Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lexical influences in graphemic buffer disorder

Abstract We report the case of patient BH, who misspelled about half of the words she attempted and showed the characteristic features of “graphemic buffer disorder” (an effect of letter length on spelling accuracy, errors involving the substitution, omission, addition, and movement of letters that affect the middles more than the ends of words). Speech comprehension and production were good. Reading of words was, at most, only mildly impaired, though reading of nonwords was more affected. Words were spelled more accurately than nonwords, and BH's ability to spell words correctly was influenced by their imageability, age of acquisition, frequency, and number of orthographic neighbours (N). The effect of length was much reduced once these factors (especially N) were controlled. BH's spelling pattern is discussed in terms of top-down lexical influences on the graphemic buffer. We argue that such effects may be more widespread than has previously been acknowledged.
Prevention of Autoantibody-Mediated Graves’-Like Hyperthyroidism in Mice with IL-4, a Th2 Cytokine

Graves’ hyperthyroidism has long been considered to be a Th2-type autoimmune disease because it is directly mediated by autoantibodies against the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR). However, several lines of evidence have recently challenged this concept. The present study evaluated the Th1/Th2 paradigm in Graves’ disease using a recently established murine model involving injection of adenovirus expressing the TSHR (AdCMVTSHR). Coinjection with adenovirus expressing IL-4 (AdRGDCMVIL-4) decreased the ratio of Th1/Th2-type anti-TSHR Ab subclasses (IgG2a/IgG1) and suppressed the production of IFN-γ by splenocytes in response to TSHR Ag. Importantly, immune deviation toward Th2 was accompanied by significant inhibition of thyroid-stimulating Ab production and reduction in hyperthyroidism. However, in a therapeutic setting, injection of AdRGDCMVIL-4 alone or in combination with AdCMVTSHR into hyperthyroid mice had no beneficial effect. In contrast, coinjection of adenoviruses expressing IL-12 and the TSHR promoted the differentiation of Th1-type anti-TSHR immune responses as demonstrated by augmented Ag-specific IFN-γ secretion from splenocytes without changing disease incidence. Coinjection of adenoviral vectors expressing IL-4 or IL-12 had no effect on the titers of anti-TSHR Abs determined by ELISA or thyroid-stimulating hormone-binding inhibiting Ig assays, suggesting that Ab quality, not quantity, is responsible for disease induction. Our observations demonstrate the critical role of Th1 immune responses in a murine model of Graves’ hyperthyroidism. These data may raise a cautionary note for therapeutic strategies aimed at reversing Th2-mediated autoimmune responses in Graves’ disease in humans.
Monetary policy and macroeconomic responses: non-recursive SVAR study of Egypt

Purpose This paper aims to examine the effects of monetary policy and foreign shocks on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt. Design/methodology/approach This paper studies the effects of monetary policy and foreign shocks on output, inflation and exchange rate by using non-recursive SVAR model and quarterly data. Findings First, the empirical results reveal that monetary policy shocks, through changes in interest rate or money supply, have a significant effect on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt. Second, the world oil prices and foreign output have significant impacts on output, inflation and exchange rate in Egypt, while foreign interest rate has a significant effect on domestic output and inflation. Research limitations/implications The limitation of the study is examining one country only. Practical implications The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) should adjust interest rate to stabilize inflation, output and exchange rate. By stabilizing inflation, output and exchange rate, the CBE would be able to achieve the ultimate targets of monetary policy, namely, price stability and economic growth. Social implications It is important for the CBE because it shows the significant effect of monetary policy on macroeconomic variables in Egypt. Also, it is important for people because it shows the important role for the CBE. Originality/value It is important for the CBE because it examines the effect of monetary policy and foreign shocks on macroeconomic variables.
Subsidies for Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment with Improved Grain Storage Bags in Uganda

&NA; This article addresses the question of whether subsidizing an entirely new agricultural technology for smallholder farmers can aid its adoption early in the diffusion process. Based on a theoretical framework for technology adoption under subjective uncertainty, we implemented a randomized field experiment among 1,200 smallholders in Uganda to estimate the extent to which subsidizing an improved grain storage bag crowds‐out or crowds‐in commercial buying of the technology. The empirical results show that on average, subsidized households are more likely to buy an additional bag at commercial prices relative to the households with no subsidy who are equally aware of the technology. This suggests that under certain circumstances, such as when there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of a new agricultural technology, and the private sector market for the technology is weak or nascent, a one‐time use of subsidy to build awareness and reduce risk can help generate demand for the new technology and thus crowd‐in commercial demand for it. In this context, a subsidy can allow farmers to experiment with the technology and learn from the experience before investing in it.
The Added Value of Improvisation to Effectiveness-Oriented Transformational Leadership

Purpose: The power of improvisation to promote organizational behavior and outcomes has gained recognition in the last couple of decades. The point of departure for the current study is that improvisation is likely to mediate leaders’ impact on school effectiveness. Methodology: The study is based on the responses of 60 school principals and 696 teachers. Findings: The multilevel analysis provides evidence of the mediation effect apparent in the indirect effects of transformational leadership through principals’ improvisation discernible in their creativity in the two school effectiveness factors: perceived productivity and perceived adaptability. Implications: Our findings suggest that creativity may be considered an efficient coping mechanism for school leaders coping with variance and heterogeneity.
Invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease in adults

We reviewed retrospectively all invasive Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) infections in adults ascertained from reference laboratory records and notifications from five NHS regions over the 5 years from 1 October 1990, a period encompassing the introduction of routine Hib childhood immunization (October 1992). A total of 446 cases were identified, a rate of 0·73 infections per 105 adults per annum. Though numbers of Hib infections in adults fell after the introduction of Hib vaccines for children (P = 0·035), and there was no increase in infections caused by other capsulated Hi serotypes, total numbers of invasive Hi infections increased due to a large rise in infections caused by non-capsulated Hi (ncHi) strains (P = 0·0067). There was an unexpectedly low rate of infections in those aged 75 years or more (P < 0·0001). The commonest clinical presentations were pneumonia with bacteraemia (227/350, 65%) and bacteraemia alone (62/350, 18%) and the highest rates of disease were in the 65–74 years age group (P < 0·0001). Clinical presentation was not influenced by the capsulation status of the invading Hi strain. 103/350 cases (29%) died within 1 month, and 207/350 (59%) within 6 months of their Hi infection. Case fatality rates were high in all age groups. Pre-existing diseases were noted in 220/350 cases and were associated with a higher case fatality rate (82% vs. 21%, P < 0·0001). After the introduction of Hib immunization in children, invasive Hib infections in unimmunized adults also declined, but the overall rate of invasive Hi disease in adults increased, with most infections now caused by non-capsulated strains. Physicians and microbiologists should be aware of the changing epidemiology, the high associated mortality and high risk of underlying disease. Invasive haemophilus infections in adults should be investigated and treated aggressively.
Antimicrobial Peptides Initiate IL-1β Posttranslational Processing: A Novel Role Beyond Innate Immunity

Human monocytes stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of prointerleukin-1β, but little of this cytokine product is released extracellularly as the mature biologically active species. To demonstrate efficient proteolytic cleavage and export, cytokine-producing cells require a secondary effector stimulus. In an attempt to identify agents that may serve as initiators of IL-1β posttranslational processing in vivo, LPS-activated human monocytes were treated with several individual antimicrobial peptides. Two peptides derived from porcine neutrophils, protegrin (PTG)-1 and PTG-3, promoted rapid and efficient release of mature IL-1β. The PTG-mediated response engaged a mechanism similar to that initiated by extracellular ATP acting via the P2X7 receptor. Thus, both processes were disrupted by a caspase inhibitor, both were sensitive to ethacrynic acid and CP-424,174, two pharmacological agents that suppress posttranslational processing, and both were negated by elevation of extracellular potassium. Moreover, the PTGs, like ATP, promoted a dramatic change in monocyte morphology and a loss of membrane latency. The PTG response was concentration dependent and was influenced profoundly by components within the culture medium. In contrast, porcine neutrophil antimicrobial peptides PR-26 and PR-39 did not initiate IL-1β posttranslational processing. The human defensin HNP-1 and the frog peptide magainin 1 elicited export of 17-kDa IL-1β, but these agents were less efficient than PTGs. As a result of this ability to promote release of potent proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, select antimicrobial peptides may possess important immunomodulatory functions that extend beyond innate immunity.
Left ventricular strain and strain rate by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.

AIM Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is an asymptomatic condition defined by increased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with normal free thyroid hormone levels. Heart is a major target organ for thyroid hormone action. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac functions in patients with SH by speckle tracking imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included 23 consecutive patients with untreated SH (Group A; 7 male, mean age: 40.9±1.6 years) and 21 patients with treated SH (Group B; 6 male, mean age: 40.2±2.1 years). The control group included 25 healthy volunteers (8 male, mean age: 39.9±2.8 years). Left ventricular (LV) functions were assessed with speckle tracking imaging. RESULTS Age and sex distributions were similar among the groups. Mean serum TSH and free T4 levels were 11.7±2.9 µIU/mL, 1.16±0.06 ng/dL for group A; 2.6±0.3 µIU/mL, 1.35±0.09 ng/dL for group B; 1.4±0.3 µIU/mL, 1.31±0.09 ng/dL for controls, respectively (p = 0.001, p = 0.122). The untreated SH patients had significantly lower LV strain and strain rate values compared to controls. The treated SH patients had higher LV strain and strain rate values compared to untreated SH patients although the difference was not statistically significant. The treated SH patients had lower LV strain and strain rate values compared to controls but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Untreated SH is associated with impairment in LV longitudinal myocardial function. Speckle tracking echocardiography appears to be useful both for early detection of LV impairment in patients with SH and documentation of improvement in myocardial deformation parameters with treatment.
Relationship between types of radiographic damage and disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the EURIDISS cohort: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess if any of the different types of radiographic damage [true joint space narrowing (JSN), (sub)luxation and erosions] are preferentially related to disability in patients with RA. METHODS Longitudinal data from 167 RA patients from the European Research on Incapacitating Diseases and Social Support study over 10 years were analysed to investigate the relationship between the three types of radiographic damage and disability [grip strength, HAQ and the dexterity scale in the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS)]. A longitudinal analysis including separate models per type of damage and joint group and combined models including all information was conducted. RESULTS All types of damage were inversely related to grip strength in the analysis of separate models, but only true JSN independently remained statistically significant in the combined analysis [β = -0.087 (95% CI -0.151, -0.022)]. Neither JSN, (sub)luxation nor erosions were associated with HAQ score, while erosions were associated with AIMS dexterity only in the analysis of separate models. After stratifying for hand joint group, erosions at MCP joints [β = -0.288 (95% CI -0.556, -0.019)] and true JSN at the wrist [β = -0.132 (95% CI -0.234, -0.030)] were significantly related to grip strength. Erosions at the PIP [β = 0.017 (95% CI 0.005, 0.028)] and MCP joints [β = 0.114 (95% CI 0.010, 0.217)] was the only type of damage associated with HAQ and AIMS dexterity, respectively. CONCLUSION All types of radiographically visible joint damage interfere with important aspects of physical functions. True JSN is most closely related to hand function.
[Diagnostic and psychopathologic evaluation of binge eating disorder in gastric bypass patients].

INTRODUCTION The presence of binge eating disorder (BED) can influence the outcomes of laparoscopic gastric bypass (BPGL) in the treatment of morbid obesity. In English population, BED is assessed usually through the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-Revised (QEWP-R). OBJECTIVES To study validity and concordance of EDEQ and QEWP-R for diagnosis and psychopathologic assessment of BED in Spanish gastric bypass patients. METHODS In a cross sectional study 27 recent gastric bypass patients completed Spanish version of EDE-Q and QEWP-R. Then patients were classified in BED or no BED. We evaluated possible differences between these groups in the items with psychometric relevance and we measure concordance between the questionnaires. RESULTS The QEWP-R and EDE-Q identified respectively 25,9% and 18,5% patients with BED. These achieved higher scores in the items related to importance of weight or shape in self-assessment, interference in concentration because of thinking about food, shape or weight, and frequency of guilty feeling after eating. Diagnostic concordance was poor between questionnaires, but we found a strong relation between items with psychometric relevance. CONCLUSIONS BED is frequent in gastric bypass patients and constitute a distinct subgroup of patients with more severe psychopathology. Spanish version of QEWP-R and EDE-Q are suitable questionnaires for assessment of BED.
Cardiac Autonomic Control and Treatment of Hostility: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To test whether reduction in hostility increases autonomic regulation of the heart. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were 158 healthy adults, aged 20 years to 45 years, who were 1 standard deviation (SD) above national norms on the Cook-Medley Hostility and the Spielberger Trait Anger Indices. Participants also were interviewed, using the Interpersonal Hostility Assessment Technique (IHAT). They were randomly assigned to a 12-week cognitive behavior therapy program for hostility reduction or a wait-list control condition. The main outcome measure was cardiac autonomic modulation, measured as RR interval variability (RRV) derived from 24-electrocardiographic recordings. Results: In a multivariate analysis of variance assessing psychological outcomes of hostility, anger, and IHAT scores, there was a significant treatment effect with an average reduction across the three outcomes that was approximately 0.7 SD (ES = 0.685, SE = 0.184, p < .001) greater for the intervention group than for the control group. In contrast, the change in heart rate was −0.14 beat/min (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = −2.43, 2.14) in treatment participants and −1.36 beat/min (95% CI = −3.28, 0.61) in wait-list participants. High-frequency RRV, an index of cardiac parasympathetic modulation, increased by 0.07 ln ms2 (95% CI = −0.10, 0.24) for participants in the treatment condition and decreased by 0.04 ln ms2 (95% CI = −0.18, 0.10) for participants in the wait-list condition. These differences were not significant. The findings for other indices of RRV were similar. Conclusions: Reduction of hostility and anger was not accompanied by increases in cardiac autonomic modulation. These findings raise questions about the status of disordered autonomic nervous system regulation of the heart as a pathophysiological mechanism underlying the hostility-heart disease relationship and about whether hostility itself is a mechanism or merely a marker of elevated risk of heart disease. SD = standard deviation; CBT = cognitive behavior therapy; RRV = RR interval variability; ECG = electrocardiogram; HR = heart rate; HF = high frequency; ln = natural log; CI = confidence interval; ANS = autonomic nervous system; STAXI = State Trait Anger Expression Inventory; SDRR = standard deviation of normal to normal RR intervals; ES = effective size; SE = standard error; LF = low frequency; CHD = coronary heart disease.
Clinical Pattern of Autism in Nigeria

Autism, a global disorder has been widely studied in the Western world. However, there are limited studies on its occurrence, risk factors, and presentation in developing countries such as Nigeria. This retrospective study highlights the pattern of presentation of autism and presence of some risk factors in 75 Nigerian cases referred to a private autism center. The diagnosis of autism was made using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM IV), International Classification of Diseases Fourth edition, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale. There were 60 males and 15 females with a male to female ratio of 4:1. The mean age at presentation to the center was 6.87 ± 4.20 years and majority (91.9%) belonged to a high socioeconomic class. Already established risk factors, clinical features, and comorbidities of autism present among the study group were similar to findings in individuals with autism in other parts of the world. Autism Res 2016, 9: 376–381. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Colon: A Second Malignant Neoplasm after Treatment for a Wilms’ Tumor

Leiomyosarcoma of the colon is a rare malignancy. We report the case of a 33-year-old woman with a leiomyosarcoma of the colon occurring as an intussusception 30 years after receiving abdominal irradiation for a Wilms’ tumor. A review of the prior and current treatment for Wilms’ tumor is discussed, as well as the association between second malignancies and abdominal irradiation. Leiomyosarcoma of the colon usually presents in the fifth and sixth decades of life and is more common in men. The most common symptom is pain. Ninety per cent are diagnosed at surgery for treatment of bleeding, perforation, or obstruction. Surgery remains the primary treatment. Leiomyosarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract are radioresistant, and adjuvant chemotherapy has shown no survival benefit. The overall prognosis is poor, with mean 5-year survival of 28 per cent. General surgeons need to be aware of the possibility of second malignant neoplasms after primary treatment of childhood cancers. Proper reporting is essential to study the long-term effects of early treatment of childhood cancers and in predicting the best treatment outcomes for these patients.
Diet quality is associated with measures of body fat in adolescents from Otago, New Zealand

Abstract Objective To examine the potential associations between diet quality and multiple measures of body composition in a sample of New Zealand adolescents aged 14–18 years. Design Cross-sectional survey of eleven high schools in Otago, New Zealand. Each participant completed an online FFQ and a New Zealand Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (NZDQI-A) score was calculated based on variety and adequacy of intake for five major food groups. Besides height and waist circumference measurements, body composition was assessed using segmental bio-impedance analysis. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations between diet quality and body composition in models adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity and socio-economic status. Setting High schools in Otago, New Zealand. Subjects High-school students (n 681, 56 % male, mean age 16·1 (sd 1·5) years) participating in the Otago School Students Lifestyle Survey Two. Results Higher NZDQI-A scores were significantly associated with lower body fat percentage (β=−0·19; 95 % CI −0·35, −0·04; P=0·014), fat-to-lean mass ratio (β=−0·26; 95 % CI −0·46, −0·05; P=0·016) and lower fat mass index (β=−0·23; 95 % CI −0·45, −0·004; P=0·046) after multivariate adjustment. No association was found between NZDQI-A and BMI, waist circumference or waist-to-height ratio. Conclusions Diet quality, as measured by NZDQI-A, was associated only with measures of body fat, not measures of overall body size. Measures specific to body fat should be used for more accurate ascertainment of body composition in examining the diet–body composition associations in this age group.
Genetic architecture of life history traits and environment‐specific trade‐offs

Life history theory predicts the evolution of trait combinations that enhance fitness, and the occurrence of trade‐offs depends in part on the magnitude of variation in growth rate or acquisition. Using recombinant inbred lines, we examined the genetic architecture of age and size at reproduction across abiotic conditions encountered by cultivars and naturalized populations of Brassica rapa. We found that genotypes are plastic to seasonal setting, such that reproduction was accelerated under conditions encountered by summer annual populations and genetic variances for age at reproduction varied across simulated seasonal settings. Using an acquisition–allocation model, we predicted the likelihood of trade‐offs. Consistent with predicted relationships, we observed a trade‐off where early maturity is associated with small size at maturity under simulated summer and fall annual conditions but not under winter annual conditions. The trade‐off in the summer annual setting was observed despite significant genotypic variation in growth rate, which is often expected to decouple age and size at reproduction because rapidly growing genotypes could mature early and attain a larger size relative to slowly growing genotypes that mature later. The absence of a trade‐off in the winter setting is presumably attributable to the absence of genotypic differences in age at reproduction. We observed QTL for age at reproduction that jointly regulated size at reproduction in both the summer and fall annual settings, but these QTL were environment‐specific (i.e. different QTL contributed to the trade‐off in the fall vs. summer annual settings). Thus, at least some of the genetic mechanisms underlying observed trade‐offs differed across environments.