Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preeclampsia does not share common risk alleles in 9p21 with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes

Abstract Introduction: Preeclampsia is a common and partially genetic pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Association with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes has been reported in 9p21 by several genome-wide association studies. It has been hypothesized that cardiometabolic diseases may share common etiology with preeclampsia. Materials and methods: We tested association with the 9p21 region to preeclampsia in the Finnish population by genotyping 23 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 15 extended preeclampsia families and in a nationwide cohort consisting of 281 cases and 349 matched controls. Replication was conducted in additional datasets. Results: Four SNPs (rs7044859, rs496892, rs564398 and rs7865618) showed nominal association (p ≤ 0.024 uncorrected) with preeclampsia in the case-control cohort. To increase power, we genotyped two SNPs in additional 388 cases and 341 controls from the Finnish Genetics of Preeclampsia Consortium (FINNPEC) cohort. Partial replication was also attempted in a UK cohort (237 cases and 199 controls) and in 74 preeclamptic families from Australia/New Zealand. We were unable to replicate the initial association in the extended Finnish dataset or in the two international cohorts. Conclusions: Our study did not find evidence for the involvement of the 9p21 region in the risk of preeclampsia. Key Message Chromosome 9p21 is not associated with preeclampsia.
Lipid Nanocarriers with Antifungal Activity Prepared by High Pressure Homogenization

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are promising nanoparticulate delivery systems produced from blends of liquid and solid lipids. In the present paper, the influence of different synthesis parameters (e.g. pressure, homogenization cycle, surfactant and drug concentrations, lipid blends etc.) on the main particles diameters of Nystatin-loaded NLC prepared by high pressure homogenization method have been monitored by dynamic light scattering technique. NLC formulations were prepared using two different lipid mixtures (Emulgade, Glycerol monostearate and Savory oil) and using two surfactants systems as stabilizing agents. Dynamic light scattering measurements performed on NLC showed that the oil nanocompartments incorporated into NLC solid matrix provide a good distribution of the antifungal agent inside the nanocarrier system. The percentage of encapsulated Nystatin is influenced by the concentration of Savory oil and lipid blend. From the results obtained, the prepared lipid nanocarriers showed an increase of Nystatin entrapment for 1% loading in comparison with 0.5% loading. Chemiluminescence assay proved that the protective activity against oxygen free radicals has been increased by incorporation of Savory oil into lipid nanocarriers.
Intelligent mechanisms for key generation from multipath wireless channels

The wireless communication channel has been found recently to have some interesting properties. In particular, it has been found that the multipath wireless channel can be leveraged for the purpose of key generation. In this paper, we investigate this property and propose an intelligent key generation method based on phase shifting and correction. Further, we discuss improvements of this approach and finally, we test our algorithm on a typical outdoor wireless channel. Our simulation results show that more than 90 bits can be generated from a single channel observation.
Is Private Health Care the Answer to the Health Problems of the World's Poor?

Background to the debate: The global burden of disease falls disproportionately upon the world's low-income countries, which are often struggling with weak health systems. Both the public and private sector deliver health care in these countries, but the appropriate role for each of these sectors in health system strengthening remains controversial. This debate examines whether the private sector should step up its involvement in the health systems of low-income countries.
Comparison of P2P Social Network Architectures

In recent years, online social networks have become very popular. Online social networks (OSN) have been useful to find former classmates or to improve our interaction with friends. Thus, a huge amount of information is generated and consumed by millions of people in these types of networks. Currently, most popular online social networks are based on centralized servers, whom are responsible management and storage all the information. Although the benefits of social networks are well known to most of us, these networks still have many challenges such as scalability, privacy or dependence. In this work, we evaluate P2P infrastructures as alternative platform for developing decentralized online social networks. In particular, we simulate and evaluate a specific social network called Tribler on two types of P2P architectures: super-peer and distributed. Our results shown that OSN based on super-peer reaches best download time than OSN based on a distributed P2P architecture.
An Exploration of the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for Modelling Survival

Medical prognosis is the prediction of the future course and outcome of a disease and an indication of the likelihood of recovery from that disease. Prognosis is important because it is used to guide the type and intensity of the medication administered to patients. Patients are usually concerned with how long they will survive after diagnosis. Survival analysis describes the analysis of data that corresponds to the time from when an individual enters a study until the occurrence of some particular event or end-point. It is concerned with the comparison of survival curves for different combinations of risk factors. Analytical methods that are transparent for the clinician’s understanding and explain individual inferences need to be considered when dealing with medical data. This thesis describes a methodology for modelling survival by utilising the application of the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). A hybrid intelligent system which combines the fuzzy logic qualitative approach and adaptive neural network capabilities towards better performance. The ANFIS approach was applied in modelling survival of breast cancer based on patient groups derived from the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). A comparison of the proposed method with the existing methods in the capability to predict the survival rate is presented. The use of a fuzzy inference system (FIS) in modelling survival is expected to offer the capability to deliver the process of turning data into knowledge that can be understood by people. The design of rules can be performed either by human experts or using appropriate iii approaches to build high quality FIS to represent the knowledge. In this thesis, represent an automatic generation of membership functions and rules from the data. Further, corresponding subsequent adjustments have been made to the model to give towards more satisfactory performance. The final premise and consequent parameters obtained are then used to predict the survival for each time interval. A framework for modelling survival with the application of fuzzy inference system and back-propagation neural network was developed and is described in this thesis. In this framework, a different way of partitioning the input space can be selected to define the membership functions for examples using expert knowledge, equaliser partitioning, fuzzy c-means or subtractive clustering techniques. Further, the rule base can be established by enumerating all possible combinations of membership functions of all inputs. After the initialisation of the fuzzy inference structure, the replication data (until time to event) will be subject to training using the gradient descent and nonnegative least square algorithm to estimate the conditional event probability. This framework is validated over a synthetic dataset and a novel dataset of patients following operative surgery of ovarian cancer. The proposed framework can be applied to estimate the hazard and survival curve between different prognostic factors and survival time with the explanation capabilities.
SimTrust: A New Method of Trust Network Generation

Trust can be used for neighbor formation to generate automated recommendations. User assigned explicit rating data can be used for this purpose. However, the explicit rating data is not always available. In this paper we present a new method of generating trust network based on user’s interest similarity. To identify the interest similarity, we use user’s personalized tag information. This trust network can be used to find the neighbors to make automated recommendation. Our experiment result shows that the precision of the proposed method outperforms the traditional collaborative filtering approach.
The impact of synapsin III gene on the neurometabolite level alterations after single-dose methylphenidate in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder patients

Objective To investigate the neurometabolite level changes according to synapsin III gene rs133945G>A and rs133946C>G polymorphisms by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Fifty-seven adults diagnosed with ADHD were recruited for the study. The participants were examined by single-voxel 1H MRS when medication naïve and 30 minutes after oral administration of 10 mg methylphenidate (Mph). Those who had been on a stimulant discontinued the medication 48 hours before MRS imaging. Spectra were taken from the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum, and N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline, and creatine levels were examined. For genotyping of the synapsin III gene polymorphisms, DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. The effects of age, sex, and ADHD subtypes were controlled in the analyses. Results After a single dose of Mph, choline levels increased significantly in the striatum of rs133945G>A polymorphism-GG genotypes (P=0.020) and NAA levels rose in the anterior cingulate cortex of rs133946C>G polymorphism-CG genotypes (P=0.014). Both rs133945G>A and rs133946C>G polymorphisms were found to statistically significantly affect the alteration of NAA levels in response to Mph in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with two-way repeated measure of analysis of variance. Post hoc comparisons revealed a significant difference between CG and GG genotypes of rs133946C>G polymorphisms after Bonferroni adjustment (P=0.016). Conclusion Synapsin III gene polymorphisms may be affecting the changes in neurometabolite levels in response to Mph in adult ADHD patients. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Clinical Risk Factors Associated with Anti-Epileptic Drug Responsiveness in Canine Epilepsy

The nature and occurrence of remission, and conversely, pharmacoresistance following epilepsy treatment is still not fully understood in human or veterinary medicine. As such, predicting which patients will have good or poor treatment outcomes is imprecise, impeding patient management. In the present study, we use a naturally occurring animal model of pharmacoresistant epilepsy to investigate clinical risk factors associated with treatment outcome. Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, for which no underlying cause was identified, were treated at a canine epilepsy clinic and monitored following discharge from a small animal referral hospital. Clinical data was gained via standardised owner questionnaires and longitudinal follow up data was gained via telephone interview with the dogs’ owners. At follow up, 14% of treated dogs were in seizure-free remission. Dogs that did not achieve remission were more likely to be male, and to have previously experienced cluster seizures. Seizure frequency or the total number of seizures prior to treatment were not significant predictors of pharmacoresistance, demonstrating that seizure density, that is, the temporal pattern of seizure activity, is a more influential predictor of pharmacoresistance. These results are in line with clinical studies of human epilepsy, and experimental rodent models of epilepsy, that patients experiencing episodes of high seizure density (cluster seizures), not just a high seizure frequency pre-treatment, are at an increased risk of drug-refractoriness. These data provide further evidence that the dog could be a useful naturally occurring epilepsy model in the study of pharmacoresistant epilepsy.
Psychiatrische Ratingskalen in der Routinediagnostik

Psychiatrische Ratingskalen haben bisher nur zögerlich Eingang in die klinische Praxis gefunden. Die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig. So spielenmangelnde Kenntnisse und Wissen der Anwender hinsichtlich der Möglichkeiten des Einsatzes dieser Verfahrensgruppen eine Rolle oder geringe Zeitressourcen, aber auch Defizite bestehender Behandlungsleitlinien hinsichtlich expliziter und differenzierter Stellungnahmen zu ihrer Anwendung.
Trends in the mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Taiwan, 1981-2002.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The reported prevalence, morbidity and mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies in different countries due to actual differences and to differences in classification criteria. This study analyzed the trends in COPD mortality and its rank among leading causes of death in Taiwan. METHODS Using national mortality and population data, we identified COPD as a cause of death according to codes 490 (bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic), 491 (chronic bronchitis), 492 (emphysema) as has been officially calculated previously in Taiwan, and by adding code 496 (chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified) of the ninth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9). We calculated crude, age-adjusted and age-specific mortality rates and analyzed the rank of COPD as a cause of death for the period from 1981 to 2002. RESULTS Crude COPD mortality was unchanged from 1981 to 1993 at 8.26 to 8.47 deaths per 100,000 population, and steadily increased thereafter to 17.88 per 100,000 in 2002. After age standardization, mortality decreased from 8.26 to 4.91 per 100,000 population from 1981 to 1993 and then increased to a peak of 7.36 per 100,000 in 1999. This increase was due to greater increase in mortality in men. COPD mortality decreased steadily throughout the study period in those younger than 65 years while in older groups, it decreased during 1981-1991 and then increased. ICD-9 code A323 (including codes 490-493) has been previously used in official mortality data for asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema in Taiwan without inclusion of a specific code for chronic airway obstruction. According to our analysis, this method underestimated two-thirds of real overall mortality due to COPD and asthma. By including COPD and asthma, the obstructive airway disease category increased from 11th to sixth as a cause of death in 2002. CONCLUSIONS In Taiwan, mortality rates for COPD decreased from 1981 to 1993 and increased thereafter, which is largely attributable to increased rates in men. COPD is increasingly important and a leading cause of death in Taiwan.
Information leaflet and antibiotic prescribing strategies for acute lower respiratory tract infection: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Acute lower respiratory tract infection is the most common condition treated in primary care. Many physicians still prescribe antibiotics; however, systematic reviews of the use of antibiotics are small and have diverse conclusions. OBJECTIVE To estimate the effectiveness of 3 prescribing strategies and an information leaflet for acute lower respiratory tract infection. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS A randomized controlled trial conducted from August 18, 1998, to July 30, 2003, of 807 patients presenting in a primary care setting with acute uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection. Patients were assigned to 1 of 6 groups by a factorial design: leaflet or no leaflet and 1 of 3 antibiotic groups (immediate antibiotics, no offer of antibiotics, and delayed antibiotics). INTERVENTION Three strategies, immediate antibiotics (n = 262), a delayed antibiotic prescription (n = 272), and no offer of antibiotics (n = 273), were prescribed. Approximately half of each group received an information leaflet (129 for immediate antibiotics, 136 for delayed antibiotic prescription, and 140 for no antibiotics). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Symptom duration and severity. RESULTS A total of 562 patients (70%) returned complete diaries and 78 (10%) provided information about both symptom duration and severity. Cough rated at least "a slight problem" lasted a mean of 11.7 days (25% of patients had a cough lasting > or =17 days). An information leaflet had no effect on the main outcomes. Compared with no offer of antibiotics, other strategies did not alter cough duration (delayed, 0.75 days; 95% confidence intervals [CI], -0.37 to 1.88; immediate, 0.11 days; 95% CI, -1.01 to 1.24) or other primary outcomes. Compared with the immediate antibiotic group, slightly fewer patients in the delayed and control groups used antibiotics (96%, 20%, and 16%, respectively; P<.001), fewer patients were "very satisfied" (86%, 77%, and 72%, respectively; P = .005), and fewer patients believed in the effectiveness of antibiotics (75%, 40%, and 47%, respectively; P<.001). There were lower reattendances within a month with antibiotics (mean attendances for no antibiotics, 0.19; delayed, 0.12; and immediate, 0.11; P = .04) and higher attendance with a leaflet (mean attendances for no leaflet, 0.11; and leaflet, 0.17; P = .02). CONCLUSION No offer or a delayed offer of antibiotics for acute uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection is acceptable, associated with little difference in symptom resolution, and is likely to considerably reduce antibiotic use and beliefs in the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Selected Proteins of “Prostasome-Like Particles” from Epididymal Cauda Fluid Are Transferred to Epididymal Caput Spermatozoa in Bull1

Abstract During epididymal transit, spermatozoa acquire selected proteins secreted by epithelial cells. We recently showed that P25b, a protein with predictive properties for bull fertility, is transferred from prostasome-like particles present in the cauda epididymal fluid (PLPCd) to the sperm surface. To further characterize the interactions between PLPCd and epididymal spermatozoa, PLPCd were prepared by ultracentrifugation of bull epididymal fluid, then surface-exposed proteins were biotinylated and coincubated in different conditions with caput epididymal spermatozoa. Western blot analysis revealed that only selected proteins are transferred from PLPCd to spermatozoa. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that these transferred proteins are closely related. The pattern of distribution of the PLPCd transferred varied from one sperm cell to the other, with a bias toward the acrosomal cap. This transfer appeared to be temperature sensitive, being more efficient at 32–37°C than at 22°C. Transfer of PLPCd proteins to spermatozoa was also pH dependant, the optimal pH for transfer being 6.0–6.5. The effect of divalent cations on PLPCd protein transfer to caput spermatozoa was investigated. Whereas Mg2+ and Ca2+ have no effect on the amount of proteins remaining associated with spermatozoa following coincubation, Zn2+ had a beneficial effect. These results are discussed with regard to the function of PLPCd in epididymal sperm maturation.
Recurrent atypical giant meningioma in the third ventricle of a child

This article reports the first case of recurrent atypical meningioma in the third ventricle of a 12-year-old boy. As tumor invasion into cerebral tissues signifies a higher recurrence rate, complete excision of the tumor under the microscope without injury to normal cerebral tissues is essential. Follow-up examinations must be conducted for a sufficient length of time to detect early recurrence and provide timely treatment.
A Critical Review of Studies On Intrinsic Motivation

Most of us would agree that intrinsic motivation is one of the most important concepts in educational practice. Unfortunately, however, as some researchers have suggested, the concept of intrinsic motivation is so ambiguous that it is very difficult to distinguish it from similar motivational concepts such as the Origin-Pawn and Locus of Control conceptualizations. The purpose of this paper is to make the concept clear by considering trends in conceptualizations of and studies on intrinsic motivation from historical point of view. It is found that the main issue of the studies shifted from "cognitive motivation" (what makes tasks interesting) to "undermining and enhancing effects" of interpersonal and evaluative variables. It is concluded that intrinsic motivation is defined as a motivational state in which learning is undertaken for its own sake and that the mastery orientation and autonomy are its essential components.
A Prospective One-Year Outcome Study of Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management: Compromising Its Efficacy by Managed Care Policies

Although interdisciplinary pain management programs are both therapeutically effective as well as cost-effective, they are currently being underutilized because of managed care policies. We used this prospective comparison trial, with 1-yr follow-up of chronic pain patients, to demonstrate the short- and long-term efficacy of an interdisciplinary pain management program, and evaluate the impact of managed care’s physical therapy “carve out” practices on these treatment outcomes. Consecutive chronic pain patients (n = 201) were evaluated, some of whom had their physical therapy “carved out” from this integrated program. Results revealed that successful completion of interdisciplinary pain management was therapeutically effective. Most importantly, physical therapy “carved out” practices had a negative impact on both the short-term and 1-yr follow-up outcome measures. Thus, interdisciplinary pain management is effective in treating the major health problem of chronic pain. However, insurance carrier policies of contracting treatment “carve outs” significantly compromise the efficacy of this evidence-based, best standard of medical care treatment. This raises important medico-legal and ethical issues.
Maximum Downside Semi Deviation Stochastic Programming for Portfolio Optimization Problem

Portfolio optimization is an important research field in financial decision making. The chief character within optimization problems is the uncertainty of future returns. Probabilistic methods are used alongside optimization techniques. Markowitz (1952, 1959) introduced the concept of risk into the problem and used a mean-variance model to identify risk with the volatility (variance) of the random objective. The mean-risk optimization paradigm has since been expanded extensively both theoretically and computationally. A single stage and two stage stochastic programming model with recourse are presented for risk averse investors with the objective of minimizing the maximum downside semideviation. The models employ the here-and-now approach, where a decision-maker makes a decision before observing the actual outcome for a stochastic parameter. The optimal portfolios from the two models are compared with the incorporation of the deviation measure. The models are applied to the optimal selection of stocks listed in Bursa Malaysia and the return of the optimal portfolio is compared between the two stochastic models. Results show that the two stage model outperforms the single stage model for the optimal and in-sample analysis.