Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low body weight in Alzheimer's disease is associated with mesial temporal cortex atrophy

There are reports of weight loss and low body mass index (BMI) in patients with AD.The mesial temporal cortex (MTC) is involved in feeding behavior and memory and is preferentially involved in AD. We studied 74 subjects, including 58 AD patients and 16 control subjects, to determine whether BMI is associated with atrophy of the MTC or other brain regions. We used MRI morphometric analysis to provide measures of regional brain atrophy. AD patients had significant brain atrophy in all measured brain regions, except the white matter, compared with normal control subjects. The MTC was the only brain region significantly associated with BMI in AD patients (r = 0.39, p = 0.003). Multiple-regression analysis indicated that addition of brain regions other than the MTC to the model did not significantly add to the prediction of BMI. We conclude that low BMI correlates best and specifically with MTC atrophy. This finding supports a connection between limbic system damage and low body weight in AD. NEUROLOGY 1996;46: 1585-1591
Non‐parametric methods for recurrent event data with informative and non‐informative censorings

Recurrent event data are commonly encountered in health‐related longitudinal studies. In this paper time‐to‐events models for recurrent event data are studied with non‐informative and informative censorings. In statistical literature, the risk set methods have been confirmed to serve as an appropriate and efficient approach for analysing recurrent event data when censoring is non‐informative. This approach produces biased results, however, when censoring is informative for the time‐to‐events outcome data. We compare the risk set methods with alternative non‐parametric approaches which are robust subject to informative censoring. In particular, non‐parametric procedures for the estimation of the cumulative occurrence rate function (CORF) and the occurrence rate function (ORF) are discussed in detail. Simulation and an analysis of data from the AIDS Link to Intravenous Experiences Cohort Study is presented. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SAMOS: a model for monitoring students' and groups' activities in collaborative e-learning

We address the issue of monitoring students' and groups' activities in online collaborative learning environments. Such monitoring can provide valuable information to online instructors, who may guide and support the development of efficient collaborative learning projects. We have developed and tested an information system, Student Activity Monitoring using Overview Spreadsheets (SAMOS), which facilitates the automatic generation of weekly monitoring reports derived from data contained in server log files. These reports provide online instructors with visual information regarding students' and groups' activity, thus allowing for a quick and easy classification of students and groups according to their activity level. That way, entities with a low activity level are easily identified, which allows the establishment of just-in-time assistance for them. Furthermore, instructors can use complementary qualitative monitoring reports, issued by the students themselves, to anticipate potential problems – such as student dropouts or possible conflicts inside the groups – and take operational and tactical decisions to handle them.
Thermoelectric power of Y1-xCaxBa2Cu3O7- delta : Contributions from CuO2 planes and CuO chains.

The thermoelectric power (TEP) has been studied for polycrystalline (Y,Yb${)}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ with variable Ca and O content. The partial substitution of ${\mathrm{Y}}^{3+}$ by ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{2+}$ introduces additional hole carriers into the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes and allows the 123 system access far into the overdoped regime. Consequently, the CuO chains can be strongly deoxygenated until they are nonmetallic (and no more contribute to the TEP), while the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes still are optimally doped (${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$=${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c},\mathrm{max}}$) or even slightly overdoped. Over a fairly wide range of doping this enables us to study the TEP of the 123 system as it arises solely from the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes (``plane contribution''). This ``plane contribution'' is in good agreement with the general trend reported for various Bi and Tl compounds [S. D. Obertelli, J. R. Cooper, and J. L. Tallon, Phys. Rev. B 46, 14 928 (1992)]. For samples with almost fully oxygenated CuO chains, assuming independent TEP contributions from ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes and CuO chains, we deduce a ``chain contribution'' which is very similar to the results obtained on untwinned single crystals [J. L. Cohn et al., Phys. Rev. B 45, 13 140 (1992)]. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Chromatic properties of neurons in macaque MT

Abstract We have studied the responses of MT neurons to moving gratings, spatially modulated in luminance and chromaticity. Most MT neurons responded briskly and with high contrast sensitivity to targets whose luminance was modulated, with or without added chromatic contrast. When luminance modulation was removed and only chromatic stimulation was used, the responses of all MT neurons were attenuated. Most were completely unresponsive to stimulation with targets whose modulation fell within a “null” plane in color space; these null planes varied from neuron to neuron, but all lay close to the plane of constant photometric luminance. For about a third of the neurons, there was no color direction in which responses were completely abolished; almost all of these neurons had a definite minimum response for chromatic modulation near the isoluminant plane. MT neurons that responded to isoluminant targets did so inconsistently and with poor contrast sensitivity, so that only intensely modulated targets were effective. Whereas the best thresholds of MT neurons for luminance targets are close to behavioral contrast threshold, the thresholds for isoluminant targets lie considerably above behavioral contrast threshold. Therefore, although some MT neurons do give responses to isoluminant targets, they are unlikely to be the source of the chromatic motion signals revealed behaviorally.
Lipids and lipid metabolism.

Since this is the first review on lipids to appear in the Annual Review of Physiology, it should cover the spectrum of the functional roles of lipids: (a) as fuel; (b) as membrane components; (c) in blood coagulation; (d) as components of immune systems; (e) as vitamins and hormones; and (j) in interfacial phenomena (e.g. in digestive processes and at the gas-liquid interface of lung alveoli). Space limitations make it impossible to consider all of these areas. Fortunately, the latter four have been the subject of many reviews, not as lipids per se but as components of physiologi�al systems. Therefore this discussion is devoted to two of the functions: as fuel ,lU ld as membrane components. The following review articles are offered as a guide to the other four areas: blood coagulation (110, 204); immune systems (157); hormones and vitamins (21, 39, 55, 60, 84, 103, 154, 203); interfacial phenomena in digestive processes (15, 16); lung surfactant (91, 127, 195).
Electrocardiographic characterization of non-selective His bundle pacing. Validation of novel diagnostic criteria

Aims Permanent His bundle (HB) pacing is usually accompanied by simultaneous capture of the adjacent right ventricular (RV) myocardium - this is described as a non-selective (ns)-HB pacing. Our aim was to identify ECG criteria for loss of HB capture during ns-HB pacing. Methods Consecutive patients with permanent HB pacing were recruited. Surface 12-lead ECGs during ns-HB pacing and loss of HB capture (RV-only capture) were obtained. ECG criteria for loss/presence of HB capture were identified. In the validation phase these criteria and the “HB ECG algorithm” were tested by two blinded observers using a separate, sizable set of ECGs. Results A total of 353 ECG (226 ns-HB and 128 RV-only) were obtained from 226 patients with permanent HB pacing devices. QRS notch/slur in left ventricular leads and R-wave peak time in lead V6 were identified as the best features for differentiation. The 2-step HB ECG algorithm based on these features correctly classified 87.1% of cases with sensitivity and specificity of 93.2% and 83.9%, respectively. Moreover, the proposed criteria for definitive diagnosis of ns-HB capture (no QRS slur/notch in leads I, V1, V4-V6 and the R-wave peak time in V6 ≤ 100 ms) presented 100% specificity. Conclusion A novel ECG algorithm for the diagnosis of loss of HB capture and novel criteria for definitive confirmation of HB capture were formulated and validated. Practical application of these criteria during implant and follow-up of patients with HB pacing devices is feasible. Condensed Abstract The 2-step ECG algorithm for loss of His bundle capture based on surface ECG analysis is proposed and validated. This method correctly classified 87.1% of cases with a sensitivity and specificity of 93.2% and 83.9%, respectively. What’s New This is the first study that analyzes QRS characteristics during non-selective His bundle pacing in a sizable cohort of patients. Precise criteria and a novel algorithm for electrocardiographic diagnosis of loss of HB capture during presumed non-selective HB pacing were validated. QRS notch/slur in left ventricular leads was identified as a simple and reproducible feature indicating loss of HB capture or lack/loss of correction of intraventricular conduction disturbances. Assessment of R-wave peak time in lead V6 rather than QRS duration for diagnosis of ns-HB pacing was validated.
Effects of Crossing Legs on Blood Pressure Measurement

The purpose of this study was to determine if blood pressure measurement is affected by the leg crossed at the knee as compared with feet flat on the floor in a well-senior population. Participants (N = 110) either had their blood pressure measured with feet flat first and then crossed or the reverse of this. Results indicate that blood pressure was significantly higher when legs were crossed versus uncrossed. Systolic pressure changed by 5.9 mmHg, from 127.32 to 133.24, whereas diastolic pressure changed by 2.97, from 72.54 to 75.52. There were no significant differences between those who had their blood pressure measured first with their legs crossed versus uncrossed or between those with and without hypertension. Instructing patients to keep feet flat on the floor during blood pressure measurement is an important nursing intervention that can contribute to the accurate measurement, interpretation, and treatment of a patient's health condition.
Effect of Royal Jelly Diet on the Testicular Function of Hamsters

To investigate the long-term effect of feeding royal jelly (RJ) on the testicular function, 32-week old male golden hamsters were fed diet containing RJ at doses of 0 μg/g diet (control), 50 μg/g diet or 500 μg/g diet for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the hamsters were assessed for testicular function in terms of the amounts of intra-testicular free testosterone (TS) and histopathological changes. RJ diet groups showed higher TS levels and more intensive spermatogenesis than the control group in a dose-dependent manner. The intensity of spermatogenesis and TS levels in the 500 μg of RJ/g diet group showed significant differences of p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively, when compared with those in the control group. These results indicate that the long-term feeding of RJ inhibits the age-associated decline in the testicular function of male hamsters.
Culture and Self in South Africa: Individualism-Collectivism Predictions

Abstract People from collectivist cultures may have more concrete and interdependent self-concepts than do people from individualist cultures (G. Hofstede, 1980). African cultures are considered collectivist (H. C. Triandis, 1989), but research on self-concept and culture has neglected this continent. The authors attempted a partial replication in an African context of cross-cultural findings on the abstract-concrete and independent-interdependent dimensions of self-construal (referred to as the abstract-specific and the autonomous-social dimensions, respectively, by E. Rhee, J. S. Uleman, H. K. Lee, & R. J. Roman, 1995). University students in South Africa took the 20 Statements Test (M. Kuhn & T. S. McPartland, 1954; Rhee et al.); home languages were rough indicators of cultural identity. The authors used 3 coding schemes to analyze the content of 78 protocols from African-language speakers and 77 protocols from English speakers. In accord with predictions from individualism-collectivism theory, the African-language speakers produced more interdependent and concrete self-descriptions than did the English speakers. Additional findings concerned the orthogonality of the 2 dimensions and the nature and assessment of the social self-concept.
Esthetic outcomes following immediate and early implant placement in the anterior maxilla--a systematic review.

PURPOSE The objectives of this systematic review are (1) to quantitatively estimate the esthetic outcomes of implants placed in postextraction sites, and (2) to evaluate the influence of simultaneous bone augmentation procedures on these outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic and manual searches of the dental literature were performed to collect information on esthetic outcomes based on objective criteria with implants placed after extraction of maxillary anterior and premolar teeth. All levels of evidence were accepted (case series studies required a minimum of 5 cases). RESULTS From 1,686 titles, 114 full-text articles were evaluated and 50 records included for data extraction. The included studies reported on single-tooth implants adjacent to natural teeth, with no studies on multiple missing teeth identified (6 randomized controlled trials, 6 cohort studies, 5 cross-sectional studies, and 33 case series studies). Considerable heterogeneity in study design was found. A meta-analysis of controlled studies was not possible. The available evidence suggests that esthetic outcomes, determined by esthetic indices (predominantly the pink esthetic score) and positional changes of the peri-implant mucosa, may be achieved for single-tooth implants placed after tooth extraction. Immediate (type 1) implant placement, however, is associated with a greater variability in outcomes and a higher frequency of recession of > 1 mm of the midfacial mucosa (eight studies; range 9% to 41% and median 26% of sites, 1 to 3 years after placement) compared to early (type 2 and type 3) implant placement (2 studies; no sites with recession > 1 mm). In two retrospective studies of immediate (type 1) implant placement with bone graft, the facial bone wall was not detectable on cone beam CT in 36% and 57% of sites. These sites had more recession of the midfacial mucosa compared to sites with detectable facial bone. Two studies of early implant placement (types 2 and 3) combined with simultaneous bone augmentation with GBR (contour augmentation) demonstrated a high frequency (above 90%) of facial bone wall visible on CBCT. Recent studies of immediate (type 1) placement imposed specific selection criteria, including thick tissue biotype and an intact facial socket wall, to reduce esthetic risk. There were no specific selection criteria for early (type 2 and type 3) implant placement. CONCLUSIONS Acceptable esthetic outcomes may be achieved with implants placed after extraction of teeth in the maxillary anterior and premolar areas of the dentition. Recession of the midfacial mucosa is a risk with immediate (type 1) placement. Further research is needed to investigate the most suitable biomaterials to reconstruct the facial bone and the relationship between long-term mucosal stability and presence/absence of the facial bone, the thickness of the facial bone, and the position of the facial bone crest.
Average daily nitrate and nitrite intake in the Belgian population older than 15 years

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of nitrate and nitrite in Belgium. The nitrate content of processed vegetables, cheeses and meat products was analysed. These data were completed by data from non-targeted official control and from the literature. In addition, the nitrite content of meat products was measured. Concentration data for nitrate and nitrite were linked to food consumption data of the Belgian Food Consumption Survey. This study included 3245 respondents, aged 15 years and older. Food intakes were estimated by a repeated 24-h recall using EPIC-SOFT. Only respondents with two completed 24-h recalls (n = 3083) were included in the analysis. For the intake assessment, average concentration data and individual consumption data were combined. Usual intake of nitrate/nitrite was calculated using the Nusser method. The mean usual daily intake of nitrate was 1.38 mg kg−1 bodyweight (bw) day−1 and the usual daily intake at the 97.5 percentile was 2.76 mg kg−1 bw day−1. Exposure of the Belgian population to nitrate at a mean intake corresponded to 38% of the ADI (while 76% at the 97.5 percentile). For the average consumer, half of the intake was derived from vegetables (especially lettuce) and 20% from water and water-based drinks. The average daily intake of nitrate and nitrite from cheese and meat products was low (0.2% and 6% of the ADI at average intake, respectively). Scenario analyses with a higher consumption of vegetables or a higher nitrate concentration in tap water showed a significant higher intake of nitrate. Whether this is beneficial or harmful must be further assessed.
The healthy donor effect: a matter of selection bias and confounding

T he healthy donor effect (HDE) is an important methodologic pitfall in health research among blood donors. The HDE is a term applied to the phenomenon of decreased morbidity rates and a healthier lifestyle in donors when compared to the general population, but also in the comparison between donors and nondonors and between active donors and lapsed donors. As a result, effect estimations obtained from studies using such comparisons may be biased. A major topic in donor health research is the protective effect of blood donation against cardiovascular disease. This presumed beneficial effect of blood donation has often been investigated by comparing donors with nondonors. Contrasting results were found; some studies did not find a significant effect, while others found a decreased cardiovascular risk in blood donors and suggested that blood donation may yield a protective cardiovascular effect. However, it is very likely that this effect was to a great deal overestimated. The beneficial cardiovascular profile was probably mainly caused by the inclusion of healthy and health conscious blood donors during the blood donation process, i.e., the HDE. Donor health studies are very important in learning more about positive and negative effects of blood donation. To design and perform this type of research in a valid way, a thorough understanding of methodologic features of HDE is imperative. To what type of bias does the HDE belong? And how does it influence study results? A proper knowledge of the methodology of the HDE is of vital importance for a correct treatment of the bias. In this report, we present a brief overview of different biases in epidemiologic research in relation to the HDE.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in drug discovery and development: A pharmaceutical industry perspective

The application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has developed rapidly within the pharmaceutical industry and is becoming an integral part of drug discovery and development. In this study, we provide a cross pharmaceutical industry position on “how PBPK modeling can be applied in industry” focusing on the strategies for application of PBPK at different stages, an associated perspective on the confidence and challenges, as well as guidance on interacting with regulatory agencies and internal best practices.
Adaptation and validation of the Cambridge pulmonary hypertension outcome review for Sweden

Background: The Cambridge pulmonary hypertension outcome review (CAMPHOR) is the first pulmonary hypertension-specific instrument for the assessment of the patient’s perceived symptoms, activity limitations and quality of life (QoL). Purpose: To produce and validate a Swedish language version of the CAMPHOR. Methods: Bilingual (n = 5) and lay panels (n = 5) were conducted to translate the CAMPHOR into Swedish. This new questionnaire was then field-tested with 14 patients and finally, it underwent psychometric evaluation by means of a postal validation study involving 38 patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Results: Few problems were experienced in translating the CAMPHOR into Swedish. The field-test participants found the scales relevant, comprehensible and easy to complete. Psychometric analyses showed that the Swedish adaptation was successful. The Swedish CAMPHOR scales had good internal consistency. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.92 for the symptoms scale, 0.92 for activity limitations and 0.95 for the quality of life. Predicted correlations with the Nottingham Health Profile provided evidence of the construct validity of the scales. The Swedish scales also indicated known groups validity. Conclusions: The Swedish version of the CAMPHOR is a reliable and valid measure of the impact of pulmonary hypertension on the lives of affected patients. It is recommended for use in clinical studies and routine practice in pulmonary hypertension patients.
Evaluation of Commercial Immunoassays for Detection of Antibody against Helicobacter pylori in Thai Dyspeptic Patients

ABSTRACT The performance of five immunoassays for detection of immunoglobulin G antibody against Helicobacter pylori in 191 dyspeptic patients was evaluated. The sensitivities, specificities, accuracies, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values ranged from 86.32 to 97.89%, 57.95 to 72.22%, 77.02 to 83.76%, 71.54 to 77.42%, and 83.33 to 96.23%, respectively. The immunoglobulin A test kit also gave a high sensitivity and negative predictive value (95.79 and 91.40%, respectively), while the specificity was relatively low (51.14%).
Development of Urea Products as Rumen Slow-Release Feed for Ruminant Production: A Review

Dietary protein plays an important role in the nutrition of ruminants, besides providing amino acids; it is also a source of nitrogen for the synthesis of microbial protein. Ruminants have the ability to utilize non-protein nitrogen compounds as N sources for rumen microbial protein synthesis. The use of urea as a protein replacement is attractive in ruminant diets because of its low cost compared with other NPN soures and protein feeds such as soybean meal with high rumen degradability. However, the amount of urea can be used in diets is rather limited due to its rapid hydrolysis to ammonia-nitrogen in the rumen by microbial enzymes, resulting in accumulation and escape of ammonia-nitrogen from the rumen. Slowly ruminal released urea compounds, as a replacement for urea in ruminant rations, have a long history in ruminant feeding. This interest in slowly rumen released nitrogen compounds primarily stems from their potential to slow ammonia release post-feeding, thereby decreasing peak ammonia concentrations in the rumen that lead to its inefficient utilization by ruminal microorganisms, and increased absorption from the rumen. This would also decrease the metabolic cost associated with converting ammonia to urea in the liver, while providing a steady supply of ammonia to rumen bacteria between meals. This review describes the utilization of urea and development of slow-release urea products in ruminants. Recent studies of supplementation of slow-release urea products on rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and milk production in ruminants are also summarized.