Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Honing in on the Social Difficulties Associated With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Children: Withdrawal, Peer Ignoring, and Low Engagement

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms are associated with social difficulties in children, though findings are mixed and many studies have used global measures of social impairment. The present study tested the hypothesis that SCT would be uniquely associated with aspects of social functioning characterized by withdrawal and isolation, whereas attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms would be uniquely associated with aspects of social functioning characterized by inappropriate responding in social situations and active peer exclusion. Participants were 158 children (70% boys) between 7–12 years of age being evaluated for possible ADHD. Both parents and teachers completed measures of SCT, ADHD, ODD, and internalizing (anxiety/depression) symptoms. Parents also completed ratings of social engagement and self-control. Teachers also completed measures assessing asociality and exclusion, as well as peer ignoring and dislike. In regression analyses controlling for demographic characteristics and other psychopathology symptoms, parent-reported SCT symptoms were significantly associated with lower social engagement (e.g., starting conversations, joining activities). Teacher-reported SCT symptoms were significantly associated with greater asociality/withdrawal and ratings of more frequent ignoring by peers, as well as greater exclusion. ODD symptoms and ADHD hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were more consistently associated with other aspects of social behavior, including peer exclusion, being disliked by peers, and poorer self-control during social situations. Findings provide the clearest evidence to date that the social difficulties associated with SCT are primarily due to withdrawal, isolation, and low initiative in social situations. Social skills training interventions may be effective for children displaying elevated SCT symptomatology.
In vitro selection of variants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 resistant to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and 2',3'-dideoxyinosine

Drug-resistant variants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been isolated by in vitro selection. MT-4 cells were infected with either a laboratory strain (HIV-IIIB) or a clinical isolate (no. 187) of HIV-1 and maintained in medium containing subeffective concentrations of the drugs 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI). By gradually increasing the drug concentration in the culture medium during propagation of the virus on fresh MT-4 cells, we were able to isolate variants of HIV-IIIB and clinical isolate 187 which showed up to 100-fold increases in resistance to the drugs. The drug resistance phenotypes remained stable after propagation of the variants in the absence of drug pressure for over 2 months. However, variants resistant to one drug showed little or no cross-resistance to the other, suggesting that the genetic bases for resistance to the compounds differed. Genotypic analysis of these nucleoside-resistant variants by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primer pairs previously shown to correspond to mutations responsible for resistance to AZT was also carried out. A heterogeneity of genotypes was observed, with known mutations at pol codons 70 and 215 occurring in most of the AZT-resistant variants generated from either HIV-IIIB or clinical strain 187. However, mutations in codons 67 and 219 were less frequently detected, and none of these changes were observed in each of four variants resistant to ddI. Cloning and sequencing studies of the reverse transcriptase coding region of two of the isolates were also performed and confirmed the PCR data that had been obtained. In addition to previously described mutation sites responsible for resistance to AZT, an HIV-IIIB-resistant variant was shown to be mutated at positions 108 (Val----Ala) and 135 (Ile----Thr), while a resistant variant of strain 187 was mutated at positions 50 (Ile----Val) and 135 (Ile----Val).
Prospective evaluation of visual function for early detection of ethambutol toxicity

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate various visual parameters for early detection of ethambutol toxicity. Method: This was a prospective study of 104 eyes of 52 patients being treated with ethambutol in the Directly Observed Treatment Strategy Centre (Dr R P Centre for Opthalmic Sciences, New Delhi, India). Visual acuity, visual fields, visual evoked responses (VER), stereoacuity and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT) were assessed. Examinations were done before the start of therapy, after 1 and 2 months of treatment, and 1 month after stopping ethambutol. Results: No visual functional defect was noted at baseline. On follow-up, visual acuity, colour vision, contrast sensitivity, fundus and stereoacuity were not affected in any patient. Visual field defects developed in 7.69% (8/104) of the eyes. Pattern-VER showed an increased mean latency of the P100 wave after 1 and 2 months of therapy (p<0.001 for both) with 14.42% (15/104) of eyes showing more than 10 ms increase in latency. On OCT, significant loss of mean temporal RNFL thickness was detected in 2.88% (3/104) of eyes individually. Overall, 19.23% (20/104) of the studied eyes showed sub-clinical toxicity. Reversal of this observed toxicity on pattern-VER and visual fields was seen in 80% of eyes after 1 month of stoppage of ethambutol; however, mean VER latency remained delayed (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Pattern-VER and visual field examinations are sensitive tests to detect early toxicity. Together with OCT, they may help to identify patients who are likely to develop clinical toxicity.
Parent-Directed Physical Aggression by Clinic-Referred Youths

Identified children and young adolescents who engaged in parent-directed physical aggression from a sample of youths referred for outpatient therapy (N = 606, 151 girls, 455 boys); examined the frequency, severity, and characteristics of such behavior; and compared aggressive youths with nonaggressive youths across several domains of functioning. Twelve percent of the children and young adolescents in this clinical sample engaged in parent-directed aggression. Aggressive, compared to nonaggressive, youths had significantly increased oppositional behavior, lower frustration tolerance, less adaptability to stressful situations, and were more demanding of their parents. Aggressive children had families characterized by significantly greater parental stress, poorer interpersonal relationships, and were more likely to be 2-parent, European American families of higher socioeconomic status. Moreover, lower frustration tolerance and adaptability were significant predictors of parent-directed aggression after controlling for demographic differences and overall level of oppositionality and aggressiveness, suggesting a more specific functional impairment in such children. Parent-directed aggression warrants additional study given the limitations in our understanding of these events and the potential for such behaviors to continue into adolescence and adulthood.
Functional genome‐wide analysis of antibody producing NS0 cell line cultivated at different temperatures

Lowering culture temperature has been reported as a significant factor in the improvement of mammalian cell productivity. To determine the physiological changes which take place at different temperature cultivations, an NS0 cell line producing human‐mouse chimeric antibody was cultured at 22, 34 and 37°C. Various cellular parameters such as viability, productivity, metabolism, apoptosis and cell cycle were studied and notable changes were shown to be accompanied by changes in metabolic rates. Reduction of the temperature to 22°C resulted in a decrease in the growth rate, inhibition of antibody production, arrest of cell cycle in G2 phase and delay in apoptosis. A slight increase in antibody production was observed at 34°C due to the increase of growth rate and prolonged stationary phase. To better understand and explore the mechanisms underpinning these biological alterations and to identify the genes involved in the genetic reprogramming, genome‐wide analyses were performed using GeneChip Mouse Genome arrays. The examination of differential gene expression induced by temperature reduction demonstrated a specific pattern of gene expression in NS0 cells in response to temperature stress. The effect of temperature on transcription induced changes within a wide range of genes involved in metabolic and signalling pathways. Most deregulated genes involved in essential metabolic pathways (i.e. glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway and inositol metabolism) were repressed in cells cultured at 22°C. By combining gene expression and physiological changes at different temperatures it was possible to provide greater understanding of cell response to hypothermic conditions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 616–630. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct quantification of the modulation of interaction between cell‐ or surface‐bound LFA‐1 and ICAM‐1

The functional activity of leukocyte integrins is highly regulated by several mechanisms related to intrinsic molecular properties and receptor interaction with the cell membrane. Here, we present a microkinetic study of the lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1‐mediated interaction between flowing Jurkat cells and surface‐ or cell‐bound intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1). We conclude that adhesion is initiated by the formation of a single bond with ∼0.3 s–1 dissociation rate, and attachment is subsequently strengthened by the formation of additional bonds during the next 10 s; exposing cells to Mg2+ or Mn2+ resulted in up to a 16‐fold increase of the binding frequency, in line with reported measurements performed on isolated molecules with surface plasmon resonance methodology; cell‐bound ICAM‐1 molecules were more efficient in mediating adhesion than Fc‐ICAM‐1, properly oriented and bound by surface‐adsorbed protein A; and quantitative analysis of binding frequency suggested that adhesion efficiency was ten‐ to 100‐fold lower than the maximum value allowed by previously determined association rates of soluble molecules. It is concluded that the presented methodology provides a simple and unique way of dissecting the initial step of cell adhesion and discriminating between affinity and avidity modulation of adhesion receptors.
Power management in cloud computing using green algorithm

The greatest environmental challenge today is global warming, which is caused by carbon emissions. Energy crisis brings green computing, and green computing needs algorithms and mechanisms to be redesigned for energy efficiency. Green IT refers to the study and practice of using computing resources in an efficient, effective and economic way. The various approaches of the green IT are Virtualization, Power Management, Material Recycling and Telecommuting. The basic principles of cloud computing is to make the computing be assigned in a great number of distributed computers rather than local computer or remote server. In fact, cloud computing is an extend of Grid Computing, Distributed Computing and Parallel Computing. It's foreground is to provide secure, quick, convenient data storage and net computing service centered by internet. Currently, a large number of cloud computing systems waste a tremendous amount of energy and emit a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. Thus, it is necessary to significantly reduce pollution and substantially lower energy usage. The analysis of energy consumption in cloud computing consider both public and private clouds. Cloud computing with green algorithm can enable more energy-efficient use of computing power.
Effects of diode laser therapy and stannous fluoride on dentin resistance under different erosive acid attacks.

OBJECTIVE This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of a low intensity diode laser (λ=808 nm; 60 J/cm2) associated with stannous fluoride on the inhibition of dentin erosion by assessing percentage of superficial hardness loss (%SHL) and calcium release into the acid solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human root dentin slabs were assigned to eight groups (n=10), according to treatments (control, stannous fluoride, diode laser therapy, and the combination of stannous fluoride and laser therapy), and acid challenge (hydrochloridric or citric acid). All slabs were subjected to a previous 2 h acquired pellicle formation; laser and fluoride treatments were performed according to the groups. Subsequently, the slabs were exposed to erosive challenge (0.01 M hydrochloridric acid or citric acid 1% for 60 sec). Additionally, calcium released into the acid solution during erosive challenge was analyzed by photometric test. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS Mean values (±SD) for %SHL of treated groups did not present statistically significant differences, regardless of the erosive challenge. However, in relation to released calcium concentration, groups treated with laser presented statistically significant lower calcium loss under hydrochloridric acid challenge (p<0.001). To groups under citric acid attack, only the combination of treatments (p=0.037) was able to show a protective effect on dentin. CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this study, 808 nm diode laser with or without stannous fluoride could effectively reduce dentin surface loss under both acid exposures. Only calcium concentration analysis was sensitive enough to measure the effects under the tested conditions.
Prenatal arsenic exposure and the epigenome: Altered microRNAs associated with innate and adaptive immune signaling in newborn cord blood

The Biomarkers of Exposure to ARsenic (BEAR) pregnancy cohort in Gómez Palacio, Mexico was recently established to better understand the impacts of prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs). In this study, we examined a subset (n = 40) of newborn cord blood samples for microRNA (miRNA) expression changes associated with in utero arsenic exposure. Levels of iAs in maternal drinking water (DW‐iAs) and maternal urine were assessed. Levels of DW‐iAs ranged from below detectable values to 236 µg/L (mean = 51.7 µg/L). Total arsenic in maternal urine (U‐tAs) was defined as the sum of iAs and its monomethylated and dimethylated metabolites (MMAs and DMAs, respectively) and ranged from 6.2 to 319.7 µg/L (mean = 64.5 µg/L). Genome‐wide miRNA expression analysis of cord blood revealed 12 miRNAs with increasing expression associated with U‐tAs. Transcriptional targets of the miRNAs were computationally predicted and subsequently assessed using transcriptional profiling. Pathway analysis demonstrated that the U‐tAs‐associated miRNAs are involved in signaling pathways related to known health outcomes of iAs exposure including cancer and diabetes mellitus. Immune response‐related mRNAs were also identified with decreased expression levels associated with U‐tAs, and predicted to be mediated in part by the arsenic‐responsive miRNAs. Results of this study highlight miRNAs as novel responders to prenatal arsenic exposure that may contribute to associated immune response perturbations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 55:196–208, 2014. © 2013 The Authors. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts

Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. In spite of its long history of use, relatively few human and animal studies have been published that confirm anecdotal observations. A small number of clinical studies have been conducted that support the use of willow bark extracts in chronic lower back and joint pain and osteoarthritis. Willow bark extracts also are widely used in sports performance and weight loss products presumably because of anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities, although no human studies have been published that specifically and directly document beneficial effects. In recent years, various in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that the anti‐inflammatory activity of willow bark extract is associated with down regulation of the inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor‐α and nuclear factor‐kappa B. Although willow bark extracts are generally standardized to salicin, other ingredients in the extracts including other salicylates as well as polyphenols, and flavonoids may also play prominent roles in the therapeutic actions. Adverse effects appear to be minimal as compared to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs including aspirin. The primary cause for concern may relate to allergic reactions in salicylate‐sensitive individuals. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of education on aging-related cortical thinning among cognitively normal individuals

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the relationship between education and cortical thickness in cognitively normal individuals to determine whether education attenuated the association of advanced aging and cortical thinning. Methods: A total of 1,959 participants, in whom education levels were available, were included in the final analysis. Cortical thickness was measured on high-resolution MRIs using a surface-based method. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed for education level and cortical thickness, after controlling for possible confounders. Results: High levels of education were correlated with increased mean cortical thickness throughout the entire cortex (p = 0.003). This association persisted after controlling for vascular risk factors. Statistical maps of cortical thickness showed that the high levels of education were correlated with increased cortical thickness in the bilateral premotor areas, anterior cingulate cortices, perisylvian areas, right superior parietal lobule, left lingual gyrus, and occipital pole. There were also interactive effects of age and education on the mean cortical thickness (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Our findings suggest the protective effect of education on cortical thinning in cognitively normal older individuals, regardless of vascular risk factors. This effect was found only in the older participants, suggesting that the protective effects of education on cortical thickness might be achieved by increased resistance to structural loss from aging rather than by simply providing a fixed advantage in the brain.
Reactions of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to alpha herpesvirus infection of the central nervous system

Adult animals harbor an abundant population of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) whose functions, other than providing a pool of precursors for oligodendrocytes, are unknown. Previous studies have demonstrated that these unusual glial cells, which can be identified by virtue of their expression of the NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, react to traumatic brain injury. To determine the generality of the ability of OPCs to react to neuropathological insults, we have examined the reactions of OPCs to infection of the brainstem with virulent and attenuated strains pseudorabies virus (PRV). When motor neurons within the dorsal vagal complex are infected with PRV, OPCs immediately adjacent to the infected neurons display dramatic reactive changes. These changes are characterized by (1) cell bodies that stain more heavily with antibodies against NG2 than do non‐reactive OPCs, (2) an increased density of processes, and (3) the appearance of fine filopodia on the cell body and processes. The onset of these morphological changes was rapid, and they occurred simultaneously with the appearance of viral antigens in motor neurons. At late stages of infection, the soma of OPCs elaborated fewer processes. A small number of the reactive OPCs contain viral antigens. These findings extend the range of neuropathological situations to which OPCs react indicating that this cell population is extremely dynamic. They also suggest that the reaction of OPCs and the consequences of these reactions to brain function must be considered in any procedure, either experimental or clinical, in which viruses are introduced into the central nervous system. GLIA 23:316–328, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum C‐reactive protein in pediatric kidney and liver transplant patients

Abstract: The clinical manifestations of different complications after organ transplantation (Tx) are often vague, and simple laboratory tests for early diagnosis would be valuable. In this work we retrospectively analyzed our data on the daily measurements of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) in 132 children after 63 liver and 83 kidney Txs. A total of 3,886 CRP measurements were performed and 353 episodes of elevated CRP were recorded. One‐third of these were regarded as a response to surgery. The CRP level normalized within 5–10 days post‐operatively in patients who had a favorable outcome, but in patients with a poor outcome CRP tended to remain elevated. Half of the CRP elevations were associated with complications such as acute rejection, infection or thrombotic events. An elevated serum CRP level was found in 68% of the rejection episodes, in 88% of the bacterial infections, and in 73% of the viral infections. The most significant elevations were associated with bacterial infection. In nine of 11 vascular complications, an elevation of CRP was also recorded. Serum CRP responded to rejection therapy in 86% of the episodes. The initial CRP level did not predict steroid‐resistant rejection. CRP seemed to be a more sensitive marker than fever or white blood cell (WBC) count in all complications. We conclude that the daily measurement of serum CRP is a simple and fairly sensitive, but non‐specific, method for detecting rejection and infectious complications after pediatric liver and kidney Tx.
Mianserin is better tolerated and more effective in depression than a nomifensine‐clobazam combination: a double‐blind study

Patients suffering from depression (mostly depressive neurosis) were admitted to a double‐blind study which compared the efficacy of a combination of nomifensine and clobazam with mianserin. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression Scale, physicians' assessments, Global Improvement and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale for side‐effects. Assessments were made before admission to the trial and on days 3, 7, 14 and 21. Forty patients were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. A case is made against polypharmacy and in particular against the use of benzodiazepine combinations in depression. Nineteen patients on nomifensine‐clobazam and 14 on mianserin completed the three‐week trial. At 7, 14 and 21 days, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) total scores were significantly improved for mianserin when compared with nomifensine‐clobazam. Similarly, at 7 and 14 days the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) total scores were significantly better for mianserin thanfor the nomifensine‐clobazam combination. There were also significant improvements for mianserin on the HDRS sub‐scales of anxiety somatization, cognitive disturbance and sleep disturbance. There were no significant differences for HDRS somatic symptoms between treatment groups. Drowsiness was the most common side‐effect in both groups. The incidence of total side‐effects was 74% for nomifensine‐clobazam and 71% for the mianserin group.