Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computing an Average When Part of the Population Is Not Perceived

The syndrome of unilateral spatial neglect (USN) after right-hemisphere damage is characterized by failure of salient left-sided stimuli to activate an orienting response, attract attention, and gain access to conscious awareness. The explicit failure processing left-sided visual information is not uniform, however, and patients seem to be more successful performing certain visual tasks than others. The source of this difference is still not clear. We focus on processing of visual scene statistical properties, asking whether, in computing the average size of an array of objects, USN patients give appropriate weight to objects on the left; disregard left-side objects entirely; or assign them an intermediate, lower weight, in accord with their tendency to neglect these objects. The interest in testing this question stems from a series of studies in healthy individuals that led Chong and Treisman [Chong, S. C. , & Treisman, A. Statistical processing: Computing the average size in perceptual groups. Vision Research, 45, 891–900, 2005a; Chong, S. C. , & Treisman, A. Attentional spread in the statistical processing of visual displays. Perception & Psychophysics, 67, 1–13, 2005b] to propose that processing of statistical properties (like the average size of visual scene elements) is carried out in parallel, with no need for serial allocation of focal attention to the different scene elements. Our results corroborate this suggestion, showing that objects in the left (“neglected”) hemispace contribute to average size computation, despite a marked imbalance in spatial distribution of attention, which leads to a reduced weight of left-side elements in the averaging computation. This finding sheds light on the nature of the impairment in USN and on basic mechanisms underlying statistical processing in vision. We confirm that statistical processing depends mainly on spread-attention mechanisms, which are largely spared in USN.
Acid-base balance and O2 transport at high altitude.

Ear lobe blood pHa, PaCo2, PaO2, and O2 saturation (SaO2) were measured in healthy Caucasians and Sherpas at 3400 m (Namche Bazaar, Nepal, n = 4/5), 5050 m (Pyramid Laboratory, Lobuche, Nepal, n = 20/5) and 6450 m (Camp II of Mt Everest, n = 11/7). In the investigated altitude range, pHa increased progressively with altitude from 7.463 +/- 0.005 (mean +/- SE) to 7.496 +/- 0.006 in Caucasians whereas it remained essentially constant (7.45-7.46) in Sherpas. At all altitudes, PaCO2 was higher in Sherpas than in Caucasians (P < 0.02). By contrast, PaO2 and SaO2 were the same in Caucasians and Sherpas at all investigated altitudes. Moreover, in Caucasians sojourning for 3 weeks at 5050 m, PaCO2 kept decreasing whereas pHa, PaO2 and SaO2 remained constant. These data suggest that; (1) respiratory alkalosis was a common finding both in Caucasians and Sherpas; (2) at 6450 m. Sherpas were less alkalotic due to higher PaCO2 than Caucasians, possibly a consequence of a blunted ventilatory response; (3) at 6450 m, SaO2 and PaO2 were the same in Caucasians and Sherpas despite different PaCO2 values. The latter finding could be the consequence of one or more of the following adjustments in Sherpas: (1) an increased efficiency of alveolar O2 transfer, i.e. smaller alveolar-arterial O2 gradient; (2) a decreased (arterial-mixed venous) O2 difference possibly due to increased cardiac output; (3) a reduced increase of the [2,3-DPG]/[Hb] ratio; but not (4) an elevated gas exchange ratio (R). It is concluded that both physiological and biochemical variables contribute to optimize the O2 transport at altitude. Apparently a more efficient adaptation to hypoxia allows Sherpas to limit alkalosis through a lower ventilatory drive and to maintain SaO2 at the same PaO2 by decreasing the [2,3-DPG]/[Hb] ratio.
Incidence of seizures during pregnancy, labor and puerperium in epileptic women: a prospective study

154 pregnancies of 140 epileptic patients were observed in a prospective study. The number of seizures during pregnancy and 3 first puerperal months was compared with the number of seizures during the 12 months preceeding pregnancy. An increase in the number of seizures was noticed in 32% of the cases, a decrease in 14% and unchanged frequency in 23% of the cases, 31% being seizure‐free during the study period. The highest incidence of major convulsive seizures occurred during the last trimester of pregnancy, while the incidcnce of complex partial seizures was highest during puerperium. No factors were found which may predict the increase in seizures.
Role of Aldehyde Oxidase and Xanthine Oxidase in the Metabolism of Purine-Related Drugs

Purines are natural compounds that are found in all of the body's cells. They are the most widely distributed kind of N-heterocyclic substances in nature. Purines provide part of the chemical structure of some important co-enzymes and the genes of plants and animals. These compounds also participate in membrane signal transduction, translation and protein synthesis and in the form of purine nucleosides act as neurotransmitters in a variety of tissues. Purine base is also present in the structure of some important drugs such as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and azathioprine (AZT). In addition, it can be found as a nucleobase in some synthetic nucleoside analogues with various pharmacological effects including antiviral and antitumor properties and numerous nucleoside analogues and their prodrugs were developed for cancer chemotherapy, treatment of patients with infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and infections caused by herpes and hepatitis viruses.
Word Recognition following Implantation of Conventional and 10-mm Hybrid Electrodes

We compared the effectiveness of 2 surgical interventions for improving word recognition ability in a quiet environment among patients who presented with: (1) bilateral, precipitously sloping, high-frequency hearing loss; (2) relatively good auditory thresholds at and below 500 Hz, and (3) poor speech recognition. In 1 intervention (n = 25), a conventional electrode array was inserted into 1 cochlea. As a consequence, hearing was lost in the implanted ear. In the other intervention (n = 22), a Nucleus Hybrid short-electrode array was inserted 10 mm into 1 cochlea with the aim of preserving hearing in that ear. Both groups of patients had similar low-frequency hearing and speech understanding in the ear contralateral to the implant. Following surgery, both groups had significantly higher word recognition scores than before surgery. Between-group comparisons indicated that the conventional electrode array group had higher word recognition scores than the 10-mm group when stimulation was presented to the operated ear and when stimulation was presented to both ears.
What are the sources of capability dynamism? Reconceptualizing dynamic capabilities from the perspective of organizational change

Purpose – The concept of dynamic capabilities emerged from strategic management theory, the aim being to determine how organizations can achieve and sustain competitive advantage in a continuously changing environment. It is widely accepted in the literature that this concept, although extremely popular and potentially powerful, still needs clarification and elaboration. The main criticisms are centered on the lack of understanding of where these capabilities originate and how their dynamism can be sustained in the long run. The purpose of this paper is to bring some novel insights into these issues in bridging the theories of strategic management and change management. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on extensive literature review and bridges dynamic capabilities and change management literatures. Findings – The paper proposes a distinction between domain-specific and generic dynamic capabilities and puts forward the concept of “organizational change capability” as representing a generi.
Structural and physicochemical analysis of the reaction between the anti‐lysozyme antibody D1.3 and the anti‐idiotopic antibodies E225 and E5.2

The reaction between the mouse (BALB/c) anti‐idiotiopic monoclonal antibodies E225 and E5.2 and idiotopes on the (BALB/c) anti‐lysozyme monoclonal antibody D1.3 has been characterized by titration calorimetry, by equilibrium sedimentation and by the determination of binding association and dissociation rates. The reaction between E5.2 and D1.3 is driven by a large negative enthalpy and its rate and equilibrium association constants are comparable to those observed in other antigen–antibody reactions. In contrast, the reaction between E225 and D1.3 is entropically driven and characterized by slow association kinetic (1 × 103 M−1 sec−1) and a resulting low equilibrium constant (Ka = 2 × 105M−1). A correlation of these properties with the three‐dimensional structure of the Fab225‐FabD1.3 complex, previously determined by X‐ray diffraction methods to 2.5 Å resolution, indicates that conformational changes of several D1.3 contacting residues, located in its complementarity determining regions, may explain these features of the reaction.
Response of plant species to abandonment of subalpine fields, Manang, Nepal

Spatial dimension of abandoned fields has been expanding more in rural subalpine zones of Nepal leading to various patterns of secondary succession. The secondary succession in the subalpine Himalayas has not yet been evaluated. Here, I describe a study initiated in Manang district, Central Nepal where enough abandoned fields of different chronosequences were located. A definitive successional pattern was predicted from the data obtained from sampling 256 plots of 1 × 1 m 2 each systematically in a total of 43 abandoned fields from 1 to 55 years after abandonment. Change in composition pattern of 11 most important plant species was analyzed through the Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The first two axes of DCA explained 19.1 % of the total variation in the species composition. Early, mid and late successions were three stages distinguished each by their abundance scores and life-forms composition. Malva neglecta, Phleum alpinum and Fagopyrum esculentum were dominant at the recently abandoned fields. Cynoglossum zeylanicum, Malaxis muscifera, Medicago falcata and Pennisetum flaccidum were mid succession species, and Thymus linearis, Tanacetum gossypinum, Pinus wallichiana and Poa annua represented the late succession species.
Specificity of autoantibodies to lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme subunits.

We studied serum from 12 unrelated patients with variant electrophoretic patterns for lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27; LD) isoenzymes characteristic of LD-immunoglobulin complexes. Immunoglobulin class was identified in four cases. In all 12 cases, mixing the patient's serum with control serum altered the mobility of normal LD isoenzymes to that of the variant. To determine antigenic specificity, we mixed ammonium sulfate-precipitated fractions of patient's samples with purified LD1 (H tetramer) or LD5 (M tetramer) prepared by anion-exchange chromatography. In six cases the fractionated antibody displayed a pure M-subunit specificity. In four cases it acted against both M tetramers and H tetramers, and in two cases the antibody affected the migration only of LD isoenzymes containing both M and H subunits (i.e., hybrid isoenzymes). Depending on the relative excess of antibody or LD5 in such mixtures, various different anomalous electrophoretic patterns were produced. These results indicate that apparent differences between variant LD isoenzyme patterns in whole serum of different individuals can arise from autoantibodies with similar reactivities being present in various ratios of antigen to antibody.
Preconception Care: The Perfect Opportunity for Health Care Providers to Advise Lifestyle Changes for Hypertensive Women

Purpose. To provide estimates for prevalence of health care provider advice offered to reproductive-aged women and to assess their association with behavior change. Design. Cross-sectional study using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Setting. Nineteen states/areas. Subjects. Women aged 18 to 44 years with a self-reported history of hypertension or current antihypertensive medication use (n = 2063). Measures. Self-reported hypertension; sociodemographic and health care access indicators; and provider advice and corresponding self-reported behavior change to improve diet, limit salt intake, exercise, and reduce alcohol use. Analysis. We estimated prevalence and prevalence ratios for receipt of provider advice and action to change habits. We calculated 95% confidence interval (CI) and used χ2 tests to assess associations. Results. Overall, 9.8% of reproductive-aged women had self-reported hypertension; most reported receiving advice to change eating habits (72.9%), reduce salt intake (74.6%), and exercise (82.1%), and most reported making these changes. Only 44.7% reported receiving advice to reduce alcohol intake. Women who received provider advice were more likely to report corresponding behavior change compared to those who did not (prevalence ratios ranged from 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2–1.5, p < . 05] for exercise to 1.6 [95% CI, 1.4–1.8, p < . 05] for reducing alcohol use. Conclusion. Health care providers should routinely advise hypertensive reproductive-aged women about lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressure and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Diurnal changes in the pharmacokinetic behavior of amikacin.

This retrospective study evaluated possible differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior of amikacin between the morning (AM) and evening (PM). Of 634 patients receiving amikacin therapy, 17 received a dose every 12 hours (an i.v. infusion at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM) with amikacin serum levels obtained after both the AM and PM infusions. Pharmacokinetic parameter values were estimated by the nonparametric EM algorithm (USC*PACK clinical software) for a one-compartment model. All patient data were analyzed in three ways. The parameter values were estimated by fitting the model first only to the serum levels drawn following the AM dose; second, only to the data following the PM dose; and third, to all serum levels (AM + PM). Parameter values found were (mean, median, SD respectively): AM: Kel = 0.181114 h(-1), 0.224460 h(-1), 0.058820 h(-1); Vol = 23.657507 L; 23.376231 L; 1.353253 L; Cl = 4.326720 L x h(-1), 5.303726 L x h(-1), 1.447731 L x h(-1); PM: Kel = 0.110151 h(-1); 0.121295 h(-1); 0.016860 h(-1); Vol = 28.948043 L; 24.091703 L; 9.266628 L; Cl = 3.081761 L x h(-1), 2.810615 L x h(-1); 0.705874 L x h(-1); AM + PM: Kel = 0.165321 h(-1); 0.131796 h(-1); 0.075425 h(-1); Vol = 25.479043 L; 26.187970 L; 5.367054 L. These findings are in agreement with the known diurnal rhythm of glomerular filtration rate. Because pharmacokinetic parameter values are most often estimated using AM data, this may lead to an overevaluation of these values compared with PM or to values for the entire day. The resulting drug regimens may therefore be overestimated regarding the elimination rate constant and underestimated regarding the volume of distribution.
Global Prospective Epidemiologic and Surveillance Study of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

Objective:To estimate the prevalence of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia and to describe risk factors for P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia. Design:Prospective, observational study. Setting:ICUs at 56 sites in 11 countries across four regions: the United States (n = 502 patients), Europe (n = 495), Latin America (n = 500), and Asia Pacific (n = 376). Patients:Adults intubated and mechanically ventilated for 48 hours to 7 days, inclusive. Interventions:None (local standard of care). Measurements and Main Results:Ventilator-associated pneumonia prevalence as defined by local investigators were 15.6% (293/1,873) globally, 13.5% in the United States, 19.4% in Europe, 13.8% in Latin America, and 16.0% in Asia Pacific (p = 0.04). Corresponding P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia prevalences were 4.1%, 3.4%, 4.8%, 4.6%, and 3.2% (p = 0.49). Of 50 patients with P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia who underwent surveillance testing, 19 (38%) had prior P. aeruginosa colonization and 31 (62%) did not (odds ratio, 7.99; 95% CI, 4.31–14.71). Of predefined risk factors for multidrug resistance (hereafter, risk factors), the most frequent in all patients were antimicrobial therapy within 90 days (51.9% of enrolled patients) and current hospitalization of more than or equal to 5 days (45.3%). None of these risk factors were significantly associated with P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia by multivariate logistic regression. Risk factors associated with prior P. aeruginosa colonization were antimicrobial therapy within 90 days (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.29–0.73) and high proportion of antibiotic resistance in the community or hospital unit (odds ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.14–2.82). Conclusions:Our findings suggest that ventilator-associated pneumonia remains a common ICU infection and that P. aeruginosa is one of the most common causative pathogens. The odds of developing P. aeruginosa ventilator-associated pneumonia were eight times higher in patients with prior P. aeruginosa colonization than in uncolonized patients, which in turn was associated with local resistance.
Anterior Loop of the Mandibular Canal—A Source of Possible Complications

Introduction:Recognizing the radiographic position of the mental foramina is not sufficient to avoid complications during dental implant surgery. In many cases, the inferior alveolar nerve extends mesially as an “anterior loop” (AL). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and spatial extension of the AL on computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods:Thirty-seven human mandibles from an anatomical collection underwent CT analysis. Cross-sectional views and panoramic reconstructions were obtained. Prevalence and length of the AL were investigated. Results:Recognition of the AL on CT was 100%. Prevalence of the AL was 97.3% (n = 36). AL mean length was 2.26 mm (maximum: 7.0 mm). Conclusion:Recognition of the AL on CT scans (100%) is higher compared with data in literature for detection on panoramic radiographs (38.2%). To avoid complications, it is important to detect the AL presence and its mesial extension from the mental foramen. Safety distance of at least 2 mm from the mesial extend of the AL is recommended. Therefore, 3D imaging techniques are advised for loops which courses are not clearly identifiable on panoramic radiographs.
DJ-1 Positively Regulates the Androgen Receptor by Impairing the Binding of PIASxα to the Receptor*

DJ-1 was first identified as a novel candidate of the oncogene product that transformed mouse NIH3T3 cells in cooperation with an activated ras. Later DJ-1 was also found to be an infertility-related protein that was reduced in rat sperm treated with sperm toxicants that cause infertility in rats. To determine the functions of DJ-1, cDNAs encoding DJ-1-binding proteins were screened by the yeast two-hybrid method. Of several proteins identified, PIASxα/ARIP3, a modulator of androgen receptor (AR), was first characterized as the DJ-1-binding protein in this study. DJ-1 directly bound to the AR-binding region of PIASxα by an in vitro coimmunoprecipitation assay and also bound to PIASxα in human 293T cells. Both proteins were co-localized in the nuclei. PIASxα inhibited the AR transcription activity in a dose-dependent manner in cotransfected monkey CV1 cells with an androgen responsive element-luciferase reporter. Introduction of DJ-1 into CV1 cells in a state of inhibition of AR activity by PIASxα restored AR transcription activity by absorbing PIASxα from the AR-PIASxα complex, while a DJ-1 mutant harboring an amino acid substitution at number 130 from lysine to arginine did not restore it. These results indicate that DJ-1 is a positive regulator of the androgen receptor.
Immunocytochemical Study of Amelogenin Deposition during the Early Odontogenesis of Molars in Alendronate-treated Newborn Rats

Newborn rats were treated with sodium alendronate to study how enamel is formed and the effect of alendronate during early odontogenesis. Ultrastructural analysis combined with high-resolution immunocytochemistry for amelogenin was carried out. Twelve rats were subjected to daily SC injections of sodium alendronate (2.5 mg/kg/day) for 3 days on their dorsal region, whereas three rats were daily injected with saline solution as a control. Molar tooth germs from 3-day-old rats were fixed under microwave irradiation in 0.1% glutaraldehyde + 4% formaldehyde buffered at pH 7.2 with 0.1 M sodium cacodylate. The specimens were left undecalcified, postfixed with osmium tetroxide, dehydrated, and embedded in LR White resin. Ultrathin sections were incubated with a chicken anti-24-kDa rat amelogenin antibody, a secondary antibody, and finally with a protein A-gold complex. Large patches of amelogenin were present over the unmineralized mantle dentin and at early secretory ameloblasts. At more advanced stages, they were also detected at the enamel matrix, as well as in the mineralized dentin, at the periodontoblastic space of the dentinal tubules, and at the predentin. It is likely that the main effect of alendronate at early stages of odontogenesis is the increase of synthesis/secretion of amelogenin, promoting its deposition within the forming dentin and enamel.
Self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes: Can coping styles and social support have a buffering role?

Background: Diabetes self-care is a key element in the overall management of diabetes. However, the importance of psychosocial factors for successful disease management is under investigated. This study aimed at exploring the role of coping styles and social support in the relationship between self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: One hundred adults (60% female, aged 40–70 years) with type 2 diabetes completed questionnaires assessing self-care activities, coping styles and social support. In addition, a blood test was performed to obtain glycated haemoglobin levels. Results: Result showed significant relationships of glycated haemoglobin with self-care activities, coping styles and social support. Regression analysis indicated that social support had a moderating role on the relationship between self-care activities and glycated haemoglobin, such that, at very high levels of social support the association, between Self-Care and HbA1c disappears. Conclusions: Findings indicate that health care providers, within the context of the Iranian social and cultural situation, should pay more attention to psychosocial factors when addressing self-care activities. Delineation of the role of coping styles and social support might be useful for identifying patients in need of particular counselling and support for improving self-care activities and HbA1c levels.
Competency-based learning

Little is known about assessing or improving competency in Papanicolau (Pap) smear sampling among internal medicine residents. We hypothesized that a 3-part targeted resident physician educational program (educational presentation by a knowledgeable instructor, skills workshop, and peer comparison feedback) would be effective in increasing the quality of Pap smears obtained by internal medicine residents. We conducted a randomized, pre-post comparison study over a 16-month period to assess the effect of our educational intervention. We found no difference in baseline adequacy rates. Residents who received the intervention were twice as likely to obtain an adequate Pap smear. Our results suggest that a brief multifaceted intervention designed to improve the frequency with which internal medicine residents obtain endocervical cells while performing Pap smears is effective.