Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medical and Psychiatric Comorbidities Among Elderly Individuals With Bipolar Disorder

Introduction: The common comorbid conditions that accompany late-life bipolar disorder (BD) have not been well studied. This is a literature review on psychiatric and medical comorbidities among elderly individuals with BD. Methods: A focused literature review searched PubMed. Inclusion criteria were original research reports, in English, until June 2009, specifically focused on medical and psychiatric comorbidities in BD individuals over the age of 50. Results: A limited number of studies were identified. Most involved small samples (n < 100). Metabolic syndrome, respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and endocrine abnormalities are common, with patients having an average of 3 to 4 medical comorbid conditions. Approximately 4.5% to 19% of elderly individuals with BD have dementia. Rates of psychiatric comorbidity appear lower than in younger BD populations, with the most common concurrent psychiatric illnesses being anxiety and substance use disorders. Rates of comorbid medical conditions appear similar to rates among geriatric patients without BD. Conclusions: Elderly individuals with BD are burdened by multiple concomitant medical disorders. In contrast to the elevated rates of medical comorbidity, rates of psychiatric comorbidity appear lower in elderly individuals with BD than in younger populations with BD. Greater awareness of concurrent medical conditions might help inform coordinated care that considers both mental and physical health among geriatric patients with BD.
Next-generation sequencing-based transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of the common reed, Phragmites australis (Poaceae), reveals genes involved in invasiveness and rhizome specificity.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The common reed (Phragmites australis), one of the most widely distributed of all angiosperms, uses its rhizomes (underground stems) to invade new territory, making it one of the most successful weedy species worldwide. Characterization of the rhizome transcriptome and proteome is needed to identify candidate genes and proteins involved in rhizome growth, development, metabolism, and invasiveness. METHODS We employed next-generation sequencing technologies including 454 and Illumina platforms to characterize the reed rhizome transcriptome and used quantitative proteomics techniques to identify the rhizome proteome. KEY RESULTS Combining 336514 Roche 454 Titanium reads and 103350802 Illumina paired-end reads in a de novo hybrid assembly yielded 124450 unique transcripts with an average length of 549 bp, of which 54317 were annotated. Rhizome-specific and differentially expressed transcripts were identified between rhizome apical tips (apical meristematic region) and rhizome elongation zones. A total of 1280 nonredundant proteins were identified and quantified using GeLC-MS/MS based label-free proteomics, where 174 and 77 proteins were preferentially expressed in the rhizome elongation zone and apical tip tissues, respectively. Genes involved in allelopathy and in controlling development and potentially invasiveness were identified. CONCLUSIONS In addition to being a valuable sequence and protein data resource for studying plant rhizome species, our results provide useful insights into identifying specific genes and proteins with potential roles in rhizome differentiation, development, and function.
A Review on the Heat Treatment of Al-Si-Cu/Mg Casting Alloys

The trend of the automotive industry goes toward the construction of high-powered, comfortable, economical, ecological and safe vehicles. A few Al alloys containing Cu and a few containing Mg and Si are heat treatable in the cast condition due to the precipitation strengthening mechanisms. Two of the major families of heat treatable aluminum alloys containing magnesium and silicon are the 6xxx series in wrought aluminum alloys, and 3xx series in casting aluminum alloys. Al-Si-Cu/Mg alloys are well studied and there exists a lot of publication about the effect of alloying elements and solidification rate on the microstructure formation [1-3]. The influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties including hardness and tensile strengths is also well studied, while the influence on plastic deformation behavior and elongation to fracture is less studied.
Patterns and correlates of spit tobacco use among high school males in rural California.

OBJECTIVE To assess patterns and correlates of spit [smokeless tobacco (ST)] use among high school males in rural California. METHODS An 18-item, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess ST use among young males in 41 randomly selected high schools in 21 rural counties in California. To ensure confidentiality, students were instructed to seal their completed questionnaire in an attached envelope prior to returning it to the questionnaire administrator. RESULTS Overall prevalence of ST use was 9.8 percent, significantly increasing with year in school from 5 percent among freshmen to 15 percent among seniors. ST use was highest among rodeo athletes at 42 percent compared with <6 percent among nonathletes; ST use was significantly higher among smokers (32 percent) who were 2.5-30 times more likely to use ST compared with nonsmokers, depending on race/ethnicity as a result of a significant race/ethnicity x smoking interaction of degree/magnitude. In addition, students who believed there was no, or slight risk of, harm from ST use were significantly more likely to use ST than students perceiving moderate or great risk, depending on race/ethnicity (odds ratios 3.6-13). Among all ST users, 40 percent used ST on at least 5 days in the previous week, 80 percent of those reporting a brand used the brand Copenhagen, and 41 percent (189) used ST within 30 minutes of waking. CONCLUSION Dental public health practitioners, scholars, and policy-makers need to promote dental health through organized community efforts targeting high school male subgroups in rural areas that are at risk for ST-associated adverse health effects.
Increase in resistance of Mycoplasma hominis to tetracyclines

Isolates of Mycoplasma hominis collected from patients in Boston and New York between 1976 and 1989 were studied. Minimal metabolism-inhibiting concentrations (MMCs) were determined by use of a terminal color change-broth dilution method, as well as by an agar inoculum-broth dilution method. Both methods gave comparable results. Tetracycline MMCs for 3 (7.0%) of 43 isolates of M. hominis collected from 1976 to 1979 were 8 micrograms/ml or more, but they were 8 micrograms/ml or more for 11 (20.3%) of 54 isolates collected from 1980 to 1983 (P = 0.083) and 16 (26.6%) of 60 isolates collected from 1984 to 1989 (P = 0.019). Similarly, doxycycline MMCs for 0 of 43 isolates of M. hominis collected from 1976 to 1979 were 8 micrograms/ml or more, but they were 8 micrograms/ml or more for 8 (14.8%) of 54 strains isolated from 1980 to 1983 (P = 0.0082) and 10 (16.6%) of 60 strains isolated from 1984 to 1989 (P = 0.0047). The susceptibility of M. hominis to clindamycin did not change. We conclude that isolates of M. hominis in the northeastern United States have become more resistant to tetracycline and doxycycline over the past decade.
Contemporary Outcomes for Ulcerative Colitis Inpatients Admitted to Pediatric Hospitals in the United Kingdom

Background:Pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) care is variable with a lack of appropriate guidelines to guide practice until recently. Methods:UC inpatients <17 years old admitted to 23 U.K. pediatric hospitals had clinical details collected between September 2010 and 2011. Comparative data for 248 patients were available from a previous audit in 2008. Results:One hundred and seventy-six patients (98 males) of median age 13 years (interquartile range, 10–13) were analyzed; 23 were elective surgical admissions, 47 new diagnoses, and 106 needed acute medical care for established UC. Median length of stay was 6 days (interquartile range, 3–10) with no deaths. Eighty-eight of 126 patients (70%) with active disease had standard stool cultures performed (3 [2%] were positive), and 57 (45%) had Clostridium difficile toxin tested (none positive). Twenty-five of 66 (38%) emergency admissions had an abdominal x-ray on admission, and 13 of 66 patients (20%) had a Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index score. There were 3 cases of toxic megacolon and 2 thromboses. Eighty-one of 116 patients (71%) responded to steroids. Nineteen patients who did not respond adequately to steroids received rescue therapy (7 infliximab, 11 ciclosporin, and 1 both) with overall response rate of 90%; 7 patients needed surgery acutely, 5 without previous rescue therapy. Compared with the 2008 data, stool culture rates improved significantly (86 of 121 [71%] versus 76 of 147 [52%], P = 0.001) as did heparinization rates (15 of 150 [10%] versus 5 of 215 [2%], P = 0.002) and rescue therapy usage (17 of 33 [52%] versus 10 of 38 [26%], P = 0.03). Conclusions:There were signs of improving UC care with significantly increased rates of stool culture and rescue therapy. The majority of sites, however, did not use Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index scores.
Can induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiation impact circumferential resection margin positivity and survival in low rectal cancers?

BACKGROUND Distance from anal verge and abdominoperineal resection are risk factors for circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity in rectal cancer. Induction chemotherapy (IC) before concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) has emerged as a new treatment modification. Impact of IC before concurrent CRT on CRM positivity in low rectal cancer remains to be independently studied. The objective of this study was to determine CRM positivity in low rectal cancer, with and without prior IC, and to identify predictors of disease free and overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups. Group 1 received IC before CRT and Group 2 did not. Demographics, clinicopathological variables and CRM status were compared. Actuarial 5 year disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and independent predictors of survival were determined. RESULTS Patients in the IC group presented with advanced stage (Stage 3=89.2% versus 75.4%) (P=0.02) but a high rate of total mesorectal excision (TME) (100% versus 93.4%) (P=0.01) and sphincter preservation surgery (54.9 % versus 22.9%) (P=0.001). Patients with low rectal cancer who received IC had a significantly low positive CRM rate (9.2% versus 34%) (P=0.002). Actuarial 5 year DFS in IC and no IC groups were 39% and 43% (P=0.9) and 5 year OS were 70% and 47% (P=0.003). Pathological tumor size [HR: 2.2, CI: 1.1-4.5, P=0.01] and nodal involvement [HR: 2, CI: 1.08-4, P=0.02] were independent predictors of relapse while pathological nodal involvement [HR: 2.6, CI: 1.3-4.9, P=0.003] and IC [HR: 0.7, CI: 0.5-0.9, P=0.02] were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSIONS In low rectal cancer, induction chemotherapy before CRT may significantly decrease CRM positivity and improve 5 year overall survival.
Role of gastric acid inhibition, prostaglandins and endogenous‐free thiol groups on the gastroprotective effect of a proteolytic fraction from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis latex

The aim of this study was to extend our knowledge about the mechanism involved in the gastroprotective effect of P1G10, a proteolytic fraction rich in cysteine proteinases from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis (syn. Carica candamarcensis) latex, which demonstrated gastric healing and protection activities in rats.
Prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in adolescents with overweight and obesity.

AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of elevated blood pressure values and significant family history with respect to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in overweight and obese adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our study encompassed 4904 adolescents from randomly selected schools from the Wielkopolska province of Poland. Measurements of body height and mass were performed in all the school pupils. The adolescents were qualified to be included in the overweight and obese groups based on the BMI value, using the cut-off points according to Cole's method. Blood pressure measurements were conducted according to the methodology and recommendations of the Fourth Report, with the application of the Polish blood pressure standards. Within the group of students with normal body mass, overweight and obesity, the frequency of higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and significant family history were calculated, and the relationship between the variables was calculated by means of chi2 test, assuming p<0.05. In order to calculate the odds ratio and the probability of incidence of higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the variables significant in the logistic regression model were taken into consideration. RESULTS Overweight and obesity was observed in 845 subjects, which made up 17.2% of the population included in the study. Overweight and obesity were significantly more often observed in boys (485 - 22,2%) than in girls (362 - 17.0%) (p<0.05). In boys, the significant family history increases the odds ratio of prevalence of higher systolic blood pressure 1.90 times, obesity - 8.86 times and significant family history combined with obesity - 16.85 times, in comparison with the boys who have normal body mass and no significant family history. Obesity in girls increases the odds ratio of prevalence of higher systolic blood pressure by 9.24 times. Obesity in boys increases the odds ratio of prevalence of higher diastolic blood pressure by 5.88 and in obese girls the odds ratio of elevated diastolic blood pressure are 4.17 times higher. CONCLUSIONS 1. Obesity and positive family history in pupils of both genders considerably increased the probability of elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurrence. This obliges to: - perform further medical diagnostics, towards identification of other risk-factors of cardiovascular diseases; - to qualify such adolescents to "groups of increased risk" (this information should be entered in the school medical records).
Hearing in rheumatoid arthritis. A clinical and audiometric survey.

In 1968 a clinical and audiometric survey of 76 patients attending King's College Hospital with classical (64) or definite (12) rheumatoid arthritis was carried out to investigate any possible relationship between hearing loss and duration or activity of the arthritis. Patients were excluded from the series if there was a scarred or perforated tympanic membrane, history of otorrhoea, middle ear effusion, Meniere's disease, previous aural surgery, acoustic trauma, severe head injury, or previous use of ototoxic drugs. The activity of the arthritis was assessed by the Systemic and Articular Indices of Lansbury (1958); in calculating the Systemic Index the number of aspirins required per day was excluded because many patients
High field strength (4.7T) magnetic resonance imaging of hydrocephalus in an African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus).

Hydrocephalus was diagnosed in a juvenile African Grey parrot by high-field strength (4.7-Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Excellent anatomic detail was achieved, and there was severe dilation of all ventricles. Relative obstruction was localized to the level of or beyond the outflow of the fourth ventricle. There have been several reports of hydrocephalus diagnosed postmortem in psittacines (i.e., hook-billed parrots), however, this is the first report of an antemortem diagnosis in a psittacine using high-field strength MRI.
Ultradense WDM transmission in L-band

We report error-free transmission of 100 wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) 10 Gb/s channels with 25 GHz spacing over 400 km of nonzero dispersion shifted fiber. High spectral efficiency of 0.4b/s/Hz was achieved combining distributed Raman and erbium doped fiber amplifiers.
Long-term Treatment of Galactorrhoea and Hypogonadism with Bromocriptine

Seventeen women and four men with galactorrhoea and associated hypogonadism have been treated with bromocriptine for 2 to 28 months. In 18 patients the gonadal status became normal as the galactorrhoea improved. The gonadally unresponsive patients had either pituitary tumours or premature menopause. Prolactin levels fell with treatment; withdrawal of the drug was associated with an increase in serum prolactin and a recurrence of the galactorrhoea and hypogonadism. Two patients tried to become pregnant on treatment and both succeeded. Raised prolactin levels appear to block the actions of the gonadotrophins at a gonadal level rather than prevent their synthesis or release; lowering prolactin secretion with bromocriptine allows resumption of normal gonadal function. Bromocriptine appears to be the treatment of choice for inappropriate lactation in association with hypogonadism on a long-term basis.
Comparative evaluation of a new chemiluminiscent assay and an ELISA for the detection of IgM against measles

The primary test for the laboratory confirmation of measles is immunoglobulin M (IgM) serology. It is therefore important to evaluate new commercial measles IgM immunoassays to ensure high‐quality measles diagnostic testing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LIAISON IgM measles (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy), a new automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), in comparison with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) Enzygnost (Siemens, Marburg, Germany).
PARD 3 induces TAZ activation and cell growth by promoting LATS 1 and PP 1 interaction

The Hippo pathway plays a major role in organ size control, and its dysregulation contributes to tumorigenesis. The major downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway are the YAP/TAZ transcription co-activators, which are phosphorylated and inhibited by the Hippo pathway kinase LATS 1 / 2 . Here, we report a novel mechanism of TAZ regulation by the tight junction protein PARD 3 . PARD 3 promotes the interaction between PP 1 A and LATS 1 to induce LATS 1 dephosphorylation and inactivation, therefore leading to dephosphorylation and activation of TAZ. The cytoplasmic, but not the tight junction complex associated, PARD 3 is responsible for TAZ regulation. Our study indicates a potential molecular basis for cell growth-promoting function of PARD 3 by modulating the Hippo pathway signaling in response to cell contact and cell polarity signals.
Electrophysiological investigation of the gustatory effect of various biological sugars.

The stimulation characteristics of various sugars found in biological material have been studied in the mongrel dog. Equimolar solutions of D-fructose, L-sorbose, D-galac-tose, D-glucose, D-mannose, sucrose, maltose and lactose were applied to the tongue of the experimental animal, and the electrical response in the whole chorda tympani or in functional single fibres of this nerve recorded and analyzed. The following order of decreasing stimulating ability have been established for the sugars tested using the electrical response recorded from the un-split chorda tympani as a basis for comparison: D-fructose > sucrose > L-sorbose > D-mannose > D-glucose > maltose > D-galactose > lactose. The information obtained from functional single fibres generally verified this order of the various sugars, with the exception that maltose in a few instances elicited an unusually large response. A comparison of the physical constants of the sugars revealed that large stimulating ability of a sugar appeared to be in some way related to high water solubility of the molecule. All of the fibres responding to the sugar solutions were tested with solutions of sodium chloride and quinine. Some fibres appeared specific for sweet stimuli whereas others responded to sodium chloride as well. Response to sugar and quinine was never observed in the same fibre. The results obtained by this direct method of study agree well with earlier psychophysiological investigations.
Side-Hole Photonic Crystal Fiber With Ultrahigh Polarimetric Pressure Sensitivity

We propose a side-hole polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) with ultrahigh polarimetric sensitivity to hydrostatic pressure. The proposed fiber has a very simple structure with a core surrounded by a double row of large air holes and a central row of small air holes. A pair of ultralarge side holes was symmetrically introduced into the silica cladding of the fiber to enhance the polarimetric response to hydrostatic pressure. Modal birefringence B as large as 2.34 × 10-3 and polarimetric pressure sensitivity dB/dp as high as -2.30 × 10-5 MPa-1 were achieved at 1.55 μm for the proposed fiber. Combining the advantages of both side-hole fibers and PM-PCFs, it is believed to be an excellent candidate for future applications of hydrostatic pressure measurement.
Performance of two portable meters and a benchtop analyzer for blood glucose concentration measurement in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate performance of a human portable blood glucose meter (PBGM), a veterinary PBGM, and a veterinary benchtop analyzer for measuring blood glucose concentration in rabbits and to evaluate the effect of sample characteristics on their performance. DESIGN Observational prospective cross-sectional study. SAMPLE Blood samples from 89 pet rabbits. PROCEDURES Blood glucose concentration was measured with a human PBGM (n = 89 rabbits), a veterinary PBGM (89), and a benchtop analyzer (32) and compared with results obtained with plasma in a laboratory analyzer (hexokinase method). RESULTS The human PBGM underestimated blood glucose concentration, had decreased accuracy at high Hcts, and had the lowest total error observed (11.4%). The veterinary PBGM overestimated blood glucose concentration, had decreased accuracy at low Hcts and at high blood glucose concentrations, and had the highest total error (15.5% and 29.8% for canine and feline settings, respectively). The benchtop analyzer had good accuracy and was not influenced by Hct or glucose concentrations. Clinical errors would have occurred in 0% of cases with the human PBGM and with the benchtop analyzer and in 9% (canine setting) to 6.7% (feline setting) of cases with the veterinary PBGM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that use of the human PBGM evaluated in this study would be acceptable for point-of-care testing of blood glucose concentration in rabbits when benchtop analyzers are not available. The use of the veterinary PBGM evaluated in this study may alter both treatment and diagnostic decisions because of the overestimation of glucose concentrations in some rabbits.
Evaluation of bias voltage modulation sequence for nonlinear contrast agent imaging using a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer array

Many clinical diagnoses have now been improved thanks to the development of new techniques dedicated to contrast agent nonlinear imaging. Over the past few years, Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (cMUTs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional piezoelectric transducers. One notable advantage of cMUTs is their wide frequency bandwidth. However, their use in nonlinear imaging approaches such as those used to detect contrast agents have been challenging due their intrinsic nonlinear character. We propose a new contrast imaging sequence, called bias voltage modulation (BVM), specifically developed for cMUTs to suppress their inherent nonlinear behavior. Theoretical and experimental results show that a complete cancellation of the nonlinear signal from the source can be reached when the BVM sequence is implemented. In-vitro validation of the sequence is performed using a cMUT probe connected to an open scanner and a flow phantom setup containing SonoVue microbubbles. Compared to the standard amplitude modulation imaging mode, a 6 dB increase of contrast-to-tissue ratio was achieved when the BVM sequence is applied. These results reveal that the problem of cMUT nonlinearity can be addressed, thus expanding the potential of this new transducer technology for nonlinear contrast agent detection and imaging.