Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Broad-Spectrum Impact of Hidradenitis Suppurativa on Quality of Life: A Comparison with Psoriasis

Background/Aim: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease with a heavy impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate in detail the QoL impact of HS comparing it with other skin conditions, and in particular with psoriasis. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of HS were recruited. QoL was measured using the Skindex-17 questionnaire. Results: Data were available for 69 HS patients. HS had the worst QoL among several skin conditions. Compared to psoriasis the mean symptom score was 69.4 versus 53.7, and the mean psychosocial score was 56.1 versus 32.7. Overall, the scores of patients with HS were higher than those of psoriasis patients on 16 of the 17 items of the Skindex-17. Conclusions: When compared to many different skin conditions, and in particular to psoriasis, HS was the most impairing condition, even at low levels of clinical severity.
Efficacy of 12-weeks velpatasvir plus sofosbuvir-based regimen in HCV-naive subjects with mild fibrosis: a meta-analysis

Background and aims: In literature systematic data on treatment with the fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for 12 weeks in anti-HCV/HCV RNA positive subjects with mild fibrosis and naïve to previous Interferon free regimen are scanty. A meta-analysis has been performed to evaluate the efficacy of velpatasvir plus sofosbuvir combination in these patients. Methods: All randomized or non-randomized studies, investigating the sustained virological response rate to sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir without ribavirin for 12 weeks in subjects naïve to previous DAA therapy and with fibrosis F0-F2 or F0-F3, were included in the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 16 studies enrolling 4,907 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The prevalence of SVR by sofosbuvir and velpatasvir was 98% (95% CI 96-99%) in the 4,907 subjects without cirrhosis. The prevalence of SVR was similar considering the 9clinical studies and the 7 real-world studies (98%, CI 95%: 96-99% and 98%; CI 95%: 96-99%, respectively). Considering the 4 studies enrolling 1,371 subjects without advanced liver fibrosis the prevalence of SVR was also high [96% (95% CI: 94-98%)]. Data indicate a prevalence of SVR ranging to 95-100% according to the different HCV genotypes. Conclusion: Sofosbuvir plus velpatasvir therapeutic regimen was highly effective in HCV patients without advanced liver disease naïve to previous DAA regimen independently the different HCV genotypes. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Development of humanoid robot system for disaster response through team NEDO-JSK's approach to DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals

This paper presents Team NEDO-JSK's approach to the development of novel humanoid platform for disaster response through participation to DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals. This development is a part of the project organized by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. Technology for this robot is based on the recent research of high-speed and high-torque motor driver with water-cooling system, RTM-ROS inter-operation for intelligent robotics, and generation of full-body fast dancing motion, due to the generic 10 year's research of HRP-2 as a platform humanoid robot. Development target is the robot support in a variety of unsafe human tasks teleoperated by humans in case of a disaster response, equipped with body structure capability for use of human devices and tools in human environment, performance for dynamic full-body actions covering human-sized speed and power, and basic function for intelligent and integrated robot platform system for performing various tasks independently. we also describes NEDO-JSK team's approach to design methodology for robot hardware and architecture of software system and user interface for DRC Finals as a test case of disaster response.
Abrogation of p 53 function leads to metastatic transcriptome networks that typify tumor progression in human breast cancer xenografts

Development of chromosomal instability (CIN) and consequent phenotypic heterogeneity represent common events during breast cancer progression. Breast carcinomas harboring extensive chromosomal aberrations display a more aggressive behavior characterized by chemoresistance and the propensity to give rise to distant metastases. The tumor suppressor p53 plays a key role in the maintenance of chromosomal stability and tissue homeostasis through activation of cell cycle checkpoints following DNA damage and control of centrosome duplication that ensures equal chromosome segregation during cell division. Furthermore, p53 suppresses CD44 expression and the acquisition of stem cell-like properties responsible for epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. In this study we employed MCF-7 breast cancer cells with endogenous wild-type p53, an engineered MCF-7 variant (vMCF-7DNP53) overexpressing a dominant negative p53val135 mutant, and cells re-cultured from vMCF-7DNP53 tumor xenografts. We carried out an integrative transcriptome and cytogenetic analysis to characterize the mechanistic linkage between loss of p53 function, EMT and consequent establishment of invasive gene signatures during breast cancer progression. We demonstrate that abrogation of p53 function drives the early transcriptome changes responsible for cell proliferation, EMT and survival, while further transcriptome changes that occur during in vivo tumor progression are mechanistically linked to the development of CIN leading to a more invasive and metastatic breast cancer phenotype. Here we identified distinct novel non-canonical transcriptome networks involved in cell proliferation, EMT, chemoresistance and invasion that arise following abrogation of p53 function in vitro and development of CIN in vivo. These studies also have important translational implications since some of the nodal genes identified here are ‘druggable’ making them appropriate molecular targets for the treatment of breast carcinomas displaying mutant p53, EMT, CIN and high metastatic potential.
Lived Challenges and Getting Through Them

Because of imposed rapid social change, Alaska Native youth are growing up in a context different from their elders and suffering far worse health and behavioral outcomes. This research seeks to understand (a) their everyday struggles and life challenges, (b) the practices and resources they rely on to get through challenges, and (c) the meaning they make from these experiences. Data were generated from interviews with 20 Alaska Native youth between the ages of 11 and 18 years, balanced by gender and age-group (early and late adolescence). Purposive sampling identified participants with a broad range of experiences. Following a semistructured guide, youth participated in face-to-face, audio-recorded interviews, transcribed verbatim. A codebook was developed using an iterative process and transcripts were coded using ATLAS.ti. The most commonly identified stressors were relationship loss, “not being there for me,” nonsupportive/hostile experiences, transitioning into adulthood, and boredom. Resilience strategies included developing and maintaining relationships with others, being responsible, creating systems of reciprocity, practicing subsistence living, and giving back to family and the community. These opportunities allowed youth to gain a sense of competence and mastery. When difficult experiences align with opportunities for being responsible and competent, youth are most likely to exhibit resilience.
The relationship between mindfulness facets, depression, pain severity and pain interference

ABSTRACT The high prevalence of depression among chronic pain populations is well-established: however, treatments for both depression and chronic pain remain only moderately effective. Previous research has indicated that mindfulness is a promising treatment pathway for both depression and chronic pain, however, the mechanisms of change underlying mindfulness are unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the mindfulness facets on depression and pain, using two pain measures; severity and interference. One hundred and fifty-eight Australian females and 32 males with chronic pain participated in the study. Higher levels of mindfulness were associated with lower depression as well as lower pain. Path models using depression as a mediator, found that the mindfulness facets observing and describing had a direct effect on pain, while non-judgement, non-reactivity and describing showed indirect effects on pain through depression. Greater effects were seen for pain interference compared to pain severity, highlighting its importance as a potential treatment outcome. Future research should continue to analyse the effects of the mindfulness facets and consider using pain interference as a core treatment outcome.
Relevance of HLA-DQB1*02 Allele in the Genetic Predisposition of Children with Celiac Disease: Additional Cues from a Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is a multifactorial immune-mediated disorder, triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically-predisposed subjects carrying MHC-DQ2 and -DQ8 heterodimers, which are encoded by four HLA-DQ allelic variants, overall. This meta-analysis aims at providing further epidemiological support to the predominant relevance of one specific allele, namely HLA-DQB1*02, in the predisposition and genetic risk of CD. Materials and Methods: We performed a search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, retrieving all publications (case–control study, cross-sectional, and retrospective cohort study) on the association between HLA class II polymorphisms and first-degree relatives (FDRs) of children with CD. After a critical reading of the articles, two investigators independently performed data extraction according to the following inclusion criteria: HLA class II genes, any DQ and DR molecules, and CD diagnosed following the current clinical guidelines. A third participant was consulted for discussion to reach an agreement concerning discrepancies. Results: Our search strategy selected 14 studies as being eligible for inclusion, and those were submitted for data extraction and analysis. These studies were published between 1999 and 2016 and, collectively, enrolled 3063 FDRs. Positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−, respectively) for CD diagnosis, according to the presence of the HLA-DQ genotype coding a complete MHC-DQ2 and/or MHC-DQ8 molecules, were 1.449 (CI 1.279–1.642) and 0.187 (CI 0.096–0.362), respectively. If only the isolated presence of HLA-DQB1*02 allele is considered, the pooled estimation of LR+ was 1.659 (CI 1.302–2.155) and, importantly, the LR− still showed a very good discriminatory power of 0.195 (CI 0.068–0.558). Conclusions: Through our differential meta-analysis, comparing the presence of the genotype coding the full MHC-DQ2 and/or DQ8 molecules with the isolated presence of HLA-DQB1*02 allelic variant, we found that the LR− of the latter analysis maintained the same value. This observation, along with previous evidences, might be useful to consider potential cost-effective widened screening strategies for CD in children.
Design of proportional-derivative-type state feedback controllers for congestion control of transmission control protocol networks

A new proportional-derivative-type state feedback controller is proposed for congestion control of transmission control protocol (TCP) networks. An analytical TCP model is adopted. In the proposed control scheme, it is possible to efficiently control the TCP traffic using only the queue length at the router without the need to know the TCP window size which is not available locally. The results are presented in terms of delay-dependent linear matrix inequality. The proposed method is verified by simulation examples using NS software, and the effectiveness and superiority of our method over other control schemes, such as the proportional-integral, random early detection and generalised minimum variancemethods, are also shown.
Adaptive control: The model reference approach

This book provides a clearly written, authoritative, and detailed development of adaptive-control systems analysis and design. The book incorporates many new results and techniques fordesigning adaptive-control systems, and derives many previously known results in novel ways that simplify and lend new insights to the theory. Above all, the book is written in a manner that is comprehensible to a broad scientific audience. Taking a realistic approach, the author presents techniques for applying the theory to solving practical problems and shows how the designer of adaptive-control systems can draw on his knowledge of classical methods to better understand the adaptive-control problem. The book is an outgrowth of several research papers published by the author and of courses given to graduate students at the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France.
Polar and Cartesian Structure in the Data of Fitts’s (1954) Classic Experiments—with a Criterion for Distinguishing a Strong and a Weak Version of Fitts’ Law

Abstract The time T needed to reach a target of width W located at distance D varies as a logarithmic or power function of the quotient of D/W. The received, strong version of Fitts’ law requires isochrony—the invariance of T across different D/W conditions with the same quotient—but there is room for a weaker, yet nontrivial version of Fitts’ law where scale influences T without interacting with the crucial quotient. The data of Fitts’s historic experiments are submitted to Cartesian/polar analysis. While tapping beautifully illustrates the strong, isochronous version of Fitts’ law, contrary to a widespread belief Fitts’s other two experiments were not just half-failed corroborations: The disc-transfer data eloquently illustrate the weak version of Fitts’ law, and the pin-transfer data flatly violate the law. Surprisingly, however, the pin-transfer data are remarkably simple in the alternative Cartesian description system, factors D and W exerting separate, additive effects on T. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT. Sixty years ago Fitts published the first experimental demonstration of the quantitative rule famously known today as Fitts’ law. This paper reports a complete reanalysis of the numerical data that Fitts tabulated in detail in his article, revealing patterns of remarkable coherence that had been so far unsuspected due to undetected ambiguities concerning the dimensions of Fitts’ law. One particular intriguing discovery is that there exist two different versions of Fitts’ law, both eloquently illustrated by Fitts’s own data.
A Method-bridging Study for Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to Standardize Historical Radioimmunoassay Data to Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) were measured for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) over the 1988-2006 period using a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reissued RIA-harmonized 25OHD for NHANES 2004 and 2006, and advised users to adjust the original RIA data from 1988-1994 by using an equation. Beginning with NHANES 2007-2008, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method measured 25OHD. METHODS A method comparison (bridging) study was designed to convert original RIA 25OHD to LC–MS/MS-equivalents. This report compares the predictive ability of a competitor regression model (Model 2) to the equations that CDC publicly released in 2015 (Model 1). The models differ by time period variable and use of transformations. RESULTS The two models provided similar adjusted R(2) (Model 1: 88.9%, Model 2: 90.4%) and root mean square error of prediction (plus or minus 9 to 10 nanomoles per liter [nmol/L]). Applying these models to NHANES 1988–2006 RIA 25OHD, the Pearson correlation of LC–MS/MS-equivalent concentrations was 0.99; the median difference between models was 0 nmol/L (interquartile range: –2.8 to 1 nmol/L). In contrast to declining RIA-harmonized 25OHD, both models showed little change in LC–MS/MS-predicted 25OHD over the 1988–2006 period. For 2001–2006, both models predicted similar prevalences of 25OHD less than 30 nmol/L, which were lower than the prevalence estimates based on RIA-harmonized data. Mean weighted LC–MS/MS-equivalent concentrations based on either model were about 3 nmol/L lower for the 1988–1994 survey and about 3 nmol/L higher for the 2001–2006 surveys, effectively smoothing out temporal trends observed using the harmonized RIA data. CONCLUSIONS Given minimal differences between models, final selection was based on public availability of the regression data. The bridging equations provide a way to use the previous RIA results to obtain LC–MS/MS-equivalent concentrations and evaluate temporal trends in vitamin D status.
Laparoscopy vs laparotomy for advanced ovarian cancer: a systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION In the last decade, laparoscopy has been progressively introduced in the management of advanced-stage ovarian cancer (AOC) to evaluate tumor resectability, avoiding an explorative laparotomy, to identify non-responders to submit to second-line chemotherapy and to perform primary or interval minimally invasive debulking surgery in selected patients. This review aims to deeply focus on the differences between laparoscopy and laparotomy in the management of advanced ovarian cancer. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION The electronic database search provided a total of 80 results. Out of these, 63 results were excluded because considered not relevant to the review, for linguistic reasons or case reports. A total of 17 articles were considered eligible for the review. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Many studies have assessed the value of laparoscopy in predicting the optimal resectability of AOC patients avoiding exploratory laparotomies. More recently, its role in primary and interval cytoreduction has been investigated for selected patients in terms of safety, feasibility and oncological outcomes. Published data are comparable to the standard laparotomic management in terms of oncological outcomes but with improved perioperative and psychological results. The selection of patients is crucial to perform a successful surgery. CONCLUSIONS To date, laparoscopy has replaced the primary laparotomic approach in the evaluation of optimal resectability. As far as primary and interval minimally invasive debulking surgery are concerned, instead, most of the works report an overlap of oncological outcomes compared to traditional surgery. The selection of patients is a crucial point to reach a successful minimally invasive surgical treatment, taking into account surgical complexity and surgical adequacy.
Draft Genome Sequence of Nitrosomonas sp. Strain APG5, a Betaproteobacterial Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterium Isolated from Beach Sand

Nitrosomonas sp. strain APG5 (=NCIMB 14870 = ATCC TSA-116) was isolated from dry beach sand collected from a supralittoral zone of the northwest coast of the United States. The draft genome sequence revealed that it represents a new species of the cluster 6 Nitrosomonas spp. that is closely related to Nitrosomonas ureae and Nitrosomonas oligotropha. ABSTRACT Nitrosomonas sp. strain APG5 (=NCIMB 14870 = ATCC TSA-116) was isolated from dry beach sand collected from a supralittoral zone of the northwest coast of the United States. The draft genome sequence revealed that it represents a new species of the cluster 6 Nitrosomonas spp. that is closely related to Nitrosomonas ureae and Nitrosomonas oligotropha.
The Effect of Cytokine-Stimulation and Pharmacologic Intervention on PGE2 Production in Primary Human Conjunctival and Corneal Cells

ABSTRACT We studied the production of PGE2 by human conjunctival and corneal cells in response to inflammation, and reduction of inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Primary cultures of human conjunctival epithelial cells, fibroblasts, corneal epithelial cells, and keratocytes were incubated with IL-4 and TNF-α. PGE2 and COX-2 levels were analyzed. Effects of anti-inflammatory and anti-immune drugs on PGE2 production were also investigated. IL-4 and TNF-α induced the generation of PGE2 and COX-2 in conjunctival and corneal cells. Epithelial PGE2 production was significantly lower than in keratocytes and fibroblasts, which was down-regulated by aspirin. IL-4 and TNF-α enhanced the inflammatory response via prostaglandin production which contributed to ocular surface inflammation. Prostaglandin production was higher in stromal cells than epithelial cells. These results suggest that the epithelial barrier disruption may contribute to ocular allergic inflammation by the PGE2 production from stromal cells. Moreover, NSAIDs were effective in suppressing PGE2 production in our experiment.
N ◦ 2010-14 Remittances , Schooling , and Child Labor in Mexico

This paper studies the effects of remittances from the U.S. on child labor and school attendance in recipient Mexican households. We identify these effects using the impact of the 2008-2009 U.S. recession on remittance receipts. The methodology employed is a differencesin-differences strategy that compares households that were remittance recipients before the crisis with never-recipient households. To avoid possible selection problems, we instrument for membership in the remittance recipient group. We find that the negative shock on remittance receipts caused a significant increase in child labor and a significant reduction of school attendance.
Eisenmenger syndrome and other types of pulmonary arterial hypertension related to adult congenital heart disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is the most advanced form of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). It is characterised by a severe rise in pulmonary vascular resistance resulting in shunt reversal and cyanosis. Areas covered: In this paper, an overview of ES and other types of PAH related to CHD (PAH-CHD) in adults is provided. The modern management of PAH-CHD in tertiary centers is described, with an emphasis on co-morbidities and complications. Expert opinion: PAH-CHD describes a wide spectrum of conditions, of which ES is the archetype. The size and location of the shunt, the degree of adaptation of the right ventricle to the increased afterload and other compensatory mechanisms, such as secondary erythrocytosis, define the clinical presentation and natural history of these patients. PAH therapies have improved the quality of life and outcome of many patients with PAH-CHD, but expert multidisciplinary management remains essential in optimising the care of this rare and complex group of patients.
Association of Frailty and Postoperative Complications With Unplanned Readmissions After Elective Outpatient Surgery

Key Points Question Is frailty, as measured by the Risk Analysis Index, associated with risk for unplanned readmission after elective outpatient surgery? Findings In this cohort study of 417 840 patients in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, frailty was associated with an increased risk for unplanned readmissions after elective outpatient surgery. Mediation analysis showed that the association of frailty with readmission was partially mediated by occurrence of complications. Meaning Surgical patients may benefit from screening for frailty to decrease complications and unplanned readmissions after surgery.