Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depressive and Anxiety Disorder Comorbidity in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Background: Depressive and other anxiety disorders are commonly found to coexist with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Although western studies have looked at this issue, there are no reports from India investigating anxiety and depressive comorbidity in adult OCD. Methods: Between January and December 2001, charts of 218 OCD patients seen in the OCD clinic at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, were evaluated using the OPCRIT criteria for ICD-10 for the presence of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders. Results: There were 146 males and 72 females; their mean age at OCD onset was 21.32 ± 0.64 years. Thirty-six (16.5%) patients had depressive episodes, 12 (5.5%) dysthymia and 15 (6.9%) any anxiety disorder. No significant difference in terms of age, sex, marital status or age at onset was found between the OCD patients with and without comorbid anxiety disorder, major depression or dysthymia, except that female OCD patients were more likely than males to have comorbid major depressive disorder. Conclusions: The results of our study are in keeping with previous data from other parts of the world, though the actual rates of comorbidity in our sample appear to be much lower. It remains to be seen whether the differences in rates are a result of methodological issues or different characteristics of sample populations. Further long-term, prospective, methodologically sound studies investigating the comorbidity of depressive and other anxiety disorders in OCD patients are needed to clarify this issue.
Cell culture and gene transcription effects of copper sulfate on Chinese hamster ovary cells

This study reports the effects of varying concentrations of copper sulfate on the metabolic and gene transcriptional profile of a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line producing an immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐fusion protein (B0). Addition of 50 μM copper sulfate significantly decreased lactate accumulation in the cultures while increasing viable cell density and protein titer. These changes could be seen from day 6 and became increasingly evident with culture duration. Reducing the copper sulfate concentration to 5 μM retained all the above beneficial effects, but with the added benefit of reduced levels of the aggregated form of the B0 protein. To profile the cellular changes due to copper sulfate addition at the transcriptional level, Affymetrix® CHO microarrays were used to identify differentially expressed genes related to reduced cellular stresses and facilitated cell cycling. Based on the microarray results, down‐regulation of the transferrin receptor and lactate dehydrogenase, and up‐regulation of a cytochrome P450 family‐2 polypeptide were then confirmed by Western blotting. These results showed that copper played a critical role in cell metabolism and productivity on recombinant CHO cells and highlighted the usefulness of microarray data for better understanding biological responses on medium modification. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2011
A new method for reducing warpage due to reflow in IGBT module

Warpage in Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) module is induced by the unavoidable mismatch of materials and asymmetric structure in almost every packaging process. The high level of warpage and thermal stress is introduced during reflow processes, which can impact the IGBT reliability. Pre-warping substrate method has been used as industry practice for reducing warpage due to reflow. The method still faces challenges of low cost and process simplification. With the development of copper bonding technique, IBP (Integrate base plate) was recently developed for reducing the warpage. However, the method is not cost-effective. In this paper, a low-cost and simple method of embedding DBC plates into copper substrate has been proposed as alternative solution for the warpage reduction. A 1200V IGBT module prototype was selected for benchmarking the warpage reduction methods. Finite element method with viscoplastic solder model and large deformation theory was used to investigate the solder reflow process. Anand constitutive model available in FEM tools for modeling the viscoplastic behaviors of solder materials was used for SAC305 solder layers. The whole reflow process was simulated by advanced element “death and activation” technique. Three package assembly methods for reducing warpage were investigated by advanced finite element analyses. The FEA result shows that the proposed new method can effectively reduce the warpage of IGBT module to industry-acceptable level.
Pressure ulcer care in Spain: nurses' knowledge and clinical practice.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to determine: (a) Spanish nurses' level of knowledge of existing guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, (b) the level of implementation of this knowledge in clinical practice and (c) the professional and educational factors that influence knowledge and practice. BACKGROUND Improvement in pressure ulcer care depends both on the dissemination of knowledge and on its implementation in clinical practice. Studies carried out in several countries have demonstrated gaps in knowledge about recommendations for pressure ulcer care and deficiencies in their implementation. METHODS A survey was carried out between September 2001 and June 2002, targeting a cluster randomized sample of 2006 Registered Nurses and Licensed Practice Nurses working at hospitals, primary healthcare centres and elder care centres in Andalusia (Spain). RESULTS The response rate was 36.9% (n = 740). The level of knowledge of prevention interventions was 79.1%, while that of treatment interventions was 75.9%. The levels of implementation in clinical practice were notably lower: 68.1% for prevention, and 65.3% for treatment. Nurses holding a university degree obtained higher scores, and those who had received specific education in pressure ulcer care obtained higher scores both for knowledge and clinical practice. Taking part in research projects also improved knowledge implementation. CONCLUSION Although most of the recommendations on pressure ulcer care found in guidelines are well known by nurses, there is a group of interventions about which they have insufficient knowledge and low implementation rates.
The Wall Teichoic Acid Polymerase TagF Is Non-processive in Vitro and Amenable to Study Using Steady State Kinetic Analysis*

Wall teichoic acids are a chemically diverse group of anionic polymers that constitute up to 50% of the Gram-positive cell wall. These polymers play a pivotal role in virulence and have been implicated in a diverse range of physiological functions. The TagF-like family of enzymes has been shown to be responsible for wall teichoic acid priming and polymerization events. Although many such enzymes are well validated therapeutic targets, a mechanistic understanding of this enzyme family has remained elusive. TagF is the prototypical teichoic acid polymerase and uses CDP-glycerol to catalyze synthesis of the linear (1,3)-linked poly(glycerol phosphate) teichoic acid in Bacillus subtilis 168. Here we used a synthetic soluble analog of the natural substrate of the enzyme, Lipid ϕ, to conduct the first detailed mechanistic investigation of teichoic acid polymerization. Through the use of a new high pressure liquid chromatography-based assay to monitor single glycerol phosphate incorporations into the Lipid ϕ analog, we conducted a detailed analysis of reaction product formation patterns and unequivocally showed TagF to be non-processive in vitro. Furthermore by monitoring the kinetics of polymerization, we showed that Lipid ϕ analog species varying in size have the same Km value of 2.6 μm and validated use of Bi Bi velocity expressions to model the TagF enzyme system. Initial rate analysis showed that TagF catalyzes a sequential Bi Bi mechanism where both substrates are added to the enzyme prior to product release consistent with a single displacement chemical mechanism.
Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Staging of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer without Mediastinal Involvement at Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography

Background: Staging of lung cancer is essential to the treatment, which is curative only in cases of localized disease. Previous studies have suggested that endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is unnecessary when positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) shows no mediastinal involvement. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate how often EBUS-TBNA resulted in a clinically relevant upstaging in patients with lung cancer without mediastinal involvement at PET-CT. Methods: A total of 981 consecutive patients from 2009 to 2014 were referred for preoperative EBUS-TBNA. We included 167 patients with lung cancer without involvement of the mediastinum at PET-CT (115 N0 and 52 N1). Results: Of the 167 patients included, 10 (6.0%) were upstaged to N2 or N3 by EBUS-TBNA; 9 of these were originally classified as N1 at PET-CT. Therefore, 17.3% of the included N1 patients were upstaged to N2/N3 after EBUS-TBNA. This compares to only 0.9% of the N0 patients. After both EBUS-TBNA and PET-CT, 115 patients were operated, and 12 (10.4%) of these proved to be N2/N3. We calculated the sensitivity as 42.9%, the specificity as 99.0%, and the negative predictive value as 89.6%. Conclusions: The overall probability of a clinically relevant upstaging by EBUS-TBNA in patients judged as N0/N1 at PET-CT was 6.0%, compared to 0.9% in patients classified as N0 and 17.3% in patients classified as N1. The risk of overlooking N2/N3 disease after both PET-CT and EBUS-TBNA was 10.4%.
Using a Particle Counter to Inform the Creation of Similar Exposure Groups and Sampling Protocols in a Structural Steel Fabrication Facility

The objective of this project was to create similar exposure groups (SEGs) for occupational monitoring in a structural steel fabrication facility. Qualitative SEG formation involved worksite observation, interviews, and audits of materials and procedures. These were supplemented with preliminary task-based shop survey data collected using a condensation particle counter. A total of six SEGs were formed, with recommendations for occupational exposure sampling for five groups, as well as ambient sampling recommendations to address areas on the operational floor found to have higher particle concentrations. The combination of direct reading device data and qualitative SEG formation techniques is a valuable approach, as it contains both the monetary and temporal costs of worksite exposure monitoring. This approach also provides an empowering in-house analysis of potentially problematic areas, and results in the streamlining of occupational exposure assessment.
Online Trust, Trustworthiness, or Assurance?

Abstract Every day, individuals around the world retrieve, share, and exchange information on the Internet. We interact online to share personal information, find answers to questions, make financial transactions, play social games, and maintain professional and personal relationships. Sometimes our online interactions take place between two or more humans. In other cases, we rely on computers to manage information on our behalf. In each scenario, risk and uncertainty are essential for determining possible actions and outcomes. This essay highlights common deficiencies in our understanding of key concepts such as trust, trustworthiness, cooperation, and assurance in online environments. Empirical evidence from experimental work in computer-mediated environments underscores the promises and perils of overreliance on security and assurance structures as replacements for interpersonal trust. These conceptual distinctions are critical because the future shape of the Internet will depend on whether we build assurance structures to limit and control ambiguity or allow trust to emerge in the presence of risk and uncertainty.
Fetal growth retardation: underlying endocrine mechanisms and postnatal consequences

Considerable advance has been made in our understanding of the regulation of fetal growth and of the pathophysiology of intrauterine growth retardation. The dominant determinant of fetal growth is nutrient delivery to the conceptus, and the insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) appear to play a central role in modulating the fetal growth response to the nutritional environment. It has also become clear that events early in gestation, or prior to conception, can be reflected in altered fetal growth and metabolism later in gestation. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) may be due to identifiable genetic or toxic factors or to disordered nutrient delivery. The latter category of IUGR provides the greatest clinical concern with a high incidence of perinatal morbidity and mortality. More recently, epidemiological evidence supported by limited, but growing, experimental data suggest that the postnatal consequences of disturbed fetal growth may include metabolic disease (diabetes mellitus) and cardiovascular disease. This brief review discusses these advances with reference to data from our laboratory.
Cytokines and soluble cytokine receptor induction after IL‐12 administration in cancer patients

This study shows that subcutaneous administration of increasing doses of IL‐12, once a week, in 21 cancer patients increased the expression of cytokine genes (interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), IP‐10, MIG, IL‐10, IL‐4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells even at very low doses (30 ng/kg). Surprisingly, no circulating TNF‐α or IL‐4 could be detected in the plasma of patients treated with IL‐12. However, a marked increase of soluble IL‐4 receptor was demonstrated in the plasma of five of the six patients studied, which may represent an additional mechanism by which IL‐12 inhibits the development of the Th2 response in vivo. A marked decline of IFN‐γ and IP10 induction was recorded after repeated cycles of IL‐12. In contrast, in most patients IL‐12 increased IL‐10 expression with no subsequent decrease during the course of therapy, and even an earlier peak of IL‐10 induction at the 6th cycle. In addition, a constant up‐regulation of serum soluble IFN‐γ receptor levels was observed after each cycle of IL‐12 treatment with a delayed peak compared with the IFN‐γ peak. The constant rise of IL‐10 and soluble IFN‐γ receptor during IL‐12 therapy may therefore contribute to the inhibition of IFN‐γ activity detected after repeated cycles of IL‐12. Lastly, a marked heterogeneity of cytokine induction was observed from one patient to another, which appeared to be independent of the dose of IL‐12 administered. These data may lead to a better understanding of the biological activity of IL‐12 and the in vivo mechanisms of its regulation.
Liver Graft‐to‐Recipient Spleen Size Ratio as a Novel Predictor of Portal Hyperperfusion Syndrome in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Portal hyperperfusion in a small‐size liver graft is one cause of posttransplant graft dysfunction. We retrospectively analyzed the potential risk factors predicting the development of portal hyperperfusion in 43 adult living donor liver transplantation recipients. The following were evaluated: age, body weight, native liver disease, spleen size, graft size, graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR), total portal flow, recipient portal venous flow per 100 g graft weight (RPVF), graft‐to‐recipient spleen size ratio (GRSSR) and portosystemic shunting. Spleen size was directly proportional to the total portal flow (p = 0.001) and RPVF (p = 0.014). Graft hyperperfusion (RPVF flow >250 mL/min/100 g graft) was seen in eight recipients. If the GRSSR was <0.6, 5 of 11 cases were found to have graft hyperperfusion (p = 0.017). The presence of portosystemic shunting was significant in decreasing excessive RPVF (p = 0.059). A decrease in portal flow in the hyperperfused grafts was achieved by intraoperative splenic artery ligation or splenectomy. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow after transplant. The GRSSR is associated with posttransplant graft hyperperfusion at a ratio of <0.6.
Distinct subsets of human invariant NKT cells differentially regulate T helper responses via dendritic cells

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells regulate the T helper (Th) 1/2 balance and elicit either enhancement or suppression of the immune responses. However, the exact mechanism by which iNKT cells exert these contrasting functions has remained elusive. We demonstrate herein that two major distinct subsets of human iNKT cells, CD4+CD8β– (CD4+) and CD4–CD8β– (double negative; DN) cells, express functional CD40 ligand (CD40L), but they differentially regulate the dendritic cell (DC) function by reciprocal NKT‐DC interactions, thereby influencing the subsequent Th response. The CD4 subset stimulated by α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer)‐loaded DC immediately produced massive amounts of IL‐4 and IL‐13, which together with IFN‐γ enhanced CD40L‐induced IL‐12 production by DC. In contrast, the DN subset eliminated the DC by cytolysis and changed the living DC into a default subtype, in turn markedly down‐regulating the levels of IL‐12. Therefore, the DC stimulated by the CD4 subset preferentially induced Th1 responses, whereas the DC reacted with the DN subset induced a shift toward Th2 responses. These findings may provide an important insight into better understanding the contribution of iNKT‐DC cross‐talk governing the Th1/2 balance and the diverse influences of iNKT cells in various diseases.
The Optimal Force-Gradient Symplectic Finite-Difference Time-Domain Scheme for Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

In this communication, we design an optimal force-gradient symplectic finite-difference time-domain (SFDTD) scheme for numerically solving Maxwell's equations based on the additional constraint of the minimized norm of fourth-order truncation errors. The numerical dissipation can be minimized and the optimal time coefficients for the third-order force-gradient symplectic method can be obtained. Due to the second-order accurate adopted in space domain, in general, the proposed optimal SFDTD method is still second-order accurate. The numerical stability and numerical dispersion analysis indicate that the optimal force-gradient SFDTD method has higher accuracy and stability compared with the nonoptimal force-gradient SFDTD method. Moreover, in order to verify the validity of the presented method, the scattering parameters of a line-fed rectangular microstrip antenna are calculated.
Polymorphisms of three genes (ACE, AGT and CYP11B2) in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system are not associated with blood pressure salt sensitivity: A systematic meta-analysis

Abstract Many studies have suggested that polymorphisms of three key genes (ACE, AGT and CYP11B2) in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) play important roles in the development of blood pressure (BP) salt sensitivity, but they have revealed inconsistent results. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for eligible published articles. Fixed- or random-effect models were used to pool odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals based on whether there was significant heterogeneity between studies. In total, seven studies [237 salt-sensitive (SS) cases and 251 salt-resistant (SR) controls] for ACE gene I/D polymorphism, three studies (130 SS cases and 221 SR controls) for AGT gene M235T polymorphism and three studies (113 SS cases and 218 SR controls) for CYP11B2 gene C344T polymorphism were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that there was no significant association between polymorphisms of these three polymorphisms in the RAAS and BP salt sensitivity under three genetic models (all p > 0.05). The meta-analysis suggested that three polymorphisms (ACE gene I/D, AGT gene M235T, CYP11B2 gene C344T) in the RAAS have no significant effect on BP salt sensitivity.
Amniotic fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 and the development of cerebral palsy

Abstract Aims: To examine if increased concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in amniotic fluid are associated with the development of cerebral palsy at the age of three years. Methods: The relationship between amniotic fluid concentrations of MMP-8 and the development of cerebral palsy was examined in 116 preterm singleton newborns (gestational age at birth < 35 weeks) born to mothers who underwent amniocentesis and were followed for at least 3 years. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasmas. MMP-8 concentrations were measured by specific immunoassays. Cerebral palsy was diagnosed by neuro developmental assessment at the age of three years. Results: Median amniotic fluid concentration of MMP-8 was significantly higher in mothers whose newborns developed cerebral palsy than in mothers whose newborns did not develop cerebral palsy (median 153.9 [range < 0.3–1535.9] ng/ml vs median 6.4 [range < 0.3–3836.8] ng/ml; p < 0.01). Neonates who developed cerebral palsy were delivered at earlier gestational age than those without cerebral palsy. After adjustment for the gestational age at birth and the results of amniotic fluid culture, elevated concentrations of amniotic fluid MMP-8 significantly increased the odds of development of cerebral palsy (odds ratio, 6.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–33.0; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Increased concentrations of amniotic fluid MMP-8 are associated with the subsequent development of cerebral palsy at the age of 3 years.
Unplugged But Connected: Review of Contactless Energy Transfer Systems

The aim of this article is to review of power electronics-based CET systems. Various techniques are divided according to the medium used for energy transfer and are presented as (see Figure 1) acoustics-based CETs, light-based CETs, capacitive-based CETs, and the largest group, inductively coupled CETs. The basic principles and the latest developments in these techniques with a special focus on inductively coupled solutions are systematically described. The advantages and limitations are briefly examined, and the application field where each technique is particularly suited is indicated. Some oscillograms that illustrate properties of these discussed inductive CET techniques are shown.
Effects of simulated microgravity on the expression of presynaptic proteins distorting the GABA/glutamate equilibrium – A proteomics approach

Microgravity may cause cognition‐related changes in the animal nervous system due to the resulting uneven flow of fluids in the body. These changes may restrict the long‐term stay of humans in space for various purposes. In this study, a rat tail suspension model (30o) was used to explore the effects of 21 days of prolonged simulated microgravity (SM) on the expression of proteins involved in cognitive functions in the rat hippocampus. SM decreased the content of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and increased the content of glutamate (Glu) in the rat hippocampus. A comparative 18O‐labeled quantitative proteomics strategy was applied to detect the differential expression of synaptic proteins under SM. Fifty‐three proteins were found to be differentially expressed under SM. Microgravity induces difficulty in the formation of the SNARE complex due to the down‐regulation of vesicle‐associated membrane protein 3(VAMP3) and syntaxin‐1A. Synaptic vesicle recycling may also be affected due to the dysregulation of syntaxin‐binding protein 5 (tomosyn), rab3A and its effector rim2. Both processes are disturbed, indicating that presynaptic proteins mediate a GABA/Glu imbalance under SM. These findings provide clues for understanding the mechanism of the GABA/Glu equilibrium in the hippocampus induced by microgravity in space and represent steps toward safe space travel.