Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Etiologic yield of subspecialists' evaluation of young children with global developmental delay.

OBJECTIVE To determine the etiologic yield of subspecialists' evaluation of young children with global developmental delay. In addition, variables that may predict finding an underlying etiology were also identified. METHODS All children <5 years of age, referred over an 18-month period to subspecialty services for initial evaluation of a suspected developmental delay, were prospectively enrolled. Diagnostic yield was ascertained after the completion of clinical assessments and laboratory investigations requested by the evaluating physician. RESULTS Ninety-nine children (71 boys) were found to have global developmental delay; 96% had a mild or moderate delay documented. An etiologic diagnosis was determined in 44. Four diagnoses (cerebral dysgenesis, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, toxin exposure, chromosomal abnormalities) accounted for 34 of 44 (77%) of the diagnoses made. The presence of co-existing autistic traits was associated with significantly decreased diagnostic yield (0/19 vs 44/80, P <.0001), whereas specific historical features (eg, family history, toxin exposure, and perinatal difficulty; 23/32 vs 21/67, P =.0002) and findings on physical examination (eg, dysmorphology, microcephaly, and focal motor findings; 35/48 vs 9/51, P <.0001) were significantly associated with identifying a diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified antenatal toxin exposure, microcephaly, focal motor findings, and the absence of autistic traits as significant predictor variables for the identification of an etiology. CONCLUSION An etiologic diagnosis is often possible in the young child with global developmental delay, particularly in the absence of autistic features. Etiologic yield is augmented by presence of specific findings on history or physical examination on initial assessment.
Constructing a Gene Team Tree in Almost <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$O$</tex></formula><formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$(n\; {\rm lg}\; n)$</tex></formula> Time

An important model of a conserved gene cluster is called the gene team model, in which a chromosome is defined to be a permutation of distinct genes and a gene team is defined to be a set of genes that appear in two or more species, with the distance between adjacent genes in the team for each chromosome always no more than a certain threshold δ. A gene team tree is a succinct way to represent all gene teams for every possible value of δ. The previous fastest algorithm for constructing a gene team tree of two chromosomes requires O(n lg n lglg n) time, which was given by Wang and Lin. Its bottleneck is a problem called the maximum-gap problem. In this paper, by presenting an improved algorithm for the maximum-gap problem, we reduce the upper bound of the gene team tree problem to O(n lg n α(n)). Since α grows extremely slowly, this result is almost as efficient as the current best upper bound, O(n lg n), for finding the gene teams of a fixed δ value. Our new algorithm is very efficient from both the theoretical and practical points of view. Wang and Lin's gene-team-tree algorithm can be extended to k chromosomes with complexity O(kn lg n lglg n). Similarly, our improved algorithm for the maximum-gap problem reduces this running time to O(kn lg n α(n)). In addition, it also provides new upper bounds for the gene team tree problem on general sequences, in which multiple copies of the same gene are allowed.
Professional and patient-based evaluation of oral rehabilitation in patients with tooth agenesis.

OBJECTIVES The outcome of oral rehabilitation is usually monitored with clinical tests rather than by patient's perception of change. The aim of this study was to describe the objective measure and subjective perception of oral rehabilitation in patients with tooth agenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 129 patients with tooth agenesis rehabilitated with implant- or tooth-supported reconstructions, and a control group of 58 patients. Professional assessments included biological, technical and aesthetic variables. An aesthetic index score included mucosal discoloration, crown morphology, crown color match, occlusal harmony, and papilla level. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire was used to evaluate the patient-based outcomes. Six OHIP questions were subtracted to evaluate the patient-based aesthetic outcomes. RESULTS Severe root resorption was observed in 36% of the patients in whom orthodontic treatment had been performed. Twelve percent of patients had implants with 5-7 mm peri-implant bone defects. Mucosal discoloration was recorded in 57% of the patients. Twelve percent of the patients had metal visible on the buccal side. The median scores for all five aesthetic variables were acceptable in 92% of the implant reconstructions and for 83% of the tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). The total OHIP score was inferior in rehabilitated patients with tooth agenesis to that of the control group without tooth agenesis. The total OHIP score after rehabilitation was <50 for 95% of the patients with tooth agenesis. The six OHIP questions concerning aesthetics demonstrated patient-based aesthetic problems in 41% of patients treated with implant-supported reconstructions and 47% of patients treated with tooth-supported FDPs. Ninety-eight percent of the group treated with implant-supported reconstructions and 84% of the patients in the tooth-supported FDP group were very satisfied or satisfied with the treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS Patients with tooth agenesis had a high risk of severe root resorption after orthodontic treatment. A better aesthetic outcome was obtained with implant-supported reconstructions than with tooth-supported reconstructions. A positive but not significant correlation was observed between the professional and patient-based evaluations of aesthetic outcomes.
Role of Natural Killer Cells in a Cohort of Elite Suppressors: Low Frequency of the Protective KIR3DS1 Allele and Limited Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Replication In Vitro

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells are associated with the innate immune response and are important in many viral infections. Recent studies indicate that NK cells can control human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. We studied the effect of NK cells on HIV-1 replication in a subpopulation of HIV-1-infected individuals termed elite suppressors (ES) or elite controllers. These patients maintain a clinically undetectable viral load without treatment and thus provide a fascinating cohort in which to study the immunological response to HIV-1. Using an autologous system, we analyzed the effects of NK cells and CD8+ T cells on viral replication in CD4+ T lymphoblasts. Although we had postulated that NK cells of ES would be highly effective at controlling viral replication, we found that NK cells from some, but not all, ES were capable of inhibiting replication in the presence of interleukin-2, and the inhibition was less robust than that mediated by CD8+ T cells. Additionally, we examined whether particular alleles of the KIR receptors, specifically KIR3DS1 and KIR3DL1, or allele-ligand combinations correlated with the control of HIV-1 replication by NK cells and whether any specific KIR alleles were overrepresented in ES. Our ES cohort did not differ from the general population with respect to the frequency of individual KIR. However, of the eight ES studied, the four exhibiting the most NK cell-mediated control of viral replication also had the fewest activating KIR and were haplotype A. Thus, the strong NK cell-mediated inhibition of viral replication is not necessary for the immunological control of HIV-1 in all ES.
Perspectives from the Veterans Health Administration about opportunities and barriers in telemedicine

We used qualitative interviews to examine the perceptions of direct providers of telemedicine services, primary care providers (PCPs) and hospital administrators about opportunities and barriers to the implementation of telemedicine services in a network of Veterans Health Administration hospitals. A total of 37 interviews were conducted (response rate of 28%) with 17 direct telemedicine providers, nine PCPs and 11 administrators. The overall inter-coder reliability across all themes was high (Scott's π = 0.94). Direct telemedicine providers generally agreed that telemedicine improved rapport with patients, and respondents in all three groups generally agreed that telemedicine improves access, productivity, and the quality and coordination of care. Respondents mentioned several benefits to home telemedicine, including the ability to better manage chronic diseases, provide frequent clinician contact, facilitate quick responses to patient needs and provide care in patient's homes. Most respondents anticipated future growth in telemedicine services. Barriers to telemedicine implementation included technical challenges, the need for more education and training for patients and staff, preferences for in-person care, the need for programme improvement and the need for additional staff time to provide telemedicine services.
IL-2–Independent and TNF-α–Dependent Expansion of Vβ5+ Natural Regulatory T Cells during Retrovirus Infection

Friend virus infection of mice induces the expansion and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that dampen acute immune responses and promote the establishment and maintenance of chronic infection. Adoptive transfer experiments and the expression of neuropilin-1 indicate that these cells are predominantly natural Tregs rather than virus-specific conventional CD4+ T cells that converted into induced Tregs. Analysis of Treg TCR Vβ chain usage revealed a broadly distributed polyclonal response with a high proportionate expansion of the Vβ5+ Treg subset, which is known to be responsive to endogenous retrovirus-encoded superantigens. In contrast to the major population of Tregs, the Vβ5+ subset expressed markers of terminally differentiated effector cells, and their expansion was associated with the level of the antiviral CD8+ T cell response rather than the level of Friend virus infection. Surprisingly, the expansion and accumulation of the Vβ5+ Tregs was IL-2 independent but dependent on TNF-α. These experiments reveal a subset-specific Treg induction by a new pathway.
Capsule Polysaccharide Mediates Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides

ABSTRACT The innate immune system plays a critical role in the defense of areas exposed to microorganisms. There is an increasing body of evidence indicating that antimicrobial peptides and proteins (APs) are one of the most important weapons of this system and that they make up the protective front for the respiratory tract. On the other hand, it is known that pathogenic organisms have developed countermeasures to resist these agents such as reducing the net negative charge of the bacterial membranes. Here we report the characterization of a novel mechanism of resistance to APs that is dependent on the bacterial capsule polysaccharide (CPS). Klebsiella pneumoniae CPS mutant was more sensitive than the wild type to human neutrophil defensin 1, β-defensin 1, lactoferrin, protamine sulfate, and polymyxin B. K. pneumoniae lipopolysaccharide O antigen did not play an important role in AP resistance, and CPS was the only factor conferring protection against polymyxin B in strains lacking O antigen. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the amount of CPS expressed by a given strain and the resistance to polymyxin B. We also showed that K. pneumoniae CPS mutant bound more polymyxin B than the wild-type strain with a concomitant increased in the self-promoted pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that CPS protects bacteria by limiting the interaction of APs with the surface. Finally, we report that K. pneumoniae increased the amount of CPS and upregulated cps transcription when grown in the presence of polymyxin B and lactoferrin.
Rhizobium yanglingense sp. nov., isolated from arid and semi-arid regions in China.

A novel rhizobial group, cluster 9, defined in previous research [Tan, Z. Y. , Wang, E. T. , Peng, G. X. , Zhu, M. E. , Martinez-Romero, E. & Chen, W. X. (1999). Int J Syst Bacteriol 49, 1457-1469], was further characterized by determination of DNA base composition, whole-cell protein SDS-PAGE analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and host specificity. These isolates were collected from the wild legumes Amphicarpaea trisperma, Coronilla varia and Gueldenstaedtia multiflora growing in arid and semi-arid regions in northwestern China. Isolates within cluster 9 grouped into a single cluster above a similarity level of 90.6% in a cluster analysis based on protein SDS-PAGE, and they were differentiated from defined rhizobial species. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that isolate CCBAU 71623T, representing cluster 9, was most related to Rhizobium gallicum and Rhizobium mongolense. The DNA-DNA homologies were lower than 42.4% among cluster 9 and defined species, including R. gallicum and R. mongolense. These data indicated that cluster 9 was a unique genomic species. Isolates within this cluster could share their host plants. They could not nodulate Galega orientalis and Leucaena leucocephala and formed ineffective nodules on Phaseolus vulgaris. This group could also be differentiated from defined species by phenotypic characteristics. It is therefore proposed as a new species, Rhizobium yanglingense, with isolate CCBAU 71623 as the type strain.
Collaborative Storytelling between Robot and Child: A Feasibility Study

Joint storytelling is a common parent-child activity and brings multiple benefits such as improved language learning for children. Most existing storytelling robots offer rigid interaction with children and do not contribute to children's stories. In this paper, we envision a robot that collaborates with a child to create oral stories in a highly interactive manner. We performed a Wizard-of-Oz feasibility study, which involved 78 children between 4 and 10 years old, to compare two collaboration strategies: (1) inserting new story content and relating it to the existing story and (2) inserting content without relating it to the existing story. We hypothesize the first strategy can foster true collaboration and create rapport, whereas the second is a safe strategy when the robot cannot understand the story. We observed that, although the first strategy creates a heavier cognitive load, it was as enjoyable as the second. We also observed some indications that the first strategy may mitigate the difficulties in story creation for young children under the age of 7 and encourage children to speak more. This study suggests that a mixture strategy is feasible for robots in collaborative storytelling, providing sufficient cognitive challenge while concealing its shortcomings on natural language understanding.
Miniaturized dual-band bandpass filter using λ/2 spiral-resonator and loaded open-stub

In this paper, a compact dual-band bandpass filter using the half-wavelength (λ/2) spiral-resonators and loaded open-stubs is proposed. First, the dual-resonances are employed by the λ/2 spiral-resonators. Secondly, the loaded open-stubs can not only adjust the second resonance for the designed limit, but also suppress the spurious for the upper stopband bandwidth extension. Thirdly, based on the λ/2 spiral-resonators with loaded open-stubs mentioned above, the spiral-coupled scheme is implemented, which employs a strong enough passband enhancement around the dual-resonances to achieve the dualband bandpass filter. Then, a filter is implemented with good frequency responses and a compact size.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 associated with an expansion of 42 glutamine residues in TATA-box binding protein gene

Background Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is caused by abnormal expansions of CAG/CAA trinucleotides within the TATA-box binding protein gene (TBP). The currently accepted critical threshold of abnormal expansions is ≥43. Objective To investigate the minimal CAG/CAA expansion within the TBP in SCA17. Results 285 patients with autosomal-dominant ataxia were examined, and abnormal or borderline expansions of CAG/CAA within TBP in eight cases were found. Of those, four patients from three families had exactly 42 CAG/CAA trinucleotides, that is, one codon less than the currently accepted critical threshold of 43. The four patients presented with a relatively benign phenotype. All had dysdiadochokinesia and dysarthria. Mild gait ataxia was observed in three of the four patients. Conclusion The reference definition of at least 43 CAG/CAA codons for pathological SCA17 alleles should be lowered to 42.
Theoretical Resolution of Computed Tomography Systems

A simple analytic model is presented which is used to calculate the impulse response of a computed tomography system for parametric variations of the geometry. The model is useful for fan beam as well as parallel beam geometries. Results show that wide-aperture detector systems have intrinsic resolution limitations that are not mitigated by oversampling. Furthermore, the optimum focal spot size of the X-ray source is found to be dependent on the detector geometry.
Sonography of acute right lower quadrant pain: importance of increased intraabdominal fat echo.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of increased intraabdominal fat echo during the sonographic evaluation of patients with acute right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 328 consecutive patients (132 male and 196 female; mean age, 28+/-15 [SD] years) with acute RLQ pain prospectively underwent transabdominal sonography by one of three experienced radiologists. The radiologists prospectively graded intraabdominal fat echo using a 3-point scale: 1, normal; 2, slight increase; and 3, marked and diffuse increase. Final diagnoses were made using surgical or pathologic findings or by clinical follow-up. Of the 328 patients, 11 were lost to follow-up and excluded from analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of increased intraabdominal fat echo were calculated for a positive final diagnosis. RESULTS Final diagnoses were negative (n=103), acute appendicitis (n=137), right colonic diverticulitis (n=18), mesenteric lymphadenitis (n=13), enteritis (n=26), and others (n=20). Grades of intraabdominal fat echo were grade 1 (n=158), grade 2 (n=35), and grade 3 (n=124). Overall, fat echo grades 2 or 3 were more frequently observed in patients with a positive final diagnosis (73% [157/214] vs 2% [2/103], p<0.001) than in those with a negative final diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of increased intraabdominal fat echo for a positive final diagnosis were 73%, 98%, 81%, 99%, and 64%. Increased intraabdominal fat echo was documented in 89% (122/137) of cases of acute appendicitis and in 100% (18/18) of cases of right colonic diverticulitis. CONCLUSION An increased intraabdominal fat echo on sonography is highly specific for the presence of RLQ inflammatory disease.
Short- and long-term effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus immune responses and viraemia

Objective: To investigate the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA load, anti-KSHV antibody responses and KSHV-specific CD8 T cell responses in HIV-infected individuals over a 2 year period. Design: Prospective study of 27 HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy-naive individuals, with (n = 4) and without KS (n = 23), before HAART and at 3-month intervals, during treatment with HAART. Methods: Sequential blood samples were collected for anti-KSHV antibody detection, KSHV DNA load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma, HIV Gag-specific and KSHV-specific CD8 T cell responses, HIV-1 plasma RNA load and CD4 and CD8 T cell counts. Results: KSHV DNA in PBMC and plasma became less detectable over time during HAART, in particular after 12 months. KSHV DNA was undetectable in plasma after 24 months on HAART. Anti-KSHV lytic, but not latent, antibody levels increased within 12 months of treatment. KSHV-specific CD8 T cell responses were absent prior to HAART but became detectable in some patients within 6 months of starting treatment, and continued to increase thereafter. Conclusions: HAART (both protease inhibitor-based and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral combinations) is associated with immune reconstitution to KSHV and with undetectable KSHV viraemia. However, this restoration is apparent (in particular) only after a relatively long (> 24 months) period of treatment. These immune responses could contribute to the decreased incidence of KS during HAART, but it is unlikely to be a complete explanation for the often rapid resolution of KS when HAART is started.
Product-Service System and Firm Performance: The Mediating Role of Product and Process Technological Innovation

Abstract In this study, we examine the effects of product-service system (PSS) practices on firm performance with the help of unique survey data obtained from one of the leading emerging countries. In particular, we explore the mechanisms that explain the link between PSS and firm performance. We propose that a firm’s introduction of PSS is positively associated with the performance of that company in terms of product and process technological innovation. The findings show that PSS influences a firm’s performance through process technological innovation at the company, not through product technological innovation. The results suggest that firms should focus more on developing a new business process or business system in order to leverage the power of PSS.
Modification of electrically conductive adhesives for better mechanical and electrical properties

The goal of the work has been to check a possibility of improvement of electrical properties of electrically conductive adhesives with isotropic electrical conductivity to edge these properties toward to properties of solders. The electrical resistance and nonlinearity of I-V characteristic have been investigated. Two ways have been used for electrically conductive adhesive modification: addition of small amount of silver nanoparticles (grains) of three different dimensions into adhesive, and substitution of a part of filler flakes with the same amount of nanoparticles. It has been found that addition of silver nanoparticles increases the resistance and nonlinearity of adhesive. It has also been found that adhesives modified with nanoparticles have lower sensitivity to combined climatic ageing in comparison with adhesives without nanoparticles. The reason is other quality of contacts between flakes and contacts between nanoparticles.