Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unbalanced Occlusion Modifies the Pattern of Brain Activity During Execution of a Finger to Thumb Motor Task

In order to assess possible influences of occlusion on motor performance, we studied by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) the changes in the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal induced at brain level by a finger to thumb motor task in a population of subjects characterized by an asymmetric activation of jaw muscles during clenching (malocclusion). In these subjects, appropriate occlusal correction by an oral orthotic (bite) reduced the masticatory asymmetry. The finger to thumb task was performed while the subject’s dental arches were touching, in two conditions: (a) with the teeth in direct contact (Bite OFF) and (b) with the bite interposed between the arches (Bite ON). Both conditions required only a very slight activation of masticatory muscles. Maps of the BOLD signal recorded during the movement were contrasted with the resting condition (activation maps). Between conditions comparison of the activation maps (Bite OFF/Bite ON) showed that, in Bite OFF, the BOLD signal was significantly higher in the trigeminal sensorimotor region, the premotor cortex, the cerebellum, the inferior temporal and occipital cortex, the calcarine cortex, the precuneus on both sides, as well as in the right posterior cingulate cortex. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that malocclusion makes movement performance more difficult, leading to a stronger activation of (a) sensorimotor areas not dealing with the control of the involved body part, (b) regions planning the motor sequence, and (c) the cerebellum, which is essential in motor coordination. Moreover, the findings of a higher activation of temporo-occipital cortex and precuneus/cingulus, respectively, suggest that, during malocclusion, the movement occurs with an increased visual imagery activity, and requires a stronger attentive effort.
Antibiotic Application and Resistance in Swine Production in China: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

To meet increasing demand for animal protein, swine have been raised in large Chinese farms widely, using antibiotics as growth promoter. However, improper use of antibiotics has caused serious environmental and health risks, in particular Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This paper reviews the consumption of antibiotics in swine production as well as AMR and the development of novel antibiotics or alternatives in China. The estimated application of antibiotics in animal production in China accounted for about 84240 tons in 2013. Overuse and abuse of antibiotics pose a great health risk to people through food-borne antibiotic residues and selection for antibiotic resistance. China unveiled a national plan to tackle antibiotic resistance in August 2016, but more support is needed for the development of new antibiotics or alternatives like plant extracts. Antibiotic resistance has been a major global challenge, so international collaboration between China and Europe is needed.
Molecular Characterization of TEM-59 (IRT-17), a Novel Inhibitor-Resistant TEM-Derived β-Lactamase in a Clinical Isolate of Klebsiella oxytoca

ABSTRACT A clinical isolate of Klebsiella oxytoca (Kox 443) was found to have a low-level resistance to broad-spectrum penicillins (MICs of amoxicillin and ticarcillin, 256 and 32 μg/ml, respectively), without substantial potentiation by 2 μg of clavulanic acid per ml (amoxicillin- and ticarcillin-clavulanate, 128 and 8 μg/ml, respectively), while being fully susceptible to cephalosporins and other β-lactam antibiotics. These resistances were carried by a ca. 50-kb conjugative plasmid that encodes a single β-lactamase with a pI of 5.6. Compared to TEM-2, this enzyme exhibited a 3- to 30-fold higher Km and a decreased maximal hydrolysis rate for β-lactams; higher concentrations of suicide inactivators (5- to 500-fold higher concentrations giving a 50% reduction in hydrolysis) were required for inhibition. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed identity between the blaTEM gene of Kox 443 and the blaTEM-2 gene, except for a single A-to-G change at position 590, leading to the amino acid change from Ser-130 Gly. This mutation has not been reported previously in the TEM type β-lactamases produced by clinical strains, and the novel enzyme was called TEM-59 (alternative name IRT-17). This is the first description of an inhibitor-resistant TEM-derived enzyme in the speciesK. oxytoca.
The Slow Depolarization Following Individual Spikes in Thin, Unmyelinated Axons in Mammalian Cortex

An important goal in neuroscience is to understand how neuronal excitability is controlled. Therefore, Gardner-Medwin's 1972 discovery, that cerebellar parallel fibers were more excitable up to 100 ms after individual action potentials, could have had great impact. If this long-lasting effect were due to intrinsic membrane mechanisms causing a depolarizing after-potential (DAP) this was an important finding. However, that hypothesis met resistance because the use of K+ sensitive electrodes showed that synchronous activation, as commonly used in excitability tests, increased extracellular K+ concentration sufficiently to explain much of the hyperexcitability. It is still controversial because intra-axonal recordings, which could have settled the debate, have not been made from parallel fibers or other axons of similar calibers. If it had not been for the fact that such thin axons are, by far, the most common axon type in cortical areas and control almost all glutamate release, it would be tempting to ignore them until an appropriate intra-axonal recording technique is invented. I will go through the literature that, taken together, supports the hypothesis that a DAP is an intrinsic membrane mechanism in cerebellar parallel fibers and hippocampal Schaffer collaterals. It is most likely due to a well-controlled process that stops the fast repolarization at a membrane potential positive to resting membrane potential, leaving the membrane more excitable for ~100 ms during a slow, passive discharge of the membrane capacitance. The DAP helps reduce failures but can also cause uncontrolled bursting if it is not properly controlled. The voltage at which the fast repolarization stops, and the DAP starts, is close the activation range of both Na+ and Ca2+ voltage activated channels and is therefore essential for neuronal function.
Outcomes of early, late, and no admission to the intensive care unit for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to compare outcomes associated with early, late, and no admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS This was a post hoc analysis of the original data from the Emergency Department Community-Acquired Pneumonia (EDCAP) and Pneumocom-1 prospective multicenter cohort studies of adult patients hospitalized with CAP. Propensity score-adjusted analysis was used to compare 28-day mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS) for 199, 144, and 2,215 patients with early (i.e., ICU admission on the day of emergency department [ED] presentation), late, and no ICU admission. RESULTS Unadjusted 28-day mortality rates were 13.1, 19.4, and 5.7% for early, late, and no ICU admissions, respectively (p < 0.001). After adjusting for quintile of propensity score, the odds of 28-day mortality were higher for late ICU admissions relative to early ICU admissions (odds ratio [OR] = 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.42 to 4.90), and no ICU admissions (OR = 3.40; 95% CI = 2.11 to 5.48), but did not differ between early and no ICU admissions (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.79 to 2.09). The median hospital LOS was 10 days for early (interquartile range [IQR] = 7 to 18), 15 days for late (IQR 9 to 23), and 6 days (IQR 4 to 9) for no ICU admissions (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that late but not early admission to the ICU is associated with higher 28-day mortality for patients hospitalized with CAP. Patients admitted to the ICU have longer hospital LOS in comparison to those managed on the wards, particularly if they are admitted late to the ICU.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for refractory ascites: an analysis of the literature on efficacy, morbidity, and mortality

OBJECTIVES:Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is frequently used to treat patients with refractory ascites, but its role is controversial. We sought to determine from the literature the efficacy, morbidity, and mortality associated with TIPS for refractory ascites.METHODS:We searched MEDLINE and identified studies published in English from January, 1985, to March, 2003, that evaluated the effect of TIPS in patients with refractory ascites. Outcomes that were analyzed included complete resolution of ascites, reduction in ascites, mortality, encephalopathy, stenosis, and renal function. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat basis.RESULTS:Of 25 studies identified, 16 were included in the analysis. The pooled estimate for complete response at 6 months was 45% and for any response (complete and partial) was 63%. Pooled 6-month mortality after TIPS was 36%. Risk factors for mortality included renal insufficiency (serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dl), hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin >3 mg/dl), advanced age (>60 yr), and poor response to TIPS. The pooled rate of new or worsening encephalopathy after TIPS was 32%. In most cases, encephalopathy was managed medically or by reduction in shunt size; however, refractory cases were associated with 100% mortality in most studies. Studies reporting the effect of TIPS on kidney function showed improvement in creatinine clearance and urinary sodium excretion.CONCLUSIONS:TIPS is effective in eliminating ascites or substantially reducing ascites in cases refractory to medical therapy. Renal insufficiency, refractory encephalopathy, and hyperbilirubinemia were consistently associated with mortality after TIPS. In individuals with risk factors for mortality, alternative strategies should be recommended.
Preparing for Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Government

On behalf of the IBM Endowment for The Business of Government, we are pleased to present this report by Ai-Mei Chang and P. K. Kannan, " Preparing for Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Government. " The report by Professors Chang and Kannan is based on the premise that we are about to enter the third generation of wireless and mobile technologies. Chang and Kannan write, " With the advent of third generation (3G) wireless networks and broadband in the near future, wireless devices can be content rich, enabling transmittal of content-rich graphics, video, and other information at speeds up to 2Mbps. " Given these expanded capabilities, Chang and Kannan argue that government must now begin to explore ways in which it can utilize wireless and mobile technologies to enhance the delivery of e-government both to gov-ernment's own employees and to citizens. There are several key messages for government leaders in the Chang and Kannan report. First, government must now begin to measure the technology readiness of its employees and begin to educate and train them on the use of mobile technologies. From its own experience in introducing previous technologies, government has clearly learned the importance of preparing and training employees to use new technologies. Second, government must now begin to plan and identify ways in which it can begin to deploy mobile and wireless technologies. Such plans should include the development of pilot projects to demonstrate the potential usefulness of such technologies, especially in reaching citizens in geographically remote areas where citizen access is important. We trust that this report will be useful and informative to both government program managers and information technology specialists as they begin to grapple with the new challenge of putting mobile and wireless technologies to use on behalf of government. Just as government has successfully begun to tap into the potential of the Internet to dramatically improve the delivery of services to citizens at all levels of government , its next challenge will be to tap into the potential of mobile and wireless technologies. Recently there has been much excitement about the role wireless and mobile technologies can play in e-government initiatives. Wireless and mobile technologies are diffusing at some of the fastest paces witnessed among personal technology products all over the world. As citizens and employees become comfortable using technology and as the technologies mature, much of the potential for next-generation enterprise applications and …
Structural Equation Model (SEM) of Stroke Mortality in Spanish Inpatient Hospital Settings: The Role of Individual and Contextual Factors

Introduction: Traditionally, predictive models of in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke have focused on individual patient variables, to the neglect of in-hospital contextual variables. In addition, frequently used scores are betters predictors of risk of sequelae than mortality, and, to date, the use of structural equations in elaborating such measures has only been anecdotal. Aims: The aim of this paper was to analyze the joint predictive weight of the following: (1) individual factors (age, gender, obesity, and epilepsy) on the mediating factors (arrhythmias, dyslipidemia, hypertension), and ultimately death (exitus); (2) contextual in-hospital factors (year and existence of a stroke unit) on the mediating factors (number of diagnoses, procedures and length of stay, and re-admission), as determinants of death; and (3) certain factors in predicting others. Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study through observational analysis of all hospital stays of Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) 14, non-lysed ischemic stroke, during the time period 2008–2012. The sample consisted of a total of 186,245 hospital stays, taken from the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) upon discharge from Spanish hospitals. MANOVAs were carried out to establish the linear effect of certain variables on others. These formed the basis for building the Structural Equation Model (SEM), with the corresponding parameters and restrictive indicators. Results: A consistent model of causal predictive relationships between the postulated variables was obtained. One of the most interesting effects was the predictive value of contextual variables on individual variables, especially the indirect effect of the existence of stroke units on reducing number of procedures, readmission and in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Contextual variables, and specifically the availability of stroke units, made a positive impact on individual variables that affect prognosis and mortality in ischemic stroke. Moreover, it is feasible to determine this impact through the use of structural equation methodology. We analyze the methodological and clinical implications of this type of study for hospital policies.
Impairment and Restoration of Homeostatic Plasticity in Cultured Cortical Neurons From a Mouse Model of Huntington Disease

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. The onset of symptoms is preceded by synaptic dysfunction. Homeostatic synaptic plasticity (HSP) refers to processes that maintain the stability of networks of neurons, thought to be required to enable new learning and cognitive flexibility. One type of HSP is synaptic scaling, in which the strength of all of the synapses onto a cell increases or decreases following changes in the cell’s level of activity. Several pathways implicated in synaptic scaling are dysregulated in HD, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and calcium signaling. Here, we investigated whether HSP is disrupted in cortical neurons from an HD mouse model. We treated cultured cortical neurons from wild-type (WT) FVB/N or YAC128 HD mice with tetrodotoxin (TTX) for 48 h to silence action potentials and then recorded miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. In WT cultures, these increased in both amplitude and frequency after TTX treatment, and further experiments showed that this was a result of insertion of AMPA receptors and formation of new synapses, respectively. Manipulation of BDNF concentration in the culture medium revealed that BDNF signaling contributed to these changes. In contrast to WT cortical neurons, YAC128 cultures showed no response to action potential silencing. Strikingly, we were able to restore the TTX-induced changes in YAC128 cultures by treating them with pridopidine, a drug which enhances BDNF signaling through stimulation of the sigma-1 receptor (S1R), and with the S1R agonist 3-PPP. These data provide evidence for disruption of HSP in cortical neurons from an HD mouse model that is restored by stimulation of S1R. Our results suggest a potential new direction for developing therapy to mitigate cognitive deficits in HD.
Second Metatarsophalangeal Joint Instability in the Athlete

In a group of athletically active patients, second metatarsophalangeal joint Instability was diagnosed in nine patients (11 toes). A positive drawer sign was pathognomonic of early second metatarsophalangeal joint instability. A soft tissue realignment procedure was used to stabilize the second metatarsophalangeal joint in seven toes. In five of seven cases (71%), good to excellent results were noted at an average follow-up of 20.4 months.
Catalyzing Transitions to Sociality: Ecology Builds on Parental Care

In the context of social evolution research, a great emphasis on kin-selected benefits has led to understand parental care as one of the activities that helpers can perform in extended cooperative families. Nevertheless, this perspective might have precluded a deeper understanding of the implications of parental care for social evolution. We argue that parental care is a broader set of processes playing a key role both before and during the emergence of sociality. The care system of a species may be understood as the result of long coevolutionary processes with environmental pressures during pre-social stages that impact transitions to sociality. We evaluate the present framework against evidence on the evolution of parental care and transitions towards sociality in subsocial and parasocial vertebrate and invertebrate species. Moreover, following previous evidence for the importance of modes of foraging and resting we structure our inquiry by classifying societies into three types. Our results suggest that in central place foragers and fortress defenders, ecological factors promoting the evolution of parental care foster a set of coevolutionary feedback loops resulting in increases in parental effort and offspring needs. Offspring needs alone or in combination with limited breeding options enhance the relative benefits of positive social interactions, catalyzing social transitions. In itinerant foragers, sociality is associated with colonizing new niches. Changes in predation pressure entail changes in the modes of care or selection for certain types of care present already in solitary ancestors. Further changes in the form of collective defense may be needed for permanent sociality to evolve. We conclude there is evidence that social transitions to different types of societies are the result of long coevolutionary processes between environmental pressures and the care systems in a wide variety of taxa. Therefore, advances in the study of the origins of sociality may need from further investigation of parental care evolution in solitary ancestors of today's social species.
Declaration of conflicting interests

Culturally congruent dietary patterns have evolved with geographic and societal traditions and can be traced as far back as pre-Hellenistic Greece. Today, the modern Mediterranean diet (MDiet) is recognized internationally as an antiobesogenic cardioprotective dietary model consisting of plant-based foods native to the Mediterranean basin, fish, olive oil, and an active lifestyle. With the assumption that obesity and heart disease rates adversely affected life expectancy, the MDiet was identified by Dr Ancel Keys as a primary characteristic among people-groups largely immune to these trends. Following extensive research on how food quality affected human performance, Keys engineered the largest ecologic investigation of dietary habits and their effects on heart disease and longevity known as the Seven Countries Study. A new understanding of how regionally and culturally specific diets affected entire populations led to the introduction of the MDiet to the global public health community. This historiographic portrait of Dr Keys describes his humble beginnings, highlights critical points in his career, discusses his seminal research into diet and culture as protective agents, and details his legacy as the pioneer of the modern MDiet.
Lack of evidence for prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor intron‐1 CA repeats for oral carcinomas

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is altered in several malignancies, including oral squamous cell carcinoma. A CA-repeat polymorphism in intron-1 (CA-SSR-1) of the EGFR gene is reported to influence EGFR expression and is associated with features of various solid tumors and outcomes of cancer patients. In the present study we evaluated the influence of length and zygosity of CA-SSR-1 on the survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The length and zygosity of CA-SSR-1 was obtained through microsatellite analysis in 91 patients with oral cancer, who were treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany, during the years 1998-2008. Follow up was conducted until 2016. Outcome measures were age, gender, tumor stage, occurrence of metastases, and date of recurrence or death. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and the log-rank test. Neither length nor zygosity of the CA-SSR-1 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma was significantly correlated with sex, age, tumor size, tumor localization, lymph node involvement, metastasis status, disease-free survival, or overall survival. Length and zygosity of the CA-SSR-1 polymorphism in EGFR is not able to serve as a prognostic biomarker in White European patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Efficacy of Raloxifene for Treatment of Menopause: A Systematic Review

Purpose To critically appraise recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) of raloxifene and its effects on the long‐term consequences of menopause. Data Sources All RCTs of greater than six months duration in post‐menopausal women found in MEDLINE through July 2000. Conclusions Raloxifene lowered lipids, but estrogen had a more beneficial effect on HDL and fibrinolytic markers. Raloxifene had a more beneficial effect on triglycerides, inflammatory and thrombogenic markers. Compared to placebo, raloxifene reduced vertebral fractures but had a similar although lesser effect on bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover than estrogen. Estrogen receptor positive breast cancer was reduced by 90% with no increase in the incidence of endometrial cancer with raloxifene. The most serious side effect of raloxifene was an increased incidence of deep vein thromboses and pulmonary emboli. Implications Raloxifene has been shown to be beneficial using cardiovascular and osteoporosis endpoints in studies of short duration. More RCTs of longer duration with comparisons to other traditional treatments are needed before raloxifene becomes the treatment of choice.