Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atopic dermatitis, STAT3- and DOCK8-hyper-IgE syndromes differ in IgE-based sensitization pattern.

BACKGROUND Increased serum IgE levels are characteristic but not specific for allergic diseases. Particularly, severe atopic dermatitis (AD) overlaps with hyper-IgE syndromes (HIES) regarding eczema, eosinophilia, and increased serum IgE levels. HIES are primary immunodeficiencies due to monogenetic defects such as in the genes DOCK8 and STAT3. As it is not known to date why allergic manifestations are not present in all HIES entities, we assessed the specificity of serum IgE of AD and HIES patients in the context of clinical and immunological findings. METHODS Clinical data, skin prick tests, specific IgE to aero- and food allergens, and T helper (Th) subpopulations were compared in AD and molecularly defined HIES patients. RESULTS Total serum IgE levels were similarly increased in STAT3-HIES, DOCK8-HIES, and AD patients. The ratio of aeroallergen-specific IgE to total IgE was highest in AD, whereas DOCK8-HIES patients showed the highest specific serum IgE against food allergens. Overall, clinical allergy and skin prick test results complied with the specific IgE results. Th2-cell numbers were significantly increased in DOCK8-HIES and AD patients compared to STAT3-HIES patients and controls. AD patients showed significantly higher nTreg-cell counts compared to STAT3-HIES and control individuals. High Th17-cell counts were associated with asthma. Specific IgE values, skin prick test, and T-cell subsets of STAT3-HIES patients were comparable with those of healthy individuals except decreased Th17-cell counts. CONCLUSION Hyper-IgE syndromes and atopic dermatitis patients showed different sensitization pattern of serum IgE corresponding to the allergic disease manifestations and Th-cell subset data, suggesting a key role of DOCK8 in the development of food allergy.
Eye Size and Visual Acuity Influence Vestibular Anatomy in Mammals

The semicircular canals of the inner ear detect head rotations and trigger compensatory movements that stabilize gaze and help maintain visual fixation. Mammals with large eyes and high visual acuity require precise gaze stabilization mechanisms because they experience diminished visual functionality at low thresholds of uncompensated motion. Because semicircular canal radius of curvature is a primary determinant of canal sensitivity, species with large canal radii are expected to be capable of more precise gaze stabilization than species with small canal radii. Here, we examine the relationship between mean semicircular canal radius of curvature, eye size, and visual acuity in a large sample of mammals. Our results demonstrate that eye size and visual acuity both explain a significant proportion of the variance in mean canal radius of curvature after statistically controlling for the effects of body mass and phylogeny. These findings suggest that variation in mean semicircular canal radius of curvature among mammals is partly the result of selection for improved gaze stabilization in species with large eyes and acute vision. Our results also provide a possible functional explanation for the small semicircular canal radii of fossorial mammals and plesiadapiforms. Anat Rec, 297:781–790, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth status of children with sickle-cell anemia.

Although it is generally accepted that sickle-cell anemia has an adverse effect upon physical growth, published data on this aspect of the disease in children are meager. Scott et al. 1 reported that the weights of 63 children with sickle-cell anemia were consistently below the median for their age. Winsor and Burch, 2 in a detailed evaluation of the physical habitus of persons with sickle-cell anemia, included physical measurements on 7 children. They found that the weights of all the children and the heights of the 4 girls were subnormal. This study was undertaken to provide additional data on the growth and maturation status of children with this disease, and to evaluate some of the factors which may contribute to growth retardation when it occurs. Materials and Methods The primary subjects were 48 American Negro children with sickle-cell anemia, ranging from 2-13 years of age. The diagnosis was established by
Impact of Tropical Cyclones on the Heat Budget of the South Pacific Ocean

The present study investigates the integrated ocean response to tropical cyclones (TCs) in the South Pacific convergence zone through a complete ocean heat budget. The TC impact analysis is based on the comparison between two long-term (1979-2003) oceanic simulations forced by a mesoscale atmospheric model solution in which extreme winds associated with cyclones are either maintained or filtered. The simulations provide a statistically robust experiment that fills a gap in the current modeling literature between coarse-resolution and short-term studies. The authors' results show a significant thermal response of the ocean to at least 500-m depth, driven by competing mixing and upwelling mechanisms. As suggested in previous studies, vertical mixing largely explains surface cooling induced by TCs. However, TC-induced upwelling of deeper waters plays an unexpected role as it partly balances the warming of subsurface waters induced by vertical mixing. Below 100 m, vertical advection results in cooling that persists long after the storm passes and has a signature in the ocean climatology. The heat lost through TC-induced vertical advection is exported outside the cyclogenesis area with strong interannual variability. In addition, 60% of the heat input below the surface during the cyclone season is released back to the oceanic mixed layer through winter entrainment and then to the atmosphere. Therefore, seasonal modulation reduces the mean surface heat flux due to TCs to about 3 × 10−3 PW in this region exposed to 10%-15% of the world's cyclones. The resulting climatological anomaly is a warming of about 0.1°C in the subsurface layer and cooling below the thermocline (less than 0.1°C).
Development of a fidelity scale for Danish specialized early interventions service

The efficacy of the Specialized Early Intervention (SEI) treatment in Denmark, the OPUS treatment, has in a randomized clinical trial proved to be very effective compared to treatment as usual, and the dissemination of SEI services is increasing in Denmark. A prerequisite for upholding positive effects along with creating new teams and preserving critical components is to ensure fidelity to the model. Currently there is no Danish fidelity scale for SEI services.
Speech therapist led voice clinic: Which patients may be suitable?

Joint Voice clinics run by an ENT surgeon (Laryngologist) and Voice therapist avoid repetition of clinical assessment, better planning of patient management and early initiation of treatment. Although is perceived as optimal management of voice patients it is perhaps not necessary for all patients as it is time consuming for the clinicians involved. The aim of this study was to investigate whether it was possible to identify any subgroup of patients that could potentially be seen in a Voice therapist-led new patient clinic by reviewing the outcome of 96 patients referred to a Joint Voice clinic. Forty-four patients were referred for voice therapy out of which 13 (30%) were teachers or lecturers (total number: 16 (81%)). Two others in this subgroup required medical treatment and the other surgery. The most common aetiology in these professional voice users was muscle tension dysphonia (10 patients, 63%). It is concluded that experienced Voice therapists appropriately trained in laryngostroboscopic assessment could potentially receive and manage direct referrals from primary care physicians. They should however work as part of a multiprofessional Voice Disorders Team where the patients could be reviewed by an ENT surgeon if necessary. This would significantly improve the patient pathway for these patients, be cost-effective and make the best use of therapist's and ENT surgeon's time.
Organ Donation among Malaysian: The Malay Dilemma toward Social Development

Organ donation among the world community today is not a new phenomenon. The noble act of organ donation by donors that at times, has no blood relations has enabled many patients with chronic diseases to earn a second chance in life. The same scenario also takes place in Malaysia in which awareness of organ donation to help parties in need is not new. Many citizen of Malaysia is aware that their contribution gives "new life" to the needy. This little “scarifies” indirectly shows that Malaysian people put a high value for the social development in their country. The Malays in Malaysia is the largest ethnic group, but unfortunately, the statistics show that the Malays are the least to sign up for organ donation. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the causes that prevented them from doing so. This study was conducted by taking into account three factors; religion, awareness, as well as perception or views on organ donation willingness among the Malays. Of the three factors studied, only two significant factors contributed to the main question of why the Malays shy away from organ donation and they are religion and perception. This shows that the Malays are aware that organ donation is a noble practice, but limited perception and knowledge of religion limit their participation. Therefore, it is recommended that a comprehensive discussion among religious leaders in changing the perception and explain the laws of religion on the issue of organ donation is carried out continuously in various mediums so that the awareness of the Malays in organ donation can be fully utilized for the benefit of everyone.
The Influence of the Good Corporate Governance Towards the Value Of the Company

This research aims to know the influence of good corporate governance the manufacturing sub sectors of food and drink that are listed on the Indonesia stock exchange period 2011-2016. For the measurement of the value of the company's researchers use the Price Earning Ratio (PER), while for corporate governance using the size of the Board of Directors, managerial ownership, firm size and Debt to equity Ratio (DER). The sample in this research company is a company manufacturing sub sector of the food and drink report financial report-row take part during the period 2011 – 2016. the results of this research show that the number of Directors, managerial and ownership of company size does not affect the value of the manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia stock exchange period 2011- 2016. Debt equity ratio effects while significantly to the value of the company. Keyword : [Good Corporate Governance, Value Company].
Outcome of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: Correlation with Intra-Operative Multi-Unit Recordings but Not with the Type of Anaesthesia

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) gained general acceptance in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: To study the clinical outcome and the predicting factors of efficacy of chronic STN stimulation, while DBS electrodes were implanted under local or general anaesthesia with intra-operative electrophysiological guidance based on multi-unit recordings. Methods: We included a large single-centre cohort of 54 patients with advanced PD (mean age: 59 years; disease duration: 14 years). Clinical evaluation was performed by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) before and 1 year after surgical placement of DBS electrodes. Results: In the on-stimulation and off-medication condition, the UPDRS part III score was reduced by 56% compared to the off-stimulation condition or pre-operative off-drug score. In the on-stimulation and on-medication condition, this score was reduced by 73%. The severity of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia (UPDRS part IV) and the activities of daily living (UPDRS part II) were reduced by 65 and 80%, respectively, in the on-stimulation/on-medication condition compared to the pre-operative baseline. The daily dose of antiparkinsonian treatment was diminished by 72%. Among the various pre- and intra-operative data, the most important predictive factor for clinical efficacy of STN stimulation was the length of hyperactivity along the best track observed in intra-operative multi-unit recordings. Other predictive factors included age, disease duration and pre-operative levodopa responsiveness or baseline off-drug values of the Hoehn and Yahr and UPDRS part III scores. In contrast, the type of anaesthesia (local vs. general) did not significantly influence the clinical outcome. Conclusion: The present results are in the average of previously published results, but they have been obtained from a large single-centre cohort of patients with important reductions in the daily dose of antiparkinsonian drugs. This study confirmed the efficacy of the STN-DBS technique and emphasized the value of an original intra-operative electrophysiological approach based on multi-unit and not single-unit quantified recordings. This method allows DBS electrode implantation to be safely performed under general anaesthesia without lessening the rate of efficacy of the procedure.
Early cytokine and chemokine gene expression in lymph nodes of macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus is predictive of disease outcome and vaccine efficacy

Competitive PCR was used to evaluate the expression of cytokine, granzyme B, and chemokine genes in lymph nodes of macaques recently infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) pathogenic molecular clone SIVmac239 (n = 16), the nonpathogenic vaccine strain SIVmac239 delta nef (n = 8), and the nonpathogenic molecular clone SIVmac1A11 (n = 8). For both SIVmac239 and its nef-deleted derivative, strong expression was observed as early as 7 days postinfection for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon, and IL-13. The levels of gene induction were equally intense for both viruses despite a lower viral load for SIVmac239 deltanef compared with that for SIVmac239. However, the nature of the cytokine network activation varied with the viral inocula. Primary infection with SIVmac239 was characterized by a higher level of IL-4, IL-10, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, MCP-1, and RANTES gene expression and a lower level of IL-12 and granzyme B gene expression compared with infection with SIVmac239 delta nef. Thus, infection with nef-deleted SIV was associated with a preferential Th1 versus Th2 pattern of cytokine production. Infection with SIVmac1A11 was characterized by a delayed immune response for all markers tested. The unique patterns of cytokine and chemokine gene expression in lymph nodes correlated nicely with the pathogenic potential of the SIV strains used as well as with differences in their ability to serve as protective vaccines.
Dietary pattern and blood pressure levels of adolescents in Sohag, Egypt.

BACKGROUND Poor eating patterns formed early in life may lead to health problems in later years. These poor dietary habits are carried over into adolescence in Upper Egypt. The study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary pattern and blood pressure levels of adolescents in Sohag as one of Upper Egypt Governorates. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out on 300 school students of both sexes between 12 and 18 years of age in Sohag. Schools from one educational district were stratified into private or public and boys or girls sectors. From each stratum, about 35-40 students were selected from one class at random. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle, and dietary habits and intake were collected from each student. Anthropometric measurements and both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were taken at the time of the interview. RESULTS Hypertension was detected among 7.7% of the adolescents studied and prehypertension was detected among 34% of the adolescents. The entire studied sample consumed energy, protein, and sodium that exceeded their daily requirements, whereas their intake of potassium was less, with no statistically significant difference. The prehypertensive group consumed the highest daily intake of energy, macronutrients, sodium, and potassium. High BMI and low consumption of fruits and vegetables were associated with increased SBP and DBP. High consumption of chips was a predictor for increased SBP, whereas daily consumption of soft drinks was a predictor for increased DBP. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The study revealed significant association between the unhealthy dietary pattern and the risk of hypertension and prehypertension among adolescents in Sohag. Changes in their eating habits and dietary intake are highly recommended. Implementing a comprehensive nutrition promotion program has the potential to decrease the risk of hypertension during adulthood.
Clinical aspects, pathology and pathophysiology of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder, and there is evidence that a majority of individuals over the age of 65 have radiographic and/or clinical evidence of OA. The most frequently affected sites are the hands, knees, hips and spine. Importantly, the symptoms are often associated with significant functional impairment, as well as signs and symptoms of inflammation, including pain, stiffness and loss of mobility 1. Anatomic analysis and application of histopatho-logical and imaging techniques have helped to define the natural history of OA with respect to the structural alterations in the articular cartilage 1-6. They also have demonstrated that OA is not exclusively a disorder of articular cartilage. Multiple components of the joint are adversely affected by OA, including the peri-articular bone, synovial joint lining and adjacent supporting connective tissue elements 1-6. The characteristic structural changes in OA include the progressive loss of articular cartilage, increased subchondral plate thickness, formation of new bone at the joint margins (osteophytes) and the development of subchondral bone cysts 7-9. In addition, at the junction of the articular hyaline cartilage and adjacent subchondral bone, in the region of the so-called tidemark, there is a remnant of calcified cartilage. As OA progresses, there is evidence of vascular invasion and advancement of this zone of calcified cartilage into the artic-ular cartilage that further contributes to a decrease in artic-ular cartilage thickness 2,10-14. These structural alterations in the articular cartilage and peri-articular bone may lead to modification of the contours of the adjacent articulating surfaces 7-9,15,16. These changes, as well as the accompanying alterations in subchondral bone remodeling and modulus, may further contribute to the development of an adverse biomechanical environment and enhance the progression of the articular cartilage deterioration 15-19. Multiple factors have been shown to affect the progression of OA, including the presence of polyarticular disease, increasing age, associated intra-articular crystal deposition, obesity, joint instability and/or malalignment, muscle weakness and peripheral neuropathy 1,20-22. These factors can be segregated into categories that include hereditary contributions , mechanical factors and the effects of ageing. There are several lines of evidence indicating that genetic factors contribute to the risk of OA 23,24. These include the results of epidemiological studies, analysis of patterns of familial clustering, twin studies and the characterization of rare genetic disorders. For example, twin studies have shown that the influence of genetic factors may approach 70% in certain skeletal sites. Linkage analyses and …
A Study on Consumers’ Adoption Intention for Digital Wallets in India

The purpose of the present research study is to find out whether customer demographics influence adoption intention for e-wallets in India and to identify the parameters that are most important in predicting consumers’ adoption intention and whether the market can be segmented into different customer groups. The regression model showed an impressive amount of variance explained for adoption intention (R2=81.7%) and cluster analysis helped to reveal three different customer segments with their different set of criteria. The above findings will help digital wallet companies to have a better and clear understanding of factors that influence the adoption decision of Indian consumers concentrating particularly on the parameters that influence end-users to adopt their services.
P-wave analysis in MCG and ECG after conversion of atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION Aim of the study was to analyse the P-wave of patients after spontaneous or electrical conversion of atrial fibrillation in comparison to a control group with stable sinus rhythm. Former studies had investigated ECG and signal-averaged ECG with following results: • after electrical cardioversion, patients with unstable sinus rhythm had a significantly longer P-wave duration[l]. • longer P-wave duration seemed to be associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillaüon [23,4] • while in other studies P-wave duration did not provide significant Information about tlie risk of atrial fibrillation [5,6].
The Pocket Echocardiograph: Validation and Feasibility

Background: A new, miniaturized ultrasound device, the pocket echocardiograph (PE), is highly portable and can be carried inside a lab‐coat pocket. Studies of this device are limited and have not examined the use by novice echocardiographers. We hypothesize that a novice echocardiographer can use PE to produce interpretable cardiac images, and that both novice and expert echocardiographers can use PE to accurately quantify ejection fraction. Methods: Unselected subjects (n = 40) in an echocardiography laboratory underwent blinded formal transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and PE (Acuson P10, Siemens, Mountain View, CA, USA). A cardiology fellow with 2 months of echocardiography training acquired PE images. The fellow and an experienced echocardiographer interpreted the PE studies offline in a blinded fashion. To assess adequacy, studies were graded as technically adequate, limited, or inadequate. A visual estimation of ejection fraction was made. Comparisons were made to the formal reported TTE. Results: Subjects were heterogeneous, 43% male; age 64 ± 17 years, and ejection fraction 52.4%± 12.3%. All PE studies were interpretable, and the vast majority of PE and TTE images were considered technically adequate (77.5% and 85% respectively; P = 0.32). Ejection fraction showed a good correlation, bias, and limits of agreement for the fellow's interpretation (r = 0.78, −5.9%, ±16.6%) with stronger association for the experienced echocardiographer (r = 0.88, −0.8%, ±11.4%). Conclusion: Novice echocardiographers using the PE can produce adequate quality images. Both expert and novice echocardiographers can use PE to quantify ejection fraction over a broad range of patients. The device's low cost and portability may greatly expand the availability of bedside echocardiography for routine or urgent cardiovascular assessment. (Echocardiography 2010;27:759‐764)