Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observe to get pain relief: current evidence and potential mechanisms of socially learned pain modulation

Placebo analgesia refers to pain relief due to the psychosocial context surrounding treatments and interventions. Placebo analgesic effects are influenced by many factors, including expectancies about treatments, previous experiences, as well as other cognitive and emotional elements. Within these factors, previous experience via conditioning is one of the most studied mechanisms of neurobiological investigation of placebo effects and findings from this line of inquiry have suggested that conditioning, instructional, and observational cues work to change expectancy of treatment which in turn changes clinical outcomes. In keeping with this, the mere expectation of analgesia from receiving a treatment (eg, a painkiller) can reduce pain perception, even if this treatment is in fact an inert substance (eg, placebo). This expectancy can be acquired in a number of ways including direct experience of analgesia (ie, the patient learns that after taking a specific drug, pain will decrease), verbal instructions (ie, the doctor tells the patient that a specific drug will reduce pain) or social observation (ie, the patient observes pain relief in another patient after this patient took a specific drug). Given that humans are highly sociable organisms and that our behaviors are affected by social learning, the ability for social observation to generate treatment expectations that in turn alter clinical response is likely a fruitful area of study, particularly with regard to how social learning can be used to enhance analgesic responses and reduce hyperalgesic responses in the clinic. In this review, we used both terms “social” and “observational” learning to allude to the pain modulation that a study participant or patient experiences because of social information.While observational learning refers primarily to acquiring information through directly observing another patient receiving pain relief, social learning incorporates the entire interpersonal context that leads to behavioral changes. We conducted a literature search of PubMed using the following set of terms: pain, social learning, and placebo; pain, nocebo, and observation. We found 19 and 7 articles, respectively, and we manually selected 7 references (see references 3,11,21,28,50,51,54) on socially induced placebo and nocebo effects considered most relevant for this topical review. We excluded observational pain studies, and case series but we discuss reviews that support the discussion on potential mechanisms underpinning socially induced placebo and nocebo pain modulatory effects.
Nicotine exposure suppresses hyperinsulinemia and improves endothelial dysfunction mediators independent of corticosteroids in insulin-resistant oral contraceptive-treated female rats

Abstract Estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives (COC) or tobacco smoking has been associated with hypertension and endothelial dysfunction resulting in increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Contrasting effects of nicotine exposure on endothelial function have been reported. The effect of non-smoking nicotine exposure on endothelial dysfunction during COC treatment remains to be fully elucidated. We therefore, sought to determine the effects of nicotine exposure during COC treatment on endothelial dysfunction mediators and circulating corticosteroids. Female Wistar rats aged 10 weeks were given (po) vehicle, nicotine (1.0 mg/kg) with or without COC steroids (1.0 µg ethinylestradiol and 5.0 µg levonorgestrel) daily for 6 weeks. Nicotine exposure caused 113.3% increase in insulinemia whereas COC treatment led to 76.9% increased insulinemia compared with control. Furthermore, COC treatment or nicotine exposure led to glucose deregulation, insulin resistance, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, uric acid, oxidative stress, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and corticosteroids. However, COC + NIC treatment led to 41.2% decrease in insulemina compared with COC-treated rats. Furthermore, all other alterations were alleviated by nicotine exposure in COC-treated female rats with the exception of corticosteroids.
Investor Protection: Origins, Consequences, and Reform

Recent research has documented large differences between countries in ownership concentration in publicly traded firms, in the breadth and depth of capital markets, in dividend policies, and in the access of firms to external finance. We suggest that there is a common element to the explanations of these differences, namely how well investors, both shareholders and creditors, are protected by law from expropriation by the managers and controlling shareholders of firms. We describe the differences in laws and the effectiveness of their enforcement across countries, discuss the possible origins of these differences, summarize their consequences, and assess potential strategies of corporate governance reform. We argue that the legal approach is a more fruitful way to understand corporate governance and its reform than the conventional distinction between bank-centered and market-centered financial systems.
A Microfluidic Chip Using Phenol Formaldehyde Resin for Uniform-Sized Polycaprolactone and Chitosan Microparticle Generation

This study develops a new solvent-compatible microfluidic chip based on phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR). In addition to its solvent-resistant characteristics, this microfluidic platform also features easy fabrication, organization, decomposition for cleaning, and reusability compared with conventional chips. Both solvent-dependent (e.g., polycaprolactone) and nonsolvent-dependent (e.g., chitosan) microparticles were successfully prepared. The size of emulsion droplets could be easily adjusted by tuning the flow rates of the dispersed/continuous phases. After evaporation, polycaprolactone microparticles ranging from 29.3 to 62.7 μm and chitosan microparticles ranging from 215.5 to 566.3 μm were obtained with a 10% relative standard deviation in size. The proposed PFR microfluidic platform has the advantages of active control of the particle size with a narrow size distribution as well as a simple and low cost process with a high throughput.
Uneven Meibomian Gland Dropout Over the Tarsal Plate and Its Correlation With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Purpose: To evaluate the distribution of meibomian gland dropout and analyze the correlation between dropout and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A total of 161 eyes of 85 patients with MGD were recruited as the MGD group; 88 eyes of 46 health volunteers were enrolled as the control group (2:1 matched for age and sex). Examinations included the Schirmer I test, breakup time, symptom questionnaire, corneal fluorescein staining, meibum quality, meibomian gland expressibility, and meibomian gland dropout. Results: (1) The incidences of chalazion and eyelid surgery were significantly higher in patients with MGD. (2) All clinical indexes were better in healthy volunteers (all P < 0.05). (3) The dropout in the upper eyelid was statistically lower (P < 0.01) in both groups. The nasal and/or temporal part had higher dropout than did the middle part, except in the lower eyelid of the control group. (4) The entire or partial dropout was positively related to MGD occurrence. Both additive dropout of the entire 2 eyelids and that of the 2 nasal parts had the strongest correlation (r = 0.792, P < 0.01). (5) In the MGD group, breakup time was most negatively related to upper nasal dropout (r = −0.229, P < 0.05). The corneal staining score was positively related only to the dropout of additive (r = 0.185, P < 0.05) and lower (r = 0.258, P < 0.05) middle parts. Conclusions: (1) Uneven dropouts exist in different or single eyelids. (2) Dropout evaluation is better when covering the entire area of both upper and lower meibomians. (3) Nasal part dropout plays a more essential role than the other dropouts in MGD occurrence.
Self-reported STIs and sexual health checks in a cross-sectional study of gay and bisexual men in New Zealand

Objectives To determine the incidence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexual health checks in community and internet samples of New Zealand gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and factors associated with these. Methods We analysed anonymous self-completed data from 3138 MSM who participated in the location-based Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey (GAPSS) and the internet-based Gay Online Sex Survey (GOSS) undertaken in February 2011. Results Overall 8.2% of the participants reported at least one STI in the previous 12 months, which did not differ significantly by demographic factors or HIV status. While having anal sex and more partners were associated with more STI, after adjustment for the number of partners, the type of partner (regular or casual) was not. Medium and low condom users reported STIs more than high condom users, regardless of partner type. Overall 40% had a sexual health check-up without an STI diagnosed in the past year, with similar numbers attending general practice and sexual health clinics. Having a check-up was lower among Pacific and Asian men, those identifying as bisexual and recruited online. While those with more partners, having anal intercourse and diagnosed with HIV were more likely to go for a check-up, those using condoms less often were not. Conclusions STIs are commonly reported in this community sample of MSM but will underestimate the true incidence due to asymptomatic infection. Screening for STIs outside sexual health clinics should be normalised for MSM and made accessible, safe and relevant.
Sagittal Abdominal Diameter to Measure Visceral Adipose Tissue in Overweight or Obese Adolescent Children and Its Role as A Marker of Insulin Resistance.

BACKGROUND Measurement of sagittal abdominal diameter using a revalidated caliper is simple, inexpensive, non-invasive method. It strongly correlates with insulin resistance and can be used as a surrogate marker to predict risk for Type II Diabetes Mellitus. AIM To assess visceral abdominal fat by measuring sagittal abdominal diameter using sliding calipers and to predict insulin resistance in obese or overweight adolescent children. STUDY DESIGN Explorative study for Paediatric age group among over weight and obese children aged 10-18 years in urban population in a Tertiary Care Centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS Paediatric population satisfying ADA guidelines for diagnosis of prediabetes were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements with SAD were recorded. Blood was collected to investigate for prediabetes and insulin resistance using HOMA-IR. RESULTS Out of 924 subjects who gave assent to participate in study 108 fulfilled ADA criteria. 33 subjects who didn't come for the follow up were excluded. Out of 75 subjects 12 were detected to have insulin resistance (16%) and 63 were normal (84%). Pearson's partial correlation of HOMA-IR and OGTT with SAD has demonstrated it to be better correlation with Insulin Resistance (IR) than other anthropometric measurements. Fasting Glucose correlated better with Waist Hip Circumference. CONCLUSION Insulin Resistance was diagnosed in 16% of the population and these had high levels of insulin resistance. SAD in relation to glucose metabolism, had a better correlation with OGTT followed by HOMA-IR and fasting Insulin. SAD with anthropometric measurements had better correlation all the parameters other than Waist Circumference, which had negative correlation. SAD can be used in evaluation of obese or overweight children for evaluation.
Towards automatic extraction of event and place semantics from flickr tags

We describe an approach for extracting semantics of tags, unstructured text-labels assigned to resources on the Web, based on each tag's usage patterns. In particular, we focus on the problem of extracting place and event semantics for tags that are assigned to photos on Flickr, a popular photo sharing website that supports time and location (latitude/longitude) metadata. We analyze two methods inspired by well-known burst-analysis techniques and one novel method: Scale-structure Identification. We evaluate the methods on a subset of Flickr data, and show that our Scale-structure Identification method outperforms the existing techniques. The approach and methods described in this work can be used in other domains such as geo-annotated web pages, where text terms can be extracted and associated with usage patterns.
Toward movement-invariant automatic lip-reading and speech recognition

We present the development of a modular system for flexible human-computer interaction via speech. The speech recognition component integrates acoustic and visual information (automatic lip-reading) improving overall recognition, especially in noisy environments. The image of the lips, constituting the visual input, is automatically extracted from the camera picture of the speaker's face by the lip locator module. Finally, the speaker's face is automatically acquired and followed by the face tracker sub-system. Integration of the three functions results in the first bi-modal speech recognizer allowing the speaker reasonable freedom of movement within a possibly noisy room while continuing to communicate with the computer via voice. Compared to audio-alone recognition, the combined system achieves a 20 to 50 percent error rate reduction for various signal/noise conditions.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Optic Neuritis in Singapore

Optic neuritis (ON) is an infl ammatory, demyelinating condition affecting the optic nerves. In Western populations, ON is frequently associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). The optic neuritis treatment trial (ONTT) has provided seminal data on the natural history of optic neuritis as well as the high and low risk profi les for the eventual development of MS. At 15-year follow-up, they reiterated their fi nding that brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities at the time of an optic neuritis attack is a strong predictor of the 15-year risk of MS. For patients who had no brain MRI lesions at baseline, the risk of developing MS was 25% compared to 72% in patients with 1 or more lesions.
The role of nutrition in pediatric HIV/AIDS: a review of micronutrient research.

It is becoming increasingly evident that nutrition is not only an important component of health but also that levels of specific nutrients can affect disease expression. This is particularly apparent in the realm of HIV disease. Despite this knowledge, research in this area, especially pertaining to the pediatric population, has been limited. This report presents a narrative review and critique of the work that has been conducted in the area of micronutrients including descriptive, correlational, and intervention studies. Gaps in knowledge, recommendations for future research, and nursing implications are highlighted. Current information suggests a role for micronutrients in the treatment of HIV disease, and further research will help develop these adjunct therapies that can affect the overall outcomes and quality of life of these patients.
Review of 107 Hallux MTP Joint Arthrodesis Using Dome-Shaped Reamers and a Stainless-Steel Dorsal Plate

Background: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review the results of patients treated with hallux MTP joint arthrodesis using dome-shaped reamers for joint preparation and a precontoured dorsal stainless steel plate for internal fixation. Materials and Methods: A series of 145 patients (155 feet) were identified. Postoperative evaluation included weightbearing radiographs, physical examination, and chart review. Outcomes were assessed with a pain visual analog scale, AOFAS hallux score, as well as a detailed questionnaire and a subjective satisfaction survey. Results: 98 patients (107 feet) met the criteria for the study. The mean followup was 61 weeks. Revision cases accounted for 18.7% (20/107). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was present in 32.7% (35/107). The average postoperative AOFAS hallux score was 79.7 and pain VAS was 19. The average pre and postoperative hallux valgus angle was 26.5 and 12.3 degrees, respectively (p < 0.05). Eighty-nine of 107 patients (83.1%) reported good to excellent results at final followup. Discomfort related to prominence of the plate occurred in 14.9% (16/107). The nonunion rate was 12.1% (13/107). The nonunion rate for patients with/without RA was 22.9% (8/35) and 6.9% (5/72), respectively (p < 0.05). Patients with a nonunion noted more hardware related pain than those with a union (p < 0.05). Conclusion: First MTP joint arthrodesis using this technique achieves a high union rate. RA patients have a lower union and higher complication rate. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
In Situ Localization and Rhythmic Expression of Ghrelin and ghs-r1 Ghrelin Receptor in the Brain and Gastrointestinal Tract of Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Ghrelin is a gut-brain peptide hormone, which binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) to regulate a wide variety of biological processes in fish. Despite these prominent physiological roles, no studies have reported the anatomical distribution of preproghrelin transcripts using in situ hybridization in a non-mammalian vertebrate, and its mapping within the different encephalic areas remains unknown. Similarly, no information is available on the possible 24-h variations in the expression of preproghrelin and its receptor in any vertebrate species. The first aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical distribution of ghrelin and GHS-R1a ghrelin receptor subtype in brain and gastrointestinal tract of goldfish (Carassius auratus) using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Our second aim was to characterize possible daily variations of preproghrelin and ghs-r1 mRNA expression in central and peripheral tissues using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Results show ghrelin expression and immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract, with the most abundant signal observed in the mucosal epithelium. These are in agreement with previous findings on mucosal cells as the primary synthesizing site of ghrelin in goldfish. Ghrelin receptor was observed mainly in the hypothalamus with low expression in telencephalon, pineal and cerebellum, and in the same gastrointestinal areas as ghrelin. Daily rhythms in mRNA expression were found for preproghrelin and ghs-r1 in hypothalamus and pituitary with the acrophase occurring at nighttime. Preproghrelin, but not ghs-r1a, displayed a similar daily expression rhythm in the gastrointestinal tract with an amplitude 3-fold higher than the rest of tissues. Together, these results described for the first time in fish the mapping of preproghrelin and ghrelin receptor ghs-r1a in brain and gastrointestinal tract of goldfish, and provide the first evidence for a daily regulation of both genes expression in such locations, suggesting a possible connection between the ghrelinergic and circadian systems in teleosts.
Transgenic mice expressing different levels of soluble platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-IgG display distinct inflammatory phenotypes.

Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, CD31), expressed on the surfaces of leukocytes and concentrated in the junctions between endothelial cells plays an important role in transendothelial migration of neutrophils and monocytes. Soluble recombinant PECAM-IgG injected i.v. into mice blocks acute leukocyte emigration by 80%. To study the role of PECAM in models of chronic inflammation, we generated transgenic mice constitutively expressing soluble full-length murine PECAM as an IgG chimera. Three founder lines expressed this transgene and constitutively secreted murine PECAM-IgG into the plasma where it was maintained at characteristic concentrations for each line. All mice had similar hematologic profiles to wild-type littermates and were healthy when maintained in the standard laboratory animal facility. Both the leukocytes and the endothelium of mice of all transgenic lines expressed the same levels of endogenous PECAM-1 as wild-type littermates. Similarly, there were no detectable differences in the expression of several other common leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Mice that produced moderate (10-20 microg/ml) concentrations of PECAM-IgG demonstrated a severely blunted acute inflammatory response, despite mobilizing appropriate numbers of circulating leukocytes. Surprisingly, mice that constitutively produced high (400-1,000 microg/ml) concentrations of PECAM-IgG were unresponsive to its anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first demonstration that a soluble form of a cell adhesion molecule can be stably expressed and retain efficacy in vivo over prolonged periods. This approach is applicable to many other extracellular molecules. However, the plasma concentrations of such constitutively produced inhibitors may greatly influence the resulting phenotype.
Plasma immunadsorption treatment in patients with primary focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND In primary focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) renal prognosis is poor if no remission of proteinuria can be obtained by treatment. In some patients a permeability factor, responsible for damaging the glomerular epithelial cell and detectable by an in vitro test (GVV-test), seems to be present in the serum. METHOD We determined the effects of an immunadsorption treatment (IAT) on proteinuria and glomerular permselectivity (using a neutral dextran and dextransulfate-sieving technique to assess glomerular size and charge selectivity) in five patients with FSGS in the native kidneys and three patients with recurrence of FSGS after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, we performed the GVV-test using sera obtained from the patients before and after therapy. RESULTS IAT reduced proteinuria by more than 50% in four patients, all of whom had an improvement in glomerular-size selectivity. Charge selectivity was better preserved after therapy in three out of these four subjects. The GVV-test prior to IAT was positive in two patients who also responded clinically to therapy. After IAT the GVV-test was negative in all patients, indicating an elimination of the proteinuric factor in the two previously positive patients. CONCLUSION We conclude that a positive GVV-test before treatment makes a favourable response of IAT on proteinuria likely in patients with FSGS. If a reduction of proteinuria can be obtained by IAT this is due to an improvement in glomerular size and/or charge selectivity.
MBMF: Model-Based Priors for Model-Free Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement Learning is divided in two main paradigms: model-free and model-based. Each of these two paradigms has strengths and limitations, and has been successfully applied to real world domains that are appropriate to its corresponding strengths. In this paper, we present a new approach aimed at bridging the gap between these two paradigms. We aim to take the best of the two paradigms and combine them in an approach that is at the same time data-efficient and cost-savvy. We do so by learning a probabilistic dynamics model and leveraging it as a prior for the intertwined model-free optimization. As a result, our approach can exploit the generality and structure of the dynamics model, but is also capable of ignoring its inevitable inaccuracies, by directly incorporating the evidence provided by the direct observation of the cost. Preliminary results demonstrate that our approach outperforms purely model-based and model-free approaches, as well as the approach of simply switching from a model-based to a model-free setting.