Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Event-related Potential Correlates of Negation in a SentencePicture Verification Paradigm

In a sentencepicture verification paradigm, participants were presented in a rapid-serial-visual-presentation paradigm with affirmative or negative sentences (e.g., In the front of the tower there is a/no ghost) followed by a matching or mismatching picture. Response latencies and event-related potentials (ERPs) were measured during reading and verification. An enhanced negative shift in the ERPs for the subject noun (i.e., ghost) in negative, compared to affirmative sentences, was found during reading. We relate this ERP deflection to enhanced processing demands required by the negative particle no. Although this effect suggests a direct impact of negation on language processing, results for picture processing reveal that negation is not immediately integrated into sentence meaning. When the delay of picture presentation was short (250 msec), verification latencies and ERPs evoked by the picture showed a priming effect independent of whether the sentence contained a negation. Unprimed pictures (foreground object not mentioned in the sentence) led to longer latencies and higher N400 amplitudes than primed pictures (foreground object mentioned in the sentence). Main effects of negation showed up only in a late positive-going ERP effect. In contrast, when the delay was long (1500 msec), we observed main effects of truth value and negation in addition to the priming effect already in the N400 time window, that is, negation is fully integrated into sentence meaning only at a later point in the comprehension process. When negation has not yet been integrated, verification decisions appear to be modulated by additional time-consuming reanalysis processes.
Implications for Physical Activity in the Population With Low Back Pain

Low back pain is considered the most prevalent pain complaint affecting the general population, with a reported lifetime prevalence of up to 75%. It is a recognized societal problem from both a disablement and economic perspective, with costs exceeding that of coronary artery disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes. The traditional concept of low back pain having a favorable natural history paints an overly optimistic prognosis when considering recent epidemiological data. From a prognostic perspective, more than three quarters of individuals will have a recurrence of their symptoms within a year from the initial onset, and up to 40% report a permanent reduction in activity participation. Fear of movement and avoidance of physical activity participation have been associated with a less than desirable prognosis, often times leading to chronicity. Although numerous interventions with often contradictory findings have been described for the population with low back pain, a consensus of research has implicated the resumption and pursuit of appropriate physical activity as an efficacious intervention. This article reviews the current evidence pertaining to physical activity participation in the population with low back pain and provides recommendations for identifying individuals who may be at risk for chronicity resulting from fear and avoidance of activity.
Lipid profiles in smoking and non-smoking male adolescents

Background The prevalence of smoking in adolescents tends to increase. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia. Objective To compare the lipid profiles of tobacco-smoking and non-tobacco-smoking male adolescents. Methods We performed a cross- sectional study in three vocational high schools in Yogyakarta from January to April 2011. Data on smoking status, duration of smoking and number cigarettes consumed per day were collected by questionnaires. We randomly selected 50 male smokers and 50 male non-smokers as the study subjects. Results Mean differences between smokers and non-smokers were 44.5 (95%CI 28. 7 to 60.1) mg/dL for triglyceride levels; 8.0 (95% CI 1.0 to 14.9) mg/dL for low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; 11.8 (1.1 to 22.4) mg/dL for total cholesterol and -5.7 mg/dL (95% CI -8.8 to -2.6) for high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Mean differences (95% CI) between smokers who had engaged in smoking for > 2 years and those who had smoked for :S:2 years were -18.1 (95% CI -33 .9 to -2.3) mg/dL for total cholesterol; -49.4 (95% CI -67.2 to -3 1.5) mg/dL for triglycerides. Mean differences between those who smoked > 5 cigarettes/day and :s:5 cigarettes per day were -18 . 4 (95% CI -32.8 to -4.1) mg/ dL for total cholesterol and -29.1 (95% CI -53.6 to -4.6) mg/dL for triglycerides. Conclusion Smoking more than 5 cigarettes/day significantly increases total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, as well as reduces HDL cholesterol levels; while smoking more than 2 years significantly increases total cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Tendencia del desarrollo puberal en escolares de la Región Metropolitana de Chile: Menor edad de presentación, mayor duración y dimorfismo sexual en la estatura

Background: There is a worldwide tendency towards an earlier appearance of puberal development among children, associated with an increase in weight and height. Aim: To study the trends in puberal development in Chilean school age children, between the years 1986 and 2001 and correlate it with weight and height changes. Subjects and Methods: In two representative samples of school age children, collected between years 1985 and 1987 (m-1986) and another between years 2000 and 2002 (m-2001), girls between 7 and 15years (958 and 935, respectively) and boys between 9 and 15 years (842 and 870 respectively), were selected. Breast development (B) in females and genital development (G) in males were classified according to Tanner stages. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status (according to Centers for Disease Control/ National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) standards) were assessed. Results: The prevalence of obesity increased four fold between 1986 and 2001. The 2001 generation had a significantly higher degree of puberal development than their counterparts studied in 1986. Compared to m-1986, m-2001 subjects had a lower mean age at puberal development stage two and three, but no differences at puberal stages 4 and 5. BMI of m-2001 subjects was significantly higher than that of m-1986 subjects at all puberal stages. The m-2001 males showed highest stature than m-1986 in all puberal stage, however, in females there is no difference in height between m-2001 and m-1986. Conclusions: The highest BMI observed in the cohort of 2001, could be facilitating an earlier puberal development and ethnic factors could explain the sexual dimorphism in stature.
The 1st Workshop on Intelligent Recommender Systems by Knowledge Transfer & Learning: (RecSysKTL)

Cross-domain recommender systems and transfer learning approaches are useful to help integrate knowledge from different places, so that we alleviate some existing problems (such as the cold-start problem), or improve the quality of recommender systems. With the advantages of these techniques, we host the first international workshop on intelligent recommender systems by knowledge transfer and learning (RecSysKTL) to provide such a forum for academia researchers and application developers from around the world to present their work and discuss exciting research ideas or outcomes. The workshop is held in conjunction with the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems 2017 on August 27th at Como, Italy.
Glucose cellular metabolism and ammoniagenesis in the kidney

Introduction: The same as the liver, the kidney carries out complex metabolic activities, this is possible due to the presence in the same one of multiple complex enzymatic able to carry out all the necessary metabolic transformations. The kidneys intervene in the metabolism through several processes that happen in a different way in the different portions of the organ. Methodology: with the objective of describing the particularities of the metabolism of the glucose and the amoniogenesis in the kidney logical-deductive, analytic and synthetic methods were used. taking like different investigators' scientific base, consulted in national and international, printed and electronic scientific magazines; these last ones obtained of specialized databases, as Scielo, PubMed and Hinari. The glycolysis is the metabolic but old road, it contributes the biggest quantity in energy dedicated mainly to transport of substances and to renal breathing. The renal glyconeogenesis acquires great importance in the states of alteration of the acid-base equilibrium where decrease liver metabolic efficiency. Glutamine is the main substrate of the renal glyconeogenesis, to the whose concentration in the renal tubular cells is bigger than the plasmatic one. This amino acid is the main contributer of the renal ammoniagenesis. The last constitutes the main mechanism of excretion of ammonia in the organism. Conclusion: renal glucose metabolism has as result the adequate function of the tubular transport system. Key word: renal metabolism, energy and transport of substances in the kidney.
Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif is essential for normal alveolarization in mice.

RATIONALE Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) is assumed to act as a coactivator of several transcription factors including smad2/3. In the lung, surfactant protein C (Sftpc) is known to be a downstream target of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1)-TAZ transcriptional coactivation. OBJECTIVES The lung phenotype of Taz-deficient mice was explored. METHODS Taz-deficient mice were analyzed pathologically and physiologically. Next, we performed microarray analysis to determine the genes closely related to abnormal lung development. Finally, Taz-heterozygous mice were injected with bleomycin. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Taz-deficient homozygotes showed abnormal alveolarization during lung development, which caused in adult mice airspace enlargement mimicking emphysema. There was no significant difference in the expression of Sftpc between wild-type and Taz-deficient lungs. Instead, microarray analysis identified some candidate downstream genes related to the pathogenesis, including the connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) gene, which is required for normal lung development. In vitro studies showed that TAZ up-regulated Ctgf expression not only by reinforcing transforming growth factor-beta/smad signals, but also by interfering in the more proximal Ctgf promoter region (from bp -123 to -76), defined as the TAZ response element. Furthermore, Taz-heterozygous mice were resistant to bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the importance of TAZ in lung alveolarization and its involvement in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis.
Patient safety and nutrition: is there a connection?

Abstract Nutrition care is not always recognised as a patient safety issue. This article explores the origins of the patient safety initiative and seeks to identify possible connections between nutrition care and patient safety. Examples of tools that can be used to improve the safety of nutrition care are provided. This is also a call to action as patient safety data for nutrition care in the South African context are lacking and much can be learned from worldwide patient safety initiatives.
Triple Therapy for Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Nonresponders in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Impact of Different Photodynamic Therapy Parameters

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and exploratory efficacy of triple therapy (TT) with single-session intravitreal ranibizumab, modified juxtascleral triamcinolone, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in exudative age-related macular degeneration non-responder to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. Methods: Thirty consecutive eyes were included. The first 10 eyes (cohort 1) enrolled received same-day TT with reduced-fluence/reduced-irradiance PDT, 10 eyes (cohort 2) received same-day TT with reduced-fluence/standard irradiance PDT, the last 10 eyes (cohort 3) received same-day TT with standard fluence/standard irradiance PDT. Results: All patients completed the 6-month follow-up. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline was 1.1 (cohort 1), 0.9 (cohort 2) and 1.1 (cohort 3) logMAR. After 6 months, mean BCVA change was -0.15 (not significant), -0.13 (not significant) and 0.29 (p < 0.05) logMAR, respectively. Among eyes treated with standard fluence/standard irradiance PDT, 2 showed choroidal ischemia. Conclusions: The combination of modified juxtascleral triamcinolone, reduced-fluence PDT, and ranibizumab appears as a safe treatment option.
Long-term trends mask variation in the direction and magnitude of short-term phenological shifts.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Plants are flowering earlier in response to climate change. However, substantial interannual variation in phenology may make it difficult to discern and compare long-term trends. In addition to providing insight on data requirements for discerning such trends, phenological shifts within subsets of long-term records will provide insight into the mechanisms driving changes in flowering over longer time scales. METHODS To examine variation in flowering shifts among temporal subsets of long-term records, we used two data sets of flowering phenology from snow-dominated habitats: subalpine meadow in Gothic, Colorado, USA (38 yr), and arctic tundra in Zackenberg, Greenland (16 yr). Shifts in flowering time were calculated as 10-yr moving averages for onset, peak, and end of flowering. KEY RESULTS Flowering advanced over the course of the entire time series at both sites. Flowering shifts at Gothic were variable, with some 10-yr time frames showing significant delays and others significant advancements. Early-flowering species were more responsive than later-flowering species, while the opposite was true at Zackenberg. Flowering shifts at Zackenberg were less variable, with advanced flowering across all 10-yr time frames. At both sites, long-term advancement seemed to be primarily driven by strong advancements in flowering in the 1990s and early 2000s. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of long-term trends can mask substantial variation in phenological shifts through time. This variation in the direction and magnitude of phenological shifts has implications for the evolution of flowering time and for interspecific interactions with flowering plants and can provide more detailed insights into the dynamics of phenological responses to climate change.
Background, Incidence, and Predictors of Antiplatelet Therapy Discontinuation During the First Year After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

Background— Predictors of antiplatelet therapy discontinuation (ATD) during the first year after drug-eluting stent implantation are poorly known. Methods and Results— This was a prospective study with 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up of patients receiving at least 1 drug-eluting stent between January and April 2008 in 29 hospitals. Individual- and hospital-level predictors of ATD were assessed by hierarchical-multinomial regression analysis. ATD could be assessed in 1622 candidates for follow-up (82.5%). A total of 234 patients (14.4%) interrupted at least 1 antiplatelet therapy drug, predominantly clopidogrel (n=182, 11.8%). Bleeding events or invasive procedures led to ATD in 109 patients. This was predicted by renal impairment (odds ratio [OR] 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48 to 5.34), prior major hemorrhage (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.41 to 10.03), and peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.15). Medical decisions led to ATD in 70 patients; this was predicted by long-term use of anticoagulant therapy (OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.26 to 11.98), undergoing the procedure in a private hospital (OR 13.3, 95% CI 1.69 to 105), and not receiving instructions about medication (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.23 to 6.36). Thirty-nine patients interrupted ATD on their own initiative, mainly immigrants (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.2 to 11.98) and consumers of psychotropic drugs (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.12). Conclusions— ATD during the first year after drug-eluting stent implantation is based mainly on patient decision or a medical decision not associated with major bleeding events or major surgical procedures. Individual- and hospital-level variables are important to predict ATD.
The extra-pulmonary effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Rationale Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with COPD. Aortic stiffness, measured using aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), an independent, non-invasive, predictor of CV risk; and inflammatory markers are increased in COPD. Screening tools for community based identification of increased CVD risk, and a proactive approach to addressing primary prevention of CVD is needed. Statins modulate aortic stiffness and are anti-inflammatory, but are not currently used for primary prevention in COPD. Objectives Proof of principle double-blind Randomised Control Trial (RCT) to determine if six weeks simvastatin 20mg od reduces aortic stiffness, systemic and airway inflammation in COPD. Cross-sectional pilot study comparing a non-invasive measure of oxidative stress (skin “AGE”) in COPD and controls, to lung function and aortic stiffness. Methods Stable patients (n=70) were randomised to simvastatin or placebo treatment. Pre- and post-treatment aortic stiffness, blood pressure, spirometry, circulating inflammatory mediators and lipids were measured; airway inflammatory markers were performed where possible. Predefined subgroup analysis was performed where baseline aortic PWV >10m/s. For the cross-sectional study stable COPD patients (n=84) and controls (n=36) had lung function, arterial stiffness and skin AGE measured. Results In the RCT the active group achieved significantly lower total cholesterol, but no significant drop in aortic PWV compared to placebo group: -0.7(95%CI -1.8,0.5)m/s, p=0.24; or inflammatory markers. In those with higher baseline aortic PWV, n=22, aortic PWV improved in the active group compared to placebo: -2.8(-5.2,-0.3)m/s, p=0.03. Skin AGE was increased in COPD compared to controls, inversely related to lung function, and directly related to aortic stiffness. Conclusions We could not detect any significant difference in the change in aortic PWV in patients with COPD taking simvastatin compared to placebo. We did, however, report a significant and clinically relevant reduction in aortic PWV in those with high baseline aortic stiffness, suggesting a potential for statins to reduce CV morbidity in high risk individuals. The pilot cross-sectional study suggests there is an indication to assess the potential role of skin AGE in patients with COPD as a non-invasive measure of CV risk.
ATP-Binding Cassette C Transporters in Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Cell Lines

Background: Pancreatic cancer is characterized by high resistance to chemotherapy. Such chemoresistance can be mediated by multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and MDR1 P-glycoprotein. However, the contribution of individual MRP isoforms to chemoresistance in pancreatic carcinoma is unclear. We studied ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter expression in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines as compared to primary pancreatic duct cells, and analyzed the MRP expression profile in 5-fluorouracil-resistant cells. Methods: Transporter expression was analyzed by quantitative and qualitative RT-PCR, by immunoblot, and chemoresistance by cytotoxicity assay. Results: Primary pancreatic duct cells expressed MRP1, MRP3, MRP4, and MRP5, but not MRP2 mRNA. The established carcinoma cell lines expressed MRP1, MRP4, and MRP5, most of them also MRP2, MRP3, MRP7, and BCRP, but none contained detectable amounts of MRP6, MRP8, or MRP9 mRNA. Immunoblot analyses demonstrated presence of MRP1, MRP4, and MRP5 protein in all, but MRP3 and BCRP protein only in some of these cells. Compared to parental Capan-1 cells, Capan-1 cells with acquired chemoresistance towards 5-fluorouracil showed an upregulated mRNA and protein expression of MRP3, MRP4, and MRP5. In addition, silencing of MRP5 by RNA interference resulted in enhanced sensitivity of parental Capan-1 cells towards 5-fluorouracil cytotoxicity. Conclusion: MRP3, MRP4, and MRP5 are upregulated in 5-fluorouracil-resistant cells, and MRP5 contributes to 5-FU resistance in pancreatic carcinoma cells.
A comprehensive study of prostate pathology in correlation with prostate-specific antigen levels: An Indian study

Background: Diseases are primarily affecting the prostate gland ranged from inflammation to hyperplasia to malignant tumors. Carcinoma of the prostate is most common nonskin cancer in the west and the second leading cause of cancer death among men. Gleason's microscopic grading is a paramount feature and with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are important for diagnosis, management, and prognosis of carcinoma. Objectives: The objectives were to evaluate the patterns of prevalence of prostatic lesions among the insured persons of the model hospital and to correlate histology with respect to serum PSA levels. Materials and Methods: Clinicopathological study of prostatic biopsies was conducted over a period of 1-year with emphasis on Gleason's grading and correlation of the same with PSA levels. Results: Individuals with PSA >10 had 18 times more chance of being biopsy positive in comparison to PSA <10. Conclusion: Confirmation for malignancy/screening in high-risk people is needed when PSA value is more than 4 since sensitivity is 100%, rather than PSA more than 10.
Readings in Microprogramming

This guide to the literature on microprogramming is preceded by an exposition intended for the less knowledgeable reader. Microprogram control is seen as a form of simulation in which primitive operations are combined and sequenced so as to imitate the characteristics of a desired machine. Discussed are such design considerations as microword formats, performance, writable control stores, and the relationship between microprogramming and software reliability.
Visual function tests as potential biomarkers in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To evaluate the potential of psychophysical assessments of retinal function to provide diagnostic biomarkers of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Unilateral visual function was assessed in 221 participants (72.86 ± 9.94 years; 67% women) with early AMD (visual acuity better than 20/60) and 109 controls (73.07 ± 10.32 years; 65% women). Psychophysical assessment included steady state thresholds (4- and 14-Hz flicker and red and blue color) and dynamic tests (photostress recovery [PSR] and dark adaptation [DA]). All test parameters were compared in terms of their diagnostic capacity (sensitivity and specificity), reproducibility, and clinical applicability (test duration and participant's perception of test difficulty). AMD status was determined by digital photography, according to the International Classification and Grading System. RESULTS All functional measurements were significantly worse, on average, in the AMD group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Static and dynamic parameters showed weak correlations (range, 0.003-0.225). Rod recovery in DA and cone recovery in PSR had the best diagnostic capacity (area under curve [AUC], receiver operating characteristic [ROC] analysis, 0.93 ± 0.016 and 0.85 ± 0.021, respectively). Considering diagnostic capacity together with test reproducibility and clinical applicability, the 14-Hz flicker gave the best outcome, followed by PSR. Combination of these two tests detected 71% of abnormal early AMD cases. CONCLUSIONS All the visual function tests had good diagnostic capacity. Combination of the 14-Hz flicker thresholds and dynamics of the PSR test provided optimal quantitative assessment of retinal function in early AMD, suggesting that this set is a potentially useful clinical tool for following progression of early AMD and assessing the efficacy of interventions.