Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Open-Label Trial of Memantine Hydrochloride for the Treatment of Social Deficits in Intellectually Capable Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract This prospective 12-week open-label trial evaluates the tolerability and efficacy of memantine hydrochloride for the treatment of core social and cognitive deficits in adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Measures for assessment of therapeutic response included the Social Responsiveness Scale-Adult Research Version (SRS-A), disorder-specific Clinical Global Impression scales, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning–Adult Self-Report, Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy Scale, and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Eighteen adults (mean age, 28 ± 9.5 years) with high-functioning ASD (SRS-A raw score, 99 ± 17) were treated with memantine (mean dose, 19.7 ± 1.2 mg/d; range, 15–20 mg), and 17 (94%) completed the trial. Treatment with memantine was associated with significant reduction on informant-rated (SRS-A, −28 ± 25; P < 0.001) and clinician-rated (Clinical Global Impression-Improvement subscale ⩽2, 83%) measures of autism severity. In addition, memantine treatment was associated with significant improvement in ADHD and anxiety symptom severity. Significant improvement was noted in nonverbal communication on the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy Scale test and in executive function per self-report (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning–Adult Self-Report Global Executive Composite, −6 ± 8.8; P < 0.015) and neuropsychological assessments (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery). Memantine treatment was generally well tolerated and was not associated with any serious adverse events. Treatment with memantine appears to be beneficial for the treatment of ASD and associated psychopathology and cognitive dysfunction in intellectually capable adults. Future placebo-controlled trials are warranted.
Variation in colony counts of total viable anaerobic rumen bacteria as influenced by media and cultural methods

Volume and type of medium, carbohydrate concentration, carbohydrate ratios, and inoculum level were investigated as possible factors influencing total colony counts of anaerobic rumen bacteria obtained in roll tubes (18 by 150 mm). Colony counts were lower when the rumen fluid was clarified by centrifugation before inclusion in the medium; however, decreasing the volume of 40% rumen fluid glucose-cellobiose-starch-agar medium (RGCSA medium with 0.025% each of glucose and cellobiose and 0.05% starch, 4 ml per tube) was compared to the clarified rumen fluid medium and non-rumen fluid medium (medium 10) of Caldwell and Bryant (1966), 9 ml of each per tube. Total counts of rumen contents from sheep consuming four different types of rations were higher with the 4 ml of RGCSA medium than with the other two media. Dilution of the basal medium as a result of inoculum volume, as much as 1.5 ml per 4 ml of medium, did not appear to affect total counts. Colony counts and the simplicity of medium preparation and inoculation would favor the present method for routine use in estimating numbers of total viable anaerobic rumen bacteria, especially when large numbers of samples are involved.
Phonics Teaching Techniques: A Mixed Method Study with Lower Primary English Teachers in Malaysia

This paper presents and discusses a study on effective techniques employed by teachers in teaching early reading through phonics approach. The study aimed to describe the implementation of these techniques to determine teachers’ perception on the techniques that impacted their students’ reading comprehension. An explanatory sequential mixed method research design was employed and conducted in two phases. Quantitative data were collected in Phase I through a survey questionnaire responded by 289 Year 1 and Year 2 English teachers. The respondents were selected via chain-referral sampling. Qualitative data were then collected in Phase II through e-interviews and documents gathered from five purposively chosen participants from the respondents in Phase I. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents constantly employed a controlled technique during their teaching and learning process which may have negative effects on students’ performance. However, findings from the e-interviews indicated that the participants combined three categories of effective techniques – controlled, semicontrolled and free techniques which may have contributed to students’ reading comprehension. This indicated that the techniques employed by teachers in teaching early reading through phonics had an influence on students’ reading performance. This suggests that teachers should not depend on one category of techniques when teaching early reading through phonics approach. Teachers should explore and try new techniques. A combination of controlled, semi-controlled and free techniques could be implemented by teachers during the teaching and learning process including other reading comprehension strategies.
STARCH SYNTHESIS IN THE MAIZE ENDOSPERM

This review covers starch synthesis in the maize endosperm. Starch comprises one of the major glucose polymers in many living organisms. It is critical for plant life since it provides a mechanism to store the vast amounts of fixed carbon arising from photosynthesis. As the major component of many seeds, starch provides the important source of energy transferred from parent to progeny. Animal life is also dependent on starch since animals (including humans) rely primarily on the starch-rich cereal seeds to provide essential calories and nutrients. Starch is important to agriculture since it is the major component of the maize seed. This selective review (1) provides an overview of the enzymes uniquely important in starch synthesis and the genes that control them, (2) emphasizes unresolved important questions, (3) highlights unexpected conclusions and (4) discusses derived principles that likely are applicable to other studies of important biochemical pathways.
The impact of acute kidney injury on short-term survival in an Eastern European population with stroke.

BACKGROUND Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and of serious disability with significant impact on patients' long-term survival. The short-term evolution following stroke can associate acute kidney injury (AKI) as a possible complication, frequently overlooked and underestimated in clinical trials. We aimed to describe in an East European cohort (i) the incidence of AKI and its risk factors; (ii) the 30-day mortality and its risk factors and (iii) the relationship between mortality, pre-existent renal function and subsequent AKI. METHODS A total of 1090 consecutive cases hospitalized-during a 12-month period-with a CT-confirmed diagnosis of stroke, from a distinct administrative region were included. Demographic details, comorbidities, laboratory and outcome data were retrieved from the electronic hospital database. All patients included in the study were followed for 30 days or until death. RESULTS The mean age of this population was 66.1 +/- 11.5 years, 49.3% were males, mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 68.9 +/- 22.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2). The 30-day mortality rate was 17.2%. One hundred and fifty-eight patients presented with haemorrhagic stroke and 932 patients had ischaemic stroke. Stroke mortality was-14% for ischaemic stroke and almost twice as high for haemorrhagic stroke-36.3%. One hundred fifty-eight (14.5%) patients were classified as developing AKI. The AKI patients were older, had a higher baseline serum creatinine, lower GFR, higher serum glucose, higher prevalence of chronic heart failure and ischaemic heart disease, were more likely to have suffered a haemorrhagic stroke, and had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate (43.1 vs 12.8%) (P < 0.05 for all). Independent predictors for AKI development in the logistic regression analysis were age, GFR, presence of comorbidities (ischaemic heart disease and chronic heart failure) and type of stroke (Cox and Snell R(2) 0.244; Nagelkerke R(2) 0.431; P < 0.05). In our study, we demonstrated that the occurrence of AKI is not a rare finding in stroke patients. This is the first study to report the incidence of AKI in a distinct geographic population base, in patients with stroke. Baseline renal function emerged as both a significant independent marker for short-term survival after an acute stroke (even after adjustment for baseline comorbidities) and as a risk factor for subsequent AKI.
The psychotherapy of schizophrenia: does it work?

Empirical studies of the treatment of schizophrenia show the unequivocal ameliorative effects of psychoactive drugs. No comparable effects have been claimed for psychotherapy. As a result, psychotherapy has tended to be negated as a viable therapeutic factor in the treatment of schizophrenia. Yet the sophisticated drug evaluation studies are not matched by sophisticated assessments of psychotherapy. Serious methodological errors exist in the latter studies; there have been inappropriate outcome criteria, inadequate assessment procedures to measure change, unsound selection of therapists, and unclear diagnostic appraisals. The issue has been further clouded by the heterogeneous nature of psychotherapeutic interventions, comprising as they do—in contrast to the relatively simple administration of drugs—a congeries of methods, techniques, and goals. This paper examines some of the requirements for appropriate evaluation studies of psychotherapy of schizophrenic patients.
Comparison of Different ICT Kits for HBsAg and Anti HCV Using Gold Standard ELISA

Objectives: To compare rapid tests (ICT) with 4 generation ELISA (gold standard) for hepatitis B and C infection. Settings: Biochemistry and Serology Laboratory of the Pakistan Medical Research Council, Research Centre, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Study was done over six months. Materials and Methods: ELISA confirmed 200 samples for HBsAg and 200 for Anti-HCV were selected, making a total of 400 samples. Out of 400 samples, 200 were positive and 200 negative on ELISA. These samples were further tested on three different brands of most frequently used rapid ICT Kits for HBsAg and Anti HCV. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and cost effectiveness were compared using 4 th generation ELISA as gold standard. The Rapid kits for HBsAg that were analysed included Acon (USA), Determine (Abbott) and Intec (China) and for Anti HCV they were Acon (USA), Membrane (Canada) and Nobis (Germany). Results: Out of 100 positive and 100 negative tests for HBsAg confirmed on ELISA, all rapid kits showed comparable results with ELISA. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of Intec China (98%) and Determine Abbot (98%) were similar to each other however, these were higher when compared to Acon USA (95%). The rapid kit by Intec China was cheaper to the other two rapid kits and was therefore, the most cost effective rapid kit. The specificity and positive predictive value of all three HBsAg ICT kits was 100% and in agreement with ELISA. Out of 100 HCV positive and 100 HCV negative cases confirmed on ELISA, the rapid test by Acon USA showed maximum sensitivity. The sensitivity and negative predictive values of Acon USA were higher (93%) as compared to Membrane Canada (89%) and NobisGermany (86%). The specificity and positive predictive values of Acon were comparatively lower (93%) but did not significantly vary when compared with Membrane Canada (97%) and Nobis German (96%). Conclusions: The rapid ICT Kits for HbsAg and anti HCV were equally sensitive and specific when compared with ELISA. These rapid kits are cheaper and easy to perform and their use should be encouraged especially in rural setting. Policy statement: ELISA confirmed rapid HBV, HCV kits being cheaper but sensitive and specific should be used for screening cases especially in rural setting.
Endemismo e biodiversità floristica nelle isole circumsiciliane

Biogeographia vol. XXII - 2001 (Pubblicato il 1 ottobre 2001) Biogeografia degli ambienti costieri Endemismo e biodiversitei ﬂoristica nelle isole circumsiciliane PIETRO MAZZOLA, ANNA GERACI, FRANCESCO M. RAIMONDO Dzpartimento di Scienze Botzmicke, Uniz/ersirfz dz‘ Palermo, Via Arc/aimﬁ, 38 - L90123 Palermo {Inz/zkz) Key words: Sicily, surrounding islets, ﬂora, biodiversity SUMMARY The plant biodiversity of the Sicilian Archipelago is analyzed here, taking into consideration the islets surrounding Sicily (excluding Sicily itself, its close islets and the Maltese ones as well). In particular, the Eolie, Ustica, Egacli, Pantelleria and Pelagie Islands are examined concerning the characteristics of their relevant floras with respect to life forms and chorological groups, especially endemics, in comparison to the main environmental factors such as substrata, distribution, territorial connections, and isolation. INTRODUZIONE Le isole circumsiciliane (Fig. 1), le Eolie, Ustica, le Egadi, Pantelleria, le Pelagic e diversi isolotti di estensione minore, incidono sensibilrnente sulla diversita e sulla ricchezza ﬂoristica del distretto ﬂoristico siculo ospitando su una superficie di un centesirno di quella dell’isola rnaggiore, ben 1.300 specie e taxa infraspeciﬁci, corrispondenti a poco meno della meta della ﬂora dell’intero arcipelago, esclusa la parte maltese. Si tratta di cifre di poco inferiori a quelle attinenti al patrimonio vegetale delle Madonie che su due centesimi del territorio siciliano ospitano tre quinti della ﬂora dell’isola (Di Martino e Raimondo, 1979). Come per le Madonie, le cause di tale considerevole apporto sono imputabili all’isolamento e alle caratteristiche arnbientali e geografiche: nelle isole in questione, i principali fattori di diversita s’identiﬁcano nei substrati, calcarei o Vulcanici, e nella posizione geografica dei componenti dell’arcipelago che da una parte estende a nord e a sud i limiti del distretto floristico e dall’altra crea connessioni con le terre che s’affacciano sul Tirreno e con l’Africa settentrionale. Ripetutamente visitate a partire dal XIX secolo, le isole circumsiciliane rientrano fra le aree meglio conosciute dell’intero arcipelago per quanto attiene
Complete Genome Sequence of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonizing Strain M92

ABSTRACT M92 is a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonizing strain belonging to ST239-MRSA-III. It frequently shows local nasal colonization in our hospital staff, but has never been associated with infection. We sequenced the complete genome of M92, in order to compare it to highly virulent MRSA strains to gain insight into MRSA virulence factors.
Use of In Vitro Clonogenic Assays to Differentiate Acquired From Genetic Causes of Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance may be due directly to genetically programmed disorders of insulin action or acquired defects in which environmental factors influence insulin action. To address the issue of this distinction, we studied the ability of insulin to stimulate colony formation in primary cultures of erythroid progenitors (assumed to retain environmental influences) and immortalized T lymphocytes (presumed to reflect only genetic influences). Four patients with hyperinsulinemia and disturbed glucose metabolism were studied (2 patients with acanthosis nigricans, 1 of whom had circulating anti-insulin-receptor antibodies, 1 with partial lipodystrophy, and 1 with Cushing's syndrome). The mean colony-forming ability of their erythroid progenitor cells in response to insulin stimulation (≤1.6 pM) was significantly blunted compared with control cells (P < 0.05). The mean responsiveness of their immortalized T-lymphoblast cell lines to similar insulin concentrations was no different than that of control T-lymphocyte lines, consistent with an acquired cause for the observed insulin resistance in each case. A T-lymphocyte line from a patient with leprechaunism, however, showed no stimulation in response to physiological concentrations of insulin. With these same in vitro methodologies, there was normal T-lymphocyte line responsiveness to insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) or insulin concentrations >8.6 pM; both of these responses could be completely blocked by preincubation with an antibody to the IGF-I receptor. These findings suggest that, despite resistance to physiological levels of insulin, the high circulating insulin concentrations present in the serum of these patients could mediate unwanted tissue-specific growth through an intact IGF-I receptor-effector mechanism.
Dendritic mechanisms controlling the threshold and timing requirement of synaptic plasticity

Active conductances located and operating on neuronal dendrites are expected to regulate synaptic integration and plasticity. We investigate how Kv4.2‐mediated A‐type K+ channels and Ca2+‐activated K+ channels are involved in the induction process of Hebbian‐type plasticity that requires correlated pre‐ and postsynaptic activities. In CA1 pyramidal neurons, robust long‐term potentiation (LTP) induced by a theta burst pairing protocol usually occurred within a narrow window during which incoming synaptic potentials coincided with postsynaptic depolarization. Elimination of dendritic A‐type K+ currents in Kv4.2−/− mice, however, resulted in an expanded time window, making the induction of synaptic potentiation less dependent on the temporal relation of pre‐ and postsynaptic activity. For the other type of synaptic plasticity, long‐term depression, the threshold was significantly increased in Kv4.2−/− mice. This shift in depression threshold was restored to normal when the appropriate amount of internal free calcium was chelated during induction. In concert with A‐type channels, Ca2+‐activated K+ channels also exerted a sliding effect on synaptic plasticity. Blocking these channels in Kv4.2−/− mice resulted in an even larger potentiation while by contrast, the depression threshold was shifted further. In conclusion, dendritic A‐type and Ca2+‐activated K+ channels dually regulate the timing‐dependence and thresholds of synaptic plasticity in an additive way. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum adiponectin concentrations during treatment with olanzapine or risperidone: a pilot study

Adiponectin is a recently identified adipocyte-derived protein, which is associated with glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and adiposity. The aim of this study was to explore the alterations in serum adiponectin concentration during treatment with olanzapine orrisperidone. Serum concentrations of adiponectin were investigated in body mass index (BMI, kg/m2)- and age-matched groups of non-diabetic, non-obese schizophrenic patients receiving a stable dose of olanzapine (n=18) or risperidone (n=15) for 4 weeks or more, and of mentally and physically healthy volunteers (n=17). Patients undergoing treatment with olanzapine or risperidone had significantly higher adiponectin concentrations than the healthy volunteers, even after controlling for BMI. Adiponectin concentrations decreased with increasing BMI in patients taking olanzapine, while elevated levels were observed in patients taking risperidone, regardless of adiposity. This preliminary cross-sectional study indicates that adiponectin is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism and weight in schizophrenic patients during treatment with olanzapine or risperidone, presumably showing a normalizing effect on metabolic abnormality.
Nouvelles heuristiques de voisinage et mémétiques pour le problème Maximum de Parcimonie. (New neighborhood and memetic heuristics for theMaximum Parsimony problem)

La reconstruction phylogenetique vise a reconstituer l'histoire evolutive d'un ensemble d'especes sous forme d'un arbre. Parmi les methodes de reconstruction, le probleme Maximum de Parcimonie (MP) consiste a trouver un arbre binaire dont les feuilles sont associees a des sequences de caracteres donnees, et qui minimise le score de parcimonie. Les methodes de resolution existantes de ce probleme NP-complet s'attachent generalement a appliquer des methodes heuristiques traditionnelles, comme des algorithmes gloutons et de recherche locale. L'une des diffcultes du probleme repose sur la manipulation d'arbres et la definition de voisinages d'arbres. Dans cette these, nous nous interessons en premier lieu a l'amelioration des techniques de resolution du probleme MP basees sur un algorithme de descente. Apres avoir montre de maniere empirique les limites des voisinages existants, nous introduisons un voisinage progressif qui evolue au cours de la recherche afin de limiter l'evaluation de voisins infructueux lors d'une descente. L'algorithme obtenu est ensuite hybride a un algorithme genetique utilisant un croisement d'arbres specifique fonde sur les mesures de distance entre chaque couple d'especes dans l'arbre. Cet algorithme memetique exhibe des resultats tres competitifs, tant sur des jeux de test tires de la litterature que sur des jeux generes aleatoirement.
Muscle strength and BMI as predictors of major mobility disability in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders pilot (LIFE-P).

BACKGROUND Muscle weakness and obesity are two significant threats to mobility facing the increasing number of older adults. To date, there are no studies that have examined the association of strength and body mass index (BMI) on event rates on a widely used performance measure of major mobility disability. METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in which sedentary functionally limited participants (70-89 years, Short Physical Performance Battery ≤ 9) who were able to complete a 400-m walk test at baseline were randomized to a physical activity or health education intervention and reassessed for major mobility disability every 6 months for up to 18 months. We evaluated whether baseline grip strength and BMI predicted failure to complete the 400-m walk test in 15 minutes or less (major mobility disability). RESULTS Among N = 406 participants with baseline measures, lower grip strength was associated with an increased risk for developing major mobility disability, with and without covariate adjustment (p < .01): The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the lowest versus high sex-specific quartile of grip strength was 6.11 (2.24-16.66). We observed a U-shaped relationship between baseline BMI and the risk of developing major mobility disability, such that the risk for participants with a BMI of 25-29 kg/m(2) was approximately half that of participants with BMI less than 25 or 30 kg/m(2) or more (p = .04 in fully adjusted analyses). CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight the importance of muscle weakness, low BMI, and obesity as risk factors for major mobility disability in older adults. Being overweight may be protective for major mobility disability.