Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring glaucomatous visual field progression: the effect of a novel spatial filter.

PURPOSE To assess the impact of a novel visual field spatial filtering technique on the detection of glaucomatous progression. METHODS One hundred ninety-eight ocular hypertensive (OHT) and 21 control subjects were examined prospectively (1994-2001) with regular full-threshold Humphrey visual field (VF) testing. VF progression was assessed by point-wise linear regression (PLR) of sensitivity/time in Progressor for Windows software modified to include a novel spatial filter. Standard progression criteria (slope > -1 dB/year, P < 0.01) were applied to both "raw" (unfiltered) and "filtered" VF series. Three-omitting confirmatory VF criteria were also applied to unfiltered VF series. Specificity was estimated as the proportion of progressing control subjects and as the proportion of significantly improving subjects (both OHT and control) at the end of the study period. RESULTS Applying standard PLR, specificity was estimated at 91.8% to 97.5% using unfiltered standard PLR, compared with 93.5% to 98.4% using filtered standard PLR and 95.4% to 99.3% using unfiltered three-omitting PLR. The rate of identified VF progression in the OHT cohort was 32.3% with unfiltered standard PLR, 28.7% with filtered standard PLR, and 18.6% with unfiltered three-omitting PLR. There was no significant difference in time to detected progression between filtered and unfiltered standard PLR. CONCLUSIONS The use of confirmatory tests resulted in improved specificity using unfiltered data; however, application of the spatial filter resulted in similar specificity but with a higher rate of detected progression. This filter may therefore be useful in the monitoring of glaucomatous progression as it may reduce the dependence on confirmatory testing, although it has yet to be applied to longitudinal SITA data.
A population-based investigation of behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health: associations with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND While research indicates elevated behavioural and emotional problems in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and decreased well-being in their parents, studies do not typically separate out the contribution of ASD from that of associated intellectual disabilities (ID). We investigated child behavioural and emotional problems, and maternal mental health, among cases with and without ASD and ID in a large population-representative sample. METHODS Cross-sectional comparison of child behavioural and emotional problems and maternal mental health measures among 18,415 children (5 to 16 years old), of whom 47 had an ASD, 51 combined ASD with ID, 590 had only ID, and the remainder were the comparison group with no ASD or ID. RESULTS The prevalence of likely clinical levels of behavioural and emotional problems was highest among children with ASD (with and without ID). After controlling for age, gender, adversity, and maternal mental health, the presence of ASD and ID significantly and independently increased the odds for hyperactivity symptoms, conduct, and emotional problems. Emotional disorder was more prevalent in mothers of children with ASD (with or without ID). The presence of ASD, but not ID, significantly increased the odds for maternal emotional disorder. As has been found in previous research, positive maternal mental health was not affected by the presence of ASD or ID. CONCLUSIONS ASD and ID are independent risk factors for behavioural and emotional problems. ASD (but not ID) is positively associated with maternal emotional disorder. Approaches to diagnosing hyperactivity and conduct problems in children with ASD may need to be reconsidered.
Infection with GB virus C/hepatitis G virus among blood donors and hemophiliacs in Martinique, a Caribbean Island

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV) RNA was detected by reverse transcription‐polymer‐ ase chain reaction with primers derived from the nonstructural region 3 (NS3) in 9 (4.1%) of 221 blood donors and 2 of 20 (10%) hemophilia patients in Martinique, French West Indies. Anti‐E2 antibodies were found in sera from 33 (14.9%) of the blood donors and 5 (25%) of the hemophiliacs. None of the subjects was positive for both GBV‐C/HGV RNA and anti‐E2. Among the 20 hemophiliacs, 12 (60%) had anti‐HCV antibodies and 7 (35%) were positive for HCV RNA by PCR. All patients positive for HCV markers belonged to the group of 13 patients exposed previously to blood factor concentrates that were not activated virally. Nucleotide sequences of the 5′‐untranslated region (5′UTR) of the GBV‐C/HGV genome were obtained for the 10 NS3 PCR positive samples. Phylogenetic comparison of these isolates with reference isolates published previously showed a strong homology with European and American GBV‐C/HGV strains, 8 isolates belonging to the genotype 2a and 1 isolate to the type 2b. The isolate from 1 blood donor was identified as subtype 1a , indicating the presence of West African type strains. J. Med. Virol. 59:160–163, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure and function of A 1 adenosine receptors1

The A1 adenosine receptor is the best characterized of the widely distributed purinergic receptor family. The purified brain A1 receptor is a monomeric 35‐ to 36‐kDa glycoprotein. A1 receptors can be clearly distinguished from A2 adenosine receptors on the basis of structure activity relationships with selective ligands. Recent structure activity data suggest that subtypes of A1 (A1a, A1b, and A3) and A2 (A2a and A2b) receptors may exist. A1 receptor‐mediated responses are coupled via multiple pertussis toxin‐sensitive GTP binding proteins (G proteins) to many different effectors in various tissues: adenylate cyclase, phospholipase C, Na+‐Ca2+ exchange, Ca2∗ channels, Cl– channels, and K+ channels. The formation of calcium‐mobilizing inositol phosphates can either be enhanced or inhibited. In general, adenosine has been found to act in concert with other hormones or neurotransmitters in either an inhibitory or a stimulatory way. The myriad modulatory actions of adenosine suggest that: 1) adenosine may simultaneously produce multiple effects within the same cell; and 2) activation of A1 receptors may lead to either a decrease or an increase in the coupling of other receptors to their G proteins. —Linden, J. Structure and function of A1 adenosine receptors. FASEB J. 5: 2668‐2676; 1991.
Analysis of endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes in the post-mortem motor cortex and spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

Abstract Objective: We have investigated the endocannabinoid system in the motor cortex of motor neuron disease (MND) patients. Methods: Post-mortem samples from MND patients and controls were used for immunostaining and/or Western blotting analysis of endocannabinoid elements. Results: We did not find any evidence of neuronal losses in the motor cortex of MND patients, but elevations in glial markers Iba-1 and GFAP were evident. We found no changes in FAAH and MAGL enzymes and in the CB1 receptor, which correlated with the lack of cortical neuron death. By contrast, the Western blotting analysis of CB2 receptors proved an increase in the motor cortex corroborated by immunostaining, correlating with the elevated gliosis in these patients. Double-labeling analyses revealed that this elevated CB2 receptor immunostaining was located in GFAP-labelled astroglial cells. However, we also found CB2 receptor labeling in cortical neurons confirmed with double immunofluorescence with the neuronal marker MAP-2. This was also found in the spinal cord, using double-labeling with the spinal motor neuron marker choline-acetyl transferase. This happened in both patients and controls, despite these neurons experienced an important degeneration in patients reflected in reduced Nissl staining, TDP-43 immunostaining and CB1 receptor levels measured by Western blotting. Conclusion: We have confirmed that CB2 receptors are elevated in the motor cortex of MND patients associated with the reactive gliosis. This phenomenon is previous to neuronal losses. We also found CB2 receptors in cortical and spinal motor neurons. These observations support that targeting this receptor may serve for developing neuroprotective therapies in MNDs.
The Multidimensional Prognostic Index predicts in-hospital length of stay in older patients: a multicentre prospective study.

BACKGROUND prediction of length of stay (LOS) may be useful to optimise care plans to reduce the negative outcomes related to hospitalisation. OBJECTIVE to evaluate whether the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), based on a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), may predict LOS in hospitalised older patients. DESIGN prospective multicentre cohort study. SETTING twenty Geriatrics Units. PARTICIPANTS patients aged 65 and older consecutively admitted to Geriatrics Units. MEASUREMENT at admission, the CGA-based MPI was calculated by using a validated algorithm that included information on basal and instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive status, nutritional status, the risk of pressures sores, co-morbidity, number of drugs and co-habitation status. According to validated cut-offs, subjects were divided into three groups of risk, i.e. MPI-1 low risk (value ≤0.33), MPI-2 moderate risk (value 0.34-0.66) and MPI-3 severe risk of mortality (value ≥0.67). RESULTS two thousand and thirty-three patients were included; 1,159 were women (57.0%). Age- and sex-adjusted mean LOS in patients divided according to the MPI grade was MPI-1 = 10.1 (95% CI 8.6-11.8), MPI-2 = 12.47 (95% CI 10.7-14.68) and MPI-3 = 13.41 (95% CI 11.5-15.7) days (P for trend <0.001). The overall accuracy of the MPI to predict LOS was good (C-statistic 0.74, 95% CI 0.72-0.76). Moreover, a statistically significant trend of LOS means was found even in patients stratified according to their International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) main diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS the MPI is an accurate predictor of LOS in older patients hospitalised with the most frequent diseases.
Lithium and recurrence in a long-term follow-up of bipolar affective disorder

Background. Though previous studies have clearly shown that lithium affords prophylaxis in bipolar affective disorder, these studies have not demonstrated the persistence of this prophylactic effect beyond the first year of recovery. Methods. One hundred and eighty-one patients with bipolar affective disorder recovered during 5 years of semi-annual follow-up. After 8 weeks of recovery, 139 were taking lithium prophylaxis and 42 were not. Analyses used drug status (lithium v. no-lithium) as a censoring variable to compare these two groups by interval-specific probabilities of recurrence. Results. Recurrence was initially less likely in the lithium group but interval-specific probabilities of recurrence did not consistently favour either group after the first 32 weeks of recovery. Conclusions. Biases in treatment decisions may have both reduced the size and altered the specificity of the lithium effects seen here. Nevertheless, the apparent transience of lithium prophylactic effects is unexplained and may reflect important, physiological differences between relapse and recurrence. This possibility invites a controlled lithium discontinuation study, with gradual taper, of patients who have had at least 8 months of sustained euthymia.
Single versus bihemispheric amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography in relation to cerebral injury and outcome in the term encephalopathic infant

Background: The demand for early diagnosis and prognostication of cerebral injury in the encephalopathic term infant is increasing to facilitate appropriate management. The single‐channel amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram (S‐aEEG) has been shown to have predictive utility for the severely encephalopathic infant. New bedside aEEG devices with more channels are entering the neonatal environment. Little data are available to compare the utility of two channels (B‐aEEG) with that of an S‐aEEG recording.
Immunization of the HIV infected traveller.

There are several considerations that should guide the formulation of HIV-specific recommendations on travel immunizations. HIV-infected travellers may have increased susceptibility to infections not only because of immunocompromise, but also through behavioural factors (e.g., risk of hepatitis A infection in homosexual men), and if infected may be more likely to develop serious complications (e.g., an increased risk of chronic hepatitis B infection). At the same time, the efficacy of postexposure immunization may be reduced or uncertain (e.g., with rabies post-exposure prophylaxis). These factors often lower the threshold for considering pretravel immunization relative to recommendations for the general population. Furthermore concerns over safety and efficacy of vaccination must be balanced against the risk associated with natural infection and reviewed in the context of the immune restorative effects of HAART.
Epidemiologic and clinical aspects of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in cats from the continental United States and Canada and possible mode of transmission.

The epidemiologic features of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection were evaluated in 2,765 cats from the United States and Canada. Of these cats, 2,254 were considered by veterinarians to be at high risk for the infection, and 511 were healthy cats considered to be at low or unknown risk. Of the cats in the high-risk group, 318 (14%) were found to be infected with FIV. The infection rate among low- or unknown-risk cats was 6 of 511 (1.2%). Male cats in the high-risk group were 3 times more likely to be infected than were females, similarly as were cats greater than 6 years old, compared with younger cats; domestic cats, compared with purebred cats; and free-roaming cats, compared with confined cats. Feline immunodeficiency virus and FeLV infections did not appear to be linked with each other; 16% of FeLV-infected cats in the high- and low-risk groups were coinfected with FIV. In contrast, there was a pronounced linkage between FIV and feline syncytium-forming virus (FeSFV) infections. Seventy-four percent of FeSFV-infected cats in the high-risk study group were coinfected with FIV, compared with a 38% FIV infection rate among cats that were not infected with FeSFV. The major clinical manifestations associated with FIV infection in cats that were surveyed included chronic oral cavity infections (56%), chronic upper respiratory tract disease (34%), chronic enteritis (19%), and chronic conjunctivitis (11%). Bacterial infections of the urinary tract (cystitis), skin, and ears were seen in a small proportion of cats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamic Human Gait Phase Detection Algorithm

Human foot motion localization based on Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor especially in large environments has many potential applications such as search and rescue in fire or in emergency, navigation for visitor and security purposes, etc. However, current existing algorithms are so far from practical applications. Because they usually apply a fixed threshold for human gait phase detection, they can not work with different speeds of human motion in real-time practical applications. In this paper, we propose a Dynamic Gait Phase (DGP) detection algorithm for different speeds of human foot motion. Our DGP detection algorithm can recognize accurate detection of the stance and swing phases of human gait in different foot motion speeds. This advantage supports to estimate accurately the human foot position in a real-time manner. The DGP detection algorithm has been validated by the Motion Tracking System (Ground Truth). Experimental results have been conducted to detect the stance and swing phases of the human gait with dynamic speeds of human foot motion.
Biotinylated platelets: a new approach to the measurement of platelet life span

Summary The in vivo life span of dog platelets was determined by derivatizing whole blood with N‐hydroxysuccinimido biotin, reinfusing the biotinylated blood and subsequently monitoring the survival of the biotinylated platelets with flow cytometry. We found that the biotinylated platelets had a mean life span of 6.0 ± 1.1 d as determined by curve‐fitting the platelet disappearance data to gamma functions. These data are in good agreement with literature values of platelet life span for canine platelets labelled with either 111Indium‐oxine or 51Chromium. Biotinylated platelets were analysed after reinfusion and found to aggregate normally in response to the agonists adenosine diphosphate and phorbol myristate acetate. These experiments demonstrate that biotinylated platelets survive normally in vivo and that this labelling method can be used for determining platelet life spans.
The formation of connective and skeletal tissues

By the use of the electron microscope and thin sections of connective and skeletal tissues of the fowl embryo, observations have been made on the fine structural detail and the interrelationship between the cells and the developing collagen fibres and ground substance. Submicroscopical filaments have been recorded in the cytoplasm of four types of fibrogenic cells in seven different sites where the rapid formation of collagenous tissues is known to occur. It is clear that the chondrogenic cell is closely associated with the formation of cartilage matrix, which is composed of interwoven fibrils and an amorphous material which may act as a cementing substance. In the development of bone the organic matrix is laid down by the adjacent osteoblasts; intracytoplasmic filaments of these cells seem to be involved with this process, and it appears that the filaments may become extracellular and form part of the bone matrix. In tissue that is growing under tension (cf. osteoblastic layer of the periosteum) the cytoplasmic filaments are predominantly alined in layers within the cells; by sectioning in known planes it is apparent that the structures are of a filamentous nature and are not at present consistent with the form of membranes or tubules. The evidence presented strongly suggests that the intracytoplasmic filaments are concerned with fibrogenesis; various possibilities of the relationship between these filaments and the fully developed tissues are discussed.
ACUTE ST-ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. For many patients, a myocardial infarction is the first presentation of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. This often results in delays in obtaining medical attention and subsequently poorer outcome, certainly because symptoms are often misinterpreted. Furthermore, a large proportion of STEMI patients die from lethal arrhythmias even before reaching medical facilities. Numerous studies during the past decades have firmly established the paradigm of achieving early, complete and sustained infarct-related artery patency. Because of a more aggressive therapy and rapid revascularization using either fibrinolysis or primary PCI, many patients do remarkably well after STEMI. Unfortunately, adherence to treatment guidelines is often suboptimal, leading to less favourable outcome (1). Also, more efficient care for patients with myocardial infarction has led to a rapidly growing population of patients with chronic heart failure.
Naturally Acquired Visceral Leishmaniosis in a Captive Bennett’s Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus)

A high prevalence of leishmaniosis has been reported from an increasing number of domestic and wild mammals around the world. In Australian macropods, Leishmania spp infection has been occasionally described in its cutaneous form only. The purpose of this report is to present a case of fatal visceral leishmaniosis in a captive Bennett’s wallaby in Madrid, Spain, which was investigated by detailed macroscopic, histologic, and immunohistochemical examinations.
Augmented currents of an HCN2 variant in patients with febrile seizure syndromes

The genetic architecture of common epilepsies is largely unknown. HCNs are excellent epilepsy candidate genes because of their fundamental neurophysiological roles. Screening in subjects with febrile seizures and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus revealed that 2.4% carried a common triple proline deletion (delPPP) in HCN2 that was seen in only 0.2% of blood bank controls. Currents generated by mutant HCN2 channels were ∼35% larger than those of controls; an effect revealed using automated electrophysiology and an appropriately powered sample size. This is the first association of HCN2 and familial epilepsy, demonstrating gain of function of HCN2 current as a potential contributor to polygenic epilepsy. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:542–546
Using Facebook® to Gain Academic Information: The Case of a Private Higher Education Institution in Malaysia

﻿Logistics Department in one of the private higher education institution has encouraged its students to obtain information at the departmental level from its Facebook® account named Logistics Student Association (LSA) Facebook®. This study applies two models namely the Information System Success Model (ISSM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Dimensions in the ISSM as well as in the UTAUT were used to investigate the perceptions from the logistics students pertaining to the LSA Facebook®. Data was gathered through questionnaires from 183 logistics students. Respondents provided their answers by perceiving the user satisfaction, system quality and information quality towards the behavioral intention to use the LSA Facebook®. Results indicated that system quality and user satisfaction are positively associated with the behavioral intention but not information quality. The standardized coefficients for user satisfaction was higher (β = .23) compared to system quality (β = .20) toward behavioral intention at p value <. 001. The study implies that improving system quality and user satisfaction would yield high response from the users.
DIRECT TITRATION FOR MEASUREMENT OF SOIL LIME REQUIREMENT AND INDIRECT LIME REQUIREMENT ESTIMATION BY SOIL PROPERTIES

25 Introduction . 26 Materials and Methods . 27 Results and Discussion . , . 30 Conclusions . 34
Effectiveness of Sponsorships in Niche Communities Online: A Preliminary Study

This paper intends to gather some evidences on how sponsorship effectiveness is positively or negatively affected by the choice of focusing on niche communities (the Long Tail Communities), i.e. whether in niche communities there are differences in the members' brand perception between online and offline sponsors. The preliminary results demonstrate how the explanatory power of the involved variables differs in the case of online and offline sponsors supporting long tail communities.
In vitro cultivation and antigenicity of cottontail rabbit papilloma cells induced by the Shope papilloma virus.

Summary The cells from a cutaneous papilloma of the cottontail rabbit induced by the Shope papilloma virus (SPV) were cultured in vitro , and three continuously growing cell lines, designated as CRSP-1, CRSP-2, and CRSP-3, were established. A continuously growing cell line designated as NCR-1 was also established from the normal skin of a cottontail rabbit. The cell lines including NCR-1 consist of mostly spindle-shaped and a few polygonal cells. The viral antigen specific for SPV was demonstrated in the cytoplasms of CRSP-1, CRSP-2, and CRSP-3 cells by immunofluorescent staining. However, under electron microscopic observation, SPV virions were not detectable in the cytoplasms or nuclei. On the other hand, tumor-specific T-antigen and surface antigen were clearly demonstrated in the nuclei and on the cell membrane of the cells of CRSP cell lines, respectively. The CRSP-1 cells were inoculated into domestic rabbits to examine whether the cells retain capacity to produce infectious SPV. No papillomatous growth or tumorous development was seen at the site of the inoculation in any rabbits.