Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can Roux-en-Y gastric bypass provide a lifelong solution for diabetes mellitus?

BACKGROUND The surgical treatment of diabetes had witnessed progressive development and success since the first case of pancreatic transplantation. Although this was a great step, wide clinical application was limited by several factors. Bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass is emerging as a promising option in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this article is to explore the current application of gastric bypass in patients with type 2 diabetes and the theoretical bases of gastric bypass as a treatment option for type 1 diabetes. METHODS We performed a MEDLINE search for articles published from August 1955 to December 2008 using the words "surgical treatment of diabetes," "etiology of diabetes" and "gastric bypass. " RESULTS We identified 3215 studies and selected 72 relevant papers for review. Surgical treatment of diabetes is evolving from complex pancreatic and islets transplantation surgery for type 1 diabetes with critical postoperative outcome and follow-up to a metabolic surgery, including gastric bypass. Gastric bypass (no immune suppression or graft rejection) has proven to be highly effective treatment for obese patients and nonobese animals with type 2 diabetes. There are certain shared criteria between types 1 and 2 diabetes, making a selected spectrum of the disease a potential target for metabolic surgery to improve or cure diabetes. CONCLUSION Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a promising option for lifelong treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has the potential to improve or cure a selected spectrum of type 1 diabetes when performed early in the disease. Further animal model studies or randomized controlled trials are needed to support our conclusion.
Ca2+ signaling by plant Arabidopsis thaliana Pep peptides depends on AtPepR1, a receptor with guanylyl cyclase activity, and cGMP-activated Ca2+ channels

A family of peptide signaling molecules (AtPeps) and their plasma membrane receptor AtPepR1 are known to act in pathogen-defense signaling cascades in plants. Little is currently known about the molecular mechanisms that link these signaling peptides and their receptor, a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, to downstream pathogen-defense responses. We identify some cellular activities of these molecules that provide the context for a model for their action in signaling cascades. AtPeps activate plasma membrane inwardly conducting Ca2+ permeable channels in mesophyll cells, resulting in cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. This activity is dependent on their receptor as well as a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (CNGC2). We also show that the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase receptor AtPepR1 has guanylyl cyclase activity, generating cGMP from GTP, and that cGMP can activate CNGC2-dependent cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. AtPep-dependent expression of pathogen-defense genes (PDF1.2, MPK3, and WRKY33) is mediated by the Ca2+ signaling pathway associated with AtPep peptides and their receptor. The work presented here indicates that extracellular AtPeps, which can act as danger-associated molecular patterns, signal by interaction with their receptor, AtPepR1, a plasma membrane protein that can generate cGMP. Downstream from AtPep and AtPepR1 in a signaling cascade, the cGMP-activated channel CNGC2 is involved in AtPep- and AtPepR1-dependent inward Ca2+ conductance and resulting cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. The signaling cascade initiated by AtPeps leads to expression of pathogen-defense genes in a Ca2+-dependent manner.
Full-term pregnancies achieved with ICSI despite high levels of sperm chromatin damage.

BACKGROUND Sperm DNA integrity is essential for the accurate transmission of genetic information. The clinical significance of this assessment lies in its association with not only natural conception rates, but also the success of assisted reproduction technology (ART). It has been reported that sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) identified thresholds for negative pregnancy outcome after ART when the DNA fragmentation index (DFI), previously known as COMPalphat, was >30%. METHODS In a prospective clinical study, we examined 34 male infertile patients, the husbands of women undergoing conventional IVF or ICSI. SCSA and ART were carried out on semen aliquots taken from the same ejaculate. Fertilization rate, embryo quality and pregnancy rates were correlated to SCSA parameters, DFI and highly DNA stainable (HDS) cells. RESULTS No differences were seen in SCSA parameter values between patients initiating pregnancies and not doing so in either ICSI or conventional IVF. Pregnancies and normal delivery were obtained even with high levels of DFI. CONCLUSIONS There is still controversy over whether analytical techniques currently in use are able to identify the level of damage to spermatozoa. Large-scale studies should be conducted in different clinical settings to determine the effects of sperm DNA damage on the outcome of ART.
Conserved components, but distinct mechanisms for the placement and assembly of the cell division machinery in unicellular and filamentous ascomycetes

Cytokinesis is essential for cell proliferation, yet its molecular description is challenging, because > 100 conserved proteins must be spatially and temporally co‐ordinated. Despite the high importance of a tight co‐ordination of cytokinesis with chromosome and organelle segregation, the mechanism for determining the cell division plane is one of the least conserved aspects of cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells. Budding and fission yeast have developed fundamentally distinct mechanisms to ensure proper nuclear segregation. The extent to which these pathways are conserved in multicellular fungi remains unknown. Recent progress indicates common components, but different mechanisms that are required for proper selection of the septation site in the different groups of Ascomycota. Cortical cues are used in yeast‐ and filament‐forming species of the Saccharomycotina clade that are established at the incipient bud site or the hyphal tip respectively. In contrast, septum formation in the filament‐forming Pezizomycotina species Aspergillus nidulans and Neurospora crassa seems more closely related to the fission yeast programme in that they may combine mitotic signals with a cell end‐based marker system and Rho GTPase signalling. Thus, significant differences in the use and connection of conserved signalling modules become apparent that reflect the phylogenetic relationship of the analysed models.
Studies on the mechanisms of vaccinia virus cytopathic effects. II. Early cell rounding is associated with virus polypeptide synthesis.

Vaccinia virus-induced morphological lesions were studied in LLC-MK2, HeLa and L cells. In LLC-MK2 cells, cell rounding occurs within 30 to 60 min after infection with 300, 900 or 2700 particles/cell and the time of appearance of these changes is dependent on the multiplicity of infection (m.o.i.). When cycloheximide (300 microgram/ml) is added to cultures at the time of infection, early cell rounding is prevented regardless of the m.o. i. However, cell rounding does occur when cycloheximide is removed, and its time of appearance and extent depends upon the time of removal of the compound and the m.o. i. Upon removal of cycloheximide at I or 2 h after infection early cell rounding occurs, and virus polypeptide synthesis is evident in cells infected at all three multiplicities. However, when the drug is removed at 4 hr after infection, cell rounding and virus polypeptide synthesis occur only in cultures infected at 300 particles/cell. Early morphological changes are also prevented in HeLa and L cells infected at 300 particles/cell in the presence of cycloheximide. These changes occur only if the compound is removed up to 2 h after infection in HeLa cells and up to 40 min after infection in L cells. Early morphological lesions are not seen if the compound is removed at later times. The occurrence of early morphological changes in HeLa and L cells is also correlated with the synthesis of virus polypeptides. All cell types, when infected at 2700 particles/cell in the presence of cycloheximide, or inhibitors of RNA synthesis, display cell fusion. Thus, whereas early morphological changes require virus protein synthesis to become manifest, cell fusion occurs in the absence of virus RNA or protein synthesis and may be mediated by a component of the virion.
Impact of an Electronic Medication Compliance Aid on Long‐Term Blood Pressure Control

A two‐phase study was conducted to assess the effect of an electronic medication compliance aid on hypertension control and pharmaceutical compliance in ambulatory patients. In Phase I (12 weeks), 36 patients were randomly assigned to a medication vial equipped with a cap containing a digital timepiece that displays the last time the cap was removed. The control group included 34 patients randomly assigned to a standard medication vial. Subjects using the timepiece cap showed an average compliance rate of 95.1%, an average decrease in systolic pressure of 7.6 mm Hg (P = .006), and an average decrease in diastolic pressure of 8.8 mm Hg (P < .001). Controls had an average compliance rate of 78% and decreases of 2.8 mm Hg and 0.2 mm Hg in systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively. Phase 11 (12 weeks) combined use of the timepiece cap with other compliance aids: a pocket‐size card for recording blood pressure and a blood pressure cuff for self‐monitoring. Patients using the timepiece cap and the card had an average compliance rate of 98.7% with mean decreases of 11 mm Hg in systolic pressure (P < .01) and 7.64 Hg mm in diastolic pressure (P = .0001). The combined use of the cap, the card, and the blood pressure cuff resulted in an average 100.2% compliance rate with mean decreases of 15 mm Hg (P = .0006) and 6.60 mm Hg (P = .0006) in systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively. Results of the two‐phase study showed statistically significant increases in medication compliance associated with statistically and clinically significant reductions in blood pressure for all patients using the timepiece cap.
Restricted environmental stimulation and the enhancement of hypnotizability: pain, EEG alpha, skin conductance and temperature responses.

Abstract Restricted environmental stimulation procedures were used with 10 Ss. The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale: Adult (SHCS) of Morgan and J. R. Hilgard (1975), modified to include a posthypnotic suggestion for an analgesic reaction, and pain threshold and tolerance tests were administered prior to restricted environmental stimulation technique (REST), immediately after REST, and 10–14 days later. Occipital EEG alpha, skin conductance, and peripheral, core, and chamber temperature data were collected prior to, during, and after REST. A control group of 10 Ss was used to assess the effects of repeated hypnosis upon susceptibility scores and demand characteristics of the experiment. Multivariate analysis of variance results showed SHCS and pain tolerance scores to be significantly enhanced for Ss exposed to REST immediately after and 10–14 days later. Orne's (1959) postexperimental inquiry technique did not reveal experimental demand characteristics which might account for the results. EEG alpha densit.
Human immunodeficiency virus gag and pol-specific CD8 T cells in perinatal HIV infection.

BACKGROUND Binding of fluorochrome-conjugated MHC class I tetramers is a powerful means to detect antigen-specific CD8 T lymphocytes. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, cellular immune response is essential in curtailing HIV disease progression but gaps persist in our understanding of HIV-specific cells during the disease course. In this study, we evaluated tetramer binding HIV-specific CD8 T cells in HIV-infected children. METHODS Fluorescently labeled tetramers for HIV gag and pol were utilized to quantify antigen-specific cells by flow cytometry using a whole blood labeling method in a cohort of 19 HLA-A2+ HIV-infected children (age range 1 month to 17 years). RESULTS Fourteen children had detectable gag (median 0.4%) and pol (median 0.1%) binding CD8 T cells, three children had gag binding cells only, and two had neither. Numbers of gag and pol binding cells correlated with each other and each correlated independently with total CD8 T cells and total CD4 T cells. CONCLUSIONS HIV gag and pol-specific CD8 T cells are maintained during the chronic phase of HIV infection in children and CD4 lymphocytes appear to be important for sustaining their levels.
Impact of a Barcode Medication Administration System on Patient Safety .

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of barcode medication administration (BCMA) on the incidence of medication administration errors among patients in an onco-hematology day hospital and to identify the characteristics of medication errors in that setting. SAMPLE & SETTING 715 patients treated in the onco-hematology day unit at the Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. METHODS & VARIABLES A between-groups, pre-/postintervention study was conducted. Administration errors observed in patients with solid tumors (intervention group) were compared with those in patients with hematologic cancer (control group) before and after the introduction of BCMA. Error incidence, type, and severity were assessed, as was length of stay for treatment. RESULTS Use of a BCMA system reduced the incidence and severity of errors in medication administration in the onco-hematology day hospital. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING BCMA is a useful technology to check the five rights of medication administration in the onco-hematology day hospital and could help nurses increase the time spent on direct patient care activities.
The Vehicle Routing Problem with Divisible Deliveries and Pickups

The vehicle routing problem with divisible deliveries and pickups is a new and interesting model within reverse logistics. Each customer may have a pickup and delivery demand that have to be served with capacitated vehicles. The pickup and the delivery quantities may be served, if beneficial, in two separate visits. The model is placed in the context of other delivery and pickup problems and formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem. In this paper, we study the savings that can be achieved by allowing the pickup and delivery quantities to be served separately with respect to the case where the quantities have to be served simultaneously. Both exact and heuristic results are analysed in depth for a better understanding of the problem structure and an average estimation of the savings due to the possibility of serving pickup and delivery quantities separately.
The relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly among nursing staff.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly among nursing staff in nursing homes. Questionnaires were distributed to all 310 full-time nursing staff members in six nursing homes; 159 usable questionnaires (51 percent) were returned. The self-administered packet consisted of Templer's Death Anxiety Scale to determine high and low death anxiety groups. Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz to identify positive or negative attitudes toward the elderly, and a self-developed demographic data questionnaire. A t-test was used to compare the mean attitude toward the elderly scores of the high and low death anxiety groups. Nursing staff with high levels of death anxiety had significantly more negative attitudes toward the elderly than nursing staff with low levels of death anxiety (t = 2.52; p. less than .01). A correlation coefficient was also used to analyze the relationship between death anxiety and attitudes toward the elderly for the entire study sample. The relationship was significant (r = -.21; p less than .007). Findings indicated no significant differences in death anxiety or attitudes toward the elderly when compared with various demographic variables.
How Universal Are Universal Symbols? An Estimation of Cross-Cultural Adoption of Universal Healthcare Symbols

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of universal health symbol usage and to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of those symbols in Taiwan. Background: Universal symbols are an important innovative tool for health facility wayfinding systems. Hablamos Juntos, a universal healthcare symbol system developed in the United States, is a thoughtful, well-designed, and thoroughly tested symbol system that facilitates communication across languages and cultures. Methods: We designed a questionnaire to test how well the selected graphic symbols were understood by Taiwanese participants and determined factors related to successful symbol decoding, including participant-related factors, stimulation factors, and the interaction between stimulation and participants. Additionally, we further established a design principle for future development of localized healthcare symbols. Results: (1) Eleven symbols were identified as highly comprehensible and effective symbols that can be directly adopted in Taiwanese healthcare settings. Sixteen symbols were deemed incomprehensible or confusing and thus had to be redesigned. Finally, 14 were identified as relatively incomprehensible and could thus be redesigned and then have their effectiveness evaluated again. (2) Three factors were found to influence the participants’ differing levels of comprehension of the Hablamos Juntos symbols. Conclusions: In order to prevent the three aforementioned factors from causing difficulty in interpreting symbols, we suggest that the local symbol designers should (1) use more iconic images, (2) carefully evaluate the indexical and symbolic meaning of graphic symbols, and (3) collect the consensus of Taiwanese people with different educational backgrounds.
French Social Media Mining : Expertise and Sentiment

Social Media has changed the way we communicate between individuals, within organizations and communities. The availability of these social data opens new opportunities to understand and influence the user behavior. Therefore, Social Media Mining is experiencing a growing interest in various scientific and economic circles. In this thesis, we are specifically interested in the users of these networks whom we try to characterize in two ways: (i) their expertise and their reputations and (ii) the sentiments they express.Conventionally, social data is often mined according to its network structure. However, the textual content of the exchanged messages may reveal additional knowledge that can not be known through the analysis of the structure. Until recently, the majority of work done for the analysis of the textual content was proposed for English. The originality of this thesis is to develop methods and resources based on the textual content of the messages for French Social Media Mining.In the first axis, we initially suggest to predict the user expertise. For this, we used forums that recruit health experts to learn classification models that serve to identify messages posted by experts in any other health forum. We demonstrate that models learned on appropriate forums can be used effectively on other forums. Then, in a second step, we focus on the user reputation in these forums. The idea is to seek expressions of trust and distrust expressed in the textual content of the exchanged messages, to search the recipients of these messages and use this information to deduce users' reputation. We propose a new reputation measure that weighs the score of each response by the reputation of its author. Automatic and manual evaluations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach.In the second axis, we focus on the extraction of sentiments (emotions and polarity). For this, we started by building a French lexicon of sentiments and emotions that we call FEEL (French Expanded Emotions Lexicon). This lexicon is built semi-automatically by translating and expanding its English counterpart NRC EmoLex. We then compare FEEL with existing French lexicons from literature on reference benchmarks. The results show that FEEL improves the classification of French texts according to their polarities and emotions. Finally, we propose to evaluate different features, methods and resources for the classification of sentiments in French. The conducted experiments have identified useful features and methods in the classification of sentiments for different types of texts. The learned systems have been particularly efficient on reference benchmarks.Generally, this work opens promising perspectives on various analytical tasks of Social Media Mining including: (i) combining multiple sources in mining Social Media users; (ii) multi-modal Social Media Mining using not just text but also image, videos, location, etc. and (iii) multilingual sentiment analysis.
Emergency Medical Services System Utilization Over the Last 10 Years: What Predicts Transport of Children?

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of pediatric ambulance transport and evaluate changes in utilization over a 10-year period. Methods The National Health Ambulatory Medical Care Survey emergency department (ED) data for visits by children aged younger than 19 years from 2000 to 2009 were analyzed using logistic regression. Age, ethnicity, race, sex, triage level, time of arrival, injury/poisoning, insurance, disposition, critical patient status, metropolitan statistical area (MSA), region, and hospital type were used to predict the mode of arrival (ambulance or nonambulance). Significant variables were evaluated for trends over time. Results Representing 209 million ED visits, 60,761 records were analyzed. Ambulance transport was more likely among children who were aged 12 to 18 years (P < 0.05), black (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.38), evaluated for an injury/poisoning (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 2.75–3.34), publicly insured (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03–1.31), living in an MSA (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.34–2.23), living in the northeast (P < 0.05), and overnight arrivals (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.26–1.7). They were more likely to have an urgency of less than 15 minutes (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 3.56–5.59), require admission (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.33–3.41), and considered critical (OR, 5.15; 95% CI, 3.43–7.73). There was no significant change in ambulance utilization in children; however, about half of critical patients and over 80% of those with a high triage level did not arrive by ambulance. Conclusions Ambulance transport to the ED is used more often by teens, blacks, publicly insured, overnight arrivals, and those living in an MSA or the northeast. It is concerning that many children triaged with a high urgency or requiring critical care did not arrive by ambulance.