Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linguistic development in Alzheimer's disease: 12 months language training including use of a personal computer system—A pilot study

Objective: To assess linguistic development in patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) who underwent treatment with a drug and regularly performed language activities. Methods: For 12 months, five patients with mild-to-moderate AD participated in a Stimulation-Activation-Training programme (SAT) including pragmatic, semantic, writing, conversation and counting sessions. A computer with exercise programs and a keyboard with a printer were used as complements to ordinary stationery. The linguistic competence was assessed using a standardized assessment tool. Results: The assessment indicated preservation or slight changes of the patients’ linguistic competence over the period and greater confidence in the management of the language. The personal computer system was a well accepted novelty. Conclusion: The documented approach, SAT training interlaced with everyday life tasks, may be helpful in maintaining and improving remaining language functions in patients with mild or moderate AD.
Effect of Rest Interval Length on Repeated 1 Repetition Maximum Back Squats

To examine the effects of different rest intervals on the repeatability of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) efforts in the free-weight back squat exercise, 17 weight-trained men served as subjects (mean age 22.0 years). One repetition maximum was tested on each of the first 2 days of testing to establish a stable baseline (1RM = 184.9 kg). Each of the next 3 sessions involved performing 2 1RM back squats, with the rest interval between attempted lifts being either 1, 3, or 5 minutes, assigned in a counterbalanced fashion. For the 1-minute rest interval, 13 of 17 subjects successfully completed the second lift; for the 3-minute rest interval, 16 of 17 were successful; and for the 5-minute rest interval, 15 of 17 were successful. Cochran Q analysis determined no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the ability to repeat a successful maximal-effort back squat when different rest intervals were used. These findings are consistent with the literature for the bench-press exercise and indicate that 1-minute rest intervals are sufficient for recovery between attempted lifts during 1RM testing or training for the free-weight back squat when involving lifters of this caliber.
Differential nuclear scaffold/matrix attachment marks expressed genes†

It is well established that nuclear architecture plays a key role in poising regions of the genome for transcription. This may be achieved using scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) that establish loop domains. However, the relationship between changes in the physical structure of the genome as mediated by attachment to the nuclear scaffold/matrix and gene expression is not clearly understood. To define the role of S/MARs in organizing our genome and to resolve the often contradictory loci-specific studies, we have surveyed the S/MARs in HeLa S3 cells on human chromosomes 14–18 by array comparative genomic hybridization. Comparison of LIS (lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate) extraction to identify SARs and 2 m NaCl extraction to identify MARs revealed that approximately one-half of the sites were in common. The results presented in this study suggest that SARs 5′ of a gene are associated with transcript presence whereas MARs contained within a gene are associated with silenced genes. The varied functions of the S/MARs as revealed by the different extraction methods highlights their unique functional contribution.
Smart-phone based monitoring of cancer related fatigue

Cancer related fatigue is a chronic disease that may persist up to 10 years after treatment of cancer has been finished successfully and is one of the most prevalent problems of cancer survivors. Cancer related fatigue is a complex symptom that is not sufficiently understood and difficult to remedy. Patients do not necessarily follow a treatment plan with regular in-office follow-ups. As a consequence, physicians lack of knowledge how their patients are coping with their fatigue in daily life. To overcome the resulting knowledge gap, we developed a smart-phone based monitoring system providing activity data from smart-phone sensors. Furthermore, based on self-reports following the experience based sampling method, the app asks the patients to report their perceived degree of fatigue and interference of fatigue with daily life by means of digital questionnaires. To evaluate the monitoring system in an observational study, we recruited 7 patients suffering from cancer related fatigue and tracked them over 2 to 3 weeks. We collected about 2700 hours of activity data and over 500 completed questionnaires. Based on this study, we conclude that our monitoring system can be used in a clinical trial to examine cancer related fatigue.
The Use of Subtherapeutic Antibiotics in Animal Feed and its Implications on Human Health

Antibiotics were approved for use as animal feed additives in 1950 after it was discovered that their use (1) increased growth rate, (2) improved feed utilization, and (3) reduced mortality and morbidity from clinical and subclinical infections in animals. Subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed grew extensively and concern has arisen that this “indiscriminate” use of antibiotics could lead to increased numbers of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and ultimately compromise treatment of human bacterial infections. Three recently published studies seem to indicate that animal-to-man transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is possible. Increased debate on the continuing allowance of antibiotic feed additives has ensued. The National Resources Defense Council has recently petitioned the FDA to disallow penicillin and tetracycline use in animal feed, and legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would limit the subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed. Experts have predicted that meat prices would increase and meat quality would decrease if antibiotics are disallowed as a feed additive. It is the opinion of the authors that there is no conclusive evidence at this time to support the premise that subtherapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feed poses a greater threat to human health than if antibiotic feed additives were banned.
An innovative outcome-based care and procurement model of hemophilia management

ABSTRACT Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder associated with spontaneous and post-traumatic bleeding. Each hemophilia patient requires a personalized approach to episodic or prophylactic treatment, but self-management can be challenging for patients, and avoidable bleeding may occur. Patient-tailored care may provide more effective prevention of bleeding, which in turn, may decrease the likelihood of arthropathy and associated chronic pain, missed time from school or work, and progressive loss of mobility. A strategy is presented here aiming to reduce or eliminate bleeding altogether through a holistic approach based on individual patient characteristics. In an environment of budget constraints, this approach would link procurement to patient outcome, adding incentives for all stakeholders to strive for optimal care and, ultimately, a bleed-free world.
An improved algorithm for convex optimal uncertainty quantification with polytopic canonical form

In general, we consider optimal uncertainty quantification (OUQ) framework to address uncertainty factors in the absence of sufficient knowledge on them. An important class of optimal OUQ problem that can be solved via convex optimization methods had been studied by researchers. If the object function can be rewritten in polytopic canonical form (PCF), the optimization problem can be solved by exact or approximate iterative algorithms easily. However, there exist some weaknesses for the two algorithms in computation demanding and computation accuracy. In order to overcome these weaknesses, we propose a new approximate iterative algorithm considering contribution of every constraint and verify the effectiveness of the new algorithm by simulation results.
Systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient with PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome

nercept pre-dating that of adalimumab, rather than a reflection of tolerance itself. Ustekinumab appeared to be effective after failure of other anti-tumour necrosis factor a agents, although this study is limited due to the small numbers involved making it difficult to make any definitive conclusions. Studies from clinical practice are needed to inform guidance while awaiting information from national databases such as the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register. Clarification of national guidance on switching biological agents would make the securing of funding for patients in need of these effective therapies less open to interpretation and more geographically consistent.
Effects of aerobic training on serum omentin-1 and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese men

Abstract Omentin-1 is a newly discovered protein expressed and secreted from visceral adipose tissue that increases insulin sensitivity. We examined the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic training on serum omentin-1 concentrations together with cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese men. Eighteen overweight and obese participants (age 43.1 ± 4.7 years, BMI ≥25 kg · m−2) were assigned to exercise training (n = 9) and control (n = 9) groups. A matched control group of normal weight participants (n = 8; age 42.2 ± 3.8 years, BMI <25 kg · m−2) were also recruited for baseline comparison. The obese exercise group participated in 12 weeks of progressive aerobic training 5 days a week. Measures of serum omentin-1, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and body composition were obtained before and after the 12 weeks. At baseline, normal weight participants had significantly higher serum omentin-1 concentrations than overweight and obese participants, and there were inverse correlations between omentin-1 and each of waist circumference, fasting glucose, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05). After the aerobic training, waist circumference, percent body fat, fasting glucose, insulin resistance, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In contrast, serum omentin-1 concentration was significantly increased after the aerobic programme (P < 0.05), and correlated with changes in insulin resistance (r = −0.67, P = 0.04), glucose (r = −0.65, P = 0.05), waist circumference (r = −0.70, P = 0.03), and aerobic fitness r = −0.68, P = 0.04). Aerobic training resulted in an improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors in obese participants, and this improvement was accompanied by increased omentin-1 concentrations.
Herbal Medicines and Anxiety Disorders : an overview

This review paper looks at all the herbal medicines and formulas in treating anxiety disorders. A thorough Pubmed and the Cochrane internet search was made for pharmacological and clinical evidence of herbal medicines with antianxiety action. Good evidence exists for the use of kava in the treatment of anxiety, while there is insufficient clinical evidence for the use of many other herbal medicines in psychiatric disorders. Newer herbal preparations that potentially have significant use in anxiety and urgently require more research are Rhodiola rosea (roseroot), Crocus sativus (saffron), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) and Piper methysticum (kava). They need further evidence base via clinical studies. Anxiety disorders are commonly researched but the efficacy of herbal medicines in these disorders needs to be studied further. The review addresses herbal therapy, safety issues and future areas of application in the field. Keyword: Herbal medications, anxiety, kava, passion flower.
One program, multiple training sites: does site of family medicine training influence professional practice location?

INTRODUCTION Numerous strategies have been suggested to increase recruitment of family physicians to rural communities and smaller regional centers. One approach has been to implement distributed postgraduate education programs where trainees spend substantial time in such communities. The purpose of the current study was to compare the eventual practice location of family physicians who undertook their postgraduate training through a single university but who were based in either metropolitan or distributed, non-metropolitan communities. METHODS Since 1998, the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia in Canada has conducted an annual survey of its residents at 2, 5, and 10 years after completion of training. The authors received Ethics Board approval to use this anonymized data to identify personal and educational factors that predict future practice location. RESULTS The overall response rate was 45%. At 2 years (N=222), residents trained in distributed sites were 15 times more likely to enter practice in rural communities, small towns and regional centers than those who trained in metropolitan teaching centers. This was even more predictive for retention in non-urban practice sites. Among the subgroup of physicians who remained in a single practice location for more than a year preceding the survey, those who trained in smaller sites were 36 times more likely to choose a rural or regional practice setting. While the vast majority of those trained in metropolitan sites chose an urban practice location, a subgroup of those with some rural upbringing were more likely to practice in rural or regional settings. Trainees from distributed sites considered themselves more prepared for practice regardless of ultimate practice location. CONCLUSIONS Participation in a distributed postgraduate family medicine training site is an important predictor of a non-urban practice location. This effect persists for 10 years after completion of training and is independent of other predictors of non-urban practice including gender, rural upbringing, and rural undergraduate training. It is hypothesized that this is due not only to a curriculum that supports preparedness for this type of practice but also to opportunities to develop personal and professional roots in these communities.
A Flow Cytometry‐based Method for the Screening of Nanomaterial‐induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Leukocytes Subpopulations in Whole Blood

To date, the use and translation of nanomedicine from the laboratory to the clinic has been relatively slow. Among other issues, one of the reasons for this tardiness is the lack of the availability of quick and reliable toxicity tools for the screening of nanomaterials (NMs). In this investigation, we apply a flow cytometry‐based method for the detection of nanomaterial‐induced oxidative stress by measurement of reactive oxygen species production in specific leukocyte subpopulations in human whole blood. The screening of a panel of relevant nanomedical‐associated materials (liposomes, silica, iron oxide and functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes) demonstrated that only the carbon nanotubes induced oxidative stress in human circulating leukocytes. In summary, we apply and corroborate a flow cytometry‐based method for the simple and effective measurement of NM‐induced oxidative stress in human blood subpopulations after realistic and relevant exposure scenarios which is extremely useful in future toxicological applications.
Young Breast Cancer Survivors: Their Perspectives on Treatment Decisions and Fertility Concerns

Background: Younger women diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to have survival concerns related to fertility, which may influence their treatment decisions. Objective: This qualitative study explores how young women make cancer treatment decisions and the role of fertility concerns in that process. Methods: We used purposeful sampling to identify a diverse group of 20 young breast cancer survivors, half of whom had a child after breast cancer. We conducted open-ended telephone interviews and used cross-case, inductive analysis to identify themes. Results: The main themes were (1) "I was young, I wanted to do everything possible to move forward with my life and not to have the cancer come back"; (2) "Fertility concerns are different for every woman"; (3) "My oncologist was great… a huge part of my survivorship"; and (4) "They didn't tell me about my options, and I didn't think about fertility until it was too late. " Conclusions: Although fertility was important to many participants, treatment decisions were mainly motivated by survival concerns. Fertility concerns depended on life circumstances, and the timing in relation to diagnosis varied. There is a need for improved information regarding the impact of treatment on fertility and fertility preservation options, even if concerns are not expressed at diagnosis. Implications for Practice: It is critical that cancer care providers provide timely information regarding fertility. Oncology nurses are particularly well positioned to serve this role by communicating with patients about their fertility concerns and reproductive planning prior to treatment and throughout the course of survivorship.
[Intravenous injection of synthetic oxytocin induces a decrease of cortisol plasma level in normal man].

The influence of a i.v. injection of 2 I.U. of synthetic oxytocin (Oxy, Syntocinon) on plasma cortisol has been tested in 6 normal volunteers (age 22 to 33) and compared to a similar saline injection in a blind, cross-over design. Before injection basal cortisol is similar in Oxy (12.1 +/- 2.3 micrograms/100 ml M +/- Se) and saline (11.7 +/- 3.5) groups; in the Oxy group a significant (2 p less than 0.01) decrease of cortisol was noticed from the 45th min until the end of the test (120 min): the last mean level being 5.2 +/- 0.9 in the Oxy group compared to 12.9 +/- 1.8 in the saline group (2 p less than 0.005). Although the mechanism of action of Oxy on cortisol plasma levels remains to be investigated our results are in agreement with a proper action of Oxy and vasopressin at the level of the corticotroph cells or with a proper action of Oxy or of one of its metabolite (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 for example) on proopiomelanocorticotropic function.
The effect of Demand Response in the minimum available reserve of energy management

This paper presents a multi-objective energy scheduling for the daily operation of a Smart Grid (SG) considering maximization of the minimum available reserve in addition to the cost minimization, to take into account the reliability requirements of critical and vulnerable loads. A Virtual Power Player (VPP) manages the day-ahead energy resource scheduling in the smart grid, considering Distributed Generation (DG) and Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G), while maintaining a highly reliable power for the critical loads. This work considers high penetration of critical loads, e.g. industrial processes that require high power quality, high reliability and few interruptions. A mathematical formulation is described and a deterministic technique based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) is used to solve the multi-objective problem. The effect of some customers with DR in this context is analyzed to assess the benefits in the energy scheduling problem. A case study using a 180-bus Portuguese distribution network with 90 load points, several DG units and a large fleet of Electric Vehicles (EVs) with V2G is used to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
Repeated catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: how to predict outcome?

BACKGROUND Pre-procedural predictors (PP) of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence (AFR) after repeated catheter ablation of AF (RCAF) are unknown. The aim of this study was identification of PP of outcome after RCAF. METHODS AND RESULTS In 213 patients (73% male) with drug-refractory AF (47% paroxysmal AF; PAF) RCAF was performed. CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc and ALARMEc (AF type, Left Atrium size, Renal insufficiency, MEtabolic syndrome, cardiomyopathy) scores were calculated for each patient. Complete success was defined as no AFR. After RCAF, 125 patients (59%) were free of atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia (AFLAT) on long-term follow-up (FU). The univariate predictors of AFR were: type of AF (non-PAF vs. PAF, P=0.001), normalized left atrium area (NLA ≥10.25 vs. NLA <10.25, P=0.012) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (<68ml/min vs. ≥68ml/min, P=0.048). The independent predictors of AFLAT-free survival after RCAF were non-PAF (P=0.002) and NLA ≥10.25 (P=0.018). Among combined predictors, only ALARMEc score, and neither CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc, predicted outcome after RCAF (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS RCAF results in a moderate success rate on very long-term FU. Lower success was observed in patients with non-PAF and enlarged LA. ALARMEc score allows for clear description of expected outcome after RCAF.
Requirements of NK Cells and Proinflammatory Cytokines in T Cell-Dependent Neonatal Autoimmune Ovarian Disease Triggered by Immune Complex1

A model of neonatal autoimmune disease has been described recently in which an epitope-specific autoantibody to murine zona pellucida 3 induces severe ovarian disease in neonatal, but not adult, mice (neonatal AOD). The autoantibody forms immune complex with endogenous ovarian zona pellucida 3, and a pathogenic CD4+ T cell response is triggered. The basis for the predominant neonatal susceptibility has not been clarified. In this study innate immunity, including neonatal NK cells, in neonatal AOD was investigated. Neonatal spleen contained readily detectable NK1.1+TCRVβ−, but not NK1.1+TCRVβ+, cells. Ab depletion of NK1.1+TCRVβ− cells inhibited neonatal AOD development. Moreover, in adoptive transfer of neonatal AOD, recipient disease was ameliorated when either donor or recipient NK cells were depleted. Thus, NK cells operate in both induction and effector phases of the disease. IFN-γ was produced by neonatal NK cells in vivo, and it may be important in neonatal AOD. Indeed, ovaries with neonatal AOD expressed high levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α which correlated with disease severity, and the disease was inhibited by IFN-γ or TNF-α Ab. Importantly, disease was enhanced by recombinant IFN-γ, and treatment of T cell donors with IFN-γ Ab also significantly reduced adoptive transfer of neonatal AOD. Finally, neonatal AOD was ameliorated in mice deficient in FcγRIII and was enhanced in FcγRIIB-deficient mice. We conclude that neonatal NK cells promote pathogenic T cell response at multiple stages during neonatal autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Also operative in neonatal AOD are other mediators of the innate system, including proinflammatory cytokines and FcγRIII signaling.
Transient analysis of NCLMS and ZNCLMS algorithms

This work presents a transient analysis of the recently proposed Noise Constrained Least Mean Square (NCLMS) and the Zero Noise Constrained LMS (ZN CLMS) algorithms. The analysis reported here is based upon the concept of the fundamental energy conservation relation and therefore on an easy manipulation of the analysis. Moreover, new stability bounds are derived to guarantee the mean-square-error convergence of the two algorithms. Furthermore, as a by-product of this analysis, the steady-state mean-square-deviation (MSD) is also derived for the first time for these two algorithms. Finally, simulation results corroborate the theoretical findings.