Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A validated risk score to estimate mortality risk in patients with dementia and pneumonia: barriers to clinical impact

ABSTRACT Background: The clinical impact of risk score use in end-of-life settings is unknown, with reports limited to technical properties. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study to evaluate clinical impact of a validated mortality risk score aimed at informing prognosis and supporting clinicians in decision-making in dementia patients with pneumonia. We performed a trial (n = 69) with physician-reported outcomes referring to the score's aims. Subsequently, physician focus group discussions were planned to better understand barriers to clinical impact, and we surveyed families (n = 50) and nurses practicing in nursing homes (n = 29). We finally consulted with experts and key persons for implementation. Results: Most (71%) physicians who used the score considered it useful, but mainly for its learning effects. Families were never informed of numerical risk estimates. Two focus group discussions revealed a reluctance to use a numerical approach, and physicians found that outcomes conditional on antibiotic treatment were inadequate to support decision-making. Nurses varied in their perceived role in informing families. Most families (88%) wished to be informed, preferring a numerical (43%), verbalized (35%), or other approach (18%) or had no preference (5%). Revising the score, we added an ethical framework for decision-making to acknowledge its complexity, an explanatory note addressing barriers related to physicians’ attitudes, and a nurses’ form. Conclusion: The combined quantitative and qualitative studies elicited: substantial barriers to a numerical approach to physicians’ end-of-life decision-making; crucial information for revisions and further score development; and a need for implementation strategies that focus on education.
Measurement properties of the short form (SF)-12 applied to patients with stroke

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Short Form (SF)-12 and to determine its ability to detect changes in health related quality of life (HRQOL) following stroke. The study involved a cohort of 90 patients admitted with an ischemic stroke to a hospital in the northeastern United States. The items of the SF-12 were found to be reliable (alpha=0.833–0.894) and to load on a physical and mental component. Three months post-stroke the physical component summary (PCS) scores of the SF-12 were significantly less than population norms. The PCS scores were also lower after stroke (3 month=42.5, 12 month=46.3) than before stroke (48.8). Mental component summary (MCS) scores did not differ significantly from population norms or across time (range=53.6 to 54.9). We conclude that the reliability and validity of the SF-12, as well as its brevity and capacity to document changes in the physical component of HRQOL, provide support for its use in patients with stroke.
Immune responses to Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium parvum in adult immunocompetent or immunocompromised (nude and SCID) mice

Adult murine models of Cryptosporidium infection involving Cryptosporidium muris and C. parvum were used to study immunity to cryptosporidiosis in the mammalian host. Immunocompetent BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice developed a highly patent infection with the RN 66 strain of C. muris but overcame the infection and were immune to reinfection. In contrast, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice or nude mice had a chronic infection lasting at least 109 days. The development of the C. muris infection appeared to be confined to the gastric epithelium in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice. SCID mice injected intraperitoneally with histocompatible spleen or mesenteric lymph node cells from uninfected BALB/c mice were able to recover from the C. muris infection. The protective effect of donor spleen cells was not reduced by depletion of the B cell population but was significantly reduced by depletion of Thy.1 cells. Treatment of C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice during infection with a gamma interferon-neutralizing monoclonal antibody, but not a tumor necrosis factor-neutralizing monoclonal antibody, resulted in a significant increase in oocyst production. In the C. parvum model, a severe and eventually fatal chronic infection with a cervine isolate was established in SCID mice, with parasitization occurring in the ileum, cecum, and colon. SCID mice injected with unprimed BALB/c spleen cells prior to inoculation of C. parvum oocysts were resistant to infection. These results suggested that the two animal models should be valuable in the study of immunity to cryptosporidial infection.
Major Differences in Diet across Three Linguistic Regions of Switzerland: Results from the First National Nutrition Survey menuCH

Switzerland is a multilingual country located between Germany, France and Italy, which differ by dietary habits and related outcomes. We explored differences in food consumption as well as compliance to the Swiss food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) across the German-, French-, and Italian-speaking regions. The 2014–2015 nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among a stratified random sample of 2057 adults aged 18 to 75 years. Trained dietitians assessed food consumption via two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls using the international validated software GloboDiet®. Recorded foods and beverages were classified into six groups and 31 subgroups relevant for assessing compliance to the FBDG (Swiss Food Pyramid). Usual daily intake distributions were modelled and weighted for sampling design, non-response, weekdays and season. Participation rate was 38%. Significant differences across regions were observed in 18 of 31 food subgroups (p ≤ 0.01). Weighted mean daily intakes in the German-, French- and Italian-speaking regions were, respectively, 245 g, 155 g, 140 g for soft drinks, 273 g, 214 g, 135 g for coffee, 127 g, 72 g, 109 g for milk, 32 g, 45 g, 43 g for red meat, 18 g, 29 g, 34 g for fish/seafood, 8.1 g, 6.4 g, 3.7 g for butter, and 206 g, 214 g, 168 g for vegetables. The seven FBDGs were followed by <1% of the population. Four in 10 participants met ≥3 FBDG. Eighteen percent of participants ate ≥5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, without regional differences. Food consumption substantially differed across the three linguistic regions of Switzerland. Adherence to FBDG was uniformly low. This highlights the potential influence of culture on diet. Nutritional education along with public health interventions are needed and may be most efficient if regionally targeted.
An Optimization Variant of Multi-Robot Path Planning Is Intractable

An optimization variant of a problem of path planning for multiple robots is addressed in this work. The task is to find spatial-temporal path for each robot of a group of robots such that each robot can reach its destination by navigating through these paths. In the optimization variant of the problem, there is an additional requirement that the makespan of the solution must be as small as possible. A proof of the claim that optimal path planning for multiple robots is NP‑complete is sketched in this short paper.
Visceral adipose tissue and the risk of colorectal adenomas: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-related metabolic syndromes are hypothesized to promote colorectal neoplasia; however, the results from studies investigating whether VAT directly measured by computed tomography is a risk factor for colorectal adenomas (CRA) have been inconsistent. We carried out a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to quantitatively assess this association and dose–response relationship between VAT and the risk of CRA. We searched PubMed for relevant studies that were published in any language, from January, 1950 to June, 2010. Three case–control studies and eight cross-sectional studies involving 11 111 participants contributed toward this meta-analysis. We pooled the odds ratio (OR) from individual studies and carried out dose–response, heterogeneity, and publication bias analyses. In a pooled analysis of all studies, the amount of VAT (in a comparison of the highest and lowest categories) was associated with an increased risk of CRA (OR=1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–2.16). Subgroup meta-analyses by both sexes, VAT measurements, study designs, and Asian ethnicity yielded similar results. An increase of 500 cm3 of VAT volume was related to an increased risk of CRA from the dose–response meta-analysis (OR=1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.11). These results suggest that a large amount of VAT measured by computed tomography significantly increases the risk of CRA both in men and in women.
Architectonic identification of the core region in auditory cortex of macaques, chimpanzees, and humans

The goal of the present study was to determine whether the architectonic criteria used to identify the core region in macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta, M. nemestrina) could be used to identify a homologous region in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and humans (Homo sapiens). Current models of auditory cortical organization in primates describe a centrally located core region containing two or three subdivisions including the primary auditory area (AI), a surrounding belt of cortex with perhaps seven divisions, and a lateral parabelt region comprised of at least two fields. In monkeys the core region can be identified on the basis of specific anatomical and physiological features. In this study, the core was identified from serial sets of adjacent sections processed for cytoarchitecture, myeloarchitecture, acetylcholinesterase, and cytochrome oxidase. Qualitative and quantitative criteria were used to identify the borders of the core region in individual sections. Serial reconstructions of each brain were made showing the location of the core with respect to gross anatomical landmarks. The position of the core with respect to major sulci and gyri in the superior temporal region varied most in the chimpanzee and human specimens. Although the architectonic appearance of the core areas did vary in certain respects across taxonomic groups, the numerous similarities made it possible to identify unambiguously a homologous cortical region in macaques, chimpanzees, and humans. J. Comp. Neurol. 441:197–222, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The neuropsychology of obsessive-compulsive symptoms Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms occur in a variety of clinical conditions including psychiatric disorders such as tic and impulse control disorders, developmental disorders such as autism and Asperger’s Disorder, or as acquired phenomena in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and following brain injury (Alegret et al., 2001; Anderson, Louis, Stern& Marder, 2001; Berthier, Kulisevsky, Gironell& Lopez, 2001; Isaacs, 2004; Russell, Mataix-Cols, Anson& Murphy, 2005; Sharma & Gupta, 2002; Tonkonogy, Smith& Barreira, 1994). Not surprisingly, investigations of OC symptomatology have primarily focused on idiopathic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which has been investigated from clinical, pathophysiological and neuropsychological perspectives. To date, few neuropsychological investigations have compared idiopathic OCD to patient groups in whom OC symptoms are acquired.
Foreign aid and corruption in selected African Muslim countries: an empirical study based on Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model

Considering the dismal growth performance in many African countries despite the huge transfer of resources as foreign aid or development assistance (DA) by various multilateral development and financial institutions like OECD, USAID and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) among others; it was not surprising that Transparency International through its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reports classified most African countries as icons of corruption. In this connection therefore, this study makes an attempt to empirically investigate the nature and pattern of causal relationship existing between corruption and foreign aid in selected African Muslim Countries (AMCs) like Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal who are among the major recipients of the development assistance of IDB in more than three decades. As a matter of fact, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model based on Cointegration and Granger-causality tests was adopted. Basically, the findings from our study indicate that the nature of causality existing between corruption and foreign aid is both in the short and long-run analysis. Also, the pattern of causality is both unidirectional and bidirectional. Importantly, our findings revealed the relevance of the corruption trap hypothesis of Collier (2006) to all the countries in the sample, especially for Morocco. Stemming from these findings, we recommend that IDB and other African development partners like the OIC, OECD, OPEC and a host of others should give more commitment to the enthronement of good governance. They should especially facilitate the international war against corruption in these countries and Africa at large because these two measures are fundamental to the growth and development process of the continent.
Acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat brain after pneumococcal meningitis

Pneumococcal meningitis is a life‐threatening disease characterized by acute purulent infection of the meninges causing neuronal injury, cortical necrosis and hippocampal apoptosis. Cholinergic neurons and their projections are extensively distributed throughout the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to assess acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat brain after pneumococcal meningitis. In the hippocampus, frontal cortex and cerebrospinal fluid, acetylcholinesterase activity was found to be increased at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hr without antibiotic treatment, and at 48 and 96 hr with antibiotic treatment. Our data suggest that acetylcholinesterase activity could be related to neuronal damage induced by pneumococcal meningitis.
Antibody Association with a Novel Model for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Induction of Relapsing‐Remitting and Progressive Forms of EAE in H2S Mouse Strains

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be divided into 4 clinical forms: relapsing‐remitting (RR), primary progressive (PP), secondary progressive (SP), and progressive relapsing (PR). Since PP‐MS is notably different from the other forms of MS, both clinically and pathologically, the question arises whether PP‐MS is immunologically similar to the other forms. The pathogenesis of the PP‐MS remains unclear, partly due to a lack of highly relevant animal models. Using an encephalitogenic peptide from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)92–106, we have established animal models that mimic different forms of MS in 2 strains of H‐2s mice, SJL/J and A.SW. We induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) using MOG92‐106 in the presence or absence of supplemental Bordetella pertussis (BP). Although, SJL/J mice developed RR‐EAE whether BP was given or not, A.SW mice developed PP‐EAE without BP and SP‐EAE with BP. Histologically, SJL/J mice developed mild demyelinating disease with T cell infiltration, while A.SW mice developed large areas of plaque‐like demyelination with immunoglobulin deposition and neutrophil infiltration, but with minimal T cell infiltration. In A.SW mice without BP, high titer serum anti‐MOG antibody was detected and the anti‐MOG IgG2a/IgG1 ratio correlated with survival times of mice. We hypothesized that, in A.SW mice, a Th2 response favors production of myelinotoxic antibodies, leading to progressive forms with early death. Our new models indicate that a single encephalitogen could induce either RR‐, PP‐, or SP‐ forms of demyelinating disease in hosts with immunologically different humoral immune responses.
A Case of Male Breast Cancer with a BRCA Gene Mutation.

BACKGROUND Male breast cancer (MBC) is an uncommon malignancy with an incidence that accounts for about 1% of all breast cancer cases. It commonly presents as a locally advanced tumor that has already spread to the regional nodal basin. Similar to female breast cancers, MBC gene expression profiling and tumor studies help to detect molecular subtypes of tumors that correlate with clinical outcome and mortality rates. CASE REPORT We report a relatively uncommon case of a 64-year-old male with a BRCA1+ gene mutation that is also found to be HER2+ on receptor analysis. Initial diagnostic studies with mammography and ultrasound revealed a left-sided hypoechoic mass measuring 2.3 cm, located at the 11 o'clock position adjacent to the nipple-areolar complex. Whole body positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan revealed a hypermetabolic retroareolar left breast mass and enlarged, hypermetabolic left axillary lymph nodes. Final pathology revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma with a Nottingham histologic score of 3 (mitotic count score, 3; nuclear pleomorphism score, 3). Of the 19 lymph nodes examined, 15 had evidence of macrometastatic disease. CONCLUSION This report highlights a novel case of MBC with a rare genotypic presentation. A need exists to further explore this disease process because the literature is scant with information regarding the long-term treatment and outcomes of MBC, especially in the genotypic form presented here. Subsequent studies in the long-term outcomes of various MBC cases will need to be pursued to better understand the optimal screening and treatment strategies for this disease.
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL LATINO AND CAUCASIAN STUDENTS' VALUES ABOUT MATH, PERCEIVED MATH ACHIEVEMENT AND STEM CAREER CHOICE

By Samuel Rodriguez Flecha, Ph.D. Washington State University December 2012 Chair: Jennifer M. Beller The purpose of this study was to examine high school students’ math values, perceived math achievement, and STEM career choice. Participants (N=515) were rural high school students from the U.S. Northwest. Data was collected by administering the “To Do or Not to Do:” STEM pilot survey. Most participants (n=294) were Latinos, followed by Caucasians (n=142). Fifty-three percent of the students rated their math achievement as C or below. Of high math students, 57% were male. Females were 53% of low math students. Caucasians (61%) rated themselves as high in math in a greater proportion than Latinos (39%). Latinos (58%) rated themselves as low in math in a greater proportion than Caucasians (39%). Math Values play a significant role in students’ perceived math achievement. Internal math values (r =.68, R2 =.46, p =.001) influenced perceived math achievement regardless of gender (males: r =.70, R2 =.49, p =.001; females: r =.65, R2 =.43, p =.001), for Latinos (r =.66, R2 =.44, p =.001), and Caucasians (r =.72, R2 =.51, p =.001). External math values (r =.53, R2 =.28, p =.001) influenced perceived math achievement regardless of gender (males: r =. 54, R2
Maternal anxiety and child fear during dental procedures: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of dental fear, state anxiety, and physiological distress in children and their mothers during pediatric dental procedures and to investigate the associations between these variables. METHODS Forty children and their mothers who visited six pediatric dental clinics in Tokyo, Japan, participated in this study. Dental fear was assessed using the dental subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) and the Dental Fear Survey. Children completed the pre- and post-treatment State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children-State (STAIC-S), and mothers completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S). Pre- and post-treatment salivary alpha amylase (sAA) levels were measured to assess physiological distress. Paired t tests and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS State anxiety scores and sAA levels significantly differed between pre- and post-treatment in mothers (P=.007 and P<.02, respectively) but not in children. Pretreatment STAI-S scores in mothers were correlated with CFSS-DS scores in children (r=.348, P<.03), but pretreatment STAI-S and STAIC-S scores were not. CONCLUSIONS Maternal anxiety before children's dental treatment was significantly associated with children's dental fear.
Considerations regarding adherence of anti-osteoporosis therapy

Abstract Osteoporosis remains a challenging disease to treat due to a number of barriers including patient adherence to therapies. One of the most recent advances has been the development of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, which is helpful in conveying fracture risk to patients and providing treatment guidance to clinicians. The decision to use an anti-osteoporosis therapy must be tailored to the patient’s specific clinical scenario. The bisphosphonates are first-line agents in the treatment of osteoporosis and are efficacious in substantially reducing fracture risk between 25% and 70% on average depending on fracture site. Compliance with oral bisphosphonate pills can be poor, resulting in a significant deterrent to the proper management of osteoporosis. Non-pill forms of bisphosphonate and nonbisphosphonate therapy are available for the treatment of osteoporosis and may increase compliance. Among these is Binosto, a new formulation of weekly effervescent alendronate, as well as intravenous bisphosphonates, teriparatide, and subcutaneously administered denosumab, which are all costly medications and are unlikely to become the mainstay of treatment over the oral bisphosphonate pills. Having a detailed conversation between the patient and physician is essential to the development of a tailored treatment plan that will decrease fracture risk.
Correlation Study For the Assessment of Water Quality and Its Parameters of Ganga River, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

In the present work water samples are collected from six different Ghats of Ganga river in Kanpur city from March 2010 to February 2011 on monthly basis and water quality assessment is carried out. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) value is determined using correlation matrix to identify the highly correlated and interrelated water quality parameters. To test the significance of the pair of parameters p-value is carried out and in order to test the joint effects of several independent variables, without frequent or repeated monitoring of water quality in a location. Higher concentration of Chromium (6.7 mg/l) at Siddhnath ghat in June, and its monthly variation showed highly adverse effect on river Ganga due to tanneries effluent. It is found that significant positive correlation holds for Temp vs BOD GH1 (r= 0.99, p<0.01), EC vs chloride GH6 (r=0.877, p<0.01), EC vs TDS GH6 (r=0.836, p<0.01); and TA vs DO GH1(r=0.842, p<0.01), pH vs Mg GH6 (r=-0.79, p<0.01), EC vs Nitrate GH6 (r=0.846, p<0.01). A significant negative correlation was found for DO vs BOD GH3 (r=-0.943, p<0.01), DO vs TDS GH6 (r=-0.838, p<0.01), and TA vs TDS GH6 (r=-0.88, p<0.01). Chromium is found that non significant correlation. The mean values of all the measured physico-chemical parameters of Ganga river water are within the highest desirable limit set by WHO except BOD.