Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity and malnutrition in Chinese elementary school students

Abstract It has been shown that food insecurity is associated with poor diet quality and unfavourable health outcomes. However, little is known about the potential effects of food insecurity on the overall malnutrition status among children. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of food insecurity among 1583 elementary school students, aged 6–14 years, living in Chinese rural areas and examined its association with four malnutrition signs, including rickets sequelae, anaemia, stunting and wasting. Information on food security was collected via questionnaires. Rickets sequelae were assessed by an experienced paediatrician during the interview. Anaemia was determined by the WHO Hb thresholds adjusted by the local altitude. Weight and height were measured during the interview. Stunting and wasting were then evaluated according to WHO child growth standards (2007). We examined the association between food insecurity and the number of malnutrition signs (total number=4), and the likelihood of having severe malnutrition (presence of 3+ signs), after adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, social-economic status and dietary intakes. During the previous 12 months, the overall prevalence of food insecurity was 6·1 % in the entire studied population and 16·3 % in participants with severe malnutrition. Participants with food insecurity had a slightly higher number of malnutrition signs (1·14 v. 0·96; P=0·043) relative to those who were food secure, after adjusting for potential confounders. Food insecurity was also associated with increased likelihood of having severe malnutrition (adjusted OR 3·08; 95 % CI 1·47, 6·46; P=0·003). In conclusion, food insecurity is significantly associated with malnutrition among Chinese children in this community.
A cells respond in part by expressing the Dpp gene in a narrow stripe of cells on the anterior side of the A / P border ( Figure 1 A

1994; Zecca et al., 1995) by using a concentrationWing imaginal disc cells in Drosophila develop by using dependent mechanism to control the expression of variinformation received from a signaling center associous target genes (Lecuit et al., 1996; Nellen et al., 1996; ated with the anterior/posterior compartment border. Tsuneizumi et al., 1997). Although Dpp is assumed to We show here that disc cells have thin, actin-based form a concentration gradient, there is no direct eviextensions (cytonemes) that project to this signaling dence for its distribution in discs. Nevertheless, its target center. Cytonemes can be induced when cells from genes are expressed in roughly symmetric patterns with the lateral flanks of a wing disc are cultured next to respect to the A/P border, and as a consequence, A and cells from the A/P border or next to a source of fibroP cells in the fly wing differentiate particular structures at blast growth factor. Mouse limb bud cells also grow prescribed distances from the border. Since cells at projections during a brief culture period, indicating equivalent distances on either side of the compartment that cytonemes are an attribute of both vertebrate and border have the capacity to make identical structures invertebrate cells. We suggest that cytonemes may (Garcia-Bellido and Santamaria, 1972; Lawrence and be responsible for some forms of long-range cell–cell Morata, 1976), they are said to behave as though polarcommunication. ized with opposite orientations. This use of the term
The identity function of autobiographical memory: Time is on our side

Autobiographical memory plays an important role in the construction of personal identity. We review evidence of the bi-directional link between memory and identity. Individuals' current self-views, beliefs, and goals influence their recollections and appraisals of former selves. In turn, people's current self-views are influenced by what they remember about their personal past, as well as how they recall earlier selves and episodes. People's reconstructed evaluations of memories, their perceived distance from past experiences, and the point of view of their recollections have implications for how the past affects the present. We focus on how people's constructions of themselves through time serve the function of creating a coherent—and largely favourable—view of their present selves and circumstances.
Healthcare service quality perception in Japan.

PURPOSE This study aims to assess Japanese patients' healthcare service quality perceptions and to shed light on the most meaningful service features. It follows-up a study published in IJHCQA Vol. 21 No. 7. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Through a non-linear approach, the study relied on the scatter model to detect healthcare service features' importance in forming overall quality judgment. FINDINGS Japanese patients perceive healthcare services through a linear compensatory process. Features related to technical quality and staff behavior compensate for each other to decide service quality. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS A limitation of the study is the limited sample size. Non-linear approaches could help researchers to better understand patients' healthcare service quality perceptions. The study highlights a need to adopt an evolution that enhances technical quality and medical practices in Japanese healthcare settings. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The study relies on a non-linear approach to assess patient overall quality perceptions in order to enrich knowledge. Furthermore, the research is conducted in Japan where healthcare marketing studies are scarce owing to cultural and language barriers. Japanese culture and healthcare system characteristics are used to explain and interpret the results.
[Evaluation of body mass index and lipid fractions levels in patients with retinal artery occlusion].

BACKGROUND/AIM There are studies stressing out that atherosclerosis is most common associated systemic condition in patients with retinal artery occlusion. The aim of this study was to analyze values of body mass index and lipid fractions in healthy individuals and patients with retinal artery occlusion. METHODS This study included 90 participants during a 6-year period. The population was divided into 2 groups: the group with the diagnosed retinal artery occlusion and the group without retinal artery occlusion. The observed parameters were as follows: body mass index, low and high density lipoproteins and triglycerides. RESULTS The study revealed no significant difference regarding body mass index and triglycerides values between the two evaluated groups, while low and high density lipoproteins values were significantly higher in the group of patients with retinal artery occlusion. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that body mass index and triglycerides have less important role in atherogenic pathogenesis of retinal artery occlusion, while low density lipoprotein is the fraction that is shown to be most potent in such etiological processes.
5‐Aminolevulinic acid‐based photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer patients has developed into an important new clinical treatment modality in the past 25 years. PDT involves administration of a tumor‐localizing photosensitizer or photosensitizer prodrug (5‐aminolevulinic acid [ALA], a precursor in the heme biosynthetic pathway) and the subsequent activation of the photosensitizer by light. Although several photosensitizers other than ALA‐derived protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) have been used in clinical PDT, ALA‐based PDT has been the most active area of clinical PDT research during the past 5 years. Studies have shown that a higher accumulation of ALA‐derived PpIX in rapidly proliferating cells may provide a biologic rationale for clinical use of ALA‐based PDT and diagnosis. However, no review updating the clinical data has appeared so far.
Background levels of hydrogen cyanide in human breath measured by infrared cavity ring down spectroscopy

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in breath has been suggested as a diagnostic tool for cyanide poisoning and for cyanide-producing bacterial infections. To distinguish elevated levels of breath HCN, baseline data are needed. Background levels of HCN were measured in mixed exhaled air from 40 healthy subjects (26 men, 14 women, age 21–61 years; detection limit: 1.5 ppb; median: 4.4 ppb; range <1.5–14 ppb) by near-infrared cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS). No correlation was observed with smoking habits, recent meals or age. However, female subjects had slightly higher breath levels of HCN than male subjects. CRDS has not previously been used for this purpose.
Computer‐aided 3‐D reconstruction and measurement of the facial canal and facial nerve. I. cross‐sectional area and diameter: Preliminary report

Using a computer‐aided three‐dimensional (3‐D) reconstruction method, measurements were made at eight representative sites of diameters and the cross‐sectional area of the facial canal, facial nerve, and the space between the canal and nerve. Materials used were serial histology sections of seven normal human temporal bones obtained from individuals of different ages. Two areas of decreased cross‐sectional area of the facial canal were found: the proximal part of the labyrinthine portion and the middle part of the tympanic portion. These narrowings in the canal appeared to be correlated with decreased superior‐inferior diameter of the facial canal in those portions, espcially in adult temporal bones, and also with decreased cross‐sectional area, both of the nerve and of the space between the canal and the nerve, in these portions. The developmental etiology of these narrowings is speculated on, and their possible relationship to Bell's palsy is discussed.
Self-Collection for Vaginal Human Papillomavirus Testing: Systematic Review of Studies Asking Women Their Perceptions

Objectives. To systematically review literature on women's acceptance, preference, willingness, and attitudes toward human papillomavirus DNA vaginal self-sampling and assess study validity using the STROBE statement. Materials and Methods. From September to October 2008, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were searched systematically over all years available. Participants were women who either completed vaginal self-sampling or were described the procedure. Studies were required to report women's acceptance, preference, willingness or attitudes toward self-sampling. Two independent reviewers assessed abstracts and articles for inclusion and collected study data. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results. Twenty studies were included. Of 8 studies, 7 reported that women found self-sampling acceptable. Of the 13 studies, 8 found that more women (63%-94%) preferred self-sampling to clinician-collected sampling. Most women were also receptive to self-sampling as part of future screening. Common opinions expressed by women included an uncertainty if they had or could perform the self-test properly and greater confidence in clinician sampling. Only 2 studies used questionnaires that had been validated, and selection bias favoring self-sampling could not be ruled out in most studies. Conclusions. Vaginal human papillomavirus DNA self-sampling is generally well received among women. However, the possibility of selection bias and survey instrument measurement error may have led to an overestimate of women's favorable opinions for self-sampling. A self-sampling option may increase screening coverage, but concerns of women must also be addressed.
Exploring the use of positive psychology interventions in brain injury survivors with challenging behaviour

Abstract Objective: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of conducting two positive psychology interventions to improve mood and self-concept with survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI), within a neuro-rehabilitation hospital. Method and procedures: Ten patients with brain injury were randomly allocated to an intervention and control group. The efficacy of the first intervention, ‘three positive things in life’ was measured via Seligman’s Authentic Happiness Index (AHI), at base-line, directly following the intervention and at the end of the 12-week group programme. The second intervention, the ‘Value in Action (VIA) signature strengths intervention’ was measured by the Head Injury Semantic Differential Scale (HISDS) at baseline and at the end of the group. Results: Compared to baseline and control group scores, the AHI index showed an increase in the intervention group’s happiness following the intervention and at the end of the 12-week programme, albeit the latter increase was non-significant. The HISDS showed non-significant improvement in self-concept and reduction in polarization of the self in the present, future and past in the second intervention. Anecdotal evidence revealed a clear improved mood following the interventions. Conclusion: This study shows promising results for the effectiveness of Positive Psychology interventions and methods to improve feasibility when applying this treatment within a hospital setting.
Persistency and flexibility of complex brain networks underlie dual‐task interference

Previous studies on multitasking suggest that performance decline during concurrent task processing arises from interfering brain modules. Here, we used graph‐theoretical network analysis to define functional brain modules and relate the modular organization of complex brain networks to behavioral dual‐task costs. Based on resting‐state and task fMRI we explored two organizational aspects potentially associated with behavioral interference when human subjects performed a visuospatial and speech task simultaneously: the topological overlap between persistent single‐task modules, and the flexibility of single‐task modules in adaptation to the dual‐task condition. Participants showed a significant decline in visuospatial accuracy in the dual‐task compared with single visuospatial task. Global analysis of topological similarity between modules revealed that the overlap between single‐task modules significantly correlated with the decline in visuospatial accuracy. Subjects with larger overlap between single‐task modules showed higher behavioral interference. Furthermore, lower flexible reconfiguration of single‐task modules in adaptation to the dual‐task condition significantly correlated with larger decline in visuospatial accuracy. Subjects with lower modular flexibility showed higher behavioral interference. At the regional level, higher overlap between single‐task modules and less modular flexibility in the somatomotor cortex positively correlated with the decline in visuospatial accuracy. Additionally, higher modular flexibility in cingulate and frontal control areas and lower flexibility in right‐lateralized nodes comprising the middle occipital and superior temporal gyri supported dual‐tasking. Our results suggest that persistency and flexibility of brain modules are important determinants of dual‐task costs. We conclude that efficient dual‐tasking benefits from a specific balance between flexibility and rigidity of functional brain modules. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3542–3562, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emergence of adamantane‐resistant influenza A(H3N2) viruses in Hong Kong between 1997 and 2006

Resistance to adamantanes for treating influenza A(H3N2) has increased dramatically, worldwide, over the past 5 years. A comprehensive 10‐year data set on the rise of adamantane‐resistance in Hong Kong is reported. Nucleotide sequences encoding the M2‐ion channel of influenza A(H3N2) were obtained from 281 H3N2 isolates collected from adamantane‐naive children admitted to a teaching hospital in Hong Kong, between 1997 and 2006. These sequences were screened for the presence of recognized adamantane resistance‐associated amino acid mutations (L26F, V27A, A30T, S31N, G34E). The amantadane (rimantadine is not used in Hong Kong) usage for this hospital during this period was also collated. Fifty‐eight isolates harbored at least one of these resistance signatures, the majority (57/58) being S31N, which increased rapidly over 2003–2005 from 20% to 83.3%. Other amino acid mutations, not previously associated with adamantane resistance, were also found. In particular, I51V was found to rise in frequency, along with S31N, though the significance of this mutation remains uncertain at present. A rise in amantadane usage occurred in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2002, which slightly preceded the subsequent rise in adamantane‐resistant influenza A(H3N2) isolates. This study shows a temporal correlation between increases in amantadane prescriptions and the prevalence of adamantane‐resistant influenza A(H3N2) viruses in Hong Kong. The underlying reasons for these findings are unclear and similar studies are required elsewhere to elucidate these and prevent this spread of drug‐resistance happening again in future. J. Med. Virol. 80:895–901, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A model-based analysis of the predictive performance of different renal function markers for cefepime clearance in the ICU.

OBJECTIVES Several population pharmacokinetic models for cefepime in critically ill patients have been described, which all indicate that variability in renal clearance is the main determinant of the observed variability in exposure. The main objective of this study was to determine which renal marker best predicts cefepime clearance. METHODS A pharmacokinetic model was developed using NONMEM based on 208 plasma and 51 urine samples from 20 ICU patients during a median follow-up of 3 days. Four serum-based kidney markers (creatinine, cystatin C, urea and uromodulin) and two urinary markers [measured creatinine clearance (CLCR) and kidney injury molecule-1] were evaluated as covariates in the model. RESULTS A two-compartment model incorporating a renal and non-renal clearance component along with an additional term describing haemodialysis clearance provided an adequate description of the data. The Cockcroft-Gault formula was the best predictor for renal cefepime clearance. Compared with the base model without covariates, the objective function value decreased from 1971.7 to 1948.1, the median absolute prediction error from 42.4% to 29.9% and the between-subject variability in renal cefepime clearance from 135% to 50%. Other creatinine- and cystatin C-based formulae and measured CLCR performed similarly. Monte Carlo simulations using the Sanford guide dose recommendations indicated an insufficient dose reduction in patients with a decreased kidney function, leading to potentially toxic levels. CONCLUSIONS The Cockcroft-Gault formula was the best predictor for cefepime clearance in critically ill patients, although other creatinine- and cystatin C-based formulae and measured CLCR performed similarly.
Kynuramines, metabolites of melatonin and other indoles: the resurrection of an almost forgotten class of biogenic amines

Abstract: Kynuramines represent their own class of biogenic amines. They are formed either by decarboxylation of kynurenines or pyrrole ring cleavage of indoleamines. N2‐formylated compounds formed in this last reaction can be deformylated either enzymatically by arylamine formamidases or hemoperoxidases, or photochemically. The earlier literature mainly focussed on cardiovascular effects of kynuramine, 5‐hydroxykynuramine and their N1,N1‐dimethylated analogs, including indirect effects via release of catecholamines or acetylcholine and interference with serotonin receptors. After the discovery of N1‐acetyl‐N2‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and N1‐acetyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AMK) as major brain metabolites of melatonin, these compounds became of particular interest. They were shown to be produced enzymatically, pseudoenzymatically, by various free radical‐mediated and via photochemical processes. In recent years, AFMK and AMK were shown to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby forming several newly discovered 3‐indolinone, cinnolinone and quinazoline compounds, and to protect tissues from damage by reactive intermediates in various models. AMK is of special interest due to its properties as a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor, NO scavenger forming a stable nitrosation product, inhibitor and/or downregulator of neuronal and inducible NO synthases, and a mitochondrial metabolism modulator. AMK easily interacts with aromates, forms adducts with tyrosyl and tryptophanyl residues, and may modify proteins.
Synchronization of Networks of Nonidentical Euler-Lagrange Systems With Uncertain Parameters and Communication Delays

This paper addresses the problem of synchronizing networks of nonidentical, nonlinear dynamical systems described by Euler-Lagrange equations, which are assumed fully-actuated, with their states available for measurement, but with unknown parameters. The only assumption made on the communication graph is that it is connected. Moreover, the communication is subject to constant time delays, which are also unknown. The main result of the paper is the construction of an adaptive controller that achieves global full-state synchronization, i.e., the difference between the agents positions and velocities asymptotically converges to zero. If a desired trajectory for all systems is given, a slight modification to the proposed scheme achieves also full-state synchronization. Simulations using a ten robot manipulator network are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed schemes.
Potentially curative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for single or oligometastasis to the lung

Abstract Background. To analyze the treatment outcomes of a potentially curative therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), for patients with single or oligometastasis to the lungs. Material and methods. Sixty-seven metastatic lung lesions in 57 patients were treated with SBRT between September 2001 and November 2010. All patients had single or oligo-metastasis to the lungs following a meticulous clinical work-up, including PET-CT scans. The lungs were the most common primary organ (33 lesions, 49.3%), followed by the head and neck (11 lesions, 16.4%), the liver (nine lesions, 13.5%), the colorectum (seven lesions, 10.4%), and other organs (seven lesions, 10.4%). Three different fractionation schedules were used: 50 Gy/5 fractions to four lesions (6.0%); 60 Gy/5 fractions to 44 lesions (65.7%); and 60 Gy/4 fractions to 19 lesions (28.3%). Results. Local tumor progression occurred in three lesions (4.5%). The three-year actuarial local control rate was 94.5%. Tumors larger than or equal to 2.5 cm showed poorer local control (98.3% vs. 77.8%, p <0.01). Metastatic tumors from the liver and colorectum showed lower local control rates than those from other organs (77.8%, 85.7%, and 100%, p =0.04). The two-year overall survival rate was 57.2%. Patients with tumors smaller than 2.5 cm had more favorable survival rates (64.0% vs. 38.9% at two-year, p =0.032). Patients with extrathoracic disease had poorer survival rates (66.1% vs. 0% at two-year, p =0.003). Patients with disease-free intervals longer than two years showed a trend toward good prognosis (71.1% vs. 51.1% at two-year, p =0.106). Grade 2 lung toxicity occurred in four patients (6.0%). One patient experienced Grade 5 lung toxicity following SBRT. Conclusion. SBRT for single or oligo-metastasis to the lung seems quite effective and safe. Tumor size, disease-free interval, and presence of extrathoracic disease are prognosticators for survival.