Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lipids under stress – a lipidomic approach for the study of mood disorders

The emerging field of lipidomics has identified lipids as key players in disease physiology. Their physicochemical diversity allows precise control of cell structure and signaling events through modulation of membrane properties and trafficking of proteins. As such, lipids are important regulators of brain function and have been implicated in neurodegenerative and mood disorders. Importantly, environmental chronic stress has been associated with anxiety and depression and its exposure in rodents has been extensively used as a model to study these diseases. With the accessibility to modern mass‐spectrometry lipidomic platforms, it is now possible to snapshot the extensively interconnected lipid network. Here, we review the fundamentals of lipid biology and outline a framework for the interpretation of lipidomic studies as a new approach to study brain pathophysiology. Thus, lipid profiling provides an exciting avenue for the identification of disease signatures with important implications for diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders.
Clinical coaching: Evolving the apprenticeship model for modern housestaff

Abstract Feedback is one of the core components of teaching in the clinical setting. Traditionally, this activity has emphasized observations made by senior physicians and delivered to medical trainees. However, the optimal approach to feedback remains uncertain, and the literature abounds with trainee-perceived inadequacies in feedback content, quality, and impact. Moreover, given the multiplicity of demands on trainees and their physician mentors, we propose that medical trainees themselves—specifically, medical residents—are poised to serve as unique adjunct effectors of feedback. We propose a model of “clinical coaching” for residents as teachers, with emphasis on the active roles of both the feedback “giver” and “recipient”. We define “clinical coaching” as “a helping longitudinal relationship between coach and apprentice that provides continuing feedback on and assistance with improving performance. ” Here, “coach” is the more experienced trainee (e.g. supervising resident), and “apprentice” is the less experienced trainee (e.g. intern or medical student). By working to better recognize and prepare residents for this vital role, we propose to encourage efforts to optimize the structure, execution, and impact of feedback in the contemporary climate of medical education.
No association between CLOCK gene 3111C/T polymorphism and personality traits in healthy Japanese subjects

THE CLOCK GENE 3111 C/T polymorphism has been reported to be associated with human diurnal preference and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Furthermore, specific personality traits may be correlated with psychiatric symptoms. Therefore, we hypothesized that the CLOCK gene could be a candidate for the personality-related gene and investigated the association between CLOCK and personality traits in Japanese healthy subjects. The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo. All participants provided written informed consent. All participants were unrelated Japanese subjects. The subjects consisted of 383 healthy volunteers (139 men and 244 women; mean age 35.4 11.2 years [mean SD]) recruited from the staff of several mental and general hospitals around Tokyo. We genotyped the CLOCK gene 3111C/T polymorphism (rs1801260) using the TaqMan assay (Applied Biosystems, Foster, CA, USA). Personality traits were evaluated by using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R). The associations between scores for the NEO PI-R factors and genotypes were statistically analyzed by ANCOVA with sex and age as covariates. The genotype distributions did not deviate significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Because the frequency of the homozygotes for the C allele of CLOCK was very low, we also compared scores for the NEO PI-R factors between T/T genotype and C allele carrier (C/T and C/C genotypes) groups. No significant difference in the scores for the NEO PI-R factors was observed among the three genotype groups or between T/T genotype and C allele carrier groups (Table 1). Our study did not provide evidence for the association between the CLOCK gene 3111 C/T polymorphism and personality traits in the Japanese population. REFERENCES
Female college students’ beliefs about cervical cancer screening

Purpose To explore female college students’ perceived benefits and barriers to cervical cancer screening and perceived vulnerability to cervical cancer. Method The study was exploratory and cross sectional. The Pap Smear Belief Questionnaire was distributed online to a sample of 267 female undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students. Findings Students who obtained routine Pap smears perceived greater benefits and fewer barriers to routine screening than the students who did not obtain routine Pap smears. Personal vulnerability to cervical cancer was not a significant finding. Students who were in a long-term relationship, non-smoking and initiated sexual intercourse at a younger age were more likely to obtain routine screening. Conclusion Stressing importance of preventive health care associated with routine cervical cancer screening is important to promote women’s health regardless of age or level of education. Further studies with a broader range of college students as participants are needed to better understand their beliefs about the benefits and barriers to obtaining routine screening, and their perceptions of vulnerability to cervical cancer.
The origin of animals: Can molecular clocks and the fossil record be reconciled?

The evolutionary emergence of animals is one of the most significant episodes in the history of life, but its timing remains poorly constrained. Molecular clocks estimate that animals originated and began diversifying over 100 million years before the first definitive metazoan fossil evidence in the Cambrian. However, closer inspection reveals that clock estimates and the fossil record are less divergent than is often claimed. Modern clock analyses do not predict the presence of the crown‐representatives of most animal phyla in the Neoproterozoic. Furthermore, despite challenges provided by incomplete preservation, a paucity of phylogenetically informative characters, and uncertain expectations of the anatomy of early animals, a number of Neoproterozoic fossils can reasonably be interpreted as metazoans. A considerable discrepancy remains, but much of this can be explained by the limited preservation potential of early metazoans and the difficulties associated with their identification in the fossil record. Critical assessment of both records may permit better resolution of the tempo and mode of early animal evolution.
Integration of problem-oriented learning into skills lab of echocardiography: A successful tool to enhance comprehension of internal medicine

Mughal Z, Mughal F. 2016. The junior doctor contract in the National Health Service. J Family Med Prim Care. 5:225–227. Os orio IHS, Gonçalves LM, Pozzobon PM, Gaspar Jr JJ, Miranda FM, Lucchetti AL, Lucchetti G. 2017. Effect of an educational intervention in “spirituality and health” on knowledge, attitudes, and skills of students in health-related areas: a controlled randomized trial. Med Teach. http://dx.doi. org/10.1080/0142159X.2017. 1337878
Reliability and Clinical Test Performance of Cochlear Reflectance

Objective: Cochlear reflectance (CR) is the cochlear contribution to ear-canal reflectance. CR is equivalent to an otoacoustic emission (OAE) deconvolved by forward pressure in the ear canal. Similar to other OAE measures, CR level is related to cochlear status. When measured using wideband noise stimuli, potential advantages of CR over other types of OAEs include (1) the capability to cover a wider frequency range more efficiently by requiring fewer measurements, (2) minimal influence on the recorded emission from the measurement system and middle ear, (3) lack of entrainment of spontaneous OAEs, and (4) easier interpretation because of the existence of an equivalent linear model, which validates the application of linear systems theory. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the reliability, assess the accuracy in a clinical screening paradigm, and determine the relation of CR to audiometric thresholds. Thus, this study represents an initial assessment of the clinical utility of CR. Design: Data were collected from 32 normal-hearing and 58 hearing-impaired participants. A wideband noise stimulus presented at seven stimulus levels (10 to 70 dB SPL, 10 dB steps) was used to elicit the CR. Reliability of CR was assessed using Cronbach’s &agr;, standard error of measurement, and absolute differences between CR data from three separate test sessions. Test performance was evaluated using clinical decision theory. The ability of CR to predict audiometric thresholds was evaluated using regression analysis. Results: CR repeatability across test sessions was similar to that of other clinical measurements. However, both the accuracy with which CR distinguished normal-hearing from hearing-impaired ears and the accuracy with which CR predicted audiometric thresholds were less than those reported in previous studies using distortion-product OAE measurements. Conclusions: CR measurements are repeatable between test sessions, can be used to predict auditory status, and are related to audiometric thresholds. However, under current conditions, CR does not perform as well as other OAE measurements. Further developments in CR measurement and analysis methods may improve performance. CR has theoretical advantages for cochlear modeling, which may lead to improved interpretation of cochlear status.
A method to obtain large quantities of reference data

Project managers often struggle with the need of sufficient reference data to train and test for reliable classifications and budget concerns that restrain the amount of justifiable field data collection. For a forest study, we supplemented our 207 ground‐measured field sites with 4000 additional photo‐interpreted reference sites. We first used aerial photography to identify the extent of homogenous regions around field‐data sites and then picked additional reference points within these areas. This approach is based on the notion that similar‐appearing areas close to a measured vegetation plot will contain approximately the same mix and density of species as the known site. This resulted in clusters of additional data points around actual field locations. We avoided overestimating the classification accuracy due to spatial autocorrelation by using an entire cluster of reference points exclusively as training or test data.
The Physiological Basis and Clinical Use of the Binaural Interaction Component of the Auditory Brainstem Response

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a sound-evoked noninvasively measured electrical potential representing the sum of neuronal activity in the auditory brainstem and midbrain. ABR peak amplitudes and latencies are widely used in human and animal auditory research and for clinical screening. The binaural interaction component (BIC) of the ABR stands for the difference between the sum of the monaural ABRs and the ABR obtained with binaural stimulation. The BIC comprises a series of distinct waves, the largest of which (DN1) has been used for evaluating binaural hearing in both normal hearing and hearing-impaired listeners. Based on data from animal and human studies, the authors discuss the possible anatomical and physiological bases of the BIC (DN1 in particular). The effects of electrode placement and stimulus characteristics on the binaurally evoked ABR are evaluated. The authors review how interaural time and intensity differences affect the BIC and, analyzing these dependencies, draw conclusion about the mechanism underlying the generation of the BIC. Finally, the utility of the BIC for clinical diagnoses are summarized.
Comparison of Different Hearing Aid Prescriptions for Children

Objectives: To assess whether there are significant differences between speech scores for different hearing aid prescription methods, specifically DSL i/o, DSL V, and NAL-NL1, using age-appropriate closed- and open-set speech tests with young children, designed to avoid floor and ceiling effects. Design: Participants were 44 children with moderate or severe bilateral hearing loss, 8 aged 2 to 3 years, 15 aged 4 to 5 years, and 21 aged 6 to 9 years. Children wore bilateral hearing aids fitted with each prescription method in turn in a balanced double-blind design. The speech tests used with each child (and for some tests the levels) were chosen so as to avoid floor and ceiling effects. For the closed-set tests, the level used was selected for each child based on their hearing loss. The tests used were: (1) The closed-set Consonant Confusion Test of word identification; (2) The closed-set Chear Auditory Perception Test (CAPT) of word identification. This has separate sections assessing discrimination of consonants and vowels and detection of consonants; (3) The open-set Cambridge Auditory Word Lists for testing word identification at levels of 50 and 65 dBA, utilizing 10 consonant–vowel–consonant real words that are likely to be familiar to children aged 3 years or older; (4) The open-set Common Phrases Test to measure the speech reception threshold in quiet; (5) Measurement of the levels required for identification of the Ling 5 sounds, using a recording of the sounds made at the University of Western Ontario. Results: Scores for the Consonant Confusion Test and CAPT consonant discrimination and consonant detection were lower for the NAL-NL1 prescription than for the DSL prescriptions. Scores for the CAPT vowel-in-noise discrimination test were higher for DSL V than for either of the other prescriptions. Scores for the Cambridge Auditory Word Lists did not differ across prescriptions for the level of 65 dBA, but were lower for the NAL-NL1 prescription than for either of the DSL prescriptions for the level of 50 dBA. The speech reception threshold measured using the Common Phrases Test and the levels required for identification of the Ling 5 sounds were higher (worse) for the NAL-NL1 prescription than for the DSL prescriptions. Conclusions: The higher gains prescribed by the DSL i/o and DSL V prescription methods relative to NAL-NL1 led to significantly better detection and discrimination of low-level speech sounds.
Review of the status of malnutrition and trends in Ethiopia

Background : The problem of malnutrition in Ethiopia is on the increase due to low agricultural production, low and inadequate food consumption and high disease burden. Objective : To synethisize available information on nutritional assessment in Ethiopia Methods : Trends in nutritional status assessed from three National Nutrition Surveys conducted in 1983, 1992 and 1998 by the Central Statistical Authority (CSA) and other pocket surveys on Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and Micronutrient deficiencies. Results : For the nation as a whole no major progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of child malnutrition over the last 17 years. The mean prevalence of stunting (low height for age) for all the regions increased from 59.8% in 1983 to 64% in 1992. The very recent survey of 1998 showed a decline in the level stunting i.e. 52% compared to the previous years. The prevalence of underweight children among 6-59 months olds fell from 37.3% in 1983 to 46.9% in 1992 and to 42% in 1998. Prevalence of wasting for all the regions combined had also increased. Breast-feeding and weaning practices revealed that the problem of early stunting in Ethiopia is mainly due to delayed introduction of complementary foods in the first year of life. Pocket studies on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies indicate that iron deficiency anemia, Iodine Deficiency Disorders and vitamin A deficiency are of major problems of public health significance. Conclusion : To reduce malnutrition rapidly requires focused and systematic action in the areas of health, food security, child and maternal care. A co-ordinated effort of all sectors will be needed to overcome the problem. Due to this lack of co-ordination both in addressing the problem and addressing the basic and underlying causes, malnutrition is on the increase in this country. (Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2001, 15(2): 55-74)
Competing Risks and Time‐Dependent Covariates

Time‐dependent covariates are frequently encountered in regression analysis for event history data and competing risks. They are often essential predictors, which cannot be substituted by time‐fixed covariates. This study briefly recalls the different types of time‐dependent covariates, as classified by Kalbfleisch and Prentice [The Statistical Analysis of Failure Time Data, Wiley, New York, 2002] with the intent of clarifying their role and emphasizing the limitations in standard survival models and in the competing risks setting. If random (internal) time‐dependent covariates are to be included in the modeling process, then it is still possible to estimate cause‐specific hazards but prediction of the cumulative incidences and survival probabilities based on these is no longer feasible. This article aims at providing some possible strategies for dealing with these prediction problems. In a multi‐state framework, a first approach uses internal covariates to define additional (intermediate) transient states in the competing risks model. Another approach is to apply the landmark analysis as described by van Houwelingen [Scandinavian Journal of Statistics 2007, 34, 70–85] in order to study cumulative incidences at different subintervals of the entire study period. The final strategy is to extend the competing risks model by considering all the possible combinations between internal covariate levels and cause‐specific events as final states. In all of those proposals, it is possible to estimate the changes/differences of the cumulative risks associated with simple internal covariates. An illustrative example based on bone marrow transplant data is presented in order to compare the different methods.
Tolerable Hearing Aid Delays. V. Estimation of Limits for Open Canal Fittings

Objectives: Open canal fittings are a popular alternative to close-fitting earmolds for use with patients whose low-frequency hearing is near normal. Open canal fittings reduce the occlusion effect but also provide little attenuation of external air-borne sounds. The wearer therefore receives a mixture of air-borne sound and amplified but delayed sound through the hearing aid. To explore systematically the effect of the mixing, we simulated with varying degrees of complexity the effects of both a hearing loss and a high-quality hearing aid programmed to compensate for that loss, and used normal-hearing participants to assess the processing. Design: The off-line processing was intended to simulate the percept of listening to the speech of a single (external) talker. The effect of introducing a delay on a subjective measure of speech quality (disturbance rating on a scale from 1 to 7, 7 being maximal disturbance) was assessed using both a constant gain and a gain that varied across frequency. In three experiments we assessed the effects of different amounts of delay, maximum aid gain and rate of change of gain with frequency. The simulated hearing aids were chosen to be appropriate for typical mild to moderate high-frequency losses starting at 1 or 2 kHz. Two of the experiments used simulations of linear hearing aids, whereas the third used fast-acting multichannel wide-dynamic-range compression and a simulation of loudness recruitment. In one experiment, a condition was included in which spectral ripples produced by comb-filtering were partially removed using a digital filter. Results: For linear hearing aids, disturbance increased progressively with increasing delay and with decreasing rate of change of gain; the effect of amount of gain was small when the gain varied across frequency. The effect of reducing spectral ripples was also small. When the simulation of dynamic processes was included (experiment 3), the pattern with delay remained similar, but disturbance increased with increasing gain. It is argued that this is mainly due to disturbance increasing with increasing simulated hearing loss, probably because of the dynamic processing involved in the hearing aid and recruitment simulation. Conclusions: A disturbance rating of 3 may be considered as just acceptable. This rating was reached for delays of about 5 and 6 msec, for simulated hearing losses starting at 2 and 1 kHz, respectively. The perceptual effect of reducing the spectral ripples produced by comb-filtering was small; the effect was greatest when the hearing aid gain was small and when the hearing loss started at a low frequency.
Uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy

Summary There have been significant advances in our understanding of the aetiology and management of disorders specific to Monochorionic Diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies like Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) but there is paucity of data about the management of uncomplicated MCDA twins pregnancies. It is accepted that even in the absence of specific complications, these pregnancies are associated with increased perinatal morbidity & mortality. The aim of this review is to gather evidence regarding the management of seemingly uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies.
Compatibility of a Magnetic Position Tracker with a Cochlear Implant System

Objectives: The aim of this study was to reveal possible interspersion of a magnetic position tracking device into a cochlear implant system, which could lead to harmful signals on the implanted electrode. Design: Signals at the output of the speech processor’s compression stage and at the implant’s electrode were recorded and analyzed for unwanted distortion or corrupted pulses related to the presence of the magnetic tracking device. Results: No systematic impact of a Polhemus Liberty Latus magnetic tracking system on the output signals of an Advanced Bionics HiRes90k cochlear implant and Platinum Series speech processor was found. Conclusions: The results suggest no objections for using the Polhemus Liberty Latus magnetic position tracker with the Advanced Bionics Platinum series speech processor and HiRes90k cochlear implant in research, for example, on spatial hearing. This result is likely transferable to other cochlear implants because (i) all manufacturers adhere to equally high electromagnetic interference standards and (ii) electromagnetic signals used by the transmission links of current cochlear implants and trackers differ in frequency by roughly 2 decades, making interference unlikely.