Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Disability in Early Alzheimer’s Disease – A Validation Study of the Italian Version of the Disability Assessment for Dementia Scale

Aim: To determine the applicability and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Disability Assessment of Dementia scale (DAD-I) in a community-residing population with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: The DAD-I was administered to the primary caregivers of 159 patients (mean age ± SD 77.1 ± 5.2) with mild AD (mean Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE, ± SD 23.1 ± 2.2). Results: The DAD-I showed excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and good construct validity. The DAD-I score was not significantly associated with gender, education and presumed duration of the illness, and had a low negative correlation with age. The DAD-I score correlated moderately with the traditional Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Activities of Daily Living scales, respectively, with r = 0.53 and r = 0.54 (p < 0.0001). Relatively low, but statistically significant correlations (r ranging between 0.21 and 0.31) with the MMSE were also found. Conclusion: The DAD-I was found to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess functional disability in community-dwelling Italian subjects with early-stage AD.
Low doses of urban air particles from Buenos Aires promote oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice lungs

Air pollution consists of a wide range of gaseous and particulate pollutants. Exposure to particulate matter (PM) can cause oxidative stress within the lung, which in turn can negatively impact health. The mechanisms by which PM causes oxidative stress include the release of trace metals or organic components from the particle. Previously, we have characterized urban air particles from downtown Buenos Aires (UAP-BA) and, by using in vivo animal studies, found that they are able to generate lung inflammation. Purpose: We studied lung responses to low doses of UAP-BA (15 µg), with special emphasis on oxidative balance. Methods: We assessed cell viability, total cell number (TCN) and cell differential (CD) on bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL), oxidative metabolism in lung homogenates by tertbutylhydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence (CL), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), and apoptosis in lung sections. Results: We found that low UAP-BA exposure increases TCN, modifies CD, and decreases cell viability in the BAL. In lung homogenates, TBARS and CL rose while TRAP and GSH showed no alteration when compared to controls. Occurrence of apoptosis evaluated by TUNEL assay was markedly augmented in UAP-BA exposed animals. Conclusions: Our data further implicate oxidative stress as a possible inducer of apoptosis in lungs from animals exposed to low concentrations of this urban environmental contaminant.
Immunoblot analysis of anti-Ureaplasma urealyticum antibody in pregnant women and newborn infants

The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency in which antibody reactive to Ureaplasma urealyticum could be detected in a population of pregnant women and newborn infants. Serum samples from a prospective cohort of 80 healthy, U. urealyticum culture-positive and culture-negative pregnant women and a retrospective cohort of 522 infants born at between 25 and 42 weeks of gestation were studied by immunoblot analysis. Cultures of specimens from the lower genital tract were positive for U. urealyticum for 83% of the pregnant women, and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody which reacted to U. urealyticum was detectable in 93% of the pregnant women. Samples from five women (8%) had increases in the number of anti-U. urealyticum IgG bands over the course of the pregnancy. Samples from four of these five women had corresponding increases in the number of antibody bands present in IgA immunoblots. Six of the 522 samples from newborns or cord blood (1.1%) were positive for anti-U. urealyticum IgA; 5 of these 6 samples were also positive for IgM. The six anti-U. urealyticum IgA-positive infants were distributed as follows; 3 of 67 (4.5%) infants were delivered at 25 to 30 weeks of gestation, 3 of 176 (1.7%) infants were delivered at 31 to 34 weeks of gestation, and 0 of 279 infants were delivered at > or = 35 weeks of gestation. An antibody response to U. urealyticum can be detected in pregnant women and preterm infants and may serve as a marker of infection.
Disordered eating cognitions and behaviours among slimming organization competition winners.

BACKGROUND Long-term success in weight loss treatments for obesity is elusive. The most widely used approach after diet books is slimming clubs. A percentage of members achieve dramatic and lasting weight losses. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of binge eating and unhealthy eating-related thought patterns among a group of highly successful weight losers. METHODS Sixty-five slimming competition winners self reported their weight history and eating habits in a semi-structured questionnaire. The Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) were also administered. RESULTS Despite substantial weight loss (mean = 38%, SD = 10%) and widespread maintenance of losses, participants evidenced high levels of dietary restraint and weight, shape and eating overconcern. Emotional eating levels were significantly higher than those seen in noneating disordered populations on two of three subscales. Seventy-one per cent also reported bingeing in the past 3 months. CONCLUSIONS Commercial slimming organizations should engage with broader psychological and behavioural features of obesity, including bingeing and eating-related cognitive patterns.
Enabling Technologies for Cell-Based Clinical Translation Therapeutic Efficacy of Fresh , Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Severe Refractory Gingivostomatitis in Cats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disorders, because of their potent immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the use of fresh, autologous, adipose-derivedMSCs (ASCs) for feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a chronic, debilitating, idiopathic, oral mucosal inflammatory disease. Nine cats with refractory FCGSwere enrolled in this pilot study. Each cat received 2 intravenous injections of 20 million autologous ASCs, 1 month apart. Oral biopsies were taken before and at 6months after the first ASC injection. Blood immune cell subsets, serum protein, and cytokine levels weremeasured at 0, 1, 3, and 6months after treatment to assess immunomodulatory effects. Seven of the 9 cats completed the study. Five cats responded to treatment by either complete clinical remission (n = 3) or substantial clinical improvement (n = 2). Two cats were nonresponders. Cats that responded to treatmentalsoexhibited systemic immunomodulationdemonstrated by decreased numbers of circulating CD8+ T cells, a normalization of the CD4/CD8 ratio, decreased neutrophil counts, and interferon-g and interleukin (IL)-1b concentration, and a temporary increase in serum IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a concentration. No clinical recurrence has occurred following complete clinical remission (follow-up of 6–24 months). In this study, cats with <15% cytotoxic CD8 T cells with low expression of CD8 (CD8) cells were 100% responsive to ASC therapy, whereas cats with >15% CD8 cells were nonresponders. The relative absence of CD8 cells may be a biomarker to predict response to ASC therapy, andmay shed light on pathogenesis of FCGS andmechanisms by which ASCs decrease oral inflammation and affect T-cell phenotype. STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2016;5:75–86
Active ageing beyond the labour market: evidence on the role of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards at work

Abstract ‘Active Ageing’ strategies aim to foster the participation of seniors in the society. Although economic literature has extensively studied the incentives for seniors to increase their labour supply, little is known about the motivations for older people to complement labour with other forms of social participation. This article provides empirical evidence of the role of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards received at work in the supply of formal and informal productive activities of 50- to 65-year-old workers. The results show that workers with higher levels of intrinsic rewards received at work, such as skill development opportunities and decision latitude, are more likely to participate in social activities outside the labour market. Extrinsic rewards on the other hand, like advancement perspectives, job security and pay, appear independent from both formal and informal social participation.
Can natural phenotypic variances be estimated reliably under homogeneous laboratory conditions?

Abstract The phenotypic variance is assumed to be greater in a more heterogeneous environment. The validity of this assumption is important for microevolutionists to extrapolate results from the laboratory to field environments. We subjected clutches of eggs from common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) to a split‐family design to evaluate the variability in incubation time and four size traits of neonates from eggs incubated in the laboratory and those left in situ. Mean size measurements were similar between the laboratory and the field, but incubation time was systematically longer in the field. We found no tendency among clutches for hatchlings resulting from eggs incubated in laboratory or field environments to demonstrate greater variability. Also contrary to expectation, clutches that experienced greater thermal variation in the field did not exhibit greater variation in phenotypic traits. Consequently, extrapolating results from the laboratory to the field may not always be problematic for microevolutionary analyses.
A Practice-Based Analysis of Social Interaction in a Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming Environment

This chapter analyzes behaviour in on-line games from a practice-oriented perspective and focuses on how individuals create and sustain social structures. It reports on research based in MMOGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) that investigates how what the players do in the gaming environment can give rise to structures that continue to exist outside that environment. The analysis centres on the notion of how practice is framed within the game; the methodology is one based on virtual ethnography. It describes the activities of a group of gamers in both MMOGs and other on-line settings. It will show how such players develop an identity as members of a ‘community of games players’ and how their gaming practices are not based around a single game but are spread across several different platforms. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-567-4.ch003
Characterization study of the sporulation kinetics of Bacillus thuringiensis.

A wild-type and an rDNA strain of Bacillus thuringiensis were cultured in a net-draft-tube modified 20-L airlift bioreactor. A comparison of the sporulation patterns suggests that the early sporulation strain has a lower final spore count. Results from off-gas analysis suggests that the CO(2) profile could be an alternative indication to spore counts for the examination of fermentation performance or even the mortality in bioassay of the cultivation product. The difference in mortality tests exhibited by the microorganism was attributed to different patterns of sporulation as well as different levels of gene control inside the cell itself. The sporulation kinetics of B. thuringiensis was simulated by a simple modified Hill equation, where the initial glucose concentration could affect the timing of the onset of sporulation. The equation matches well with the experimental sporulation data for B. thuringiensis in both wild-type and rDNA strains.
Immunological and cytotoxicological responses of the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea (M.), experimentally exposed to cadmium

Abstract Bivalve molluscs, as filter-feeding organisms, are known to accumulate metals that can produce deleterious effects on organisms. The phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal alterations in the digestive gland cells were measured in the freshwater Asian clam exposed to cadmium, in order to assess the possible use of immunocompetence and lysosomal responses as biomarkers of freshwater quality. Clams were exposed in the laboratory to nominal concentrations of 3, 10, 21.4, 46.5 and 100 µg l−1 of cadmium and sampled after 7, 15 and 30 days of exposure. The results show a decrease of phagocytic activity after only 7 days of exposure to 10 µg l−1 of cadmium. This response was also observed as the exposure time was increased. Lysosomes in the digestive cells increased in size and number after 7 days of exposure as cadmium concentration increased. After 30 days of exposure, a decrease in size and number indicated a change in the response to the metal from concentrations of 46.5 µg l−1 of cadmium. A dose and time response both in phagocytic activity of haemocytes and lysosomal structure demonstrated a possible use of these biomarkers in freshwater biomonitoring.
CTCF counter-regulates cardiomyocyte development and maturation programs in the embryonic heart

Cardiac progenitors are specified early in development and progressively differentiate and mature into fully functional cardiomyocytes. This process is controlled by an extensively studied transcriptional program. However, the regulatory events coordinating the progression of such program from development to maturation are largely unknown. Here, we show that the genome organizer CTCF is essential for cardiogenesis and that it mediates genomic interactions to coordinate cardiomyocyte differentiation and maturation in the developing heart. Inactivation of Ctcf in cardiac progenitor cells and their derivatives in vivo during development caused severe cardiac defects and death at embryonic day 12.5. Genome wide expression analysis in Ctcf mutant hearts revealed that genes controlling mitochondrial function and protein production, required for cardiomyocyte maturation, were upregulated. However, mitochondria from mutant cardiomyocytes do not mature properly. In contrast, multiple development regulatory genes near predicted heart enhancers, including genes in the IrxA cluster, were downregulated in Ctcf mutants, suggesting that CTCF promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation by facilitating enhancer-promoter interactions. Accordingly, loss of CTCF disrupts gene expression and chromatin interactions as shown by chromatin conformation capture followed by deep sequencing. Furthermore, CRISPR-mediated deletion of an intergenic CTCF site within the IrxA cluster alters gene expression in the developing heart. Thus, CTCF mediates local regulatory interactions to coordinate transcriptional programs controlling transitions in morphology and function during heart development.
Gm 3;5,13,14 and stated-admixture: independent estimates of admixture in American Indians.

Bernstein's formula for the estimation of the amount of admixture (m) in a hybrid population has been used frequently since its publication in 1931. While mathematically correct, it has not been shown to be correct in practice, because an independent estimate from a large sample has not been available. We have compared the estimate of m for Caucasian admixture derived by using Bernstein's formula with that estimated from stated-admixture (Sa) within a sample of 5,759 Native Americans. There was a linear relationship between the two variables (m = -.000275 + .714Sa; r = .976 for the grouped data, P = .0001).
Negative BOLD responses to epileptic spikes

Simultaneous electroencephalogram/functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐fMRI) during interictal epileptiform discharges can result in positive (activation) and negative (deactivation) changes in the blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal. Activation probably reflects increased neuronal activity and energy demand, but deactivation is more difficult to explain. Our objective was to evaluate the occurrence and significance of deactivations related to epileptiform discharges in epilepsy. We reviewed all EEG‐fMRI studies from our database, identified those with robust responses (P = 0.01, with ≥5 contiguous voxels with a |t| > 3.1, including ≥1 voxel at |t| > 5.0), and divided them into three groups: activation (A = 8), deactivation (D = 9), and both responses (AD = 43). We correlated responses with discharge type and location and evaluated their spatial relationship with regions involved in the “default” brain state (Raichle et al. [ 2001 ]: Proc Natl Acad Sci 98:676–682]. Deactivations were seen in 52/60 studies (AD+D): 26 related to focal discharges, 12 bilateral, and 14 generalized. Deactivations were usually distant from anatomical areas related to the discharges and more frequently related to polyspike‐ and spike‐and‐slow waves than to spikes. The “default” pattern occurred in 10/43 AD studies, often associated with bursts of generalized discharges. In conclusion, deactivations are frequent, mostly with concomitant activation, for focal and generalized discharges. Discharges followed by a slow wave are more likely to result in deactivation, suggesting neuronal inhibition as the underlying phenomenon. Involvement of the “default” areas, related to bursts of generalized discharges, provides evidence of a subclinical effect of the discharges, temporarily suspending normal brain function in the resting state. Hum Brain Mapp, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion tensor imaging and white matter lesions at the subacute stage in mild traumatic brain injury with persistent neurobehavioral impairment

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can induce long‐term behavioral and cognitive disorders. Although the exact origin of these mTBI‐related disorders is not known, they may be the consequence of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Here, we investigated whether MRI at the subacute stage can detect lesions that are associated with poor functional outcome in mTBI by using anatomical images (T1) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty‐three patients with mTBI were investigated and compared with 23 healthy volunteers. All patients underwent an MRI investigation and clinical tests between 7 and 28 days (D15) and between 3 and 4 months (M3) after injury. Patients were divided in two groups of poor outcome (PO) and good outcome (GO), based on their complaints at M3. Groupwise differences in gray matter partial volume between PO patients, GO patients and controls were analyzed using Voxel‐Based Morphometry (VBM) from T1 data at D15. Differences in microstructural architecture were investigated using Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) and the diffusion images obtained from DTI data at D15. Permutation‐based non‐parametric testing was used to assess cluster significance at p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons. Twelve GO patients and 11 PO patients were identified on the basis of their complaints. In PO patients, gray matter partial volume was significantly lower in several cortical and subcortical regions compared with controls, but did not differ from that of GO patients. No difference in diffusion variables was found between GO and controls. PO patients showed significantly higher mean diffusivity values than both controls and GO patients in the corpus callosum, the right anterior thalamic radiations and the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the fronto‐occipital fasciculus bilaterally. In conclusion, PO patients differed from GO patients by the presence of diffusion changes in long association white matter fiber tracts but not by gray matter partial volume. These results suggest that DTI at the subacute stage may be a predictive marker of poor outcome in mTBI. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Description of a Cooperative Venture in the Production of an Automatic Coding System

The exact origin of the idea of a co-operative undertaking to produce an automatic coding system is hard to determine as we look back at the history of the Project for the Advancement of Coding Techniques (PACT). For years, people in service organizations, like the computing groups in which many of us work, have been looking for ways to persuade fellow organizations to "co-operate". Achieving co-operation in this case consists of convincing a fellow worker that he should supply you, gratis, with a set of board wiring diagrams or some similar piece of know-how in the hope that some day you may have something the lender can use. West Coast groups, being younger and less experienced than many of our eastern neighbors, have tended to become experts at this kind of co-operation. The purpose of this paper is not to discuss the merits of this technique, but to point out that PACT is the product of a different sort of co-operative undertaking. The joint venture, PACT, got under way during November of 1954. That was the time when several organizations on the West Coast were taking a fairly critical look at their achievements and future needs in computing equipment. Several of them had decided to turn back the first large digital computer that they had rented in favor of a bigger, faster, and more flexible machine. Several facts emerged clearly during these self-examinations. Problem check-out was expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, check-out time was running as high as 40 % of production time. Estimates of the cost of writing and checking a program put the cost at something like $2 to $10 per instruction. Far too many of the problems that were being run were inefficiently and awkwardly put together, resulting in an excess of machine time for execution. Experienced programmers were hard to find. Nearly every computing organization was expanding. One of the suggested ways of relieving the programmer shortage, and at the same time improving the quality of the program that gets to the machine, was to employ more automatic coding; that is, to let the machine do a larger share of the work of preparing a problem for machine computation. However, the more sophisticated problem preparation programs were by no means an obvious clear-cut answer to the problem of what to do about coding. Every West Coas~ organization had already made considerable investment in utility programs. Everybody had an interpretive system of one kind or another that was aimed at making problems easier to code. These interpreters helped some by reducing : preparation time, but the cost in machine time required to execute the programs was high. Everybody had a stack of library programs for helping to solve the