Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Percepción de rendimiento académico y síntomas depresivos en estudiantes de media vocacional de Bucaramanga, Colombia

Antecedentes: el rendimiento academico (RA) es el resultado de una interaccion de factores. La asociacion entre RA y sintomas depresivos con importancia clinica (SDIC) no se ha evaluado en estudiantes de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Objetivos: establecer la asociacion entre RA y SDIC en adolescentes estudiantes de media vocacional (decimo y undecimo grado). Metodos: el cuestionario VESPA del Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiologica para el Uso Indebido de Sustancias Psicoactivas fue diligenciado en forma anonima por una muestra aleatoria de 560 estudiantes entre 15 y 19 anos de edad. El cuestionario VESPA incluye un item para el informe del rendimiento academico en forma de categorias durante el ultimo mes. Los SDIC fueron medidos con la escala para depresion de Zung. La asociacion entre las dos variables se establecio mediante un modelo de regresion logistica. Resultados: la prevalencia de SDIC fue de 39,5%. El RA fue informado como excelente por 114 (20,4%) estudiantes, como bueno por 255 (45,5%), como regular por 137 (24,5%) y como malo por 54 (9,6%). Se observo una asociacion significativa entre RA y SDIC (OR 1,72, IC95% 1,16-2,56), patron de consumo de alcoholico (OR 2,34, IC95% 1,08-5,08) y consumo de cigarrillos (OR 1,36, IC95% 1,09-1,71). Conclusiones: la presencia de SDIC se relaciona significativamente con el RA, a mayor puntacion en SDIC es menor el RA. Es importante establecer la relacion causal entre SDIC y RA en adolescentes. La identificacion de SDIC en forma temprana podria mejorar los logros escolares de estudiantes adolescentes colombianos.
Presentations of Meckel's diverticulum at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar.

BACKGROUND This study was conducted with an objective to observe various presentations of Meckel's Diverticulum in our setting and compare it with other national and international studies. METHODS It was a retrospective analysis of hospital record carried out at the department of paediatric surgery Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 63 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study who had presented to our unit with signs and symptoms of Meckel's Diverticulum and who were diagnosed either by investigations or at surgery. All the patients were explored and resection and anastomosis performed. We did not do H. Pylori culture. Patients with bleeding per rectum were investigated by Meckel's scan. Analysis of the results was done by SPSS version 10. RESULTS Majority of our patients presented with obstruction (82.5%) in contrast to the Western studies (around 40%) while only 4.7% presented with bleeding per rectum again in contrast to the Western countries (38.56%). CONCLUSION There appears to be a geographical and/or racial difference in the presentation of Meckel's diverticulum.
Scratching the Surface at Gath: Implications of the Tell es-Safi/Gath Surface Survey

Abstract A comprehensive surface survey was conducted at Tell es-Safi/Gath as part of the ongoing Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project. The site was divided into distinct topographical and/or cultural units, which were then surveyed separately. The finds from the survey enabled us to reach definitive conclusions as to the various periods represented at the site, the size and location of the settlement during various periods and the planning of present and future excavations. The data from the survey has also enabled inferences on various aspects of the site's past.
Connections of the parabrachial nucleus with the nucleus of the solitary tract and the medullary reticular formation in the rat

We examined the subnuclear organization of projections to the parabrachial nucleus (PB) from the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), area postrema, and medullary reticular formation in the rat by using the anterograde and retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase conjugate and anterograde tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin. Different functional regions of the NTS/area postrema complex and medullary reticular formation were found to innervate largely nonoverlapping zones in the PB.
Disease severity in Danish multiple sclerosis patients evaluated by MRI and three genetic markers (HLA-DRB1*1501, CCR5 deletion mutation, apolipoprotein E)

As the understanding of the autoimmune inflammatory response in multiple sclerosis (MS) expands, polymorphic genes involved in this process become possible candidates that may determine the severity of disease. Therefore, three candidate genes DRB1*1501, CCR5 and apolipoprotein E (APOE) were examined in a population-based patient sample (n=70) to assess an association between disease progression measured by clinical disability and MRI parameters. The total lesion area (TLA) on T2-weighted images was measured with a semi-automated threshold technique. Patients with the CCR5D32 allele showed a non-significant trend towards a smaller lesion burden (TLA/years duration), but were not associated to a milder EDSS/years duration. Our data support previous assumptions of a modulation of severity in MS by the CCR5D32 genotype, which may convey less inflammation and tissue destruction. Carriers of the DRB1*1501 and APOE-e4 alleles did not reveal more severe disease progression, neither by the EDSS/years of duration nor by the TLA/years duration. This study was performed on a population-based sample in a genetically homogeneous Danish population but, due to the limited number of patients examined, weak associations between candidate genes and disease variables cannot be excluded.
Mutant varicella-zoster virus thymidine kinase: correlation of clinical resistance and enzyme impairment

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encodes a thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.2.21) which phosphorylates several antiviral nucleoside analogs, including acyclovir (ACV). A mutation in the VZV thymidine kinase coding sequence, resulting in an arginine-to-glutamine substitution at amino acid residue 130 (R130Q), is associated with clinical resistance to ACV. We have expressed the wild-type and the mutant enzymes in bacteria and have studied the kinetic characteristics of the purified enzymes. The arginine-to-glutamine substitution resulted in decreased catalytic activity and altered substrate specificity. The most striking effect was a decrease in the rates of nucleoside phosphorylation to less than 2% of the rates with the wild-type enzyme. This was accompanied by increased apparent Km values for thymidine and deoxycytidine. ACV was not detectably phosphorylated by the R130Q enzyme but still competed with thymidine for the enzyme. The inability of the R130Q enzyme to catalyze the phosphorylation of ACV correlates with resistance to ACV noted with a clinical isolate of VZV.
The nature of disappearance of creatine kinase from the circulation and its influence on enzymatic estimation of infarct size.

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Electrophysiological responses of rat olfactory tubercle neurons to biologically relevant odours

Biologically relevant odours were used to stimulate olfactory tubercle neurons in anaesthetized male rats. Among 120 recorded neurons, 118 showed spontaneous activity (mean firing rate, 15.0 ± 1.4 spikes/s). Ninety‐eight neurons were exposed to at least one of the four following odour sources: an empty vial, or a vial containing food pellets (familiar odour), a sample of oestrous rat faeces (conspecific sexual odour), or a sample of male fox faeces (predator odour). The proportion of neurons responding with a change in activity was significantly linked to the odour applied. Repetition of the stimulation with the same odour elicited the same activity change. Between 50 and 70% of neuronal activity changes were not accompanied by respiration changes. Fifty‐six neurons were exposed successively to all four odours, and 38 of them showed an activity change in response to at least one. The response of a neuron to an odour was not affected by its response to the previous one, and no neuron responded in the same manner to all odours. Conversely, no odour elicited a unique response in this population of neurons. However, the proportions of excited, inhibited and insensitive neurons depended significantly on the odour applied, suggesting that the recruitment of olfactory tubercle neurons is directly dependent on the biological significance of the odour.
Performance monitoring, error processing, and evaluative control following severe TBI

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often demonstrate impairments in performance monitoring—an evaluative control process that can be measured using the error-negativity/error-related negativity (Ne/ERN) and post-error positivity (Pe). The Ne/ERN and Pe are event-related potential (ERP) components generated following errors, with current theories suggesting the Ne/ERN reflects automatic performance monitoring and the Pe reflects error processing and awareness. To elucidate the electrophysiological mechanisms of performance monitoring deficits following severe TBI, behavioral and ERP measurements were obtained, whereas participants with severe TBI and neurologically-healthy comparison participants performed a modified color-naming version of the Stroop task. Behaviorally, both groups demonstrated robust response-time (RT) and error-rate interference. Participants with TBI exhibited generalized RT slowing; no significant between-groups interactions were present for RTs or error rates. ERP results indicate Ne/ERN amplitude was attenuated in participants with TBI, whereas the pattern of Pe amplitude did not clearly differentiate groups. Findings suggest the Ne/ERN as a potential electrophysiological marker of evaluative control/performance monitoring impairment following TBI. Implications for future research and potential clinical application as well as potential limitations in conducting electrophysiological research in neurologically-impaired populations are discussed. (JINS, 2007, 13, 961–971.)
Hyperparameter Importance Across Datasets

With the advent of automated machine learning, automated hyperparameter optimization methods are by now routinely used in data mining. However, this progress is not yet matched by equal progress on automatic analyses that yield information beyond performance-optimizing hyperparameter settings. In this work, we aim to answer the following two questions: Given an algorithm, what are generally its most important hyperparameters, and what are typically good values for these? We present methodology and a framework to answer these questions based on meta-learning across many datasets. We apply this methodology using the experimental meta-data available on OpenML to determine the most important hyperparameters of support vector machines, random forests and Adaboost, and to infer priors for all their hyperparameters. The results, obtained fully automatically, provide a quantitative basis to focus efforts in both manual algorithm design and in automated hyperparameter optimization. The conducted experiments confirm that the hyperparameters selected by the proposed method are indeed the most important ones and that the obtained priors also lead to statistically significant improvements in hyperparameter optimization.
Electrophysiologic Profile of Dronedarone on the Ventricular Level: Beneficial Effect on Postrepolarization Refractoriness in the Presence of Rapid Phase 3 Repolarization

Background Dronedarone (D) is developed to maintain sinus rhythm in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. The aim of the present study was to investigate, whether dronedarone also has an antiarrhythmic potential in the ventricle and to elucidate the mechanisms for its low proarrhythmic potential in an experimental whole heart model. Methods and Results Thirty-five rabbits underwent chronic treatment with D (n = 15; 50 mg·kg−1·d−1) and amiodarone (A; n = 20; 50 mg·kg−1·d−1). Hearts were perfused on a Langendorff apparatus. Results were compared with hearts acutely treated with sotalol (S; 50–100 &mgr;M; n = 14). A 12-lead electrocardiogram and up to 8 ventricular epi- and endocardial monophasic action potentials showed a significant prolongation of QT interval (D: +24 milliseconds, A: +28 milliseconds, S: +35 milliseconds (50 &mgr;M), +56 milliseconds (100 &mgr;M); P < 0.02) compared with baseline. In contrast to D and A, S led to a significant increase in dispersion of repolarization and exhibited reverse use dependence. D, A, and S increased refractory period, resulting in a significant increase in postrepolarization refractoriness (effective refractory period minus action potential duration; D = +12 milliseconds; A = +14 milliseconds; S = +25 milliseconds; P < 0.05). S led to a triangular action potential configuration, whereas D and A caused a fast phase 3 prolongation. After lowering of potassium concentration, 50% of S-treated hearts showed torsade de pointes, in contrast to an absence of torsade de pointes in D and A. Conclusions Prolongation of myocardial repolarization and postrepolarization refractoriness by D may act antiarrhythmic. A fast phase 3 repolarization in the absence of both increased dispersion of repolarization and reverse use dependence prevents proarrhythmia.
[Transmission cycles of the West-Nile virus in Madagascar, Indian Ocean].

Virological, serological and entomological research conducted in Madagascar since 1975, reveal the wide-spread presence of West-Nile virus on the island. This arbovirus has been isolated from humans, parrots and egrets. Vectors belong to the genus Culex (e.g. Cx. decens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. antennatus, Cx. univittatus), however the virus has also been isolated from Aedes and Anopheles. Serological tests carried out on over 1,600 human and almost 1,000 animal sera, revealed that human beings could be infected throughout the island. Other potential vertebrate hosts, apart from birds, are oxen and bats. Insectivores, rodents and lemurs are probably involved in the transmission cycles only to a very small extent.
Percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In this study we discuss and evaluate the use of percutaneous ethanol injection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY Percutaneous ethanol injection was performed under ultrasound guidance, with multiple sessions at an outpatient department or with "single-session" technique under general anesthesia, according to the size and number of the lesions. RESULTS In our patients with Child A (293), B (149), or C (20) cirrhosis and single hepatocellular carcinoma 5 cm or smaller, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 98, 79 and 47%, 93, 63 and 29%, and 64, 12 and 0%, respectively. In our 108 patients with larger hepatocellular carcinoma, 1- and 3-year survival rates were: 72 and 57% in single, encapsulated tumors, 73 and 42% in single infiltrating or multiple encapsulated tumors, and 46 and 0% in symptomatic or with advanced portal thrombosis tumors. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous ethanol injection proved to be a safe, effective, repeatable, easy and low-cost therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Survival after percutaneous ethanol injection was comparable to that after surgical resection, probably because of a balancing between greater complete ablation rate of surgery versus absence of early mortality and liver damage of percutaneous ethanol injection. On the basis of the percutaneous ethanol injection rationale, other ablation techniques were proposed using radiofrequency, laser or acetic acid. Their initial results are promising.
Sparse-reduced computation for large-scale spectral clustering

Clustering is a fundamental task in machine learning and data analysis. A large number of clustering algorithms has been developed over the past decades. Among these algorithms, the recently developed spectral clustering methods have consistently outperformed traditional clustering algorithms. Spectral clustering algorithms, however, have limited applicability to large-scale problems due to their high computational complexity. We propose a new approach for scaling spectral clustering methods that is based on the idea of replacing the entire data set with a small set of representative data points and performing the spectral clustering on the representatives. The main contribution is a new approach for efficiently identifying the representative data points. First results indicate that the proposed scaling approach achieves high-quality clusterings and is substantially faster than existing scaling approaches.
An In Vivo‐In Vitro Study of Cefepime and Cefazolin Dialytic Clearance During High‐Flux Hemodialysis

Study Objectives. To assess the influence of in vitro and in vivo hemodialysis with a new high‐flux dialyzer on the clearance of cefazolin and cefepime; to assess the correlation of in vivo dialytic clearance of these antibiotics with blood flow rate; and to assess the correlation between in vitro and in vivo dialytic clearances of these antibiotics.
Role of toll‐like receptor 4 in melatonin‐induced cardioprotection

Melatonin protects the heart against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via the activation of the survivor activating factor enhancement (SAFE) pathway which involves tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a crucial role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and activates TNFα. In this study, we investigated whether melatonin may target TLR4 to activate the SAFE pathway. Isolated hearts from rats or mice were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion injury. Melatonin (75 ng/L) and/or TAK242 (a specific inhibitor of TLR4 signaling, 500 nm) were administered to the rat hearts before the induction of ischemia. Pre‐ischemic myocardial STAT3 was evaluated by Western blotting. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a stimulator of TLR4) was administered to wild type, TNFα receptor 2 knockout or cardiomyocyte‐specific STAT3‐deficient mice (2.8 mg/kg, i.p) 45 min before the heart isolation. Myocardial infarct size was measured as an endpoint. Compared to the control, administration of melatonin reduced myocardial infarct size (34.7 ± 2.8% versus 62.6 ± 2.7%, P < 0.01). This protective effect was abolished in the presence of TAK242 (49.2 ± 6.5%). Melatonin administered alone increased the pre‐ischemic activation of mitochondrial STAT3, and this effect was attenuated with TAK242. Furthermore, stimulation of TLR4 with LPS pretreatment to mice reduced myocardial infarct size of the hearts isolated from wild‐type animals but failed to protect the hearts isolated from TNFα receptor 2‐knockout mice or cardiomyocyte‐specific STAT3‐deficient mice (P < 0.001). Taken together, these data suggest that cardioprotection induced by melatonin is mediated by TLR4 to activate the SAFE pathway.
Inequalities for regularized determinants of operators with the Nakano type modulars

Let \(\{p_k\}\) be a nondecreasing sequence of integers, and \(A\) be a compact operator in a Hilbert space whose eigenvalues and singular values are \(\lambda_k(A)\) and \(s_k(A)\) \((k=1, 2, . )\), respectively. We establish upper and lower bounds for the regularized determinant \[\prod_{k=1}^\infty (1-\lambda_k(A)){\rm exp}\;[\sum_{m=1}^{p_k-1} \frac{\lambda_k^m(A)}{m}],\mbox{ assuming that } \sum_{j=1}^{\infty} \frac{s_j^{p_j}(A/c)}{p_j}\lt \infty\] for a constant \(c\in (0,1)\).
Evaluation of the efficacy of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in patients with tuberculosis and HIV Co-infection in Kano, Nigeria.

Background: A prospective study to assess the outcome of the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in tuberculosis patients with HIV co – infection was conducted in Kano, Nigeria between 2005 and 2006. Methods: The study group included one thousand six hundred and ninety two Tuberculosis patients (1066 men and 626 women) aged 15years and above. The recruitment protocol involved patients clinically diagnosed by X – ray and Mantoux test but with no previous tuberculosis treatment whose initial sputum demonstrated acid fast bacilli (AFB) on at least two occasions as confirmed by Ziehl Neelsen techniques and microscopical procedures. HIV serostatus was confirmed using HIV-1/HIV-2 ELISA Capillus, Geni-II HIV1/HIV2 kit and Determine HIV1/2 protocols. Standardized treatment regimen containing isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol were administered to the in patients for two months as intensive phase under the researchers direct clinical observation and monitoring. Treatment and follow up continued to the eighth month while the outcome of cure, were assessed using standard protocols. Results:A total of six hundred and fifty (38.4%) sputum smear acid fast bacilli (AFB) positive patients(391 male and 259 female) were found to be sero positive for HIV. Treatment success rates after completion of dose regimen was 40% (261), of which 91% were sputum negative for AFB after the first treatment phase of two months. This increased to 94% and 97% by the 5 and 8 month respectively. Conclusion: An incidence of 38.4% of HIV/TB co-infection was reported at the Kano State Government officially designated Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) Kano (2005 – 2006). However, chemotherapy by DOTS was able to cure only 40% of patients, indicating efficacy much lower than the 85% targeted by the World Health Organization(WHO). Thus, new regimens and administration protocols are needed.