measuring serum leptin levels during a 24‐h period in patients with impaired pituitary function.
Physical assessment techniques performed by Italian registered nurses: a quantitative survey.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aims of the study were to describe which of the core techniques of the physical assessment are regularly performed by a sample of Italian nurses, and to investigate the potential predictors of a more complete examination. BACKGROUND Physical examination is among the essential tasks of nursing professionals, who are requested to perform a correct and complete physical assessment. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS The study was performed between August 2013 and January 2014 in 17 Italian regions. A total of 1182 questionnaires were collected. RESULTS Most participants were females (age range 41-50 years), and worked in Internal Medicine, Intensive Care and Surgical hospital units. Of the 30 core techniques that are currently taught and performed according to the Italian Baccalaureate degree requirements, 20 were routinely performed, 6 were seldom used and 4 were learnt but almost never performed (auscultation of lung, heart and bowel sounds and spine inspection). Graduate and postgraduate nurses, working in Intensive Care Units and Nursing Homes, were more prone than the others to carry out a more complete physical assessment. CONCLUSIONS The skills to perform a physical assessment are suboptimal among this sample of Italian nurses. Health and educational providers should pose more attention and efforts to provide nurses with an acceptable training in physical examination practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study describes the specific physical techniques performed by nurses in real practice and provides information on which skills require more attention in nursing educational programmes.
From the CLIL craze to the CLIL conundrum: Addressing the current CLIL controversy

This article provides an updated account of the evolution of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), from an initial period of CLIL craze to one of CLIL critique to, at present, what could be considered a CLIL conundrum. The controversies which currently affect this approach are documented on three main fronts (characterization, implementation, and research), illustrating how the so-called pendulum effect is at work in all of them. The concomitant challenges posed by these controversies are identified and specific ways to redress them are provided via concrete research-based proposals stemming from two governmentally-funded research projects. The ultimate aim is to identify the chief hurdles which need to be tackled within the CLIL arena in the very near future and to signpost possible ways of superseding them in order to continue advancing smoothly into the next decade of CLIL development.
The relationships between plasma potassium, muscle excitability and fatigue during voluntary exercise in humans

The relationships between extracellular potassium elevation and EMG variables in relation to muscle fatigue were investigated during handgrip exercise in humans. Acid–base state, lactate, potassium ([K+]v) and sodium in venous plasma, as well as variables of surface voluntary and evoked (M‐wave) EMG were determined during repeated dynamic (DE) and static (SE) exercise (1 min exercise, 4 min rest). The different rises of [K+]v were induced by randomly varied workloads. After 15 min of warming up, the M‐wave area increased to 124.9 ± 19.6% (P < 0.001) in comparison with the control value. Simultaneously, the [K+]v decreased from 4.1 ± 0.3 to 3.6 ± 0.3 mmol l−1 (P < 0.01). During both SE and DE, there were marked intensity‐dependent signs of fatigue. The [K+]v correlated with changes of the integrated EMG (r= 0.87, P < 0.001 for both DE and SE). Changes in the M‐wave area during the exercise bouts correlated inversely with the [K+]v (r=−0.73, P < 0.001). The M‐wave area did not decrease below the control value at any intensity. The median frequency of the EMG decreased during exercise, depending on the exercise intensity (r=−0.73 for SE, r=−0.47 for DE, P < 0.001) with a maximal decrease to about 80% after SE with the maximal workload. The muscle action potential propagation velocity changed in the range of about ±2%. For the first time, a negative relationship between venous potassium and M‐wave area was shown during voluntary exercise. However, there was no evidence that the decrease in muscle performance was mainly caused by a decrease in sarcolemmal excitability resulting from a high extracellular [K+].
Fountain of youth: The impact of nostalgia on youthfulness and implications for health

Abstract The present research explored the impact of nostalgia on feelings of youthfulness, as well as the health benefits of nostalgia-induced youthfulness. Previous research indicates that feeling younger than one’s current age has positive implications for health. We predicted that, relative to ordinary autobiographical memories, nostalgic memories would make people feel more youthful. Further, we predicted that feelings of youthfulness would in turn lead to more positive attitudes about health and physical ability. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated that, as people get older, nostalgic reverie relative to a control makes them feel more youthful. In Study 3, adults 40 and older who recalled a nostalgic memory from high school reported feeling more youthful than those who recalled an ordinary high school memory. Nostalgia-induced youthfulness in turn predicted the extent to which participants felt healthy, confident about their physical abilities, and optimistic about their future health. These findings suggest that nostalgia promotes a younger view of the self that may be beneficial for health.
Maternal literacy practices and toddlers’ emergent literacy skills

Maternal emergent literacy practices during shared-reading interactions with 18–36-month-old toddlers were examined. The investigation of emergent literacy behaviours of both mothers and toddlers investigated included the examination of phonological awareness and written language awareness. Participants included 15 mother–toddler dyads from middle to upper socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. The main data collection measures included: (1) home literacy environment observation; (2) shared reading observations; and (3) parent questionnaire. Data were coded and organized into emergent literacy domains, phonological awareness and written language awareness. The results indicate that these mothers engaged in several emergent literacy behaviours with their toddlers during shared-reading interactions. Some of these behaviours were also exhibited by their children. The behaviours observed in mothers and toddlers were related to the written language awareness domain. These and other findings are discussed in relation to their theoretical foundations (e.g. Purcell-Gates, 2001) and implications for early intervention practices and programme development.
Comparison of Name-Writing Rubrics

The purpose of this study was to compare name writing using six different rubrics with the aim of ascertaining whether any were better for evaluating preschoolers’ name-writing skills. In addition, we investigated the relation between name writing assessed using these six rubrics and children’s emergent and conventional literacy skills. Name-writing data were obtained from 346 preschoolers across four data sets and scored using six rubrics: five detailed rubrics and a simple rubric. Results indicated that the scores from these rubrics were highly correlated. Furthermore, the magnitude of the correlations between name-writing scores and children’s literacy skills were similar. Findings suggest that these rubrics provide an equivalent index of children’s name-writing skills at a single assessment point.
Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and cardiovascular risk: a meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials

Preliminary data from randomized trials with metabolic outcomes have shown that treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP4i) could be associated with a reduced incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE). The present meta‐analysis is aimed at verifying this protective effect, collecting all available data from randomized trials.
INHIBITION OF ENDOTHELIN-1-MEDIATED UP-REGULATION OF INOS BY BOSENTAN AMELIORATES ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN CIRRHOSIS

ABSTRACT Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been shown to regulate the expression of various genes in addition to its vasoconstrictor role in the liver. Elevated levels of ET-1 during cirrhosis play an important role in the observed microcirculatory dysfunction; however, its role as a transcription regulator remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of ET-1 in the hepatic gene expression of vasomediators after cirrhosis in response to LPS. Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) for 1 or 3 weeks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following 1 or 3 weeks of BDL or sham operation (sham), rats received an intravenous (i.v.) injection of bosentan, a dual-selective ETA/B receptor antagonist (30mg/kg bw) or saline, and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (1 mg/kg bw). Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly elevated in 1- and 3-week BDL animals. Six hours following LPS, the elevated ALT levels were markedly exacerbated in 3-week BDL animals, which were significantly ameliorated with bosentan treatment. LPS resulted in increased ET-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expressions in both sham and BDL rats. Bosentan significantly inhibited the up-regulations of ET-1, iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA. Our data strongly suggest that ET-1 plays an important role in up-regulating the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and ET-1 itself in hepatic tissue following LPS challenge, which may contribute to the observed hepatocellular injury during endotoxemia in cirrhosis. Thus, due to significant increases in ET-1 levels during cirrhosis, ET-1 receptor blockade may prove to be of great therapeutic value in the treatment of cirrhotic patients exposed to secondary injuries such as endotoxemia.
Pregnancy-Associated Bovine and Ovine Glycoproteins Exhibit Spatially and Temporally Distinct Expression Patterns During Pregnancy1

Abstract The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) constitute a large family of recently duplicated genes. They show structural resemblance to pepsin and related aspartic proteinases. A total of 21 bovine (bo) PAG and 9 ovine (ov) PAG cDNA have been identified. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PAG are divided into two main groupings that accurately reflect their tissue expression, as determined by in situ hybridization. In the first pattern, represented by ovPAG-2 and boPAG-2, -8, -10, and -11 (where the numbering is arbitrary and reflects order of discovery within species), expression occurred throughout the outer epithelial layer of the placenta (trophectoderm). The second pattern was predominant localization to binucleate cells. Ribonuclease protection assays, which allow discrimination between closely related transcripts, have shown that the expression of PAG varies in a temporal manner over pregnancy. Of those bovine PAG expressed predominantly in binucleate cells, boPAG-1, -6, and -7 are expressed weakly, if at all, by Day 25 placenta, but are present at the middle and end of pregnancy. Others, such as boPAG-4, -5, and -9, are expressed at Day 25 and at earlier stages. Although not among the earliest PAG produced by the trophoblast, boPAG-1 has been used for pregnancy diagnosis, particularly in dairy cows, where there is a major need for a sensitive method capable of detecting pregnancy within 1 mo of conception. It seems likely that some of the newly discovered PAG will be better candidates than PAG-1 for pregnancy diagnosis.
Transmembrane Domain Modulates Sorting of Membrane Proteins in Toxoplasma gondii*

Overlapping mechanisms that function simultaneously in the intracellular sorting of mammalian membrane proteins often confound delineation of individual sorting pathways. By analyzing sorting in the evolutionarily simpler organism Toxoplasma gondii, we demonstrate a role for transmembrane domain (TMD) length in modulating the signal-dependent segregation of membrane proteins to distinct intracellular organelles. The dense granule localization of the single pass transmembrane protein GRA4 could be completely rerouted to the Golgi and cell surface simply by replacement of its TMD with that from either vesicular stomatitis virus G or the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. Mutational and biochemical analyses suggested that this effect was not caused by any specific sequence motif or strength of membrane association of the GRA4 TMD. Instead, a property imparted by the vesicular stomatitis virus G or LDL receptor TMDs, both of which are longer than the GRA4 TMD, appeared to be a decisive factor. Indeed, shortening the LDL receptor TMD to a length similar to that of GRA4 resulted in dense granule localization, whereas lengthening the GRA4 TMD resulted in rerouting to the Golgi. From these data, we conclude that although the TMD may not necessarily be a sole determinant in membrane protein sorting, its properties can markedly modulate the utilization of more conventional signal-mediated sorting pathways.
Dissociations of personally significant and task-relevant distractors inside and outside the focus of attention: a combined behavioral and psychophysiological study.

Studies of attentional capture by personally significant stimuli have reached inconsistent results, possibly because of improper control of the participants' attention. In the present study, the authors controlled visual attention by using a Stroop-like task. Participants responded to a central color and ignored a word presented either centrally (i.e., at the focus of attention) or peripherally (i.e., outside the focus of attention). Central words led to slower reaction times and larger orienting responses for significant items than for neutral items. These effects largely disappeared when the words appeared in a peripheral location. The peripheral words interfered with performance when they were relevant to task demands. These results indicate that there is a fundamental difference between task-relevant words and personally significant words: The former capture attention even when presented peripherally, whereas the latter do not.
Health and Pleasure in Consumers' Dietary Food Choices: Individual Differences in the Brain's Value System

Taking into account how people value the healthiness and tastiness of food at both the behavioral and brain levels may help to better understand and address overweight and obesity-related issues. Here, we investigate whether brain activity in those areas involved in self-control may increase significantly when individuals with a high body-mass index (BMI) focus their attention on the taste rather than on the health benefits related to healthy food choices. Under such conditions, BMI is positively correlated with both the neural responses to healthy food choices in those brain areas associated with gustation (insula), reward value (orbitofrontal cortex), and self-control (inferior frontal gyrus), and with the percent of healthy food choices. By contrast, when attention is directed towards health benefits, BMI is negatively correlated with neural activity in gustatory and reward-related brain areas (insula, inferior frontal operculum). Taken together, these findings suggest that those individuals with a high BMI do not necessarily have reduced capacities for self-control but that they may be facilitated by external cues that direct their attention toward the tastiness of healthy food. Thus, promoting the taste of healthy food in communication campaigns and/or food packaging may lead to more successful self-control and healthy food behaviors for consumers with a higher BMI, an issue which needs to be further researched.
Vestiges from the grammaticalization path: The expression of future temporal reference in Acadian French1

ABSTRACT This study presents a variationist analysis of the expression of future temporal reference (variation between the inflected future and the periphrastic future) in a linguistically conservative variety of Acadian French spoken in Baie Sainte-Marie, Nova Scotia, Canada. Results show that Acadian French is distinct from Laurentian French and that the Baie Sainte-Marie variety also differs from other Acadian varieties in some respects. A comparison of the distribution of variants and of the conditioning factors reveals that Acadian and Laurentian varieties have different future temporal reference systems. The Baie Sainte-Marie variety retains vestiges of earlier stages of the grammaticalization of one of the variants, the periphrastic future, not found in other Acadian varieties, thus supporting its characterization as a conservative variety.
New automated chemiluminescent assay for erythropoietin

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a polypeptide hormone produced by the kidney that regulates erythropoiesis by controlling the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitors in bone marrow. Assays for EPO are used to monitor dosage and response to human recombinant erythropoietin also may have diagnostic utility in the differential diagnosis of anemia and polycythemia. We evaluated an automated, chemiluminescent immunoassay for EPO (DPC Immulite) in terms of precision, linearity, interference, and correlation with reference assays. The Immulite assay demonstrated acceptable correlation with the reference immunochemiluminometric method (slope = 1.087, y intercept = 0.567, R value = 0.990). Within‐run CVs ranged from 2.3% to 5.0%, while between‐run CVs ranged from 4.1% to 9.5%. Linearity extended beyond the manufacturer’s stated claims, and recovery ranged from 96.8% to 100.9% across the concentrations tested. No significant interference was noted with hemoglobin, bilirubin, or triglyceride. Overall, this method compares favorably with the existing immunochemiluminometric reference method and offers clinical laboratories an alternative for the analysis of erythropoietin. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 14:271–233, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Matching Shapes Using the Current Distance

The {current distance} was introduced by Vaillant and Glaunes as a way of comparing shapes (point sets, curves, surfaces) without having to rely on computing correspondences between features in each shape. This distance measure is defined by viewing a shape as a linear operator on a k-form field, and constructing a (dual) norm on the space of shapes. As formulated, it takes O(nm) time to compute the current distance between two shapes of size n and m, and there are no known algorithms to compute the current distance between shapes minimized under transformation groups. In this paper, we provide the first algorithmic analysis of the current distance. Our main results are (i) a method for computing the approximate current distance between two shapes in near-linear time, (ii) a coreset construction that allows us to approximate the current norm of a shape using a constant-sized sample, and (iii) an approximation algorithm for computing the current distance between two d-dimensional shapes under rigid transformations (rotations and translations). An interesting aspect of our work is that we can compute the current distance between curves, surfaces, and higher-order manifolds via a simple reduction to instances of weighted point sets, thus obviating the need for different kinds of algorithms for different kinds of shapes.
Ultraviolet B Exposure Inhibits Angiotensin II–Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation in Mice by Expanding CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells

Background Pathogenic immune responses are known to play an important role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development. Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation has been demonstrated to have therapeutic potential not only for cutaneous diseases but also for systemic inflammatory diseases in mice by suppressing immunoinflammatory responses. We investigated the effect of UVB irradiation on experimental AAA. Methods and Results We used an angiotensin II–induced AAA model in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice fed a high‐cholesterol diet. Mice aged 10 weeks were irradiated with 5 kJ/m2 UVB once weekly for 6 weeks (UVB‐irradiated, n=38; nonirradiated, n=42) and were euthanized for evaluation of AAA formation at 16 weeks. Overall, 93% of angiotensin II–infused mice developed AAA, with 60% mortality possibly because of aneurysm rupture. UVB irradiation significantly decreased the incidence (66%) and mortality (29%) of AAA (P=0.004 and P=0.006, respectively). UVB‐irradiated mice had significantly smaller diameter AAA (P=0.008) and fewer inflammatory cells in the aortic aneurysm tissue than nonirradiated mice, along with systemic expansion of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and decreased effector CD4+ CD44high CD62Llow T cells in para‐aortic lymph nodes. Genetic depletion of regulatory T cells abrogated these beneficial effects of UVB treatment, demonstrating a critical role of regulatory T cells. Conclusions Our data suggest that UVB‐dependent expansion of regulatory T cells has beneficial effects on experimental AAA and may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of AAA.