Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occlusion Problems in Central Venous Catheters: The child and Family Perspective

The use of central venous catheters (CVCs) has revolutionized practice within paediatric oncology settings. However, many children experience problems with occlusion of these devices. When working effectively, CVCs can assist the administration of medication and withdrawal of blood samples and minimize the need for venepuncture, thus considerably easing the trauma of children undergoing treatment for malignant disease. However, when lines are occluded children will be subjected to vene-puncture or anaesthetic for line replacement. There are a myriad of factors that may lead to occlusion. A study was undertaken to identify these and explore the effects that occlusion of a CVC can have on the child and family. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase one consisted of a review of case notes of 63 children from which five families were selected for interview. These were undertaken to examine the possible factors that may have precipitated line occlusion and the subsequent effect of this on their lives. The issues arising from the interviews and review of the case notes were used inform phase two, which comprised the development and distribution of a questionnaire in order to investigate key aspects within a larger population of 63 families. This article explores the information gained from children and families about the effect occlusion can have on them and their lives. Overall the findings revealed that parents felt anxious, angry and helpless when faced with occlusion and they described the coping strategies they used when the problem arose. Furthermore, providing information and education to parents regarding the care of the CVC was crucial. Following an analysis of the implications for practice the main recommendations were twofold. First, that structured teaching programmes and shared learning protocols should be developed to ensure that parents are fully conversant with the possible complications associated with the CVC. Second, parents should be provided with the knowledge and skills to feel competent in flushing their child’s line when they go home. Both these recommendations have subsequently been introduced within the unit.
A twin study of body dysmorphic concerns

Background Dysmorphic concern refers to an excessive preoccupation with a perceived or slight defect in physical appearance. It lies on a continuum of severity from no or minimal concerns to severe concerns over one's appearance. The present study examined the heritability of dysmorphic concerns in a large sample of twins. Method Twins from the St Thomas UK twin registry completed a valid and reliable self-report measure of dysmorphic concerns, which also includes questions about perceived body odour and malfunction. Twin modelling methods (female twins only, n=3544) were employed to decompose the variance in the liability to dysmorphic concerns into additive genetic, shared and non-shared environmental factors. Results Model-fitting analyses showed that genetic factors accounted for approximately 44% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 36–50%] of the variance in dysmorphic concerns, with non-shared environmental factors and measurement error accounting for the remaining variance (56%; 95% CI 50–63%). Shared environmental factors were negligible. The results remained unchanged when excluding individuals reporting an objective medical condition/injury accounting for their concern in physical appearance. Conclusions Over-concern with a perceived or slight defect in physical appearance is a heritable trait, with non-shared environmental factors also playing an important role in its causation. The results are relevant for various psychiatric disorders characterized by excessive concerns in body appearance, odour or function, including but not limited to body dysmorphic disorder.
DNA hypermethylation in hyperhomocysteinemia contributes to abnormal extracellular matrix metabolism in the kidney

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Emerging studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the development and progression of fibrosis in CKD. HHcy and its intermediates are known to alter the DNA methylation pattern, which is a critical regulator of epigenetic information. In this study, we hypothesized that HHcy causes renovascular remodeling by DNA hypermethylation, leading to glomerulosclerosis. We also evaluated whether the DNA methylation inhibitor, 5‐aza‐2'‐deoxycytidine (5‐Aza) could modulate extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism and reduce renovascular fibrosis. C57BL/6J (wild‐type) and cystathionine‐β‐synthase (CBS+/‐) mice, treated without or with 5‐Aza (0.5 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), were used. CBS+/‐mice showed high plasma Hcy levels, hypertension, and significant glomerular and arteriolar injury. 5‐Aza treatment normalized blood pressure and reversed renal injury. CBS+/‐mice showed global hypermethylation and up‐regulation of DNA methyltransferase‐1 and‐3a. Methylation‐specific PCR showed an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 and ‐2 and also increased collagen and galectin‐3 expression. 5‐Aza reduced abnormal DNA methylation and restored the MMP‐9/TIMP‐1, ‐2 balance. In conclusion, our data suggest that during HHcy, abnormal DNA methylation and an imbalance between MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 and ‐2 lead to ECM remodeling and renal fibrosis. —Pushpakumar, S. , Kundu, S. , Narayanan, N. , Sen, U. DNA hypermethylation in hyperhomocysteinemia contributes to abnormal extracellular matrix metabolism in the kidney. FASEB J. 29, 4713‐4725 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Perceived Causality Occurs with Stroboscopic Movement of One or Both Stimulus Elements

It was shown by magnitude estimation that the perception of causality first described by Michotte (1946/1963) also occurs consistently and strongly with stroboscopic, ie apparent or phi, movement. This is so when the ‘causal’ movement is stroboscopic and the ‘caused’ movement real, when these movements are reversed, and when both movements are stroboscopic. The effect is not due to prior experience with Michotte-type displays.
Gaseous Phase and Electrochemical Hydrogen Storage Properties of Ti50Zr1Ni44X5 (X = Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Cu) for Nickel Metal Hydride Battery Applications

Structural, gaseous phase hydrogen storage, and electrochemical properties of a series of the Ti50Zr1Ni44X5 (X = Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Cu) metal hydride alloys were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the multi-phase nature of all alloys, which were composed of a stoichiometric TiNi matrix, a hyperstoichiometric TiNi minor phase, and a Ti2Ni secondary phase. Improvement in synergetic effects between the main TiNi and secondary Ti2Ni phases, determined by the amount of distorted lattice region in TiNi near Ti2Ni, was accomplished by the substitution of an element with a higher work function, which consequently causes a dramatic increase in gaseous phase hydrogen storage capacity compared to the Ti50Zr1Ni49 base alloy. Capacity performance is further enhanced in the electrochemical environment, especially in the cases of the Ti50Zr1Ni49 base alloy and Ti50Zr1Ni44Co5 alloy. Although the TiNi-based alloys in the current study show poorer high-rate performances compared to the commonly used AB5, AB2, and A2B7 alloys, they have adequate capacity performances and also excel in terms of cost and cycle stability. Among the alloys investigated, the Ti50Zr1Ni44Fe5 alloy demonstrated the best balance among capacity (394 mAh·g−1), high-rate performance, activation, and cycle stability and is recommended for follow-up full-cell testing and as the base composition for future formula optimization. A review of previous research works regarding the TiNi metal hydride alloys is also included.
Role of CX3CR1 Receptor in Monocyte/Macrophage Driven Neovascularization

Monocyte/Macrophages are implicated in initiation of angiogenesis, tissue/organ perfusion and atherosclerosis biology. We recently showed that chemokine receptor CX3CR1 is an essential regulator of monocyte/macrophage derived smooth muscle cell differentiation in the vessel wall after injury. Here we hypothesised the contribution of CX3CR1- CX3CL1 interaction to in vivo neovascularization and studied the functional consequences of genetic and pharmacologic targeting of CX3CR1 in formation, maturation and maintenance of microvascular integrity. Cells functionally deficient in CX3CR1 lacked matrix tunnelling and tubulation capacity in a 3D Matrigel assay. These morphogenic and cytokinetic responses were driven by CX3CL1-CX3CR1 interaction and totally abrogated by a Rho antagonist. To evaluate the role of CX3CR1 system in vivo, Matrigel plugs were implanted in competent CX3CR1+/gfp and functionally deficient CX3CR1gfp/gfp mice. Leaky microvessels (MV) were formed in the Matrigel implanted in CX3CR1gfp/gfp but not in CX3CR1+/gfp mice. In experimental plaque neovascularization immature MV phenotype was observed in CX3CR1gfp/gfp mice, lacking CX3CR1 positive smooth muscle-like cells, extracellular collagen and basement membrane (BM) laminin compared to competent CX3CR1+/gfp mice. This was associated with increased extravasation of platelets into the intima of CX3CR1gfp/gfp but not functionally competent CX3CR1 mice. Pharmacologic targeting using CX3CR1 receptor antagonist in wild type mice resulted in formation of plaque MV with poor BM coverage and a leaky phenotype. Our data indicate a hitherto unrecognised role for functional CX3CR1 in Matrigel and experimental plaque neovascularization in vivo, which may buttress MV collectively in favour of a more stable non-leaky phenotype.
Long‐term Topical Timolol and Blood Lipids: The Blue Mountains Eye Study

Objectives: To examine whether an association exists between long‐term use of topical timolol and blood lipids, including high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), cholesterol, and triglycerides, among participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Methods: From 1992 through 1994, a detailed medical and eye examination was performed in 3,654 people aged 49 years or older, representing 82% of permanent residents in two postcode areas west of Sydney. Glaucoma and ocular hypertension were diagnosed, and an ophthalmic history was taken, including use of topical timolol. Fasting blood tests were performed in 89% of subjects. Lipid levels were compared in subjects using topical timolol for at least 1 year with those not using timolol, after excluding people using oral &bgr;‐blockers, topical &bgr;1‐selective agents, or oral lipidlowering medications. Results: Analyses compared blood lipids of 63 people who had used topical timolol for at least 1 year with 2,597 nonusers. No statistically significant differences were found in any blood lipid mean levels between treated and untreated people, after multivariate adjustment. However, subgroup analyses of men and women separately showed that male timolol users had a mean value of HDL‐C 0.13 mmol/L (11%) lower then the mean value of male nonusers, while female timolol users had a mean value of HDL‐C 0.09 mmol/L (5%) higher than the mean for female nonusers. There were no statistically significant associations between timolol treatment duration and HDL‐C or other lipid levels. Previously reported adverse effects of oral &bgr;‐blockers on blood lipid levels were confirmed. Conclusions: These population‐based data suggest that long‐term administration of topical timolol for glaucoma or ocular hypertension can cause adverse effects on HDL‐C in men, but not in women. The magnitude of the effect in men was similar to that previously described in a number of short‐term studies.
Posterior Fossa Tumors in Children: Differential Diagnosis and Advanced Imaging Techniques

Neurology, anatomical localization, extension, histology, treatment options, short and long term survival and prognosis as well as functional outcome differs significantly comparing children with adults concerning neoplastic posterior fossa lesions. In young children (0-10 years), posterior fossa tumors are more frequent than supratentorial lesions, in older children (>10 years) the incidence of supratentorial tumors gradually increases with age. The spectrum of posterior fossa neoplasm includes cerebellar astrocytoma (30-35%), medulloblastoma (20-25%), brainstem gliomas (20-25%) and ependymoma (10-15%). This series of tumors accounts for approximately 8090% of all posterior fossa tumors within the first decade of life. Typical adulthood tumors of the posterior fossa like meningeomas, schwannomas, or metastases are rare in childhood. The functional impact of the cerebellum on the neurocognitive development, especially of high-order cognitive skills, should not be underestimated. A multimodality treatment which may include neurosurgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy should consequently be carefully designed in order to maximize tumor cure while minimizing neurocognitive and functional side effects. Depending on the location and histology of the tumor, complete or near complete neurosurgical resection is the backbone of successful treatment and long term survival. Adjuvant treatment options are however significantly limited in children by the high vulnerability of the developing cerebellum and brainstem for radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is believed to have a less deleterious effect. Goal of any neuroimaging should be to improve risk stratification by identifying important prognostic imaging features. The results of imaging should be combined with histopathologic, cytogenetic and molecular prognostics to accurately classify patients into low, medium and high risk categories. The more information available, the better treatment can be applied. The impact and significance of neuroimaging will be enhanced by combining conventional anatomical imaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) with advanced functional imaging techniques like e.g. H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion weighted (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) and functional, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) MRI (fMRI). In the current article we will review the imaging features of the most frequent posterior fossa tumors in children. In addition, the future impact of advanced imaging techniques will be discussed.
Orbital Lipogranulomatous Inflammation Harboring Mycobacterium abscessus

Purpose A case of iatrogenic Mycobacterium abscessus orbital infection is presented to call attention to its distinct histopathologic appearance, mechanism of organism, virulence, and clinical management. Methods Clinicopathologic analysis of an orbital infection caused by M. abscessus is described. Detailed histologic analysis is performed to provide insight into the mechanism of infection and correlate the features of the orbital infection with that of atypical mycobacteriosis at other body sites. Results A 71-year-old woman had an orbital mass in the supranasal orbit after a blepharoplasty. The mass consisted of a dimorphic inflammatory reaction with a superficial purulent reaction and a deeper granulomatous process consisting of epithelioid tubercles, each centered about a lipid vacuole. Acid-fast bacilli were found in the lipid vacuoles but not elsewhere in the specimen. Each tubercle was surrounded by a zone of lymphocytes and a desmoplastic reaction. Microbiologic culture studies identified M. abscessus. A combination of surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy for 4 weeks eliminated the infection. Conclusions Acid-fast stains should be performed on any orbital lesion showing an apparent lipogranulomatous reaction. Although clinical management of orbital atypical microbacteriosis is difficult, the combination of surgical and specific antimicrobial intervention is effective. Our study contributes to an evolving understanding of the mechanism of human infectivity of these low-virulence organisms by suggesting that the orbital fat is a source of lipid material that can harbor the organisms, allowing them to escape host immunosurveillance.
Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between CXCR4 Expression and Metastasis in Prostate Cancer

Purpose Experimental studies have suggested that the stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 axis is associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis in several malignancies. We performed a meta-analysis to elucidate the relationship between CXCR4 expression and the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Data were collected from studies comparing Gleason score, T stage, and the presence of metastasis with CXCR4 levels in human prostate cancer samples. The studies were pooled, and the odds ratio (OR) of CXCR4 expression for clinical and pathological variables was calculated. Results Five articles were eligible for the current meta-analysis. We found no relationship between CXCR4 expression and Gleason score (<7 vs. ≥7). The forest plot using the fixed-effects model indicated an OR of 1.585 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.793~3.171; p=0.193). Further, CXCR4 expression was not associated with the T stage (<T3 vs. ≥T3), and the relevant meta-analysis showed OR=1.803 (95% CI: 0.756~4.297, p=0.183). However, increased CXCR4 expression was strongly associated with metastatic disease with a fixed-effects pooled OR of 7.459 (95% CI: 2.665~20.878, p<0.001). Conclusions Our meta-analysis showed that the higher CXCR4 protein expression in prostate cancer specimens is significantly associated with the presence of metastatic disease. This supports previous experimental data supporting the role played by the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in metastasis.
Migration and Union Dissolution among Puerto Rican Women 1

This study examines the relationship between migration and union dissolution among Puerto Ricans, a Latino subgroup characterized by recurrent migration between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. Based on pooled life-history data from comparable surveys undertaken in Puerto Rico and the United States, we find that: 1) Puerto Rican women who have lived on the U.S. mainland have markedly higher rates of union disruption than those with no U.S. experience; and 2) even net of a wide variety of possible explanatory factors, the relatively high rates of union instability among first and second generation U.S. residents and return migrants are strongly related to recent and lifetime migration experience. The results suggest that the weak social ties of migrants provide limited social support for their unions and few barriers to union disruption.
Crystallographic insights into the structural aspects of thioctic acid based halogen-bond donor for the functionalization of gold nanoparticles.

The synthesis and self-assembly capabilities of a new halogen-bond donor ligand, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-iodophenyl 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoate (1), are reported. The crystal structure of ligand (1) and the formation of a cocrystal with 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, (1)·(2), both show halogen bonds involving the 4-iodotetrafluorobenzene moiety. Ligand (1), being a self-complementary unit, forms an infinite halogen-bonded chain driven by the S.I synthon, while the cocrystal (1)·(2) self-assembles into a discrete trimeric entity driven by the N.I synthon. Ligand (1) was also successfully used to functionalize the surface of gold nanoparticles, AuNP-(1). Experiments on the dispersibility profile of AuNP-(1) demonstrated the potential of halogen bonding in facilitating the dispersion of modified NPs with halogen-bond donors in pyridine.
Using Digital Masks to Enhance the Bandwidth Tolerance and Improve the Performance of On-Chip Reservoir Computing Systems

Reservoir computing (RC) is a computing scheme related to recurrent neural network theory. As a model for neural activity in the brain, it attracts a lot of attention, especially because of its very simple training method. However, building a functional, on-chip, photonic implementation of RC remains a challenge. Scaling delay lines down from optical fiber scale to chip scale results in RC systems that compute faster, but at the same time requires that the input signals be scaled up in speed, which might be impractical or expensive. In this brief, we show that this problem can be alleviated by a masked RC system in which the amplitude of the input signal is modulated by a binary-valued mask. For a speech recognition task, we demonstrate that the necessary input sample rate can be a factor of 40 smaller than in a conventional RC system. In addition, we also show that linear discriminant analysis and input matrix optimization is a well-performing alternative to linear regression for reservoir training.
The monophyletic origin of freshwater crayfish estimated from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences

Despite their widespread use as model organisms, the phylogenetic status of the around 520 species of freshwater crayfish is still in doubt. One hypothesis suggests two distinct origins of freshwater crayfish as indicated by their geographical distribution, with two centres of origin near the two present centres of diversity; one in south-eastern United States and the other in Victoria, Australia. An alternative theory proposes a single (monophyletic) origin of freshwater crayfish. Here we use over 3000 nucleotides from three different gene regions in estimating phylogenetic relationships among freshwater crayfish and related Crustacea. We show clear evidence for monophyly of freshwater crayfish and for the sister-group relationship between crayfish and clawed lobsters. Monophyly of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea is also supported. However, the monophyly of the family Cambaridae is questioned with the genus Cambaroides being associated with the Astacidae.
Effects of Intensive English-Medium Listening Course on Learners’ Anxieties

This study examines whether an intensive English-medium listening course influences learners’ confidence in listening, listening anxiety and their foreign language anxiety. The factors influencing learners’ anxieties during the course are also of interest for the study. The participants were 27 college students who took a semester-long intensive English listening practice course. Pre- and post-course surveys were administered to examine the changes in confidence and anxieties. Weekly listening logs were also collected from the learners to track, in depth, their experience in the course as well as to explore factors related to their anxieties. After taking the course, learners’ confidence about language skills, including listening, was found to significantly increase. According to T-test results, foreign language classroom anxiety level among the learners significantly lowered. Interestingly, however, their listening anxiety became rather higher even though the change was not statistically significant. The qualitative analysis of the learners’ logs showed that learners’ participation in English interactions in a comfortable class atmosphere might have contributed to lowering their foreign language classroom anxiety. On the other hand, the authentic listening tasks adopted for the course were pointed out as the major factor increasing their listening anxiety. Finally based on these results, the study discusses the implications for listening course design and makes suggestions for future research.