Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Perseverance of Numerical Distance Effect in Attentional Blink

In a number comparison task, it is easier to respond faster when the two numbers are further apart than when they are close. This inverse relationship between the size difference and the time to judge such difference is called the numerical distance effect (NDE). In this study we investigated whether attention plays a critical role in the surfacing of NDE and the way we process Arabic numbers. In experiments 1 and 2, with an attentional blink paradigm that was designed to modulate attention, we tested whether a limited or unlimited pool of attentional resources would have an impact on the performance and trend of NDE. The results showed a dissociable effect of attention that changed the overall accuracy but not the trend of NDE. In experiment 3 we examined whether the number priming effect, another phenomenon associated with the distance-related effect, would be affected during the attentional blink period. We found the pattern of number priming effect was not affected by attentional blink. An explanation of the role of attention in number distance processing, as well as how it interacts with Arabic number representation, is discussed.
Wheat Protein Composition and Properties of Wheat Glutenin in Relation to Breadmaking Functionality

Referee: Dr. Frank Bekes, Grain Quality Research Laboratory, CSIRO Division of Plant Industry, 51 Delhi Road, (PO Box 7), North Ryde NSW 1670, Australia The unique breadmaking properties of wheat are generally ascribed to the visco-elastic properties of its gluten proteins. While monomeric gluten proteins (gliadin) show viscous behavior, polymeric gluten proteins (glutenin) are elastic. The unique elasticity of glutenin results to a large extent from its polymeric nature. Glutenin is a highly heterogeneous mixture of polymers consisting of a number of different high- and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits linked by disulfide bonds. Although glutenin obviously is the major polymeric protein in wheat, other polymeric proteins occur as well. Their importance in breadmaking may be underestimated. Nevertheless, variations in both quantity and quality of glutenin strongly determine variations in breadmaking performance. Structural features of different classes of glutenin subunits are described. Variations in glutenin quality may result from variations in its (1) structure, (2) size distribution, and (3) subunit composition. Some hypotheses on glutenin structure and current insights into the role of glutenin size distribution are evaluated. Finally, different ways in which variation in glutenin composition may directly or indirectly (by affecting glutenin structure and/or size distribution) influence glutenin quality are discussed.
Ibuprofen versus acetaminophen with codeine for the relief of perineal pain after childbirth: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Pain from episiotomy or tearing of perineal tissues during childbirth is often poorly treated and may be severe. This randomized double-blind controlled trial was performed to compare the effectiveness, side effects and cost of, and patient preference for, 2 analgesics for the management of postpartum perineal pain. METHODS A total of 237 women who gave birth vaginally with episiotomy or a third- or fourth-degree tear between August 1995 and November 1996 at a tertiary-level teaching and referral centre for obstetric care in Vancouver were randomly assigned to receive either ibuprofen (400 mg) (n = 127) or acetaminophen (600 mg) with codeine (60 mg) and caffeine (15 mg) (Tylenol No. 3) (n = 110), both given orally every 4 hours as necessary. Pain ratings were recorded before the first dose and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 24 hours after the first dose on a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Side effects and overall opinion were assessed at 24 hours. RESULTS Ibuprofen and acetaminophen with codeine had similar analgesic properties in the first 24 hours post partum (mean pain rating 3.4 and 3.3, mean number of doses in 24 hours 3.4 and 3.3, and proportion of treatment failures 13.8% [16/116] and 16.0% [16/100] respectively). Significantly fewer subjects in the ibuprofen group than in the acetaminophen with codeine group experienced side effects (52.4% v. 71.7%) (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in overall patient satisfaction between the 2 groups. The major determinant of pain intensity was forceps-assisted delivery. Overall, 78% of the treatment failures were in women with forceps-assisted deliveries. INTERPRETATION Since the 2 analgesics were rated similarly, ibuprofen may be the preferred choice because it is less expensive and requires less nursing time to dispense. Further studies need to address improved analgesia for women with forceps-assisted deliveries.
The Abbreviated Impactor Measurement (AIM) Concept: Part 1—Influence of Particle Bounce and Re-Entrainment—Evaluation with a “Dry” Pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI)-Based Formulation

The abbreviated impactor measurement concept is a potential improvement to the labor-intensive full-resolution cascade impactor methodology for inhaler aerosol aerodynamic particle size distribution (APSD) measurement by virtue of being simpler and therefore quicker to execute. At the same time, improved measurement precision should be possible by eliminating stages upon which little or no drug mass is collected. Although several designs of abbreviated impactor systems have been developed in recent years, experimental work is lacking to validate the technique with aerosols produced by currently available inhalers. In part 1 of this two-part article that focuses on aerosols produced by pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDIs), the evaluation of two abbreviated impactor systems (Copley fast screening Andersen impactor and Trudell fast screening Andersen impactor), based on the full-resolution eight-stage Andersen nonviable cascade impactor (ACI) operating principle, is reported with a formulation producing dry particles. The purpose was to investigate the potential for non-ideal collection behavior associated with particle bounce in relation to internal losses to surfaces from which particles containing active pharmaceutical ingredient are not normally recovered. Both abbreviated impactors were found to be substantially equivalent to the full-resolution ACI in terms of extra-fine and fine particle and coarse mass fractions used as metrics to characterize the APSD of these pMDI-produced aerosols when sampled at 28.3 L/min, provided that precautions are taken to coat collection plates to minimize bounce and entrainment.
Interobserver reliability of methods for paleopathological diagnosis of dental caries.

There is disagreement as to whether clinical methods of caries diagnosis will produce reliable results in skeletal material, and studies vary greatly in the extent to which such methods are employed. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to evaluate the interobserver reliability of visual, tactile, and radiographic methods of scoring dental caries in ancient populations. Thirty-three individuals from a Mogollon skeletal sample were scored on three occasions by pairs of examiners. The first exam employed visual criteria alone. In the second exam, visual methods were supplemented with the dental explorer. For the third exam, mesial and distal surfaces were scored from "intraoral" radiographs. Examiners worked independently, but did calibrate on material from clinical populations prior to the second and third exams. Exams were conducted on a "blind" basis, and analysis was delayed until all exams were completed. Caries scores were expressed as a percentage of total surfaces present per individual. Repeat-measures ANOVA and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to estimate interobserver reliabilities. For visual scores, ICC = 0.97, and there is no significant difference between examiners (P = 0.897). For visual plus explorer scores, ICC drops to 0.90, and there is a significant difference between examiners (P = 0.003). For the radiographs, ICC = 0.86, and there is no significant difference between observers (P = 0.117). These results suggest that clinical methods are less reliable in skeletal populations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Identification, Expression, and Characterization of Escherichia coli Guanine Deaminase

ABSTRACT Using the human cDNA sequence corresponding to guanine deaminase, the Escherichia coli genome was scanned using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), and a corresponding 439-residue open reading frame of unknown function was identified as having 36% identity to the human protein. The putative gene was amplified, subcloned into the pMAL-c2 vector, expressed, purified, and characterized enzymatically. The 50.2-kDa protein catalyzed the conversion of guanine to xanthine, having a Kmof 15 μM with guanine and a kcat of 3.2 s−1. The bacterial enzyme shares a nine-residue heavy metal binding site with human guanine deaminase, PG[FL]VDTHIH, and was found to contain approximately 1 mol of zinc per mol of subunit of protein. The E. coli guanine deaminase locus is 3′ from an open reading frame which shows homology to a bacterial purine base permease.
Heterogeneity in Economic Shocks and Household Spending in the US

Large swings in aggregate household sector spending, especially for big-ticket items such as cars and housing, have been a dominant feature of the macroeconomic landscape in the past two decades. Income and wealth inequality increased over the same period, leading some to suggest the two phenomena are interconnected. Indeed, there is supporting evidence for the idea that heterogeneity in economic shocks and spending are connected, most notably in studies using local-area geography as the unit of analysis. The Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) provides a household-level perspective on changes in wealth, income and spending across different types of families. The SCF confirms that inequality is indeed increasing in recent decades, and the data provide support for the proposition that shocks to income and wealth are indeed related to large swings in spending across and within birth cohorts. However, the economic shocks associated with the Great Recession and changes in spending and debt to income ratios are widespread, and inconsistent with a narrow focus on the experiences and changes in behaviour of particular (especially low- and modest-income) households.
Molecular Classification of Adult Renal Epithelial Neoplasms Using MicroRNA Expression and Virtual Karyotyping

Oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), and the eosinophilic variant of clear cell RCC (ccRCC) are morphologically similar tumors with significantly different clinical courses. These renal tumor subtypes show characteristic structural genetic changes; however, the mRNA expression patterns of oncocytoma and chRCC are strikingly similar. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small RNA molecules that regulate the expression of many genes and have been shown to be useful for tumor classification and identification. The miRNA expression was analyzed from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue in 5 cases each of oncocytoma, ccRCC, papillary RCC, chRCC, and 4 normal kidney tissues using microarrays. Affymetrix single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays were used to detect chromosomal imbalances in each of the tumors. Eighteen miRNAs were significantly different among the 4 tumor types. The microRNA miR-21, a known oncogenic miRNA, was found to be upregulated in papillary and clear cell carcinomas. Four miRNAs could differentiate oncocytomas from chRCCs and the 3 could differentiate papillary RCC from ccRCC, including miR-126, a known vasculogenic miRNA. Of the 18 differentially expressed miRNAs, only 2 correlated with copy number changes in the chromosomal region harboring these genes. One tumor, originally diagnosed as an oncocytoma by morphology, showed a virtual karyotype and miRNA expression pattern consistent with chromophobe carcinoma. Further investigation of the tumor showed vascular invasion. Our study suggests that miRNA expression can be used to differentiate the common subtypes of renal epithelial neoplasms but further validation is necessary. In addition, the lack of correlation between miRNA expression and virtual karyotype suggests a non-copy-number-related mechanism for miRNA gene expression regulation in renal neoplasia.
Neuropeptide FF reverses the effect of μ‐opioid on Ca2+ channels in rat spinal ganglion neurones

SINGLE neurones isolated from spinal ganglia of young rats were loaded with Fluo3, a fluorescent indicator of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. In 27 of 47 neurones the depolarization-evoked rise in fluorescence was reduced by 47.8 ± 3.3% by prior perfusion with DAGO (1 μM, 30s) a μ-opioid agonist. In 12 neurones an analogue of neuropeptide FF ((1DMe)Y8Fa, 10 nM, 30 min) did not affect the Ca2+ response to depolarization. (1DMe)Y8Fa reversed the effect of DAGO by 63 ± 8% in seven of these 12 neurones. We conclude that stimulation of neuropeptide FF receptors antagonizes μ-opioid modulation of Ca2+ channels at the cellular level.
Brief episodes of intracranial hypertension and cerebral hypoperfusion are associated with poor functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Management strategies after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) target prevention and treatment of intracranial hypertension (ICH) and cerebral hypoperfusion (CH). We have previously established that continuous automated recordings of vital signs (VS) are more highly correlated with outcome than manual end-hour recordings. One potential benefit of automated vital sign data capture is the ability to detect brief episodes of ICH and CH. The purpose of this study was to establish whether a relationship exists between brief episodes of ICH and CH and outcome after severe TBI. MATERIALS Patients at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center were prospectively enrolled over a 2-year period. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age >14 years, admission within the first 6 hours after injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score <9 on admission, and placement of a clinically indicated ICP monitor. From high-resolution automated VS data recording system, we calculated the 5-minute means of intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and Brain Trauma Index (BTI = CPP/ICP). Patients were stratified by mortality and 6-month Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOSE). RESULTS Sixty subjects were enrolled with a mean admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6.4 ± 3.1, a mean Head Abbreviated Injury Severity Scale score of 4.2 ± 0.7, and a mean Marshall CT score of 2.5 ± 0.9. Significant differences in the mean number of brief episodes of CPP <50 and BTI <2 in patients with a GOSE 1-4 versus GOSE 5-8 (9.4 vs. 4.7, p = 0.02 and 9.3 vs. 4.9, p = 0.03) were found. There were significantly more mean brief episodes per day of ICP >30 (0.52 vs. 0.29, p = 0.02), CPP <50 (0.65 vs. 0.28, p < 0.001), CPP <60 (1.09 vs. 0.7, p = 0.03), BTI <2 (0.66 vs. 0.31, p = 0.002), and BTI <3 (1.1 vs. 0.64, p = 0.01) in those patients with GOSE 1-4. Number of brief episodes of CPP <50, CPP <60, BTI <2, and BTI <3 all demonstrated high predictive power for unfavorable functional outcome (area under the curve = 0.65-0.75, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the number of brief 5-minute episodes of ICH and CH is predictive of poor outcome after severe TBI. This finding has important implications for management paradigms which are currently targeted to treatment rather than prevention of ICH and CH. This study demonstrates that these brief episodes may play a significant role in outcome after severe TBI.
Zolpidem for persistent insomnia in SSRI-treated depressed patients.

BACKGROUND Depressed individuals effectively treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) often report persistent insomnia and require adjunctive sleep-promoting therapy. METHOD Men (N = 40) and women (N = 150) with a mean age of 41.6 years who had persistent insomnia in the presence of effective and stable treatment (at least 2 weeks) with fluoxetine (< or =40 mg/day), sertraline (< or =100 mg/day), or paroxetine (< or =40 mg/day) for DSM-IV major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, or minor depressive disorder of mild-to-moderate severity (and score of < or =2 on item 3 of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D]) participated in this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. At study entry, patients were required to score < or =12 on the HAM-D. During a 1-week single-blind placebo period, patients had to report on at least 3 nights a latency of > or =30 minutes or a sleep time of <6.5 hours and clinically significant daytime impairment. Patients received either placebo (N = 96) or zolpidem, 10 mg (N = 94) nightly, for 4 weeks and single-blind placebo for 1 week thereafter. Sleep was measured with daily questionnaires and during weekly physician visits. RESULTS Compared with placebo, zolpidem was associated with improved sleep: longer sleep times (weeks 1 through 4, p<.05), greater sleep quality (weeks 1 through 4, p<.01), and reduced number of awakenings (weeks 1, 2, and 4; p<.05), together with feeling significantly more refreshed, less sleepy, and more able to concentrate. After placebo substitution, the zolpidem group showed significant worsening relative to pretreatment sleep on the first posttreatment night in total sleep time and sleep quality, reverted to pretreatment insomnia levels on the other hypnotic efficacy measures, or maintained improvement (fewer number of awakenings). There was no evidence of dependence or withdrawal from zolpidem (DSM-IV criteria). Incidence rates of adverse events were similar in both treatment groups (74% and 83% for placebo and zolpidem, respectively), but 7 zolpidem patients discontinued compared with 2 placebo patients. CONCLUSION In this defined patient population, zolpidem, 10 mg, was effectively and safely co-administered with an SSRI, resulting in improved self-rated sleep, daytime functioning, and well-being.
Variation in dose and plasma level of lamotrigine in patients discharged from a mental health trust

Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate the dose of lamotrigine when prescribed with an enzyme inhibitor or enzyme inducer in patients discharged from a mental health trust and to determine the corresponding lamotrigine plasma concentrations and the factors that may affect these. Methods: All patients discharged on lamotrigine between October 2007 and September 2012 were identified using the pharmacy dispensing database. We recorded demographic details, lamotrigine dose and plasma levels and coprescribed medication. Results: During the designated period, 187 patients were discharged on lamotrigine of whom 117 had their plasma levels recorded. The mean lamotrigine daily dose was 226.1 mg (range 12.5–800 mg) and the mean plasma level 5.9 mg/l (range 0.8–18.1 mg/l). Gender, ethnicity, diagnosis and smoking status had no significant effect on dose or plasma levels. Patients taking an enzyme-inducing drug (n = 6) had significantly lower plasma levels [mean (SD) 3.40 (1.54) mg/l] than those not taking enzyme inducers [n = 111; 6.03 (3.13) mg/l; p = 0.043]. Patients taking an enzyme-inhibiting drug (n = 23) had significantly higher levels [7.47 (3.99) mg/l] than those not taking an inhibitor [n = 94; 5.52 (2.75) mg/l; p = 0.035]. No significant difference was found between the doses of lamotrigine in patients taking an enzyme inhibitor and those not taking one (p = 0.376). No significant difference was found between the doses of lamotrigine in patients taking an enzyme-inducing drug and those not taking any (p = 0.574). Conclusions: Current dosing recommendations indicate that lamotrigine doses should be halved in individuals taking enzyme inhibitors and doubled in those on enzyme inducers. In our survey these recommendations were rarely followed with the consequence that patients received too high or too low a dose of lamotrigine, respectively.
Bmp and Nodal Independently Regulate lefty1 Expression to Maintain Unilateral Nodal Activity during Left-Right Axis Specification in Zebrafish

In vertebrates, left-right (LR) axis specification is determined by a ciliated structure in the posterior region of the embryo. Fluid flow in this ciliated structure is responsible for the induction of unilateral left-sided Nodal activity in the lateral plate mesoderm, which in turn regulates organ laterality. Bmp signalling activity has been implied in repressing Nodal expression on the right side, however its mechanism of action has been controversial. In a forward genetic screen for mutations that affect LR patterning, we identified the zebrafish linkspoot (lin) mutant, characterized by cardiac laterality and mild dorsoventral patterning defects. Mapping of the lin mutation revealed an inactivating missense mutation in the Bmp receptor 1aa (bmpr1aa) gene. Embryos with a mutation in lin/bmpr1aa and a novel mutation in its paralogue, bmpr1ab, displayed a variety of dorsoventral and LR patterning defects with increasing severity corresponding with a decrease in bmpr1a dosage. In Bmpr1a-deficient embryos we observed bilateral expression of the Nodal-related gene, spaw, coupled with reduced expression of the Nodal-antagonist lefty1 in the midline. Using genetic models to induce or repress Bmp activity in combination with Nodal inhibition or activation, we found that Bmp and Nodal regulate lefty1 expression in the midline independently of each other. Furthermore, we observed that the regulation of lefty1 by Bmp signalling is required for its observed downregulation of Nodal activity in the LPM providing a novel explanation for this phenomenon. From these results we propose a two-step model in which Bmp regulates LR patterning. Prior to the onset of nodal flow and Nodal activation, Bmp is required to induce lefty1 expression in the midline. When nodal flow has been established and Nodal activity is apparent, both Nodal and Bmp independently are required for lefty1 expression to assure unilateral Nodal activation and correct LR patterning.
Evidence for free beta‐subunit secretion in so‐called human chorionic gonadotropin‐positive seminoma

In 349 patients with pure seminoma the authors determined human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) plus the free β‐subunit (HCG‐β) by a polyclonal radioimmunoassay (RIA) and found elevated serum levels in 42 patients (12%). In addition, each HCG and HCG‐β were specifically measured by monoclonal immunoradiometric assays (IRMA) in 19 of these patients. Overall 12 patients were HCG‐β positive and 12 HCG positive. Elevated serum levels of both molecules were found in five patients, whereas seven patients showed elevation only in HCG and another seven patients only in HCG‐β. In serum samples of patients with high HCG‐β and minimally elevated HCG levels the free β‐subunit could be detected by gel filtration and immunoradiometric assays, whereas both HCG‐β and holo‐HCG were found in ultrafiltered and concentrated urinary samples. The authors conclude that HCG‐β can be present as the major form in serum even if both HCG‐β and HCG are detectable in urine. When measuring hormone concentration as a tumor marker in seminoma patients, methods which determine both activities, HCG plus HCG‐β, seem to be the most reliable. Whereas 16 patients with Stage I‐IIc had HCG‐β levels between 0.1 and 2.8 IU/1 and currently have no evidence of disease, two patients with Stage IV had HCG‐β levels of 18 and 37 IU/1 and died. Current investigations have to clarify the prognostic significance of β‐subunit secretion.