Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Premorbid adjustment and previous personality in schizophrenic patients

Psychosocial adjustment and premorbid personality are two factors that are frequently studied in order to elucidate the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. Premorbid adjustment alterations and personality disorders (principally those of the schizophrenia spectrum) have been considered vulnerability elements or have been linked with the early manifestations of a disease that is still underdeveloped (hypothesis of neurodevelopment). In this paper we review the literature. We also studied the relationship between premorbid adjustment (PAS scale) and previous personality disorders (SCID-II) in a sample of 40 patients with schizophrenia (DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, CIE-10), and statistically correlated them. The results show that premorbid adjustment correlates with avoidant, schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders: the more personality pathology found, the poorer is the premorbid psychosocial adjustment. Premorbid adjustment positively correlates with histrionic personality traits. The pathological traits of schizotypal and schizoid personalities account for up to 77% of the variance of the total premorbid adjustment in schizophrenic patients. Conclusion: The degrees of premorbid adjustment in schizophrenia are related to the different premorbid personality disorders of schizophrenic patients, which are mainly those most genetically related with schizophrenia, that is, the spectrum of the schizophrenia.
Internet use and well-being in later life: a functional approach

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the Internet's role in supporting subjective well-being in later life by applying a functional approach, namely, simultaneously but separately examining each of the principal online functions common among older adults (interpersonal communication, information, task performance and leisure). Methods: Data were collected online from 306 Internet users aged 50 years and over. Subjective well-being was measured according to indicators of depression and life satisfaction. Results: Interpersonal communication and information seeking were the most commonly used Internet functions, followed by task performance; use for leisure and recreation was significantly less prevalent. All four online functions were positively correlated with life satisfaction, and task performance and leisure were negatively correlated with depression. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, only leisure associated significantly with the well-being measures. Discussion: These findings revealed a paradoxical situation in which the most beneficial use of the Internet is the least popular.
Moderate renal insufficiency at 70 years predicts mortality.

BACKGROUND Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) diminishes with age. Kidney function in the elderly is often assessed by serum creatinine alone, although it is insensitive in this age group. Formulae for predicting GFR are not widely used. AIM To study the effect of low predicted GFR on mortality. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING The community-based Jerusalem Seventy Year Olds Longitudinal Study. METHODS We studied 445 subjects, all aged 70 years, using questionnaires, a medical examination with history-taking, and standard laboratory tests. Moderate renal insufficiency was defined as a predicted GFR of <60 ml/min, based on the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations. RESULTS Predicted GFR was normally distributed, with a mean +/- SD of 62.4 +/- 15.27 ml/min. Predicted GFR was <60 ml/min in 221 (46%), most of whom had normal serum creatinine. Twelve-year mortality was 38.7% in these 221 vs. 27% in the other 204. The survival advantage was already evident after 3 years. Under Cox proportional hazard analysis using numerous common risk factors as independent variables, lower predicted GFR had a significant mortality risk (hazard ratio 2.108, 95%CI 1.43-3.12, p = 0.0002). DISCUSSION In community-dwelling elderly people, moderate renal insufficiency as assessed using the CG equation is a strong and independent predictor of mortality. Most of these at-risk patients have 'normal' serum creatinine.
The C-terminal SH2 domain of p85 accounts for the high affinity and specificity of the binding of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase to phosphorylated platelet-derived growth factor beta receptor

Upon stimulation by its ligand, the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor associates with the 85-kDa subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. The 85-kDa protein (p85) contains two Src homology 2 (SH2) domains and one SH3 domain. To define the part of p85 that interacts with the PDGF receptor, a series of truncated p85 mutants was analyzed for association with immobilized PDGF receptor in vitro. We found that a fragment of p85 that contains a single Src homology domain, the C-terminal SH2 domain (SH2-C), was sufficient for directing the high-affinity interaction with the receptor. Half-maximal binding of SH2-C to the receptor was observed at an SH2-C concentration of 0.06 nM. SH2-C, like full-length p85, was able to distinguish between wild-type PDGF receptor and a mutant receptor lacking the PI 3-kinase binding site. An excess of SH2-C blocked binding of full-length p85 and PI 3-kinase to the receptor but did not interfere with the binding of two other SH2-containing proteins, phospholipase C-gamma and GTPase-activating protein. These results demonstrate that a region of p85 containing a single SH2 domain accounts both for the high affinity and specificity of binding of PI 3-kinase to the PDGF receptor.
Effect of Partial Shading on Characteristics of PV panel using

In this paper a simulation based study is presented for a PV panel under partial shading condition with bypass diode and without bypass diode. In a solar photovoltaic array, it is possible that shadow may fall over some of its cells. Under partial shading conditions the PV characteristic gets more complex with multiple peaks. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effects that partial shading can cause in a PV array. This is done by simulation using Matlab/Simscape. The characteristics of PV array are compared under partial shading and uniform irradiation. PV array system is made up of 18 cells in order to show two conditions, one where there is no partial shading and one containing partial shading. This paper shows the changes in characteristics while it is compared with shaded and un-shaded conditions. All the results are shown in graphical forms to illustrate the results. Simulation is performed on Matlab/Simulink software using Simscape.
Ratio Representations of Specific Dynamic Action (Mass‐Specific SDA and SDA Coefficient) Do Not Standardize for Body Mass and Meal Size

Specific dynamic action (SDA) is generally defined as the total energy expenditure associated with digestion and assimilation of ingested food and related biosynthesis (Brody 1945; Kleiber 1961). Contributing factors to SDA include secretion of digestive materials into the gastrointestinal tract, energy expended in peristalsis, upregulation and growth of relevant organs, costs of active transport, and energetic cost of intermediary metabolism and growth (Lusk 1931; Wilhelmj et al. 1931; Tandler and Beamish 1979; Wieser 1994; Secor and Diamond 2000; Starck and Beese 2001). Studies of SDA have classically focused on the role of cost of digestion in affecting potential for growth and reproduction (Brody 1945; Kleiber 1961) and on mechanisms producing SDA (Lusk 1931; Wilhemj et al. 1931). More recently, investigators have shifted some attention to the ecological and evolutionary determinants of the magnitude of SDA (Secor and Nagy 1994; Secor and Diamond 1995, 2000; Andrade et al. 1997; Secor 2001; Starck and Beese 2001; Overgaard et al. 2002). Notably, sufficient data now exist for some groups of organisms (e.g., snakes) to investigate specific hypotheses in a phylogenetic context (Secor and Diamond 2000; Secor 2001). Clearly, the present and future value of these studies finds its foundation in the methods used to represent and analyze SDA. SDA manifests itself as an increase in metabolic rate following feeding that, in some species, may last for several days. Researchers have quantified SDA using several variables, including peak metabolic rate following feeding, time to peak metabolic rate, duration of elevated metabolism, factorial scope (peak
Mechanisms of herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivation

Primary cultures of trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latently infected mice were used to study reactivation. Expression of HSV-1 latency-associated transcripts was noted in TG cell cultures. Infectious virus appeared in 75% of culture supernatants within 120 h after heat stress. Likewise, HSV-1 lytic-phase mRNA and proteins were detectable 24 h after heat stress. HSV-1 antigen first appeared in neurons after heat stress, indicating the neurons were the source of reactivation. The effect of heat stress duration on reactivation was determined. Reactivation occurred in 0, 40, or 67% of cultures after a 1-, 2-, or 3-h heat stress, respectively. However, 72-kDa heat shock protein expression was induced regardless of heat stress duration. Thus, reactivation was not a direct result of inducing the heat shock response. The capacities of several drugs to induce reactivation were also evaluated. While neither epinephrine, forskolin, nor a membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analog induced reactivation, dexamethasone did so in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, dexamethasone pretreatment enhanced the kinetics of heat stress-induced reactivation from TG cells. Collectively, the results indicate that TG cell cultures mimic important aspects of in vivo latency and reactivation. Therefore, this model may be useful for studying signalling pathways that lead to HSV-1 reactivation.
Regional changes in cerebral haemodynamics as a result of a visual stimulus measured by near infrared spectroscopy

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is used to measure global changes in cerebral haemodynamics. We have adapted the technique to measure regional changes in response to a visual stimulus. Ten volunteers were exposed to a computer generated visual stimulus designed to activate a large area of the visual cortex, including V1, V2, V3, V4 and V5. The stimulus was on for 30 s and off for 30 s. Changes in the concentrations of oxyhaemoglobin ([HbO2]) and deoxyhaemoglobin ([Hb]) were measured using a commercial spectrometer (NIRO500), over the occipital cortex. The data were summed over ten cycles. As a control, the experiment was repeated over the frontal cortex. For each subject [HbO2] increased during stimulation, and decreased when the stimulus was off. The mean (±s. c. m. ) change in [HbO2] was 0.54 ±0.14 µmol l-1. The change in total haemoglobin concentration, given by [HbO2] + [Hb] was 0.61 ±0.21 µmol l-1, equivalent to a rise in cerebral blood volume of 0.04±0.01 ml 100g-1 which is about 2% of the total cerebral blood volume. There was no significant change in [HbO2] over the frontal cortex, implying that the changes in blood volume originated in the occipital lobe. This demonstrates that nirs provides a non-invasive method of measuring regional changes in cerebral haemodynamics as a result of visual stimulation.
Have rates of erectile dysfunction improved within the past 17 years after radical prostatectomy? A systematic analysis of the control arms of prospective randomized trials on penile rehabilitation

Based on case series, potency rates after radical prostatectomy (RPE) differ substantially and – furthermore – it remains unclear whether they have improved in more recent surgical series. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether potency rates after RPE have improved over the years. A systematic analysis of the control arms of all randomized controlled trials (RCT; n = 11) on penile rehabilitation after RPE was carried out. In total, 2009 patients were included in these RCTs, 685 thereof in the respective control arms, who were either observed or received placebo. Assessment of erectile function in these studies was carried out by the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) or the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Eight trials used SEP3 as study endpoint. The rate of positive response to SEP3 (=erectile function sufficient for successful intercourse) in the control arms was 20% in 1997 (year of publication), 10% in 2003, 19% in 2004, 25% in 2008, 21% in 2010, 67% in 2011, 10% in 2013, and 22% in 2014. Eight RCTs assessed the IIEF‐EF, yet results were not reported uniformly. In the control arms the IIEF‐EF was 9.2 (year of publication 2003), 13.3 (2004), 8.8 (2008), 25% ≥22.0 (2008), 17.4 (2010), 58% ≥26.0 (2011), 9.3 (2013), and 11.6 (2014). Limitations of this analysis are a positive selection bias regarding patient recruitment, surgical approach, and the non‐uniform inclusion and outcome criteria. This systematic analysis of the control arms of all RCTs on penile rehabilitation after nerve‐sparing RPE shows (i) that the rate of undisturbed erectile function is in the range 20–25% in most studies and (ii) that these rates have not substantially improved or changed over the past 17 years.
The effect of osteopathic manipulative therapy applied to the lumbar spine on postural stability: a pilot study

Lumbar spine dysfunction has been shown to decrease postural stability. It has been hypothesized that applying manual therapy to the lumbar spine may have an effect on improving postural stability. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) treatment protocol applied to the lumbar spine on postural stability as measured by average centre of pressure velocity (COPV) on a vertical force platfrom measurement system. Significant reduction in average COPV was demonstrated during tandem stance for the intervention group with both eyes-open and eyes-closed. No significant changes in average COPV were observed during bipedal or unipedal stance for either group. Results of this study suggest that OMT applied to the lumbar spine may have an effect on postural stability. Further research with a larger sample size, symptomatic patients and a longer-term treatment protocol is needed to extrapolate these findings into the clinical setting. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.
Gamma Interferon/Interleukin 10 Balance in Tissue Lymphocytes Correlates with Down Modulation of Mucosal Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Understanding the early cytokine response to lentiviral infections may be critical to the design of prevention and treatment strategies. By using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model, we have documented an interleukin 10 (IL10)-dominated response in lymphoid tissue CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes within the first 4 weeks after mucosal FIV infection. This profile coincided with the period of high tissue viral replication. By 10 weeks postinfection, tissue viral levels decreased significantly, and gamma interferon (IFNγ) production in CD8+ T cells had increased to restore the IL10/IFNγ ratio to control levels. Concurrently, increased production of IL6 and viral RNA was detected in macrophages. These temporal associations of viral replication with cytokine balance in tissues suggest roles for IL10 in the permissive stage of infection and IFNγ in the subsequent down modulation of lentiviral infection.
ADVANCED JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE. 2018; 2(2): e19

Introduction: Radial head subluxation (RHS) is a common disorder in children. Although it is not accompanied by any important shortor long-term sequel, it could make the parents worried about. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the possible effective factors that may influence time to use the affected limb. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted prospectively during the years 2014 to 2016. All children under the age of 6 years who visited the emergency department (ED) and were diagnosed as having RHS were eligible. The patients’ baseline information was recorded. After the reduction, the time until the affected arm use returned was recorded. The possible relationship between the baseline data and time to re-use the affected limb was assessed. Results: During the study period, 112 children with a mean age of 30.18 ± 18.18 months were evaluated (53% male). Among the children who visited the ED during the first 4 hours and thereafter, 84% and 60%, respectively, re-used their limb in less than 10 minutes after reduction (p = 0.004). Also, 55% of children less than or equal to 24 months and 89% over the age of 24 months re-used the arm in 10 minutes (p < 0.001). The success rate of the first reduction maneuver was significantly lower in children with a recurrent dislocation (p = 0.001). Conclusion: It is likely that age less than or equal to 24 months and ED visit after 4 hours of the event lead to a longer duration for re-using the affected arm following reduction.
An Innovative Multiresolution Approach for DOA Estimation Based on a Support Vector Classification

The knowledge of the directions of arrival (DOAs) of the signals impinging on an antenna receiver enables the use of adaptive control algorithm suitable for limiting the effects of interferences and increasing the gain towards the desired signals in order to improve the performances of wireless communication systems. In this paper, an innovative multi-resolution approach for the real-time DOA estimation of multiple signals impinging on a planar array is presented. The method is based on a support vector classifier and it exploits a multi-scaling procedure to enhance the angular resolution of the detection process in the regions of incidence of the incoming waves. The data acquired from the array sensors are iteratively processed with a support vector machine (SVM) customized to the problem at hand. The final result is the definition of a map of the probability that a signal impinges on the antenna from a fixed angular direction. Selected numerical results, concerned with both single and multiple signals, are provided to assess potentialities and current limitations of the proposed approach.
Regulation of pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal from murine small intestine by cyclic nucleotides

1 Electrical rhythmicity (slow waves) in gastrointestinal muscles (GI) is generated by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). Cultured ICC from the murine small intestine were studied with the patch‐clamp technique to characterize regulation of pacemaker currents by cyclic nucleotides. Cyclic nucleotide agonists were also tested on intact strips of murine small intestine. 2 Nitric oxide donors slowed the frequency of pacemaker currents in a concentration‐dependent manner. These effects depended on cGMP formation and were reduced by 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ). The effects of nitric oxide donors were mimicked by membrane‐permeable analogues of cGMP. The specific cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast reduced the frequency of spontaneous pacemaker currents. 3 The cGMP‐dependent effects on pacemaker currents were not affected by okadaic acid or KT‐5823, an inhibitor of protein kinase G. 4 Forskolin, but not dideoxy forskolin, reduced the frequency of spontaneous pacemaker activity and activated a sustained outward current. The latter was likely to be due to ATP‐dependent K+ channels because it was blocked by glibenclamide. 5 The effects of forskolin were not mimicked by membrane‐permeable cAMP analogues. A membrane‐permeable inhibitor of protein kinase A, myristoylated PKA inhibitor, and the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ‐22536, had no effect on responses to forskolin. 6 Responses of intact muscles to cGMP and cAMP agonists were similar to the responses of pacemaker cells. Changes in resting membrane potential and slow wave amplitude, however, were noted in intact jejunal muscles that were not observed in ICC. Differences in responses may have been due to the effects of cyclic nucleotide agonists on smooth muscle cells that would sum with responses of ICC in intact jejunal muscle strips. 7 A cGMP‐dependent mechanism regulates slow wave frequency, but this occurs through direct action of cGMP not via protein phosphorylation. Regulation of pacemaker currents by cAMP‐dependent mechanisms was not observed.
Circulating human group A rotavirus genotypes in Malaysia

This study examined the temporal distribution of rotavirus genotypes in Malaysia. Rotaviruses from children with diarrhea admitted to hospitals in 1996 (n = 93) and 2007 (n = 12) in two different regions of Peninsular (West) Malaysia were analyzed for their G and P genotypes using a hemi‐nested RT‐PCR assay. In the 2007 samples, the dominant strain was G9P[8]. It was identified in 42% of the samples. Different strains all possessing the G1 genotype were identified in the rest of the samples. In contrast, 81% of the samples collected in 1996 were the G1P[8] strain. No strains with G9 genotype were detected in samples collected in 1996. J. Med. Virol. 82:707–711, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Artifacts in maximum-intensity-projection display of MR angiograms.

Recently, MR angiograms of the carotid and intracranial arteries have shown excellent depiction of these vessels [1, 2J. The angiograms are typically derived by acquiring a threedimensional Fourier transform (3DFT) volumetric data set and then projecting the sections to calculate an angiogramlike image from a given viewing angle. Projections are easier to interpret than are the original multiple sections because tortuous vessels can be traced more readily. In addition, the projection is similar in appearance to that of conventional angiography. When forming projection images, the maximumintensity-projection (MIP) algorithm [3] is used most often, rather than a simple summation of the sections (Fig. 1). The MIP provides superior contrast between high-intensity blood and surrounding low-intensity stationary tissue because it does not sum up the background across the entire projected volume, but rather picks out the maximum intensity voxel encountered in the projected ray. Despite the advantages of MIPs, our preliminary experience with MR angiography is that vascular anatomy is systematically distorted by the unusual contrast behavior of MIPs when many sections are projected. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate these artifacts.
CELLULAR ORGANIZATION OF THE ONCOSPHERE OF MOSGOVOYIA CTENOIDES (CESTODA: ANOPLOCEPHALIDAE)

The ultrastructure of the infective oncosphere of the cestode Mosgovoyia ctenoides (Anoplocephalidae) is described. The surface of the infective oncosphere is covered by a thin cytoplasmic layer of tegument connected by a narrow cytoplasmic process with the binucleate subtegumental cell, situated deeper in the body. Below the basal matrix of the cytoplasmic layer of the tegument are situated wide bands of the peripheral, somatic musculature responsible for body movements. The 3 pairs of hooks and their muscles form a complex hook muscle system, responsible for coordinated hook action. Five major types of cells have been distinguished: (1) a binucleate subtegumental cell, (2) a binucleate penetration gland, (3) 2 nerve cells, (4) numerous somatic cells, and (5) about 6 germinative cells. The approximate number of cells is 24 (26 nuclei, including 2 syncytial structures). The results of this study, when compared with other published reports from other cestode taxa, support previous hypotheses that the progressive reduction of oncosphere cells is an adaptive feature in cestode evolution.