Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Structural Equation Modeling to Assess Functional Connectivity in the Brain

The present study assessed the impact of sample size on the power and fit of structural equation modeling applied to functional brain connectivity hypotheses. The data consisted of time-constrained minimum norm estimates of regional brain activity during performance of a reading task obtained with magnetoencephalography. Power analysis was first conducted for an autoregressive model with 5 latent variables (brain regions), each defined by 3 indicators (successive activity time bins). A series of simulations were then run by generating data from an existing pool of 51 typical readers (aged 7.5-12.5 years). Sample sizes ranged between 20 and 1,000 participants and for each sample size 1,000 replications were run. Results were evaluated using chi-square Type I errors, model convergence, mean RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) values, confidence intervals of the RMSEA, structural path stability, and Δ-Fit index values. Results suggested that 70 to 80 participants were adequate to model relationships reflecting close to not so close fit as per MacCallum et al.’s recommendations. Sample sizes of 50 participants were associated with satisfactory fit. It is concluded that structural equation modeling is a viable methodology to model complex regional interdependencies in brain activation in pediatric populations.
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor system genes during the early postnatal neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is essential to hippocampal neurogenesis and the neuronal response to hypoxia/ischemia injury. IGF (IGF‐1 and ‐2) signaling is mediated primarily by the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF‐1R) and modulated by six high‐affinity binding proteins (IGFBP) and the type 2 IGF receptor (IGF‐2R), collectively termed IGF system proteins. Defining the precise cells that express each is essential to understanding their roles. With the exception of IGFBP‐1, we found that mouse hippocampus expresses mRNA for each of these proteins during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. Compared to postnatal day 14 (P14), mRNA abundance at P5 was higher for IGF‐1, IGFBP‐2, ‐3, and ‐5 (by 71%, 108%, 100%, and 98%, respectively), lower for IGF‐2, IGF‐2R, and IGFBP‐6 (by 65%, 78%, and 44%, respectively), and unchanged for IGF‐1R and IGFBP‐4. Using laser capture microdissection (LCM), we found that granule neurons and pyramidal neurons exhibited identical patterns of expression of IGF‐1, IGF‐1R, IGF‐2R, IGFBP‐2, and ‐4, but did not express other IGF system genes. We then compared IGF system expression in mature granule neurons and their progenitors. Progenitors exhibited higher mRNA levels of IGF‐1 and IGF‐1R (by 130% and 86%, respectively), lower levels of IGF‐2R (by 72%), and similar levels of IGFBP‐4. Our data support a role for IGF in hippocampal neurogenesis and provide evidence that IGF actions are regulated within a defined in vivo milieu. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3 Pathogenesis of Endocarditis – Bacteraemia of Oral Origin

Bacteraemia is defined as the presence of bacteria in the blood. A feature that is unique to the oral bacterial biofilm, particularly the subgingival plaque biofilm, is its close proximity to a highly vascularised milieu. Any disruption of the natural integrity between the biofilm and the subgingival epithelium, which is at most about 10 cell layers thick, could lead to a bacteraemic state (Parahitiyawa et al., 2009). For several decades, the haematogenous spread of bacteria from the oral cavity has been considered a decisive factor in the pathogenesis of 10% to 15% of cases of infective endocarditis (IE); certain dental procedures may therefore carry a significant risk (Carmona et al., 2002). However, this statement has come under question, its detractors argue that not all patients with heart valves infected by bacteria that typically colonize ecological niches of the oral cavity have undergone dental procedures. Furthermore, there is as yet little evidence of genetic similarity between bacteria isolated from the heart valves, the bloodstream, and the oral cavity of patients with IE (Pallasch, 2003; Seymour et al., 2000).
The accident and emergency department questionnaire: a measure for patients’ experiences in the accident and emergency department—reply

With this letter we respond to the comments of Chance et al on our recent publication ‘Patient Experience in the Accident and Emergency Department’. We applied three different methods of grouping and summarised the items on the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department questionnaire presented to patients. The best score reliability was provided by the Principal Components Analysis. Chance et al acknowledge the importance of patients’ feedback but questioned whether this measure of patients’ experiences is valuable and valid for comparisons of the quality of care services, and whether selection bias affected the results. The purpose of our research was to examine alternative ways of obtaining a reliable composite, but we do not negate the important information from separate questions. Single questionnaire items are less reliable than well-constructed composites,1 but are able …
INTERPRETATION OF 3-D EFFECTS IN LONG-OFFSET TRANSIENT ELECTROMAGNETIC (LOTEM) SOUNDINGS IN THE MUNSTERLAND AREA/GERMANY

The interpretation of long‐offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) data is usually based on layered earth models. Effects of lateral conductivity variations are commonly explained qualitatively, because three‐dimensional (3-D) numerical modeling is not readily available for complex geology. One of the first quantitative 3-D interpretations of LOTEM data is carried out using measurements from the Munsterland basin in northern Germany. In this survey area, four data sets show effects of lateral variations including a sign reversal in the measured voltage curve at one site. This sign reversal is a clear indicator of two‐dimensional (2-D) or 3-D conductivity structure, and can be caused by current channeling in a near‐surface conductive body. Our interpretation strategy involves three different 3-D forward modeling programs. A thin‐sheet integral equation modeling routine used with inversion gives a first guess about the location and strike of the anomaly. A volume integral equation program allows models tha.
Metabolic and cardiovascular benefits of hydroxychloroquine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been shown to improve survival rates in other inflammatory diseases. We aimed to assess the available literature on the cardiovascular impact of HCQ in patients with RA. Methods We systematically searched for studies evaluating the effects of HCQ on cardiovascular outcomes of known risk factors for CVD in patients with RA. Databases searched were MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBase, Cochrane Library and the American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism annual meetings. A meta-analysis was performed with a random-effects model, estimating mean differences (MDs), HRs and 95% CIs. Data were extracted by one investigator and independently checked by another. Results The literature search revealed 185 articles and abstracts of interest; further examination resulted in 16 studies fulfilling the criteria. The MDs between HCQ users and non-users in levels of total, low-density and high-density cholesterol and triglycerides were −9.8 (95% CI −14.0 to −5.6), −10.6 (95% CI −14.2 to −7.0), +4.1 (95% CI 2.2 to 6.0) and −19.2 (95% CI −27.2 to −11.1), respectively. Diabetes incidence was lower for HCQ ever users than never users (HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.70)). HCQ seemed to decrease insulin resistance and incidence of CVD, but data were too few for meta-analysis. Conclusion Besides its limited efficacy for disease activity and progression, HCQ may benefit the metabolic profile and to a lesser extent cardiovascular events in patients with RA, which suggests its usefulness combined with other conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Administration route-dependent effects of estrogens on IGF-I levels during fixed GH replacement in women with hypopituitarism.

OBJECTIVE GH-deficient women using oral estradiol treatment require higher doses of recombinant human GH (rhGH) to achieve similar IGF-I levels when compared with men and women on transdermal estradiol replacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral versus transdermal estrogen administration at similar plasma estradiol levels on IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. DESIGN Parallel crossover study in which two groups of hypogonadal and GH-deficient women with fixed and stable rhGH replacement passed through four different estradiol treatment schemes (2 and 4 mg oral, and 50 and 100 microg transdermal estradiol) with a duration of four cycles each to ensure a new steady state. Group I (18 patients using oral estradiol prior to the study) was treated with oral followed by transdermal estradiol and group II (five patients with transdermal estradiol prior to inclusion) with transdermal followed by oral estradiol. RESULTS Estradiol concentrations were lowest during 50 microg transdermal and highest during 4 mg oral estradiol treatment. Estradiol concentrations did not differ during 100 microg transdermal and 2 mg oral treatment. Nevertheless, IGF-I levels were significantly higher during 100 microg transdermal when compared with 2 mg oral treatment (P=0.005 in group I and 0.02 in group II), while SHBG levels were significantly lower (P=0.002 in group I and P=0.004 in group II). SHBG and IGF-I concentrations were negatively correlated (R=-0.41, P=0.0001). CONCLUSION During fixed GH replacement, the route of estrogen administration is a determinant of IGF-I levels in hypogonadal GH-deficient women.
Effects of Electronic Customer Relationship Management on Customer Satisfaction: A Temporal Model

The proliferation of eCRM and its alarming failure rate call for a better understanding of the relationship between eCRM and its immediate objective: customer satisfaction. In this paper, we develop, operationalize and empirically test a temporal model explaining the relationship between three categories of eCRM (i.e., pre-purchase, at-purchase and post-purchase eCRM) and online customer satisfaction at two phases of the customer lifecycle, i.e., attraction and retention. The results of a longitudinal survey of the online customers of hardware retailers provided strong support for the model and revealed the dominant role of pre-purchase eCRM in satisfaction formation at the attraction phase and the prevalence of post-purchase eCRM at the retention phase. Specific eCRM features are identified as satisfaction drivers, providing insights for important paradigm shifts.
Determinants of consumer engagement in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in social networking sites

As more and more marketers incorporate social media as an integral part of the promotional mix, rigorous investigation of the determinants that impact consumers’ engagement in eWOM via social networks is becoming critical. Given the social and communal characteristics of social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, MySpace and Friendster, this study examines how social relationship factors relate to eWOM transmitted via online social websites. Specifically, a conceptual model that identifies tie strength, homophily, trust, normative and informational interpersonal influence as an important antecedent to eWOM behaviour in SNSs was developed and tested. The results confirm that tie strength, trust, normative and informational influence are positively associated with users’ overall eWOM behaviour, whereas a negative relationship was found with regard to homophily. This study suggests that product-focused eWOM in SNSs is a unique phenomenon with important social implications. The implications for researchers, practitioners and policy makers of social media regulation are discussed.
Investigation on particle swarm optimisation for feature selection on high-dimensional data: local search and selection bias

ABSTRACT Feature selection is an essential step in classification tasks with a large number of features, such as in gene expression data. Recent research has shown that particle swarm optimisation (PSO) is a promising approach to feature selection. However, it also has potential limitation to get stuck into local optima, especially for gene selection problems with a huge search space. Therefore, we developed a PSO algorithm (PSO-LSRG) with a fast “local search” combined with a gbest resetting mechanism as a way to improve the performance of PSO for feature selection. Furthermore, since many existing PSO-based feature selection approaches on the gene expression data have feature selection bias, i.e. no unseen test data is used, 2 sets of experiments on 10 gene expression datasets were designed: with and without feature selection bias. As compared to standard PSO, PSO with gbest resetting only, and PSO with local search only, PSO-LSRG obtained a substantial dimensionality reduction and a significant improvement on the classification performance in both sets of experiments. PSO-LSRG outperforms the other three algorithms when feature selection bias exists. When there is no feature selection bias, PSO-LSRG selects the smallest number of features in all cases, but the classification performance is slightly worse in a few cases, which may be caused by the overfitting problem. This shows that feature selection bias should be avoided when designing a feature selection algorithm to ensure its generalisation ability on unseen data.
Evaluation of Novel Biomarkers for Coronary Artery Disease among Symptomatic Patients: Statistical Methodology and Application

Proteomics has led to the discovery of several biomarkers within an individual’s bloodstream that can be used in the diagnostic process for disease. Identification of novel biomarkers have a significant impact in the area of public health, with the potential to replace existing diagnostic methods that are complicated, costly, and that pose considerable risk to the patient. Cardiac catheterization, the current diagnostic method for coronary artery disease, is such an invasive procedure. An over-abundance of negative test results leads to the inquiry whether exposing all symptomatic patients to the procedure is in a physician’s best interest. A statistical analysis involving multivariate logistic regression and evaluation of predictive models identified a panel of biomarkers that can be used to classify patient with coronary artery disease and those with “normal” coronary arteries. This panel was used in conjunction with common clinical risk factors for heart disease to examine the added predictive power of the multi-marker panel when combined with clinical characteristics. A four-marker panel consisting of OPN, IL1β, Apo-B100, and Fibrinogen were found to be statistically significant predictors of coronary artery disease in a predictive logistic model adjusting for clinical risk factors, diabetes status and smoking status. The ability to identify patients that did not have clinically relevant coronary disease based on currently used clinical risk factors increased greatly, from zero to approximately thirty percent of the patients, with the inclusion of the biomarker panel. The use of a blood screening test for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease among symptomatic patients can limit the number of unnecessary cardiac catheterizations, reducing healthcare costs and patient risks associated with the invasive nature of the procedure. However, with such a test, there may be some discrimination error present, and the cost of misdiagnosing a patient with clinically relevant coronary artery disease needs to be weighed against the benefits of the test.
Quantal size is correlated with receptor cluster area at glycinergic synapses in the rat brainstem

1 Whole‐cell patch electrode recordings of glycinergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were obtained in neurons of the rat anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN). Mean mIPSC peak amplitude was found to vary considerably between AVCN neurons (range, ‐19·1 to ‐317·9 pA; mean ± s.d., ‐159·1 ± 100·7 pA; 14 cells). 2 Immunolabelling of glycinergic receptor clusters in AVCN neurons was performed using antibodies against the glycine receptor clustering protein gephyrin. Measurements of the area of gephyrin immunoreactive clusters were obtained using confocal fluorescence microscopy. These measurements showed a large variability in cluster area, not only in the same cell (mean coefficient of variation, c.v., 0·66 ± 0·18; 16 cells), but also in mean cluster area between cells (range, 0·21‐0·84 μm2; 16 cells). 3 A possible relationship between mIPSC amplitude and receptor cluster area was investigated in a further series of experiments, in which mIPSCs recordings and immunolabelling of glycine receptor clusters were obtained for the same cells. In these experiments, AVCN neurons were identified using intracellular labelling with neurobiotin. Successful results using a combination of whole‐cell recordings, neurobiotin identification and immunolabelling were obtained for a total of 10 AVCN neurons. Analysis of the results revealed a positive, statistically significant correlation between mean receptor cluster size and mean mIPSC amplitude (P < 0·05, 10 cells, Spearman's correlation test). 4 These results provide direct experimental evidence supporting a hypothesis of central glycinergic transmission in which synaptic strength may be regulated by changes in the size of the postsynaptic receptor region.
Long-Term Weight Changes in Treated Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid Patients

To compare the effect of three treatments for thyrotoxicosis on subsequent body weight, a retrospective survey of 65 patients was performed. The effect of thyroxine replacement on body weight in 25 patients with primary hypothyroidism was also examined. In one year after starting therapy 21 patients treated with carbimazole gained a mean of 5.4kg (95% confidence interval 3.6 to 7.2kg); 20 patients after thyroidectomy gained a mean of 6.3kg (95% c.i. 3.4 to 9.2kg); and 24 patients given radioiodine gained a mean of 7.4kg (95% c.i. 5.2 to 9.6kg), p<0.001 in all three groups. The weight gain in the three groups was not significantly different. 54–67% of the weight gain occurred in the first three months. The patients treated for hypothyroidism had lost an insignificant amount of weight 12 months after starting therapy — Mean change was −0.6kg (95% c.i. −2.2 to +1.1kg) p>0.1. This data suggests that all patients treated for thyrotoxicosis will gain body weight irrespective of the treatment used, but patients treated for primary hypothyroidism will not lose an appreciable amount of weight. Therefore dietary advice should be given, where appropriate, at the onset of any treatment of thyroid dysfunction.
Clinical Experience With the First Commercially Available Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography System.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A retrospective, single-center case-series was initiated to evaluate initial clinical experience with the first commercially available intraoperative optical coherence tomography system (iOCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS The Rescan 700 iOCT (Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany), a spectral-domain OCT system integrated into a surgical microscope, was used in 40 consecutive cases. A standardized review was used to assess whether iOCT imaging resulted in additional information and/or altered decision-making. RESULTS The iOCT system was usable in conjunction with common chromovitrectomy dyes and tamponades. The surgeons reported that iOCT imaging provided additional information in 74.1% of the posterior and combined surgical cases, which resulted in altered decision-making in 41.9% of the cases. The iOCT imaging time, on average, amounted to 167 seconds. In anterior procedures, the surgeons reported gaining additional information in 22.2% of all cases, but no cases of altered decision-making were reported. Hereby, the iOCT imaging time amounted to 117 seconds, on average. CONCLUSION The demonstrated results suggest iOCT has the potential to improve the quality of posterior and anterior segment surgery.
Reduced NO Production Improves Early Canine Islet Xenograft Function: A Role for Nitric Oxide in Islet Xenograft Primary Nonfunction

Isolated canine islets transplanted to hyperglycemic rats fail to restore euglycemia in almost all cases, although the grafted islet tissue appears to be morphologically intact for up to 48 h following transplantation. Cytokines typically produced in the xenograft environment (e.g., IL-1 and TNF) inhibit insulin biosynthesis and secretion from isolated pancreatic islets, and are associated with the production of nitric oxide (NO). To further define the relationship between NO production and islet xenotransplantation, the inhibition of NO in a splenocyte/islet coculture system, and the in vivo effect of this inhibition on canine islet xenotransplantation, was investigated. Splenocytes (SPLC) from Lewis rats were cocultured with canine islets (freshly isolated or cultured 7 days), supernatant removed, and NO concentration (NO2) determined by optical density (Griess reaction, 550 nm, expressed as nmol nitrite/106 cells/18 h). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as a positive control of SPLC production of NO. Stimulation by LPS resulted in maximal NO production (2.20 ± 0.16 nmol/106 cells/18 h, p < 0.001 compared to baseline values of 0.73 ± 0.04 nmol/106 cells/18 h). In the presence of NO inhibitors (NMA, polymyxin B, hydrocortisone, aminoguanidine, DMSO), nitrite levels did not significantly rise above unstimulated values. Freshly isolated canine islets did stimulate NO production (1.26 ± 0.12 nmol/106 cells/18 h, p < 0.001). In contrast, cultured canine islets did not stimulate NO production (0.84 ± 0.09 nmol/106 cells/18 h). Transplantation of freshly isolated canine islets to STZ-diabetic recipient Lewis rats resulted in amelioration of hyperglycemia in only 50% (n = 6) of recipients 12 h posttransplant, with a return to hyperglycemia at all subsequent time points. Transplantation of 7-day cultured canine islets resulted in amelioration of hyperglycemia in 88% of recipients 12 h posttransplant and 63% of recipients 24 h posttransplant [p = 0.028, mean survival time (MST) = 1.0 days, n = 8]. Transplantation of canine islet xenografts with aminoguanidine therapy (BID, n = 11) resulted in amelioration of hyperglycemia in 100% of recipients at 12 h posttransplant, decreasing to 82% by 24 h following transplantation (p = 0.002, MST = 0.9 days). These results demonstrate that freshly isolated canine islets are potent stimulators of NO production by rat SPLC in vitro, and that culture of canine islets, or addition of NO inhibitors, abrogates stimulated NO production. These results also demonstrate a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in early function of canine islet xenografts following 7 days of islet culture prior to transplant, and following recipient treatment with aminoguanidine. These studies suggest that the production of NO in the microenvironment of the graft site may adversely affect engraftment and function of canine islets, and suggest that the abrogation of islet-stimulated NO production may improve engraftment following islet xenotransplantation.