Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of various modalities of psychotherapy for personality disorders: A systematic review of the evidence and clinical recommendations

The aim of this paper is to review the level of empirical evidence for four different formats and settings that are available for psychotherapy delivery, i.e., group psychotherapy, out-patient individual psychotherapy, day hospital psychotherapy, and in-patient psychotherapy. The focus is on studies which include a wide range of DSM-IV-TR Axis II personality disorders. The results show that various psychotherapeutic treatments have proven to be efficacious with respect to reducing symptomatology and personality pathology, and improving social functioning in patients with Cluster A, B, C, or not-otherwise-specified personality disorders. This is especially true for cognitive-behaviorally or psychodynamically oriented out-patient individual psychotherapies. However, some evidence indicates that this also applies to (1) long-term, psychodynamically oriented group psychotherapy, (2) short-term, psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy in a day hospital setting, and (3) various duration variants of psychodynamically oriented, in-patient psychotherapy programmes. The available evidence mostly applies to borderline, dependent, avoidant and not-otherwise-specified personality disorder, and perhaps also paranoid, obsessive-compulsive, and schizotypal personality disorder. It is unknown whether these conclusions also apply to schizoid, antisocial, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorder.
MALDI-TOF typing highlights geographical and fluconazole resistance clusters in Candida glabrata.

Utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectra for Candida glabrata typing would be a cost-effective and easy-to-use alternative to classical DNA-based typing methods. This study aimed to use MALDI-TOF for the typing of C. glabrata clinical isolates from various geographical origins and test its capacity to differentiate between fluconazole-sensitive and -resistant strains.Both microsatellite length polymorphism (MLP) and MALDI-TOF mass spectra of 58 C. glabrata isolates originating from Marseilles (France) and Tunis (Tunisia) as well as collection strains from diverse geographic origins were analyzed. The same analysis was conducted on a subset of C. glabrata isolates that were either susceptible (MIC ≤ 8 mg/l) or resistant (MIC ≥ 64 mg/l) to fluconazole.According to the seminal results, both MALDI-TOF and MLP classifications could highlight C. glabrata population structures associated with either geographical dispersal barriers (p < 10(-5)) or the selection of antifungal drug resistance traits (<10(-5)). In conclusion, MALDI-TOF geographical clustering was congruent with MPL genotyping and highlighted a significant population genetic structure according to fluconazole susceptibility in C. glabrata. Furthermore, although MALDI-TOF and MLP resulted in distinct classifications, MALDI-TOF also classified the isolates with respect to their fluconazole susceptibility profile. Further prospective studies are required to evaluate the capacity of MALDI-TOF typing to investigate C. glabrata infection outbreaks and predict the antifungal susceptibility profile of clinical laboratory isolates.
Acanthosis Nigricansin PCOS Patients and Its Relation with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Body Mass at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India.

BACKGROUND Acanthosis nigricansis was viewed recently as a possible marker of an increased risk for diabetes. Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) can help in identifying the patients with an increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) cases. Hence, this study was carried to know the prevalence of AN in PCOS and its correlation with diabetes mellitus and the body mass. METHODS A prospective, longitudinal study in the patients with PCOS, who attended the Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College [KMC] Hospital, Attavar, Mangalore, Karnatka, India between December 2008 to April 2010, was carried out. A total of 119 patients with PCOS were included in the study. A complete history, along with the demographic data of the patients who were aged between 15-35 years, were considered for the analysis. RESULTS AN was observed in 56% of the PCOS patients. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist circumference were significantly higher in the PCOS patients with AN, as compared to those without AN. Among the 119 PCOS patients,77% were found to have BMI values which were above the normal. Among the obese PCOS patients, 58% had BMI values of more than 30kg/m(2) as compared to 19% of the patients who did not have AN. Type 2 DM was observed in 77% of the PCOS patients with AN, while none of the PCOS patients were found to be diabetic among those without AN. A family history of DM in the first degree relatives was present in all the patients with AN. The results were analyzed by the Mann Whitney U test for the continuous data and by the Chi square test for the categorical data. CONCLUSION The PCOS patients who had a family history of diabetes and obesity with a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m(2) and a waist circumference of ≥ 90 cm were more likely to develop AN, which is a marker of hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance. Identifying such PCOS patients will stimulate the discussions of the lifestyle modifications in the primary care setting.
Biofilter Treatment of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Reformulated Paint: Complex Mixtures, Intermittent Operation, and Startup

Abstract Two biofilters were operated to treat a waste gas stream intended to simulate off-gases generated during the manufacture of reformulated paint. The model waste gas stream consisted of a five-component solvent mixture containing acetone (450 ppmv), methyl ethyl ketone (12 ppmv), toluene (29 ppmv), ethylbenzene (10 ppmv), and p-xylene (10 ppmv). The two biofilters, identical in construction and packed with a polyurethane foam support medium, were inoculated with an enrichment culture derived from compost and then subjected to different loading conditions during the startup phase of operation. One biofilter was subjected to intermittent loading conditions with contaminants supplied only 8 hr/day to simulate loading conditions expected at facilities where manufacturing operations are discontinuous. The other biofilter was subjected to continuous contaminant loading during the initial start period, and then was switched to intermittent loading conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that both startup strategies can ultimately achieve high contaminant removal efficiency (>99%) at a target contaminant mass loading rate of 80.3 g m−3 hr−1 and an empty bed residence time of 59 sec. The biofilter subjected to intermittent loading conditions at startup, however, took considerably longer to reach high performance. In both biofilters, ketone components (acetone and methyl ethyl ketone) were more rapidly degraded than aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, ethylbenzene, and p-xylene). Scanning electron microscopy and plate count data revealed that fungi, as well as bacteria, populated the biofilters.
Homozygous SCN5A mutation in Brugada syndrome with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and structural heart abnormalities.

AIMS To describe a patient showing monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, ECG aspect of Brugada syndrome, and structural heart abnormalities due to a homozygous missense mutation in SCN5A. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirteen subjects (six males, seven females, mean age 46 +/- 22 years) belonging to the same family underwent physical examination, basal biochemical marker detection, 12-lead ECG, Holter ECG, signal-averaged ECG, echocardiogram and genetic analysis. The proband underwent a stress test together with left and right ventricular angiography and electrophysiological study. Three subjects (the proband, his mother, and one brother) showed on ECG an ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads with coved type aspect. Moreover, the proband presented a sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (left bundle branch block aspect with superior axis), whereas all other family members were asymptomatic. Imaging techniques documented right ventricular structural abnormalities only in the proband. Mutation screening in SCN5A gene was performed in the proband and in available family members. The proband carries a novel SCN5A mutation, R814Q, in homozygous, whereas the parents and four siblings were heterozygous carriers of the same mutation. CONCLUSION This study provides the first evidence of a homozygous missense mutation in SCN5A associated with atypical ventricular arrhythmias and right structural abnormalities.
Usefulness of cardiometabolic index for the estimation of ischemic stroke risk among general population in rural China

ABSTRACT Objectives: Cardiometabolic index (CMI) has been recognized as a novel and practical marker for the assessment of cardiometabolic risk as it is independently related to diabetes and atherosclerotic progression. This study tested the hypothesis that CMI represents a risk of ischemic stroke in a general population of rural China. Methods: From July 2012 to August 2013, we examined data from a large cross-sectional study of 11,345 participants (mean age 53.8 years; 60.8% females) who underwent biochemical determinations and anthropometric measurements in rural areas of northeast China. Ischemic stroke was documented as a history of cerebrovascular events and verified by medical record review. Results: The prevalence of ischemic stroke was given to 3.1% of females and 3.2% of males. The cardio-metabolic profile was notably more adverse in ischemic stroke groups, irrespective of gender. A dose-response manner was detected for the prevalence of ischemic stroke, exhibiting a significant increase from the lowest to the highest quartiles of CMI (1.2% to 6.4% in females, P for trend<0.001; 2.3% to 4.3% in males, P for trend = 0.017). In multivariable analysis, for every 1 SD increment in CMI, the probability of ischemic stroke increased by 18% in females and 14% in males, respectively. The odds ratios for ischemic stroke comparing the top versus bottom quartiles of CMI were 2.047 (95%CI: 1.168–3.587) for females and 1.722 (95%CI: 1.019–2.910) for males. According to the area under receiver operating characteristic (AUC), the discrimination power of CMI in predicting ischemic stroke was relatively higher for females (AUC: 0.685) than males (AUC: 0.573). Conclusion: The strong and independent association of CMI with ischemic stroke in females, in comparison with the much lesser degree in males, provides further insight to better stratify by sex in investigations of ischemic stroke and solidly corroborates the potential role of ischemic stroke prevention targeted at CMI.
MDM2 promoter polymorphism and p53 codon 72 polymorphism in chronic myeloid leukemia: The association between MDM2 promoter genotype and disease susceptibility, age of onset, and blast‐free survival in chronic phase patients receiving imatinib

The genetic or functional inactivation of the p53 pathway plays an important role with regards to disease progression from the chronic phase (CP) to blast phase (BP) and imatinib treatment response in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), p53 R72P and MDM2 SNP309, are associated with alternation of p53 activity, however the association regarding CML susceptibility and BP transformation under imatinib treatment is unclear. The MDM2 SNP309 genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and confirmed by direct sequencing from 116 CML patients, including 104 in the CP at diagnosis, and 162 healthy Taiwanese controls. The p53 R72P polymorphism was examined in all CML patients. The SNP309 G/G genotype was associated with an increased risk of CML susceptibility (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.03–3.22, P = 0.037), and an earlier age of disease onset (log‐rank P = 0.005) compared with the T/T + T/G genotypes. Higher MDM2 mRNA expression was found in G/G genotype compared with T/T (P = 0.034) and T/T + T/G (P = 0.056) genotypes. No associations were found between the p53 R72P genotypes and clinical parameters and survival outcomes. Among 62 CP patients receiving imatinib as first‐line therapy, the G/G genotype was associated with a shorter blast‐free survival (log‐rank P = 0.048) and more clonal evolution compared with the T/T + T/G genotypes. In patients with advanced diseases at diagnosis, the G/G genotype was associated with a poor overall survival (log‐rank P = 0.006). Closely monitoring CML patients harboring the G/G genotype and further large‐scale studies are warranted. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparative separation and purification of steroidal saponins in Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis by macroporous adsorption resins

Abstract Context: Saponins are active compounds in natural products. Many researchers have tried to find the method for knowing their concentration in herbs. Some methods, such as solid–liquid extraction and solvent extraction, have been developed. However, the extraction methods of the steroidal saponins from Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Liliaceae) are not fully researched. Objective: To establish a simple extraction method for the separation of steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of P. polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis. Materials and methods: Macroporous adsorption resins were used for the separation of steroidal saponins. To select the most suitable resins, seven kinds of macroporous resins were selected in this study. The static adsorption and desorption tests on macroporous resins were determined. Also, we optimized the temperature and the ethanol concentration in the extraction method by the contents of five kinds of saponins. Then, we compared the extraction method with two other methods. Results: D101 resin demonstrated the best adsorption and desorption properties for steroidal saponins. Its adsorption data fits best to the Freundlich adsorption model. The contents of steroidal saponins in the product were 4.83-fold increased with recovery yields of 85.47%. Discussion and conclusion: The process achieved simple and effective enrichment and separation for steroidal saponins. The method provides a scientific basis for large-scale preparation of steroidal saponins from the Rhizoma Paridis and other plants.
Virtual Reality for the Upper Limb Motor Training in Stroke: A Case Report

In this report we describe the effects of a virtual reality (VR) training addressed to the upper limb of a stroke patient. After 20 days of rehabilitation sessions consisting of physical therapy and VR rehabilitation, the subject was evaluated by means of kinematics and clinical scales. Results showed the improvement of paretic arm mobility, in terms of quantitative parameters and clinical scales, suggesting that VR training could represent a valuable tool to supplement the traditional rehabilitation provided by the physical therapist.
Novel role for non-homologous end joining in the formation of double minutes in methotrexate-resistant colon cancer cells

Background Gene amplification is a frequent manifestation of genomic instability that plays a role in tumour progression and development of drug resistance. It is manifested cytogenetically as extrachromosomal double minutes (DMs) or intrachromosomal homogeneously staining regions (HSRs). To better understand the molecular mechanism by which HSRs and DMs are formed and how they relate to the development of methotrexate (MTX) resistance, we used two model systems of MTX-resistant HT-29 colon cancer cell lines harbouring amplified DHFR primarily in (i) HSRs and (ii) DMs. Results In DM-containing cells, we found increased expression of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) proteins. Depletion or inhibition of DNA-PKcs, a key NHEJ protein, caused decreased DHFR amplification, disappearance of DMs, increased formation of micronuclei or nuclear buds, which correlated with the elimination of DHFR, and increased sensitivity to MTX. These findings indicate for the first time that NHEJ plays a specific role in DM formation, and that increased MTX sensitivity of DM-containing cells depleted of DNA-PKcs results from DHFR elimination. Conversely, in HSR-containing cells, we found no significant change in the expression of NHEJ proteins. Depletion of DNA-PKcs had no effect on DHFR amplification and resulted in only a modest increase in sensitivity to MTX. Interestingly, both DM-containing and HSR-containing cells exhibited decreased proliferation upon DNA-PKcs depletion. Conclusions We demonstrate a novel specific role for NHEJ in the formation of DMs, but not HSRs, in MTX-resistant cells, and that NHEJ may be targeted for the treatment of MTX-resistant colon cancer.
Effectiveness and Harms of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 in Spine Fusion

BACKGROUND Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is used as a bone graft substitute in spinal fusion, which unites (fuses) bones in the spine. The accuracy and completeness of journal publications of industry-sponsored trials on the effectiveness and harms of rhBMP-2 has been called into question. PURPOSE To independently assess the effectiveness and harms of rhBMP-2 in spinal fusion and reporting bias in industry-sponsored journal publications. DATA SOURCES Individual-patient data (IPD) from 17 industry-sponsored studies; related internal documents; and searches of MEDLINE (1996 to August 2012), other databases, and reference lists. STUDY SELECTION Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies of rhBMP-2 versus any control and uncontrolled studies of harms. DATA EXTRACTION Effectiveness outcomes in IPD were recalculated using consistent definitions. Study characteristics and results were abstracted by 1 investigator and confirmed by another. Two investigators independently assessed quality using predefined criteria. DATA SYNTHESIS Thirteen RCTs and 31 cohort studies were included. For lumbar spine fusion, rhBMP-2 and iliac crest bone graft were similar in overall success, fusion, and other effectiveness measures and in risk for any adverse event, although rates were high across interventions (77% to 93% at 24 months from surgery). For anterior lumbar interbody fusion, rhBMP-2 was associated with nonsignificantly increased risk for retrograde ejaculation and urogenital problems. For anterior cervical spine fusion, rhBMP-2 was associated with increased risk for wound complications and dysphagia. At 24 months, the cancer risk was increased with rhBMP-2 (risk ratio, 3.45 [95% CI, 1.98 to 6.00]), but event rates were low and cancer was heterogeneous. Early journal publications misrepresented the effectiveness and harms through selective reporting, duplicate publication, and underreporting. LIMITATIONS Outcome assessment was not blinded, and ascertainment of harms in trials was poor. No trials were truly independent of industry sponsorship. CONCLUSION In spinal fusion, rhBMP-2 has no proven clinical advantage over bone graft and may be associated with important harms, making it difficult to identify clear indications for rhBMP-2. Earlier disclosure of all relevant data would have better informed clinicians and the public than the initial published trial reports did. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Yale University and Medtronic.
A complex microbiota from snowball Earth times: Microfossils from the Neoproterozoic Kingston Peak Formation, Death Valley, USA

A thin carbonate unit associated with a Sturtian-age (≈750–700 million years ago) glaciogenic diamictite of the Neoproterozoic Kingston Peak Formation, eastern California, contains microfossil evidence of a once-thriving prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial community (preserved in chert and carbonate). Stratiform stromatolites, oncoids, and rare columnar stromatolites also occur. The microbial fossils, which include putative autotrophic and heterotrophic eukaryotes, are similar to those found in chert in the underlying preglacial units. They indicate that microbial life adapted to shallow-water carbonate environments did not suffer the significant extinction postulated for this phase of low-latitude glaciation and that trophic complexity survived through snowball Earth times.
Volatile-Rich Lunar Soil: Evidence of Possible Cometary Impact

A subsurface Apollo 16 soil, 61221, is much richer in volatile compounds than soils from any other locations or sites as shown by thermal analysis-gas release measurements. A weight loss of 0.03 percent during the interval 175� to 350�C was associated with the release of water, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen, and minor amounts of hydrocarbons and other species. These volatile components may have been brought to this site by a comet, which may have formed North Ray crater.
A large prolonged outbreak of hepatitis A associated with consumption of frozen berries, Italy, 2013‐14

Purpose. In 2013/2014, Italy experienced one of the largest community‐wide prolonged outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) throughout the country. The article provides a comprehensive description of the outbreak and the investigation carried out by a multidisciplinary National Task Force, in collaboration with regional and local public health authorities. Control strategies of food‐borne HAV infection in both the human and food sectors are also described. Methodology. Enhanced human epidemiological and microbiological surveillance together with microbiological monitoring of HAV in food and trace‐back investigation were conducted. Results. A total of 1803 HAV cases were identified from 1 January 2013 to 31 August 2014, in Italy. Sequencing was possible for 368 cases (20.4%), mostly collected between 1 January 2013 and 28 February 2014, and 246 cases (66.8%) harboured an HAV outbreak strain. Imported frozen berries contaminated with HAV were identified as the vehicle of the outbreak which also involved many other European countries in 2013 and 2014. Epidemiological evidence obtained through a case‐control study was supported by the finding of a 100% nucleotide similarity of the VP1/2A sequences of HAVs detected in human and food samples. Trace‐back investigation revealed an extremely complex supplying network with no possibility for a point source potentially explaining the vast contamination of berries found in Italy. Conclusion. The investigation benefited from an excellent collaboration among different sectors who shared proactively the available information. Our findings highlight the importance of considering frozen berries among the highest risk factors for HAV.
Predictors of long-term outcome in very preterm infants: gestational age versus neonatal cranial ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of gestational age at birth on the frequency of ultrasound-detected brain lesions in infants born at <33 weeks of gestation and to investigate whether the relationship between neonatal cranial ultrasound diagnosis and neurodevelopmental outcome at 8 years of age was independent of gestational age. METHODS Eight hundred forty-seven infants born at <33 weeks of gestation, admitted to a single tertiary referral center between 1983 and 1988, underwent serial neonatal cranial ultrasound. At 8 years of age neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed by structured neurologic examination, psychometric tests (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children), tests of visuomotor integration (Beery) and motor impairment (Henderson-Stott). Infants were subdivided into a group born at <28 weeks and a group born at between 28 and 32 weeks. Neurodevelopmental outcome was analyzed for each ultrasound diagnosis. RESULTS Hemorrhagic lesions such as germinal matrix/intraventricular hemorrhage and hemorrhagic parenchymal infarction were more frequent in infants born at <28 weeks. There was no difference in the frequency of cystic periventricular leucomalacia between the 2 groups. When neurodevelopmental outcome for each ultrasound diagnosis was compared, no significant difference was found between the 2 gestational age groups. CONCLUSION In the gestational age range studied, adverse neurodevelopmental outcome depends primarily on the type of the intracranial lesion rather than on gestational age.