Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional correlates of increased IL-18 but reduced fetuin-A and oxytocin with adiposity and blood indices in metabolic syndrome patients with and without prediabetes

Background: Oxytocin (OXT), fetuin-A and interleukin-18 (IL-18) are involved in the development and progression of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and prediabetes (pre/T2DM). Aims, participants and methods: This study aimed to compare and correlate the plasma levels of OXT, fetuin-A and IL-18 with clinical parameters, haematological indices and adiposity indices in Jordanian MetS subjects. In a cross-sectional study, 30 normoglycaemic lean study participants (control), 30 MetS study participants, and 29 MetS pre/T2DM study participants were recruited. Results: Median circulating levels of both OXT and fetuin-A were lower in MetS and MetS pre/T2DM versus control group. OXT (pg/ml; median interquartile range): MetS 1975.4 and MetS pre/T2DM 1403 versus control 4176.6 (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively). For fetuin-A (ng/ml), MetS (5784) and MetS pre/T2DM (2154) were lower versus control (6756.3) (p = 0.040 and p = 0.007, respectively). Neither biomarker was described as substantially different in MetS versus MetS pre/T2DM (p = 0.071 and p = 0.155, respectively). Conversely, a non-significant increase in IL-18 was observed in the MetS and MetS pre/T2DM groups compared to normoglycaemic lean controls (232 and 287.5, p > 0.05 versus 108 for both). In addition, conicity index (C-index), atherogenicity index (TG-HDL-C), waist to hip ratio, mean platelet volume (MPV; fl) and red cell distribution width (RDW-CV%) in both MetS and MetS pre/T2DM were significantly higher (p < 0.001) versus controls. However all above MetS-related indices were not ascribed any statistically marked variation in the MetS group when compared to the MetS pre/T2DM group. Both total study pool of recruits’ fetuin-A (Spearman r = –2.66, p = 0.049) as well as MetS pre/T2DM group IL-18 (Spearman r = 0.380, p = 0.046) were inversely correlated with RDW-CV%. OXT in MetS inversely correlated with waist circumference/hip circumference ratio (Spearman r = −0.387, p = 0.038). No other pronounced associations between biomarkers could be detected in any study arm. Conclusion: These findings substantiate the clinical relevance and significance of OXT, fetuin-A and IL-18 as surrogate screening/prognostic tools and therapeutic targets to predict/prevent metabolic dysregularities and anomalies.
Mutational and transcriptomic profiling of acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage reveals obscure but clinically important lineage bias

Acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage (ALAL) is a rare group of blood cancers that cannot be clearly classified into either myeloid or lymphoid lineage through traditional immunophenotyping (2016 World Health Organization classification). In this study, we performed exome and transcriptome sequencing of 15 diagnosis/relapse samples to identify mutations of this disease. Remarkably, genes involved in DNA repair pathway were frequently mutated and occurred in 80% of the samples. In addition, well known mutations of hematopoietic neoplasms were found in these samples, such as DNMT3A, RUNX1, NOTCH1 and NRAS. A number of ALAL samples simultaneously harboured mutations of both myeloid and lymphoid neoplasm associated genes, which may explain (at least partially) the mixed lineage phenotype of this abnormality. Our study provides novel insights into this rare leukemic entity which may help to develop a better therapeutic strategy.
Incidence of and risk factors for major haemorrhage in patients treated with ibrutinib: An integrated analysis

Ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved for treatment of various B‐cell malignancies. In ibrutinib clinical studies, low‐grade haemorrhage was common, whereas major haemorrhage (MH) was infrequent. We analysed the incidence of and risk factors for MH from 15 ibrutinib clinical studies (N = 1768), including 4 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Rates of any‐grade bleeding were similar for single‐agent ibrutinib and ibrutinib combinations (39% and 40%). Low‐grade bleeding was more common in ibrutinib‐treated than comparator‐treated patients (35% and 15%), and early low‐grade bleeding was not associated with MH. The proportion of MH in RCTs was higher with ibrutinib than comparators (4.4% vs. 2.8%), but after adjusting for longer exposure with ibrutinib (median 13 months vs. 6 months), the incidence of MH was similar (3.2 vs. 3.1 per 1000 person‐months). MH led to treatment discontinuation in 1% of all ibrutinib‐treated patients. Use of anticoagulants and/or antiplatelets (AC/AP) during the study was common (~50% of patients) and had an increased exposure‐adjusted relative risk for MH in both the total ibrutinib‐treated population (1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–3.0) and RCT comparator‐treated patients (2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–5.6), indicating that ibrutinib may not alter the effect of AC/AP on the risk of MH in B‐cell malignancies.
Spatial and temporal inhibition of FGFR2b ligands reveals continuous requirements and novel targets in mouse inner ear morphogenesis

ABSTRACT Morphogenesis of the inner ear epithelium requires coordinated deployment of several signaling pathways, and disruptions cause abnormalities of hearing and/or balance. The FGFR2b ligands FGF3 and FGF10 are expressed throughout otic development and are required individually for normal morphogenesis, but their prior and redundant roles in otic placode induction complicates investigation of subsequent combinatorial functions in morphogenesis. To interrogate these roles and identify new effectors of FGF3 and FGF10 signaling at the earliest stages of otic morphogenesis, we used conditional gene ablation after otic placode induction, and temporal inhibition of signaling with a secreted, dominant-negative FGFR2b ectodomain. We show that both ligands are required continuously after otocyst formation for maintenance of otic neuroblasts and for patterning and proliferation of the epithelium, leading to normal morphogenesis of both the cochlear and vestibular domains. Furthermore, the first genome-wide identification of proximal targets of FGFR2b signaling in the early otocyst reveals novel candidate genes for inner ear development and function. Summary: The FGFR2 ligands FGF3 and FGF10 are required continuously for inner ear morphogenesis, and FGFR2b signaling targets are identified as novel candidates for involvement in inner ear development and function.
Rhythmic modulation of thalamic oscillations depends on intrinsic cellular dynamics

Objective. Rhythmic brain stimulation has emerged as a powerful tool to modulate cognition and to target pathological oscillations related to neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, we lack a systematic understanding of how periodic stimulation interacts with endogenous neural activity as a function of the brain state and target. Approach. To address this critical issue, we applied periodic stimulation to a unified biophysical thalamic network model that generates multiple distinct oscillations, and examined thoroughly the impact of rhythmic stimulation on different oscillatory states. Main results. We found that rhythmic perturbation induces four basic response mechanisms: entrainment, acceleration, resonance and suppression. Importantly, the appearance and expression of these mechanisms depend highly on the intrinsic cellular dynamics in each state. Specifically, the low-threshold bursting of thalamocortical cells (TCs) in delta (δ) oscillation renders the network relatively insensitive to entrainment; the high-threshold bursting of TCs in alpha (α) oscillation leads to widespread oscillation suppression while the tonic spiking of TC cells in gamma (γ) oscillation results in prominent entrainment and resonance. In addition, we observed entrainment discontinuity during α oscillation that is mediated by firing pattern switching of high-threshold bursting TC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that direct excitatory stimulation of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) entrains thalamic oscillations via an asymmetric Arnold tongue that favors higher frequency entrainment and resonance, while stimulation of the inhibitory circuit, the reticular nucleus, induces much weaker and more symmetric entrainment and resonance. These results support the notion that rhythmic stimulation engages brain oscillations in a state- and target-dependent manner. Significance. Overall, our study provides, for the first time, insights into how the biophysics of thalamic oscillations guide the emergence of complex, state-dependent mechanisms of target engagement, which can be leveraged for the future rational design of novel therapeutic stimulation modalities.
Effect of Intensive Care Unit Nurses' Empowerment Program on Ability in Visual Differential Diagnosis of Pressure Ulcer Classification

Nurses play a vital role in preventing and detecting pressure ulcers within an intensive care unit. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of an empowerment program on nurses' ability to visually determine the stage of a pressure ulcer. This study was a nonrandomized clinical trial involving an intervention group and a control group. Prior to the empowerment program, data indicated that there was a significant deficit in the ability of nurses in both groups to accurately determine the stage of a pressure ulcer. Following the empowerment program, the mean scores of nurses in the intervention group were significantly higher than the mean score of nurses in the control group (P ⩽ .001). This study indicates that the implementation of an empowerment program can increase the ability of nurses to detect pressure ulcers and to accurately determine staging.
Human chorionic gonadotropin decreases the phosphorylated tau protein level in streptozotocin-Alzheimeric male rats' hippocampus.

INTRODUCTION The pharmacological suppression of luteinising hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can reduce Aβ plaques in the brains of rats and mice, but the effects of hCG on the phosphorylated tau protein level in the hippocampus have not been studied. Therefore, we investigated the effects of hCG on the phosphorylated tau protein level and its effect on hCG receptor-immunoreactive neuron density in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats (streptozotocin [STZ] injected intracerebroventricularly). MATERIAL AND METHODS The rats were administered hCG (50, 100, and 200 IU/200 µl saline, intraperitoneally) or vehicle once/day for three days after injection of STZ. The passive avoidance memory test was performed 6 hours after the last hCG injection. The phosphorylated tau protein level in the hippocampus was measured by ELISA, and hCG receptor-immunoreactive neurons were shown by immunohistochemical technique in areas of hippocampus. RESULTS Treatment with hCG attenuated memory deficiencies and reduced the level of phosphorylated tau protein in the hippocampus. hCG also improved the density of hCG receptor-immunoreactive neurons. The high dose of hCG hormone (200 IU/200 µl saline) seemed to have a significant effect on passive avoidance memory, phosphorylated tau protein concentration, and accumulation of hCG receptor-immunoreactive neurons in Alzheimeric rats' hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, hCG can provide protection against memory deficits induced by STZ and it can inhibit accumulation of tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, hCG can increase the hCG receptor-ir neurons number in the rats hippocampus after ICV injection of STZ.
Screening of CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes in hemiplegic migraine: clinical, genetic, and functional studies

Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a rare and severe subtype of autosomal dominant migraine, characterized by a complex aura including some degree of motor weakness. Mutations in four genes (CACNA1A, ATP1A2, SCN1A and PRRT2) have been detected in familial and in sporadic cases. This genetically and clinically heterogeneous disorder is often accompanied by permanent ataxia, epileptic seizures, mental retardation, and chronic progressive cerebellar atrophy. Here we report a mutation screening in the CACNA1A and ATP1A2 genes in 18 patients with HM. Furthermore, intragenic copy number variant (CNV) analysis was performed in CACNA1A using quantitative approaches. We identified four previously described missense CACNA1A mutations (p.Ser218Leu, p.Thr501Met, p.Arg583Gln, and p.Thr666Met) and two missense changes in the ATP1A2 gene, the previously described p.Ala606Thr and the novel variant p.Glu825Lys. No structural variants were found. This genetic screening allowed the identification of more than 30% of the disease alleles, all present in a heterozygous state. Functional consequences of the CACNA1A‐p.Thr501Met mutation, previously described only in association with episodic ataxia, and ATP1A2‐p.Glu825Lys, were investigated by means of electrophysiological studies, cell viability assays or Western blot analysis. Our data suggest that both these variants are disease‐causing.
Listener characteristics modulate the semantic processing of native vs. foreign-accented speech

Foreign accents have been shown to have considerable impact on how language is processed [1]. However, the impact of a foreign accent on semantic processing is not well understood. Conflicting results have been reported by previous event-related potential (ERP) studies investigating the impact of foreign-accentedness on the N400 effect elicited by semantic violations. Furthermore, these studies have only examined a subset of the four characteristics of the N400 (i.e. onset latency, latency, amplitude, and scalp distribution), and have been conducted in linguistic environments where foreign-accented speech is relatively uncommon. The current study therefore compared the N400 effect elicited by semantic violations in native Australian English vs. Mandarin-accented English, in a context where foreign-accented speech is common. Factors which may be responsible for individual variability in N400 amplitude were also investigated. The results showed no differences between the N400s elicited by native and foreign-accented speech in any of the four aforementioned characteristics. However, the analysis of individual variability revealed an effect of familiarity with foreign-accented speech on the amplitude of N400 effects for semantic violations. An effect of working memory capacity on N400 amplitude was also found. These findings highlight the relevance of the ambient linguistic environment for studies of speech processing, and demonstrate the interacting influences of both speaker- and listener-related factors on semantic processing.
Secular trend in interobserver agreement of VIA diagnosis for cervical cancer screening in Nigeria

Objective In low resource settings, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) by allied health workers, has been suggested as an alternative for cervical cancer screening. However, there are concerns about the objectivity and time to diagnostic concordance with specialists. We evaluated the secular trend in interobserver agreement between nurse providers and a gynecologist/colposcopist over a five-year period. Methods Nurses provided VIA screening with digital cervivography to 4,961 participants in five screening clinics from October 2010 to May 2014 in Nigeria in this observational study. Cervigraphs were reviewed at meetings where a gynaecologist/colposcopist made an assessment from the cervigraphs. We used weighted kappa statistics to calculate agreement in diagnosis between nurse providers and the gynecologist/colposcopist; linear regression models to examine overall trend and investigate potential clinic characteristics that may influence agreement; and time series models to characterize month to month variations. Results Mean age of participants was 37±8 years. Overall agreement was 0.89 at Site D, 0.78 and 0.73 at Sites A and C respectively, 0.50 for Site E and 0.34 for Site C. The number of trainings attended by nurse providers(β = 0.47,95%CI:0.02–0.93, p = 0.04), high level of engagement by site gynecologists(β = 0.11,95%CI:0.01–0.21,p = 0.04) were associated with increased agreement; while increasing distance from the coordinating site(β = -0.47,95%CI:-0.92–0.02,p = 0.04) was associated with decreased agreement. There were no associations between number of years screening clinics were operational(β = 0.01,95%CI: -0.01–0.03,p = 0.29), cumulative experience of nurse providers(β = 0.04,95%CI:-0.03–0.12,p = 0.19) and agreement. There were no significant increases in weighted kappa statistics over time for all sites considered. Monthly variations were significant for only one of two sites considered in time series models (AR1 term = -0.40, 95%CI:-0.71–0.09,p = 0.01). Conclusion Our results showed a lack of objectivity, persistent variation and lack of convergence of diagnostic capabilities of nurse led VIA cervical cancer screening with the diagnostic capabilities of a specialist in a cervical cancer screening program in Nigeria.
Cost models of additive manufacturing : A literature review

Article history: Received July 4 2016 Received in Revised Format August 16 2016 Accepted September 3 2016 Available online September 5 2016 From the past decades, increasing attention has been paid to the quality level of technological and mechanical properties achieved by the Additive Manufacturing (AM); these two elements have achieved a good performance, and it is possible to compare this with the results achieved by traditional technology. Therefore, the AM maturity is high enough to let industries adopt this technology in a more general production framework as the mechanical manufacturing industrial one is. Since the technological and mechanical properties are also beneficial for the materials produced with AM, the primary objective of this paper is to focus more on managerial facets, such as the cost control of a production environment, where these new technologies are present. This paper aims to analyse the existing literature about the cost models developed specifically for AM from an operations management point of view and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of all models. © 2017 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Compiling the Target Village Indicators for Tourism Development in Iran and Their Evaluation (Case study: Semnan Province Villages)

Rural development can be regarded as the process of empowerment and promotion of life in the context of quality of life and the environment, efficiency and economic self-sufficiency and the maintenance and improvement of environmental quality in rural areas (Zmanipoor, 1994). There are some approaches applying tourism as a strategy for rural areas. These approaches, according to the increasing destruction of villages and agriculture, are trying to offer new strategies to revitalize rural areas by creating complementary activities or transform these areas due to their natural and human resources and the only way to rehabilitate the villages is to offer partial programs and strategies to utilize natural and human resources and could make income and increase the level of welfare of the people’s lives in rural areas (Holland & Dixey, 2003). From the 70s of the twentieth century, tourism activities in rural areas have been increased dramatically in all parts of the developed countries around the world which played a key role on development of rural areas that were lagging in terms of social and economic aspects (Perales, 2002). Therefore, industry experts acknowledge that developing rural tourism will not be possible without reorganizing and extensive rural areas on the basis of scientific and comprehensive planning. In this study, it was tried to evaluate the indices using Hierarchical analysis model of AHP by reviewing the tourism condition and determining the effective indices on determining the target villages of tourism and determine its role in developing villages. In order to test theses indices the target villages of tourism in Semnan Province was evaluates and prioritized.
Understanding Arabic-Speaking Skill Learning Strategies among Selected Malay Learners: A Case-Study at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

In Malaysia, studies have shown that most Malay learners learning Arabic Language exhibit weak Arabic speaking skill despite spending years of learning the language. However, given the same learning environment and experience, some of them could be considered as good Arabic speakers as revealed by the results of Arabic Placement Test conducted by the Center of Languages and pre-Academic Development (CELPAD) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). These learners have successfully scored band 7 and above in Arabic speaking skill test. The researchers believe that being aware of certain learning strategies in enhancing their speaking skills would help these learners to become good Arabic speakers. This assumption is based on several theories in language learning strategies which postulate that learners’ success in language learning or lack of it is attributable to the various strategies which different learners bring to tasks and not solely relying on environment per say. Therefore this study attempts to understand the assumption by investigating the Arabic speaking skill learning strategies of selected Malay good Arabic speakers and Malay poor Arabic speakers at the (IIUM) within and outside the parameters of the educational settings. In addition, the research also seeks to explore the students’ perception on Arabic speaking skill in terms of the importance of Arabic speaking skill for the Malay learners, the required level of Arabic speaking skill for the Malay learners and the prerequisites to become good Arabic speakers.
The impact of emotional intelligence on organizational commitment through self-esteem of employee in public sector

Emotional intelligence currently growing attention and earn a spot in the form of psychological studies. Emotional intelligence was detected can influence the employee commitment in an organization. The theoretical solutions are simply not able to unlock the psychological issues in organizations because it is closely linked to affective, cognitive and human behavior in public sector. In this study, the issues in the workplace are referring to emotional intelligence, self-esteem and commitment of employees. The specific purpose of this study was to test the impact of emotional intelligence among employees whether it able or unable to influence a commitment to the organization through employee self-esteem factor. A total of 196 civil servants in the Local Authority (LA) have been selected as respondents. Measurement tools that are used in the data lump is Emotion Intelligence Self-Description Inventory (EISDI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Employee Commitment Survey Revised Version (ECS). The data was then analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis. The findings show that emotional intelligence and four dimensions of emotional intelligence have a direct impact on organizational commitment. In fact, the emotional intelligence and dimensions also has an indirect effect on organizational commitment when self-esteem as mediator factor is controlled. Employee self-esteem later found to function as a partly mediator that affecting the relationship between overall emotional intelligence and four dimensions of emotional intelligence with organizational commitment. The most important findings are found emotional intelligence dimension among employees are able to become more relevant with the increasing availability of commitment of employee when there was the element of self-esteem as a mediator factor.