Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of chirality on liquid crystals in capillary tubes with parallel and perpendicular anchoring.

The director field of a cholesteric liquid crystal confined to cylindrical cavities with parallel and perpendicular surface anchoring was studied by means of optical polarizing microscopy. The chirality of the liquid crystal could be varied continuously due to a temperature-induced twist inversion of the cholesteric structure. The results indicate the occurrence of a twisted escaped radial structure for perpendicular anchoring and an eccentric double twist configuration for parallel anchoring. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The neuropsychiatry of depression after brain injury

Biological aspects of depression after brain injury, in particular traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke, are reviewed. Symptoms of depression after brain injury are found to be rather non-specific with no good evidence of a clear pattern distinguishing it from depression in those without brain injury. Nevertheless symptoms of disturbances of interest and concentration are particularly prevalent, and guilt is less evident. Variabilitiy of mood is characteristic. The prevalence of depression is similar after both stroke and TBI with the order of 20–40% affected at any point in time in the first year, and about 50% of people experience depression at some stage. There is no good evidence for areas of specific vulnerability in terms of lesion location, and early suggestions of a specific association with injury to the left hemisphere have not been confirmed. Insight appears to be related to depressed mood with studies of TBI indicating that greater insight over time post-injury may be associated with greater depression. We consider that this relationship may be due to depression appearing as people gain more awareness of their disability, but also suggest that changes in mood may result in altered awareness. The risk of suicide after TBI is reviewed. There appears to be about a three to fourfold increased risk of suicide after TBI, although much of this increased risk may be due to pre-injury factors in terms of the characteristics of people who suffer TBI. About 1% of people who have suffered TBI will commit suicide over a 15-year follow-up. Drug management of depression is reviewed. There is little specific evidence to guide the choice of antidepressant medication and most psychiatrists would start with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is important that the drug management of depression after brain injury is part of a full package of care that can address biological as well as psychosocial factors in management.
Sizing of Atrial Septal Defects in Adults

In a retrospective study of 51 consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter closure of secundum type atrial septal defects (ASDs), we examined the reliability of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to catheterization and compared the diameter with that obtained by balloon measurement during catheterization. The TEE diameter was 16.3 ± 4.6 mm compared with 22.5 ± 6.0 mm for the stretched diameter obtained during catheterization (p < 0.001). There was no gender difference. The degree of left-to-right shunting correlated poorly with the size of the defect. We conclude that although TEE is accurate for diagnosis of an ASD, the measurement of its size to determine the size of the closure device is at best inaccurate.
Changes in Successive Measures of De Novo Donor-Specific Anti–Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies Intensity and The Development of Allograft Dysfunction

Background Many patients develop de novo donor-specific anti–human leukocyte antigen antibodies (dnDSA) after transplantation. Despite development of dnDSA, not all patients will immediately fail. This study analyzes dnDSA intensity and longitudinal trends as prospective clinical parameters to assess subsequent allograft function. Methods Twenty-four patients with dnDSA onset in the first 2 years after transplantation received antibody monitoring by LABScreen single antigen beads. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was recorded at time of dnDSA onset and up to 24 months thereafter. The dnDSA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the stable function patient group (n=8; eGFR decline⩽25%) was compared with the impaired function patient group (n=16; eGFR decline>25%) using first year peak MFI (pMFI), eight month MFI change (&Dgr;MFI), and eighteen month MFI trend (MFI slope). Results Both groups showed similar dnDSA characteristics (time to onset after transplantation, class I/II distribution, and initial MFI). Between groups, MFI trends were analyzed. Impaired patients showed a higher pMFI during the first year (median pMFI, 13,055 vs. 2,397; P=0.007). Longitudinal analysis revealed that &Dgr;MFI was strongly associated with dysfunction. Both a &Dgr;MFI increase greater than 20% as well as a stronger increase (&Dgr;MFI>50%) were followed by graft dysfunction in almost all patients and could significantly differentiate between stable and impaired function patients (P=0.001 and P=0.04, respectively). Conclusion Our study suggests that tracking dnDSA intensity, particularly in the early period after onset, is important to estimate the impact of dnDSA on the allograft and could, therefore, determine help on how best to monitor patients with dnDSA.
Visual Psychophysics and Physiological Optics Experimental Simulation of Simultaneous Vision

METHODS. The instrument provides the eye with two superimposed images, aligned and with the same magnification, but with different defocus states. Subjects looking through the instrument are able to experience pure simultaneous vision, with adjustable refractive correction and addition power. The instrument is used to investigate the impact of the amount of addition of an ideal bifocal simultaneous vision correction, both on image contrast and on visual performance. The instrument is validated through computer simulations of the letter contrast and by equivalent optical experiments with an artificial eye (camera). Visual acuity (VA) was measured in four subjects (age: 34.3 6 3.4 years; spherical error: 2.1 6 2.7 diopters [D]) for low and high contrast letters and different amounts of addition.
Human epidermal keratinocytes are induced to secrete interleukin‐6 and co‐stimulate T lymphocyte proliferation by a CD40‐dependent mechanism

Although the expression and function of CD40 on B lymphocytes has been well studied, the significance of CD40 on non‐lymphoid cells such as keratinocytes (KC) is not as well characterized. We demonstrate in this report that CD40 is expressed by virtually all human KC, and that it functions as an important signaling molecule. Flow cytometry of undifferentiated and terminally differentiated KC indicated that both cell types expressed CD40, as determined by binding to monoclonal antibodies and a recombinant CD40 ligand fusion protein; interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) treatment of KC increased CD40 expression. Cultured KC also expressed 1.5‐kb CD40 transcripts. Activation of KC cell surface CD40 using the monoclonal antibody G28.5 resulted in the rapid generation of a 50‐kDa tyrosine phosphorylated polypeptide, as well as a dose‐dependent increase in the secretion of interleukin‐6, a cytokine that has been linked to KC proliferation. KC also co‐stimulated a significant T lymphocyte proliferative response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin that was CD40 dependent. These data indicate that KC constitutively express a low level of functional CD40 and regulate their expression in response to IFN‐γ. These data support the concept that KC, via their expression of CD40, have the capacity to amplify inflammation in the skin by interacting with CD40 ligand‐bearing T cells.
Myasthenia gravis Lambert‐Eaton overlap syndrome

Introduction: To assess whether a myasthenia gravis (MG) Lambert‐Eaton overlap syndrome (MLOS) exists. Methods: Case reports that met the universally accepted diagnostic criteria for MG and Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) were sought through a PubMed search. Fifty‐five possible cases of MLOS were identified. Results: Thirty‐nine cases met the diagnostic criteria for MG and LEMS. Analysis of clinical features showed that these patients have common MG and LEMS symptoms: oculo‐bulbar paresis and good response to anti‐cholinesterase for MG and limb weakness and decreased or absent reflexes for LEMS. All had the classical LEMS pattern in the repetitive nerve stimulation test: low compound muscle action potential amplitude and incremental response > 60% with brief exercise or at high rate of stimulation. Eight patients had combined positive acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR‐ab) or muscle‐specific kinase‐ab and voltage‐gated calcium channel‐ ab tests. Conclusions: A myasthenia gravis Lambert‐Eaton overlap syndrome (MLOS) does exist. Muscle Nerve 53: 20–26, 2016
Long term effects of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy on cognitive abilities: a cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE Intractable epilepsy is related to various transient and chronic brain electric and neurochemical disturbances. There is increasing evidence that chronic epilepsy induces secondary neuronal metabolic and structural decline. However, there is no convincing evidence that the cognitive abilities of patients deteriorate with increasing duration of intractable epilepsy. METHODS To examine whether duration of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is related to generalised cognitive impairment, psychometric intelligence based on the full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ, WAIS-R) was determined in 209 patients with unilateral TLE. For analyses of variance (ANOVA) patients were grouped into three categories: <15, 15–30, and >30 years of refractory TLE. RESULTS An ANOVA and a multiple regression analysis showed that duration of TLE affects FSIQ. Patients with >30 years of TLE performed worse than patients with 15 or 30 years of TLE. The factors side of seizure origin and type of lesion on MRI did not reach significance. A second ANOVA including education as factor showed that in patients with higher educational attainment, the mean FSIQ was stable for a longer duration of TLE than in less educated patients. Retesting 6 months after anterior temporal lobectomy seizure free patients (n=85 of 127) had an higher FSIQ but showed a similar duration effect before and after anterior temporal lobectomy. The variables age at epilepsy onset, education, frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges, frequency of habitual and generalised seizures, serum concentration of antiepileptic drugs, and polypharmacy were statistically controlled. CONCLUSIONS Psychometric intelligence of patients with a longer duration of refractory TLE were most severely impaired. Consequently, refractory TLE seems to be associated with slow but ongoing cognitive deterioration. It is assumed that epilepsy related noxious events and agents exhaust the compensatory capacity of brain functions. However, as in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, higher educational attainment as an indicator of higher brain reserve might delay the cognitive decline.
Developmental Delays in Children With ADHD

Objective: ADHD is often comorbid with other disorders, but it is often assumed that academic, language, or motor c skills problems are secondary to ADHD rather than that attention problems are secondary to the other disorder or both disorders have a shared etiology. We assessed for comorbid developmental disorders and which cognitive processes were impaired in children with ADHD. Method: Measures of intelligence, language, motor skills, social cognition, and executive functions were administered to children with ADHD (n = 53) and age/sex-matched typical children. Results: Clinically significant deficits were 2 to 7 times as common in children with ADHD as in typical children, and the structure of ability differed in the two groups. Abilities were less differentiated in children with ADHD. Conclusion: The results indicate a need for comprehensive screening for developmental disorders in children with ADHD and imply that research needs to focus on how ADHD and developmental disorders may share an etiology.
Understanding the Experiences of Low-Income Individuals Receiving Farmers’ Market Incentives in the United States: A Qualitative Study

Objective. The objective of this study was to identify benefits and barriers to using a farmers’ market (FM) incentive program among program participants. Design. In qualitative semistructured interviews, participants were asked about their experiences with shopping at FM, using FM incentives, barriers to fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, and changes in dietary intake. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Inductive content analysis was used to code, categorize, and develop themes based on the transcriptions. Setting. A FM in Northern Utah. Subjects. A convenience sample of participants (n = 14) completed a 45- to 60-minute interview after receiving FM incentives for an 8-week intervention period. Results. FM incentives reduced barriers associated with shopping at FM such as cost and accessibility among program participants. Incentives provided participants with greater spending flexibility, allowing parents to provide children with F&V that previously did not fit into their food budget. Participants reported greater family and community involvement when shopping at FM. However, the limited hours and days of operation were factors that reduced the use of FM among participants, even when incentives were provided. Conclusions. The perceived benefits and barriers to shopping at FM and receiving FM incentives should be considered by future programmers and funding agencies.
Proteomic identification of rainbow trout seminal plasma proteins

In the study, the combination of protein fractionation by 1DE and HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS was used to characterize the rainbow trout seminal plasma proteome. Our results led to the creation of a catalogue of rainbow trout seminal plasma proteins (152 proteins) and significantly contributed to the current knowledge regarding the protein composition of fish seminal plasma. The major proteins of rainbow trout seminal plasma, such as transferrin, apolipoproteins, complement C3, serum albumin, and hemopexin‐, alpha‐1‐antiproteinase‐, and precerebellin‐like protein, were recognized as acute‐phase proteins (proteins that plasma concentration changes in response to inflammation). This study provides the basis for further functional studies of fish seminal plasma proteins, as well as for the identification of novel biomarkers for sperm quality. The MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000306 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000306).
[Arterial rigidity and endothelial dysfunction in obese children].

Obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor in adults. Poorly is known about effect of obesity on cardiovascular system in children. Mechanical properties of a great elastic trunk, the common carotid artery (CCA) and endothelium function of the brachial artery were studied in 130 obese children (age: 12 +/- 3 years, body mass index (BMI): 29 +/- 5.5 kg/m2, without hypertension (115 +/- 19/58 +/- 8 mmHg). These patients had a vascular high resolution echographical analysis. Cross sectional compliance (CSC), cross sectional distensibility (CSD) and incremental elastic modulus (Einc) were analysed at the CCA site. The brachial artery dilation was measured after hyperthemia (flow mediated dilation, FMD), an endothelium dependent function and after sublingually glyceryl trinitrate (GTNMD), an independent endothelium function. Fat mass composition and distribution were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 70 patients. In 50 obese patients an oral glucose tolerance test was done to determine insulin resistance. The obese children had significantly lower CSC and CSD than the healthy controls (respectively 0.12 +/- 0.04 vs 0.14 +/- 0.05 mm2.mmHg-1; p < 0.05 and 0.5 +/- 0.2 vs 0.8 +/- 0.4 mmHg(-1). 10(-2); p < 0.001). Obese children had higher value than the controls for Einc (2.4 +/- 0.4 vs 1 +/- 0.24 mmHg.10(3); p < 0.001) that correlated poorly with fasting insulin concentrations (r = 0.34; p < 0.06) and BMI (r = 0.34; p < 0.01). FMD was significantly lower in obese children than in controls (6 +/- 3 vs 8 +/- 4%, p < 0.01) without modification of GTNMD (17 +/- 6 vs 18 +/- 7%, NS). These two parameters were respectively correlated with the android fat distribution (r = 0.36; p < 0.01; r = 0.49; p < 0.001). The CCA stiffness of obese children is linked to the amount of the overweight and to insulin resistance. The android fat distribution is related to endothelium dysfunction.
Doppler Assessment of the Intrauterine Growth‐Restricted Fetus

Abstract: The evaluation of fetal well‐being by Doppler velocimetry in cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is of great importance as it is very useful in detecting those IUGR fetuses that are at high risk because of hypoxemia. Several Doppler studies initially on fetal arteries and recently on the fetal venous system provide valuable information for the clinicians concerning the optimal time to deliver. Doppler sonography in combination with the other biophysical methods such as cardiotocogram and biophysical profile score should be used in everyday practice for the monitoring and appropriate management of the growth‐restricted fetuses. The purpose of this review is to describe the current approaches in Doppler assessment of IUGR fetal circulation.
Phenotypic variability and molecular genetics in proximal myotonic myopathy

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with (CCTG)n repeat expansion in intron 1 of the CNBP gene. Methods: We studied the first 16 Greek DM2 patients who had undergone thorough evaluation. Results: The age at diagnosis ranged from 38 to 69 years. The initial symptoms were proximal weakness, myalgias, and myotonia. Clinical myotonia was elicited in 10 patients, whereas electromyographic myotonic discharges were observed in almost all patients. Subcapsular cataract was frequently present, but cardiac arrhythmias were rare. Conclusions: In this study of Greek DM2 patients, proximal weakness was the most common initial symptom. Myalgias were also reported in a few patients, yet myotonia was not a major complaint. Although DM2 is considered relatively benign, there are patients who may be affected severely. Thus, a high index of suspicion must be maintained to make a timely diagnosis, especially in those of reproductive age. Muscle Nerve 51:686–691, 2015
Social and economic change, intergenerational relationships, and family formation in Taiwan

This paper examines the influence of social change and economic growth on intergenerational relationships and the formation of families in Taiwan. Using data from two island-wide surveys in 1973 and 1980, the analysis shows that, as expected, social change has been accompanied by rapid changes in family structure and relationships, including the spread of schooling, the employment of young people outside the family, increasing separation of the residences of parents and children before and after marriage, growing independence of young people, and increases in premarital sex and pregnancies. The position of a family in the social structure also influences the way young people interact with their parents and form their own families: women with educated fathers have more nonfamilial experiences than others, and farm origins tend to exert a traditional influence on the life course. Finally, experiences early in the life course have important ramifications for later behavior and transitions.
Institutional Barriers and Industry Dynamics

This study demonstrates new entrants exhibit higher productivity but also higher exit hazard than incumbents in post-liberalization China. We argue this seemingly paradoxical relationship is attributable to institutional barriers, defined as the hindrance in the institutional environment that prevents market selection forces to function. New entrants require higher productivity to compensate for those institutional barriers, which in turn implies a higher exit hazard after controlling for productivity. Our empirical findings support this argument and further show that the differences in productivity and exit hazard between new entrants and incumbents become smaller where and when institutional barriers recede. By integrating economic and institutional perspectives, we highlight the importance of institutional factors in shaping industry evolution.
Efficacy and safety of phlogenzym--a protease formulation, in sepsis in children.

BACKGROUND Infections are a major cause of hospitalisation wherein the host mounts an inflammatory response against the infecting agent. Administration of proteolytic enzymes could regulate the host's immune system and help early recovery from sepsis. OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy and safety of an oral enzyme formulation, Phlogenzym (Mucos Pharma GmbH, Geretsried, Germany; constituents of each enteric-coated tablet were bromelain 90 mg, trypsin 48 mg, rutin 100 mg) as adjuvant therapy in treatment of sepsis in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Double-blind, randomised, controlled phase III study at a tertiary care centre wherein 60 eligible children aged one month to 12 years with sepsis were randomised to receive either phlogenzym (n=30; 17 boys) or placebo (n=30; 22 boys) tablets (1 tablet/10 kg body weight up to maximum six tablets a day in two or three divided doses for 14-21 days) along with appropriate antibiotics and supportive treatment. RESULTS Median time taken for fever to subside was three days (range 1-12; 95% CI--1.14 to 7.14) in the phlogenzym group vs four days (range 1-18; 95% CI--3.52 to 11.52) in the placebo group (p < 0.05); haemodynamic support was needed for two days (range 1-3; 95% CI--0.84 to 3.16) in the phlogenzym group but three days (range 1-8; 95% CI--0.76 to 5.24) in the placebo group (p < 0.05). The modified Glasgow coma scale score normalized in three days (range 1-14; 95% CI--4.62 to 9.62) in the phlogenzym group vs 5.5 days (range 1-18; 95% CI--2.52 to 13.52) in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Oral feeds could be started in four days (range 1-15; 95% CI--1.74 to 9.74) in the phlogenzym group vs five days (range 1-11; 95% CI--1.26 to 11.26) in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Two patients died in the placebo group. CONCLUSION Phlogenzym is effective as an adjuvant with antibiotics and supportive treatment for early improvement of pediatric patients with sepsis.
Role of specific antibody in interaction of leptospires with human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages

It has previously been shown that human neutrophils ingest and kill nonpathogenic Leptospira biflexa in the absence of serum but that pathogenic Leptospira interrogans is not ingested by neutrophils even in the presence of normal serum. We extended this study by examining the interactions of human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages with pathogenic L. interrogans (serovar icterohaemorrhagiae) and evaluating the opsonizing effect of serotype-specific immune serum on the phagocytosis of pathogenic leptospires by monocytes and neutrophils. Leptospires were incubated with monocytes in pellets at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2. No ingestion or killing of pathogenic leptospires occurred when 10% normal serum was used. However, when the pathogenic leptospires were pretreated with serotype-specific immune serum, monocytes or neutrophils in pellets ingested 96% of the organisms and killed 94% of those ingested. Microscopic observations of the interaction confirmed that phagocytosis of the opsonized pathogenic leptospires by monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages, and neutrophils had occurred. The opsonizing effect of specific antibody may play an important role in the mechanism of host defense against leptospirosis.