Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advancing Bipolar Disorder: Key Lessons from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD)

Objective: To review the overall clinical research findings from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), the world's largest study of BD. Methods: STEP-BD was conducted from 1998 to 2005, enrolling participants (n = 4361) across 22 clinical sites in the United States. Each individual was followed for up to 2 years in naturalistic practice with blinded research assessments, while subgroups participated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for bipolar depression. The naturalistic database was used to examine the course of BD, comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, and suicidality. Relevant studies in English, published from January 1, 1994, to May 31, 2009, were identified using computerized searches of electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials), inspection of bibliographies, and review of other major reports. Results: One large RCT involving the addition of either paroxetine or bupropion to mood stabilizers in acute depression found neither more effective than placebo in achieving sustained recovery (8 weeks of euthymia). A second large RCT found intensive psychosocial interventions superior to a brief psychosocial intervention as an adjunct to medication in acute depression. A third small RCT found minimal effects of lamotrigine, risperidone, or inositol in refractory depression. Recovery was difficult to achieve, with subsyndromal symptoms or full relapse very common. Anxiety disorders and smoking in particular were treatable conditions that adversely affected the course of BD. Conclusions: STEP-BD yielded numerous clinical and systems observations that provide fresh direction for research and treatment of BD, including setting new benchmarks for outcome and demonstrating the viability of large BD networks.
Les compromis à court et à long terme associés à la reproduction chez les ongulés femelles : l'exemple de la chèvre de montagne

Long-lived species have developed a conservative reproductive strategy, where individuals produce few young per year and distribute their reproductive effort over several years. As individual state and environmental conditions vary during lifetime, différent factors can affect annual reproduction, and ultimately influence individual fitness as well as population dynamics. Using longitudinal data on wild populations of marked ungulates, particularly mountain goats, my thesis aim to détermine the shortand long-term trade-offs related to reproduction in females, while considering individual variability and environmental conditions, and to evaluate the effects of this variability on population dynamics. My results demonstrate that over the short-term females modify their foraging behaviour when lactating to increase food intake and compensate for the high energetic costs of lactation. Young females, however, face a fundamental trade-off between growth and lactation. Ultimately, females that produced a young have a lower probability of parturition the following year, and their new offspring has a lower probability of survival to one-year-old, compared with females that did not reproduce. In addition, thèse costs of reproduction are greater for low-quality and younger females than for high-quality and older females, respectively. The costs of reproduction also increase during years of high population density and poor environmental conditions. At a larger scale, my results show that individual variations in terms of survival and reproduction influence the dynamics of a population, and that older females have the greatest potential to influence the productivity of a population. My thesis provides a better understanding of the ultimate and proximate compromises that females must face when reproducing. As thèse trade-offs often resuit in fitness costs that vary with individual quality, this knowledge is essential to improve our compréhension of the variables upon which sélection occurs.
[Expression and clinical significance of plasma microRNA-125b level in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE To explore the expression and clinical significance of plasma microRNA-125b (miR-125b) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS By Stem-loop RT real-time PCR based on the SYBR Green, we investigated the expression of plasma miR-125b in 85 OSCC patients and 46 healthy controls, then evaluated its diagnostic performance as OSCC biomarker. Data analysis was performed with SPSS 17.0 software package for one-way ANOVA and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS Stem-loop RT-PCR could specifically amplify miR-125b in plasma. The expression of plasma miR-125b was significantly increased in patients with OSCC compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). ROC results showed that miR-125b could differentiate OSCC from healthy controls(AUC=0.966). As fold change 3.46 was chosen for optimal cutoff value, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity was 89.4% and 93.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Due to the satisfactory diagnostic performance, plasma miR-125b can be used as a promising biomarker in OSCC.
Narrow-band imaging for improving colorectal adenoma detection: appropriate system function settings are required

We read with considerable interest the report by Alder et al ( Gut 2008; 57 :59–64) concerning their prospective randomised study on narrow-band imaging (NBI) versus conventional high-resolution imaging for colorectal adenoma detection. The study indicated an increased adenoma detection rate for NBI colonoscopy, but the results were not statistically significant. Wide-angle colonoscopes (Olympus, Hamburg, Germany) were used during instrument withdrawal for both the NBI and conventional groups, but details on the Olympus systems and their actual function settings were not described by the authors. Recently, we conducted a prospective pilot study to assess the feasibility of using NBI for detecting colorectal adenomatous lesions.1 The total number of adenomatous lesions detected by NBI was significantly higher than high definition colonoscopy (p = 0.02). Based on macroscopic type, flat lesions were identified more often by NBI (p = 0.04). We used an EVIS LUCERA SPECTRUM video endoscopic system …
Jogos sociais digitais como ambiente de aprendizagem da língua inglesa

Essa pesquisa esta vinculada a Linha “Educacao, Desenvolvimento e Tecnologias do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Educacao da Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS. O tema esta relacionado ao uso de jogos sociais digitais para a aprendizagem de Lingua Inglesa. Os autores que embasaram a investigacao sao: Castells (2000), Gee (2008), Lemos (2002, 2009, 2012), Moita (2007), Piaget (1990), Primo (2007, 2008), Recuero (2004, 2005, 2010), Schlemmer (2002, 2009), Veen; Vrakking (2009), Warschauer (2012). O problema de pesquisa desta dissertacao consiste em investigar como um jogo social, presente no contexto de uma midia social digital pode se constituir enquanto ambiente para aprendizagem da Lingua Inglesa. O objetivo dessa pesquisa consistiu em investigar e compreender como ocorre o interesse, bem como a aceitacao do uso de um jogo usado como entretenimento para fins de aprendizagem, analisar as possibilidades de sintonia entre o jogo e o conteudo programatico da aula presencial fisica de Lingua Inglesa, analisar como os participantes colaboram entre si durante o jogo e como essa colaboracao contribui para a aprendizagem e analisar e compreender como as interacoes dos participantes com o jogo podem favorecer o desenvolvimento da competencia comunicativa na aprendizagem da segunda lingua. Para esta pesquisa foram utilizados dois jogos sociais digitais The Sims Social e Wetopia, presentes no Facebook, com dois grupos de alunos de Lingua Inglesa. A pesquisa teve enfoque qualitativo, de natureza exploratoria e utilizou a metodologia de estudo de caso. Os dados foram coletados por meio das interacoes entre os participantes durante o jogo registradas em chats e no mural dos grupos criado no Facebook e tambem em entrevistas semi-estruturadas apos o experimento. Como resultados da pesquisa, salienta-se que os jogos sociais digitais presentes no contexto de uma midia social digital possibilitam um ambiente para o ensino e aprendizagem de Lingua Inglesa, favorecendo o desenvolvimento de competencia comunicativa, permitindo a sintonia entre a sala de aula presencial fisica e o contexto do jogo, engajando os participantes em atividades colaborativas e gerando interesse pela sua aprendizagem com e atraves dos jogos. Portanto, esta dissertacao traz para a reflexao o potencial socio-cognitivo presente no ambiente dos jogos sociais digitais e como tais tecnologias podem permitir novas e diferentes formas de construcao de conhecimento na Lingua Inglesa.
Isolation and characterization of neural stem/progenitor cells from post‐stroke cerebral cortex in mice

The CNS has the potential to marshal strong reparative mechanisms, including activation of endogenous neurogenesis, after a brain injury such as stroke. However, the response of neural stem/progenitor cells to stroke is poorly understood. Recently, neural stem/progenitor cells have been identified in the cerebral cortex, as well as previously recognized regions such as the subventricular or subgranular zones of the hippocampus, suggesting that a contribution of cortex‐derived neural stem/progenitor cells may repair ischemic lesions of the cerebral cortex. In the present study, using a highly reproducible murine model of cortical infarction, we have found nestin‐positive cells in the post‐stroke cerebral cortex, but not in the non‐ischemic cortex. Cells obtained from the ischemic core of the post‐stroke cerebral cortex formed neurosphere‐like cell clusters expressing nestin; such cells had the capacity for self‐renewal and differentiated into electrophysiologically functional neurons, astrocytes and myelin‐producing oligodendrocytes. Nestin‐positive cells from the stroke‐affected cortex migrated into the peri‐infarct area and differentiated into glial cells in vivo. Although we could not detect differentiation of nestin‐positive cells into neurons in vivo, our current observations indicate that endogenous neural stem/progenitors with the potential to become neurons can develop within post‐stroke cerebral cortex.
CAWSES November 7–8, 2004, superstorm: Complex solar and interplanetary features in the post‐solar maximum phase

The complex interplanetary structures during 7 to 8 Nov 2004 are analyzed to identify their properties as well as resultant geomagnetic effects and the solar origins. Three fast forward shocks, three directional discontinuities and two reverse waves were detected and analyzed in detail. The three fast forward shocks “pump” up the interplanetary magnetic field from a value of ∼4 nT to ∼44 nT. However, the fields after the shocks were northward, and magnetic storms did not result. The three ram pressure increases were associated with major sudden impulses (SI + s) at Earth. A magnetic cloud followed the third forward shock and the southward Bz associated with the latter was responsible for the superstorm. Two reverse waves were detected, one at the edge and one near the center of the magnetic cloud (MC). It is suspected that these “waves” were once reverse shocks which were becoming evanescent when they propagated into the low plasma beta MC. The second reverse wave caused a decrease in the southward component of the IMF and initiated the storm recovery phase. It is determined that flares located at large longitudinal distances from the subsolar point were the most likely causes of the first two shocks without associated magnetic clouds. It is thus unlikely that the shocks were “blast waves” or that magnetic reconnection eroded away the two associated MCs. This interplanetary/solar event is an example of the extremely complex magnetic storms which can occur in the post‐solar maximum phase.
Determination of microsome and hepatocyte scaling factors for in vitro/in vivo extrapolation in the rat and dog

1. In vivo clearance predictions from in vitro assays require scaling factors to relate the concentrations of hepatocytes or microsomal protein to the intact liver. 2. The aims were to measure the variability in scaling factors for Wistar rat and beagle dog for which the literature is particularly scarce and determine any sex differences. 3. Scaling factors were determined by comparing the cytochrome P450 (P450) content in hepatocytes or microsomes against the P450 content of fresh liver homogenate. The use of fresh homogenate is recommended as freezing can increase contamination and affect the P450 assay. 4. Meangeo hepatic microsomal concentrations in Wistar rats were 61 mg g−1 liver (95% confidence interval (CI); 47–75 mg g−1 liver) and in beagle dogs 55 mg g−1 liver (95% CI = 48–62 mg g−1 liver). Meangeo hepatocellularity was 163 × 106 cells g−1 liver for Wistar rats (95% CI = 127–199 × 106 cells g−1 liver) and 169 × 106 cells g−1 liver (95% CI = 131–207 × 106 cells g−1 liver) for beagle dogs. The data generated in this study indicate a consistency in scaling factors between rat and dog. No sex differences were observed.
Effect of konjac/gellan blend and fat content on physical and textural properties of lowfat pork burgers: A responsesurface analysis

A central composite rotatable design was employed to investigate the effects of independent variables on physical and textural properties of low-fat pork burgers and to optimize the process condition of the product. The independent variables were konjac/gellan blend (0-1%) and pork fat content (0-100%). The analysis of variance and regression analysis showed that cooking yield (%), reduction in diameter (%), redness (a * value), hardness (N), springiness (mm) and chewiness (mJ) ranged from 70.05 to 81.35, 9.56 to 16.62, 2.52 to 4.07, 4.06 to 6.16, 6.43 to 10.02 and 14.77 to 38.94, respectively. The coefficients of determination or R 2 -values of the responses were within the range from 0.8509 to 0.9928. A second-order polynomial was used for predicting the responses. Response surface analysis revealed the relationship between independent variables and most physical and textural properties of low-fat burgers were strongly influenced by konjac/gellan blend. The optimum predicted condition for the production of the products was 1% konjac/gellan blend and 66.43% pork fat, which was confirmed by the agreement between the experimental and predicted values for physical and textural properties.
Interactions between Bile and Pancreatic Juice Diversions on Cholecystokinin Release and Pancreas in Conscious Rats

Abstract Pancreatic exocrine secretion in the conscious rat is regulated by proteases secreted by the pancreas, and cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to be involved in its mechanism. It has also been reported that the absence of either pancreatic juice or bile in the duodenum could stimulate pancreatic secretion. Therefore, differences in CCK release responding to the exclusion of bile, pancreatic juice (PJ), or both bile and pancreatic juice (BPJ) from the intestine were examined by using a bioassay for cholecystokinin. Plasma CCK levels were increased by all three treatments compared with the basal value, the order of their effects being BPJ>PJ>bile diversion, and CCK concentrations produced by BPJ diversion were much greater than can be explained as simply summed effect of exclusions of bile and PJ. Pancreatic exocrine secretions were significantly increased by PJ and BPJ diversions, but the effect of bile diversion on the pancreas was not statistically significant. An additional infusion of CR-1409 (0.1 mg/rat), one of CCK receptor antagonists, inhibited exocrine function stimulated by BPJ diversion. We conclude (i) BPJ diversion is the strongest endogenous stimulant on CCK release; (ii) the potentiation between bile and PJ diversions is induced on CCK release; (iii) pancreatic protein secretion during BPJ diversion is mainly modulated by CCK.
Validation of a Simple Algorithm for Tracheal Intubation: Daily Practice Is the Key to Success in Emergencies— An Analysis of 13,248 Intubations

A fundamental skill of the anesthesiologist is airway management. We validated a simple endotracheal intubation algorithm with a large proportion of fiberoptic tracheal intubations used for years in daily practice. Over 2 yr, 13,248 intubations (>90% of all intubations, including obstetrics and ear, nose, and throat patients) in a heterogeneous patient population at our acute care hospital were evaluated prospectively. About 80 physician and nurse anesthetists were involved. Once the indication for intubation (oral or nasal) was established, the first step was to choose between the primary conventional technique (laryngoscope with Macintosh blades) and the primary fiberoptic technique. For the conventional technique, a well defined procedure had to be followed (maximum of two attempts at intubation; if unsuccessful, switch to secondary oral fiberoptic intubation). For the primary fiberoptic technique, the anesthesiologist had to decide between nasotracheal intubation in awake patients and oral intubation in anesthetized patients. Fiberoptics were used for 13.5% of the intubations. By following our algorithm, intubation failed in 6 out of 13,248 cases (0.045%; 95% confidence interval 0.02%–0.11%). We demonstrate that a simple algorithm for endotracheal intubation, basically limited to fiberoptics as the only aid, is successful in daily practice. Only methods that are practiced daily can be used successfully in emergencies. Implications The aim of this investigation was to validate a simple tracheal intubation algorithm used in daily practice for years as a quality control exercise. With the exception of the guidewire, the only airway management instrument used was the fiberoptic bronchoscope. Of 13,248 intubations evaluated (90.6% of all intubations), only six patients (0.045%) could not be intubated by following our algorithm. The high proportion of primary fiberoptic intubations (12.1% of all intubations) has resulted in a corresponding degree of practice and experience with this method, with the consequence that the number of unanticipated failed intubations is very small. Daily practice is the key to success in the emergency situation.
Retinal Laser Lesion Visibility in Simultaneous Ultra-High Axial Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography

Ex vivo porcine retina laser lesions applied with varying laser power (20 mW-2 W, 10 ms pulse, 196 lesions) are manually evaluated by microscopic and optical coherence tomography (OCT) visibility, as well as in histological sections immediately after the deposition of the laser energy. An optical coherence tomography system with 1.78 μm axial resolution specifically developed to image thin retinal layers simultaneously to laser therapy is presented, and visibility thresholds of the laser lesions in OCT data and fundus imaging are compared. Optical coherence tomography scans are compared with histological sections to estimate the resolving power for small optical changes in the retinal layers, and real-time time-lapse scans during laser application are shown and analyzed quantitatively. Ultrahigh-resolution OCT inspection features a lesion visibility threshold 40-50 mW (17% reduction) lower than for visual inspection. With the new measurement system, 42% of the lesions that were invisible using state-of-the-art ophthalmoscopic methods could be detected.
Algebraic independence of Mahler functions via radial asymptotics

We present a new method for algebraic independence results in the context of Mahler's method. In particular, our method uses the asymptotic behaviour of a Mahler function $f(z)$ as $z$ goes radially to a root of unity to deduce algebraic independence results about the values of $f(z)$ at algebraic numbers. We apply our method to the canonical example of a degree two Mahler function; that is, we apply it to $F(z)$, the power series solution to the functional equation $F(z)-(1+z+z^2)F(z^4)+z^4F(z^{16})=0$. Specifically, we prove that the functions $F(z)$, $F(z^4)$, $F'(z)$, and $F'(z^4)$ are algebraically independent over $\mathbb{C}(z)$. An application of a celebrated result of Nishioka then allows one to replace $\mathbb{C}(z)$ by $\mathbb{Q}$ when evaluating these functions at a nonzero algebraic number $\alpha$ in the unit disc.
Association of preoperative parameters with postoperative mortality and long-term survival after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND The ability of Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores to predict recipient survival after liver transplantation is controversial. This analysis aims to identify preoperative parameters that might be associated with early postoperative mortality and long-term survival after liver transplantation. METHODS We studied a total of 15 parameters, using both univariate and multivariate models, among adults who underwent primary liver transplantation. RESULTS A total of 458 primary adult liver transplants were performed. Fifty-seven (12.44%) patients died during the first 3 postoperative months and composed the early mortality group. The remaining 401 patients composed the long-term patient survival group. The parameters that were identified through univariate analysis to be associated with early postoperative mortality were CTP score, MELD score, bilirubin, creatinine, international normalized ratio and warm ischemia time (WIT). In all multivariate models, WIT retained its statistical significance. The 10-year long-term survival was 65%. The parameters that were identified to be independent predictors of long-term survival were the recipient's sex (improved survival in women, p = 0.005), diagnosis of hepatocellular cancer (p=0.015) and recipient's age (p=0.024). CONCLUSION Either CTP or MELD score, in conjunction with WIT, might have a role in predicting early postoperative mortality after liver transplantation, whereas the recipient's sex and the absence of hepatocellular cancer are associated with improved long-term survival.
Outcome of asthma and wheezing in the first 6 years of life: follow-up through adolescence.

RATIONALE The effect of early life wheezing on respiratory function and continued symptoms through adolescence has not been fully described. Using data from a population-based birth cohort in Tucson, Arizona, we previously described four phenotypes based on the occurrence of wheezing lower respiratory illnesses before age 3 yr and active wheeze at age 6 yr: never wheezers (n = 425), transient early wheezers (n = 164), persistent wheezers (n = 113), and late-onset wheezers (n = 124). OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the prognosis for these phenotypes, with reference to lung function and symptoms, through adolescence. METHODS Current wheeze was assessed by questionnaire, lung function was measured by conventional spirometry, and atopy was determined by skin prick tests. RESULTS The prevalence of atopy and wheeze by age 16 yr was similar for never and transient wheezers and for persistent and late-onset wheezers. Both transient early, and persistent wheezers had significantly lower FEF(25-75) (-259 ml/s, p < 0.001, and -260 ml/s, p = 0.001, respectively), FEV1 (-75 ml, p = 0.02, and -87 ml, p = 0.03, respectively), and FEV1:FVC ratio (-1.9%, p = 0.002, and -2.5%, p = 0.001, respectively) through age 16 yr compared with never wheezers. Late-onset wheezers had levels of lung function similar to those of never wheezers through age 16 yr. There was no significant change in lung function among subjects with any of the four phenotypes, relative to their peers, from age 6 to 16 yr. CONCLUSION Patterns of wheezing prevalence and levels of lung function are established by age 6 yr and do not appear to change significantly by age 16 yr in children who start having asthma-like symptoms during the preschool years.