Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parietal stimulation destabilizes spatial updating across saccadic eye movements

Saccadic eye movements cause sudden and global shifts in the retinal image. Rather than causing confusion, however, eye movements expand our sense of space and detail. In macaques, a stable representation of space is embodied by neural populations in intraparietal cortex that redistribute activity with each saccade to compensate for eye displacement, but little is known about equivalent updating mechanisms in humans. We combined noninvasive cortical stimulation with a double-step saccade task to examine the contribution of two human intraparietal areas to transsaccadic spatial updating. Right hemisphere stimulation over the posterior termination of the intraparietal sulcus (IPSp) broadened and shifted the distribution of second-saccade endpoints, but only when the first-saccade was directed into the contralateral hemifield. By interleaving trials with and without cortical stimulation, we show that the shift in endpoints was caused by an enduring effect of stimulation on neural functioning (e.g., modulation of neuronal gain). By varying the onset time of stimulation, we show that the representation of space in IPSp is updated immediately after the first-saccade. In contrast, stimulation of an adjacent IPS site had no such effects on second-saccades. These experiments suggest that stimulation of IPSp distorts an eye position or displacement signal that updates the representation of space at the completion of a saccade. Such sensory-motor integration in IPSp is crucial for the ongoing control of action, and may contribute to visual stability across saccades.
Incorporating the Time Dimension in Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves: A Case Study of Prostate Cancer

Early diagnosis of disease has potential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers may be useful for detecting disease at early stages before it becomes clinically ap parent. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one such marker for prostate cancer. This article is concerned with modeling receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as sociated with biomarkers at various times prior to the time at which the disease is detected clinically, by two methods. The first models the biomarkers statistically using mixed-effects regression models, and uses parameter estimates from these models to estimate the time-specific ROC curves. The second directly models the ROC curves as a function of time prior to diagnosis and may be implemented using software pack ages with binary regression or generalized linear model routines. The approaches are applied to data from 71 prostate cancer cases and 71 controls who participated in a lung cancer prevention trial. Two biomarkers for prostate cancer were considered: total serum PSA and the ratio of free to total PSA. Not surprisingly, both markers performed better as the interval between PSA measurement and clinical diagnosis decreased. Although the two markers performed similarly eight years prior to diagnosis, it appears that total PSA performed better than the ratio measure at times closer to diagnosis. The area under the ROC curve was consistently greater for total PSA than for the ratio four and two years prior to diagnosis and at the time of diagnosis. Key words: time- dependent ROC curves; biomarkers; diagnosis; prostate-specific antigen. (Med Decis Making 1999; 19:242-251)
The opportunity cost of preserving the Brazilian Amazon forest

We estimate the trade‐off between forest preservation and agricultural production for the Legal Amazon region, using census and deforestation data for municipalities in 2006. We use a directional distance function to represent the production possibility frontier, and then calculate the shadow price of reducing deforestation in terms of agricultural income foregone. Results indicate that, on average, to preserve 1 ha of forest, $797 in annual agricultural GDP must be foregone. Using a discount rate of 10% and average forest carbon density of 132 tons per hectare, these results imply an average shadow price of $16 per ton of CO2 permanently sequestered.
Trigeminal nerve stimulation: A new way of treatment of refractory seizures

Background: Refractory epilepsy is a significant problem in clinical practice. Sometimes, multiple antiepileptic drugs are required to control the attacks. To avoid various complications ensuring from these drugs, new methods of treatment such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have been recommended. Trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) is a new method under evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether this method is effective or not. Materials and Methods: Percutaneous simulation of supraorbital branches of the trigeminal nerve by an electrical device was planned in 18 patients over a six-month period. Participants who fulfilled the research criteria were selected randomly from epileptic patients referred to the clinic. (November 2011-December 2012). T-test was used for data analysis. Results: Only eight of 18 patients stayed in the study during all 6 months. A 47.9% reduction in daily seizure frequency was seen in this group (P = 0.022). Other subjects left the study earlier. In this group, seizure frequency increased by 10.6% (P = 0.82). Conclusions: The mechanism of the antiepileptic effects of TNS is not yet clear. In animal studies, it is suggested that the trigeminal nucleus and its projection to nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and the locus ceruleus, are involved in seizure modulation.Although in comparison with seizure frequency prior to the study there was significant seizure reduction, according to the usual criteria for VNS i.e. 50% seizure frequency reduction, the effect of TNS per se may not yet be adequate for treatment of seizures. Trigeminal nerve stimulation may be an effective "adjuvant" method for treatment of intractable seizure.
Familial Aggregation of Suicidal Ideation in Psychiatric Patients: Influence of Gender

To investigate the role of familial factors for suicidal ideation, 48 psychiatric patients belonging to 20 nuclear and three-generation families were personally interviewed. The effect of familiality on suicidal ideation was estimated through the use of mixed model analysis with family as random effect and gender, age and depressive score as fixed effects (covariates). The effect of family was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.024) for the whole group of patients and for the subgroup of males (p = 0.048), but not female patients; significance persisted for the whole group (p = 0.030) and was reduced to indicative level for males (p = 0.069), when psychiatric diagnosis was also considered as an additional potentially confounding factor. These results show that the occurrence of suicidal ideation has a familial component, stronger among males than females. This may be an additional explanation (besides those related to various other biological and sociocultural factors) for gender differences in suicidal behavior.
Analgesic Control and Functional Outcome After Knee Arthroscopy: Results of a Randomized Double-Blinded Trial Comparing a Hyaluronic Acid Supplement With Bupivacaine

Objective Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance within normal synovial joints. Although its efficacy in treating osteoarthritis has been evaluated, it has not been established whether it is of benefit after routine arthroscopic procedures. We hypothesized that immediate supplementation with HA after completion of arthroscopy would result in improved short-term analgesic and functional outcomes after knee arthroscopy. Design Double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients One hundred ten patients presenting for routine arthroscopic procedures were invited to participate in the study. After exclusion criteria were applied, 98 patients were randomized to receive either 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or 3 mL of HA into the joint immediately after completion of surgery. Interventions After completion of surgery, all patients were randomized to receive either 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine or 3 mL of HA into the knee joint. Main Outcome Measures Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were obtained at baseline; 1, 2, and 24 hours; and 1, 2, and 6 weeks after surgery. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) and Tegner–Lysholm scores were obtained at baseline and then at 1, 2, and 6 weeks after surgery. Results Forty-nine patients received intra-articular bupivacaine and 49 received HA. There was no statistical difference in any of the outcome measures (VAS pain scores, WOMAC, and Tegner–Lysholm) at any time point between the groups overall. Conclusions There was no benefit of HA injection immediately at the end of knee arthroscopy in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Clinical Relevance Routine use of HA at the time of knee arthroscopy cannot be recommended.
Esthetic Outcome of Implants Placed in Fresh Extraction Sockets by Clinicians with or without Experience: A Medium-Term Retrospective Evaluation.

PURPOSE This study discussed a 3-year retrospective survey of clinical and esthetic outcomes of immediate implants placed by experienced senior surgeons and residents in implant dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS The retrospective chart review included patients who received single-tooth extraction and immediate implant placement at the Tuscan Stomatology Institute between 2009 and 2011. Treated independent postextraction areas were divided into two groups according to the operator's experience: expert versus nonexpert group. Patient satisfaction with the esthetic aspect, chewing, speaking, comfort, self-esteem, and ease of cleaning were assessed by visual analog scales. Changes in the marginal bone level and parameters describing the changes of the facial soft tissue and in papilla index were assessed. Proper pairwise comparison tests were applied with a significant level α = . 05. RESULTS Of the 60 selected patients, 31 were in the expert group and 29 in the nonexpert group. At the 3-year follow-up, findings attested to a significantly higher bone loss in the nonexpert group (1.74 ± 0.59 mm) than those registered in the expert group (1.34 ± 0.45 mm), with a P value of . 0044. The papilla index (PI) appeared very stable in the group of experts, whereas it showed a significant loss throughout the study in patients in the nonexpert group (PI = 2 at 1 year and PI = 1.5 at 3 years). Moreover, significant recessions at the buccal soft tissue were registered for all groups at both check-ups; however, in the expert group, slight soft tissue recession was evident 3 years later (0.58 ± 0.72 mm), whereas the nonexpert group showed greater recession (1.52 ± 0.74 mm). Patients reported higher overall satisfaction when treated by the group of experts (85.2%) than when treated by the nonexperts (81.1%) with P < . 0001. CONCLUSION The findings from this study suggested that immediate implant procedures could be considered a successful and satisfying treatment strategy when strict selection criteria together with a high level of surgical expertise are applied.
Toxicogenomics and Cancer Susceptibility: Advances with Next-Generation Sequencing

The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the recent achievements in the field of toxicogenomics and cancer research regarding genetic-environmental interactions in carcinogenesis and detection of genetic aberrations in cancer genomes by next-generation sequencing technology. Cancer is primarily a genetic disease in which genetic factors and environmental stimuli interact to cause genetic and epigenetic aberrations in human cells. Mutations in the germline act as either high-penetrance alleles that strongly increase the risk of cancer development, or as low-penetrance alleles that mildly change an individual's susceptibility to cancer. Somatic mutations, resulting from either DNA damage induced by exposure to environmental mutagens or from spontaneous errors in DNA replication or repair are involved in the development or progression of the cancer. Induced or spontaneous changes in the epigenome may also drive carcinogenesis. Advances in next-generation sequencing technology provide us opportunities to accurately, economically, and rapidly identify genetic variants, somatic mutations, gene expression profiles, and epigenetic alterations with single-base resolution. Whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing of paired cancer and adjacent normal tissue present a comprehensive picture of the cancer genome. These new findings should benefit public health by providing insights in understanding cancer biology, and in improving cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Establishment of a large panel of patient-derived preclinical models of human renal cell carcinoma

The objective of the present work was to establish a large panel of preclinical models of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) directly from patients, faithfully reproducing the biological features of the original tumor. RCC tissues (all stages/subtypes) were collected for 8 years from 336 patients undergoing surgery, xenografted subcutaneously in nude mice, and serially passaged into new mice up to 13 passages. Tissue samples from the primary tumor and tumors grown in mice through passages were analyzed for biological tissue stability by histopathology, mRNA profiling, von Hippel-Lindau gene sequencing, STR fingerprinting, growth characteristics and response to current therapies. Metastatic models were also established by orthotopic implantation and analyzed by imagery. We established a large panel of 30 RCC models (passage > 3, 8.9% success rate). High tumor take rate was associated with high stage and grade. Histopathologic, molecular and genetic characteristics were preserved between original tumors and case-matched xenografts. The models reproduced the sensitivity to targeted therapies observed in the clinic. Overall, these models constitute an invaluable tool for the clinical design of efficient therapies, the identification of predictive biomarkers and translational research.
Bmp7 regulates branching morphogenesis of the lacrimal gland by promoting mesenchymal proliferation and condensation

The lacrimal gland provides an excellent model with which to study the epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that are crucial to the process of branching morphogenesis. In the current study, we show that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (Bmp7) is expressed with a complex pattern in the developing gland and has an important role in regulating branching. In loss-of-function analyses, we find that Bmp7-null mice have distinctive reductions in lacrimal gland branch number, and that inhibition of Bmp activity in gland explant cultures has a very similar consequence. Consistent with this, exposure of whole-gland explants to recombinant Bmp7 results in increased branch number. In determining which cells of the gland respond directly to Bmp7, we have tested isolated mesenchyme and epithelium. We find that, as expected, Bmp4 can suppress bud extension in isolated epithelium stimulated by Fgf10, but interestingly, Bmp7 has no discernible effect. Bmp7 does, however, stimulate a distinct response in mesenchymal cells. This manifests as a promotion of cell division and formation of aggregates, and upregulation of cadherin adhesion molecules, the junctional protein connexin 43 and ofα -smooth muscle actin. These data suggest that in this branching system, mesenchyme is the primary target of Bmp7 and that formation of mesenchymal condensations characteristic of signaling centers may be enhanced by Bmp7. Based on the activity of Bmp7 in promoting branching, we also propose a model suggesting that a discrete region of Bmp7-expressing head mesenchyme may be crucial in determining the location of the exorbital lobe of the gland.
Mixed Meal Modeling and Disturbance Rejection in Type I Diabetic Patients

A mixed meal model was developed to capture the gut absorption of glucose, protein, and free fatty acid (FFA) from a mixed meal into the circulatory system. The output of the meal model served as a disturbance to the extended minimal model [3], which successfully captured plasma FFA, glucose and insulin concentration dynamics and interactions. A model predictive controller (MPC) was synthesized to reject meal disturbances and maintain normoglycemia. The dynamic fit of blood glucose after mixed meal consumption was consistent with the published data. The results from the closed-loop simulations were also promising; the MFC was able to maintain the glucose concentration within the normoglycemic range during and after consumption of a mixed meal
Highly sensitive, automated immunoassay for immunoglobulin free light chains in serum and urine.

BACKGROUND Bence Jones proteins or monoclonal immunoglobulin kappa and lambda free light chains (FLCs) are important markers for identifying and monitoring many patients with B-cell tumors. Automated immunoassays that measure FLCs in urine and serum have considerable clinical potential. METHODS Sheep antibodies, specific for FLCs, were prepared by immunization with pure kappa and lambda molecules and then adsorbed extensively against whole immunoglobulins. The antibodies were conjugated onto latex particles and used to assay kappa and lambda FLCs on the Beckman IMMAGE protein analyzer. RESULTS The unconjugated antibodies showed minimal cross-reactivity with intact immunoglobulins or other proteins. With latex-conjugated antibodies, kappa and lambda FLCs could be measured in normal sera and most normal urine samples. Patients with multiple myeloma had increased concentrations of the relevant serum FLC, whereas both FLCs were increased in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS We developed sensitive, automated immunoassays for kappa and lambda FLC measurements in serum and urine that should facilitate the assessment of patients with light chain abnormalities.
The effect of service quality toward public satisfaction and public trust on local government in Indonesia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of service quality toward public satisfaction and public trust on local government in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study consisted of nine exogenous variables and one endogenous variable. The exogenous variables were delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism, staff attitude, organizational politics, internal roles, external roles and citizen satisfaction, while the endogenous variable was public trust toward the regional government. The samples were taken using two sampling methods, cluster sampling technique and proportional stratified random sampling technique. The cluster sampling was institutional sample in which the researchers selected 2 out of 11 regencies in West Sumatra, and 2 out of 7 cities in West Sumatra. The regencies were Pasaman Barat and Tanah Datar and the cities were Padang Panjang and Padang. In the lower level, there were ten nagari and ten lurah. On the second stage, the sample was selected using the proportional stratified random sampling technique that had been set at the first stage. Slovin formula with 2 percent of errors was used to determine the number of samples. The total respondents in this study were 4,177 respondents.FindingsThe hypothetical model can be used as a new model for public service that was provided by the local governments (cities and districts) and it was able to increase citizen satisfaction and citizen trust with local government, especially in the basic need services such as education and health as described in Figure 1. In order to increase public satisfaction on the basic needs, such as education and health services, regional government should improve delivery, timeliness of service, availability of information, staff professionalism, staff attitude, external and internal roles of manager and at the same time minimize organizational politics within the local government. Furthermore, it is also evident in this model that increasing public satisfaction on basic services can increase public confidence toward regional government. The finding that shows the novelty of this research is the internal and external role of managers in improving public satisfaction and trust in regional government. Meanwhile, the addition of internal political as variable is a development to improve the existing models.Originality/valueRegional government should reconstruct their basic public service in order to meet need of the public. No previous study has comprehensively studied the relationship between interaction quality, physical environmental quality, and outcome quality to public satisfaction and its implication to public trust, especially in Indonesia.
Short-term heart rate variability during a cognitive challenge in young and older adults.

BACKGROUND attention-demanding tasks cause changes in the autonomic modulation of cardiac function. Heart rate variability, an index of autonomic modulation of heart rate, decreases with age. OBJECTIVE to examine heart rate variability in elderly and young participants at rest and during an attention-demanding task. METHODS we assessed 16 old participants (ages 72-91) and 16 college-age (ages 20-25) participants for short-term (5 min) heart rate variability at rest and during a simple-reaction time task. We report heart rate variability as the standard deviation of all interbeat intervals, and as the relative contribution of changes occurring at low- and high-frequencies. RESULTS there were no group differences in resting heart rate. A 2x2 mixed model ANOVA suggested a main effect of age on standard deviation of all interbeat intervals (P<0.05) which was significantly lower for the older group than their younger counterparts. There was also a significant effect of the test condition on standard deviation of all interbeat intervals and spectral measures of heart rate variability (P<0.05) in that standard deviation of all interbeat intervals dropped during the simple reaction time as did high-frequencies, while normalized low frequency power increased. CONCLUSION cardiac autonomic modulation during provocative stress show similar physiologic responses in young and older adults.
Using System-Wide Trust Theory to Make Predictions About Dependence on Four Diagnostic Aids

ABSTRACT System-wide trust strategy can occur when operators are exposed to multiple aids of different reliabilities. D. Keller and S. Rice (2009) showed that when a perfectly reliable aid was presented concurrently with an unreliable aid, participants tended to treat the 2 aids as a unit (system-wide trust) rather than as different units with different reliabilities (component-specific trust). Limitations to their original study prevented the authors from making strong conclusions about a pervasive system-wide trust strategy across domains. The current study revisits this theoretical issue by increasing the number of aids, manipulating the amount of information and feedback participants were given, and using a single-task paradigm rather than a dual-task paradigm. Results were conclusive. While providing information and feedback were beneficial to overall performance, dependence measures indicated that system-wide trust strategies were pervasive across almost all of the manipulations. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of these data.