Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Variations in the Diagnosis of Psychiatric Illness

The virtual absence of pathognomonic labo ratory investigations for psychiatric conditions forces the psychiatrist to base his diagnosis firmly on the clinical interview. Shepherd et at (1968) identified four major components of the psychiatric interview: (i) the interviewing technique of the psychiatrist; (2) perception of the patient's speech and behaviour; (@) in ferences and decisions made by the psychiatrist on the basis of what he has perceived; (4) attachment of a particular diagnostic label to the patient. These are useful distinctions and will be employed to structure this review. However, they are not strictly compartmenta lized and in practice are subject to mutual influences. In particular, the psychiatrist's diagnostic scheme strongly determines his inter viewing technique and, as we shall see, affects his perception of what the patient says and does, in addition to his decisions about the presence of symptoms. The importance of this pervasive influence cannot be overestimated, since it has been shown that psychiatrists confidently reach a conclusion about the diagnosis within the first few minutes of the interview (Sandifer et at,
Molecular Scanning of Insulin-Responsive Glucose Transporter (GLUT4) Gene in NIDDM Subjects

We investigated the prevalence of mutations in the gene encoding the major insulin-responsive facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT4) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). All 11 exons of the GLUT4 gene from 30 British white subjects with NIDDM were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and screened for nucleotide sequence variation using the single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method. No variation between the study subjects was detected in exons 1–3, 4b–8, and 10. Variant SSCP patterns were detected in exons 4a and 9. SSCP variation in exon 4a was revealed by direct nucleotide sequencing to be due to a common silent polymorphism (AAC→AAT at Asn130). One NIDDM patient demonstrated a variant SSCP pattern in exon 9. This was caused by a point mutation (GTC→ATC) at codon 383, which leads to the conservative substitution of isoleucine for valine in the putative fifth extracellular loop of the transporter. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization was used to examine the frequency of this mutation in 240 Welsh white subjects (160 with NIDDM and 80 controls). The Val→lle383 mutation was found in the heterozygous state in two diabetic subjects and no control subjects. We conclude that mutations of the GLUT4 coding sequence are very uncommon in this population of subjects with typical NIDDM. Determining whether the lle383 GLUT4 variant present in 3 diabetic subjects contributes in any way to their disease will require further study.
Circularly polarized one-sided directional slot array antenna for 920MHz application

A novel design of a circularly polarized planar slot array antenna is proposed for 920MHz Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) applications. Our proposed slot antenna is realized circularly polarized radiation. A four antenna elements are placed with the same electrical length. This array antenna has a reflector metal layer which is connected to the back of the antenna in order to achieve a high gain and one-sided directional radiation. This antenna is fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The final antenna size including the reflector metal layer is 282 × 280 × 47.2mm3. The measured results are consistent with the simulation results. This antenna realized a high gain and cost effective.
A Second Pilus Type in Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Prevalent in Emerging Serotypes and Mediates Adhesion to Host Cells

ABSTRACT Analysis of publicly available genomes of Streptococcus pneumoniae has led to the identification of a new genomic element containing genes typical of gram-positive pilus islets (PIs). Here, we demonstrate that this genomic region, herein referred to as PI-2 (consisting of pitA, sipA, pitB, srtG1, and srtG2) codes for a second functional pilus in pneumococcus. Polymerization of the PI-2 pilus requires the backbone protein PitB as well as the sortase SrtG1 and the signal peptidase-like protein SipA. Presence of PI-2 correlates with the genotype as defined by multilocus sequence typing and clonal complex (CC). The PI-2-positive CCs are associated with serotypes 1, 2, 7F, 19A, and 19F, considered to be emerging serotypes in both industrialized and developing countries. Interestingly, strains belonging to CC271 (where sequence type 271 is the predicted founder of the CC) contain both PI-1 and PI-2, as revealed by genome analyses. In these strains both pili are surface exposed and independently assembled. Furthermore, in vitro experiments provide evidence that the pilus encoded by PI-2 of S. pneumoniae is involved in adherence. Thus, pneumococci encode at least two types of pili that play a role in the initial host cell contact to the respiratory tract and are potential antigens for inclusion in a new generation of pneumococcal vaccines.
A cancer education and prevention center a community program

The Cancer Education and Prevention Center at Samuel Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA is one of the 27 American Cancer Society (ACS)‐National Cancer Institute (NCI) breast cancer demonstration projects. In 1980 it was converted to a General Cancer Screening Clinic for men and women. Its goal is to not only detect cancer, but to teach patients about the most current methods of self‐examination and surveillance. In addition, there is a thorough assessment of each patient's risk factors for cancer, and attempts are made to assist them in altering life styles and habits by reducing potential for future cancer. Many community physicians perceived the hospital‐based Screening Center as a potential duplication of medical services to their private patients. Several methods were used to solve this and other problems. Many innovative projects at the Center were used to promote both professional education and training to physicians and other health professionals, as well as public education for the community. Five thousand nine hundred thirty‐four patients have been screened. There were 175 presentations to the community and 508 Clinic classes with 76 training sessions at the Center. A hospital‐based Cancer Education and Prevention Center of this type can offer a service to the community and be a rich source of in‐depth education for both professionals and for the public.
Auditory belt and parabelt projections to the prefrontal cortex in the Rhesus monkey

Recent anatomical and electrophysiological studies have expanded our knowledge of the auditory cortical system in primates and have described its organization as a series of concentric circles with a central or primary auditory core, surrounded by a lateral and medial belt of secondary auditory cortex with a tertiary parabelt cortex just lateral to this belt. Because recent studies have shown that rostral and caudal belt and parabelt cortices have distinct patterns of connections and acoustic responsivity, we hypothesized that these divergent auditory regions might have distinct targets in the frontal lobe. We, therefore, placed discrete injections of wheat germ agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase or fluorescent retrograde tracers into the prefrontal cortex of macaque monkeys and analyzed the anterograde and retrograde labeling in the aforementioned auditory areas. Injections that included rostral and orbital prefrontal areas (10, 46 rostral, 12) labeled the rostral belt and parabelt most heavily, whereas injections including the caudal principal sulcus (area 46), periarcuate cortex (area 8a), and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (area12vl) labeled the caudal belt and parabelt. Projections originating in the parabelt cortex were denser than those arising from the lateral or medial belt cortices in most cases. In addition, the anterior third of the superior temporal gyrus and the dorsal bank of the superior temporal sulcus were also labeled after prefrontal injections, confirming previous studies. The present topographical results suggest that acoustic information diverges into separate streams that target distinct rostral and caudal domains of the prefrontal cortex, which may serve different acoustic functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 403:141–157, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fresh autologous pericardium for leaflet perforation repair in mitral valve infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY There is clear evidence that mitral valve (MV) repair is superior to replacement for MV infective endocarditis (IE). Leaflet perforation is a common pathologic finding in MV IE, and leaflet patch repair with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous or bovine pericardium is the currently accepted method of MV repair. In the present study, fresh autologous pericardium (FAP) was used universally to treat leaflet perforation in MV IE, and the mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were determined. METHODS Between 2002 and 2009, a total of 20 patients with leaflet perforations from MV IE underwent patch repair with FAP. Follow up echocardiography was performed in a core laboratory. RESULTS There was one operative death (5%) secondary to sepsis, and three late deaths (15%). Late echocardiograms were available for review from 16 of the 19 patients (84%) who survived surgery. The mean time to follow up echocardiography was 793 +/- 663 days. The mitral regurgitation (MR) grade was mild or less in 14/16 patients (88%), moderate in one patient (6%), and severe in one patient (6%). The mean gradient was 4.8 +/- 2.7 mmHg, and the ejection fraction was preserved in all patients (63 +/- 4%). No expansion, retraction or calcification of the patches was observed. Freedom from reoperation, reinfection and thromboembolism was 100%. CONCLUSION Fresh autologous pericardium for MV leaflet patch repair in IE is associated with good mid-term valve function. Given the association between late calcification and the glutaraldehyde treatment of bioprosthetic valves and this favorable experience, it is believed that FAP is an acceptable alternative for leaflet repair in MV IE.
Desafios da Saúde Global para a educação de profissionais de saúde: (re)definição de modos de produção de conhecimento em iniciativas de combate às desigualdades de saúde

O artigo parte da discussao de uma das dimensoes associadas a Saude Global - o seu envolvimento nas dinâmicas de producao de conhecimento “globalizado” sobre saude, na sua disseminacao atraves de modelos de transferencia de conhecimento e implementacao em diversos locais ou lugares. Argumenta-se que os programas de educacao de profissionais de saude, inseridos em iniciativas de Saude Global de combate as desigualdades de saude, se sustenta em orientacoes definidas internacionalmente que promovem o conhecimento tecnicocientifico como o unico conhecimento valido sobre saude. Propoe-se que a definicao e orientacao destes programas se deve sustentar em conhecimentos contextualizados e situados sobre saude, assentes em coproducao de conhecimento, que poderao contribuir para educar e formar profissionais de saude mais capazes de atuar em contextos locais marcados pela pobreza e exclusao social. Espera-se, assim, contribuir para o surgimento de novas perspetivas sobre roducao e onhecimentos e praticas no ensino das profissoes da saude.
Forceps Delivery Volumes in Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals: Are Volumes Sufficient for Physicians to Acquire and Maintain Competence?

Purpose The decline in the use of forceps in operative deliveries over the last two decades raises questions about teaching hospitals’ ability to provide trainees with adequate experience in the use of forceps. The authors examined (1) the number of operative deliveries performed in teaching and nonteaching hospitals, and (2) whether teaching hospitals performed a sufficient number of forceps deliveries for physicians to acquire and maintain competence. Method The authors used State Inpatient Data from nine states to identify all women hospitalized for childbirth in 2008. They divided hospitals into three categories: major teaching, minor teaching, and nonteaching. They calculated delivery volumes (total operative, cesarean, vacuum, forceps, two or more methods) for each hospital and compared data across hospital categories. Results The sample included 1,344,305 childbirths in 835 hospitals. The mean cesarean volumes for major teaching, minor teaching, and nonteaching hospitals were 969.8, 757.8, and 406.9. The mean vacuum volumes were 301.0, 304.2, and 190.4, and the mean forceps volumes were 25.2, 15.3, and 8.9. In 2008, 31 hospitals (3.7% of all hospitals) performed no vacuum extractions, and 320 (38.3%) performed no forceps deliveries. In 2008, 13 (23%) major teaching and 44 (44%) minor teaching hospitals performed five or fewer forceps deliveries. Conclusions Low forceps delivery volumes may preclude many trainees from acquiring adequate experience and proficiency. These findings highlighted broader challenges, faced by many specialties, in ensuring that trainees and practicing physicians acquire and maintain competence in infrequently performed, highly technical procedures.
Signaling from β‐adrenoceptor to L‐type calcium channel: identification of a novel cardiac protein kinase A target possessing similarities to AHNAK

A novel calcium channel‐associated protein of ~700 kDa has been identified in mammalian cardiomyocytes that undergoes substantial cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylation. It was therefore designated as phosphoprotein 700 (pp700). The pp700 interacts specifically with the β2 subunit of cardiac L‐type calcium channels as revealed by coprecipitation experiments using affinity‐purified antibodies against different calcium channel subunits. It is surprising that amino acid sequence analysis of pig pp700 revealed homology to AHNAK‐encoded protein, which was originally identified in human cell lines of neural crest origin as 700‐kDa phosphoprotein. Cardiac AHNAK expression was assessed on mRNA level by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Sequence‐directed antibodies raised against human AHNAK recognized pp700 in immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments, confirming the homology between both proteins. Anti‐AHNAK antibodies labeled preferentially the plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes in cryosections of rat cardiac tissue and isolated cardiomyocytes. Sarcolemmal pp700/ AHNAK localization was not influenced by stimulation of either the PKA or the protein kinase C pathway. In back‐phosphorylation studies with cardiac biopsies, we identified distinct pp700 pools. The membrane‐associated fraction of pp700 underwent substantial in vivo phosphorylation on β‐adrenergic receptor stimulation by isoproterenol, whereas the cytoplasmic fraction of pp700 was not accessible to endogenous PKA. It is important that in vivo phosphorylation occurred in that pp700 fraction which coprecipitated with the calcium channel β subunit. We hypothesize that both phosphorylation of pp700 and its coupling to the β subunit play a physiological role in cardiac β ‐adrenergic signal transduction. Haase, H. , Podzuweit, T. , Lutsch, G. , Hohaus, A. , Kostka, S. , Lindschau, C. , Kott, M. , Kraft, R. , Morano, I. Signaling from β‐adrenoceptor to L‐type calcium channel: identification of a novel cardiac protein kinase A target that has similarities to AHNAK. FASEB J. 13, 2161–2172 (1999)
Binding of Complement Proteins C1q and C4bp to Serum Amyloid P Component (SAP) in Solid Contra Liquid Phase

Serum amyloid P component (SAP), a member of the conserved pentraxin family of plasma proteins, binds calcium dependently to its ligands. The authors investigated SAPs interaction with the complement proteins C4b binding protein (C4bp) and C1q by ELISA, immunoelectrophoresis and electron microscopy. Binding of these proteins to SAP was demonstrated when SAP was immobilized using F(ab′)2 anti‐SAP, but not when SAP reacted with these proteins in liquid phase; thus the binding to human SAP was markedly phase state dependent. Presaturation of solid phase SAP with heparin, which binds SAP with high affinity, did not interfere with the subsequent binding of C4bp or C1q to SAP. In contrast, collagen I and IV showed partial competition with the binding of C1q to SAP. Using fresh serum, immobilized native SAP bound C4bp whereas binding of C1q/C1 could not be demonstrated. Altogether the results indicate that firm binding of C1q and C4bp to SAP requires that SAP is presented on a solid phase, that C1q and C4bp react with sites distinct from the heparin binding site, and that C1q and collagen I share binding sites on SAP. Immobilized native SAP, aggregated SAP and SAP‐heparan‐sulphate complexes induced no detectable complement activation.
Alumina Femoral Head Fracture: An in Vitro Study

A fracture of a ceramic femoral head is reported in this study. Fractures of ceramic femoral heads are uncommon and reports on this complication are rare. After 3 million cycles, on a twelve station hip simulator that tested alumina femoral head against polyethylene acetabular cup, fracture of the ceramic ball was observed. The retrieved specimen consisted of three large ceramic fragments from the same ceramic femoral head, a polyethylene acetabular cup and a stainless steel jig. Careful and detailed examination of the removed components was made. The fracture of the ceramic ball resulted in damage to the metal taper of the jig component which was fixed into the simulator.
Future Research Priorities in Fungal Resistance

Improved understanding of basic mycological, pharmacological, and immunological processes has led to important advances in the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal infections. However, the rise of fungi that are resistant to existing antifungal agents poses a substantial threat to human health. Addressing this expanding problem is an urgent priority for the international research community. In this article, we highlight important diagnostic and therapeutic advances that address the rise of resistant fungi as well as new public health initiatives that warrant further investigation to help curb the spread of these potentially lethal organisms.
Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 Required lasI and was Stimulated by the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal although Salicylic Acid Inhibition is Independent of the pqs Pathway

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous, opportunistic pathogen responsible for many nosocomial infections, and is often difficult to treat due to its ability to produce biofilm. Biofilms can increase resistance to antimicrobial agents by up to 1000-fold and is controlled by quorum sensing. Salicylic acid has been shown to inhibit biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa by acting as a competitive analogue to the LasR regulator ligand. The las quorum sensing system can control the activation of many different downstream systems. One such pathway las can control is the pqs pathway, where las can indirectly downregulate the formation of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal molecule (PQS), but also directly upregulate the expression of the regulator, pqsR. The PQS molecule facilitates biofilm formation and can be up-regulated through a positive feedback loop. Here, we attempted to elucidate pathways downstream of the las system that are affected by the inhibitory effects of salicylic acid, and whether induction of these pathways would overcome of the effect of SA. Specifically, we focused on the pqs system. To do this, four different strains of P. aeruginosa (PA14 wildtype, lasI, pqsA, and pqsH mutants) were used. The biofilm densities produced by these four strains were assessed after treating with increasing concentrations of SA and PQS combinations. Quantification of the biofilm densities was made possible with the crystal violet assay. The biofilm densities of the lasI mutant were reduced to approximately 10 – 20% relative to the wild type. The pqsA and pqsH mutants also had less biofilm formation compared to wildtype. An inhibitory effect of salicylic acid on biofilm formation was not observed in any strains. Addition of exogenous PQS increased biofilm density in all strains with the exception of the lasI mutant. In conclusion, the pqs pathway is not essential in P. aeruginosa for biofilm formation, while the las system is required for exogenous PQS to stimulate biofilm formation.
Broadband folded offset fed printed dipole antenna for GSM/W-CDMA/LTE/WiFi/Bluetooth M2M applications

We propose a new broadband folded offset fed printed dipole antenna for wireless telecommunications modules that actualizes Machine-to-Machine applications. The proposed antenna is based on the folded offset fed dipole antenna structure. We obtain the broad Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) (≤2) bandwidth of 71.2% by adjusting the shape of the folded element. This antenna achieves operation in multiple bands including GSM 1800 (DCS 1800), GSM 1900 (PCS 1850), W-CDMA (Bands I, II, IV, and V), LTE (Band 1), WiFi (2.4 GHz), and Bluetooth. The proposed antenna has omni-directional patterns in all operating bands. Frequency characteristics are analyzed using a simulator based on the method of moments, and the validity of the numerical results is shown based on measured VSWR characteristics of the prototype antenna.
Biology of Colorectal Cancer

Significant advances have been made in understanding the biology of colorectal cancer. In this chapter, we review the key signaling pathways that play key roles in maintaining the growth and proliferation of colorectal cancer. The pathways that will be discussed include Wnt/&bgr;-catenin, TGF-&bgr;/SMAD, Notch, Hedgehog, epidermal growth factor receptor, Ras, and PI3K/Akt. In addition, we review the growing role of colon cancer stem cells in mediating cellular drug resistance and cancer recurrence. This enhanced understanding of cancer biology provides important insights for developing novel therapies that target specific growth factor receptors and/or certain critical signal transduction pathways. These targeted therapies can then be used alone or in combination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens.
Maximum power point matching of solar arrays to arbitrary loads

In this paper, a method of optimally arranging a solar array for glueless matching to a known linear load is proposed. Array performance is examined for three common types of loads under real weather conditions. Test results indicate that only in case of a pure resistive load the MPPT-based solar system usage is justified. In case of a load represented by a voltage source with internal resistance, losses in a real MPPT-driven converter are on the par or higher than the converterless system produced energy deviation from the maximum possible value.