Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demographic, Endoscopic and Histopathologic Features Among Stool H. pylori Positive and Stool H. pylori Negative Patients With Dyspepsia

Background Dyspepsia is a common presentation for many patients in gastroenterology clinics. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is endemic in many countries around the world and its relation to dyspepsia has long been questioned. This study aimed at comparing demographic, endoscopic and histologic features among dyspeptic patients with and without stool H. pylori antigen positivity. Methods One hundred and fifty-one consecutive patients with dyspepsia were divided into group I (n = 80) and group II (n = 71) according to positive or negative H. pylori stool antigen testing, respectively. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasonography, H. pylori stool antigen detection, and upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy with four gastric mucosal biopsies for histopathologic examination. Results Stool H. pylori antigen negative group included more smokers and consumed much more fast and spicy food than the positive group. The most common endoscopic findings of both groups were gastritis, reflux esophagitis, gastric erosions, peptic ulcer, mucosal nodularity and hiatus hernia and were encountered in 100%, 74.2%, 23.2%, 15.2%, 13.9%, and 13.2% respectively with non-significant difference between both groups except for gastric erosions that were significantly higher in stool H. pylori negative group (P < 0.001). Histologic evidence of gastritis was reported in 100% and 92.9% of patients in group I and group II, respectively. Chronic active gastritis with neutrophil infiltration was significantly higher in group I (P < 0.001). H. pylori bacilli were histologically detected in 83.7% and 47.9% of patients in group I and group II, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion All patients with dyspepsia in this study had endoscopic evidence of gastritis. Most of these patients had histologic evidence of gastric mucosal inflammation. Consequently, it may be advisable to perform endoscopy on these patients and obtain gastric mucosal biopsies.
Nature of spin-charge separation in the t-J model

Quasiparticle properties are explored in an effective theory of the $t-J$ model which includes two important components: spin-charge separation and unrenormalizable phase shift. We show that the phase shift effect indeed causes the system to be a non-Fermi liquid as conjectured by Anderson on a general ground. But this phase shift also drastically changes a conventional perception of quasiparticles in a spin-charge separation state: an injected hole will remain {\em stable} due to the confinement of spinon and holon by the phase shift field despite the background is a spinon-holon sea. True {\em deconfinement} only happens in the {\em zero-doping} limit where a bare hole will lose its integrity and decay into holon and spinon elementary excitations. The Fermi surface structure is completely different in these two cases, from a large band-structure-like one to four Fermi points in one-hole case, and we argue that the so-called underdoped regime actually corresponds to a situation in between, where the ``gap-like'' effect is amplified further by a microscopic phase separation at low temperature. Unique properties of the single-electron propagator in both normal and superconducting states are studied by using the equation of motion method. We also comment on some of influential ideas proposed in literature related to the Mott-Hubbard insulator and offer a unified view based on the present consistent theory.
Web based learning

Many of us use the internet or the “web” (world wide web) as a source of information. In medical education, the web is increasingly used both as a learning tool to support formal programmes and as a means of delivering online learning programmes. What can educators do to ensure that the potential of the web is used effectively to support both their own learning and that of their students? Much of the literature on web based learning shows that one of the main barriers to the effective use of teaching materials is the technology (for example, poor access, slow downloading) rather than the design of the learning materials themselves. Some of these issues are discussed later in the article, but it is vital that teachers take on expert help with technical issues in the planning, design, and delivery of web based learning programmes. Through programming and the use of “plug-ins” (programs that can be downloaded from the internet), designers can produce interactive course materials containing online activities (such as self assessments), animations, and simulations. These can improve learning and are often more enjoyable and meaningful for learners. #### Glossary E-conferencing —Use of online presentations and discussion forums (in real time or stored as downloadable files on a website) to avoid the need for participants to travel E-learning —Learning through electronic means, such as via the web (see world wide web), an intranet, or other multimedia materials HTML (hypertext markup language) —The language used to create web pages. HTML files can also contain links to other types of files including wordprocessed files, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and other web pages Hyperlinks —Links in web pages that enable the user to access another web page (either on the same or a different site) with just one mouse click Internet— A global network of computers divided …
Design and optimization of a tendon-driven robotic hand

This paper presents a design and optimization of a dexterous tendon-driven robotic hand that each finger is under-actuated. The robotic hand has 9 DOFs and 6 motors with a modular design concept of three fingers. A theoretical analysis had been carried out to verify the mechanical structure of the proposed hand, optimize the location of the pulleys for efficient transmission and workspace by exam the kinematics model of the designed hand. Experimental results show good grasping performance of the proposed hand. It demonstrates that our three-fingered robotic hand can grasp these objects with different shapes.
Role of Mid-induction Peripheral Blood Minimal Residual Disease Detection in Pediatric B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

OBJECTIVE To study the role of mid-induction (day 15) peripheral blood minimal residual disease (PB-MRD) detection in pediatric B- lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). DESIGN Prospective. SETTING Tertiary-care center. PATIENTS 40 consecutively-diagnosed treatment-naive, pediatric B-ALL patients. INTERVENTION National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk patients were given three drug induction regimen comprising vincristine, L-asparginase and prednisolone; NCI high-risk patients were supplemented with daunorubicin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Day 15 PB-MRD and bone marrow MRD (BM-MRD) analyzed by six color flow cytometry. RESULTS The sensitivity of day 15 PB-MRD to identify concurrent day 15 BM-MRD positivity was 64%, with 100% specificity. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 62.5%, respectively. PB-MRD was positive in 67% of relapsed patients. CONCLUSION BM-MRD is a well-established prognostic factor in B-ALL. We suggest, day 15 PB-MRD could be considered as an early, minimally invasive and easily accessible MRD screening option.
Double-Negative T Cells, Activated by Xenoantigen, Lyse Autologous B and T Cells Using a Perforin/Granzyme-Dependent, Fas-Fas Ligand-Independent Pathway1

The ability to control the response of B cells is of particular interest in xenotransplantation as Ab-mediated hyperacute and acute xenograft rejection are major obstacles in achieving long-term graft survival. Regulatory T cells have been proven to play a very important role in the regulation of immune responses to self or non-self Ags. Previous studies have shown that TCRαβ+CD3+CD4−CD8− (double-negative (DN)) T cells possess an immune regulatory function, capable of controlling antidonor T cell responses in allo- and xenotransplantation through Fas-Fas ligand interaction. In this study, we investigated the possibility that xenoreactive DNT cells suppress B cells. We found that DNT cells generated from wild-type C57BL/6 mice expressed B220 and CD25 after rat Ag stimulation. These xenoreactive B220+CD25+ DNT cells lysed activated, but not naive, B and T cells. This killing, which took place through cell-cell contact, required participation of adhesion molecules. Our results indicate that Fas ligand, TGF-β, TNF-α, and TCR-MHC recognition was not involved in DNT cell-mediated syngenic cell killing, but instead this killing was mediated by perforin and granzymes. The xenoreactive DNT cells expressed high levels of granzymes in comparison to allo- or xenoreactive CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer of DNT cells in combination with early immune suppression by immunosuppressive analog of 15-deoxyspergualin, LF15-0195, significantly prolonged rat heart graft survival to 62.1 ± 13.9 days in mice recipients. In conclusion, this study suggests that xenoreactive DNT cells can control B and T cell responses in perforin/granzyme-dependent mechanisms. DNT cells may be valuable in controlling B and T cell responses in xenotransplantation.
Environmental Contaminants as Risk Factors for Developing Diabetes

The contribution of exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the incidence of diabetes has received little attention until recently. A number of reports have emerged, however, concerning elevated diabetes in persons occupationally exposed to dioxin. United States (US) Air Force personnel in Vietnam who sprayed Agent Orange containing dioxin as a contaminant had elevated rates of diabetes, leading to US government compensation for diabetes in these veterans. Recent studies in populations exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides found a dose-dependent elevated risk of diabetes. An elevation in risk of diabetes in relation to levels of several POPs has been demonstrated by two different groups using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a random sampling of US citizens. The strong associations seen in quite different studies suggest the possibility that exposure to POPs could cause diabetes. One striking observation is that obese persons that do not have elevated POPs are not at elevated risk of diabetes, suggesting that the POPs rather than the obesity per se is responsible for the association. Although a specific mechanism is not known, most POPs induce a great number and variety of genes, including several that alter insulin action. Because diabetes is a dangerous disease that is increasing in frequency throughout the world, further study of the possibility that exposure to POPs contributes to the etiology of diabetes is critical.
The psychological bases of political allegiance among white-collar males.

Abstract : Empirical research has established the demographic variables which distinguish the supporters of the major political parties. The study was undertaken to explore further the psychological bases of political allegiance among white-collar males. A factor analysis of sixty-six variables constituting a questionnaire completed by 202 subjects showed that conservatism in this section of the population has many features. The following are of considerable importance: an intensely expressed patriotism, authoritarianism, elitism and anti-egalitarianism, political, economic and social pragmatism. All these features contain a strong element of deference. Labour supporters are characterized by an egalitarian, antielitist and cosmopolitan outlook. They also have a strong tendency to be anti-authoritarian. (Author)
Left ventricular assist device to avoid heart–lung transplant in an adolescent with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely elevated pulmonary vascular resistance

Orthotopic heart transplantation remains the definitive treatment of choice for patients with end‐stage heart failure; however, elevated PVRI is a reported risk factor for mortality after heart transplant and, when severely elevated, is considered an absolute contraindication. Use of a ventricular assist device has been proposed as one treatment for reducing pulmonary vascular resistance index in potential heart transplant candidates refractory to medical vasodilator therapies. We report on a teenage patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely elevated PVRI, unresponsive to pulmonary vasodilator therapy, who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation to safely allow for aggressive pulmonary vasodilator therapy and to decrease PVRI. The resulting dramatic improvement in PVRI in a relatively short period of time allowed for successful heart transplantation, avoiding the need for heart–lung transplant.
TYPE-C BOTULISM IN A CALVING DAIRY HERD IN NORTH WEST-SPAIN

Botulinum intoxication from B and C types have been reported in cattle as a result of feed intake contaminated with animal putrefied carcasses or poultry litter, but plastic-packaged grass silage may also be a source of botulinum intoxication. In the present work, conducted at a calving dairy herd from North-West Spain, the veterinary care was sought because 21 heifers showed a sternal recumbency with their heads in lateral flexion, listless, reluctant to move and stiff limbs. In a few animals could be observed excessive salivation and difficulty in retracting the tongue. Physical examination revealed no cause for recumbency and heifers were treated symptomatically. A week after the outbreak eight heifers died, five animals were euthanized for human reasons, and only eight heifers survived the outbreak. Heifers fed a mixture of ad libitum ration constituted for a new grass silage, straw and a commercially concentrate. It could verify that the plastic covering the grass silage was damaged on the sides, permitting mould and spoilage. In posterior analysis Clostridium botulism type C toxins was detected from mouldy silage. These results together with the history and clinical signs suggest type C botulism.
Molecular circuits of apoptosis regulation and cell division control: The survivin paradigm

The coupling of cell proliferation to cell death is thought to function as a pivotal crossroad, essential to preserve normal homeostasis and to eliminate dangerous cells before they divide. Survivin is a prototype molecule at this crossroad, intercalated in protection against mitochondrial cell death and orchestrating various aspects of cell division. Dramatically exploited in cancer and an unfavorable gene signature for disease outcome, the survivin pathway has now provided tangible opportunities for targeted, rational cancer therapy. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Model for Microcontroller Functionality Upset Induced by External Pulsed Electromagnetic Irradiation

Abstract : We present a model that provides predictions for the occurrence of disruptive deviations of signal line activity in and consequent malfunction of a microcontroller (microC) subjected to external irradiation by a narrowband electromagnetic (EM) pulse. In our model, the state of a microC is completely specified by giving, for each of its relevant signal lines, the signal pulse train (SPT) time history on the line during any fixed but arbitrary time window of interest. The occurrence of such disruptive deviations is observed experimentally to behave stochastically in at least some EM pulse frequency regimes for example, in the radio frequency (RF) regime and our model provides predictions for the probability of such disruptions based upon all relevant characteristics of the EM pulse and of the microC SPTs. In the present paper we focus our attention on signals traversing a single microC signal line.
Validierung eines Trainings zum Aufbau eines Netzwerkes zur Berufsfindung

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt ein sozial-kognitives Trainingsprogramm zum Aufbau von Netzwerken im Rahmen der beruflichen Entwicklung von GymnasiastInnen beim Ubergang von der Schule in die Ausbildung bzw. das Studium sowie dessen Evaluation vor. Das Training fokussiert auf den Aufbau neuer, beruflich relevanter Netzwerke und vermittelt die Grundlagen des Netzwerkens sowie deren praktische Umsetzung anhand von Videoanalysen, Rollenspielen und Gruppenarbeit. Eine vierwochige selbststandige Ubungsphase im Feld erganzt das zweitagige Intensivtraining. Das langsschnittliche Untersuchungsdesign mit einer Vor- und zwei Nacherhebungen (N = 25, N = 19) wurde anhand mehrerer Datenquellen sowie eines internen Referenzstandards (Cook & Campbell, 1979) evaluiert. Insgesamt konnten Verbesserungen des Aufbauens von Netzwerken im Zeitverlauf nachgewiesen werden.
Diagnostic Significance of Ischemia-Modified Albumin, S100b, and Neuron-Specific Enolase in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: Use of biochemical markers of cerebral ischemia is a newly favored approach for early diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Our aim was to establish the sensitivity and specificity of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in acute ischemic stroke and to compare it with S100b and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). We also intended to investigate the usefulness of a panel composed of these three biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: Consecutive adult patients who were admitted to the emergency department with focal neurological deficits were enrolled. Serum samples were obtained at the initial examination, and IMA, S100b, and NSE were measured. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off values of the biomarker and biomarker groups. Results: Serum IMA, NSE, and S100b levels were significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively). The optimum diag nostic cutoff point for IMA was 0.31 ABSU with 90% sensitivity and 57% specificity; 18 µg/L for NSE with 61% sensitivity and 53% specificity; and 65 pcg/l for S100b with 87% sensitivity and 72% specificity. With a combination of IMA with either S100b or NSE, instead of IMA alone, the best results were obtained with IMA and S100b, at 97% sensitivity and 37% specificity. Conclusion: This study indicates that IMA was a sensitive diagnostic biomarker in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, although its specificity is low. The combi nation of IMA with S100b and NSE did not add any beneficial effect to the specificity of IMA alone. (JAEM 2014; 13: 112-7)
Good research conduct

A review of clinical research conduct Good intentions alone are not enough to protect researchers from performing bad clinical research. This review examines areas that are most likely to cause problems, in particular duplicate publication, conflict of interest, authorship, and data storage. It also discusses the way journal editors approach research conduct issues, and how to create a research environment conducive to good research conduct. The conduct of clinical research is increasingly governed by rules. Some are statutory, and others derive from guidelines drawn up by universities, funding bodies, and editors of medical journals. In the past, the conduct of research was a matter of passive trust between authors and journals, and between “hands on” researchers and their supervisors. In contrast, researchers and research managers must now actively work at maintaining good conduct in research. The UK Medical Research Council has identified the key research virtues as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, honesty, and leadership:1 qualities that, one hopes, all paediatricians would aspire to. But what relevance has this to day-to-day clinical research, beyond an aspiration to be good? Specifically, where do researchers unwittingly fall foul of acceptable standards of research conduct? This review is aimed at the well intentioned clinical researcher who strives to keep within the rules, and focuses on areas that cause the most problems. A duplicate publication is one that overlaps substantially with an article published elsewhere, and is usually published by the same author.2 Recently, authors of systematic reviews in anaesthesia found 103 potential duplicate publications (secondary publications) linked to 78 corresponding primary articles (that is, those published first). Specific patterns of duplication were identified.3 First was the straight copy, for example, where the results of a study were re-published in a pharmaceutical sponsored supplement. Second was where the data from a single …
Recovery of Long‐Axis Left Ventricular Function after Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis

Background: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) should undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) before irreversible LV dysfunction has developed. Assessment of long‐axis left ventricular (LV) function may assist in proper timing of AVR. Objectives: To assess serial changes in long‐axis LV function before and after AVR in patients with severe AS and preserved LV ejection fraction. Methods: The study comprised 27 consecutive patients (mean age 64.9 ± 11.7 years, 15 males) with symptomatic severe AS, scheduled for AVR. Seventeen subjects without known cardiac disease, matched for age, gender, LV ejection fraction and cardiovascular risk factors, served as a control group. Long‐axis LV function assessment was done with tissue Doppler imaging at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after AVR. Results: Mean aortic valve area in the AS group was 0.70 ± 0.24 cm2. Pre‐AVR peak systolic mitral annular velocities were significantly lower compared to controls (6.7 ± 1.5 vs. 8.9 ± 2.0 cm/s, P < 0.05). Post‐AVR peak systolic mitral annular velocities improved to 9.1 ± 2.9 at 3 weeks, 8.6 ± 2.7 at 6 months, and 8.1 ± 1.7 cm/s at 12 months (P < 0.05). Improvements were seen over the whole range of pre‐AVR peak systolic mitral annular velocities. Patients with improved Sm after AVR (defined as ≥10% compared to baseline values) did not differ in baseline characteristics as compared to those who did not improve. Conclusions: In patients with severe AS and preserved LV ejection fraction, abnormal systolic mitral annular velocities improve after AVR, independent of the pre‐AVR value. (Echocardiography 2010;27:1177‐1181)
ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PROBE GEOMETRIES FOR ETHANOL FUEL QUALIFICATION USING TIME-DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY

This paper proposes sensors based on the time-domain reflectometry (TDR) technique for qualifying ethanol fuel. Four different probe geometries were proposed: bifilar, microstrip, coaxial, and helical. All probes allowed qualification of ethanol adulterated with water. Helical probe showed the best response. Thus, this proposal contributes to the development of electronic tongues.
Instrumentos para avaliação de pensamentos automáticos: uma revisão narrativa

The aim of this study was to conduct a narrative review of the available instruments to evaluate automatic thoughts. Automatic thoughts are a fundamental element of Beck’s cognitive model, these thoughts are fast and spontaneous cognitions that act in the border of conscience, influencing the way that we interpret and react to the situations. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of these cognitions in the comprehension of different psychopathologies and also psychological well-being of children, adolescents and adults. However, the Brazilian context presents an absence of original instruments to systematically evaluate automatic thoughts and a scarceness of studies in the area. The review was conducted in different bases, using specific criteria on the research and in the inclusion of the articles. Twenty-three original instruments were identified, and eight transcultural adaptations. Among those instruments, a fewer number was designed to evaluate children, adolescents and positive automatic thoughts. In the Brazilian context, only one article of a transcultural adaptation was found. These results suggest gaps in the systematic evaluation of automatic thoughts and indicate the need for development of automatic thoughts measurement system suitable for the Brazilian reality.