Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B vaccination failure in children with Diabetes Mellitus? The debate continues

Background The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of specific antibodies against HBsAg in diabetic children (IDDM) previously vaccinated against hepatitis B virus. Patients and methods 110 diabetic children were retrospectively studied and 100 healthy controls were recruited. In all patients surface antigen, HBV core IgG, antibodies against HBV “e” antigen and quantitative HBV surface antibodies were detected. In 45 patients molecular typing of HLA alleles was performed. Metabolic control was evaluated as mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and all patients were compliant to insulin therapy Results 46 of 110 diabetic children (41.8%) and 16 of 100 healthy controls (16%) were found to have not anti-HBs antibodies (p < 0.0001). The mean antibody titer was found significantly-lower (p < 0.0001) in IDDM children than healthy controls. No correlation was found between antibody titer, age, duration of disease and HbA1c. We did not find any difference of gender, age, years of onset of the disease and metabolic control, between diabetics with anti-HBs antibodies and those without. Conclusions Our data confirm the reduced seroprotection rate for HBV vaccination in diabetics. However it remains poorly clarify the real clinical significance of this result. In our study no diabetic children showed markers of HBV infection.
“SUNCT” Syndrome. A Case of Transformation from Trigeminal Neuralgia?

A patient with typical trigeminal neuralgia involving the first branch of the nerve developed short-lasting unilateral attacks in the same area which were associated with severe vasomotor phenomena consistent with the recently described SUNCT syndrome. This evolution suggests that SUNCT might correspond, at least in this case, to a “transformed” trigeminal neuralgia and emphasizes the close relationship between these unilateral facial pain syndromes.
Fulminant type 1 diabetes—an important subtype in East Asia

Fulminant type 1 diabetes is defined as a subtype of type 1 diabetes with a remarkably acute onset. A nationwide survey identified that this variant accounts for approximately 20% of acute‐onset type 1 diabetic patients in Japan. Recent studies indicate that this is not a minor subtype in other East Asian countries. As genetic factors, we revealed association of HLA‐DR‐DQ, HLA‐B and CTLA‐4 to fulminant type 1 diabetes. As an environmental factor, viral infection would contribute to the development of this subtype. Cellular infiltration to islets was detected soon after the onset but not observed 1 month after the onset. Macrophages and T cells were the main components of the infiltrates. Enterovirus RNA and Toll‐like receptor‐3 expression, a signature of viral infection, was also observed. These findings suggest that viral infection in the susceptible individual might trigger anti‐viral immune response and that pancreatic beta cells are rapidly destroyed through the accelerated immune reaction. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the Research Learning Needs of University of Saskatchewan Librarians: A Case Study

As academic librarians with faculty status increasingly embrace research engagement as a core value and requirement, one of the little-studied questions is the extent to which they possess the requisite knowledge and skills to conduct high-quality research and scholarship and what further learning needs they might have within the organizational setting. This paper summarizes an institutional case study of the research knowledge of academic librarians employed at the University of Saskatchewan, encompassing their current research interests, experiences, competencies, environmental context, and learning needs. The goal was to develop a framework for additional educational activities and institutional supports that would enhance their knowledge and skills.
Hydrologic and Isotopic Modeling of Alpine Lake Waiau, Mauna Kea, Hawai‘i1

ABSTRACT Analysis of hydrologic, meteorologic, and isotopic data collected over 3 yr quantifies and explains the enormous variability and isotopic enrichment (δ18O = +16.9, δD = +50.0) of alpine Lake Waiau, a culturally and ecologically significant perched lake near the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawai‘i. Further, a simple one-dimensional hydrologic model was developed that couples standard water budget modeling with modeling of δD and δ18O isotopic composition to provide daily predictions of lake volume and chemistry. Data analysis and modeling show that winter storms are the primary source of water for the lake, adding a distinctively light isotopic signature appropriate for high-altitude precipitation. Evaporation at the windy, dry summit is the primary loss mechanism for most of the year, greatly enriching the lake in heavy isotopes.
The peptide AF-16 decreases high interstitial fluid pressure in solid tumors

Abstract Background. The high interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) in solid tumors restricts the access to nutrients, oxygen and drugs. Material and methods. We investigated the ability of the peptide AF-16, involved in water and ion transfer through cell membranes, to lower the IFP in two different solid rat mammary tumors, one chemically induced, slowly growing, and the other transplantable, and rapidly progressing having high cellularity. AF-16 was administered either in the tumor capsule, intranasally or intravenously. The IFP was measured by a miniature fiber optic device. Results. AF-16 significantly lowered the IFP in both the slowly and the rapidly progressing tumors, whether administrated locally or systemically. The AF-16 induced IFP reduction was maximal after 90 min, lasted at least 3 h, and returned to pretreatment levels in less than 24 h. Topical AF-16 transiently reduced the IFP in the DMBA tumors from 17.7 ± 4.2 mmHg to 8.6 ± 2.1 mmHg. Conclusion. We conclude that AF-16 transiently and reversibly lowered the high IFP in solid tumors during a few hours, which might translate into improved therapeutic efficacy.
The chromosomes of Diprion pini and D. similis (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae): implications for karyotype evolution

Earlier cytological investigations characterize the family Diprionidae with a modal chromosome number of seven. This study shows that Diprion pini and D. similis have 14 acrocentric chromosomes (n=14 for haploid males and 2n=28 for diploid females). In D. pini, rRNA genes are located on the satellite and the round short arm of the chromosome carrying this segment. We studied six populations with no evidence of chromosomal polymorphism at the species level. Our results disagree with those published previously and reopen the question of karyotype evolution. Chromosome morphology, ISH and C-banding results support the hypothesis of chromosome number doubling by centric fission and not by polyploidization, followed by the growth of short arms by means of pericentromeric DNA amplification.
Retinoic acid receptor isoform β2 is an early marker for alimentary tract and central nervous system positional specification in the chicken

In this study I describe the distribution of one variant of retinoic acid receptor‐β (RAR‐β), the RAR‐β2 isoform, during the stages before organogenesis of the chick embryo. Unlike the situation in older embryos, at these stages its distribution does not differ qualitatively from that of all RAR‐β transcripts. During the presomite headfold stage, RAR‐β2 transcripts are simultaneously upregulated in two different locations. These locations define positional identities within the anlage of the chick alimentary tract and within the central nervous system (CNS). As development proceeds the transcript expression maintains its spatial restriction within those two regions. At presomite stages RAR‐β2 transcripts are enriched within the proamnion, which contains the presumptive foregut and precardiac cells; somewhat later it is present within the foregut endoderm at the site where foregut and the lateral amniocardiac vesicles fuse to form the coelom and cardiac tube. As the foregut continues its caudal extension, RAR‐β2 expression defines an anteroposterior boundary at the level of the pharynx within the alimentary tract. The second expression site of RAR‐β2 mRNA first appears within the posterior neural plate at the level where Hensen's node commences its caudal regression. This boundary lies at the border between the future rhombomeres 5 and 6 within the hindbrain. Expression of RAR‐β2 transcripts is also spatially restricted within some migrating cranial neural crest cells. The expression of RAR‐β2 in cranial neural crest cells is consistent with what is known about the mechanisms by which cranial neural crest cell fate is determined. These data support the hypothesis that retinoids may contribute to positional specification of anteroposterior body axis, and perhaps also to the formation and identity of the developing alimentary tract and heart tube. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple sclerosis in the spinal cord: MR appearance and correlation with clinical parameters.

PURPOSE To determine the characteristic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of multiple sclerosis (MS) that affect the spinal cord. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-eight patients underwent MR imaging of the cervical and/or thoracic spine. Plaques were analyzed for lesion length, cross-sectional area and location, signal intensity, and morphology. The clinical parameters of MS type, duration of disease, sex, and age were also correlated with these MR imaging findings. RESULTS One hundred twenty-four demyelinating plaques were found in these 68 patients; 38 had more than one plaque. The majority of plaques were two body segments in length or less and peripherally located, and occupied less than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the cord. Plaques associated with cord atrophy were more likely to occur with the relapsing-progressive form of MS. Cord swelling was found only in the relapsing-remitting form of MS. CONCLUSION Spinal cord MS plaques are characteristically peripherally located, are less than two vertebral segments in length, and occupy less than half the cross-sectional area of the cord.
Cardiovascular Responses of the Chicken to Seasonal and Induced Temperature Changes

Blood pressure and cardiac output decline as ambient temperature rises in birds acclimatized to both seasonal- and induced-temperature changes, in contrast to the response usually observed in unacclimatized mammals. The decline in chickens is due to a lowered vascular resistance and blood volume. These circulatory adjustments may be related to the fact that excess heat in birds is dissipated through the respiratory system rather than through the skin.
Peephole: Predicting Network Performance Before Training

The quest for performant networks has been a significant force that drives the advancements of deep learning in recent years. While rewarding, improving network design has never been an easy journey. The large design space combined with the tremendous cost required for network training poses a major obstacle to this endeavor. In this work, we propose a new approach to this problem, namely, predicting the performance of a network before training, based on its architecture. Specifically, we develop a unified way to encode individual layers into vectors and bring them together to form an integrated description via LSTM. Taking advantage of the recurrent network's strong expressive power, this method can reliably predict the performances of various network architectures. Our empirical studies showed that it not only achieved accurate predictions but also produced consistent rankings across datasets -- a key desideratum in performance prediction.
[Dependent personality disorder].

• Inability to make decisions, even everyday decisions, without the advice and reassurance of others • Avoidance of personal responsibility; avoidance of jobs that require independent functioning and positions of responsibility • Intense fear of abandonment and a sense of devastation or helplessness when relationships end; often move right into another relationship when one ends • Over-sensitivity to criticism • Pessimism and lack of self-confidence, including a belief that they are unable to care for themselves • Avoidance of disagreeing with others for fear of losing support or approval • Inability to start projects • Difficulty being alone • Willingness to tolerate mistreatment and abuse from others • Placing the needs of their caregivers above their own • Tendency to be naïve and to live in fantasy
Aberrations of p53 gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma from China.

Allele losses and mutations have been examined in 38 cases of primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) from different geographic areas of China by Southern, single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and direct DNA sequencing analyses. Two of 12 samples from Qi-Dong and six of 18 HCCs from Shanghai showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the loci on chromosome 17p13.3. All of the nine mutations in the p53 gene detected in HCC from Qi-Dong were clustered at the third base of codon 249, i.e. G:C to T:A, leading to an arginine to serine change. In contrast, 18 HCC samples from Shanghai contained three mutations at codons 249, 255 and 279. These results suggested a relationship between the spectrum of p53 aberration and environmental risk factors in these two geographic areas. Since no correlation between the state of HBV DNA and p53 aberration was observed, other factors such as dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) might be responsible for the mutational hotspot at codon 249 in HCCs from Qi-Dong area.
Prevalence of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A: results of long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is an autosomal dominant condition in which virtually all affected kindred members have medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the penetrance of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism in affected kindred members is variable, and the true prevalence of these neoplasms is unclear from previous studies. METHODS Members of MEN 2A kindreds with more than 10 years of follow-up screening for MTC, pheochromocytoma, or hyperparathyroidism were studied. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was based on histologic examination and hyperparathyroidism on both parathyroid hyperplasia plus preoperative elevation of serum calcium levels. RESULTS Eighty-six patients operated on for MTC from 12 different MEN 2A kindreds were studied, with a mean follow-up of 12.9 years of screening for pheochromocytoma (79 patients) and 15.0 years for hyperparathyroidism (78 patients). Pheochromocytomas developed in 42% of patients with MTC, with a range of 6% to 100% in different kindreds. The prevalence of hyperparathyroidism was 35%, ranging from 0% to 53% between kindreds. The average age at diagnosis of MTC, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism was 29, 37, and 36 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the penetrance of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism is variable in different kindreds with MEN 2A but that the overall prevalence of pheochromocytoma approximates 40% and that of hyperparathyroidism 35%.
Two divergent types of nerve pathology in patients with different P sub 0 mutations in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

In seven unrelated patients with a demyelinating motor and sensory neuropathy, we found mutations in exons 2 and 3 of the P sub 0 gene.Morphologic examination of sural nerve biopsy specimens showed a demyelinating process with onion bulb formation in all cases. In four patients, ultrastructural examination demonstrated uncompacted myelin in 23 to 68% of the myelinated fibers, which is in agreement with the widely accepted function of P0 as a homophilic adhesion molecule. Three patients showed normal compact myelin, but morphology was dominated by the abundant occurrence of focally folded myelin. The two divergent pathologic phenotypes exemplify that some mutations act differently on P0 protein formation or function than others, which is probably determined by site and nature of the mutation in the P0 gene. NEUROLOGY 1996;47: 761-765
Reproductive Response in Offspring Male Rats Exposed to Prenatal Stress and to Early Postnatal Stimulation

El estres en ratas prenadas altera el patron de secrecion de corticosterona (COR) materna la cual, por via transplacentaria, produce una alteracion del eje Hipotalamo-Hipofiso-Adrenal (HHA) fetal. El estres prenatal producido durante la etapa critica de diferenciacion hipotalamica, esta relacionado con la disminucion de la fertilidad en las crias macho, por un aumento en el nivel de COR basal. Esta modificacion podria inducir cambios a largo plazo en el proceso de apoptosis testicular. Sin embargo, la estimulacion postnatal temprana mejora el comportamiento materno, revirtiendo las alteraciones producidas por el aumento de COR en las crias adultas. El objetivo fue investigar el efecto de la estimulacion postnatal temprana sobre el eje Hipotalamo-Hipofiso-Gonadal (HHG) en ratas macho estresadas prenatalmente (EP), por inmovilizacion cronica durante las dos ultimas semanas de la prenez. Se utilizaron crias de 3 meses de edad, que fueron divididas en 4 grupos: (a) individuos EP y sin estimulacion postnatal; (b) individuos EP con estimulacion postnatal; (c) individuos controles no estresados prenatalmente (CP) y sin estimulacion postnatal; y (d) individuos CP con estimulacion postnatal. En todos los grupos se midio COR, Testosterona (T) y Hormona Luteinizante (LH). Se determinaron la apoptosis y la Caspasa 3 testicular y el indice gonadosomatico. Se concluye que el estres prenatal por inmovilizacion aumenta los niveles de COR del eje HHA e inhibe el eje HHG obteniendo valores bajos de LH y T plasmaticas. Se observa disminucion del tamano testicular y aumento de la apoptosis de las celulas testiculares. Por otro lado, la estimulacion postnatal temprana se traduce en un aumento del cuidado materno hacia la cria, lo que revierte los efectos producidos por el estres prenatal sobre el eje HHG. Este efecto podria estar mediado por algun mecanismo independiente del eje HHA.
A Decision-Making Tool for Home Health Care Nurses’ Planning

This article deals with problems encountered be routing nurses through home health care services. It is difficult to assign patients to different care workers by taking into account their availability and their skills. If patients need several cares during a week, they may be treated by the same employee. We show that this problem is equivalent to a routing problem with some specific constraints. We propose an integer linear program for deciding (1) which human resource should be used and (2) when to execute the service during the planning horizon in order to satisfy the care plan for each patient served by the home health care providers.
Screening for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in the Era of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: An Australian Perspective

Australia has a unique and highly successful screening program for cervical cancer which is based on the conventional Pap smear. Since its introduction in 1991 there has been a decline in both the incidence of and mortality from this disease. Part of the success of this program has been the introduction of Pap test registers and strict quality assurance measures for cervical cytology, including compulsory key performance indicators for laboratories. Using these measures, nationwide calculations give cervical cytology in Australia a sensitivity of 78% for high-grade lesions and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 78%. Australia was the first country to introduce a widespread government-funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2007. Because of the high accuracy of Australian cytology, HPV testing alone, given its low PPV and high cost, is unlikely to be a viable alternative to cytology for primary screening in this country. Australia therefore faces unique issues and choices in integrating its extensive vaccination program with a successful cervical screening program.
Influence of psychotropic drugs upon neuropsychological test performance

Commonly used psychotropic medications are widely presumed to have deleterious effects on neuropsychological test performance. However, given the special difficulties of neuropsychological assessment with psychiatric populations, these effects have rarely been directly examined for differential, quantitative effects on test scores. A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery is described that assesses executive functions, memory, language comprehension, motor and sensory functions, and manual praxis. Data are presented on 233 psychiatric patients (70 females, 163 males) referred for neuropsychological assessment. All people with known or suspected brain damage were excluded, with 100 not taking any type of psychoactive medication. Comparisons between an unmedicated group and those taking the most common medications showed differences on tests of perseverative responses and praxis. No effects for nonverbal memory, simple motor functions, basic intellectual processes or visuomotor functions were noted. Implications for the assessment of people taking psychotropic medications are discussed.
Improving freehand placement for grasping virtual objects via dual view visual feedback in mixed reality

This paper presents a first study into the use of dual view visual feedback in an exocentric MR environment for assisting freehand grasping of virtual objects. Recent work has highlighted problems associated with user errors in freehand grasping, via an analysis of virtual object type, location and size. Our work presents an extension to this, where 30 participants are recruited for two experiments (one assessing object size and the second object position), giving 1710 grasps in total. We report on results following the same protocol of the aforementioned study using a dual view visual feedback method. Results show that dual view visual feedback significantly increases user z placement accuracy and improves grasp placement in the x and y axes, however completion time is significantly higher. No improvement was found in user grasp aperture using dual view visual feedback for changes in object size and position.
Mouse Tracking Shows Attraction to Alternative Targets While Grounding Spatial Relations

Evidence that higher cognitive processes are coupled in a graded and time-continuous way to sensory-motor processes comes, in part, from mouse-tracking studies. In these, curved mouse trajectories toward one of two fixed response locations reveal the evolution of certainty about a cognitive task that participants solve. We present a paradigm in which selection of the response location is itself the cognitive task. From among items in a visual scene, participants select a target that is described by a spatial relation (e.g.,“the red to the left of the green”), where one target item (here, “red”) matches the description better than alternative same-colored targets. In the mouse trajectories, we find clear evidence for attraction to the alternative targets, attraction to the reference item (here “green”), and an early biasing influence of the spatial term.