Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Carbamazepine and Valproate and Adverse Cutaneous Drug Reactions in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: A Nested Matched Case-Control Study

Objective: This study investigated the association between 2 mood stabilizers (carbamazepine and valproate) and other medications (including other anticonvulsants) and the risks of erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) among patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Using the data of patients with bipolar disorder between March 1997 and December 2004 from the Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims databank, we identified 72 patients with bipolar disorder who had an inpatient or outpatient diagnosis of EM, SJS, or TEN by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Classical Modification code 695.1 and 288 controls with the absence of EM, SJS, or TEN diagnosis who were matched for sex, age, and index day. The use of carbamazepine, valproate, and other medications during the 60 days before the index date of diagnosis of EM, SJS, or TEN were compared. Results: Results showed that carbamazepine (odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-6.8) and valproate use (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.2) significantly predicted EM, SJS, or TEN. Other significant predictors for EM, SJS, or TEN included other anticonvulsants (phenytoin, phenobarbital, and lamotrigine), cephalosporin, some nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (acetic acid derivatives and fenamates [mefenamic acid]), salicylates, and acetaminophen. The most predictive exposures were carbamazepine, valproate, other anticonvulsants, and acetaminophen. We also found that the combination of carbamazepine and acetaminophen further increased the risk for the occurrence of EM, SJS, or TEN. There was no interaction effect from age and sex. Conclusions: Our study suggests that carbamazepine and valproate as well increase the risk for EM, SJS, or TEN. We should be especially cautious about the combined use of carbamazepine and acetaminophen.
Progressive motor deficits in lacunar infarction

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics of the progression of motor deficits in lacunar stroke patients. Background: Some patients with lacunar infarction have progression of their neurologic deficits, but it is not known which patients will progress or why they progress. Methods: The authors evaluated 92 consecutive patients (47 men, 45 women; age, 69.4 ± 10.9 years [mean ± SD]) with first-ever stroke due to supratentorial lacunes in the internal capsule or the corona radiata. By defining lacunar infarction in which motor deficits progressed between admission and the day after admission as progressive lacunar infarction, the authors compared progressive lacunar infarction with stable lacunar infarction. Results: Of 92 patients, 25 (27%) had progression of deficits. Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02) and severity of motor deficit on admission (p = 0.006) were related independently to progression in a logistic multiple regression analysis. Size of the infarct was slightly larger (1.2 ± 0.4 cm2 versus 0.9 ± 0.5 cm2; p = 0.01) and functional status at discharge was worse (median Barthel index, 45 versus 100; p < 0.001) in patients with progressive infarction than in those without progression. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the site of the infarct or blood pressure or hematocrit levels on or after admission. Conclusions: The progression of motor deficits is associated with a relatively poor functional outcome. Diabetes mellitus and the severity of motor deficit on admission may predict progression of motor deficits.
Chlorophyllin significantly reduces benzo[a]pyrene‐DNA adduct formation and alters cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 expression and EROD activity in normal human mammary epithelial cells

We hypothesized that chlorophyllin (CHLN) would reduce benzo[a]pyrene‐DNA (BP‐DNA) adduct levels. Using normal human mammary epithelial cells (NHMECs) exposed to 4 μM BP for 24 hr in the presence or absence of 5 μM CHLN, we measured BP‐DNA adducts by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA). The protocol included the following experimental groups: BP alone, BP given simultaneously with CHLN (BP+CHLN) for 24 hr, CHLN given for 24 hr followed by BP for 24 hr (preCHLN, postBP), and CHLN given for 48 hr with BP added for the last 24 hr (preCHLN, postBP+CHLN). Incubation with CHLN decreased BPdG levels in all groups, with 87% inhibition in the preCHLN, postBP+CHLN group. To examine metabolic mechanisms, we monitored expression by Affymetrix microarray (U133A), and found BP‐induced up‐regulation of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression, as well as up‐regulation of groups of interferon‐inducible, inflammation and signal transduction genes. Incubation of cells with CHLN and BP in any combination decreased expression of many of these genes. Using reverse transcription real time PCR (RT‐PCR) the maximal inhibition of BP‐induced gene expression, >85% for CYP1A1 and >70% for CYP1B1, was observed in the preCHLN, postBP+CHLN group. To explore the relationship between transcription and enzyme activity, the ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) assay was used to measure the combined CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 activities. BP exposure caused the EROD levels to double, when compared with the unexposed controls. The CHLN‐exposed groups all showed EROD levels similar to the unexposed controls. Therefore, the addition of CHLN to BP‐exposed cells reduced BPdG formation and CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression, but EROD activity was not significantly reduced. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linking cytoplasmic dynein and transport of Rab8 vesicles to the midbody during cytokinesis by the doublecortin domain-containing 5 protein

Completion of mitosis requires microtubule-dependent transport of membranes to the midbody. Here, we identified a role in cytokinesis for doublecortin domain-containing protein 5 (DCDC5), a member of the doublecortin protein superfamily. DCDC5 is a microtubule-associated protein expressed in both specific and dynamic fashions during mitosis. We show that DCDC5 interacts with cytoplasmic dynein and Rab8 (also known as Ras-related protein Rab-8A), as well as with the Rab8 nucleotide exchange factor Rabin8 (also known as Rab-3A-interacting protein). Following DCDC5 knockdown, the durations of the metaphase to anaphase transition and cytokinesis, and the proportion of multinucleated cells increases, whereas cell viability decreases. Furthermore, knockdown of DCDC5 or addition of a dynein inhibitor impairs the entry of Golgi-complex-derived Rab8-positive vesicles to the midbody. These findings suggest that DCDC5 plays an important role in mediating dynein-dependent transport of Rab8-positive vesicles and in coordinating late cytokinesis.
Loss of Dendritic Cell Migration and Impaired Resistance to Leishmania donovani Infection in Mice Deficient in CCL19 and CCL211

The encounter between APC and T cells is crucial for initiating immune responses to infectious microorganisms. In the spleen, interaction between dendritic cells (DC) and T cells occurs in the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS) into which DC and T cells migrate from the marginal zone (MZ) along chemokine gradients. However, the importance of DC migration from the MZ into the PALS for immune responses and host resistance to microbial infection has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we report that following Leishmania donovani infection of mice, the migration of splenic DC is regulated by the CCR7 ligands CCL19/CCL21. DC in plt/plt mutant mice that lack these chemokines are less activated and produce less IL-12, compared with those in wild-type mice. Similar findings are seen when mice are treated with pertussis toxin, which blocks chemokine signaling in vivo. plt/plt mice had increased susceptibility to L. donovani infection compared with wild-type mice, as determined by spleen and liver parasite burden. Analysis of splenic cytokine profiles at day 14 postinfection demonstrated that IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA accumulation was comparable in wild-type and plt/plt mice. In contrast, accumulation of mRNA for IL-10 was elevated in plt/plt mice. In addition, plt/plt mice mounted a delayed hepatic granulomatous response and fewer effector T cells migrated into the liver. Taken together, we conclude that DC migration from the MZ to the PALS is necessary for full activation of DC and the optimal induction of protective immunity against L. donovani.
Psychomotor Retardation, Attention Deficit and Executive Dysfunctional in Young Non-hospitalised Un-medicated Non-psychotic Unipolar Depression Patients.

BACKGROUND Neuropsychological deficits have been reported in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during an acute episode. The reaction time gives an idea about integrity and the processing ability of central nervous system. The simple reaction time task is an attention seeking task that focuses primarily on speed of processing (executive function). Psychomotor retardation (i.e., delay at the output which includes perceptual decision, planning, motor process) is a constant and probably central feature of depression. AIMS The purpose of present study was to evaluate the neuropsychological functioning in young non-hospitalised un-medicated non-psychotic unipolar depression by focusing on tasks related to prefrontal cortex functioning. MATERIALS AND METHODS Newly diagnosed young antidepressant-free, clinically depressed patients (20 males and 24 females, n=44) and healthy controls (24 males and 27 females, n=51) pair-wise matched on gender, age (mean age 25±4) were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with major depressive episode according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Both the patients and healthy controls performed a simple reaction time task with components of alerting auditory and visual orientation of attention by an instrument response analyzer. Statistical Analysis : The performances were expressed in mean ± standard deviation of the reaction time by using the Student's unpaired t-test. RESULTS Patients with unipolar depression relative to controls were impaired on psychomotor performance and deficits in sustained attention remained significant. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest deficits in sustained attention as vulnerability marker for unipolar depression. With further methodologically sound research, the changes in neuropsychological function associated with treatment response may provide a means of evaluating different treatment strategies in major depression.
At-Risk Serum Cholesterol Profile at Both Ends of the Nutrition Spectrum in West African Adults? The Benin Study

Low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), using as cut-offs 1.03 mmol/L in men and 1.29 mmol/L in women, was observed in more than 25% apparently healthy adults (n = 541) in a cross-sectional study on nutrition transition and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) in Benin, West Africa. Both overweight/obesity (35.3%) and underweight (11.3%) were present, displaying the double burden of malnutrition. We examined in more depth the association of low HDL-C with nutrition and with other CMRF. Metabolic syndrome components were assessed, plus the ratio of total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C and serum homocysteine. Insulin resistance was based on Homeostasis Model Assessment. We also measured BMI and body composition by bio-impedance. Dietary quality was appraised with two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Low HDL-C was associated with much higher TC/HDL-C and more abdominal obesity in men and women and with more insulin resistance in women. The rate of low HDL-C was highest (41.9%) among the overweight/obese subjects (BMI ≥ 25), but it also reached 31.1% among the underweight (BMI < 18.5), compared with 17.3% among normal-weight subjects (p < 0.001). Lower dietary micronutrient adequacy, in particular, in vitamins A, B3, B12, zinc and calcium, was associated with low HDL-C when controlling for several confounders. This suggests that at-risk lipoprotein cholesterol may be associated with either underweight or overweight/obesity and with poor micronutrient intake.
Research on mining frequency path in compressed path data

The volume of path data of moving items collected by RFID readers is massive and hard to be searched in the modern logistic management system. Using path code (denote as pid in this paper) to replace the path data can not only compress the volume of data, but also decrease the storage space greatly, and make the path searching more easily. Base on pid, mining frequency pid instead of mining frequency path, can also decrease the storage space, and increase the speed of mining algorithm. This method can be used in mining frequency path in the cube which used in moving items applications, such as FlowCube.
Immunization Against Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Fusion Proteins Does Not Decrease Prostate Cancer in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma Mouse Prostate Model

This study was undertaken to test the effect of immunization against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) fusion proteins on the development and progression of prostate cancer in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. Two LHRH fusion proteins, ovalbumin with seven LHRH peptides (OV-LHRH-7), and thioredoxin with seven LHRH peptides (TH-LHRH-7) were used in a cocktail vaccine. Two groups of male TRAMP mice were immunized with the cocktail. Primary immunizations were at either 4 or 8 weeks of age. LHRH immunized mice (n = 19) were compared with castrated (n = 19) and intact mice (n = 18) for testosterone concentration, tumor weight, and lifespan. Immunization against LHRH in the TRAMP mice resulted in significant production of antibodies to LHRH compared with surgically castrated and intact control mice. Testicular weight was significantly reduced in the LHRH immunized groups compared with intact control mice. Serum testosterone was reduced (P < 0.05) in the immunized mice compared with intact control mice and was not different from that of castrated mice (P > 0.05). Tumor weight was variable and inconsistent throughout all treatment groups. Lifespan was not increased by immunization against LHRH or castration. Intact control mice (lived the longest (227 ± 11 days), whereas immunized mice lived 206 ± 11 days and castrated mice lived 213 ± 13 days. Tumors from immunized TRAMP mice appeared more aggressive than tumors of castrated and intact mice, as demonstrated by 35% expression of gross lung tumors in the immunized mice whereas none were observed in the castrated or intact TRAMP mice. Prostate cancer is initially dependent upon androgens for growth and development, but cells have the ability to escape androgen dependence and progress to an androgen independent state, which was evident in this study. The TRAMP mouse model immunized against LHRH may have utility in future studies and treatments of the androgen independent prostate cancer.
Ontogeny of seizure‐induced increases in BDNF immunoreactivity and TrkB receptor activation in rat hippocampus

The present work tested the hypothesis that the anatomic and developmental patterns of status epilepticus‐induced increases of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein coincided with status epilepticus‐induced increases of phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity, a measure of TrkB receptor activation, in rat hippocampus. In P22 rats, robust increases of phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity were detected in the mossy fiber pathway of the hippocampus one day following kainate‐induced status epilepticus. Conversely, no change in phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity was detected in P8 or P14 rats. In P17 rats, intermediate levels of increased phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity were detected, again in the mossy fiber pathway. Like phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity, marked increases of BDNF immunoreactivity were detected in the mossy fiber pathway of P22 but not P14 rats. Dissociations were found in P17 rats following status epilepticus in that striking increases of BDNF, but not phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity were detected. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses of hippocampal extracts after status epilepticus showed increased phospho‐TrkB, but not TrkB immunoreactivity in P22 rats, thereby confirming and extending the immunohistochemical findings. While most of the findings support the hypothesis, important dissociations among individual animals at P17 were identified. Together the findings are consistent with the proposal that status epilepticus‐induced increase of BDNF content in the mossy fibers is necessary, but not sufficient, to effect activation of TrkB, as revealed by phospho‐Trk immunoreactivity. Furthermore, these results provide the first characterization of seizure‐induced increases in BDNF protein and TrkB receptor activation in developing animals. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beneficial Contribution of Compositionally In(x)Ga(1-x)As Graded Base on InP Double Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (DHBT's) for Very High Speed Transmission Circuits

The optimization of base . characteristics: doping level, thickness and composition, improves electron transport properties in the InPllnGaAsllnGaAsP Double Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors (DHBT's). A composition graduality in the base is shown to: improve static gain fJ, base sheet resistance (Rear), base electron transit time (CF); reduce the recombination effects. We have fabricated DHBT's with a 50 nm Carbon doped at 7.5xl019 cm-3 compositionally graded InxGal_xAs base. This graduality permits to increase the base electric field and thus to obtain (at Vee = 1.6 V and Je = 40 kAlcm2): 'F = 1.18 ps, Ft = 82 GHz Fmax = 60 Ghz, f3 = 46, Rcar = 380 . QJO compared with 'F =1.59 ps Ft = 65 GHz, Fmax = 46 Ghz and f3 = 2 for the uniform base.
The "Iron Cage" Turned Inside Out: Emerging Evidence of the Effects of "Reverse Legitimacy" on Six Major Banks in the US (1999 to 2007) - A Case Study

This case study offers an insider’s account of financial industry developments from 1999 to 2007 as emerging evidence of the global contagion of a mind-set and the effects of “reverse legitimacy”, or undue influence of powerful financial firms embracing this mind-set, upon societal institutions. The study seeks to explain why, despite clear indications that housing prices had inflated over the first decade of the millennium, that the expansion of credit had exploded, and that financial models on Wall Street – which are by definition, mathematical simplifications of real-world complexities that assume “normal” market conditions and thus do not factor for speculative bubbles or unexpected shocks to the system – financial and regulatory institutions remained confident that everything was basically under control. Loan data are provided as emerging evidence of conformity in industry behavior. Selected excerpts from letters to shareholders in the 2007 annual reports of six major banks are presented as partial evidence of cognitive impairment in organizational thinking in the years leading up to the banks’ financial collapse in 2008.
Effects of oil prices, food prices and macroeconomic news on Gcc stock markets

This thesis is based on three papers examining Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) financial markets. The member countries of the GCC are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These countries have transitioned from developing to frontier markets over the past ten years, but there is considerable debate about whether GCC economies are efficient or affected by shocks in oil and other commodity markets. The first paper (chapter 2) considers GCC stock market returns and examines how they are affected by oil price shocks using a bivariate VAR-GARCH(1,1) approach. The conclusion of this essay is that GCC economies are more affected by shocks than are other countries considered for comparison purposes. The second paper (chapter 3) discusses how food prices are affected by oil price shocks, and it examines possible parameter shifts between food and oil that result from four recent events, including renewable fuel policies and the financial crisis. The third paper (chapter 4) uses an empirical approach to compare a least squares model and a non-linear Markov switching model to measure the effect of newspaper sentiment on stock market performance. The results indicate that all information is important to stock market investors and that non-linear models are better predictors of stock market performance then linear models when using data from newspaper articles. Chapter 5 offers some final conclusions and remarks.
Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Remodeling Process in Patellar Tendon Graft

Several studies have shown the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. The purpose of the current study was to clarify the clinical usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament in comparison with using arthroscopy. Sixty-nine patients who had an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a bone-tendon-bone autograft were examined by magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy an average of 12 months after surgery. There were 41 males and 28 females with an average age of 25.9 years (range, 15–66 years). The interval from surgery to the magnetic resonance imaging or arthroscopic evaluation was a mean of 12 months (range, 4–32 months). The magnetic resonance imaging findings of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament were classified as either high, intermediate, or low intensity. The arthroscopic findings also were classified as either graft impingement at the intercondylar notch or no impingement. In the 47 anterior cruciate ligament grafts that were not impinged, the signal intensity remained low and did not increase during second-look arthroscopy. In contrast, 22 anterior cruciate ligament grafts that were impinged showed an increased signal intensity in the distal area of the graft at the time of the second-look arthroscopy. Furthermore, no significant correlation was observed between the presence of a high signal intensity and postoperative instability. The high signal intensity of the anterior cruciate ligament graft on magnetic resonance imaging was found to be caused by graft impingement. These findings therefore show a clear association between graft impingement and the subsequent appearance of the graft on magnetic resonance imaging.
Promoting English Independent Study for EFL University Students in Indonesia

This paper aims to investigate the implementation of English Independent Study (EIS) activities in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educational contexts. In this study, 32 pre-intermediate to upper-intermediate participants attending a course named Basic Skill Course at an Indonesian university were introduced to the concept of and strategies for pursuing EIS. This investigation focused on analyzing the students’ choice and perceptions of EIS activities and the continuity of the initiative. The findings show that students are more inclined to do receptive skill activities as opposed to those of productive skills for their EIS, students generally perceive EIS activities positively, and almost all students continued EIS activities on their own after they finished the semester. Some insights on how teachers could optimize students’ motivation to do EIS activities are offered, such as providing extensive resources for independent study and devising various schemes to promote such activities among students.