Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative computer-mediated music composition in cyberspace

This article reports on an exploratory investigation of the relationship between prior experience of formal instrumental music tuition (FIMT) and the process of collaborative computer-based music composition. The study linked a school in the UK with a school in Norway to engage in computer-mediated collaborative composition via e-mail. Participants were grouped into composing pairs (one from each country) balanced for prior musical experience. Results revealed prior experience of FIMT was associated with extended and complex musical dialogues, critical engagement with musical ideas and produced an ‘exploratory’ environment. No prior experience of FIMT was associated with uncritical and descriptive dialogues and a ‘cumulative’ environment. Proposals for future research are discussed.
Hypolipidemic effects of a new piperine derivative GB-N from Piper longum in high-fat diet-fed rats

Context: Long pepper, Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae), is widely used in traditional Mongolian medicine for treating hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease. Objective: To investigate the hypolipidemic effects of a new piperine derivative GB-N isolated from long pepper in high-fat diet-fed rats. Methods: The levels of serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method. The levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA), CYP7A1, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA and protein expression were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Results and discussion: Compared with model rats, oral administration of GB-N at doses of 2.5–10 mg/kg to hyperlipidemic rats could significantly decrease the levels of serum TG from 1.54 mmol/L in hyperlipidemic rats to 0.94–1.02 mmol/L, with an increase in serum HDL-C levels from 0.40 mmol/L in hyperlipidemic rats to 1.21–2.26 mmol/L. Treatment with GB-N (10 mg/kg) could also significantly upregulate levels of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, CYP7A1, LCAT and LDLR mRNA and protein expression. Conclusion: GB-N had hypolipidemic activity via regulating lipid metabolism pathways in liver of hyperlipidemic rats and could be explored as a potential agent for the prevention of hyperlipidemia diseases.
The Spectrum of Inter‐ and Intraventricular Conduction Abnormalities in Patients Eligible for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has clearly demonstrated its clinical benefit in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and intraventricular conduction abnormalities, selection of eligible patients and/or optimal pacing site are still a matter of debate. The aim of the study was to analyze the spectrum of conduction abnormalities in CRT candidates. A total of 26 patients (mean age 62 ± 9 years) with CHF and conduction disturbances (QRS ≥ 130 ms) were studied. The underlying heart disease was dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (n = 12) or coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 14). High density, left ventricular endocardial activation maps were constructed using an electroanatomic mapping system (CARTO). Based on endocardial activation patterns, left ventricular conduction abnormalities were classified as left bundle branch block (LBBB) (n = 9), nonspecific intraventricular conduction disturbances (n = 10), and the bifascicular block (n = 7). In DCM patients the endocardial activation sequences corresponded with a 12‐lead ECG pattern with a homogeneous spread of activation wavefront and the latest activation laterally (LBBB) or anteriorly (bifascicular block), respectively. CAD patients presented with variable activation patterns that reflected the location of the postinfarct scar, and the 12‐lead ECG was less predictive. Although there was a trend for longer QRS durations for DCM subjects (170 ± 23 vs 156 ± 23 ms, P = NS), left ventricular activation time was significantly longer in the CAD group (115 ± 21 ms vs 134 ± 23 ms, P < 0.05). CRT candidates represent a broad spectrum of conduction abnormality patterns with variable inter‐ and intraventricular activation delays. CAD subjects have more pronounced intraventricular conduction abnormality. The standard ECG is less reliable in the characterization of complex conduction abnormalities.
Selective Glial Vulnerability following Transient Global Ischemia in Rat Brain

Global cerebral ischemia selectively damages neurons, but its contribution to glial cell death is uncertain. Accordingly, adult male. rats were sacrificed by perfusion fixation at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 14 days following 10 minutes of global ischemia. This insult produces CA1 hippocampal neuronal death at post-ischemic (PI) day 3, but minor or no damage to neurons in other regions. In situ end labeling (ISEL) and immunohistochemistry identified fragmented DNA of dead or dying glia and distinguished glial subtypes. Rare ISEL-positive oligodendroglia, astrocytes, and microglia were present in control brain. Apoptotic bodies and ISEL-positive glia significantly increased at PI day 1 in cortex and thalamus (p <0.05) but were similar to controls in other regions and at other PI intervals. Most were oligodendroglia, although ISEL-positive microglia and astrocytes were also observed. These results show that oligodendroglia die rapidly after brief global ischemia and are more sensitive than neurons in certain brain regions. Their selective vulnerability to ischemia may be responsible for the delayed white matter damage following anoxia or CO poisoning or that associated with white matter arteriopathies. Glial apoptosis could contribute to the DNA ladders of apoptotic oligonucleosomes that have been found in post-ischemic brain.
Evidence for an etiologic role of adenoviral infection in pertussis syndrome.

Abstract Eleven of 13 infants and children with the clinical diagnosis of pertussis syndrome were excreting adenovirus Type 1, 2, 3 or 5 from the respiratory, intestinal or genitourinary tract. Seven of these patients had serologic evidence of recent or current infection. In all patients cultures for Bordetella pertussis or parapertussis were negative, and the majority had no evidence of pertussis infection, as determined by rises in antipertussis agglutinins. These findings add to the evidence of an etiologic association between adenoviral infection and the pertussis syndrome in cases occurring sporadically.
Decreased infiltration of macrophage scavenger receptor‐positive cells in initial negative biopsy specimens is correlated with positive repeat biopsies of the prostate

Macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR)‐positive inflammatory cells and tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have been reported to regulate the growth of various cancers. In this study, the infiltration of MSR‐positive cells and TAMs was analyzed to predict the outcome of repeat biopsy in men diagnosed as having no malignancy at the first prostate biopsy. Repeat biopsy of the prostate was carried out in 92 patients who were diagnosed as having no malignancy at the first biopsy. Of these, 30 patients (32.6%) were positive for prostate cancer at the repeat biopsy. Tumor‐associated macrophages and MSR‐positive cells were immunohistochemically stained with mAbs CD68 and CD204, respectively. Six ocular measuring fields were chosen randomly under a microscope at ×400 power in the initial negative biopsy specimens, and the mean TAM and MSR counts for each case were determined. No difference in TAM count was found between the cases with or without prostate cancer. By contrast, the MSR count in patients with cancer was significantly lower than that in patients without cancer at the repeat biopsy (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the MSR count at first biopsy is a significantly better predictive factor for positive repeat biopsy than PSA velocity, interval between first and repeat biopsies, or TAM count. Decreased infiltration of MSR‐positive cells in negative first biopsy specimens was correlated with positive findings in the repeat biopsy. The MSR count might be a good indicator for avoiding unnecessary repeat biopsies. (Cancer Sci 2010)
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Organisational Citizenship Behaviours: The Contingent Role of Public Service Motivation

This paper examines whether the relationship between transformational leadership and organisational citizenship behaviours is contingent on public service motivation (PSM). We propose that PSM may reduce followers’ reliance on the motivational behaviours of transformational leaders in public sector organisations. Using a sample of Mexican employees we tested this proposition with structural equation modelling. Our results show that public sector followers higher in PSM placed less reliance, than those lower in PSM, on transformational behaviours. A follow-up study in private sector organisations did not reveal a similar interaction effect. These findings appear consistent with previous research demonstrating that PSM is more aligned to the goals and values of public rather than private sector organisations.
Maternal respiratory arrests, severe hypotension, and fetal distress after administration of intrathecal, sufentanil, and bupivacaine after intravenous fentanyl.

THERE have been several reports of respiratory depression occurring in association with combined spinal epidural (CSE) analgesic techniques. 1-3 Intravenous fentanyl has been commonly administered in our institution to laboring women who either do not desire epidural analgesia or request analgesia before placement of an epidural catheter. The use of intrathecal sufentanil (ITS) plus low dose bupivacaine in CSE techniques for labor analgesia has become popular, although the use of CSE analgesia techniques may increase the risk of respiratory depression if administered after intravenous opioids have been previously given. We report one case of maternal respiratory arrest and one case of maternal respiratory arrest and severe hypotension, both accompanied by fetal distress, in two parturients who received ITS and bupivacaine after intravenous fentanyl.
Depression prevention and mental health promotion interventions: is stigma taken into account? An overview of the Italian initiatives

Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern in European countries and Italian epidemiological studies confirm that despite being highly prevalent in the general population and in clinical settings, their recognition and treatment are often inadequate (Balestrieri et al. 2004). Research suggested that the public stigma of mental disorders (defined as the general public's negative attitudes towards individuals with mental disorders) increases self-stigma (e.g. internalized attitudes held by people suffering from a mental disorder) with the consequences that individuals avoid seeking treatment and increase their social isolation (Kanter et al. 2008). In a survey on the Australian general population (Griffiths et al. 2008), personal stigma was associated with greater current psychological distress and lower depression literacy.
Compliance to antiretroviral therapy among AIDS patients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Non-compliance with antiretroviral treatment has serious consequences for prognosis and may lead to the development of resistant strains of the virus. This study assessed the level of compliance to antiretroviral treatment, identified factors associated with compliance and reasons for non-compliance among AIDS patients in a Teaching Hospital in Northern Nigeria. METHODS A pre-tested structured interview questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 263 AIDS patients seen at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Patient's reported consumption of antiretroviral drugs was compared with the Physician's prescription in the seven-day period preceding the interview. RESULTS Only 142 (54.0%) of the 263 respondents took at least 80% of the antiretroviral drugs prescribed. Sixty-one (23.2%) did not miss any dose of the drugs. Univariate analysis showed that a significantly higher proportion (58.7%) of patients with formal education were compliant compared to 26.3% of those without formal education (chi2 = 13.7 df = 1 P < 0.01). The educated patient was four times more likely to be compliant [O.R = 3.97, 95% CI = 1.75-9.24]. In contrast, age and sex variables had no significant influence on compliance among these patients. Main reasons for non-adherence to medication include non-availability of drugs (40.6%), forgetfulness (23.9%) and lack of funds (15.8%). CONCLUSIONS The average compliance observed in this study could be improved by ensuring a steady supply of affordable antiretroviral drugs, better patient-provider communication and enhanced social support for these patients.
Modeling Caries Experience: Advantages of the Use of the Hurdle Model

In dental epidemiology, the decayed (D), missing (M), and filled (F) teeth or surfaces index (DFM index) is a frequently used measure. The DMF index is characterized by a strongly positive skewed distribution with a large stack of zero counts for those individuals without caries experience. Therefore, standard generalized linear models often lead to a poor fit. The hurdle regression model is a highly suitable class to model a DMF index, but its use is subordinated. We aim to overcome the gap between the suitability of the hurdle model to fit DMF indices and the frequency of its use in caries research. A theoretical introduction to the hurdle model is provided, and an extensive comparison with the zero-inflated model is given. Using an illustrative data example, both types of models are compared, with a special focus on interpretation of their parameters. Accompanying R code and example data are provided as online supplementary material.
Diagnostic Approach to Ocular Infections Using Various Techniques From Conventional Culture to Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis

Abstract: Ocular infection is caused by both endogenous (resident) and exogenous (environmental) microbes. As the ocular surface interacts with both outer environment and its own resident microbiota, clinical ocular samples are predicted to contain a diverse set of microorganisms. Microscopy of sample smears is an important step in the diagnostic process of infectious diseases to interpret the culture results. Traditional culture techniques have several limitations in the detection and/or identification of uncharacterized bacteria of environmental origin. Molecular biological techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction of pathogen-specific virulence genes, 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis, and next-generation sequencing of 16S rDNA amplicons, compensate for diagnostic culture techniques in diagnosing infectious diseases. These techniques are expected to provide novel insights into the ocular microbiota and pathology of ocular infections. In this article, we describe various ocular infections, including contact lens–related keratitis, silicone buckle infection, and dacryocystitis, which were analyzed using molecular biological techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of these highly sensitive and inclusive microbiological detection systems for ocular infections are discussed.
[Medical students' interest in general practitioners career].

AIM To assess the reasons for entering medical school, to explore the attitudes and opinions of final year students regarding medical education and their future career preferences, including family medicine. METHODS. During four years period, 111 (73%) final year students of Split Medical School were surveyed [31 (96,8%) of them in academic year 1996/7, 23 (62%) in 2001/2, 30 (62,5%) in 2003/4 and 27 (77%) in 2004/5]. Semi-structured questionnaire about motivations and expectations was used and answered during the family medicine course. RESULTS . Most of the students 59/111 (53%) entered medical school by their own wish, 34 (31%) were not sure about their choice at the entry and in 17 (16%) students, it was a result of circumstances. The main motivations were interest in medical knowledge (35.6%) and (24.8%) desire to work with patients and to help people. Clinical specialization was the future career of first choice in 62%, family medicine in 16.2% of them, while 16.2% were still undecided. In rating social esteem and reputation (scale 1-6), the students rated surgeons on average: surgeon 5.48, cardiologist 4.85, gynaecologist 4.6, psychiatrist 2.70, family physician 2.30 and specialist in preventive medicine 1.27. DISCUSSION The essential reasons to enter a medical school are humanistic and not socioeconomic. Students prefer clinical specializations to family medicine. Final year medical students from Split Medical School suggest more practical work and field practice in order to improve the study quality. CONCLUSION Although the majority of the polled students stated to have chosen medicine for humanistic reasons, more than half of them prefer to work in a hospital, and less than quarter as family physician in a city. Substantial changes in curriculum including an early contact with family physicians could motivate medical students to select family medicine as their future career more often.
Improved myocardial tagging contrast

Myocardial tagging is a new noninvasive MRI method that allows the study of myocardial motion with high accuracy. However, with conventional tagging techniques tagging contrast is impaired at later heart phases due to longitudinal relaxation. An improved method, called Complementary SPAtial Modulation of Magnetization (CSPAMM), which separates the component of the magnetization with the tagging information from the relaxed component by subtraction of two measurements with first a positive and then a negative tagging grid, is presented. This technique improves the grid contrast and greatly facilitates the automatic evaluation of the myocardial motion. Thus the motion assessment of the entire heart cycle becomes possible. The improvements are documented by numerical simulations and by experiments on phantoms and on human volunteers.
Rights assessment and quality of referrals - rate of agreement between four pain management centres.

BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a widespread health problem. The four regional interdisciplinary pain management centres in Norway receive approximately 5 000 referrals from GPs and the specialist health service annually. Equality in service provision requires referrals to be identically assessed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the degree of correspondence between the admission teams in the pain management centres in their assessment of the quality of the referrals received and in their assessment of the patients' right to necessary health care. MATERIAL AND METHOD Each admission team assessed 40 referrals. They undertook a 'primary assessment' of 10 referrals received in the regular manner and a 'secondary assessment' of 30 referrals sent in the regular manner to the other centres. Each referral was assessed for quality and rights in each centre. The proportion of agreement and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess correspondence between the admission teams. RESULTS The quality of the referrals was deemed 'not good' in 45 % of the primary assessments and 43 % of the secondary assessments. The degree of correspondence varied from low (ICC = 0.19) to moderate (ICC = 0.74). The primary and secondary assessments both granted 63 % of the patients 'the legal right to health care'. The overall degree of correspondence was 69 %, i.e. lower than what is considered 'acceptable agreement' (75 %). INTERPRETATION The study shows that there is a need for structured referrals, and for the admission teams to harmonise their assessments to a greater degree in order to ensure equality in service provision across the health regions.
Expression of M‐twist during postimplantation development of the mouse

The murine homologue of the Drosophila twist gene has been shown to be essential for head mesenchyme formation and to act as an inhibitor of muscle differentiation. This paper presents a detailed analysis of M‐twist expression patterns from day 7 post coitum (p.c.) to day 18 p.c. , indicating a more general function of the M‐twist gene. At day 7 p.c. , M‐twist is expressed in the mesoderm outside the primitive streak. Later M‐twist message is predominantly found in the somites, the head mesenchyme, the branchial arches, the limbs, and in the mesenchyme underneath the epidermis. Beginning at day 8 p.c. , M‐twist is mainly expressed in undifferentiated cells committed to muscle and cartilage development: this exspression is consistent with a suggested role of M‐twist in inhibiting overt muscle and cartilage differentiation. However, during organogenesis, M‐twistt is expressed in several areas of mesenchyme‐epithelia interactions, suggesting additional tissue specific functions. © 1995 wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Conserved Pore‐Lining Glutamate as a Voltage‐ and Chloride‐Dependent Gate in the ClC‐2 Chloride Channel

ClC‐2 is a ubiquitously expressed, two‐pore homodimeric Cl− channel opened by hyperpolarisation. Little is known about its gating mechanisms. Crystallographic and functional studies in other ClC channels suggest that a conserved glutamate residue carboxylate side‐chain can close protopores by interacting with a Cl−‐binding site in the pore. Competition for this site is thought to provide the molecular basis for gating by extracellular Cl−. We now show that ClC‐2 gating depends upon intra‐ but not extracellular Cl− and that neutralisation of E217, the homologous pore glutamate, leads to loss of sensitivity to intracellular Cl− and voltage. Experiments testing for transient activation by extracellular protons demonstrate that E217 is not available for protonation in the closed channel state but becomes so after opening by hyperpolarisation. The results suggest that E217 is a hyperpolarisation‐dependent protopore gate in ClC‐2 and that access of intracellular Cl− to a site normally occupied by its side‐chain in the pore stabilises the open state. A remaining hyperpolarisation‐dependent gate might correspond to that closing both pores simultaneously in other ClC channels.
Ischemic Central Necrosis in Pockets of Transplanted Myoblasts in Nonhuman Primates: Implications for Cell-Transplantation Strategies

Background. Several cell-transplantation strategies implicate the injection of cells into tissues. Avascular accumulations of implanted cells are then formed. Because the diffusion of oxygen and nutrients from the surrounding tissue throughout the implanted cell accumulations may be limited, central ischemic necrosis could develop. We analyzed this possibility after myoblast transplantation in nonhuman primates. Methods. Macaca monkeys were injected intramuscularly with different amounts of myoblasts per single site. These sites were sampled 1 hr later and at posttransplantation days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and analyzed by histological techniques. Results. One day posttransplantation, the largest pockets of implanted cells showed cores of massive necrosis. The width of the peripheral layer of living cells was ∼100–200 &mgr;m. We thus analyzed the relationship between the amount of myoblasts injected per site and the volume of ischemic necrosis. Delivering 0.1×106 and 0.3×106 myoblasts did not produce ischemic necrosis; pockets of 1×106, 3×106, 10×106, and 20×106 myoblasts exhibited, respectively, a mean of 2%, 9%, 41%, and 59% of central necrosis. Intense macrophage infiltration took place in the muscle, invading the accumulations of necrotic cells and eliminating them by posttransplantation days 5 to 7. Conclusions. The desire to create more neoformed tissue by delivering more cells per injection site is confronted with the fact that the acute survival of the implanted cells is restricted to the peripheral layer that can profit of the diffusion of oxygen and nutriments from the surrounding recipient’s tissue.