Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Significance of Mild Cognitive Impairment Subtypes for Dementia and Mortality: Data from the NEDICES Cohort.

BACKGROUND The predictive value of diverse subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for dementia and death is highly variable. OBJECTIVE To compare the predictive value of several MCI subtypes in progression to dementia and/or mortality in the NEDICES (Neurological Disorders in Central Spain) elderly cohort. METHODS Retrospect algorithmic MCI subgroups were established in a non-dementia baseline NEDICES cohort using Spanish adaptations of the original Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-37) and Pfeffer's Functional Activities Questionnaire (Pfeffer-11). The presence of MCI was defined according two cognitive criteria: using two cut-offs points on the total MMSE-37 score. Five cognitive domains were used to establish the MCI subtypes. Functional capacity (Pfeffer-11) was preserved or minimally impaired in all MCI participants. The incident dementia diagnoses were established by specialists and the mortality data obtained from Spanish official registries. RESULTS 3,411 participants without dementia were assessed in 1994-5. The baseline prevalence of MCI varied according to the MCI definition (4.3%-31.8%). The follow-up was a mean of 3.2 years (1997-8). The dementia incidence varied between 14.9 and 71.8 per 1,000/person-years. The dementia conversion rate was increased in almost all MCI subgroups (p > 0.01), and mortality rate was raised only in four MCI subtypes. The amnestic-multi-domain MCI (aMd-MCI) had the best dementia predictive accuracy (highest positive likelihood ratio and highest clinical utility when negative). CONCLUSIONS Those with aMd-MCI were at greatest risk of progression to dementia, as in other surveys and might be explored with increased attention in MCI research and in dementia preventive trials.
Genetic Variation at NCAN Locus Is Associated with Inflammation and Fibrosis in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Morbid Obesity

Objective: Obesity-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may cause liver dysfunction and failure. In a previously reported genome-wide association meta-analysis, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near PNPLA3, NCAN, GCKR, LYPLAL1 and PPP1R3B were associated with NAFLD and with distinctive serum lipid profiles. The present study examined the relevance of these variants to NAFLD in extreme obesity. Methods: In 1,092 bariatric surgery patients, the candidate SNPs were genotyped and association analyses with liver histology and serum lipids were performed. Results: We replicated the association of hepatosteatosis with PNPLA3 rs738409[G] and with NCAN rs2228603[T]. We also replicated the association of rs2228603[T] with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. rs2228603[T] was associated with lower serum low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglycerides. After stratification by the presence or absence of NAFLD, these associations were present predominantly in the subgroup with NAFLD. Conclusion:NCAN rs2228603[T] is a risk factor for liver inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting that this locus is responsible for progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis. In this bariatric cohort, rs2228603[T] was associated with low serum lipids only in patients with NAFLD. This supports a NAFLD model in which the liver may sequester triglycerides as a result of either increased triglyceride uptake and/or decreased lipolysis.
Rhythmic Activity and Individual Variability in Recognition Memory: Theta Oscillations Correlate with Performance whereas Alpha Oscillations Correlate with ERPs

During study trials of a recognition memory task, alpha (∼10 Hz) oscillations decrease, and concurrently, theta (4–8 Hz) oscillations increase when later memory is successful versus unsuccessful (subsequent memory effect). Likewise, at test, reduced alpha and increased theta activity are associated with successful memory (retrieval success effect). Here we take an individual-differences approach to test three hypotheses about theta and alpha oscillations in verbal, old/new recognition, measuring the difference in oscillations between hit trials and miss trials. First, we test the hypothesis that theta and alpha oscillations have a moderately mutually exclusive relationship; but no support for this hypothesis was found. Second, we test the hypothesis that theta oscillations explain not only memory effects within participants, but also individual differences. Supporting this prediction, durations of theta (but not alpha) oscillations at study and at test correlated significantly with d′ across participants. Third, we test the hypothesis that theta and alpha oscillations reflect familiarity and recollection processes by comparing oscillation measures to ERPs that are implicated in familiarity and recollection. The alpha-oscillation effects correlated with some ERP measures, but inversely, suggesting that the actions of alpha oscillations on memory processes are distinct from the roles of familiarity- and recollection-linked ERP signals. The theta-oscillation measures, despite differentiating hits from misses, did not correlate with any ERP measure; thus, theta oscillations may reflect elaborative processes not tapped by recollection-related ERPs. Our findings are consistent with alpha oscillations reflecting visual inattention, which can modulate memory, and with theta oscillations supporting recognition memory in ways that complement the most commonly studied ERPs.
[Violence in psychiatric inpatients].

AIM To evaluate knowledges about violence acted by psychiatric in-patients. METHODS We selected inherent articles classified as useful to our purpose encoded in PubMed in the last 5 years, not neglecting previous but equally valid for a more precise and complete reasoning EBM Literature. RESULTS Risk factors for violent acts are: previous acts history, male sex and young age, alcohol and drug abuse/dependence, lack of insight, anger management problems, impulsivity discontrol and ostility at admission. Most of the acts are classified as impulsive and so schizophrenic spectrum whether in presence of productive symptoms, personality disorders and manic episodes are the most involved psychiatric pathology. Clinical experience evaluating behaviour at risk as threatening or provoking acts towards patients or clinical staff and the identification of personal history features (in particular if detected at admission) should lead to the classification of patients into risk groups for acting violence during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Good clinical practice aimed at violent acts reduction and possible prevention into clinical environment couldn't leave aside a precise known risk factors identification and the observation and constant monitorization of patients behaviour predictive of a possible act.
Relation between individualized training impulses and performance in distance runners.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to develop a method to monitor responses to training loads on an individual basis in recreational long-distance runners (LDR) through training impulses (TRIMP) analysis. The hypothesis tested was that TRIMP on the basis of individually determined weighting factors could result in a better quantification of training responses and performance in LDR in comparison to methods on the basis of average-based group values. METHODS The training load responses of eight LDR (aged 39.9 +/- 6.5 yr) were monitored using a modified version of the average-based TRIMP called individualized TRIMP (TRIMPi) during a period of 8 wk. The TRIMPi was determined in each LDR using individual HR and lactate profiles determined during an incremental treadmill test. Training-induced effects on performance (5- and 10-km races) and changes in submaximal aerobic fitness (speeds at selected blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol x L(-1)) were assessed before and at the end of the training intervention. RESULTS Speed at 2 mmol x L(-1) (+21.3 +/- 5.2%, P < 0.001) and 4 mmol x L(-1) (+10.6 +/- 2.4%, P < 0.01) concentrations significantly increased after training. Improvements in running speed (%) at 2 mmol x L(-1) (r = 0.87, P = 0.005) and 4 mmol x L(-1) (r = 0.74, P = 0.04) concentrations were significantly related to weekly TRIMPi sum. No significant relationship between any variable was detected when average-based group values were used. The TRIMPi was significantly related to 5000- (r = -0.77; P = 0.02) and 10,000-m track performances (r = -0.82; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Individualized TRIMP is a valid tool in tracking fitness (speed at 2 and 4 mmol x L(-1)) and performance (i.e., 5000- and 10,000-m races) in LDR and is more valuable than the methods on the basis of average-based group values. TRIMPi could predict race performance in LDR.
Matière organique stable du sol : dynamique et mécanismes de (dé)stabilisation

Comprendre le devenir du carbone organique stable du sol (COS) dans un environnement globalement plus chaud est un defi majeur pour prevoir sur le long terme la concentration en CO2 atmospherique. Pour cela il apparait necessaire de mieux comprendre ce qu'est ce COS stable a l'echelle pluri-decennale et comment sa cinetique de mineralisation est modulee par la temperature. C'est avec cette ambition que cette these se propose (1) d'etudier la sensibilite a la temperature de la mineralisation du COS stable; (2) d'etudier la reponse a la temperature de la communaute microbienne qui mineralise le COS et (3) d'etablir un lien entre âge et decomposabilite du COSLes echantillons issus de 4 essais de jachere nue ont ete utilises dans cette these. Des echantillons preleves en debut de chacun de ces essais et apres plusieurs decennies de jachere nue ont ete incubes a differentes temperatures pendant 427 jours. La respiration de ces echantillons a ete suivie regulierement. En fin d'incubation, la structure des communautes microbiennes a ete determinee par pyrosequencage. D'autre part, une datation du COS contenu dans les echantillons de la chrono-sequence de l'essai de jachere nue de Versailles a ete realisee.Les resultats obtenus mettent en evidence une relation generale entre vitesse de decomposition du carbone et sensibilite a la temperature. Ces travaux ont egalement mis en lumiere une plus grande diversite et une plus grande sensibilite a la temperature des communautes microbiennes associees au carbone stable. Enfin, cette these met en lumiere les difficultes rencontrees lors de l'utilisation de la technique de datation de la matiere organique du sol par le 14C.
Antagonism of p 53-dependent Apoptosis by Mitogen Signals 1

p53-mediated apoptosis is antagonized by growth factor stimulation. Here, we show that p53-dependent cell death induced by DNA damage was effectively prevented by mitogen activation. The levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Bax were not altered by cisplatin treatment and mitogen rescue. Instead, the protection against p53-regulated apoptosis was mediated by at least three distinct signaling pathways. Either phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) antagonized p53-induced apoptosis, and an additive preventive effect was observed when both kinases were activated. However, the combination of PI 3-kinase and MEK was not sufficient to completely prevent apoptosis induced by DNA damage. Mitogen activation further suppressed cisplatininduced p53 expression, and the inhibition was mainly dependent on the Ca pathway. Our results demonstrate that effective antagonism of p53-dependent apoptosis by mitogenic activation requires the presence of multiple signal pathways, including PI 3-kinase, MEK, and Ca.
Mitogenic Response and Cytokine Production Induced by Cramoll 1,4 Lectin in Splenocytes of Inoculated Mice

Cramoll 1,4 is a lectin with specific glucose/mannose binding, which is extracted from seeds of Cratylia mollis Mart. Many assays have shown the cytokine expression activity and anti‐inflammatory profile of this lectin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunostimulatory response, in vitro, of splenocytes in mice previously inoculated, in vivo, with C. mollis (Cramoll 1,4) and Canavalia ensiformis (Con A) lectins. Results demonstrated higher proliferation indexes induced by Cramoll 1,4 than Con A lectin in relation to all experimental groups. Cramoll 1,4 and Con A also induced high levels of IL‐2, IL‐6, IFN‐γ and nitric oxide production. Moreover, Cramoll 1,4 did not induce apoptosis and stimulated a significant number of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. Results showed that Cramoll 1,4 lectin induces proliferative response and suggested that this lectin can be used as a mitogenic agent in immunostimulatory assays.
Abuse of Alcohol and Disability Pension

Social reforms are often introduced solely on the basis of theoretical considerations without any empirical research. Thus, it is often an urgent matter to evaluate the real effects of a reform. In this investigation, the increased possibilities for abusers to obtain disability pensions that came into force in Sweden 1977-01-01 have been examined. A representative sample of 15 percent of all applications in the county of Östergötland in 1975 has been compared with a corresponding one in 1978. As expected, the number of abusers of alcohol among the applicants increased. The proportion of male abusers rose from 13.5 in 1975 to 22 percent in 1978. Despite a levelling off of differences in the civil status in 1978, the abusers were still in a substantially weaker social position than the other applicants. In contrast to the other applicants, no traces of increased efforts towards vocational rehabilitation can be noted among the abusers in 1978. This is quite remarkable since, according to the preceding official report, liberalization was not meant to replace meaningful efforts of rehabilitation. In 1978, the whole group of applicants were younger and they lived more frequently in large, densely populated areas. Furthermore, the number of women increased so that they were in a majority among the applicants in 1978. These changes probably reflect structural changes in society, especially in the labour market. This is the final report of an independent study in the research project “Abuse of alcohol — Disability pension — Quality of life”.
Emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Particle-Bound Metals from a Diesel Engine Generator Fueled with Waste Cooking Oil-Based Biodiesel Blends

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the emission of a heavy-duty diesel engine generator fueled with waste cooking oil (WCO)-based biodiesel blends (W) and operated at 1.5 and 3.0 kW loads. A brand of pure fossil diesel was adopted as the base fuel, with 20% and 40% WCO-based biodiesel added into the based fuel to form W20 and W40 blends, respectively. The emission characteristics of PM, metals and PAHs were analyzed. Experimental results indicate that alternative WCO-based fuels had slightly higher fuel consumption rates (FCR) and brake specific fuel consumptions (BSFC) than conventional diesel (0.6–4.1% for FCR and 1.0–7.6% for BSFC), and similar engine thermal efficiency. The PM emissions reductions when using W20 and W40 were 19% and 6.5%, respectively, at 1.5 kW, and 27% and 19%, respectively, at 3.0 kW. The emissions of particle-bound metals were 13.6–13.8% lower when using W20 than using conventional diesel, but 12.0–12.3% higher when using W40. The metal contents of PM rose with the addition of WCO-based biodiesel. The metal elements of PM were dominated (> 90% mass) by Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Fe and Zn, while the major trace metals were Mn, Cu, Sr and Pb. The use of WCO-based biodiesel blends reduced the emissions of total-PAHs (44.0% in average) and total-BaPeq (80.2% in average). The mass reductions of MMW- and HMW-PAHs using W20 and W40 were more significant at 3.0 kW than at 1.5 kW, while the reduction of LMW-PAHs was greater at 1.5 kW than at 3.0 kW. Thus, the reduction in total-BaPeq was greater at the higher engine load. Accordingly, we conclude that the WCO-based biodiesel is a potential candidate of cleaner alternative energy sources.
Petri Net Modeling and Cycle-Time Analysis of Dual-Arm Cluster Tools With Wafer Revisiting

There are wafer fabrication processes in cluster tools that require wafer revisiting. If a swap strategy is applied to dual-arm cluster tools handling wafer revisiting, a three-wafer periodical process is formed with three wafers completed in each period. Such a period contains three cycles in a revisiting process and three cycles in a nonrevisiting one. Hence, analysis and scheduling of such tools become very complicated. In this paper, a Petri net (PN) model is developed to describe their operations. Based on it, it is found that, if a swap strategy is applied, such tools are always in a transient state. A systematic method is then presented to analyze their performance. With the help of the proposed PN model, this work, for the first time, derives the optimality conditions of three-wafer period scheduling. Industrial application examples are given to show the results.
Experience with asynchronous medical teleconsultation in the Alliance of the Italian Hospitals Worldwide

A store-and-forward teleconsultation system was established for 36 Italian hospitals located in 22 different countries. Referrals were made to a network of 33 health centres in Italy via a management centre (MC). The MC was equipped with a server to manage the service. The participating hospitals used client workstations with special software. The referring centres generated teleconsultation requests, which were sent to the MC and allocated manually by the latter to the most appropriate specialist on the basis of information provided in the message. From 1 June 2005 to 15 March 2006, 187 enquiries out of 221 were answered. The median response time was two days. A service satisfaction survey was conducted among the users and about 90% of the responses were positive. The teleconsultation system represents a mechanism for providing equitable access to health care for all the referring doctors.
A Call for Quality Research on Salt Intake and Health: From the World Hypertension League and Supporting Organizations

Extensive research supports the harmful effects of high dietary sodium. [1-11] In several animal species, including chimpanzees, diets with added sodium result in increased blood pressure (BP), and, in all settings, sodium-induced hypertension is harmful. [12] Further, in several animal models, increased dietary sodium directly causes inflammation and vascular, cardiac, and renal target organ damage independent of BP. [1, 13] Increased dietary sodium is a procarcinogen for gastric cancer in animal studies and a probable procarcinogen in humans, as shown in epidemiological studies that have found close associations between sodium intake and gastric cancer. [14, 15] Reducing dietary sodium decreases BP in adults and children,[1] with a linear relationship down to the lowest levels of sodium intake tested in randomized controlled trials (about 1200 mg/d of sodium). Increased dietary sodium is also associated with increased vascular events in healthy populations and was estimated to cause more than 3 million sodium-related deaths in 2010 (http://viz.healthmetricsandevaluation.org/gbd-compare/). Reducing dietary sodium is projected to be one of the most effective (and cost-effective) interventions to improve health. [16] Major health and scientific organizations around the world have recommended that dietary sodium levels be reduced.
Elevated Blood Alcohol Level May be Protective of Trauma Patient Mortality

To determine whether a positive blood alcohol level (BAL) affects morbidity and mortality at a Level I trauma center, a retrospective review of trauma patients 18 years of age and older was performed. There were 7985 trauma patients and 8 per cent (645) had a positive BAL. BAL(+) patients had lower Injury Severity Score (ISS) (8 vs 11, P < 0.01), lower rate of penetrating injury (9 vs 25%, P < 0.01), and were older (38 vs 32 years, P = 0.01). Overall there were 559 deaths (7%); (1% mortality in BAL(+) patients and 7% in BAL(-) patients; P < 0.0001). There were 352 (4.4%) complications with similar rates among BAL(-) and (+) patients. On univariate analysis, a positive BAL was inversely associated with death (OR, 0.17) as was blunt trauma (OR, 0.29), whereas older age (OR 1.009) and increased ISS (OR 1.13) were associated with death. On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, ISS, and mechanism of injury, a positive BAL remained protective against death (OR 0.35) as did blunt trauma (OR 0.2). Age (OR 1.04) and increased ISS (OR 1.19) were associated with mortality. In conclusion, a positive BAL was associated with a decreased mortality risk in trauma patients, which persisted after adjusting for multiple confounding variables.
The UL7 Gene of Pseudorabies Virus Encodes a Nonessential Structural Protein Which Is Involved in Virion Formation and Egress

ABSTRACT Homologues of the UL7 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 are conserved in alpha-, beta-, and gammaherpesviruses. However, little is known about their functions. Using a monospecific rabbit antiserum raised against a bacterial fusion protein, we identified the UL7 gene product of the neurotropic alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV). In Western blot analyses of infected cells and purified PrV particles the serum specifically detected a 29-kDa protein, which matches the calculated mass of the 266-amino-acid translation product of PrV UL7. For functional analysis, UL7 was deleted by mutagenesis of an infectious full-length clone of the PrV genome in Escherichia coli. The obtained recombinant PrV-ΔUL7F was replication competent in rabbit kidney cells, but maximum virus titers were decreased nearly 10-fold and plaque diameters were reduced by ca. 60% compared to wild-type PrV. Electron microscopy of infected cells revealed that in the absence of UL7, formation and nuclear egress of nucleocapsids were not affected, whereas secondary envelopment of cytoplasmic nucleocapsids appeared to be delayed and release of mature virions was less efficient. The observed replication defects were corrected by repair of the viral UL7 gene or by propagation of PrV-ΔUL7F in UL7-expressing cells. PrV-ΔUL7F was moderately attenuated in mice. Compared to wild-type virus, mean survival times were prolonged from 2 to 3 days after intranasal infection. However, neuroinvasion and transneuronal spread of PrV were not abolished in the absence of UL7. Thus, UL7 encodes a virion protein of PrV, which plays a role during virion maturation and egress both in vitro and in vivo.
Les bases biologiques de l'élevage intensif du Tilapia du Nil

Bases biologiques de l'elevage intensif d'Oreochromis niloticus (recherches de la station experimentale de pisciculture d'eau chaude de Tihange au bord de la Meuse) : reproduction, croissance, bioenergetique et caracterisation de l'excretion azotee, influence du poids corporel, de la temperature de l'eau et de la ration alimentaire sur la consommation et l'efficacite de la conversion de la nourriture. Paru dans la revue Cahiers d'ethologie appliquee.