Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Working Memory Impairment in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: An fMRI Study

Objective: Using a block-designed BOLD-fMRI to explore the neural basis of spatial working memory impairment in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) performing an n-back task. Methods: Sixteen patients with SCH before and after being treated with levothyroxine (LT4) for 6 months and 16 matched euthyroid subjects were scanned by fMRI under the n-back task. Results: The fMRI scan found that a neural network consisting of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), bilateral premotor area (PreMA), supplementary motor area/anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral parietal lobe (PA) and right caudate nucleus/thalamus was activated, with right hemisphere dominance. In euthyroid subjects, all these regions of interest (ROIs) showed load effect; however, only left DLPFC, left PA, bilateral PreMA and right caudate nucleus/thalamus showed the same effect in Pre-SCH patients. Furthermore, activation intensities of most ROIs (especially DLPFC and right PA) for Pre-SCH patients were lower than those in the euthyroid subjects (F <3.046, p > 0.062). Importantly, after a 6-month treatment with LT4, the load effect in SCH patients appeared the same as in the euthyroid subjects in all the ROIs (F >13.176, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our previous study shows that verbal working memory of SCH patients is impaired with abnormal activity in bilateral frontal areas. In this study, the results indicated that SCH patients may also have spatial working memory impairments, and the altered activities of right DLPFC and right posterior parietal lobe may be one of the underlying neural mechanisms. Most importantly, this study shows that LT4 replacement therapy can improve the memory impairment and reverse the altered neural activity network.
The magnetic resonance imaging appearances of the brain in acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

AIMS To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of the brain in acute carbon monoxide poisoning, the commonest cause of accidental poisoning in Europe and the U.S.A. To attempt to correlate the imaging findings with patient outcome as an aid to prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Brain MRI was performed on 19 consecutive patients, who had sustained acute carbon monoxide poisoning, as soon as possible after their referral to the regional Hyperbaric Unit at the Royal Hospital, Haslar. All patients were unconscious on arrival, and had received at least one treatment with hyperbaric oxygen by the time of first MR. The imaging findings were analysed independently by two experienced MR radiologists, with a third radiologist arbitrating on discrepant results. RESULTS Thirteen male and six female patients, age range 21-70 years (mean 38.7 years) underwent MR an average of 35.6 h (range 6-126 h) following presentation at the referring centre. MR (at 0.5T) revealed abnormalities in the following areas: globus pallidus (n = 12); other basal ganglia [ n = 5: entire lentiform (globus pallidus and putamen), putamen alone, caudate nucleus, thalamus]; white matter (n = 6: periventricular, subcortical, other); cerebral cortex (n = 5), either localized or general; medial temporal lobe in the region of the hippocampus (n = 4). The majority of the patients with hyperintensity in the region of the hippocampus (n = 3) had no other area of cortical involvement. Two patients showed abnormalities in the cerebellum. Normal appearances were seen on the initial MR in seven patients. CONCLUSION The appearances of the brain following acute CO poisoning are varied, and have previously been the subject of case reports or small studies, most of which have have addressed the delayed sequelae of this condition. This study, the first large series undertaken in the acute phase, confirms that, although the globus pallidus is the commonest site of abnormality in the brain, the effects of CO poisoning are widespread. The extent of damage correlates with clinical outcome, and therefore aids management and prognosis.
Global Bounds on Numerical Error for Ordinary Differential Equations

Classical upper bounds on global numerical errors are much too large for most ordinary differential systems of practical interest. The explanation is that perturbation bounds are generally poorly represented in estimates based on the Lipschitz constant. Consequently, complexity studies that are based on classical Lipschitz estimates are either exceedingly pessimistic or need be restricted to a small subset of problems of marginal relevance. In this paper we review the shortcomings of the classical bounds, explaining the reasons for their inadequacy. We present two modern alternative techniques, that produce much more realistic error bounds: the Alekseev-Grobner lemma and Lipschitz algebra bounds using the Dahlquist functional. The exposition of both techniques is illustrated with examples of their implementation, and compared with the classical approach. In the concluding section we review a new and speculative approach to approximate ordinary differential systems. This method abandons all standard concepts of time-stepping, matching of terms in a Taylor expansion, etc. Instead, the solution is derived by truncating a Dirichlet expansion. It is accompanied by a useful global error bound and yields itself to easy complexity analysis.
Prognostic Impacts of Metastatic Site and Pain on Progression to Castrate Resistance and Mortality in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Purpose To investigate predictors of progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 440 consecutive treatment-naïve patients initially diagnosed with mPCa between August 2000 and June 2012. Patient age, body mass index (BMI), Gleason score, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA nadir, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, Visual Analogue Scale pain score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG PS), PSA response to hormone therapy, and metastatic sites were assessed. Cox-proportional hazards regression analyses were used to evaluate survivals and predictive variables of men with bone metastasis stratified according to the presence of pain, compared to men with visceral metastasis. Results Metastases were most often found in bone (75.4%), followed by lung (16.3%) and liver (8.3%) tissues. Bone metastasis, pain, and high BMI were associated with increased risks of progression to CRPC, and bone metastasis, pain, PSA nadir, and ECOG PS≥1 were significant predictors of CSM. During the median follow-up of 32.0 (interquartile range 14.7-55.9) months, patients with bone metastasis with pain and patients with both bone and visceral metastases showed the worst median progression to CRPC-free and cancer-specific survivals, followed by men with bone metastasis without pain. Patients with visceral metastasis had the best median survivals. Conclusion Metastatic spread and pain patterns confer different prognosis in patients with mPCa. Bone may serve as a crucial microenvironment in the development of CRPC and disease progression.
Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the Achilles tendon insertion in man

The distribution of type II collagen in sagittal sections of the Achilles tendon has been used to reconstruct the three‐dimensional (3D) shape and position of three fibrocartilages (sesamoid, periosteal and enthesis) associated with its insertion. The results showed that there is a close correspondence between the shape and position of the sesamoid and periosteal fibrocartilages – probably because of their functional interdependence. The former protects the tendon from compression during dorsiflexion of the foot, and the latter protects the superior tuberosity of the calcaneus. When the zone of calcified enthesis fibrocartilage and the subchondral bone are mapped in 3D, the reconstructions show that there is a complex pattern of interlocking between pieces of calcified fibrocartilage and bone at the insertion site. We suggest that this is of fundamental importance in anchoring the tendon to the bone, because the manner in which a tendon insertion develops makes it unlikely that many collagen fibres pass across the tissue boundary from tendon to bone. When force is transmitted to the bone from a loaded tendon, it is directed towards the plantar fascia by a series of highly orientated trabeculae that are clearly visible in 3D in thick resin sections.
Orange Palpebral Spots

We report 27 cases of adults (23 females/4 males, average age 53 years old) presenting yellow-orange pigmented symmetric spots in the internal part of their superior eyelids, different from xanthelasma. Most of them were not aware of their orange palpebral spots (OPS). A systematic observation of adults showed OPS on 15 out of 326 patients. Laboratory investigation carried out in 11 patients did not show particular results except a high level of vitamin E or of total carotenoids in single cases and of β-cryptoxanthin in 5 cases attributed to the high consumption of citrus fruit during winter. In 9 out of the 10 biopsies performed, high-situated fat cells were observed in the reticular dermis, and Fontana pigments (+) in the superficial dermis and sometimes basal keratinocytes. In 1 case yellow-brown autofluorescent microgranular deposits that may correspond to lipofuscin were identified in the superficial dermis. The origin of OPS remains unclear; more than high-situated adipocytes colored by carotenoids, lipofuscin deposit could explain this color, easily visible due to the thinness of the skin in this part of the body. Identifying OPS avoids being mistaken about other pathologies, but further investigations are necessary to understand this entity better.
The effect of balance training on motor recovery and ambulation after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM To investigate the effects of balance training, using force platform biofeedback, on motor recovery, mobility and activity level of hemiparetic patients with stroke. METHODS In this randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial 41 inpatients [mean (+/-SD) age of 60.9 (+/-11.7) years] with hemiparesis after stroke (median time since stroke 6 months) were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group. The control group (n=19) participated in a conventional stroke inpatient rehabilitation program, whereas the experimental group (n=22) received 15 sessions of balance training (using force platform biofeedback) in addition to the conventional program. Main outcome measures were motor recovery of the lower extremity (Brunnstrom staging), mobility (Rivermead Mobility Index, RMI) and activity level (Functional Independence Measure, FIM) that performed one week before and after the experimental treatment program. RESULTS Both groups were similar in terms of baseline clinical characteristics. Motor recovery, mobility and activity level improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05). Between-group difference of mean change score was not significant for the Brunnstrom stages (0.23 vs 0.26), RMI (2.9 vs 2.2) and FIM score (10.7 vs 11.5). CONCLUSION In our group of stroke patients, balance training combined with a conventional rehabilitation program does not provide additional benefit in terms of lower extremity motor recovery, mobility and activity level.
Prevalence of Abnormalities in Dental Structure, Position, and Eruption Pattern in a Population of Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Objective: To evaluate the dental characteristics of patients subjected to a protocol that included early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty (ESGAP). Design: Panoramic radiographs of 87 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 29 with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) were evaluated. Missing and supernumerary teeth were also quantified on the cleft and noncleft side and in the maxilla and mandible. Crown and root malformations and tooth rotations were quantified. A subsample in permanent dentition was extrapolated to analyze canine eruption patterns. Results: A total of 48.8% of the UCLP patients presented with missing permanent lateral incisors in the cleft area and 6.1% contralaterally. A total of 4.9% presented with missing second maxillary premolars on the cleft site and 1.2% contralaterally. A total of 7.3% presented with supernumerary lateral incisors, and 45% of the BCLP cleft sites presented with missing lateral incisors, while 25% of the cleft sites presented second maxillary premolars agenesis. Five percent of the cleft sites presented with supernumerary lateral incisors. Evaluation of the subsample in permanent dentition showed that 15.5% had a canine retention and 4.4% of the canines had to be surgically exposed. A significant association was observed between canine inclination and retention but not with absence of the lateral incisor. Conclusions: The frequency of dental anomalies in this sample was similar to other cleft populations. As surgical trauma has been suggested to damage forming teeth, the results of this study indicated that ESGAP has no detrimental influence on subsequent dental development.
BRIDGING THE GAP: A Comparison of the Professional Nursing Values of Students, New Graduates, and Seasoned Professionals

ABSTRACT Given the significant and widespread changes in the health care system, generational diversity and the resulting differences in values present a challenge for the nursing profession.A three‐group comparative design was used to compare the professional nursing values held by nursing students, new graduates, and seasoned practitioners, utilizing the Nursing Professional Values Scale (Weis & Schank, 2000) developed from the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. Findings revealed greater similarities than differences across the three groups; the notion that experience is necessary to develop professional values was not supported. Significant differences were seen across groups related to their knowledge regarding the code of ethics and its relevance to practice. Strategies to bridge the gap in value orientation between education and practice are offered as a means to strengthen professional commitment and maintain the viability of the profession.
Changing trends in incidence of lung cancer by histologic type in Scotland

Lung cancer is a major public health concern worldwide. Our study aims to examine trends in incidence of lung cancer in Scotland during 1959–97 and by histologic type for 1975–97. In Scotland, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Due to poor survival rates, trends in incidence and mortality display similar patterns. Within the United States and many parts of Europe, falls in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma have occurred whilst the incidence of adenocarcinoma has increased. Data were extracted from the Scottish Cancer Registry. Trends in incidence were examined by standardising rates to the World Standard Population. Age‐specific rates were examined by year of diagnosis and mid year of birth. In Scotland the incidence of lung cancer in men has fallen since the late 1970s, whereas incidence in women has continued to increase. Incidence rates of adenocarcinoma have increased over time but squamous cell carcinoma remains the predominant type of lung cancer in Scotland. The quality of lung cancer registration data has improved over time, although a large proportion of lung cancers (>20%) are not microscopically verified. Changes in histologic types are unlikely to be solely due to diagnostic advances. Rates of adenocarcinoma have increased steadily over time, and this may be due to changes in cigarette design during the 1950s. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the WHO western Pacific region 1992-4. WHO Western Pacific Region Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the establishment and outcomes of a regional programme of continuing long term surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae over the period 1992-4. METHODS: Laboratories in 17 countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region participated in a continuing programme of surveillance of the susceptibility of gonococci to an agreed group of antibiotics over 3 years. Established techniques were used and these included quality control and proficiency testing systems. RESULTS: About 20,000 gonococci were examined over a 3 year period. Resistance to the penicillins through beta lactamase production or chromosomal mechanisms was widespread, with further changes evident over the 3 years. Spectinomycin resistance was infrequently encountered but high level tetracycline resistance was present in most participating centres, with some having high proportions of tetracycline resistant organisms. Quinolone resistance increased and became widespread throughout the region in the 3 years, ultimately involving all but one centre. Both the number and minimum inhibitory concentrations of quinolone resistant isolates increased markedly. CONCLUSIONS: Patterns of gonococcal resistance to antibiotics continue to evolve, at times rapidly, and have the potential for wide and rapid dissemination. Regional surveillance programmes can be developed by using and expanding existing resources. Data thus derived were applied to the development of appropriate treatment regimens in the region, and emphasised further the need for a global expansion of the programme of integrated surveillance of gonococcal resistance.
Cytosine–phosphate–guanine motifs fail to promote T‐helper type 1‐polarized responses in human neonatal mononuclear cells

Background The T‐helper type 1 (Th1) trophic properties of bacterial cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) motifs have made them logical adjuvants both for the suppression of Th2‐mediated allergic disease in early life and for promoting vaccine responses in neonates who have relatively immature Th1 function. However, little is known about their effects on immature immune responses in this period.
Business Investment, Cash Holding and Uncertainty Since the Great Financial Crisis

The Lehman Brothers event in 2008 created a large uncertainty shock that triggered an economic slowdown lasting a decade. The macroeconomic effects are well documented, but the effect on business decisions much less so. In this paper, we explore corporate data to investigate how economic uncertainty affected investment, dividend payouts and cash holdings, based on over 10,000 UK firm-year observations. We offer new insights into the relationship between business decisions and uncertainty, by exploiting two surveys of macroeconomic uncertainty from professional forecasters and CFOs collected by the Bank of England. These data demonstrate that heightened economic uncertainty lowered investment even after controlling for investment opportunities, sales growth, and the firm’s own stock volatility. Economic uncertainty also explains the rise in cash holdings and the fall in payouts. Hence, our results help explain why UK firms invested so little and held so much cash at a time of historically low interest rates, and also why they paid out smaller dividends. These results may help explain recent sluggish productivity in the UK economy, and they also are important, because they provide a benchmark for future studies of Brexit-related uncertainty.
Repair response of Escherichia coli to hydrogen peroxide DNA damage

The repair response of Escherichia coli to hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage was investigated in intact and toluene-treated cells. Cellular DNA was cleaved after treatment by hydrogen peroxide as analyzed by alkaline sucrose sedimentation. The incision step did not require ATP or magnesium and was not inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). An ATP-independent, magnesium-dependent incorporation of nucleotides was seen after the exposure of cells to hydrogen peroxide. This DNA repair synthesis was not inhibited by the addition of NEM or dithiothreitol. In dnaB(Ts) strain CRT266, which is thermolabile for DNA replication, normal levels of DNA synthesis were found at the restrictive temperature (43 degrees C), showing that DNA replication was not necessary for this DNA synthesis. Density gradient analysis also indicated that hydrogen peroxide inhibited DNA replication and stimulated repair synthesis. The subsequent reformation step required magnesium, did not require ATP, and was not inhibited by NEM, in agreement with the synthesis requirements. This suggests that DNA polymerase I was involved in the repair step. Furthermore, a strain defective in DNA polymerase I was unable to reform its DNA after peroxide treatment. Chemical cleavage of the DNA was shown by incision of supercoiled DNA with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a low concentration of ferric chloride. These findings suggest that hydrogen peroxide directly incises DNA, causing damage which is repaired by an incision repair pathway that requires DNA polymerase I.
Evaluation of Performance of Full‐Scale Duckweed and Algal Ponds Receiving Septage

The performance of duckweed and algal systems in removing fecal bacteria, organic matter, and nutrients was evaluated in three full‐scale ponds operating in series. Trucks collected septage from holding tanks and discharged it into the system, daily. The inflow rates varied between the warm and the cold season. Duckweed and algae naturally colonized the ponds in two successive periods of 10 and 13 months, respectively. Environmental conditions were determined at various pond depths. Without harvesting, the duckweed system was neutral and anoxic. Alkaline and oversaturation conditions were observed in the algal system. The overall removals of 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, total nitrogen removal, and orthophosphate (ortho‐PO43–) ranged from 94 to 97, 62 to 84, 68 to 74, and 0 to 26%, respectively. The E. coli and enterococci reductions varied between 2.2 to 3.0 and 1.1 to 1.4 log units, respectively. The upper values were always associated with the algal system.
Tradeoffs between reproduction and mycelium production in the unit-restricted decomposer Coprinus cinereus

A laboratory experiment was performed which examined tradeoffs between production of mycelium and reproduction (using stipe dry weight as an estimator of spore production) in the coprophilous mushroom species Coprinus cinereus. Isolates of the fungus taken from a single dikaryotic mycelium were grown in Petri plates containing yeast extract agar. Plates varied in diameter and resource density, but the total volume of agar was kept constant. Isolates grown in 100 mm and 150 mm diameter plates produced significantly less mycelium compared to isolates grown in 60 mm diameter plates. Within 60 mm plates there was no correlation between the efficiency of mycelium production and fruit body production, but in larger plates there was a significant negative correlation between the two. These results indicate that isolates grown on larger plates were less efficient at using resources than isolates grown on small plates, and that mycelium production is curtailed on larger plates to maintain spore production.