Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlled trial of exposure and response prevention in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background Exposure and response prevention is considered a treatment of choice for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Yet there have been very few randomised controlled trials employing credible placebo conditions. This study compares exposure and response prevention with a general anxiety management intervention. Method Eighteen patients meeting DSM–IV criteria for OCD were randomly assigned to either exposure and response prevention or anxiety management. Both treatments involved approximately 15 hours of therapy over a three-week period. Results There was a significant reduction in obsessive–compulsive symptoms following treatment with exposure and response prevention, while no change occurred in the control group. This was found to be statistically significant using a composite measure of OCD symptom severity, patient ratings of interference and therapist ratings of symptom severity. Conclusions These findings suggest that the symptom reductions associated with behaviour therapy for OCD are a result of the specific techniques of exposure and response prevention, rather than non-specific aspects of the therapy process. General anxiety management techniques are not effective in the treatment of OCD.
Daunorubicin- and mitoxantrone-triggered phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis: implication in drug-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis.

Several studies have suggested that diacylglycerol can affect the induction of apoptosis induced by toxicants and ceramide. The present study demonstrates that clinically relevant concentrations of the chemotherapeutic drugs daunorubicin and mitoxantrone (0.2-1 microM) transiently stimulated concurrently with sphingomyelin-derived ceramide generation and diacylglycerol and phosphorylcholine production within 4 to 10 min via phospholipase C hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine. Pretreatment of cells with the xanthogenate compound D609, a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C, led to significant inhibition of drug triggered diacylglycerol and phosphorylcholine production and to a sustained increase in ceramide levels for a period up to 2 h. Moreover, D609 pretreatment induced both cell death and ceramide generation at daunorubicin and mitoxantrone concentrations previously shown to be ineffective (i.e., 0.1 microM). These results underline the importance of diacylglycerol in the regulation of programmed cell death and strongly argue for a balance between apoptotic (ceramide) and survival (diacylglycerol) signal transducers.
Frequency domain feature-based face recognition technique for different poses and low-resolution conditions

Pose variations are known to give real challenges in face recognition system. In this paper we proposed a method to recognize non-frontal faces with high performance by relying only on single full frontal gallery faces. By utilizing only small regions of the face or patches, we compute the Fourier coefficients of these patches for each image and transform them into a single vector. Hence, instead of comparing and matching pixels values we use these vectors to form a linear relationship which is then used to estimate the frontal face vector and then compare it with the actual frontal feature vector. The results show an average performance accuracy of 90% across all pose.
Familial pathways to early-onset suicide attempt: a 5.6-year prospective study.

IMPORTANCE Suicide attempts are strong predictors of suicide, a leading cause of adolescent mortality. Suicide attempts are highly familial, although the mechanisms of familial transmission are not understood. Better delineation of these mechanisms could help frame potential targets for prevention. OBJECTIVE To examine the mechanisms and pathways by which suicidal behavior is transmitted from parent to child. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this prospective study conducted from July 15, 1997, through June 21, 2012, a total of 701 offspring aged 10 to 50 years (mean age, 17.7 years) of 334 clinically referred probands with mood disorders, 191 (57.2%) of whom had also made a suicide attempt, were followed up for a mean of 5.6 years. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was a suicide attempt. Variables were examined at baseline, intermediate time points, and the time point proximal to the attempt. Participants were assessed by structured psychiatric assessments and self-report and by interview measures of domains hypothesized to be related to familial transmission (eg, mood disorder and impulsive aggression). RESULTS Among the 701 offspring, 44 (6.3%) had made a suicide attempt before participating in the study, and 29 (4.1%) made an attempt during study follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that proband suicide attempt was a predictor of offspring suicide attempt (odds ratio [OR], 4.79; 95% CI, 1.75-13.07), even controlling for other salient offspring variables: baseline history of mood disorder (OR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.37-12.86), baseline history of suicide attempt (OR, 5.69; 95% CI, 1.94-16.74), and mood disorder at the time point before the attempt (OR, 11.32; 95% CI, 2.29-56.00). Path analyses were consistent with these findings, revealing a direct effect of proband attempt on offspring suicide attempt, a strong effect of offspring mood disorder at each time point, and impulsive aggression as a precursor of mood disorder. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Parental history of a suicide attempt conveys a nearly 5-fold increased odds of suicide attempt in offspring at risk for mood disorder, even after adjusting for the familial transmission of mood disorder. Interventions that target mood disorder and impulsive aggression in high-risk offspring may attenuate the familial transmission of suicidal behavior.
The relation between surgeon volume and outcome following off-pump vs on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been recently reintroduced into clinical practice. In light of the relatively low level of experience of most cardiac surgeons with off-pump CABG surgery, and the exceptional technical challenge of working on a "beating heart," off-pump CABG surgery presents a unique opportunity to explore the effect of surgeon case volume on surgical outcome after controlling for the effects of patient case mix and hospital volume. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study analyzing the association between surgeon volume and in-hospital mortality rate for off-pump and on-pump CABG surgery using random-effects logistic regression modeling. SETTING AND PATIENTS The analyses were based on the New York State clinical CABG surgery registry. The study sample consisted of 36,930 patients undergoing isolated CABG surgery between 1998 and 1999 that was performed by 181 surgeons at 33 hospitals. INTERVENTIONS None. RESULTS There is no association between the number of CABG procedures performed off-pump by an individual surgeon and in-hospital mortality rates (p = 0.93) after controlling for hospital CABG surgery volume and patient-level risk factors. There is also no association between the off-pump CABG surgery mortality rate and the total number of both off-pump and on-pump CABG surgery cases (p = 0.78). In the on-pump CABG surgery cohort, surgeons performing a high volume of CABG procedures had significantly lower risk-adjusted mortality rates among their patients compared to those performing a very low volume, a low-volume, and a medium volume of CABG procedures (p < 0.006). CONCLUSION For off-pump CABG surgery, surgeons performing a high volume of procedures do not have better mortality outcomes than those performing a low volume of procedures. However, higher surgeon case volumes are associated with lower mortality rates for on-pump CABG surgery. The absence of a volume-outcome association for off-pump CABG surgery is especially surprising in light of the more technically demanding nature of off-pump CABG surgery compared to on-pump CABG surgery.
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia with Atypical Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation during Advanced Pregnancy-A Case Report

We described a case of a new, atypical pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) during advanced pregnancy, in a previously well screened woman with known hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and a remote history of pulmonary AVM embolization. A 29-year old woman, gravida 3, para 2, at 35 weeks' gestation was admitted following a first episode of massive hemoptysis. Pulmonary angiography confirmed newly dilated venous aneurysm proximal to the previous embolization material, and with marked arteriovenous shunting. The feeding artery was selected and embolized. An uncomplicated vaginal delivery ensued, and an AVM involution was noted at 3 months' postpartum. Received date: 30/12/2016 Accepted date: 18/01/2017 Published date: 25/01/2017
Radioactive iodine‐associated changes in thyroid on fine‐needle aspiration

A 64-year-old man with adenocarcinoma of the prostate status postprostatectomy was seen for routine screening. His medical history was significant for deep vein thrombosis, persistent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroid adenoma resection, and hyperthyroidism treated with radioactive iodine ablation 4 years before this visit. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with a 20-gauge needle was performed on bilateral thyroid nodules at this follow-up visit. Cytologic examination of the resulting smears revealed a moderately cellular aspirate with cohesive, crowded sheets of atypical follicular epithelial cells on a background of inspissated colloid. Even on low-power examination, scattered atypical giant cells were evident (Fig. C1). Closer examination showed bizarre mononuclear giant cells with dense, oxyphilic cytoplasm (Fig. C-2). The nucleus was round to oval or elongated with a smooth nuclear membrane. The chromatin was slightly hyperchromatic with heterogeneous distribution and clearing with rare intranuclear inclusions. Nucleoli and nuclear grooves were not observed. A diagnosis of atypical follicular epithelial cells consistent with changes owing to therapy was rendered. Antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, and surgery are the mainstays of treatment for Graves’ disease. The cytomorphological features have been well described in the literature. 1–3 However, the cytologic characteristics vary
Personality traits as predictors towards readiness to change among female drug addicts

Problem statement: Understanding the personality traits among women who are involved in drug addiction is a crucial issue prior to starting any intervention programs. It may provide an indication of their readiness to receive treatment and change this addictive behavior. This study was conducted to examine the predictive relationship between personality traits and readiness to change among women drug addicts in Malaysia. Approach: The study employed survey research involving the administration of two standardized psychological tests which were the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised Short Version (EPQ-RS) and the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES). A total of 109 female drug addicts who were undergoing drug treatment in a female rehabilitation center in Malaysia participated in this study. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results: The current study shows that there were significant correlations between the traits of extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism with all the three stages of readiness to change. The study also demonstrated that high extraversion and neuroticism traits significantly predicted the recognition subscale. Conclusion: Being high on neuroticism and low in psychoticism traits significantly predicted the respondents to be ambivalence about changing their addictive behaviors. Likewise, being high on extraversion and neuroticism as well as low on psychoticism significantly predicted the taking steps subscale.
Simultaneous quantification of 17 immune mediators in aqueous humour from patients with corneal rejection.

PURPOSE To simultaneously quantitate and compare the concentrations of 17 immune mediators: (1) the cytokines interleukin-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma; (2) the growth factors granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and (3) the chemokines CXCL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta in aqueous humour from patients with corneal rejection and patients with a non-inflammatory condition in the anterior chamber. METHODS Aqueous humour was obtained by paracentesis of the anterior chamber in 14 patients with corneal rejection, three patients with cataract and six patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Simultaneous quantitation of 17 mediators in 25 micro l aqueous humour from each patient was performed by employing a highly sensitive Luminex 100 multiplex array assay. RESULTS All 17 immune mediators were detected in aqueous humour from rejection patients. The ranges of the immune mediators were determined. The immune mediators were significantly increased in aqueous humour from rejection patients compared with that from other patients. CONCLUSIONS The Luminex 100 multiplex array assay is very efficient in simultaneous quantitation of multiple immune mediators in small volumes of aqueous humour. A total of 17 immune mediators were increased in aqueous humour from rejection patients. This underlines the complex immunological interactions of the rejection process.
Analytical Error of Home Glucose Monitors: A Comparison of 18 Systems

In a quality review of 18 home blood glucose monitors, we measured the imprecision and incidence of significant error of 12 colorimetric and six amperometric systems by using capillary blood specimens from patients attending diabetes clinics. Imprecision at the mean glucose concentration found in the respective blood specimens (about 9 mmol/L) gave coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 5·2 to 22·8%. Eight monitors including five of amperometric design had a CV of less than 10%. The incidence of significant error (defined as the proportion of specimens differing in value by more than 15% from a reference hexokinase assay of glucose in capillary blood) varied from 6 to 76%. Among the eight monitors identified as being most precise, the majority produced results that differed markedly from the reference assay, underlining the need for a common approach to calibration of home glucose monitors.
Soil conservation techniques for climate change adaptation among arable crop farmers in Southwest Nigeria.

Agriculture places a heavy burden on the land and environment in the process of providing food for man, and climate factors in agricultural production is having its toll on soil fertility in rural Nigeria. The study explored farmers’ awareness and practice on soil conservation techniques for climate change adaptation in southwest Nigeria. In the event of reducing yield, flooding and increasing soil temperature, farmers have resorted to adaptive strategies to reduce the effect of climate change. A sample of 102 arable crop farmers producing major staple crops, were selected and interviewed. Majority (81.4 %) of the people is male and 54.9 % fell within the age category of 31-50 years. Over half (80.6 %) of the farmers had formal education. Also, 60.8% of the farmers cultivated about 1-3 ha of land and had about 10years of farming experience. The common climate adaptation strategies among the farmers were mulching, green and farmyard manuring, cover crops and mixed cropping, which have direct effect on soil nutrient. Other strategies to mitigate the effect of flooding such as terracing and contouring were seldom used. Farmers’ opinion towards climate adaptation strategies is that no significant yield increase was achieved and the techniques were not cost-effective. Also, the techniques require technical know-how, which they lacked. Major constraints to farmers’ use of the climate adaptation strategies were pressure on land, lack of knowledge on soil conservation techniques, inadequate information and education on use of soil conservation techniques and insecure land tenure system. Significant relationships (p<0.05) existed between use of the strategies and educational level (χ2 = 15.603) and age (r=0.217). There is the need for increased knowledge on climatic adaptation and educational orientation for technical know-how. Strengthening agricultural extension services will make farmers more informed and knowledgeable about climate change impact on agricultural production and the adaptation strategies to use.
Spondylolisthesis in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Due to Pedicle Elongation: Report of Two Cases

Study Design. Two cases of spondylolisthesis due to severe elongation of pedicles in osteogenesis imperfecta are reported. Objective. To describe an unusual type of spondylolisthesis and its successful management. Summary of Background Data. Spondylolisthesis is known to occur in osteogenesis imperfecta. Reports in the literature are few. Pedicle elongation resulting in spondylolisthesis has only been reported once. There is no report of a successful treatment of this type of spondylolisthesis resulting from pedicle elongation. Method. Two adolescent girls suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta presented with lower back pain and thoracic scoliosis. One of them had high-grade spondylolisthesis of L3–L4, L4–L5, and L5–S1, with a thoracic scoliosis. She was treated with anterior interbody fusion L3 to sacrum without instrumentation. Later, progression of her scoliosis required combined anterior and posterior instrumented fusion T1 to L1. The other girl presented with L5 spondylolisthesis and thoracic scoliosis. She has back pain as well as neurologic symptoms in her legs and is waiting for surgery. Results. At the 3-year follow-up the operated patient is symptom-free from her spine and there has been no progression of either deformity. Conclusion. High-grade spondylolisthesis due to elongation of pedicle in osteogenesis imperfecta is uncommon. Anterior interbody fusion of all the involved motion segments has produced good pain relief and arrested deformity progression at the 3-year follow-up.
Comparative Immunogenicity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Particles and Corresponding Polypeptides in a DNA Vaccine

ABSTRACT The immunogenicity of a plasmid DNA expression vector encoding both Gag and envelope (Env), which produced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 virus-like particles (VLP), was compared to vectors expressing Gag and Env individually, which presented the same gene products as polypeptides. Vaccination with plasmids that generated VLP showed cellular immunity comparable to that of Gag and cell-mediated or humoral responses similar to those of Env as immunization with separate vectors. These data suggest that DNA vaccines encoding separated HIV polypeptides generate immune responses similar to those generated by viral particles.
Specific Suppressor T‐Cells Immune to Antigens of the H‐2 Complex: Receptors, Clonal Structure, Genetic Restriction and Antigenic Markers

Immunological recognition is based on the capacity of the receptors in the majority of T-cells to interact with foreign antigen only provided that its "processed" fragments are associated with one of the products of the self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (the H-2 complex in mice) (Goodman & Sercarz 1983). Each ofthe MHC restricting elements, which define presentational restriction by the corresponding T-subcIasses by way ofthe conventional immune response is identical in its fine structure to the determinants of the MHC I or II class molecules detected by the relevant alloantigen-primed T-subsets with respect to both cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) (including their clones) immune to the minor H-antigens (Fisher-Lindahl & Lemke 1979), haptens (Levy & Shearer 1982) or viruses (de Waal et al. 1983) and the cloned lines of protein-specific proliferating T-lymphocytes (Beck et al. 1982). These data allow us to consider the H-2 alloantigens as constituting universal antigens, the anti-H-2 T-cell response to be a general model for immunological recognition, and the suppressor cells blocking the immune response in the H-2 system to be universal regulators of the recognition. Of special interest are specific suppressor T cells (SSTC) that inhibit the T-cell reaction, rather than antibody production, to those H-2 antigens that stimulate SSTC induction. A major difficulty in SSTC study lies in the fact that, as a rule, they constitute only a minor part of non-specific suppressors of macrophage or lymphoid nature. The last type of cell gives the most easily and early emerging
Correlates of health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to explore health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with advanced heart failure undergoing heart transplantation evaluation. The overall aim of the study was to determine whether patients' demographic characteristics, functional status, neuroticism, social network, social support, spirituality, and time since symptom onset are related to the physical and mental components of a patient's HRQOL. METHODS A descriptive, correlational design was used. Patients (N = 61) were recruited from 2 university-affiliated, outpatient, heart failure programs. Data were collected from chart review, a 6-minute walk, and patient-completed instruments. HRQOL, including physical and mental health components, was assessed with use of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS Demographic characteristics, functional status, neuroticism, social network, social support, spirituality, and time since symptom onset explained 26% of the variability in the physical health component of HRQOL and 44% of the variability in the mental health component of HRQOL in patients with advanced heart failure. In analyzing the data for the most parsimonious model, New York Heart Association classification, 6-minute walk distance, and neuroticism explained 49% of the variability in the mental health component of HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS New York Heart Association classification, 6-minute walk distance, and neuroticism are related to the mental health component of HRQOL and can be easily included in the assessment of patients with heart failure who are undergoing heart transplantation evaluation. The findings of the current study require replication but may be used to identify patients with heart failure who are potentially at risk for reduced HRQOL.
Time‐domain and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography in the analysis of brain tumor tissue

Detection of residual tumor during resection of glial brain tumors remains a challenge because of a low inherent contrast of adjacent edematous brain, the surrounding infiltration zone, and the solid tumor. Therefore, new technologies that may facilitate an intraoperative analysis of the tissue at the resection edge are of great interest to neurosurgeons.