Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and bulimia nervosa: analysis of 4 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND Impulsivity is a common feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and evidence suggests that impulsivity traits may be an indicator of poor prognosis for individuals with bulimia nervosa. To identify whether there is an association between ADHD and bulimia nervosa, the authors systematically examined data from children and adults with and without ADHD. METHOD We systematically identified rates of bulimia nervosa in individuals with and without ADHD (DSM-III-R criteria) in our 2 large pediatric and 2 large adult samples (N = 522 children, 742 adults). Subjects were assessed from the late 1980s to February 1999. RESULTS In the 2 samples of adults with and without ADHD, significantly greater rates of bulimia nervosa were identified in women with versus without ADHD (12% vs. 3%, p < .05 for 1 sample and 11% vs. 1%, p < .05 for the other sample). No significant differences in rates of bulimia nervosa were identified in men or children with ADHD when compared to sex-matched control subjects. CONCLUSION Although preliminary and requiring further confirmation, these findings suggest that ADHD may be associated with bulimia nervosa in some women. If confirmed, this association between bulimia nervosa and ADHD could have important clinical and therapeutic implications.
Anticonvulsant action of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica and sodium valproateA comparative study in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures

Background: Antiepileptics available currently cause teratogenicity and chronic toxicity. Several plant extracts exhibit the potential to be developed into newer antiepileptics. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the anticonvulsant action of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica and compare it with sodium valproate in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in albino mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male albino mice weighing 18–30 g were divided into four groups. Group I was administered distilled water, group II sodium valproate (300 mg/kg i.p.), and groups III and IV aqueous extract of C. asiatica (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), respectively. Seizures were induced by giving PTZ (80 mg/kg s.c.) 1 h after administration of the respective treatments. Suppression of clonic seizure was considered as an indicator of anticonvulsant action of the compound. Result: The aqueous extract of C. asiatica at both doses (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) suppressed the clonic seizures in mice, and this was statistically significant. The anticonvulsant action of the extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg was comparable to that of sodium valproate in this study. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of C. asiatica at a dose of 300 mg/kg has shown anticonvulsant action comparable to sodium valproate in PTZ-induced seizures.
Comorbid social withdrawal (hikikomori) in outpatients with social anxiety disorder: Clinical characteristics and treatment response in a case series

Background: Severe social withdrawal (called hikikomori, and defined as isolation lasting more than six months and not due to an apparent mental disorder) has drawn increasing public attention in Japan. It is unclear whether hikikomori is merely a symptom or syndrome of social withdrawal. Aim: To evaluate this phenomenon in relationship to social anxiety disorder (SAD), as few previous studies have. Methods: One hundred and forty-one consecutive patients with SAD diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria by a semi-structured interview were treated with a combination of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and group activity. Results: Twenty-seven (19%) SAD patients fulfilled the criteria for hikikomori, and these patients had earlier onset, more symptoms and less education than non-hikikomori SAD patients. Only 33% of hikikomori SAD patients spontaneously complained of SAD symptoms at first visit. There were no diagnostic differences between hikikomori and non-hikikomori SAD patients, except that comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder was more frequent in hikikomori SAD patients. Functional impairment in 10 (37%) hikikomori SAD patients improved after several years of combination therapy. Conclusion: Hikikomori may serve as a proxy for a severe form of SAD. Patients with comorbid SAD and hikikomori have lower treatment response rates than those with SAD alone.
Effects of Olive Leaf and Marigold Extracts on the Utilization of Nutrients and on Bone Mineralization using Two Different Oil Sources in Broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of olive leaf and marigold extracts on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of the principal nutrients and energy, as well as on mineral utilization (Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) in relation to bone characteristics in broilers fed walnut- or linseed oil-supplemented diets. Thirty-six 12-day-old commercial broilers Ross 308 were reared in metabolic cages, assigned to one of the six dietary treatments (3 × 2 factorial design): three supplements (not supplemented, olive leaf extract, or marigold extract), and two oils (walnut or linseed oil). The results showed that the marigold extract reduced Zn and P balances and tended to lower the balance of ash and Mg, and the ATTD of Zn and Mg. Diets with linseed oil increased the ATTD of acid detergent fiber and reduced the ATTD of the organic residue and Cu. No differences in the bone characteristics of tibia were observed between treatments. These results indicated that the inclusion of marigold extract had a negative effect on the Zn and P balance, and that neither extract had any major effect on the digestion and utilization of energy and other investigated nutrients, or on bone mineralization, irrespective of the oil source included in the diet.
Wide range linearity improvement technique for linear wideband LNA

This paper proposes a wideband linearity improvement technique for the CS-CG cascode structure in the Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA), in which the linearity of both CS and CG stages are improved simultaneously. At relatively low frequencies, the noise and nonlinearity contributions mainly come from the CS stage and a post-distortion method is adopted to eliminate the third-order harmonic. As the frequency increases, the nonlinearity and noise contribution of the CG stage becomes more severe due to its parasitic capacitances. A transformer feedback structure is proposed to increase the gain and reduce the noise, thereby improving the linearity of the CG stage. The linearization technique is applied to an ultra-wideband (UWB) cascode LNA to evaluate effectiveness. The designed LNA achieves a S11 of less than −10 dB in a wide frequency range of 2.1–7.6GHz and a gain of more than 10 dB with a peak of 11.7 dB. Over this range, a minimum NF of 3.4 dB and a relatively high IIP3 of greater than 10 dBm with a 15.7 dBm peak are achieved. The results indicate that the proposed technique effectively improves the linearity of the cascode LNA in a wide range of frequencies. At the same time, NF and gain performance are also improved.
A 0.5-V 5.5-GHz class-C-VCO-based PLL with ultra-low-power ILFO in 65 nm CMOS

In this paper, an ultra-low-power 5.5-GHz PLL is proposed which employs the new divide-by-4 injection-locked frequency divider (ILFD) and a class-C VCO for operation under a power supply of 0.5 V. A forward-body-biasing (FBB) technique can decrease threshold voltage of MOS transistors, which can improve operation frequency and can widen the lock range of the ILFD. The double-switch injection technique is also proposed to widen the lock range of the ILFD. The proposed PLL was fabricated in 65nm CMOS. The whole circuit consumes 1.6 mW under the power supply of 0.5V. With a 34.6-MHz reference, it shows a 1-MHz-offset phase noise of -105 dBc/Hz and a reference spur level lower than -65dBc at 5.5 GHz.
Inflammation, A beta deposition, and neurofibrillary tangle formation as correlates of Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration.

We evaluated entorhinal cortex and superior frontal gyrus for hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, including inflammation, in three patient sets: AD patients, nondemented elderly patients with few or no neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid beta peptide (A beta) deposits, i.e. normal controls (NC), and nondemented elderly patients with profuse entorhinal cortex NFTs and neocortical A beta deposits, i.e. high pathology controls (HPC). Membrane attack complex (C5b-9) immunoreactivity and immune activation of microglia (MHCII expression) were used as general markers for inflammation. Compared to NC patients, AD patients exhibited significant cortical synapse loss, A beta deposition, NFT formation, and inflammation. HPC patients also had significantly elevated A beta deposition and NFT formation, but there was no evidence of synapse loss and little or no evidence of inflammation. Across patients and brain regions the measures of inflammation each accounted for significant percentages of the variance in synaptophysin immunoreactivity and each was more highly correlated with synapse estimates than NFT formation or A beta deposition.
Chromatin remodeler CHD1 promotes XPC‐to‐TFIIH handover of nucleosomal UV lesions in nucleotide excision repair

Ultraviolet (UV) light induces mutagenic cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in nucleosomal DNA that is tightly wrapped around histone octamers. How global‐genome nucleotide excision repair (GG‐NER) processes CPDs despite that this chromatin arrangement is poorly understood. An increased chromatin association of CHD1 (chromodomain helicase DNA‐binding 1) upon UV irradiation indicated possible roles of this chromatin remodeler in the UV damage response. Immunoprecipitation of chromatin fragments revealed that CHD1 co‐localizes in part with GG‐NER factors. Chromatin fractionation showed that the UV‐dependent recruitment of CHD1 occurs to UV lesions in histone‐assembled nucleosomal DNA and that this CHD1 relocation requires the lesion sensor XPC (xeroderma pigmentosum group C). In situ immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrate that CHD1 facilitates substrate handover from XPC to the downstream TFIIH (transcription factor IIH). Consequently, CHD1 depletion slows down CPD excision and sensitizes cells to UV‐induced cytotoxicity. The finding of a CHD1‐driven lesion handover between sequentially acting GG‐NER factors on nucleosomal histone octamers suggests that chromatin provides a recognition scaffold enabling the detection of a subset of CPDs.
Detection of global abnormal events in crowded scenes

In this paper, we propose a novel method for global abnormal events detection in crowded scenes. Each video is described as the set of overlapping space-time cubes. The histogram of optical flow orientation and motion magnitude are used as global feature descriptor to capture the motion magnitude and orientation of the normal and abnormal events. The motion-rich space-time cubes are selected to enhance the computational speed of the algorithm and omit background subtraction step, forms the proposed approach novel and unique. Simple and cost-effective one-class SVM classifier is used to distinguish between normal and abnormal events in a video. The one-class SVM classifier is trained with normal events from the training data. The proposed method is tested on benchmark UMN and PETS2009 dataset. The improved results are reported to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.
Detection of Hemagglutinin Variants of the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Virus by Pyrosequencing

ABSTRACT For influenza viruses, pyrosequencing has been successfully applied to the high-throughput detection of resistance markers in genes encoding the drug-targeted M2 protein and neuraminidase. In this study, we expanded the utility of this assay to the detection of multiple receptor binding variants of the hemagglutinin protein of influenza viruses directly in clinical specimens. Specifically, a customized pyrosequencing protocol that permits detection of virus variants with the D, G, N, or E amino acid at position 222 in the hemagglutinin of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was developed. This customized pyrosequencing protocol was applied to the analysis of 241 clinical specimens. The use of the optimized nucleotide dispensation order allowed detection of mixtures of variants in 10 samples (4.1%) which the standard cyclic nucleotide dispensation protocol failed to detect. The optimized pyrosequencing protocol is expected to provide a more accurate tool in the analysis of virus variant composition.
Quantitative Aspects of Inhibition of Virus Replication by Interferon in Chick Embryo Cell Cultures

Hallum, J. V. (University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.), and J. S. Youngner. Quantitative aspects of inhibition of virus replication by interferon in chick embryo cell cultures. J. Bacteriol. 92:1047–1050. 1966. —The effect of interferon on single cycles of replication of vesicular stomatitis virus and Mahoney poliovirus ribonucleic acid was studied in chick embryo cell cultures. The results showed that the titer of a given interferon preparation was independent of the input multiplicity of the challenge virus. In addition, the increase in virus yield with increasing virus challenge was a function of the number of infected cells, each of which yielded progeny at a level determined by the concentration of interferon to which the cells were exposed. These findings are not compatible with the concept that increases in the size of the virus challenge reverse or overcome protection of cells by interferon.
Comparison of Adjacent Segment Degeneration After Nonrigid Fixation System and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Single-Level Lumbar Disc Herniation: A New Method of MRI Analysis of Lumbar Nucleus Pulposus Volume

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the influence of a nonrigid fixation system and posterior lumbar interbody fusion on adjacent intervertebral disc degeneration by using MRI analysis of lumbar nucleus pulposus volume for single-level lumbar disc herniation. Materials and Methods: We selected 112 patients who underwent nonrigid fixation (17 men and 44 women) or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (13 men and 38 women) for this retrospective study. Based on the T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans taken preoperatively, and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery, the nucleus pulposus in the upper segments of the operated level was considered an ellipsoid, and their volumes were measured respectively and then compared between the two groups. Results: The posterior lumbar interbody fusion group had significantly lower lumbar nucleus pulposus volume than the nonrigid fixation group at 12 (4.04 ± 1.42 vs. 5.25 ± 1.47 mm3) and 24 months (4.16 ± 0.89 vs. 5.06 ± 1.23 mm3), and had the highest nucleus pulposus. Meanwhile, the h value in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion group was notably smaller than the preoperative level at 12 (0.46 ± 0.03 vs. 0.55 ± 0.05 mm) and 24 months (0.44 ± 0.03 vs. 0.55 ± 0.05 mm). Conclusions: MRI analysis of lumbar nucleus pulposus volume is a new and quantitative method of analysis, which is a considerable method and contributes to the detection of severe intervertebral disc degeneration. Based on this new method, nonrigid fixation demonstrates excellent outcomes on the adjacent segment in comparison with posterior lumbar interbody fusion.
Evaluation of the Impact of a New Synthetic Vitamin E-Bonded Membrane on the Hypo-Responsiveness to the Erythropoietin Therapy in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study

Background: Oxidative stress has been related to hypo-response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to verify whether vitamin E (ViE) on a synthetic polysulfone dialyzer can improve ESA responsiveness. Methods: This controlled, multicenter study involved 93 HD patients on stable ESA therapy, who were randomized to either ViE-coated polysulfone dialyzer or to a low-flux synthetic dialyzer. The primary outcome measure was the change in ESA resistance index (ERI) from baseline. Results: Mean ERI decreased in the ViE group by 1.45 IU/kg*g/dl and increased in the control group by 0.53 IU/kg*g/dl, with a mean difference of 1.98 IU/kg*g/dl (p = 0.001 after adjusting for baseline ERI, as foreseen by the study protocol). Baseline ERI was inversely related to its changes during follow-up only in the control group (R2 = 0.29). Conclusions: The ViE dialyzer can improve ESA response in HD patients. Changes in ERI during follow-up are independent from baseline ERI only in the ViE group. Video Journal Club ‘Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco' at http://www.karger. com/? doi=453442.
Investigation on the Oil Supply System of a Scroll Compressor

The startup process of the scroll compressor oil supply system is important for scroll compressor reliability and performance. Since the bearings are running dry when a scroll compressor starts, the bearing dry time is an important design parameter as well. When a scroll compressor starts, the oil sump, bearings, and shaft interact with each other and form an oil supply system. The working mechanism of this oil supply system is complex and dynamic. To characterize the oil supply system and achieve high reliability of scroll compressors, a numerical study is embarked. The model integrates the oil sump, oil gallery inside the shaft, and bearing system together to define the major features of the oil supply system. Two operating parameters are studied using the numerical model developed. The first parameter is the oil depth inside the oil sump. When oil is pumped into the gallery and bearings, the oil sump depth changes gradually with time. This change of depth impacts the lubrication capacity of the oil system. Since the sump has an open surface, the surface shape is a function of time and waves form inside the compressor. These surface waves interact with oil flow inside the gallery and bearings. It is necessary to include them in the analysis to determine the performance characteristics of the oil supply system. The second parameter is the fluid viscosity. The change in oil viscosity is caused by refrigerant absorbed in the oil and heat transfer between the motor and oil. A total of four cases are analyzed comparatively. The physical mechanisms controlling oil supply rate are defined. The oil supply rate and the dry periods of the bearings are obtained. The results can be used to design and optimize the oil supply system of scroll compressors.
Laparoscopic colon surgery: unreliability of end‐tidal CO2 monitoring

Background: The relatively good haemodynamic and respiratory tolerance to abdominal CO2 insufflation has mostly been observed in healthy patients during short‐lasting laparoscopic procedures. End‐tidal CO2 pressure (PetCO2) has been shown to be a reliable method to assess arterial CO2 (PaCO2) in the absence of cardio‐respiratory disease in this setting. However, no study has investigated whether PetCO2 is accurately related to PaCO2 during laparoscopic colon surgery. Indeed, these procedures last longer, prolonging the pneumoperitoneum and requiring a Trendelenburg position. The aim of the present study was to measure the PaCO2–PetCO2 difference over time in patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery and to determine whether PaCO2 is reliably assessed by PetCO2.
Testing Missing at Random Using Instrumental Variables

This article proposes a test for missing at random (MAR). The MAR assumption is shown to be testable given instrumental variables which are independent of response given potential outcomes. A nonparametric testing procedure based on integrated squared distance is proposed. The statistic’s asymptotic distribution under the MAR hypothesis is derived. In particular, our results can be applied to testing missing completely at random (MCAR). A Monte Carlo study examines finite sample performance of our test statistic. An empirical illustration analyzes the nonresponse mechanism in labor income questions.
A Modification of Training and Recognition Algorithms for Recognition of Abnormal Behavior of Dynamic Systems

We consider the problem of automatic construction of algorithms for recognition of abnormal behavior segments in phase trajectories of dynamic systems. The recognition algorithm is constructed using a set of examples of normal and abnormal behavior of the system. We use axiomatic approach to abnormal behavior recognition to construct abnormal behavior recognizers. In this paper we propose a modification of the genetic recognizer construction algorithm and a novel DTW-based recognition algorithm within this approach. The proposed modification reduces search space for the training algorithm and gives the recognition algorithm more information about phase trajectories. Results of experimental evaluation show that the proposed modification allows to reduce the number of recognition errors by an order of magnitude and to reduce the training time by a factor of 2 in comparison to the existing recognizer and recognizer construction algorithm.
Colour Doppler Evaluation of Extracranial Carotid Artery in Patients Presenting with Acute Ischemic Stroke and Correlation with Various Risk Factors.

INTRODUCTION Stroke is defined as an abrupt onset of neurologic deficit due to vascular cause. It is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity all over the world making early diagnosis and treatment inevitable. Lesions of extra cranial carotid arteries are implicated in majority of cases of acute ischemic stroke. Carotid Doppler is a non-invasive imaging technique, with sensitivity approaching that of angiography. Computed Tomography (CT) plays a major role to assess the site and nature of the lesion in patients with acute ischemic stroke. AIM To evaluate the role of carotid Doppler sonography in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke and find association between carotid artery stenosis and risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted on 50 patients. CT scan was done to diagnose acute ischemic stroke in patients who presented to emergency medicine with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke. Retrospectively CIMT and plaque characterization were done by gray scale ultrasound. Site and severity of stenosis were assessed on colour Doppler. All these findings were correlated with clinical presentation and risk factors. The collected data was statistically analyzed and multivariant logistic regression (R-value) test of significance was applied by using SPSS 16.0 version software. RESULTS On carotid Doppler, ICA/CCA PSV ratio was good predictor of stenosis and ratio above three indicates significant stenosis (>60%). Carotid bulb was most common location of plaque formation. Hypertension and diabetes were the most prevalent risk factors for cerebral ischemic stroke. Out of total 50 patients, 32 had hypertension (64%) and 22 had diabetes (44%). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia showed maximum mean R-values (0.275 and 0.048 respectively) and positive correlation with stenosis and increased CIMT in acute ischemic stroke patients. CONCLUSION The present study highlights the importance of Doppler sonography in acute ischemic stroke patients through surveillance of atherosclerosis.