Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Causes of Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma: We Should Learn from the Lyme Disease Experience

Epidemiological studies rely on the uneven distribution of disease within and between populations and represent a simple but efficient way of studying disease causation. The incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs) has increased dramatically over the past few decades and the epidemic calls for epidemiological studies. The study of Munksgaard and colleagues, in this issue of Dermatology, is a good example of an epidemiological study based on the so-called ecological correlation. It focuses on cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) and fails to document a correlation between CBCL incidence and Lyme disease as a surrogate indicator for the exposure to tick bites. Although ecological studies neither inform about the time relationship between exposure and disease nor usually allow control for confounding variables, they can provide important information that would guide the direction of further research. There is a number of analytical studies focusing on risk factors for NHLs. One drawback of these studies is that they consider NHLs as a single category. One merit of the paper of Munksgaard et al. is that it focused on a rather specific disease, i.e. CBCL.
Is expressed emotion related to estimates of ability made by older people with cognitive impairments and their partners?

Objectives: Discrepancies in ratings of ability are used to assess awareness in people with cognitive impairments, and previously have been found to be associated with comorbid depression and carer distress. This study explored how the degree of discrepancy between self-ratings of ability made by older people with a cognitive impairment and informant ratings made by their partners relates to aspects of their relationship quality. It was hypothesised that discrepancies between self- and partner ratings would be associated with partner's expressed emotion (EE), and replicate previous findings for associations with depression and carer distress. Method: Forty-six people aged over 65 with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia were recruited through NHS mental health services for older people. In a semi-structured interview, they and their partners gave separate ratings of cognitive abilities and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Partners also completed a 5-minute speech sample task to assess the type of EE. Depression in cognitively impaired participants and partner distress were also measured. Results: High EE, depression and carer distress were associated with larger discrepancies in ratings of ability on the cognitive measure. EE was not associated with self-ratings or partner ratings of cognitive or IADL ability. Conclusion: The findings suggest that where disagreement about the abilities of an older person with cognitive impairments is greater, the affective environment around that person is more likely to be characterised by criticism and/or emotional over-involvement. The implications of this for assessment, diagnosis, and helping couples adjust to cognitive deterioration are discussed.
Increased prevalence of ventricular septal defect: epidemic or improved diagnosis.

The Baltimore-Washington Infant Study is an ongoing case-control study of congenital cardiovascular malformations in infants in whom the clinical diagnoses have been confirmed by echocardiography, catheterization, surgery, or autopsy. An increase in the prevalence of ventricular septal defects was detected in 1,494 infants with congenital cardiovascular malformations between 1981 and 1984. The prevalence of congenital cardiovascular malformations increased from 3.6 to 4.5 per 1,000 live births (P less than .025) and the prevalence of ventricular septal defect increased from 1.0 to 1.6 per 1,000 live births (P less than .001). The increase in ventricular septal defects accounted for the total increase in congenital cardiovascular malformations. The prevalence of isolated ventricular septal defect increased from 0.67 to 1.17 per 1,000 live births (P less than .001). The prevalence of ventricular septal defect with associated coarctation of the aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and pulmonic stenosis did not change. The prevalence of ventricular septal defect diagnosed by catheterization, surgery, and autopsy did not change; however, defects diagnosed by echocardiography increased from 0.30 to 0.70 per 1,000 live births (P less than .001). It is concluded that the reported increase in prevalence of ventricular septal defect is due to improved detection of small, isolated ventricular septal defects and that there is no evidence of an "epidemic. "
HPC‐A dose prediction on the optia® cell separator based on a benchmark CE2 collection efficiency: Promoting clinical efficiency, minimizing toxicity, and allowing quality control

It has been shown that it is possible to predict the CD 34+ hematopoietic progenitor cell dose from collection procedures on TerumoBCT COBE Spectra® cell separator platform using simple variables available at the start of the procedure. In this article, we demonstrate that this can be done simply and reliably using TerumoBCT Spectra Optia® (“Optia”) cell separator platform with a very close correlation between predicted and actual results (correlation coefficient 0.956). This knowledge can be used to optimize apheresis sessions and to minimize harmful effects and costs. In addition, we have shown differences in collection efficiency between healthy donors and cancer patients undergoing autologous donation. Finally, we have shown a small but significant improvement in collection efficiency for the Optia platform compared with the COBE Spectra platform. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:321–328, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A double-negative feedback loop between Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling and HNF4&agr; regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma

Summary Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling participates in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of cancers; however, its involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and downstream molecular events is largely undefined. HNF4&agr; is the most prominent and specific factor maintaining the differentiation of hepatic lineage cells and a potential EMT regulator in HCC cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which HNF4&agr; maintains the differentiated liver epithelium and inhibits EMT have not been completely defined. In this study, we systematically explored the relationship between Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling and HNF4&agr; in the EMT process of HCC cells. Our results indicated that HNF4&agr; expression was negatively regulated during Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling-induced EMT through Snail and Slug in HCC cells. In contrast, HNF4&agr; was found to directly associate with TCF4 to compete with &bgr;-catenin but facilitate transcription co-repressor activities, thus inhibiting expression of EMT-related Wnt–&bgr;-catenin targets. Moreover, HNF4&agr; may control the switch between the transcriptional and adhesion functions of &bgr;-catenin. Overexpression of HNF4&agr; was found to completely compromise the Wnt–&bgr;-catenin-signaling-induced EMT phenotype. Finally, we determined the regulation pattern between Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling and HNF4&agr; in rat tumor models. Our studies have identified a double-negative feedback mechanism controlling Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling and HNF4&agr; expression in vitro and in vivo, which sheds new light on the regulation of EMT in HCC. The modulation of these molecular processes may be a method of inhibiting HCC invasion by blocking Wnt–&bgr;-catenin signaling or restoring HNF4&agr; expression to prevent EMT.
The Effects of Different Fabric Types and Seam Designs on the Seams [sic] Efficiency

Fabricated textile products require joining fabric together by some means. A variety of methods include: sewing, gluing, thermally bonding, etc. This joined fabric is required to have similar strength at the point of joining as the original fabric. This method of joining is commonly called seaming. Seams are the basic element of structure of any apparel, home furnishing product and industrial textiles. The main focus of this investigation is to study the joining parameters of fabric using a standard sewing machine. Two different seam designs will be investigated on three woven fabrics made from cotton, wool and silk. Textile products are produced from various fibers and different fabric construction, hence finding a specific seam that will best suit each individual product. Fabric seams are the most important parameter to maintain product integrity. Degree Type Open Access Senior Honors Thesis Department Technology Studies
How long should patients with psychotic depression stay on the antipsychotic medication?

BACKGROUND Patients who have major depression with psychotic features have greater morbidity and mortality than patients with nonpsychotic major depression. In particular, relapse and recurrence have been reported to occur more frequently in patients with psychotic depression than nonpsychotic depression. Despite the frequent relapse and recurrence in major depression with psychotic features, there are few studies of the efficacy of continuation and maintenance treatments. METHOD Forty patients with a diagnosis of unipolar DSM-III-R major depression with psychotic features were treated with fluoxetine and perphenazine for 5 weeks after granting written informed consent. The patients who responded to treatment continued to receive the combination for an additional 3 months. If a patient was stable for 4 months on treatment with the combination, the patient was then gradually tapered off perphenazine treatment. For patients who exhibited impending relapse, perphenazine was restarted. Impending relapse was defined as any of the following: (1) symptoms meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (with or without psychotic features), (2) a total score of > or = 17 on the HAM-D, or (3) the presence of any psychotic symptoms. After 1 year of taking fluoxetine, patients were tapered off fluoxetine treatment. Data were gathered from 1992 to 1997. RESULTS Thirty patients responded to the initial 5 weeks of treatment with perphenazine and fluoxetine. After taper of perphenazine following 4 months of treatment with fluoxetine and perphenazine, 22 (73%) of the 30 patients exhibited no signs of relapse over the next 11 months (8 months of fluoxetine monotherapy followed by a taper of fluoxetine and 3 additional months of assessment). Patients who showed signs of relapse after taper of the antipsychotic were more likely to have had a longer duration of the current episode and a history of more frequent past episodes and were more likely to be younger (under the age of 30 years). CONCLUSION The data from this study suggest that a majority of patients who have major depression with psychotic features do not require treatment with antipsychotic medication for more than 4 months.
HOMOCYSTEINE, C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AND TRADITIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR RISK MARKERS IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME -

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome one of the major Endocrine and reproductive abnormality which represent the largest unique young women at high risk for development of premature atherosclerotic heart disease. The Metabolic disturbances associated with PCOS like Insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and hypertension may adversely accelerate the cardiovascular risk profile in these young Women. With this background, a case control study was undertaken to evaluate the levels of Traditional and Novel CV risk markers in PCOS women compared to healthy controls. Methods: Fasting blood Glucose, Insulin, Insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment, HOMAIR), Testosterone, Lipid levels, Homocysteine, C- reactive protein and Uric acid levels were determined in Fourty diagnosed PCOS women and healthy age matched controls. All biochemical analysis was done using commercial enzymatic kits. Results: Testosterone the main component of PCOS, HOMA-IR were significantly (p<0.05) higher in PCOS women than controls. Insulin, Total cholesterol, TGL, HDL, LDL levels were also significantly (p<0.05) higher in PCOS women and the Novel CV markers Homocysteine, CRP, Uric acid were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in PCOS women compared to controls. Conclusion: Both Traditional and Novel CV risk markers were significantly elevated in PCOS women indicating early onset cardiovascular risk in these young women. Hence, correction and routine screening for these parameters helps in early identification of cardiovascular risk and can prevent the development of endothelial dysfunction, which is a reversible early event in atherosclerosis and appropriate treatment should be aimed to control these parameters.
What Determines Patient Satisfaction with Cataract Care Under Topical Local Anesthesia and Monitored Sedation in a Community Hospital Setting?

The Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS) is a reliable and valid tool to measure patient satisfaction with monitored anesthesia care. We used the ISAS to discover determinants of patient satisfaction with cataract care under topical local anesthesia and monitored sedation in a small community hospital. The ISAS (scored 1 to 6) was administered to 306 patients immediately after cataract surgery. All patients received topical local anesthesia and IV sedation administered by an anesthesiologist. Patient satisfaction was high: mean ISAS was 5.6 (sd 0.46; range: 3.3–6.0). The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative pain was 13% and 37%; other adverse events were infrequent (<5%). In multivariable logistic regression, significant predictors of satisfaction were postoperative pain (odds ratio [OR]: 4.84; 99% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21, 10.60), surgeon (OR: 0.21; 99% CI: 0.05, 0.91), and preoperative anxiety (OR: 1.17; 99% CI: 1.03, 1.34). ISAS mean scores (OR = 0.28; 99% CI: 0.13, 0.59) and preoperative anxiety (OR = 1.12; 99% CI: 0.99, 1.28) emerged as significant predictors of low rating of quality of experience. Our results indicate that the ISAS can be used to track patient satisfaction with monitored cataract care. Pain during and after cataract surgery is common and is a major reason for lower patient satisfaction with their cataract care.
Non‐monosynaptic transmission of the cortical command for voluntary movement in man.

1. The possibility was investigated that, in man, some of the descending command for tonic voluntary wrist extension is transmitted to extensor motoneurones over a non‐monosynaptic pathway. 2. Stimulation of the cutaneous superficial radial nerve at 3 times perceptual threshold depressed the electromyogram (EMG) of extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and the discharge of single ECR motor units, both with a mean central delay of 4.2 ms. Such stimuli depressed the response to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex, but had little effect on the H reflex. 3. The possibility that the relative sparing of the H reflex was due to an alteration in transmission of the afferent volley for the H reflex was excluded. 4. The central latency of the cutaneous‐induced depression of the discharge of single motor units in biceps brachii (C5‐C6) was shorter by about 1 ms than that of the more caudal wrist and finger extensor motor units. This suggests that the locus for the cutaneous‐induced effects was spinal but above the cervical enlargement. 5. The pattern of EMG depression (evoked by superficial radial but not palmar stimuli, in wrist extensors but not wrist flexors) is that previously described for the presumed propriospinal system of human subjects. 6. It is concluded that a significant component of the voluntary command for tonic wrist extension reaches the relevant motoneurone pool via a non‐monosynaptic pathway. It is suggested that the interposed neurones could be C3‐C4 propriospinal neurones.
Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for External Egg Traits in F2 Chickens

Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan 2 Japanese Avian Bioresource Project Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan 4 Present address: College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami, Ibaraki 300-0393, Japan 5 Present address: Institute de Selection Animale B.V. , 5830 AC Boxmeer, The Netherlands-EU
[Plasma homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of plasma homocysteine and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) syndrome in ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS A total of 92 male IS patients were classified by apnea hypopnea index (AHI) into 2 groups: non-OSA group (AHI < 5/h) and OSA group (AHI > or = 5). All patients were tested for plasma homocysteine when polysomnography was finished at (14 +/- 2) d after the onset of IS. RESULTS The mean level of homocysteine was significantly higher in the OSA group than that in the non-OSA group (17 +/- 5 vs 11 +/- 3 micromol/L, P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the homocysteine level and the severity of AHI (r = 0.482, P < 0.01). Further multiple linear regression analysis showed that AHI and folate were independent predictors of homocysteine level (R2 = 0.553, P < 0.01, beta for AHI = 0.671, beta for folate = -0.256). CONCLUSION The severity of OSA is significantly associated with an elevated level of homocysteine in IS patients. And this association is independent of other causative factors of an elevated level of homocysteine.
Identify the Knowledge Level of Rural Leaders towards Paddy Farming Technologies in Muda Agriculture Development Authority (MADA-MALAYSIA)

Rural leaders are the people who are able in an informal manner that the influence relatively frequently on the behavior and attitudes of others towards what is desirable. However, The study was conducted to determine the knowledge perception levels of rural leaders of paddy farming technologies in muda agriculture development authority (MADA). The sample size of this study is (260). The random Sampling technique was used in this study. This research also was done by interview approaches to gain the knowledge perception levels of rural leaders of paddy farming technologies. Using SPSS, descriptive and inferential analyses was performed to fulfill the objectives determined. Based on the results gained, the knowledge level of paddy farming technologies among respondents is moderate. Further analysis done have proved that there is a significant relationship between some social, demographic factors and level of knowledge of respondents on paddy farming technologies, it is recommended that rural community access and exposure to agricultural technologies must be strengthened, so that our future generations will have good knowledge on paddy farming technologies to have the best paddy.
Collocation impact on team effectiveness

The collocation of software development teams is common, specially in agile software development environments. However little is known about the impact of collocation on the team’s effectiveness. This paper explores the impact of collocating agile software development teams on a number of team effectiveness factors. The study focused on South African software development teams and gathered data through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The key finding was that collocation has a positive impact on a number of team effectiveness factors which can be categorised under team composition, team support, team management and structure and team communication. Some of the negative impact collocation had on team effectiveness relate to the fact that team members perceived that less emphasis was placed on roles, that morale of the group was influenced by individuals, and that collocation was invasive, reduced level of privacy and increased frequency of interruptions. Overall through it is proposed that companies should consider collocating their agile software development teams, as collocation might leverage overall team effectiveness.
Late open conversion after endovascular aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES Endovascular treatment of the infrarenal abdominal aorta (endovascular repair, EVAR) has emerged as an alternative to open surgery. However, a small subset of patients exists who undergo conversion either in the first 30 postoperative days or later during the course of postoperative surveillance. In the present study, we review our experience with late conversion operations. METHODS Between December 2004 and August 2012, 411 EVARs were performed. During the same time interval, nine patients (males) with a mean age of 71 years (range, 59-79 years) required late open conversion. The median interval between EVAR and the conversion operation was 34 months (range 14-60 months). RESULTS The indications for late conversion included persistent proximal type I endoleak (n = 2), type II endoleak with sac enlargement (n = 1), aneurysm rupture (n = 1), endotension (n = 2), stent-graft thrombosis (n = 1) and stent-graft infection (n = 2). Complete stent-graft explantation was performed in five patients. Eight patients underwent elective conversion. One patient presenting with rupture had an emergency operation. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS Late open conversion after EVAR can be performed safely and successfully. Complete stent-graft explantation may be our preferred treatment option, but it is not always necessary, except in cases presenting with graft infection.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII ISOLATES IN FREE-RANGE CHICKENS FROM AMAZON, BRAZIL

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-ranging chickens is a good indicator of the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the soil because chickens feed from the ground. The prevalence of T. gondii in 50 free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Amazon, Brazil, was determined. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) and found in 33 (66%) chickens with titers of 1:5 in 3, 1:10 in 2, 1:20 in 1, 1:40 in 1, 1:80 in 2, 1:160 in 5, 1:200 in 9, 1:400 in 5, 1:800 in 2, 1:1,600 in 2, and 1:3,200 or higher in 1. Hearts and brains of 33 seropositive chickens were bioassayed individually in mice. Tissues from 17 seronegative chickens were pooled and fed to 2 T. gondii–free cats. Feces of cats were examined for oocysts, but none was found. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 24 chickens with MAT titers of 1:5 or higher. Genotyping of these 24 T. gondii isolates by polymorphisms at the SAG2 locus indicated that 14 were type I, and 10 were type III; the absence of type II strains from Brazil was confirmed. Fifty percent of the infected mice died of toxoplasmosis, irrespective of the genotype.