Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children: A tale of inflammatory cascades

Obesity has emerged as one of the most prevalent diseases in the western hemisphere, and its prevalence continues to increase. Obese children are at increased risk for several disorders, particularly affecting the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. The mechanisms leading to obesity‐related morbidities are likely multifactorial, and include activation of inflammatory pathways ultimately leading to end‐organ injury. Furthermore, the concurrent presence of obesity and other diseases facilitated by increased fat deposition poses a theoretical risk of accentuating obesity‐related complications. One of the conditions whose prevalence is increased by obesity in childhood is the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OSAS in non‐obese children may lead to co‐morbidities that are not only remarkably similar to those associated with obesity but recruit similar inflammatory mechanisms as those activated by obesity, suggesting that the two disorders may amplify each other and synergistically augment the magnitude of their respective adverse consequences. The objective of this review is to critically review the effects of both obesity and OSAS in inducing systemic inflammation in children and will examine the latest evidence pertaining to the up‐regulation of specific inflammatory mediators. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:313–323. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social Capital, Communication Channels and Opinion Formation

We study how different forms of social capital lead to different distributions of multidimensional opinions by affecting the channels through which individuals communicate. We develop a model to compare and contrast the evolution of opinions between societies whose members communicate through bonding associations (i.e., which bond similar people together) and societies where communication is through bridging associations (i.e., which bridge the gap among different people). Both processes converge towards opinion distributions where there are groups within which there is consensus in all issues. Bridging processes are more likely to lead to society-wide consensus and converge to distributions that have, on average, fewer opinion groups. The latter result holds even when the confidence bound that allows successful communication in the bridging process is much smaller than the respective bound in the bonding process.
Human papillomavirus frequency in oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Greece.

UNLABELLED The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) was successfully analyzed by both general and type-specific HPV PCR in 103 samples from 115 patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancer in Greece during the years 1986-2007. RESULTS In total 13/103 (13%) tumours were HPV-positive and the majority of these were HPV-16-positive. Of the tonsillar cancer samples, 12/28 (43%) were HPV-positive and, notably, 1/6 (17%) collected between 1992-1998 and 11/22 (50%) collected between 2000-2007 were HPV-positive. Of the tongue cancer samples, 1/38 (3%) were HPV-positive, while none of the 41 oral cavity cancer samples was HPV-positive. CONCLUSION Almost half of all the Greek tonsillar cancer patients had HPV in their tumours, with HPV-16 as the dominant type, and a tendency towards an increase in the proportion of HPV tumours was observed when comparing the percentage of HPV-positive tumours collected between 1992-1998 with those collected between 2000-2007.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Choroidal Neovascularization in Pathological Myopia Treated with Intravitreal Ranibizumab

Abstract Background: The purpose of this contribution is to report our functional results on the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab for submacular choroidal neovessels (CNV) in high myopia, and to compare the roles of optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography and visual acuity changes in the treatment decision prior to each injection. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study performed in Jules Gonin Eye Hospital. It included all patients with myopic CNV treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. After an induction dosing from 1 to 3 injections, the follow-up was based on a pro re nata regimen. Ophthalmic evaluation, best corrected visual acuity, and OCT were done at each visit, and fluorescein angiography at baseline and if neovascular activity was suspected. Retreatment criteria included metamorphopsia, visual loss of ≥ 5 ETDRS letters, any fluid on OCT and/or leakage on fluorescein angiography. Results: 24 eyes were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 49 months. Mean visual acuity improved significantly from 62.8 ± 13.8 letters at baseline to 72.8 ± 12.9 letters at last follow-up visit (p = 0.001). The mean number of injections was 2.2 in the first year and below 1 for the following years. The sensitivities of fluorescein angiography, SD OCT, and visual acuity loss ≥ 5 letters were 62.6 %, 51.4 %, and 40 %, respectively. The fluorescein angiography showed a significantly higher sensitivity in treatment decision than OCT (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our study has shown that ranibizumab injections provide a significant long-term visual benefit in myopic CNV with a small number of injections. Fluorescein angiography has a preponderant role in the treatment decision of active myopic CNV.
A rare cause of iron deficiency anemia in a child: Lithobezoar.

Yasemin Altuner Torun1, Edip Torun2, Ayse Betul Ergul3, Musa Karakukcu4, Turkan Patiroglu4 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey 2Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey 3Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey 4Department of Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University Kayseri, Turkey
Understanding Employee-Level Dynamics within the Merger and Acquisition Process

Given the challenge companies face in combining organisations in the merger and acquisition (M&A) process, this article presents a model that explores the potential determinants of success in the company blending (acculturation) process. The model examines the effect of employee-level factors and perceptions of managerial behaviours during the M&A process. Utilising data from 254 employees that recently experienced an M&A, the authors tested for managerial guided, direct and indirect impacts on employee-level dynamics (job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviours) which are believed to affect the successful co-mingling of two previously independent organisations. The authors highlight the key role that employee identification with the new consolidated organisation plays, most notably organisational citizenship. Lastly, attention is drawn to the importance of management's perceived competence and procedural justice toward employee-level factors. The article concludes with specific managerial suggestions for improving M&A acculturation outcomes.
Severe recalcitrant nail psoriasis responding dramatically to infliximab: report of two patients

urticaria. In our case, the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability score was 6, classifying the relationship between montelukast and urticaria as highly probable . The reason for our patient’s apparently paradoxical reaction to an antiallergy drug that has been proven effective for the therapy of urticaria in many other patients remains essentially unclear. The fact that urticaria developed 1 month after beginning montelukast treatment, whereas re-exposure triggered reactions within hours, suggests a sensitization period and hence an immunological mechanism. However, a pseudoallergic, nonimmunological pathomechanism cannot be excluded.
The effect of seat type on stroke kinematics and trunk rotator activity during kayak ergometer paddling

Kayakers have traditionally used a fixed seat but in 2005 a “swivel seat”, able to rotate in the horizontal plane, was approved for use in races. While anecdotal evidence has suggested that the swivel seat may improve performance, the available data are limited and mainly physiological. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the swivel seat on kinematics and trunk muscle activation during paddling on ergometer. Nine experienced kayakers volunteered for this study and each completed two maximal trials of 30 s on the ergometer, one with the swivel seat and the other with a fixed seat. Three-dimensional motion analysis and performance data were collected at 200Hz during the central 10 s of each trial. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded at 2000Hz bilaterally from the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae muscles. The use of the swivel seat was observed to improve performance through a significant increase in peak flywheel RPM (p = 0.033), right paddle recovery time (p = 0.043) and paddle antero-posterior displacement (p = 0.015). Shoulder rotation increased when using the swivel seat but trunk rotation decreased significantly (p = 0.019). In addition, EMG analysis suggested greater activation of the trunk muscles during the swivel seat condition, where body position was closer to the recommended upright orientation and the knee range of motion was increased (p < 0.01).
The Role of Trust in an Information Technology Milieu: An Overview

Trust in information technology (IT) is an important concept because people today rely on IT more than ever before. The Internet has increased reliance on IT by encouraging millions to download music or software, upload digital pictures, buy goods, or seek new information or new services. Because of the Internet’s open, non-secured structure, trust in the Web itself is an issue. Trust in IT has to do with relying or depending on infrastructure systems like the Web or relying on specific information systems like Microsoft Excel. This review explores the dimensions of trust as it is used in information technology
Sequential changes in DNA methylation patterns of the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene during development.

The cytosolic phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase [PEPCK; GTP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1. 1.32] gene was isolated from a rat genomic library, and a map of the methylatable sites C-C-G-G and G-C-G-C has been constructed. The extent of methylation of 18 sites in the PEPCK gene in adult liver, kidney, spleen, and heart muscle and in fetal liver has been analyzed using the 5-methylcytosine sensitive enzymes Hpa II and Hha I. This analysis revealed extensive undermethylation of the PEPCK gene in the adult liver and kidney (PEPCK-expressing tissue), whereas the gene in adult spleen and heart muscle as well as in fetal liver (PEPCK-nonexpressing tissues) was heavily methylated. However, unlike the gene in the adult nonexpressing tissues, a region in the middle of the gene was found to be partially hypomethylated in fetal liver. This hypomethylation correlates with the competence of the fetal liver gene to be expressed. Treatment of fetuses by in utero injection of 5-azacytidine causes a hypomethylation-associated activation of the PEPCK gene. Taken together, the present findings suggest a sequential loss of methyl groups during development. When related to PEPCK gene expression, the sequential loss of methyl groups demonstrates an early stage prior to transcription characterized by hypomethylation of discrete sites and a later developmental hypomethylation of all sites associated with the mature active PEPCK gene around the time of birth.
Developmental Transcriptional Networks Are Required to Maintain Neuronal Subtype Identity in the Mature Nervous System

During neurogenesis, transcription factors combinatorially specify neuronal fates and then differentiate subtype identities by inducing subtype-specific gene expression profiles. But how is neuronal subtype identity maintained in mature neurons? Modeling this question in two Drosophila neuronal subtypes (Tv1 and Tv4), we test whether the subtype transcription factor networks that direct differentiation during development are required persistently for long-term maintenance of subtype identity. By conditional transcription factor knockdown in adult Tv neurons after normal development, we find that most transcription factors within the Tv1/Tv4 subtype transcription networks are indeed required to maintain Tv1/Tv4 subtype-specific gene expression in adults. Thus, gene expression profiles are not simply “locked-in,” but must be actively maintained by persistent developmental transcription factor networks. We also examined the cross-regulatory relationships between all transcription factors that persisted in adult Tv1/Tv4 neurons. We show that certain critical cross-regulatory relationships that had existed between these transcription factors during development were no longer present in the mature adult neuron. This points to key differences between developmental and maintenance transcriptional regulatory networks in individual neurons. Together, our results provide novel insight showing that the maintenance of subtype identity is an active process underpinned by persistently active, combinatorially-acting, developmental transcription factors. These findings have implications for understanding the maintenance of all long-lived cell types and the functional degeneration of neurons in the aging brain.
Role of motility in embryonic development I: Embryo movements and amnion contractions in the chick and the influence of illumination.

This study provides a quantitative analysis of the active movements of the chick embryo and of the contractions of the amnion over the entire developmental period of 21 days. Four types of embryo movements are distinguished. The motor activity of the embryo shows two characteristic peaks, with maximum contraction frequencies on the 12th and on the 16th day. In contrast, the amnion activity is higher at earlier stages and decreases as the body activity increases. The amnion activity is largely independent of the body activity. Illumination has a strong influence on embryo movements. It is shown that increases of light intensity affect the patterns of activity of both the embryo and the amnion. While the effect of light on the embryo can be interpreted as being transmitted via the optic system, the mechanism of the amniotic response is unclear. The results suggest that the amnion itself may be sensitive to light. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 291:186-194, 2001.
Childhood onset mitochondrial myopathy and lactic acidosis caused by a stop mutation in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase III gene

More than 100 mitochondrial (mt) DNA mutations have been described in association with different complex neurological disorders and with respiratory chain (RC) deficiency in the past decade.1 Aside from more frequently reported mt tRNA mutations and deletions, a growing list of pathogenic mutations affecting structural genes of mtDNA encoded respiratory chain subunits, mainly cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit genes, has now been reported in association with various mitochondrial disorders as well2 and most of these mutations are thought to be of sporadic origin. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX or complex IV), the terminal enzyme of the RC, catalyses the reduction of molecular oxygen by reduced cytochrome c. The complex is composed of 13 subunits. Three highly conserved mtDNA encoded subunits (COX I-III) form the catalytic core of the enzyme and the remaining 10 nuclear subunits are thought to modify or stabilise the complex. While the core forming subunits COX I and COX II contain the prosthetic groups and are known to play the most essential role in proton pumping and electron transfer, the function of COX III remains largely unknown. It is of interest that pathogenic mutations in mtDNA encoded subunits I-III have been identified whereas no mutations in the 10 nuclear genes are known so far. In contrast, numerous mutations in nuclear genes involved in the assembly of COX ( SURF1, SCO2, SCO1, COX10 ) have been described.3 As with most mtDNA mutations, the clinical presentation of patients harbouring mutations in mt encoded COX subunit genes is highly variable, ranging from late childhood onset myopathy4–8 to severe childhood onset multisystem disorders,9–14 and this might be explained by the variable distribution and abundance of mutant mtDNA in different tissues and by different expression thresholds.3 All mt COX subunit gene mutations reported to date …
A framework for selecting an IT evaluation method - in the context of construction

The purpose of the research, ‘A framework for selecting an IT evaluation method’, is to improve the benefits from the use of Information Technology in companies from the construction industry, by helping them to identify the value of IT to their organization. The Productivity Paradox states that it has not yet been proved that the productivity of whole industries has been increased as a result of investment in IT. In the Danish construction industry productivity has not increased in the last 30 years, although there are many influences on this of which IT is only one. The research asks the question: ‘How should a company in the Danish construction industry choose an evaluation method to be used when evaluating each IT investment? ’ Following a literature search which found 82 different evaluation methods, and a survey of Danish companies which found little use of formal evaluation methods, the following hypotheses were posed: There is not one best evaluation method for all cases The use of the framework for the identification of the best matching IT evaluation method for an IT investment improves a company’s evaluation practice. Evaluation of the costs and benefits of acquiring or developing, and managing the introduction of, computer systems in a company, is needed to establish if and when there would be a business advantage. This evaluation should be repeated after a system is in place to see whether the expected advantages were achieved. After considering whether to develop a better method of evaluation, specifically for the construction industry, the student decided that a framework for choosing the right type of method would be more useful. Case studies showed that different companies and different types of IT investment, required different methods, and the factors that influenced decisions were used to build the framework, which is the main output of the thesis. The framework takes into account the nature of the company, its use of IT, business objectives and reasons for evaluation. It weights these according to their importance, and matches a company’s needs to one of four generic types of method. These are the best known or documented methods, although there are many others of each type. A knowledge-based computer tool has been developed to show how the framework could be made simpler to use, and this has been shown to, and commented on, by some of the case study companies. The thesis ends by proving the hypotheses through the validity of a number of substatements. It provides useful guidance, not just for the case study companies who found the help given by the student in trying out several methods useful, but also for the Danish construction industry in general. This spends up to 5% of its turnover on IT systems and has made little use of formal evaluation methods so far. The software tool for using the framework could be developed into a complete package, making IT evaluation easier and thereby helping to increase productivity.
Improving the Quality of Public Services Based on Information Technology through Development of Human Resources Management in Palembang

Facts show that the quality of public services based on information technology in Palembang Governance is still low because there are still many public complaints about the services provided. For example, completion of the provision of building permit, e-ID card, industrial business permit, trade license and other permits taking a long time and costing additional charges. This research was conducted for three years, for the first year, research method and approach used was quantitative method. In this research, there were 200 respondents from civil state apparatus in work unit of Local Governance of Palembang directly or indirectly involved in providing public services. Through statistical test using SPPS, it is found that simultaneously and partially the development of apparatus resources through the dimensions of learning, education, development and training greatly affect the quality of public services based on information technology in the Government of Palembang. Thus, it can be concluded that the more improved aspects of learning, education, development and training, then the quality of public services based on information technology will also increase.
Big data infrastructure: Storage considerations

Building a big data processing cluster needs extra care on selecting right storage device, Operating System(OS) and their configuration. A wrong strategy may lead to a very slow cluster which becomes inefficient to processing data in considerable amount of time. In this work we will show how the performance varies with different setup using Hadoop Distributed File System(HDFS) and related tools.
RELACIONAMENTO MÉDICOS-INDÚSTRIA FARMACÊUTICA: DE ONDE VEM SEU VALOR?

This quantitative article uses Structural Equation Modeling based on Partial Least Squares to identify global criteria that physicians perceive that create relationship value with their suppliers, under strategies aiming at loyalty strategies used by pharmaceutical industry. Latent variables personal benefits and strategic benefits showed the greatest impact in relationship value creation. Latent variable benefits of the product had the lowest positive impact coefficient, while the latent variable sacrifices relationship showed negative impact.
Aberrantly activated anti‐apoptotic signalling mechanisms in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells: clues to the identification of novel therapeutic targets

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the commonest haematological malignancy in the western world and is incurable by cytotoxic therapy. Considerable research effort has identified the signal transduction pathways in CLL cells that contribute to anti‐apoptotic signalling. Some pathways are constitutively activated in CLL cells but upregulated in normal cells only when protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are activated by ligands. This review describes which PTKs are aberrantly activated in CLL cells and are potential targets for inhibition. Additional potential targets within pathways downstream of these PTKs include Mek/Erk, mTorc1, protein kinase C, PI‐3 kinase/Akt, nuclear factor‐κB and cyclin‐dependent protein kinase. Numerous studies have identified chemical agents and antibodies that selectively kill CLL cells, irrespective of their genetic resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and which can overcome cytoprotective microenvironmental signalling. These studies have resulted in identification of novel therapies, some of which are currently undergoing clinical trials. In vitro and animal model studies and clinical trials could determine which inhibitors of which targets are the likely to be most effective and least toxic either singly or in combination.