Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of a Trial on Improvisational Music Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND To conduct generalizable, rigorously designed, adequately powered trials investigating music therapy and other complex interventions, it is essential that study procedures are feasible and acceptable for participants. To date, only limited evidence on feasibility of trial designs and strategies to facilitate study implementation is available in the music therapy literature. OBJECTIVE Using data from a subsample of a multi-center RCT on improvisational music therapy (IMT) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this study aims to evaluate feasibility of study procedures, evaluate safety, document concomitant treatment, and report consistency of individuals' trends over time in chosen outcome measures. METHODS Children with ASD aged between 4 years, 0 months, and 6 years, 11 months, were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: one (low intensity) vs. three weekly IMT sessions (high intensity) for five months vs. standard care. Feasibility was evaluated by examining recruitment, implementation of study conditions, assessment procedures, blinding, and retention; we also evaluated safety, concomitant treatment, and consistency of changes in standardized scales completed by blinded assessors and parents before and 5 months after randomization. RESULTS Within this subsample (n = 15), recruitment rates, session attendance in the high-intensity condition, and consistency between outcome measures were lower than expected. Session attendance in the low-intensity and control conditions, treatment fidelity, measurement completion, blinding, retention, and safety met a priori thresholds for feasibility. CONCLUSIONS By discussing strategies to improve recruitment and to minimize potential burden on study participants, referrers, and researchers, this study helps build knowledge about designing and implementing trials successfully.
ICOS‐mediated signaling regulates cytokine production by human T cells and provides a unique signal to selectively control the clonal expansion of Th2 helper cells

The CD28 homologue inducible costimulator (ICOS) has been demonstrated to regulate a number of T cell‐dependent immune responses in vivo. However, the expression and functional importance of ICOS during APC‐Th cell interaction in the human is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that ICOS‐mediated signaling plays an important role in the production of selective cytokines during both primary and subsequent Th cell responses upon allospecific or superantigen activation. In contrast, ICOS does not play a role in the differentiation of naive cells into Th1 or Th2 effector cells, nor does it determine the type of effector function of memory cells upon subsequent allogeneic challenge. In addition, our data demonstrate that ICOS provides a novel and unique role in regulating DC‐mediated Th2, but not Th1 cell clonal expansion. These data suggest that ICOS‐mediated signaling plays a discrete role in the regulation of human T helper cell responses.
Comparative effects of caloric restriction and metabolic acceleration on body composition in obesity.

ABSTRACT Change in body weight, total body fat and the fat free body was evaluated in 4 patients during moderate caloric restriction (600–800 CAL), severe caloric restriction (150 CAL)and moderate caloric restriction plus metabolic acceleration (600–800 CAL +900 mg desiccatedthyroid). Compositional changes were obtained from the distribution of tritiated water, nitrogen balance and measurement of corporeal density (helium dilution). Weight loss averaged 235 g/day with moderate caloric restriction, was increased with severe caloric restriction (338 g/day) and was maximal (450 g/day) with metabolic acceleration. In contrast, fat loss which averaged 213 g/day with moderate caloric restriction was unchanged with severe caloric restriction (196 g/day) or metabolic acceleration (222 g/day). Loss of the fat free body which was minimal with moderate caloric restriction (22 g/day) increased significantly with severe caloric restriction(143 g/day) and was greatest with caloric restriction plus metabolic acceleratio.
Empirical validation of the New Zealand serious non-fatal injury outcome indicator for ‘all injury’

Our purpose was to empirically validate the official New Zealand (NZ) serious non-fatal ’all injury' indicator. To that end, we aimed to investigate the assumption that cases selected by the indicator have a high probability of admission. Using NZ hospital in-patient records, we identified serious injury diagnoses, captured by the indicator, if their diagnosis-specific survival probability was ≤0.941 based on at least 100 admissions. Corresponding diagnosis-specific admission probabilities from regions in Canada, Denmark and Greece were estimated. Aggregate admission probabilities across those injury diagnoses were calculated and inference made to New Zealand. The admission probabilities were 0.82, 0.89 and 0.90 for the regions of Canada, Denmark and Greece, respectively. This work provides evidence that the threshold set for the official New Zealand serious non-fatal injury indicator for ’all injury' captures injuries with high aggregate admission probability. If so, it is valid for monitoring the incidence of serious injuries.
Head development in the onychophoran Euperipatoides kanangrensis with particular reference to the central nervous system

The neuroectoderm of the Euperipatoides kanangrensis embryo becomes distinguishable during germ band formation when the antennal segment is evident externally. During later stages of development, the neuroectoderm proliferates extensively and, at the anterior part of the head, newly–formed neuron precursor cells occupy most of the volume. The antenna forms from the dorsolateral side of the anterior somite. The antenna has no neuroectoderm of its own at the onset of its formation, but instead, neurons migrate out to the appendage from the nearby region of the developing brain. When the antennal tract is formed it is positioned horizontally in the brain, in line with the antennal commissure. Only later, and coincidentally with the anterior repositioning of the antenna, is the tract's distal part bent anteriorly and positioned laterally. The eye starts to develop posteriorly to the antenna and the antennal commissure. This suggests that the segment(s) associated with the onychophoran eye and antenna are not serially homologous with segments carrying equivalent structures within the Euarthropoda. Evidence is presented to further support the presence of a terminal mouth in the ground plan of the Onychophora and, hence, an acron may not exist in the arthropod clade. J. Morphol. 255:1–23, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The efficacy of behavioral interventions to modify dietary fat and fruit and vegetable intake: a review of the evidence.

BACKGROUND The evidence suggesting that nutrition, particularly dietary saturated fat and fruit and vegetable intake, is related to chronic disease risk has prompted considerable research on behavioral interventions focusing on dietary change. No clear understanding has emerged, however, of the degree to which these interventions can materially influence dietary change, or the types of intervention that are most effective and for whom. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of behavioral dietary interventions in promoting dietary change related to chronic disease risk reduction. A secondary goal was to explore the relative effectiveness of specific intervention features and among different population subgroups. METHODS We conducted an evidence-based review and secondary analysis of existing literature. Our data sources included reports of randomized controlled trials and other study designs identified from multiple searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AGELINE, and AGRICOLA. We included all studies on humans (including children, adolescents, and adults) published in English since 1975 that had been conducted in North America, Europe, or Australia; that had sample sizes of at least 40 subjects at follow-up; that were not based on controlled diets; and that otherwise met inclusion criteria. Through dual review, we abstracted detailed information on study characteristics, methodology, and outcomes relating to consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fats. RESULTS From 907 unduplicated articles originally identified, we retained 104 articles reporting on 92 independent studies. The studies were similarly successful in reducing intake of total and saturated fat, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake. More than three-quarters of the studies (17 of the 22 reporting results for fruit and vegetable intake) reported significant increases in fruit and vegetable intake, with an average increase of 0.6 servings per day. Similar consistent decreases were seen in intake of saturated fat and total fat (7.3% reduction in the percentage of calories from fat). Interventions appeared to be more successful at positively changing dietary behavior among populations at risk of (or diagnosed with) disease than among general, healthy populations. Two intervention components seemed to be particularly promising in modifying dietary behavior-goal setting and small groups. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the interventions reviewed resulted in meaningful improvements in dietary factors behaviors associated with the prevention of chronic disease, particularly among individuals at elevated disease risk. The lack of similarity across studies in outcome measures, study design, analysis strategy, and intervention technique hampered our ability to draw broad conclusions about the most effective behavioral dietary interventions, but our findings offer insight into intervention components that may hold promise for future research efforts.
Treatment of Large Subchondral Tumors of the Knee With Cryosurgery and Composite Reconstruction

The radiographic and clinical outcomes of 9 patients with large benign aggressive or lowgrade malignant periarticular tumors of the knee who were treated with cryosurgery and composite reconstruction (cementation, bone graft, and internal fixation) in lieu of primary resection were analyzed. The minimum followup was 2 years (range, 24–103 months). There were 6 giant cell tumors and a single case each of chondroblastoma, chondrosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma in the study group. Six lesions involved the distal femur and 3 the proximal tibia. Functional outcomes were graded according to the Enneking Modified System for the Functional Evaluation of Tumor and The Knee Rating Scale of The Hospital for Special Surgery. All lesions extended to within 2 mm of the articular surface. Local tumor control was achieved in 8 patients (89%). The single local recurrence was successfully managed with repeat curettage, cryosurgery, cementation, and internal fixation. All 9 patients had excellent functional outcomes according to both evaluation scales.
Controversies in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most frequent intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection among patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Consensus, however, on the most appropriate diagnostic strategy for patients clinically suspected of having developed VAP has yet to be reached. Concern about the inaccuracy of clinical approaches to VAP recognition and potential for excessive use of antibiotics in the ICU had led numerous investigators to postulate that quantitative cultures of specimens obtained with bronchoscopic or nonbronchoscopic techniques, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and/or protected specimen brush (PSB), could improve identification of patients with true VAP and facilitate decisions whether to treat. Other than decision-analysis studies and one retrospective study, only five trials assessed the impact of such a quantitative bacteriological strategy on antibiotic use and outcome of patients suspected of VAP using a randomized scheme. In one study, the invasive management strategy was significantly associated with earlier attenuation of organ dysfunction and less antibiotic exposure, but the four other trials could not replicate these positive findings, including a large Canadian study that enrolled 740 patients. Because antibiotics were continued in most patients with negative BAL cultures in contradiction with the bacteriological algorithm, additional studies will be needed before concluding that a strategy based on the systematic collection of distal pulmonary secretions before introduction of new antibiotics and quantitative culture techniques is useless and cannot prevent the overuse of antimicrobial agents in the ICU.
Antioxidant Properties of Ethiopian Traditional Bread (Injera) as Affected by Processing Techniques and Tef Grain (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.)) Varieties

The purpose of this study was to compare antioxidative potential of methanolic extracts of three tef grain (Eragrostis tef) varieties (white, brown and red tef) and their respective injera (pancake- like, soft, sour, circular flatbread and a staple food for majority of Ethiopians) and enriched one with fenugreek. Injera was prepared from dough fermented for 18 hours and 72 hours. The level of IC50 values of free radical and reducing power of various tef varieties varied from 0.6 to 0.88 mg/ml and 2.25 to 2.5 mg/ml respectively. The highest free radical scavenging activities (0.6 mg/ml) and reducing power (2.25 mg/ml) was observed in red tef while the lowest scavenging activities and reductive potential were shown in white tef (0.86 mg/ml) and (2.5g/ml), respectively. Total phenol content was higher in red tef (11.47 mg GAE/g) as compared to brown tef (9.72 mg GAE/g) and white tef (8.28 mg/ GAE/g). Total flavonoids for white, brown and red tef were 1.03 mg/CE/g, 1.78 mg CE/g and 2.13 mg CE/g, respectively. The phenol and flavonoid levels of three tef varieties were significantly affected (P brown tef injera > white tef injera in the same processing conditions. The study showed that partly fermented tef injera (18 hrs of fermentation) had high antioxidant capacity than fully fermented tef injera (72 hrs of fermentation) among the same tef varieties. However, partly fermented tef injera extracts showed lower antioxidant activities than raw tef flour.
Host-feeding patterns of Florida mosquitoes. I. Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Mansonia and Psorophora.

Results of blood-meal identifications for 16 species (representing 5 genera) of mosquitoes collected in 3 different Florida habitats are presented. Over 90% of the individuals of all species had fed on mammalian hosts and at least 80% of these were from 3 host types: bovine, rabbit, and armadillo. The relative abundance of domestic and wild mammals in each habitat was assessed and compared with the feeding of mosquitoes. In each habitat, the feeding pattern of most species corresponded with the abundance of primary hosts. Reverse changes in the abundance of rabbits and armadillos occurred in 1 habitat during the 4-year study period and these changes Were clearly reflected by corresponding reverse changes in the feeding of mosquitoes. Some common mammalian species were rarely used as hosts while certain other mammals were, at times, fed on in disproportion to their abundance. Possible explanation for these phenomena are included in a general discussion of some factors which may influence mosquito feeding patterns in nature.
The Ras/MAPK cascade and the control of positive selection

Immature double positive (DP) thymocytes bearing a T cell receptor (TCR) that interacts with self‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules receive signals that induce either their differentiation (positive selection) or apoptosis (negative selection). Furthermore, those cells that are positively selected develop into two different lineages, CD4 or CD8, depending on whether their TCRs bind to MHC class II or I, respectively. Positive selection therefore involves rescue from the default fate (death), lineage commitment, and progression to the single positive (SP) stage. These are probably temporally distinct events that may require both unique and overlapping signals. Work in the past several years has started to unravel the signaling networks that control these processes. One of the first pathways identified as important for positive selection was Ras and its downstream effector, the Erk mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. In this review we examine the factors that connect the TCR to the Ras/Erk cascade in DP thymocytes, as well as what we know about the downstream effectors of the Ras/Erk cascade important for positive selection. We also consider the possible role of this cascade in CD4/CD8 lineage development, and the possible interactions of the Ras/Erk cascade with Notch during these cell fate determination processes.
Experimental measurement of extravascular parenchymal BOLD effects and tissue oxygen extraction fractions using multi‐echo VASO fMRI at 1.5 and 3.0 T

Quantitative interpretation of BOLD fMRI signal changes has predominantly employed empirical models for the whole parenchyma and a calibration step is usually needed to determine the physiological parameters during activation. Although analytical expressions are available for the extravascular and intravascular components of the BOLD effects, it is difficult to experimentally separate tissue from blood signal contributions at the low magnetic fields in which most fMRI studies are performed. Even if this can be achieved, an additional problem that remains is the separation of two types of extravascular BOLD effects, namely those around microvasculature (in the parenchyma close to the site of activation) and those around draining macrovasculature (e.g., in tissue and CSF more remote from the site of activation). In the recently developed vascular space occupancy technique, blood signals are nulled and the activations are localized predominantly in gray matter, allowing experimental measurement of parenchymal extravascular R2* and its changes accompanying activation. When comparing such data with total parenchymal R2* changes in BOLD fMRI, the extravascular fractions were found to be 47 ± 7% (mean ± SEM, n = 4) and 67 ± 6% at 1.5 and 3.0 T, respectively, in line with expectations that intravascular BOLD contributions are reduced at higher field. The present approach provides a noninvasive means to determine parenchymal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) in situ. During visual stimulation, OEF values measured at 1.5 and 3.0 T were in good agreement, giving 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.21 ± 0.01, respectively. Magn Reson Med 53:808–816, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[The differentiation and clinical significance of follicular helper T cells during acute exacerbation in asthma patients].

OBJECTIVE To observe the differentiation of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in asthma patients during acute exacerbation and post-treatment periods, and explore the clinical significance of Tfh cells in asthma. METHODS We detected the percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺, CD4⁺ICOS⁺, CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry, the level of Bcl-6 mRNA in CD4⁺ T cells by reverse transcription PCR, and the level of interleukin 21 (IL-21) in plasma by ELISA in healthy controls and asthma patients during acute exacerbation and post-treatment release periods. The linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlations of the level of IL-21 in plasma with forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second/prediction (FEV1/Pre) in acute exacerbation period of asthma patients. RESULTS The percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺, CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺ T cells in PBMCs, the level of Bcl-6 mRNA in CD4⁺T cells, and the level of IL-21 in plasma increased in acute exacerbation of the asthma patients compared to the healthy controls. After treatment, the percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺, CD4⁺ICOS⁺, CD4⁺CXCR5⁺ICOS⁺ T cells in PBMCs, the level of Bcl-6 mRNA in CD4⁺T cells, and the level of IL-21 in plasma in asthma patients were all reduced as compared with the acute exacerbation period. There were negative correlations between IL-21 and lung function parameters such as FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pre. CONCLUSION The differentiation of Tfh cells was enhanced in acute exacerbation of asthma patients, and ameliorated after treatment. Tfh cells may participate in the inflammatory reaction of asthma, and the differentiation degree of Tfh cells may reflect the extent of airway limitation in asthma patients.
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF STELLAR MULTIPLICITY ON THE DERIVED PLANET RADII FROM TRANSIT SURVEYS: IMPLICATIONS FOR KEPLER, K2, AND TESS

We present a study on the effect of undetected stellar companions on the derived planetary radii for Kepler Objects of Interest (KOIs). The current production of the KOI list assumes that each KOI is a single star. Not accounting for stellar multiplicity statistically biases the planets toward smaller radii. The bias toward smaller radii depends on the properties of the companion stars and whether the planets orbit the primary or the companion stars. Defining a planetary radius correction factor, XR, we find that if the KOIs are assumed to be single, then, on average, the planetary radii may be underestimated by a factor of ⟨ X R ⟩ ≈ 1.5 ? > . If typical radial velocity and high-resolution imaging observations are performed and no companions are detected, then this factor reduces to ⟨ X R ⟩ ≈ 1.2 ? > . The correction factor ⟨ X R ⟩ ? > is dependent on the primary star properties and ranges from ⟨ X R ⟩ ≈ 1.6 ? > for A and F stars to ⟨ X R ⟩ ≈ 1.2 ? > for K and M stars. For missions like K2 and TESS where the stars may be closer than the stars in the Kepler target sample, observational vetting (primary imaging) reduces the radius correction factor to ⟨ X R ⟩ ≈ 1.1 ? > . Finally, we show that if the stellar multiplicity rates are not accounted for correctly, then occurrence rate calculations for Earth-sized planets may overestimate the frequency of small planets by as much as 15%–20%.
Specialized knowledge and skills for occupational therapy practice in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Elsie Vergara;Marie Anzalone;Rosemarie Bigsby;Delia Gorga;Elise Holloway;Jan Hunter;Ginny Laadt;Susan Strzyzewski;Susanne Roley; American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Kidney Injury Molecule-1 ( Kim-1 ) expression in murine polycystic kidney disease

Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (Kim-1) is a type 1 membrane protein maximally upregulated in proliferating and de-differentiated tubular cells after renal ischemia. Since epithelial dedifferentiation, proliferation and local ischemia may play a role in the pathophysiology of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), we investigated Kim-1 expression in a mouse model of this disease. In the Pkd2 mouse model for ADPKD, cystic kidneys show markedly upregulated Kim-1 levels compared to noncystic control kidneys. Kim-1 is present in a subset of cysts of different sizes and segmental origins and in clusters of proximal tubules near cysts. Kim-1 expressing tubular cells show decreased complexity and quantity of basolateral staining for Na,K-ATPase. Other changes in polarity characteristic of ischemic injury are not present in Kim-1 expressing pericystic tubules. Polycystin 2 expression is preserved in Kim-1 expressing tubules. The interstitium surrounding Kim-1 expressing tubules shows high proliferative activity and staining for smooth muscle α-actin, characteristic of myofibroblasts. Although the functional role of the protein in cysts remains unknown, Kim-1 expression in tubules is strongly associated with partial de-differentiation of epithelial cells and may play a role in the development of interstitial fibrosis.