Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in vascular reactivity in experimental diabetic rats: comparison with hypothyroid rats.

The responsiveness to vasoactive agents in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats was examined and compared with that of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroid rats. Diabetic rats at 4 and 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes showed a significant decrease in isoproterenol-induced vasodilatation. In addition, the contractile responses to norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine and the vasodilative response to acetylcholine were significantly decreased in 12-week-diabetic rats. The contractile response to nerve stimulation was markedly decreased at 8 and 12 weeks. On the other hand, hypothyroid rats showed a decreased response to isoproterenol, but they did not show any change in the response to nerve stimulation. A decrease in plasma thyroid hormone levels in diabetic rats at any time period was similar in extent to that in hypothyroid rats. The data indicate that the progressive changes in vascular reactivity in diabetic rats may be divided into two stages. In the early stage, the altered reactivity of vasculature is likely to be mediated by hypothyroidism, whereas in the later stage, it is induced by other factors, e.g. hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Adrenergic neuropathy is not caused by hypothyroidism.
A distributed control scheme for voltage regulation in DC distribution systems

In this paper, a distributed control scheme is proposed to mitigate the challenges of voltage regulation in DC distribution systems and facilitate high penetration of distributed and renewable energy resources. The proposed control scheme consists of two main stages. In the first stage, a distributed state estimation algorithm is implemented to estimate the voltage profile in a DC distribution system and enhance the AC/DC converter operation in order to keep the system voltage within its specified limits. Further, in case of occurrence of voltage violation that cannot be handled by the AC/DC interfacing converter a reconsideration of power management would take place. Thus, in the second stage, a distributed power management optimization problem is formulated to maximize the total DGs' revenue; while keeping the voltages of all system buses within limits. The formulated problem is classified as a convex optimization problem under global constraints. A distributed Lagrangian Primal-Dual Subgradient (DLPDS) algorithm that is superior in solving such optimization problems is proposed in this work.
Fat4 suppression induces Yap translocation accounting for the promoted proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells

ABSTRACT Fat4 functions as a Hippo signaling regulator which is involved in mammalian tissue development, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Loss of Fat4 due to frequent gene mutation was detected in a variety of tumors including gastric cancer, where Fat4 was recognized as a tumor suppressor, repressing cancer cell proliferation and adhesion. However, the detailed mechanisms linking Fat4 to its diverse functions and clinicopathological characteristics in gastric cancer remain unclear. Here, we silenced Fat4 using Fat4-shRNA in gastric cancer cells and found that this suppression led to the increase in phosphorylated Yap and nuclear accumulation of Yap, which associated to the promoted proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression. Then we transfected a full-length Fat4 into the Fat4-silenced cells, and found the decrease in phosphorylated Yap and inhibition of the cell cycle progression. Intriguingly, Fat4 reduction also leads to the accumulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin via the loss of restraining to cytoplasmic Yap instead of β-catenin transcription promotion. The Fat4-silenced cells which were treated with 5-FU, Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin and Paclitaxel individually demonstrated less sensitivities to these chemotherapy drugs compared with the control cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Fat4 expression was significantly reduced in gastric cancer tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues, and negatively correlated with tumor infiltration, lymph node metastasis and cumulative survival rate. In conclusion, Fat4 expression is deceased in gastric cancer cells, leading to nuclear translocation of Yap and correlates with poor prognosis.
Specificity and structure of obsessive‐compulsive disorder symptoms

Research in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) shows heterogeneous symptoms. No longer satisfied with categorizations of obsessions or compulsions, contemporary symptom measures are multidimensional and assess specific symptoms (e.g., checking, washing) as well as experiences bearing a putative relation to OCD (e.g., hoarding). This two‐study correlational design examined three OCD measures in student samples (total N=805). Objectives were to evaluate (a) the measures' joint factor structure; (b) specificity of relations between OCD and symptoms of general distress, panic, and depression; and (c) the pattern of convergent and discriminant relations among OCD scales after accounting for general distress. Results were that both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a five‐factor structure: checking, contamination, rituals, impulses, and hoarding. Scales showed meaningful patterns of relations with general distress, panic, and depression. That is, OCD symptoms correlated moderately with general distress and panic, but related more weakly to depression. Parallel scales measuring the five domains were reliable and showed strong convergence across instruments. After accounting for general distress, discriminant validity was found: Mono‐trait correlations between instruments were the highest correlations overall and were substantially higher than hetero‐trait values either within or between instruments. We discuss the importance of understanding relations among OCD measures, between OCD and other symptoms, and implications of this type of analysis for defining OCD. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–12, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic recordings from single sites of kitten striate cortex during experience-dependent modifications of receptive-field properties.

1. With the use of chronically implanted floating microelectrodes, we obtained simultaneous single-unit recordings from multiple sites in the kitten striate cortex and followed experience-dependent modifications of receptive-field properties. For induction of experimental modifications, we used the paradigm of monocular deprivation and reverse occlusion. Kittens were implanted when 4-5 wk old. During the following 2 days, receptive-field properties of the recorded units were determined once under light ketamine anesthesia and repeatedly while the kittens were awake and only lightly restrained. Subsequently, one eye was patched, and the resulting changes in neuronal eye preference were followed by repeated measurements of response properties. For investigation of the effects of reverse occlusion, the deprived eye was opened and the previously open eye closed when the neurons had become unresponsive to the initially deprived eye. Alternatively, kittens were monocularly deprived for 1 wk by lid suture before implantation. The closed eye was then opened, the other eye patched, and the effects of reverse occlusion were studied for up to 1 wk by repeated measurements of receptive-field properties. 2. The earliest effect of monocular deprivation was the disappearance of binocular summation, i.e., binocular responses ceased to be superior over monocular responses. Overt changes of ocular dominance were observed as early as 6 h after the beginning of monocular deprivation. These consisted of a gradual decrease of the excitatory response to deprived eye stimulation and, on occasions, of an additional moderate increase of responses to the normal eye. A complete loss of excitatory responses to deprived-eye stimulation was seen as early as 12 h after occlusion. In numerous cells, however, stimulation of the deprived eye continued to evoke inhibitory responses even after excitatory responses had vanished completely. During this shift in ocularity, neurons preserved their orientation and direction selectively. 3. The minimal time required for the manifestation of ocular dominance changes was similar regardless of whether the animals were stimulated continuously or were asleep part of the time, suggesting the existence of an experience-independent consolidation period for ocular dominance changes. 4. The first change after reverse occlusion was a reduction of the response to the newly deprived eye. The time course of this inactivation was similar to that observed after initial deprivation, whereas the recovery of responses to the previously deprived eye had a considerably slower time course. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Reducing risk behaviors linked to noncommunicable diseases in Mongolia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES We tested the efficacy of a 6-session, evidence-based health promotion intervention aimed at reducing noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk behaviors. METHODS Two hundred male and female factory workers in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia were randomly assigned to groups receiving either the health promotion intervention or a time-matched financial literacy control intervention. RESULTS The health promotion intervention increased daily fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity, increased readiness for NCD risk behavior reduction and health promotion knowledge, and reduced the number of daily alcoholic drinks and diabetes symptoms 3 months after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the efficacy of the intervention to reduce risk behaviors associated with NCDs. Dissemination of the intervention may improve productivity, reduce costs of health services, and better the quality of life for Mongolians.
Common etiological factors of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and suicidal behavior: a population-based study in Sweden.

IMPORTANCE The prevention of suicidal behavior is one of the most important tasks for mental health clinicians. Although a few studies have indicated an increased risk of suicidal behavior among individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the development of more effective ways of identifying and modifying the risk is hampered by our limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms for this association. OBJECTIVE To explore whether attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and suicidal behavior share genetic and environmental risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Matched cohort design across different levels of family relatedness recorded from January 1, 1987, to December 31, 2009. We identified 51 707 patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (through patient and prescribed drug registers) in Sweden and their relatives by linking longitudinal population-based registers. Control participants were matched 1:5 on sex and birth year. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Any record of suicide attempt or completed suicide defined by discharge diagnoses of the International Classification of Diseases. RESULTS Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (probands) had increased risks of attempted and completed suicide, even after adjusting for comorbid psychiatric disorders (odds ratio [OR] = 3.62 [95% CI, 3.29-3.98] and 5.91 [95% CI, 2.45-14.27], respectively). The highest familial risk was observed among first-degree relatives (attempted suicide: OR = 2.42 [95% CI, 2.36-2.49] among parents of probands with ADHD and OR = 2.28 [95% CI, 2.17-2.40] among full siblings of probands with ADHD; completed suicide: OR = 2.24 [95% CI, 2.06-2.43] and OR = 2.23 [1.83-2.73], respectively), whereas the risk was considerably lower among more genetically distant relatives (attempted suicide: OR = 1.59 [95% CI, 1.47-1.73] among maternal half siblings, OR = 1.57 [95% CI, 1.45-1.70] among paternal half siblings, and OR = 1.39 [95% CI, 1.35-1.43] among cousins; completed suicide: OR = 1.51 [95% CI, 1.08-2.10], OR = 2.02 [95% CI, 1.47-2.79], and OR = 1.51 [95% CI, 1.36-1.67], respectively). These familial aggregation patterns remained similar across sex, after excluding relatives with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and probands with suicidal behavior, and after excluding probands and relatives with severe comorbid disorders. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with an increased risk of both attempted and completed suicide. The pattern of familial risks across different levels of relatedness suggests that shared genetic factors are important for this association. This is an important first step toward identifying the underlying mechanisms for the risk of suicidal behavior in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and suggests that individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and their family members are important targets for suicide prevention and treatment.
Efficacy of computer technology-based HIV prevention interventions: a meta-analysis

Objectives:To conduct a meta-analysis of computer technology-based HIV prevention behavioral interventions aimed at increasing condom use among a variety of at-risk populations. Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing published and unpublished studies testing computer-based interventions. Methods:Meta-analytic techniques were used to compute and aggregate effect sizes for 12 randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. Variables that had the potential to moderate intervention efficacy were also tested. Results:The overall mean weighted effect size for condom use was d = 0.259 (95% confidence interval = 0.201, 0.317; Z = 8.74, P < 0.001; N = 4639), indicating a statistically significant impact of the interventions. This effect size compares favorably to previously tested interventions delivered by human facilitators. Statistically significant effect sizes were also found for frequency of sexual behavior, number of partners, and incident sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, interventions were significantly more efficacious when they were directed at men or women (versus mixed sex groups), utilized individualized tailoring, used a Stages of Change model, and had more intervention sessions. Conclusion:Computer technology-based HIV prevention interventions have similar efficacy to more traditional human-delivered interventions. Given their low cost to deliver, ability to customize intervention content, and flexible dissemination channels, they hold much promise for the future of HIV prevention.
Axial Length Variation Impacts on Superficial Retinal Vessel Density and Foveal Avascular Zone Area Measurements Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose To evaluate the impact of image magnification correction on superficial retinal vessel density (SRVD) and foveal avascular zone area (FAZA) measurements using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods Participants with healthy retinas were recruited for ocular biometry, refraction, and RTVue XR Avanti OCTA imaging with the 3 × 3-mm protocol. The foveal and parafoveal SRVD and FAZA were quantified with custom software before and after correction for magnification error using the Littman and the modified Bennett formulae. Relative changes between corrected and uncorrected SRVD and FAZA were calculated. Results Forty subjects were enrolled and the median (range) age of the participants was 30 (18-74) years. The mean (range) spherical equivalent refractive error was -1.65 (-8.00 to +4.88) diopters and mean (range) axial length was 24.42 mm (21.27-28.85). Images from 13 eyes were excluded due to poor image quality leaving 67 for analysis. Relative changes in foveal and parafoveal SRVD and FAZA after correction ranged from -20% to +10%, -3% to +2%, and -20% to +51%, respectively. Image size correction in measurements of foveal SRVD and FAZA was greater than 5% in 51% and 74% of eyes, respectively. In contrast, 100% of eyes had less than 5% correction in measurements of parafoveal SRVD. Conclusions Ocular biometry should be performed with OCTA to correct image magnification error induced by axial length variation. We advise caution when interpreting interocular and interindividual comparisons of SRVD and FAZA derived from OCTA without image size correction.
COPD characteristics and socioeconomic burden in Hellenic correctional institutions

Background The high prevalence of smoking (80%) in Greek correctional institutions is anticipated to result in high prevalence of COPD in such settings. Aim The aim of the Greek obstructive luNg disease epidemiOlogy and health economics Study In corrective institutionS (GNOSIS) is to determine the prevalence of smoking and COPD among inmates and to assess the health-related quality of life. Methods GNOSIS, a cross-sectional epidemiological study, was conducted between March 2011 and December 2011 in seven correctional institutions in Greece. Results A total of 552 participants, 91.3% male, median age of 43.0 years (interquartile range: 35–53), were enrolled. COPD prevalence was 6.0% and was found to increase with age (18.6% among those ≥60 years), length of prison stay, and length of sentence. Of the participants diagnosed with COPD, 36.4% were diagnosed with Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I and 51.5% were diagnosed with stage II. Dyspnea severity was assessed as grades 0–1 on the medical research council dyspnea scale for 88.3%, while 31% reported ≥2 COPD exacerbations in the past year. Seventy-nine percent of the total number of the participants were smokers, with a median smoking of 20.0 cigarettes per day, while 42.9% were assessed as having a strong addiction to nicotine. The median EuroQol visual analog scale score was 70.0 (interquartile range: 60.0–90.0). Problems in the dimension of anxiety/depression were reported by 82.8%. Conclusion The results of the study support the notion that the prevalence of COPD among inmates of Greek correctional institutions may increase in the following years. The findings underscore the importance of taking actions to limit COPD prevalence and its risk factors in the Greek correctional system.
Clinical Expression of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Patients with C4A Deficiency

We studied 121 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), of whom 119 were complement typed. Both black and white patients with SLE were more likely than racially matched controls to have a C4A null allotype. Patients with homozygous C4A deficiency had less proteinuria than other patients (p = 0.02) and both homozygous and heterozygous C4A-deficient patients (p = 0.05) had fewer seizures than other patients. Anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-Ro, and anticardiolipin antibodies were less common in patients with homozygous C4A deficiency, with heterozygous C4A-deficient patients intermediate in frequency between homozygous C4A-deficient and normal patients with SLE. Both homozygous and heterozygous C4A-deficient patients (p < 0.005) had higher C3 levels than other patients, and heterozygous C4A-deficient patients had higher, not lower, C4 levels (p < 0.002), compared with non-C4A-deficient patients. C4A gene deletion was found in 23.4% of patients. C4A gene deletion was associated with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (p = 0.04) and Sjögren syndrome (p = 0.02) in patients with SLE. Both anti-dsDNA (p = 0.04) and anticardiolipin (p = 0.04) were found less frequently in patients with C4A gene deletion. Patients with C4A gene deletion had lower C4 levels than patients with C4A deficiency from other mechanisms. We conclude that the presence of 1 or 2 C4A null allotypes and the presence of a C4A gene deletion identify subgroups of patients with SLE that differ in clinical, laboratory, and autoantibody characteristics from other patients with SLE.
Memorable Experiences with Sad Music—Reasons, Reactions and Mechanisms of Three Types of Experiences

Reactions to memorable experiences of sad music were studied by means of a survey administered to a convenience (N = 1577), representative (N = 445), and quota sample (N = 414). The survey explored the reasons, mechanisms, and emotions of such experiences. Memorable experiences linked with sad music typically occurred in relation to extremely familiar music, caused intense and pleasurable experiences, which were accompanied by physiological reactions and positive mood changes in about a third of the participants. A consistent structure of reasons and emotions for these experiences was identified through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses across the samples. Three types of sadness experiences were established, one that was genuinely negative (Grief-Stricken Sorrow) and two that were positive (Comforting Sorrow and Sweet Sorrow). Each type of emotion exhibited certain individual differences and had distinct profiles in terms of the underlying reasons, mechanisms, and elicited reactions. The prevalence of these broad types of emotional experiences suggested that positive experiences are the most frequent, but negative experiences were not uncommon in any of the samples. The findings have implications for measuring emotions induced by music and fiction in general, and call attention to the non-pleasurable aspects of these experiences.
Ultra-High-Sensitivity Submillimeter Mouse SPECT

SPECT with submegabecquerel amounts of tracer or subsecond time resolution would enable a wide range of new imaging protocols such as screening tracers with initially low yield or labeling efficiency, imaging low receptor densities, or even performing SPECT outside regular radiation laboratories. To this end we developed dedicated ultra-high-sensitivity pinhole SPECT. Methods: A cylindric collimator with 54 focused 2.0-mm-diameter conical pinholes was manufactured and mounted in a stationary small-animal SPECT system. The system matrix for image reconstruction was calculated via a hybrid method based on both 99mTc point source measurements and ray-tracing analytic modeling. SPECT images were reconstructed using pixel-based ordered-subsets expectation maximization. Performance was evaluated with phantoms and low-dose bone, dynamic kidney, and cardiac mouse scans. Results: The peak sensitivity reached 1.3% (13,080 cps/MBq). The reconstructed spatial resolution (rod visibility in a micro-Jaszczak phantom) was 0.85 mm. Even with only a quarter megabecquerel of activity, 30-min bone SPECT scans provided surprisingly high levels of detail. Dynamic dual-isotope kidney and 99mTc-sestamibi cardiac scans were acquired with a time-frame resolution down to 1 s. Conclusion: The high sensitivity achieved increases the range of mouse SPECT applications by enabling in vivo imaging with less than a megabecquerel of tracer activity or down to 1-s frame dynamics.
Estimate of Dementia Prevalence in a Community Sample from São Paulo, Brazil

Aims: To estimate dementia prevalence and describe the etiology of dementia in a community sample from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A sample of subjects older than 60 years was screened for dementia in the first phase. During the second phase, the diagnostic workup included a structured interview, physical and neurological examination, laboratory exams, a brain scan, and DSM-IV criteria diagnosis. Results: Mean age was 71.5 years (n = 1,563) and 58.3% had up to 4 years of schooling (68.7% female). Dementia was diagnosed in 107 subjects with an observed prevalence of 6.8%. The estimate of dementia prevalence was 12.9%, considering design effect, nonresponse during the community phase, and positive and negative predictive values. Alzheimer’s disease was the most frequent cause of dementia (59.8%), followed by vascular dementia (15.9%). Older age and illiteracy were significantly associated with dementia. Conclusions: The estimate of dementia prevalence was higher than previously reported in Brazil, with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia being the most frequent causes of dementia. Dementia prevalence in Brazil and in other Latin American countries should be addressed by additional studies to confirm these higher dementia rates which might have a sizable impact on countries’ health services.