Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DSM-IV field trials for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Optimal diagnostic thresholds were determined for DSM-IV attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the psychometric properties were compared to alternative definitions. METHOD Structured diagnostic interviews of multiple informants for 380 clinic-referred youths aged 4-17 years were conducted. In addition, standardized clinicians' validation diagnoses of attention deficit disorder were obtained to assess agreement with clinical judgment. Measures of impairment were obtained to assess the accuracy of identifying youth with an impairing condition. RESULTS Three subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined types) were distinguished on the basis of the degree of deviance on separate dimensions of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. These three subtypes were found to differ in terms of types of impairment, age, and sex ratio, but not ethnicity. In terms of case identification of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, DSM-IV was found to be very similar to DSM-III-R, except that DSM-IV identified more impaired girls and preschool children. CONCLUSIONS These results support the decision to subdivide the heterogeneous category of DSM-III-R attention deficit hyperactivity disorder into three subtypes. The resulting DSM-IV definition appears to be somewhat less biased toward the symptom pattern typical of elementary school boys.
State Estimation of the Switched Reluctance Motor MFR 132.5 with MHE and UKF Estimators

The measure of the instant angular position of the rotor is integral part of the control of Switching Reluctance Motor (SRM) drivers. The direct measurement of this variable adds complexity and cost to the system and it doesn't give good results sometimes. This has motivated the development of estimators for the rotor angular position of the SRM. In this work are presented a Moving Horizon Estimator and an Unscented Kalman Filter for estimating the speed and rotor angular position of the SRM MFR 132.5. Both estimators are based on a grey box model of the motor, also presented in this paper. It was carried out the simulation on PC of the designed estimators for estimating the speed and the angular position of the rotor under different motor operation conditions and considering an error in the initial estimation of the angular position and noisy measurements.
The influence of human GSTZ1 gene haplotype variations on GSTZ1 expression

Background/objectives The zeta-1 family isoform of GST biotransforms the investigational drug dichloroacetate (DCA) and certain other halogenated carboxylic acids. Haplotype variability in GSTZ1 influences the kinetics and, possibly, the toxicity of DCA. DCA metabolism correlates with expression of the GSTZ1 protein, so it is important to document variables that affect expression. Following up on a limited previous study, we tested the hypothesis that a coding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), the lysine (K) amino acid (E32>K) in GSTZ1 haplotypes linked to a promoter region SNP results in lower hepatic expression of GSTZ1. Materials and methods The influence of K carrier and non-K carrier haplotypes on GSTZ1 expression was determined by analyzing 78 liver samples from individuals aged 7–84 years of various racial and ethnic backgrounds. GSTZ1 expression data were analyzed on the basis of the presence or absence of lysine 32. Results GSTZ1 protein expression differed significantly between K carrier and non-K carrier haplotypes (P=0.001) in Whites, but not in African-Americans (P=0.277). We attribute this difference in GSTZ1 expression among K carrier haplotypes in Whites to the linkage disequilibrium between the K or A allele from the G>A SNP (rs7975), within the promoter G>A-1002 SNP (rs7160195) A allele. There is no linkage disequilibrium between these two polymorphisms in African-Americans. Conclusion We conclude that the lower expression of GSTZ1 in Whites who possess the K carrier haplotype results in lower enzymatic activity and slower metabolism of DCA, compared with those who possess the non-K carrier haplotype. These results further define safe, genetics-based dosing regimens for chronic DCA administration.
Improved estimates of visual field progression using bayesian linear regression to integrate structural information in patients with ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE To assess whether neuroretinal rim area (RA) measurements of the optic disc could be used to improve the estimate of the rate of change in visual field (VF) mean sensitivity in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) using a Bayesian linear regression (BLR), compared to a standard ordinary least squares linear regression (OLSLR) of mean sensitivity (MS) measurements alone. METHODS MS and RA measurements were analyzed from a longitudinal series of 179 patients with OHT visiting Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1992 and 2000. For each patient, linear regression of RA was computed after an appropriate transformation to "scale" RA with MS measurements, and the slope coefficient from this regression was used as a prior for BLR of MS. The BLR then was compared with the OLSLR approach by evaluating how accurately each regression technique predicted future MS measurements. RESULTS On average, BLR was significantly more accurate than OLSLR for series up to 8 measurements long (root-mean-square prediction error [RMSPE] was 0.14 decibels [dB] smaller with BLR than OLSLR; P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), with OLSLR of VF data alone being more accurate for longer series (RMSPE was 0.06 dB smaller with OLSLR than BLR). CONCLUSIONS BLR provides a significantly more accurate estimate of the rate of change in MS than the standard OLSLR approach, especially in short time series, suggesting that structural measurements can be used successfully in statistical models to assist clinicians monitoring VF progression in patients with OHT. Further studies are necessary to validate the method in glaucoma patients.
Increased Mitochondrial Dna Content in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from HIV-Infected Patients with Lipodystrophy

We have evaluated mitochondrial (mt) DNA content in CD4 and CD8 peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from HIV-infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) who display different types of adipose tissue alterations. A cross-sectional study was performed in a total of 23 patients with lipodystrophy (LD): nine patients with fat accumulation, six patients with fat loss, eight patients with combined form, who were compared to 11 individuals infected by HIV without LD (HIV-positive) and 10 seronegative controls (CTRL). PBLs were obtained by standard methods, that is, gradient density centrifugation on Ficoll, and CD4 or CD8 cells were positively isolated by magnetic sorting to eliminate the contamination of platelets. mtDNA content was then measured by an original assay based upon real-time PCR. mtDNA content was significantly increased in CD4 T cells from patients with LD, while no differences were present between CD4 and CD8 cells from HIV-positive and CTRL individuals. Nor were any differences found when comparing LD or HIV-positive patients treated with stavudine or zidovudine, or taking D-drugs or non D-drugs. Patients with fat accumulation had significantly higher mtDNA content compared to HIV-positive and CTRL, this phenomenon regarding both CD4 and CD8 PBLs. Considering all HIV-positive patients (including LD), mtDNA content showed a significant, positive correlation with cholesterolaemia but not with triglyceridaemia and glycaemia. Relatively high mtDNA content in LD patients, as well as the correlation between mtDNA content and cholesterol in all HIV-positive subjects, suggest the involvement of mitochondria in such a pathology. However, further studies are needed to confirm these initial observations and ascertain whether the quantification of mtDNA in PBL is a useful and reliable marker to investigate and monitor HAART-related changes in fat distribution.
Excursion is important in regulating sarcomere number in the growing rabbit tibialis anterior

1 The mechanical signal(s) that may be important in regulating the number of sarcomeres in series in skeletal muscle fibres or fascicles (sarcomere number) remain(s) speculative, in part because the in vivo mechanical environment of muscle has not yet been defined during sarcomere number perturbations. In the present study, measurements of the in vivo mechanical environment were used to test the hypothesis that increasing muscle excursion results in increased serial sarcomere addition in growing animals. 2 The tibialis anterior (TA) was released from its retinacular restraint at the ankle joint to increase muscle excursion in 4‐week‐old female New Zealand White rabbits. Twelve weeks post release, muscle excursion and sarcomere number were significantly increased for released TAs compared with control TAs. 3 General cage activity over a 24 h period and in vivo ankle joint kinematics of the experimental leg during hopping on a treadmill were not significantly different between control and release groups, suggesting that altered animal and joint activity patterns were not responsible for the increased serial sarcomere addition associated with TA release. 4 In vivo TA forces during hopping and during a large force‐producing foot‐flicking motion were significantly decreased in released TAs compared with control TAs. Chronically decreased force production may have been involved in the decreased longitudinal tendon growth observed for the released TA compared with the control TA, which, in turn, may have stimulated the increase in serial sarcomere addition. However, increasing force production of the released TA by partial ablation of the extensor digitorum longus did not inhibit the increase in serial sarcomere addition. 5 The results of this study support the hypothesis that increasing excursion results in increased serial sarcomere addition in growing animals and, when combined with the results of previous studies indicating that decreasing excursion results in decreased serial sarcomere addition, support the working hypothesis that excursion is important in regulating sarcomere number in growing animals.
Emotional Distress Affects Attention and Concentration: The Difference Between Mountains and Valleys

The current study tests the hypothesis that the “mountains and valleys pattern” (MVP) observed within the Attention and Concentration domain of the Meyers Neuropsychological Battery reflects the interference of emotional distress/anxiety on the patient's cognitive test performance. First, the MVP was objectively quantified using a formula that took into account both increased and decreased scores, rather than canceling them out through averaging. Using a total sample of 787 subjects, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Second Edition Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) profile scores of cases with and without this pattern were then compared using an extensive database followed by a smaller, matched-groups design. The presence of the MVP was related to MMPI-2-RF test performance. In particular, this pattern was related to emotional distress/anxiety scales but was not related to scales reflecting neurological or cognitive complaints. The degree of emotional distress experienced may affect attention and concentration test performance in a way that sometimes heightens focus and at other times disrupts focus. The MVP may be used to assess the effects of emotional distress on the consistency of an individual patient's attention and concentration test performance.
Optical activity and birefringence of the incommensurate phase of Rb2ZnBr4.

The high-accuracy universal polarimeter (HAUP) opened a way for revealing optical activity in incommensurate phases of several ${\mathit{A}}_{2}$${\mathit{BX}}_{4}$-type crystals. Ortega, Etxebarria, Breczewski, and Tello found recently that a gyration tensor component ${\mathit{g}}_{23}$ of ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}$${\mathrm{ZnBr}}_{4}$, which had been reported by Meekes and Janner to appear in the incommensurate phase, vanished. They drew the conclusion that the incommensurate phase of this material lacked optical activity. In order to review these controversial results, we made a critical study of all the components ${\mathit{g}}_{\mathit{i}\mathit{j}}$ of ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}$${\mathrm{ZnBr}}_{4}$ by using the refined HAUP. It was found that the component ${\mathit{g}}_{23}$ of ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}$${\mathrm{ZnBr}}_{4}$ clearly appeared at the incommensurate transition point and increased conspicuously with decreasing temperature. Therefore the incommensurate phase of ${\mathrm{Rb}}_{2}$${\mathrm{ZnBr}}_{4}$ was found to be optically active.
The R620W polymorphism of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 22 gene in autoimmune thyroid diseases and rheumatoid arthritis in the Tunisian population

Background: Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) is involved in the negative regulation of T-cell responsiveness. The association of a coding variant of the PTPN22 gene (R620W) with a number of autoimmune diseases has been described. Aim: The present study investigated whether PTPN22 gene polymorphism was also involved in the genetic predisposition to autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a Tunisian case control study. Subjects and methods: DNA samples from 150 patients affected with RA, 204 patients affected with AITDs and 236 healthy controls were genotyped for PTPN22 R620W polymorphism (1858C/T). Genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: No significant differences in T allele frequency (2.3% in RA patients and 1% in AITDs patients vs 2.6% in controls; p=0.85 and p=0.08, respectively) and in genotype frequencies were detected between RA patients and controls (p=0.15) and between AITDs patients (p=0.11). Stratifying patients affected with AITDs according to their phenotype (Graves’ disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and RA patients according to the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (ACPA) did not show any significant association with PTPN22 R620W allele (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the PTPN22 C1858T single nucleotide polymorphism has no or minor effect on RA and AITDs susceptibility in the Tunisian population.
Opportunities for HIV Prevention Communication During Sexual Encounters with Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract Conversations about HIV prevention before engaging in sex may result in safer sex practices and decreased HIV transmission. However, partner communication for HIV prevention has been understudied among black/African American men who have sex with men (BMSM), a group that is disproportionately affected by HIV. We explored and described encounters and perceptions about HIV prevention conversations among BMSM and their sex partner(s) in New York City. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with BMSM who reported sex with a man in the previous 3 months. Interviews were professionally transcribed; Nvivo was used for data analysis. Twenty‐two BMSM were included in this analysis; median age = 29.1 years; 71.4% self‐identified as MSM; 85.7% were ever HIV tested; and 52.6% reported no disclosure or discussion about HIV status with their previous sex partner. The main themes were: (1) missed opportunities for HIV prevention conversations (e.g., no HIV prevention conversations or HIV prevention conversations after sex had occurred); (2) barriers to HIV prevention conversations (e.g., being in the moment; not wanting to pause); (3) emotional thoughts after sex (e.g., feeling worried about possible HIV exposure); and (4) rethinking relationships and sexual health (e.g., changed sex practices by asking partners' HIV status before sex; started using condoms). These findings offer insight into HIV prevention conversations by BMSM around the time of or during sexual encounters and may inform and strengthen partner‐level HIV prevention communication interventions for BMSM.
Double‐blind trial of botulinum A toxin for the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis of the palms

We performed a randomized double‐blind study within‐group comparison in 11 patients to study the effect of subcutaneous injections of botulinum A toxin in focal hyperhidrosis of the palms. A total dose of 120 mU (mouse units) of botulinum A toxin (Dysport®) was injected into six different sites on one palm, whereas the other was injected with sterile saline. Objective quantification of sweat production was performed using digitized ninhydrin‐staincd sheets. Three weeks after treatment, the mean reduction of sweat production in the botulinum A toxin‐treated palms was 26% (P<0·001). after 8 weeks 26% (P= 0·002) and after 13 weeks 31% (P<0·001). Subjective assessment of sweat production by the patients using a visual analogue scale showed a 38% improvement in the botulinum A toxin‐treated palms at 3 weeks (P=0·002). 40% at 8 weeks (P=0·002) and 38% at 13 weeks (P= 0·002). Neither the objective measurement nor the subjective rating showed a statistically significant reduction of sweating in the placebo‐treated palms. Three patients reported reversible minor weakness of powerful handgrip after injection at the toxin‐treated site, lasting between 2 and 5 weeks.
HEMATOLOGIC AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF KELP GULLS (LARUS DOMINICANUS) CAPTURED IN THE CITY OF TALCAHUANO, CHILE

Abstract: In order to provide tools for future health-based monitoring programs, we developed reference intervals for hematology and plasma biochemistry and partitioned data for sex and season (winter and autumn). Ninety-one physically healthy kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) were sampled in the city of Talcahuano, Chile, during winter (July–September) of 2007, autumn (April–June) and winter of 2008, and autumn of 2009. After blood sampling, the kelp gulls were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin, total plasma protein (TPP), and complete blood count were performed. Alanine amino transferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphorus, and uric acid were analyzed. No significant differences were found between sexes (P > 0.05). When a comparison was made between the two seasons, the values of PCV, TPP, white blood cell, heterophils, eosinophils, and monocytes were significantly higher in winter than in autumn (P < 0.05) while and urea and uric acid concentrations were higher in autumn. Heterophils were the predominant circulating leukocyte for all birds. There was no significant difference in body condition between autumn and winter nor between sexes. Body condition showed a significant relationship with TPP and basophil concentration and ALP activity.
Recruitment of PCM1 to the centrosome by the cooperative action of DISC1 and BBS4: a candidate for psychiatric illnesses.

CONTEXT A role for the centrosome has been suggested in the pathology of major mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia (SZ). OBJECTIVES To show that pericentriolar material 1 protein (PCM1) forms a complex at the centrosome with disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) and Bardet-Biedl syndrome 4 protein (BBS4), which provides a crucial pathway for cortical development associated with the pathology of SZ. To identify mutations in the PCM1 gene in an SZ population. DESIGN Interaction of DISC1, PCM1, and BBS proteins was assessed by immunofluorescent staining and coimmunoprecipitation. Effects of PCM1, DISC1, and BBS on centrosomal functions and corticogenesis in vivo were tested by RNA interference. The PCM1 gene was examined by sequencing 39 exons and flanking splice sites. SETTING Probands and controls were from the collection of one of us (A.E.P.). PATIENTS Thirty-two probands with SZ from families that had excess allele sharing among affected individuals at 8p22 and 219 white controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Protein interaction and recruitment at the centrosome in cells; neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex; and variant discovery in PCM1 in patients with SZ. RESULTS PCM1 forms a complex with DISC1 and BBS4 through discrete binding domains in each protein. DISC1 and BBS4 are required for targeting PCM1 and other cargo proteins, such as ninein, to the centrosome in a synergistic manner. In the developing cerebral cortex, suppression of PCM1 leads to neuronal migration defects, which are phenocopied by the suppression of either DISC1 or BBS4 and are exacerbated by the concomitant suppression of both. Furthermore, a nonsense mutation that segregates with SZ spectrum psychosis was found in 1 family. CONCLUSIONS Our data further support for the role of centrosomal proteins in cortical development and suggest that perturbation of centrosomal function contributes to the development of mental diseases, including SZ.
Pain problems for patients with mild and moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a community-based study in Shanghai

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a great public health burden worldwide. Few studies have focused on pain problems in patients with mild and moderate COPD in Chinese community settings. Methods A cross-sectional study of 283 patients with mild and moderate COPD was conducted in six communities that were randomly sampled in Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China, in 2016. A face-to-face interview was conducted to collect data on personal characteristics and health conditions. The short form McGill Pain Questionnaire and the COPD assessment test (CAT) were applied to evaluate pain problems and health status, respectively. Results Among 283 subjects, more than one third (37%) had pain problems indicated by the present pain intensity (PPI) scale. COPD patients aged <65 years with exacerbation in the past 12 months or a CAT score of ≥10 had a significantly higher score in affective dimension. Female sex, COPD severity, and length of disease were significantly related to higher scores of the sensory dimension. Those with moderate COPD or a CAT score of ≥10 had significantly higher scores of visual analog scale than those with mild COPD or a CAT score <10. Patients with moderate COPD had a higher rank of PPI than those with mild COPD. Conclusion Pain was common in patients with mild and moderate COPD in the community settings of Shanghai, China. Severity of COPD and CAT score were significantly related to the prevalence of pain. Intervention measures should be developed to improve pain problems for COPD patients.