Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired episodic simulation in a patient with visual memory deficit amnesia

For the first time, we assess episodic simulation in a patient with visual memory deficit amnesia, following damage to visual association cortices. Compared to control participants, the patient with visual memory deficit amnesia shows severely restricted responses when asked to simulate different types of future episodic scenarios. Surprisingly, the patient’s responses are more limited in cases where the scenarios require less reliance on visual information. We explain this counterintuitive finding through discussing how the severe retrograde amnesia in visual memory deficit amnesia limits the patient’s access to episodic memories in which vision has not been a focus of their life. As a result, we argue that the deficits in visual memory deficit amnesia continue to distinguish it from amnesia after direct damage to the hippocampus.
Concurrent Hepatitis C and B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections Are Associated With Higher Mortality Risk Illustrating the Impact of Syndemics on Health Outcomes

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are associated with significant mortality globally and in North America. However, data on impact of concurrent multiple infections on mortality risk are limited. We evaluated the effect of HCV, HBV, and HIV infections and coinfections and associated factors on all-cause mortality in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Methods The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes ~1.7 million individuals tested for HCV or HIV, or reported as a case of HCV, HIV, or HBV from 1990 to 2015, linked to administrative databases. We followed people with HCV, HBV, or HIV monoinfection, coinfections, and triple infections from their negative status to date of death or December 31, 2016. Extended Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with all-cause mortality. Results Of 658 704 individuals tested for HCV, HBV, and HIV, there were 33 804 (5.13%) deaths. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, individuals with HCV/HBV/HIV (HR, 8.9; 95% CI, 8.2–9.7) infections had the highest risk of mortality followed by HCV/HIV (HR, 4.8; 95% CI, 4.4–5.1), HBV/HIV (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 3.5–4.8), HCV/HBV (HR, 3.9; 95% CI, 3.7–4.2), HCV (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.6–2.7), HBV (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 2.0–2.3), and HIV (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5–1.7). Additional factors associated with mortality included injection drug use, problematic alcohol use, material deprivation, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and hypertension. Conclusions Concurrent multiple infections are associated with high mortality risk. Substance use, comorbidities, and material disadvantage were significantly associated with mortality independent of coinfection. Preventive interventions, including harm reduction combined with coinfection treatments, can significantly reduce mortality.
Chinese Herbal Formula Xuefu Zhuyu for Tension-Type Headache with Qi-Stagnation and Blood-Stasis Pattern (CheruXTH): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common headache disorder. Current treatments for TTH have been reported to be associated with insufficient long-term benefits and unwanted adverse events (AEs). The Chinese herbal formula Xuefu Zhuyu (XFZY) has been utilized in TTH treatment, but the evidence supporting its efficacy remains unclear. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of XFZY for TTH. Methods This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial will be undertaken in China. A total of 174 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an XFZY group or a placebo group (20 ml each dose, three times daily for 4 weeks) at a ratio of 1 : 1. The primary outcome is the change in mean headache intensity measured by a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include the area-under-the headache curve (AUC), headache frequency, rescue medication use, qi-stagnation and blood-stasis pattern measurement, quality of life measured by the EuroQol-5-Dimensions-5-Level (EQ-5D-5L), global evaluation of medication, and health economic indexes. Discussion. The results of the study are expected to provide evidence of high methodological and reporting quality on the efficacy and safety of XFZY for TTH. This trail is registered with ChiCTR1900026716 (registered on 19 October, 2019).
Assessing the Performance of Extended Half-Life Coagulation Factor VIII, FC Fusion Protein by Using Chromogenic and One-Stage Assays in Saudi Hemophilia A Patients

Background The one-stage assay is the most common method to measure factor VIII activity (FVIII : C) in hemophilia A patients. The chromogenic assay is another two-stage test involving purified coagulation factors followed by factor Xa-specific chromogenic substrate. Aim This study aimed to assess the discrepancy and correlation between the chromogenic and one-stage assays in measuring FVIII : C levels in hemophilia patients receiving Extended Half-Life Elocta® as a recombinant extended half-life coagulation factor. Methods We performed a study comparing the measurements of FVIII : C levels by the chromogenic versus the one-stage assays at different drug levels. Data of FVIII : C levels, dosage, and the time interval from administration to measurement were retrieved from the hospital records. The correlation, mean differences, and discrepancy between the two assays were calculated. The linear regression analysis was used to predict the time interval till reaching 1% FVIII : C. Results Fourteen patients with 56 samples were included in the study. Of them, 13 patients were receiving Elocta® as a prophylactic, while one was receiving Elocta® on demand. One-third of these samples showed a discrepancy between the chromogenic and one-stage assays. The two assays were well correlated. Mean differences were significant at the individual and the time interval level. The time since the last Elocta® injection could significantly predict FVIII : C levels (β = 0.366, P < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings suggested a significant difference between both methods; the FVIII : C levels measured by the one-stage assay were less than those estimated by the chromogenic assay. However, the measurements of FVIII levels by the two assays were well correlated but discrepant in one-third of the samples. The levels of FVIII : C reach 1% after 5.4 days since the last Elocta® administration.
Expanding our Understanding of Atypical Antipsychotics: Acute Urinary Retention Secondary to Olanzapine

Antipsychotics are considered the most efficacious drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. While clinicians monitor for the onset of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPSs), many do not consider the antimuscarinic and histaminergic side effects that can occur with second generation antipsychotics. We present the case of a 62-year-old male who presented with acute urinary retention that was found to be due to the recent initiation of olanzapine. Gradual cessation of the medication and follow-up with urology revealed resolution of his symptoms. With the increasing demand for psychiatric care but limited psychiatric resources, more and more primary care physicians find themselves dealing with the complex challenges of mental illness and managing antipsychotic medications. As a result, coordinating care among multiple specialties and understanding the full profile of side effects that are associated with psychiatric medications can yield quicker diagnoses and improve patient care.
Alternative Pathway-Hemolytic Complement Titer (ACH50) of Porgy Pagrus major Serum

Alternative complement pathway activity (ACH50) of porgy serum was measured by in-cubating the serum with rabbit red blood cells (RaRBC) in the presence of 10mM EGTA. It was confirmed that the concentration of EGTA (10mM) is enough to prevent the activation of the classical pathway of porgy complement, and that among red blood cells from several animals, RaRBC is the most effective activator of the alternative pathway of porgy comple-ment. Optimum conditions for the hemolytic reaction were: reaction temperature, 15°C; reaction time, 120min; pH 7.8; concentration of Mg2+, 10mM. When determined under these conditions, the ACH50 values of the sera from 33 porgy, weighing 23-31g, were remarkably high (143±81units/ml) as compared with those reported for mammalian sera.
Blood Oxidative Stress Marker Aberrations in Patients with Huntington's Disease: A Meta-Analysis Study

Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. Although studies have shown that blood oxidative stress markers are dysregulated in HD patients, clinical data on the blood oxidative stress markers of HD patients is inconsistent. To better understand the pathogenesis of HD, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of blood oxidative stress markers in HD patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. A database search from PubMed and Web of Science identified 12 studies with 375 HD patients and 447 HC subjects in this meta-analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis showed that blood lipid peroxidation products (Hedges' g = 0.883, 95%CI = 0.637 to 1.130, p < 0.001), 8-hydroxyguanosine (Hedges' g = 1.727, 95%CI = 0.489 to 2.965, p = 0.006) levels, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (Hedges' g = 2.026, 95%CI = 0.570 to 3.482, p = 0.006) were significantly increased in HD patients compared to controls. In contrast, reduced glutathione levels were lower in HD patients than in controls (Hedges' g = −0.611, 95%CI = −1.016 to − 0.207, p = 0.003). However, blood superoxide dismutase, cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides did not show significant differences between cases and controls. Taken together, this study clarified the associations between blood oxidative stress markers and HD, supporting the clinical evidence that HD is accompanied by increased oxidative stress.
When behavioural science can make a difference in times of COVID-19

Abstract In a large study that involved 2637 participants recruited from a representative UK and US sample, we tested the influence of four behavioural interventions (versus control) on a range of behaviours important for reducing the spread of COVID-19 a day after the interventions were administered. Even if people largely complied with social distancing measures, our analyses showed that for certain subgroups of the population the interventions made a positive difference. More specifically, for those who started practising social distancing relatively recently, an information-based intervention increased general compliance with social distancing and reduced both the number of times people went out and the number of hours they spent outside. However, for people who started practising social distancing relatively early, the interventions tended to backfire and, in some cases, reduced compliance with social distancing. Overall, this research has various policy implications and shows that, although behavioural interventions can positively impact compliance with social distancing, their effect may depend on personal circumstances.
IκB Kinase Inhibitor VII Modulates Sepsis-Induced Excessive Inflammation and Cardiac Dysfunction in 5/6 Nephrectomized Mice

Background Chronic kidney disease condition requires regular dialysis; the patients have greater risk of sepsis and have high mortality rate compared to general people with sepsis. The adverse cardiac condition leads to mortality in subjects with sepsis. In the present work, we studied the consequences of chronic kidney damage by 5/6 nephrectomy on cardiac function in mice induced with sepsis and the mechanism involved. Methods We used C57BL/6 mice and subjected them to 5/6 nephrectomy; after induction of chronic kidney damage, they were subjected to sepsis by either LPS treatment or by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method. The cardiac function test was done by echocardiography. Protein expression was done by western blot analysis. Results The 5/6 nephrectomized mice showed significant increase in blood creatinine and urea levels compared to sham-operated mice; the mice also showed decreased ejection fraction and increased levels of phosphorylated IkBα and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). When subjected to CLP and LPS treatment, the 5/6 nephrectomized mice augmented cardiac abnormalities and lung inflammation and increased plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-12, and IL-18. Also, we evidenced increased levels of p-IKKα/β and Ikβα, NF-κβ, and iNOS. Treatment of IKK inhibitor VII in 5/6 nephrectomized mice after LPS administration or CLP attenuated these effects. Conclusion Chronic kidney disease could lead to abnormal cardiac function caused by sepsis in mice; this may be due to increased expression of NF-κβ and iNOS in cardiac tissues.
Sulforaphene Ameliorates Neuroinflammation and Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein via Regulating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Pathway in Experimental Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by progressive loss of cognitive functions due to neuronal death mainly in the hippocampal and cortical brain. Sulforaphene (SF) is one of the main isothiocyanates isolated from a Chinese herb Raphani Semen. In this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of SF using in vitro and in vivo models of AD. Streptozotocin (STZ) was intracranially injected into the rats; then, SF (25 and 50 mg/kg) was given orally once a day for 6 consecutive weeks. After drug treatment, the cognitive functions were assessed using the Morris Water Maze Test (MWMT). After the MWMT, the rats were euthanized and brain tissues were collected. In the in vitro test, BV-2 microglia were pretreated with SF (1 and 2 μM) for 1 h and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for another 23 h. Both molecular and histological methods were used to unravel the action mechanisms and elucidate the signaling pathway. The MWMT results showed that SF treatment significantly improved the STZ-induced cognitive deficits in rats. SF treatment markedly suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) but increased the release of IL-10 in the STZ-treated rats. In addition, SF significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of tau protein at Thr205, Ser396, and Ser404 sites, while enhancing the ratios of p-Akt (Ser473)/Akt and p-GSK-3β (Ser9)/GSK-3β in the hippocampus of the STZ-treated rats. On the other hand, SF (1 and 2 μM) treatment also markedly attenuated the cytotoxicity induced by LPS in BV-2 cells. In addition, SF treatment obviously suppressed the releases of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and IL-6 in the LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Moreover, SF treatment significantly mitigated the nuclear translocation of p-NF-κB p65 and the ratio of p-GSK-3β (Ser9)/GSK-3β in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Taken together, SF possessed neuroprotective effects against the STZ-induced cognitive deficits in rats and LPS-induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 cells via modulation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway and inhibition of the NF-κB activation, suggesting that SF is a promising neuroprotective agent worthy of further development into AD treatment.
Ginseng-Sanqi-Chuanxiong (GSC) Extracts Ameliorate Diabetes-Induced Endothelial Cell Senescence through Regulating Mitophagy via the AMPK Pathway

Vascular endothelial senescence induced by high glucose and palmitate (HG/PA) contributes to endothelial dysfunction, which leads to diabetic cardiovascular complications. Reduction of endothelial senescence may attenuate these pathogenic processes. This study is aimed at determining whether Ginseng-Sanqi-Chuanxiong (GSC) extracts, traditional Chinese medicine, can ameliorate human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) senescence under HG/PA-stressed conditions and further explore the underlying mechanism. We found that GSC extracts significantly increased antisenescent activity by reducing the HG/PA-induced mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) levels in senescent HAECs. GSC extracts also induced cellular mitophagy formation, which mediated the effect of GSC extracts on mtROS reduction. Apart from this, the data showed that GSC extracts stimulated mitophagy via the AMPK pathway, and upon inhibition of AMPK by pharmacological and genetic inhibitors, GSC extract-mediated mitophagy was abolished which further led to reverse the antisenescence effect. Taken together, these data suggest that GSC extracts prevent HG/PA-induced endothelial senescence and mtROS production by mitophagy regulation via the AMPK pathway. Thus, the induction of mitophagy by GSC extracts may provide a novel therapeutic candidate for cardiovascular protection in metabolic syndrome.
No expenditure difference among patients with liver cancer at stage I−IV: Findings from a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Objective The number of liver cancer patients in China accounts for more than half of the world. However, China currently lacks national, multicenter economic burden data, and meanwhile, measuring the differences among different subgroups will be informative to formulate corresponding policies in liver cancer control. Thus, the aim of the study was to measure the economic burden of liver cancer by various subgroups. Methods A hospital-based, multicenter and cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2012-2014, covering 39 hospitals and 21 project sites in 13 provinces across China. The questionnaire covers clinical information, sociology, expenditure, and related variables. All expenditure data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY) using 2014 values. Results A total of 2,223 liver cancer patients were enrolled, of whom 59.61% were late-stage cases (III-IV), and 53.8% were hepatocellular carcinoma. The average total expenditure per liver cancer patient was estimated as 53,220 CNY, including 48,612 CNY of medical expenditures (91.3%) and 4,608 CNY of non-medical expenditures (8.7%). The average total expenditures in stage I, II, III and stage IV were 52,817 CNY, 50,877 CNY, 50,678 CNY and 54,089 CNY (P>0.05), respectively. Non-medical expenditures including additional meals, additional nutrition care, transportation, accommodation and hired informal nursing were 1,453 CNY, 839 CNY, 946 CNY, 679 CNY and 200 CNY, respectively. The one-year out-of-pocket expenditure of a newly diagnosed patient was 24,953 CNY, and 77.2% of the patients suffered an unmanageable financial burden. Multivariate analysis showed that overall expenditure differed in almost all subgroups (P<0.05), except for sex, clinical stage, and pathologic type. Conclusions There was no difference in treatment expenditure for liver cancer patients at different clinical stages, which suggests that maintaining efforts on treatment efficacy improvement is important but not enough. To furtherly reduce the overall economic burden from liver cancer, more effort should be given to primary and secondary prevention strategies.
How is the Impact of Non-Cash Payment System on Sales of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise?

The purpose of this study are (1) to analyze the impact of non-cash payment systems on MSMEs sales, (2) to analyze the expectations of MSMEs related to non-cash payment systems, (3) to analyze whether non-cash transactions can facilitate the recording of MSME accounting. Data was obtained through a survey of 10 MSME owners of the food and beverage sector in West Jakarta. The analysis technique is descriptive qualitative. The results showed that most MSMEs felt the positive impact of non-cash payment system that (1) could increase sales by around 10% -20% because of the offered cashback, (2) had no trouble finding change money, (3) avoiding debt by buyers because there is a pay later facility, (4) safe because they don't hold large amounts of cash. Obstacles felt by MSMEs are (1) absence of bank accounts, (2) there is an error in the network and the transfer of the results of sales transactions to MSME banks that are late. MSMEs also feel the positive impact of the non-cash payment system on their accounting records. This helps them record sales transactions whose reports are sent via e-mail. It can also avoid corruption or manipulation of sales results by its employees even though there are still MSMEs that make manual records to compare the results sent by financial technology companies with their records. Keywords—fintech, Indonesian MSMEs, non-cash payment,
Enhancing a Theory-Focused Course Through the Introduction of Automatically Assessed Programming Exercises - Lessons Learned

In this paper, we describe our lessons learned during the introduction of automatically assessed programming exercises to a Bache-lor’s level course on algorithms and data structures in the Winter semester 2019/2020, which is yearly taken by around 300 students. The course used to mostly focus on theoretical and formal aspects of selected algorithms and data structures. While still maintaining the primary focus of a theoretical computer science course, we introduce a secondary objective of enhancing programming competence by giving practical programming exercises based on select topics from the course. With these assignments, the students should improve their understanding of the theoretical aspects as well as their programming skills. The programming assignments were given in regular intervals during lecture period with a thematic alignment between assignments and lectures. To compensate for the new set of tasks, the workload of assignments on theoretical aspect was reduced. We describe the diﬀerent experiences and lessons learned through the introduction and conduction of these exercises. A user study with 44 participants shows that the introduction was perceived well by the students, although improvements are still possible, especially in the area of feedback to the students.
AFRREV VOL 14 (1), S/NO 57, JANUARY, 2020

The study investigated the effect of electronic-learning on the academic achievement of basic science students in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A pretest, posttest, control group, quasi-experimental design was adopted. One hundred and four (104) JS.2 students from two government owned junior secondary schools in Yenagoa Local Government Area were purposely selected for the study. The schools were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The study lasted for five weeks. Three instruments IGELS, IGMLM and BSAT were used for the study. One research question was posed and answered using mean and deviation standard and one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings revealed that those taught with e-learning had a higher mean (72,33) than those taught with modified lecture method (50.59) with a mean difference of 21.74. E-learning had significant effect on student’s academic achievement in basic science. (f1,101=76.392; p<0.05 partial eta squared=0.558), with an effect size of 55.8%. Finding showed that there was a significant difference in students’ achievement in basic science when taught with e-learning and modified lecture method; the e –learning students performing better. It was recommended that government should provide e-learning materials for schools and train the teachers to acquire the basic skills.