Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction and Platelet Activation in Patients with Severe Symptomatic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Background: Small deep infarcts (SDI), also called lacunar infarcts, resulting from the occlusion of deep branch arteries, account for 25% of ischemic strokes. The physiopathology of the disease remains largely unknown. However, evidence about the role of endothelial dysfunction has emerged. Whereas chronic platelet activation is of major importance in acute thrombosis of large atherosclerotic arteries, its role in SDI remains unclear. Frequently associated risk factors are hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine platelet and endothelial activation in patients with recent SDI in comparison to population-based control subjects matched for age, sex and vascular risk factors. Methods: Platelet activation markers (activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, P-selectin and platelet microparticles), shear-induced platelet aggregation (SIPA) studied in the SIPAgreg device at 4,000 s-1, endothelial activation markers [including von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen and homocysteine] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in 74 consecutive patients with recent SDI, in whom detectable large artery atherosclerosis or cardiac embolism had been ruled out. Blood samples were collected 1 and 3 months after symptom onset. These factors were also measured in 74 population-based controls with no stroke history and matched for age, sex, hypertension and diabetes. Results: One month after symptom onset, the patients had similar levels of platelet activation to matched controls (p > 0.40 for all comparisons). In contrast, endothelial activation parameters were increased in patients in comparison to controls (vWF: p = 0.002 and homocysteinemia/creatinemia: p = 0.025). The level of hsCRP was slightly increased in patients compared to controls (p = 0.059). At 3 months, we observed a significant decrease in vWF and hsCRP levels in patients (median change in vWF = 10%, p = 0.004; median change in hsCRP = 0.4 mg/l, p = 0.02). Homocysteine levels and all platelet parameters remained unchanged at this time compared to at 1 month. Conclusions: Our results confirm that chronic platelet activation, when compared to controls matched for age, sex and vascular risk factors, did not seem to play a central role in the pathophysiology of lacunar stroke. In contrast, we found markers of endothelial dysfunction, the role of which in the occurrence of lacunar infarction has still to be clarified in further studies.
Lack of Association between the MiR146a Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Thai Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

BACKGROUND MiRNAs, small non coding RNAs, play a role in the regulation of hematopoiesis, with effects on cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, MiRNAs are thought to play an important role in tumorigenesis. The miR146a G>C polymorphism can lead to alteration of miR146 expression, which appears to be associated with development and progression of several cancers. This study aimed to investigate the association of the miRNA146a (rs2910164) G>C polymorphism and susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Totals of 100 childhood ALL patients and 200 healthy children were studied for miR146a polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS The frequency of the miR146a G allele in controls was 0.40 compared with 0.38 in ALL patients. There was no association between miRNA146a (rs2910164) G>C polymorphism and susceptibility to childhood ALL (OR=1.484, 95%CI=0.712-3.093, p=0.290). Moreover, the frequencies of miR146a (rs2910164) G>C polymorphism were not associated with demographic data and clinical outcomes in ALL cases. CONCLUSIONS The miRNA146a polymorphism was not significantly associated with susceptibility to Thai childhood ALL or any clinico-pathological variables.
Video analytics revisited

Video, rich in visual real-time content, is however, difficult to interpret and analyse. Video collections necessarily have large data volume. Video analytics strives to automatically discover patterns and correlations present in the large volume of video data, which can help the end-user to take informed and intelligent decisions as well as predict the future based on the patterns discovered across space and time. In this study, the authors discuss various issues and problems in video analytics, proposed solutions and present some of the important current applications of video analytics.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeon Thermoproteus uzoniensis 768-20

ABSTRACT Thermoproteus uzoniensis 768-20 is a thermoacidophilic anaerobic crenarchaeon isolated from a solfataric field in Kamchatka, Russia. The complete genome sequence reveals genes for protein and carbohydrate-active enzymes, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, the Embden-Meyerhof and Entner-Doudoroff pathways for glucose metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the dicarboxylate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle, hydrogenase, and sulfur reductase.
Masculinity, alexithymia, and fear of intimacy as predictors of UK men's attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help.

OBJECTIVES Men's reluctance to access health care services has been under researched even though it has been identified as a potentially important predictor of poorer health outcomes amongst men. Male gender role socialization and male development may be important in accounting for men's underutilization of mental health services in the United Kingdom. METHOD A cross-sectional online survey was used to administer standardized self-report measures that were subject to regression analysis. Five hundred and eighty-one men from the UK general population completed the survey, and 536 participants formed the final regression analysis. RESULTS Men who score higher on measures of traditional masculine ideology, normative alexithymia, and fear of intimacy reported more negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Normative alexithymia fully mediated the effect of fear of intimacy on attitudes towards professional help seeking. In the final regression model, education significantly accounted for a proportion of unique variance in men's help-seeking attitudes. CONCLUSIONS Hypothesized consequences of male emotional and interpersonal development and male gender role socialization were associated with men's attitudes towards seeking psychological help. These are important factors which could help to improve help seeking and mental health outcomes for men. Limitations of this study and implications for future research are discussed. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Men are less likely to seek help for physical and psychological problems and have poorer health outcomes across nearly all major illness and injury. Men's reluctance to access health care services is believed to be a major contributory factor to poorer health outcomes for men. What does the study add? The study is a large-scale survey of UK men's attitudes towards professional psychological help seeking. Results provide evidence that hypothesized consequences of male gender role socialization and dominant masculine norms are associated with men's attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Attitudes towards psychological help seeking were associated with masculinity, alexithymia, and intimacy. Alexithymia fully mediated the effect of intimacy on men's attitudes towards psychological help seeking. Promoting help seeking in men could improve men's emotional well-being and interpersonal functioning.
Psychosocial factors, attitude to menopause and symptoms in Swedish perimenopausal women

Objectives To analyze attitude to menopause from women's own accounts and to examine whether psychosocial factors and attitude are associated with symptom reporting. Methods The data form part of a population-based longitudinal study of a cohort of women who have been followed annually for 5 years using psychological interviews and rating scales, health screening and hormonal characterization. The data reported here were collected at the fourth follow-up when the women (n = 148) were 53 years old. Results Women were classified as perimenopausal (27%), postmenopausal (15%), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) users (52%) and hysterectomized (6%), based on self-reports. More than half the women (51%) had a positive attitude to menopause, 24% had a negative attitude and 25% had a neutral attitude. Menopausal status was not associated with attitude to menopause. Factor analysis of symptom ratings yielded ten independent factors comprising negative mood, vasomotor symptoms, decreased sexual desire, memory problems, sleep-related symptoms, vaginal dryness, urogenital problems, joint pain, vitality and increased sexual desire. Only vasomotor symptoms and joint pain were associated with menopausal status. The other symptoms were more strongly related to psychosocial factors, life-style and attitude to menopause. Conclusions The results support the view of the menopause as a developmental phase associated with an increased self-awareness and a stronger personal identity. More than half the women held a positive view of the menopause, whereas the remaining proportion of women had either a negative or a neutral attitude. Only vasomotor symptoms and joint pain were associated with postmenopausal status. Other symptoms were significantly related to psychosocial factors, life-style and attitude to menopause.
Tissue‐engineered constructs: the effect of scaffold architecture in osteochondral repair

Cartilage has a poor regenerative capacity. Tissue‐engineering approaches using porous scaffolds seeded with chondrocytes may improve cartilage repair. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pore size and pore interconnectivity on cartilage repair in osteochondral defects treated with different scaffolds seeded with allogenic chondrocytes. Scaffolds consisting of 55 wt% poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) and 45 wt% poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEOT/PBT) with different pore sizes and interconnectivities were made, using a compression moulding (CM) and a three‐dimensional fibre (3DF) deposition technique. In these scaffolds, allogenic chondrocytes were seeded, cultured for 3 weeks and implanted in osteochondral defects of skeletally mature rabbits. At 3 weeks no difference in cartilage repair between an empty osteochondral defect, CM or 3DF scaffolds was found. Three months post‐implantation, cartilage repair was significantly improved after implantation of a 3DF scaffold compared to a CM scaffold. Although not significant, Mankin scores for osteoarthritis (OA) indicated less OA in the 3DF scaffold group compared to empty defects and CM‐treated defects. It is concluded that scaffold pore size and pore interconnectivity influences osteochondral repair and a decreased pore interconnectivity seems to impair osteochondral repair. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jet-driven outflows of ionized gas in the nearby radio galaxy 3C 293

Fast outflows of gas, driven by the interaction between the radio jets and interstellar medium (ISM) of the host galaxy, are being observed in an increasing number of galaxies. One such example is the nearby radio galaxy 3C 293. In this paper we present integral field unit observations taken with OASIS on the William Herschel Telescope, enabling us to map the spatial extent of the ionized gas outflows across the central regions of the galaxy. The jet-driven outflow in 3C 293 is detected along the inner radio lobes with a mass outflow rate ranging from ∼0.05 to 0.17 M yr−1 (in ionized gas) and corresponding kinetic power of ∼0.5– 3.5 × 1040 erg s−1. Investigating the kinematics of the gas surrounding the radio jets (i.e. not directly associated with the outflow), we find linewidths broader than 300 km s−1 up to 5 kpc in the radial direction from the nucleus (corresponding to 3.5 kpc in the direction perpendicular to the radio axis at maximum extent). Along the axis of the radio jet linewidths >400 km s−1 are detected out to 7 kpc from the nucleus and linewidths of >500 km s−1 at a distance of 12 kpc from the nucleus, indicating that the disturbed kinematics clearly extend well beyond the high surface brightness radio structures of the jets. This is suggestive of the cocoon structure seen in simulations of jet–ISM interaction and implies that the radio jets are capable of disturbing the gas throughout the central regions of the host galaxy in all directions.
Antipsychotic Drug Treatment of Schizophrenic Patients with Substance Abuse Disorders

Background/Aim: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing adequate treatments for patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a comorbid substance use disorder (SUD). In the present paper we aim to critically review published reports on the use of conventional and second-generation antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and comorbid SUD, to provide clinicians with a clearer view of the pharmacological treatment of this highly prevalent dual diagnosis based upon the evidence arising from the scientific literature. Methods: A search of the relevant literature from Medline, PsycLIT and EMBASE databases, included in the Science Citation Index, and available up to November 2006 was conducted using the terms: ‘schizophrenia’, ‘substance use disorder’ and ‘antipsychotics’. Results: While research on the use of conventional antipsychotics has remained limited, the majority of studies suggest the effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotics, particularly clozapine, for patients with schizophrenia and a comorbid substance use disorder. Conclusion: In the absence of randomized controlled trials that could provide more reliable information, clinical decisions may need to rely on indirect data provided by the increasing number of case reports, open trials and retrospective studies showing a decrease in cigarette smoking, alcohol, cocaine or cannabis use and an improvement of overall psychiatric symptoms.
Global Expression Analysis Identified a Preferentially Nerve Growth Factor-induced Transcriptional Program Regulated by Sustained Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) and AP-1 Protein Activation during PC12 Cell Differentiation*

Background: Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells requires sustained ERK signaling induced by NGF. Results: Global expression analysis identified a set of genes that was induced preferentially by NGF-mediated ERK signaling. The NGF-induced genes were targeted by AP-1 and CREB transcription factors. Conclusion: Preferential NGF gene induction is mediated by sustained AP-1 activity. Significance: A transcriptional program specifically induced during neuronal differentiation has been characterized. Neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells in response to NGF is a prototypical model in which signal duration determines a biological response. Sustained ERK activity induced by NGF, as compared with transient activity induced by EGF, is critical to the differentiation of these cells. To characterize the transcriptional program activated preferentially by NGF, we compared global gene expression profiles between cells treated with NGF and EGF for 2–4 h, when sustained ERK signaling in response to NGF is most distinct from the transient signal elicited by EGF. This analysis identified 69 genes that were preferentially up-regulated in response to NGF. As expected, up-regulation of these genes was mediated by sustained ERK signaling. In addition, they were up-regulated in response to other neuritogenic treatments (pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate plus dbcAMP) and were enriched for genes related to neuronal differentiation/function. Computational analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation identified binding of CREB and AP-1 family members (Fos, FosB, Fra1, JunB, JunD) upstream of >30 and 50%, respectively, of the preferentially NGF-induced genes. Expression of several AP-1 family members was induced by both EGF and NGF, but their induction was more robust and sustained in response to NGF. The binding of Fos family members to their target genes was similarly sustained in response to NGF and was reduced upon MEK inhibition, suggesting that AP-1 contributes significantly to the NGF transcriptional program. Interestingly, Fra1 as well as two other NGF-induced AP-1 targets (HB-EGF and miR-21) function in positive feedback loops that may contribute to sustained AP-1 activity.
Role of QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube in tuberculosis contact investigation: experience in a tuberculosis unit

Abstract Background: Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are increasingly used for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Because of the lack of a gold standard for the diagnosis of LTBI, IGRAs are compared to the tuberculin skin test (TST) and yield conflicting results. We assessed the usefulness of an IGRA test, QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G-IT), for diagnosing LTBI compared with TST in the setting of a contact screening study. Methods: A prospective comparison between the QFT-G-IT and the TST in TB contact subjects in a low TB burden area was conducted sequentially between January 2006 and December 2012. Results: A moderate concordance between the two tests (κ = 0.44 for TST cut-off of 5 mm and κ = 0.56 for TST cut-off of 15 mm) was found. A better agreement was shown in younger contacts and in non-vaccinated contacts when using a TST of 15 mm. Independent risk factors for a TST+/QFT-G-IT- discordance were history of BCG vaccination and age between 31 and 59 years. Discordance was also more frequent using a TST cut-off value of 5 mm. QFT-G-IT+/TST- was infrequent and was found in older contacts. Conclusions: Based on our data, we cannot recommend the use of QFT-G-IT as the only test to rule out LTBI, especially in older patients.
Are Adolescents Dying by Suicide Taking SSRI Antidepressants? A Review of Observational Studies

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between adolescents who die by suicide and their use of SSRI antidepressants. Method: We sought all available observational studies of individual adolescent suicides that were population based and which contained individual data on SSRIs at or around the time of death. Results: From an initial database of 656 studies, we identified and examined six studies. In the latter, nine of 574 young people (1.6%) who died by suicide had had recent exposure to SSRIs. Conclusion: The rarity of SSRI usage prior to adolescent suicide is not supportive of the assertion that SSRIs are associated with increased suicide in young people. Given the prevalence of depression associated with youth suicide, it favours the conclusion that most adolescents dying by suicide have not had the potential benefit of antidepressants at the time of their deaths. This finding should allow practitioners, with appropriate precautions and as part of a comprehensive management plan, to more confidently prescribe SSRIs for young people with moderate to severe clinical depression.
Maternal Obesity, Mode of Delivery, and Neonatal Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether adverse neonatal outcome, defined as birth injuries or severe illnesses in the newborn, was associated with maternal body mass index (BMI) in singleton pregnancies overall and depending on mode of delivery. METHODS: This was a cohort study including 1,024,471 women. Data were collected from the Swedish Medical Birth Registry. Women were categorized into six classes of BMI. Obese women were compared with normal weight women regarding adverse neonatal outcome after suitable adjustments. Four modes of delivery were evaluated: vaginal delivery; instrumental vaginal delivery; elective cesarean delivery; and emergency cesarean delivery. RESULTS: Compared with neonates born to women of normal weight, neonates born to women with BMIs of 40 or more (morbidly obese) were at increased risk of birth injury to the peripheral nervous system (odds ratio [OR] 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.83–5.12; 0.2% compared with 0.6%), birth injury to the skeleton (OR 2.59, 95% CI 2.10–3.21; 0.5% compared with 1.1%), respiratory distress syndrome (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.88–2.30; 2.9 compared with 5.8%), bacterial sepsis (OR 2.90, 95% CI 2.43–3.46; 0.6% compared with 1.7%), convulsions (OR 3.43, 95% CI 2.63–4.47; 0.2% compared with 0.8%), and hypoglycemia (OR 3.48, 95% CI 3.20–3.78; 2.4% compared with 7.9%). For morbidly obese women, elective cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery were associated with twice the increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes when compared with women of normal weight. CONCLUSION: Neonates born to morbidly obese women are at markedly increased risk of adverse neonatal outcome regardless of mode of delivery. Obstetricians should not disregard the neonatal problems associated with elective cesarean delivery for morbidly obese women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
The Blameworthy Victim: Domestic Violence Myths and the Criminalization of Victimhood

Prior research shows that individual perceptions of victims play an integral role in the societal response to domestic violence, as well as victims' responses to their own victimization. However, little research has specifically examined individual perceptions of domestic violence victims who remain in abusive relationships. This study begins to fill the void in the literature by examining college students' attitudes toward battered women. Specifically, the study considers whether students adhere to common myths associated with battering and if myths lead college students to view domestic violence victims as “blameworthy. ” The study relies on a sample of 370 university students attending a large Southern metropolitan university. Findings indicate that students moderately support domestic violence myths and that myth promotion is associated with support for increased criminal justice penalties such as prosecution of mothers and approval of delayed police response in cases of repeat victimization. Implications for policy, theory, and practice are provided.
Use of social spiders against gastro-intestinal infections spread by house flies.

effusions, the pericardial effusion, and the ascites. The tenninology of polyserositis is considered and a suggestion is made that the term 'acute generalized polyserositis' be reserved for a group of these cases in which simultaneous multiple serous effusions of unproved aetiology occur. There is some evidence, but no proof, of a link: between polyserositis as defined here and the collagen diseases in view of the serous effusions resembling those found in systemic lupus erythematosus and the immediate (perhaps temporary) response to steroids.
Biological effects of electromagnetic fields--mechanisms for the effects of pulsed microwave radiation on protein conformation.

Microwave exposure under "athermal" conditions occurs when no temperature rise can be measured by conventional thermometry. The existence of biological effects arising from the athermal exposure is still controversial, partly because of a lack of the linear dose response relation. We propose a model in which pulsed microwave radiation causes a triggering of the heat shock or stress response by altering the conformation of proteins through a transient heating of the protein and its close environment. We support this by modelling using the heat diffusion equation and show that pulsed exposure even when athermal can lead to transient temperature excursions outside the normal range. We propose that the power window phenomenon in which biological effects are observed at low power levels may be caused by an incomplete triggering of the heat shock response.