Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Nombela 2.0 semantic battery: an updated Spanish instrument for the study of semantic processing

In this study, the Nombela 2.0 semantic battery is presented. This is a new version of its earlier precedent: the battery Nombela (I), in an attempt to improve it (dealing with ceiling effects) and reducing the application time by decreasing the number of tasks. The battery is constructed on a common set of 98 stimuli, including both living and nonliving semantic domains. It consists of five tasks designed to explore category specificity by tapping semantic production and comprehension, using both visual and verbal input. All of the items were rated according to Spanish norms, as stated in a previous study of our group, and all of the tasks were matched across domain on six nuisance variables. The present study has two goals: (i) to make available the updated version (2.0) of the Nombela semantic memory battery and (ii) to characterize and compare the neuropsychological profiles of two different patient groups: mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, with regard to normal controls.
The Effects of Short Intravenous Infusions of Thiopentone on Myocardial Function, Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Sheep

The cardiovascular effects of slow (over two minutes) intravenous infusions of thiopentone 750 mg in conscious instrumented sheep breathing 100% oxygen were examined for 30 minutes following the start of the infusion. The maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (an index of myocardial contractility) decreased significantly from 1 to 10 minutes, to a minimum of 45% of baseline. Heart rate increased by up to 33% above baseline from 0.5 min onwards. Both mean arterial pressure and cardiac output were decreased from between 1 and 7 min. Left ventricular minute work was transiently decreased, but left coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption showed little or no change from baseline. We conclude that in vivo, thiopentone administered at a relatively slow rate caused large reductions in myocardial contractility, and therefore cardiac reserve, in the absence of significant changes in myocardial blood flow or oxygen consumption.
Line Graphs of Helly Hypergraphs

A natural generalization of the notion of domino introduced and investigated in [T. Kloks, D. Kratsch, and H. Muller, Dominoes, Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci. 903, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1995, pp. 106--120] is considered. A graph is called an r-mino if each of its vertices belongs to at most r maximal cliques. The class of r-minoes is denoted ${\cal M}_r. $ Thus ${\cal M}_2$ is the class of dominoes. It is shown that ${\cal M}_r$ coincides with the class of line graphs of Helly hypergraphs with rank at most r. For an arbitrary r, the existence of a finite list of forbidden induced subgraphs characterizing ${\cal M}_r$ is proved. An explicit finite characterization is given for ${\cal M}_3$. An r-mino is called linear if each of its edges belongs to exactly one maximal clique. We prove that the GRAPH 3-COLORABILITY problem remains NP-complete when restricted to linear dominoes with vertex degrees at most 4.
Albuminuria in recent-onset type 2 diabetes: the Strong Heart Study.

OBJECTIVE It is not known how frequently abnormal albumin excretion occurs in the initial years after the onset of type 2 diabetes and to what extent its occurrence is related to the severity of diabetes. We have used a prospective cohort study to examine this. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 782 participants from the Strong Heart Study who had normal glucose tolerance and normal albumin excretion (albumin-to-creatinine ratio <30 mg albumin/g creatinine) at baseline were assessed for diabetes and abnormal albumin excretion at a follow-up visit (interval 3.91 +/- 0.95 years, mean +/- SD). Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations. RESULTS Abnormal albumin excretion was detected in 52 (6.6%) and diabetes was determined to be present in 105 (13.4%) of the participants at the follow-up visit. In univariate analyses, abnormal albumin excretion was statistically significantly related to the baseline albumin-to-creatinine ratio, diastolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, and extent of American Indian heritage. Abnormal albumin excretion was much more prevalent in those with recent onset diabetes at the follow-up visit (18 vs. 5%, P < 0.001). In a logistic regression analysis, abnormal albumin excretion and diabetes remained strongly related (odds ratio 3.45, P < 0.001), and associations of abnormal albumin excretion with baseline albumin-to-creatinine ratio, blood pressure, and American Indian heritage also remained significant in a separate logistic regression analysis, including only those who developed diabetes. There was a strong association between abnormal albumin excretion and fasting glucose levels (<0.01) at the follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that an appreciable percentage of individuals develop abnormal albumin excretion within the first few years after the onset of type 2 diabetes. Also, the severity of diabetes at onset appears to be a key risk factor for the early development of abnormal albumin excretion.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation Acute renal failure in the intensive care unit : adequacy of dialysis and the case for continuous therapies

The importance of delivering 'adequate' dialysis to patients with end-stage renal failure is widely recognized [1-4]. Despite this, little attention has been paid to the concept of 'adequacy of dialysis' in acute renal failure patients, particularly where it is likely to matter most: the intensive care unit. There are several explanations for this. Firstly, conventional forms of renal replacement with bioincompatible membranes are associated with so many technical and pathophysiological problems [5-9] that providing a treatment which controlled hyperkalaemia, limited oedema and acidosis, and lowered the blood urea concentration to 'acceptable' levels (similar to that of end-stage renal failure patients) was considered an achievement. The heterogeneity of the patient population makes it difficult to evaluate the impact of different approaches to dialytic therapy. The variability in illness severity, the many confounding factors inherent to ICU therapy, and the small numbers obtained in single institutions, further aggravate the problem. While the problems described above remain, there has been progress. There now are several safe, effective, and flexible forms of renal replacement therapy [10-12]. Illness severity scores have been developed and validated [13,14]. More accurate comparisons of populations of critically ill patients from the same or different ICUs are now possible. Ventilator techniques, haemodynamic manipulations, and approaches to the management of sepsis are increasingly performed according to consensus principles [15-18]. Finally, the ability to organize multicentre studies is increasing because of recent advances in telecommunications. Despite such advances, any discussion of the concept of adequacy of dialysis in the critically ill with acute renal failure continues to have to rely on indirect information and on physiological principles. Such physiological principles are important in denning a priori the necessary properties of an adequate renal replacement therapy.
The Influence of minerals and protein on the nephrocalcinosis potential for rats of semisynthetic diets

Nephrocalcinosis is a common finding in rats, particularly in females fed a semisynthetic diet. In the present study groups of rats were fed a semisynthetic diet with varying levels of minerals and with lactalbumin instead of casein as the protein source. Adjustment in the Ca, P, and Mg content of the diet caused a marked decrease in renal calcification. The change of protein source alone led to a complete disappearance of calcium deposits in the kidneys.
Aerobic fitness affects cortisol responses to concurrent challenges.

PURPOSE Studies have demonstrated that a combination of mental and physical challenge can elicit exacerbated state anxiety, effort sense, and cortisol responses above that of a single stimulus. However, an analysis of the effects of aerobic fitness on the responses of cortisol to concurrent mental and physical stress between below average and above average fitness individuals has not been conducted. This study examined the effects of a combination of acute mental challenges and physical stress on psychological and cortisol responses between eight individuals of below average fitness (low fit (LF), VO2max = 36.58 ± 3.36 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) and eight individuals of above average fitness (high fit (HF), VO2max = 51.18 ± 2.09 mL·kg(-1)·min). METHODS All participants completed two experimental conditions. An exercise-alone condition (EAC) consisted of cycling at 60% VO2max for 37 min, and a dual-challenge condition (DCC) included concurrent participation in a mental challenge for 20 min while cycling. RESULTS The DCC resulted in increases in state anxiety (P = 0.018), perceived overall workload (P = 0.001), and exacerbated cortisol responses (P = 0.04). Furthermore, LF participants had a greater overall cortisol response in the DCC compared with the EAC (DCC = 346.83 ± 226.92; EAC = -267.46 ± 132.32; t7 = 2.49, P = 0.04), whereas HF participants demonstrated no difference between conditions (DCC = 38.91 ± 147.01; EAC = -324.60 ± 182.78; t7 = 1.68, P = 0.14). DISCUSSION LF individuals seem to demonstrate unnecessary and unfavorable responses to the DCC compared with HF individuals, particularly concerning cortisol. The exacerbated cortisol responses in LF individuals have implications for harmful consequences such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
New Fully Soft-Switched Boost-Converter with Reduced Conduction Losses

A new fully soft-switched boost-converter is proposed here, using only one auxiliary switch. All switches used in this converter turn on and turn off under fully soft-switched condition. The diodes also commutate softly. The converter uses minimum number of components in the auxiliary circuit without additional current stress of the main switch. The circuit conduction losses are also minimised, since the resonant capacitor charging current flows only through an inductor and a diode. The main and auxiliary IGBT share a common emitter connection, facilitating direct drive to them. The circuit is suitable for application to active power factor correction. Various operating modes of the converter are presented and analysed. The principle of operation has been verified with computer simulation and experimental results
Vida universitária e Saúde Mental: Atendimento às demandas de saúde e Saúde Mental de estudantes de uma universidade brasileira

A vida universitaria compoe o ciclo vital de muitos brasileiros, marcada por vivencias que demandam responsabilizacao e sociabilidade. Este estudo, descritivo e documental, teve como objetivo identificar, nos marcos institucionais de uma Universidade publica, as possibilidades para o acompanhamento e/ou cuidado de saude e atencao psicossocial de seus estudantes e analisar as necessidades e possibilidades da oferta desta atencao nesta universidade. Foram estudados documentos sobre politica e acoes de assistencia ao estudante desta Universidade no periodo de 2001 a 2008. A analise teve como referencia a bibliografia nacional produzida sobre o tema, alem das experiencias do estudante pesquisador: sua participacao no movimento estudantil e a sua producao imageticoconceitual desta instituicao. Os documentos se configuram como a legislacao estruturante da assistencia estudantil da Universidade, constituida pelo programa de bolsas de auxilio financeiro e de moradia a estudantes de baixa renda. A previsao de uma assistencia a saude do estudante se faz somente no documento que promulga a politica de assistencia estudantil da Universidade e ainda nao se tem registro oficial de que concretize este direito estudantil na instituicao. Ha uma abordagem incipiente e reduzida da atencao psicossocial aos estudantes, porem, ha o reconhecimento do direito a esta assistencia e do compromisso social da Universidade. E na vivencia das vicissitudes dos estudantes que encontramos uma conclusao de defesa: existe para Universidade brasileira um longo caminho na busca pela concretizacao de um programa assistencial completo, integral e que reflita as belezas e riquezas da vida universitaria e a importância de seus estudantes.
Phenotypic homozygous activated protein C resistance associated with compound heterozygosity for Arg506Gln (factor V Leiden) and His1299Arg substitutions in factor V

Two patients from two unrelated families with a history of thrombosis showed severe plasma activated protein C (APC) resistance. However, genotypic analysis demonstrated that the patients were heterozygous for factor V (FV) Leiden mutation. Coagulation studies revealed that FV clotting activity and antigen were similarly reduced at about 50% of normal in the patients. One brother of propositus A also showed the same abnormalities. Genetic analysis showed that, in addition to FV Leiden mutation in exon 10 of the FV gene (G1691A), these patients had a transition in exon 13 of the FV gene (A4070G; R2 allele) predicting His1299Arg substitution in the mature FV. Study by RT‐PCR of platelet FV mRNA indicated that the mRNA produced by the FV gene, marked by the R2 allele, was reduced in amount in both pseudohomozygous patients of family A. The R2 allele has previously been demonstrated to be significantly associated with plasma FV deficiency in the Italian population. The presence of FV deficiency did not protect the propositi from thrombosis. These data confirm that genotypic analysis is mandatory in patients with phenotypic severe APC resistance before these patients are definitely classified as homozygotes for FV Leiden and that further genotypic analysis is advisable.
Hymenolepis diminuta:Mucosal Mastocytosis and Intestinal Smooth Muscle Hypertrophy Occur in Tapeworm-Infected Rats

The mechanisms mediating motility changes during noninvasive tapeworm infection have not been characterized. In contrast, host intestinal motility changes during invasive nematode infection are mediated by mucosal mast cells (MMC). The purpose of this study was to examine and the correlate onset of myoelectric alterations 8 days after initial tapeworm infection with changes in intestinal morphology, MMC numbers, and MMC secretory activity. Segments of the small intestine, the tapeworms normal habitat, along with stomach, colon, and bladder were taken from tapeworm-infected and control rats. Tissues were fixed and stained to identify MMC and for morphologic measurement. Tapeworm-infected and uninfected rats with chronically implanted intestinal electrodes were treated with ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, and in vivo myoelectric activity monitored. In tapeworm-infected rats, the muscularis externa, on day 20 postinfection, and crypts of Lieberkuhn, on day 26 postinfection, from the entire small intestine appeared thickened or deeper, respectively. Increased muscularis thickness was due to smooth muscle hypertrophy in both the circular and the longitudinal muscle layers. Mucosal mastocytosis was first observed on day 26 postinfection and occurred only in the ileum of tapeworm-infected rats. Pharmacologic stabilization of mast cells with ketotifen did not prevent onset of enteric myoelectric alterations during tapeworm infection. Stomach, colon, and bladder MMC numbers and tissue dimensions were not different between Hymenolepis diminuta-infected rats and uninfected controls. Initiation of myoelectric alterations 8 days after infection precedes and may be a contributing factor to the onset of both smooth muscle hypertrophy and mucosal mastocytosis. Taken together, our data indicate that mast cells are not an initiating factor nor chronic stimulus maintaining intestinal myoelectric alterations during H. diminuta infection.
Renal hemodynamics and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in normotensive subjects with hypertensive and normotensive parents.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS The kidney is important in blood-pressure regulation, but its role in the development of essential hypertension is still subject to debate. We compared renal hemodynamics, measured in terms of the clearance of para-aminohippuric acid and inulin, and the characteristics of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in three groups of normotensive subjects at different degrees of risk for hypertension: 41 subjects with two normotensive parents, 52 with one normotensive and one hypertensive parent, and 61 with two hypertensive parents. The subjects ranged in age from 7 to 32 years. RESULTS The mean renal blood flow was lower in the subjects with two hypertensive parents than in those with two normotensive parents (mean difference [+/- SE], 198 +/- 61 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area; P = 0.002). Moreover, both the filtration fraction and renal vascular resistance were higher in the subjects with two hypertensive parents (filtration fraction: mean difference, 3.0 +/- 1.1 percentage points; P = 0.006; renal vascular resistance: mean difference, 2.7 +/- 0.8 mm Hg per deciliter per minute per 1.73 m2; P = 0.006). The subjects with two hypertensive parents had lower plasma concentrations of renin (mean difference, 3.3 +/- 1.6 mU per liter; P = 0.03) and aldosterone (mean difference, 111 +/- 36 pmol per liter; P = 0.003) than those with two normotensive parents. The differences could not be explained by the small differences in blood pressure between the groups. The values in the subjects with one hypertensive and one normotensive parent fell between those for the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS Renal vasoconstriction is increased and renin and aldosterone secretion is decreased in young persons at risk for hypertension. These findings support the hypothesis that alterations in renal hemodynamics occur at an early stage in the development of familial hypertension.
Is there any prognostic impact of intraductal carcinoma of prostate in initial diagnosed aggressively metastatic prostate cancer?

Intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC‐P) was usually found to be co‐exist with conventional aggressive prostate adenocarcinoma. The presence of IDC‐P was considered as an adverse pathological factor, which was associated with high Gleason score, large prostate volume and accelerated disease progression. However, no any information is available on the presence of IDC‐P diagnosed by needle biopsy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. We investigated the incidence and prognostic value of intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC‐P) in initial diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer.
The challenges and impact of microvascular injury in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

ABSTRACT Despite successful restoration of epicardial coronary blood flow, a significant proportion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction suffer from an impairment of the microvascular perfusion – a phenomenon termed no-reflow or microvascular injury (MVI). The underlying pathophysiology is complex and likely multifactorial. It is well established that MVI is associated with worse clinical outcome. Although MVI can be detected during coronary intervention and the post-infarction period, its prevention and treatment strategies remain a major challenge since most results of clinical studies have been disappointing so far. This review provides an overview on the main pathophysiological mechanisms of MVI and its diagnostic approaches. Moreover, it will discuss its clinical consequences and current strategies of prevention and treatment.
Stability and Internal Consistency of a Measure of Self-Actualization

The Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), a recently developed measure of self-actualizing tendencies, was administered on 2 occasions to 48 college students to determine the stability, independence, and utility of 10 subscales. Stability coefficients and intercorrelations indicated that 3 of the 12 scales, Inner Direction, Time Competence, and Self-actualization Value, accounted for almost all the variance. Since many of the intercorrelations approximated the scales' reliabilities, it was concluded that performance on the POI could be more accurately and parsimoniously expressed in terms of fewer dimensions.
Mechanism of Substrate Sensing and Signal Transmission within an ABC Transporter

By translocating proteasomal degradation products into the endoplasmic reticulum for loading of major histocompatibility complex I molecules, the ABC transporter TAP plays a focal role in the adaptive immunity against infected or malignantly transformed cells. A key question regarding the transport mechanism is how the quality of the incoming peptide is detected and how this information is transmitted to the ATPase domains. To identify residues involved in this process, we evolved a Trojan horse strategy in which a small artificial protease is inserted into antigenic epitopes. After binding, the TAP backbone in contact is cleaved, allowing the peptide sensor site to be mapped by mass spectrometry. Within this sensor site, we identified residues that are essential for tight coupling of peptide binding and transport. This sensor and transmission interface is restructured during the ATP hydrolysis cycle, emphasizing its important function in the cross-talk between the transmembrane and the nucleotide-binding domains. This allocrite sensor may be similarly positioned in other members of the ABC exporter family.
Genetic variation in five Mediterranean populations of Juniperus phoenicea as revealed by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The assessment of the genetic variability and the identification of isolated populations within a given species represent important information to plan conservation strategies on a genetic basis. In this work, the genetic variability in five natural populations of Juniperus phoenicea, three from Sardinia, one from Cyprus and the last one in the Maritime Alps was analysed by means of ISSRs, on the hypothesis that the latter could have been a refugial one during the last glaciation. METHODS ISSRs were chosen because of their ability to detect variation without any prior sequence information. The use of three primers yielded 45 reproducible, polymorphic bands, which were utilized to estimate the basic parameters of genetic variability and diversity. KEY RESULTS All of the populations analysed harboured an adequate amount of genetic variability, with H(S) = 0.1299. The proportion of genetic diversity between populations has been estimated by G(ST) = 0.12. The three Sardinian populations are separated, as tested by AMOVA, from the Cyprus and the continental ones. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that geographical isolation has represented a major barrier to gene flow in Juniperus phoenicea. This work represents a first step towards a full genetic characterization of a conifer from the Mediterranean, a world biodiversity hotspot confronted with climate change, and thus contributes towards the planning of genetics-informed conservation strategies.