Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Face repetition detection and social interest: An ERP study in adults with and without Williams syndrome

ABSTRACT The present study examined possible neural mechanisms underlying increased social interest in persons with Williams syndrome (WS). Visual event-related potentials (ERPs) during passive viewing were used to compare incidental memory traces for repeated vs. single presentations of previously unfamiliar social (faces) and nonsocial (houses) images in 26 adults with WS and 26 typical adults. Results indicated that participants with WS developed familiarity with the repeated faces and houses (frontal N400 response), but only typical adults evidenced the parietal old/new effect (previously associated with stimulus recollection) for the repeated faces. There was also no evidence of exceptional salience of social information in WS, as ERP markers of memory for repeated faces vs. houses were not significantly different. Thus, while persons with WS exhibit behavioral evidence of increased social interest, their processing of social information in the absence of specific instructions may be relatively superficial. The ERP evidence of face repetition detection in WS was independent of IQ and the earlier perceptual differentiation of social vs. nonsocial stimuli. Large individual differences in ERPs of participants with WS may provide valuable information for understanding the WS phenotype and have relevance for educational and treatment purposes.
T-helper 4 and cytotoxic T-lymphocites, interleukin-4 and 10 in HIV-seropositive patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Background and Aim: The biological functions of anti-inflammatory cytokines appear to be crucial in the immune response. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of the anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine response in malaria HIV and HIV-malaria coinfected individuals with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Methods: Levels of IL-4 and IL-10 of 111 malaria-infected, 97 HIV-malaria co-infected and 79 HIV seropositive subjects as well as 73 controls were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. CD4 and CD8 cells were counted using the Dynabeads T4-T8 quantification protocol while haematological parameters were estimated using standard haematological techniques. Results: IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly higher in malaria patients (8.18±6.41pg⁄ml and 26.29±12.08pg⁄ml) than in HIV (5.208±1.69pg⁄ml) or HIV-malaria (4.415±3.23pg⁄ml) coinfected subjects (P‹0.05). On the other hand, the mean CD4 and CD8 counts (1434±331.05 and 2003±405.73 cells⁄μl respectively) of malaria infected individuals were significantly elevated (P‹0.05) as compared to HIV, HIV-malaria and control groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that malaria antigen may initiate a higher anti-inflammatory cytokine response than HIV or HIV associated with malaria.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON HEADACHE: OBSERVATIONS ON HEADACHE PRODUCED BY HISTAMINE

The purpose of this communication is to present evidence concerning one mechanism of headache. The data demonstrate how under the given experimental conditions headache is produced and indicate the sites of origin of the nerve impulses which are interpreted as pain. It is generally agreed that most of the intracranial contents, including the brain substance and large portions of the meninges, are not the sites of origin of painful sensations. 1 However, the more recent reports of many neurosurgeons, including Craig, 1a Elsberg, 1e Fay, 1d Foerster 2 and Penfield, 1g indicate that the large dural vessels, notably the arteries and possibly the dura itself in the neighborhood of these vessels, are regions from which a sensation of pain can be produced by adequate stimulation. To these Penfield 1g added the venous sinuses of the dura. Fay 1d has initiated painful sensations by stimulation of the larger arteries of the
Augmentation with olanzapine in TCA‐refractory depression with melancholic features: a consecutive case series

Using an 8‐week, open label study design, we report the effect of augmentation strategy with olanzapine in hospitalized depressive patients with melancholic features who had insufficient response to a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), amitriptyline. Subjects were hospitalized patients meeting the criteria of DSM‐IV major depressive disorder with melancholic features who had been suffering from residual symptoms after treatment of amitriptyline. After study entry, olanzapine was added to amitriptyline and the dose was adjusted according to patients' clinical condition. Data were analyzed using an intent‐to‐treat methodology, with last observation carried forward. Paired t‐test was adopted to assess the data from baseline to endpoint. Of 26 patients who enrolled in this study, 23 patients completed the trial and 3 patients dropped out. The mean dose of olanzapine was 6.5 (SD = 2.4) mg/day. The mean score of Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was significantly decreased from 33.6 (SD = 3.5) to 20.8 (SD = 9.1) during this study (37.9% from baseline) (p < 0.001). Ten patients (38.5%) were considered as responders (50% or greater reduction in MADRS scores from baseline). These results suggest that augmentation with olanzapine in TCAs‐resistant melancholia may be effective and well tolerated. We cannot draw any conclusion with certainty from the open‐label, uncontrolled clinical trial. Double blind, controlled trial is needed to confirm this preliminary finding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
As tears go by: Baby tears trigger more brain activity than adult tears in nulliparous women

ABSTRACT The current functional magnetic resonance imaging study examines brain activity during the perception of infant and adult tears. Infant tears evoke stronger responses in the visual cortex than adult tears, indicating that infant tears are highly salient. In addition, our study shows that infant tears uniquely activate somatosensory pain regions, which could stimulate actions directed at the elimination of the source of pain. Shedding tears may be a strong means to elicit the parent’s sharing of the infant’s feelings, thereby strengthening caregiver-infant bonding and securing infant survival.
Hearing emotional sounds: category representation in the human amygdala

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that the amygdala is more involved in processing animate categories, such as humans and animals, than inanimate objects, but little is known regarding whether this animate advantage applies to auditory stimuli. To address this issue, we performed a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study with emotion and category as factors, in which subjects heard sounds from different categories (i.e., humans, animals, and objects) in negative and neutral dimensions. Emotional levels and semantic familiarity were matched across categories. The results showed that the amygdala responded more to human vocalization than to animal vocalization and sounds of inanimate objects in both negative and neutral valences, and more to animal sounds than to objects in neural condition. In addition, the amygdala, together with the insula and the right superior temporal sulcus, further distinguished human voices from animal sounds. These data indicated that the amygdala is prepared to respond to animate sources, especially human vocalizations in auditory modality.
The role of recharge and evapotranspiration as hydraulic drivers of ion concentrations in shallow groundwater on Everglades tree islands, Florida (USA)

Recently, evapotranspiration has been hypothesized to promote the secondary formation of calcium carbonate year‐round on tree islands in the Everglades by influencing groundwater ions concentrations. However, the role of recharge and evapotranspiration as drivers of shallow groundwater ion accumulation has not been investigated. The goal of this study is to develop a hydrologic model that predicts the chloride concentrations of shallow tree island groundwater and to determine the influence of overlying biomass and underlying geologic material on these concentrations. Groundwater and surface water levels and chloride concentrations were monitored on eight constructed tree islands at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) from 2007 to 2010. The tree islands at LILA were constructed predominately of peat, or of peat and limestone, and were planted with saplings of native tree species in 2006 and 2007. The model predicted low shallow groundwater chloride concentrations when inputs of regional groundwater and evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates were elevated, while low evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates resulted in a substantial increase of the chloride concentrations of the shallow groundwater. Modeling results indicated that evapotranspiration typically exceeded recharge on the older tree islands and those with a limestone lithology, which resulted in greater inputs of regional groundwater. A sensitivity analysis indicated the shallow groundwater chloride concentrations were most sensitive to alterations in specific yield during the wet season and hydraulic conductivity in the dry season. In conclusion, the inputs of rainfall, underlying hydrologic properties of tree islands sediments and forest structure may explain the variation in ion concentration seen across Everglades tree islands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inflammatory bowel disease and African Americans: A systematic review

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is comprised of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). There are conflicting reports on whether African Americans have a more severe disease course, presentation, and more frequent extraintestinal manifestations (EIM). We examined the precise nature of this relationship by conducting a systematic review. Methods: Using predefined inclusion criteria we searched multiple healthcare databases and Grey literature. Eight reports met the inclusion criteria. Using the parameters as defined in the Montreal classification and the presence or absence of EIM, we compared IBD in African Americans and Caucasians. Results: Over 2000 IBD cases were pooled from 8 reports with African Americans comprising 17%. African Americans and Caucasians had similar distribution of types of IBD, with CD being more common than UC in both groups (CD 76% versus 68% and UC 24% versus 32%, respectively). With respect to CD, both groups presented with nonstricturing and nonpenetrating disease behavior (55% versus 41%) more frequently and had similar rates of ileocolonic disease location (42% versus 38%), and presence of perianal disease (26% versus 29%). In UC patients, proctitis was the most frequent initial presentation in both races. Joint complications were the most frequent EIM in both African Americans (52%) and Caucasians (60%). Conclusions: This study dispels the commonly held views that African Americans with IBD generally have more colonic disease, more severe disease behavior, and more perianal disease than Caucasians. African Americans also have similar variety and frequency of EIMs as compared to Caucasians.
Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing the Extracardiac Fontan Operation With and Without the Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients undergoing the extracardiac Fontan operation with and without cardiopulmonary bypass, and to determine whether acute kidney injury is associated with duration of mechanical ventilation, cardiovascular ICU and hospital postoperative length of stay, and early mortality. Design: Single-center retrospective cohort study. Setting: Pediatric cardiovascular ICU, university-affiliated children’s hospital. Patients: Patients with a preoperative creatinine before undergoing first-time extracardiac Fontan between January 1, 2004, and April 30, 2012. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Acute kidney injury occurred in 55 of 138 patients (39.9%), including 41 (29.7%) with stage 1, six (4.4%) with stage 2, and eight (5.8%) with stage 3 acute kidney injury. Cardiopulmonary bypass was strongly associated with a higher risk of any acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.4–16.0]; p = 0.01) but not stage 2/3 acute kidney injury. Lower renal perfusion pressure on the day of surgery (postoperative day, 0) was associated with a higher risk of stage 2/3 acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.0–1.5]; p = 0.03). Higher vasoactive-inotropic score on postoperative day 0 was associated with a higher risk for stage 2/3 acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.0–3.4]; p = 0.04). Stage 2/3 acute kidney injury was associated with longer cardiovascular ICU length of stay (mean, 7.3 greater d [95% CI, 3.4–11.3]; p < 0.001) and hospital postoperative length of stay (mean, 6.4 greater d [95% CI, 0.06–12.5]; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing the extracardiac Fontan operation is common and is associated with lower postoperative renal perfusion pressure and higher vasoactive-inotropic score. Cardiopulmonary bypass was strongly associated with any acute kidney injury, although not stage 2/3 acute kidney injury. Stage 2/3 acute kidney injury is a compelling risk factor for longer cardiovascular ICU and hospital postoperative length of stay. Increased attention to and management of renal perfusion pressure may reduce postoperative acute kidney injury and improve outcomes.
Ponatinib in the therapy of chronic myeloid leukemia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder that has become the neoplastic poster child for understanding the disease biology of a malignant disease and targeting effective therapy. The targeted therapy of BCR-ABL inhibition by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has provided the epitome for “Ehlrich’s magic bullet” postulated decades ago. Areas covered: Due to the therapy with these drugs, the survival of newly diagnosed patients with this disease now approaches that of age matched controls. Progression to advanced phases of CML had decreased over the years, though resistance has now been increasingly identified. Expert commentary: Ponatinib is a third generation TKI, which has shown to be effective in both early and advanced phases of CML and those bearing resistant mutations, specifically T315I. However, new side effect considerations need to be balanced with the efficacy, to establish the role of ponatinib in the therapy of CML.
Development and Prospective Validation of Tools to Accurately Identify Neurosurgical and Critical Care Events in Children With Traumatic Brain Injury*

Objective: To develop and validate case definitions (computable phenotypes) to accurately identify neurosurgical and critical care events in children with traumatic brain injury. Design: Prospective observational cohort study, May 2013 to September 2015. Setting: Two large U.S. children’s hospitals with level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers. Patients: One hundred seventy-four children less than 18 years old admitted to an ICU after traumatic brain injury. Measurements and Main Results: Prospective data were linked to database codes for each patient. The outcomes were prospectively identified acute traumatic brain injury, intracranial pressure monitor placement, craniotomy or craniectomy, vascular catheter placement, invasive mechanical ventilation, and new gastrostomy tube or tracheostomy placement. Candidate predictors were database codes present in administrative, billing, or trauma registry data. For each clinical event, we developed and validated penalized regression and Boolean classifiers (models to identify clinical events that take database codes as predictors). We externally validated the best model for each clinical event. The primary model performance measure was accuracy, the percent of test patients correctly classified. The cohort included 174 children who required ICU admission after traumatic brain injury. Simple Boolean classifiers were greater than or equal to 94% accurate for seven of nine clinical diagnoses and events. For central venous catheter placement, no classifier achieved 90% accuracy. Classifier accuracy was dependent on available data fields. Five of nine classifiers were acceptably accurate using only administrative data but three required trauma registry fields and two required billing data. Conclusions: In children with traumatic brain injury, computable phenotypes based on simple Boolean classifiers were highly accurate for most neurosurgical and critical care diagnoses and events. The computable phenotypes we developed and validated can be used in any observational study of children with traumatic brain injury and can reasonably be applied in studies of these interventions in other patient populations.
Management of lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes without del5q: current approach and future trends

ABSTRACT Introduction: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by progressive bone marrow failure manifesting as blood cytopenia and a variable risk of progression into acute myeloid leukemia. MDS is heterogeneous in biology and clinical behavior. MDS are generally divided into lower-risk (LR) and higher-risk (HR) MDS. Goals of care in HR-MDS focus on changing the natural history of the disease, whereas in LR-MDS symptom control and quality of life are the main goals. Areas covered: We review the epidemiology, tools of risk assessment, and the available therapeutic modalities for LR-MDS. We discuss the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs), immunosuppressive therapy (IST), lenalidomide and the hypomethylating agents (HMAs). We also discuss the predictors of response, combination treatment modalities, and management of iron overload. Lastly, we overview the most promising investigational agents for LR-MDS. Expert commentary: It remains unclear how to best incorporate a wealth of new genetic and epigenetic prognostic markers into risk assessment tools especially for LR-MDS patients. Only a subset of patients respond to current treatment modalities and most responders eventually lose their response. Once standard therapeutic options fail, management becomes more challenging. Combination-based approaches have been largely unsuccessful. Among the most promising investigational are the TPO agonists, TGF- β pathway inhibitors, telomerase inhibitors, and the splicing modifiers.
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide, a promising anti-graft versus host disease prophylaxis: where do we stand?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Post transplant cyclophosphamide (PT/Cy) in association to other immunosuppressive agents or alone has emerged as a promising pharmacological strategy in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). Its safety profile and effectiveness in reducing GvHD (acute GvHD incidence comprised between 15 and 30%, chronic GvHD 20–30% in the haploidentical setting) contributed to the spreading of this technique all over the world. Areas covered: This review summarizes the use of PT/Cy in the setting of allo-HCT, both for oncological and non-malignant hematological diseases. Recent studies showed the feasibility of more intense conditioning regimens instead of the original NMAC. The use of peripheral blood stem cells instead of bone marrow as graft source (slightly increase of acute GvHD grade 2 but no differences in survival outcomes) was another significant variation to the original protocol. Later on, PT/Cy alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents (ATG, sirolimus, cyclosporine) were tested in the HLA-matched donor setting where lower GvHD rates are reported (acute GvHD grade 3 of 5–10% and chronic GvHD of 10–20%) Expert commentary: The best graft source and type of donor is still ongoing. Moreover, the research of the best pharmacological partner of PT/Cy remains an open question.
Oral budesonide for the therapy of post‐liver transplant de novo inflammatory bowel disease: A case series and systematic review of the literature

Background: The therapy for posttransplant IBD is clinically challenging. Patients receiving liver transplants are immunosuppressed to prevent rejection, but via an unknown mechanism develop de novo IBD in spite of receiving some of the same medications used for therapy in traditional IBD. In the published literature most of the patients who developed de novo IBD were treated with traditional corticosteroids. Exposure to systemic corticosteroids increases risks of infection, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis among other complications. Budesonide, a luminally active steroid with low systemic absorption, is an established therapeutic agent for IBD that should receive special considerations as first‐line therapy in this patient population. Methods: We describe 3 cases of de novo IBD after liver transplantation. None of these patients had a history of IBD prior to their transplant. All 3 were treated with oral budesonide in lieu of systemic corticosteroids. Additionally, a Medline MeSH search was performed using the terms “inflammatory bowel disease” and “liver transplant” as part of a systematic review of the literature. Results: All 3 cases of de novo post transplant IBD went into clinical remission with oral budesonide. The Medline search ultimately revealed 19 case reports, case series or retrospective reviews on de novo post liver transplant IBD. Most reports focused on the diagnosis and risk factors and did not have an emphasis on therapy. Conclusions: Given the track record for budesonide in traditional IBD, and its documented efficacy and systemic steroid‐sparing benefit, in our opinion this drug should be considered first‐line therapy for de novo posttransplant IBD.
Adjustment to inflammatory bowel disease: The relative influence of illness perceptions and coping

Background: The Common Sense Model (CSM) of illness representations was used in the current study to examine the relative contribution of illness perceptions and coping strategies in explaining adjustment to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Participants were 80 adults consecutively attending an outpatients' clinic with a diagnosis of either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Respondents completed and returned a questionnaire booklet that assessed illness perceptions, coping, and adjustment. Adjustment was measured from the perspectives of psychological distress, quality of life, and functional independence. Results: Illness perceptions (particularly perception of consequences of IBD) were uniformly the most consistent variables explaining adjustment to IBD. Coping did not significantly add to predicting adjustment once illness perceptions were controlled for and therefore did not mediate the relationship between illness perceptions and adjustment, as proposed in the CSM. Conclusions: The results suggest the importance of addressing illness perceptions in developing appropriate psychological interventions for IBD.
The Incidence of Dermatological Problems in the Silicone Suspension Sleeve User

Since their introduction in the mid-1980s, roll-on silicone sleeves have evolved into a widely used method of prosthetic suspension. Through the course of clinical practice, certain recurring skin conditions have been associated with roll-on silicone sleeve use. The purpose of this research project was to review pertinent literature and develop a survey to investigate the incidence of dermatological problems in silicone suspension sleeve users. Data were collected from patients as well as practitioners. Strong trends were noted indicating the incidence of dermatological problems in silicone suspension sleeve users is influenced by aging, activity level and “use patterns. ” Observations made in clinical practice that currently have not been scientifically analyzed are noted separately.