Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual task training in persons with Multiple Sclerosis: a feasability randomized controlled trial

Objective: To determine the feasibility of dual task training in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Design: Randomized, single-blinded controlled trial. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: A total of 234 individuals inquired about the investigation. After screening, 20 individuals with multiple sclerosis who self-reported problems with multitasking and were ambulatory volunteered for the investigation. 14 participants completed the post-assessment following the 12-week intervention. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to either single task training program which focused on balance and walking function (n=6) or dual task training program that incorporated cognitive tasks in balance and walking training (n=8). Measures: Before and after the 12-week interventions participants underwent assessments of walking; dual task walking; balance (Berg Balance Scale and balance confidence) and cognition as indexed by the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS. Results: There was an 8.5% recruitment rate, a 70% retention rate, and a 100% adherence rate. There was a trend for dual task gait speed to improve in the dual task training group following the intervention (Pre: task 1: 109.8±39, task 2: 104.2±34.1; Post: task 1:127.6±40.1, task 2: 122.8±37.4; P=0.14; η2 = 0.24). There was also a trend for the dual task training group (28.1) to have greater performance than the control group (24.7) on visuospatial memory (P=0.10; η2= 0.23). There were no changes in cognitive performance during walking trials. Conclusions: The study procedures were found to be feasible and improvements should be made in recruitment efforts going forward. Further examination of dual task training programs in individuals with multiple sclerosis is warranted.
Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and c-Jun NH 2-Terminal Kinase Pathways in Inflammation and Origin of Obesity and Diabetes

Metabolic and immune systems are the most fundamental requirements for survival, and many metabolic and immune response pathways or nutrientand pathogen-sensing systems have been evolutionarily highly conserved. Consequently, metabolic and immune pathways are also highly integrated and interdependent. In the past decade, it became apparent that this interface plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic metabolic diseases, particularly obesity and type 2 diabetes. Importantly, the inflammatory component in obesity and diabetes is now firmly established with the discovery of causal links between inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)and insulin receptor signaling and the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms, such as c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)and inhibitor of nuclear factorB kinase–mediated transcriptional and posttranslational modifications that inhibit insulin action. More recently, obesity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress has been demonstrated to underlie the initiation of obesity-induced JNK activation, inflammatory responses, and generation of peripheral insulin resistance. This article will review the link between stress, inflammation, and metabolic disease, particularly type 2 diabetes, and discuss the mechanistic and therapeutic opportunities that emerge from this platform by focusing on JNK and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses. Diabetes 54 (Suppl. 2):S73–S78, 2005
Audit of prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobin disorders in the United Kingdom: the first 20 years

Abstract Objectives: To audit services for prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobin disorders in the United Kingdom. Design: Comparison of the annual number of cases recorded in a United Kingdom register of prenatal diagnoses for haemoglobin disorders, with the annual number of pregnancies at risk of these disorders, by ethnic group and regional health authority. The number of pregnancies at risk was estimated using data on ethnic group from the 1991 census and data from the United Kingdom thalassaemia register, which records the number of babies born with thalassaemia. Setting: The three national prenatal diagnosis centres for haemoglobin disorders. Subjects: 2068 cases of prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobin disorders in the United Kingdom from 1974 to 1994. Main outcome measures: Utilisation of prenatal diagnosis by risk, ethnic group, and regional health authority. Proportion of referrals in the first trimester and before the birth of any affected child. Results: National utilisation of prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobin disorders was around 20%. During the past 10 years it has remained steady at about 50% for thalassaemias and risen from 7% to 13% for sickle cell disorders. Utilisation for sickle cell disorders varies regionally from 2% to 20%. Utilisation for thalassaemias varies by ethnic group. It is almost 90% for Cypriots and ranges regionally for British Pakistanis from 0% to over 60%. About 60% of first prenatal diagnoses are done for couples without an affected child. Less than 50% of first referrals are in the first trimester. Conclusions: National utilisation of prenatal diagnosis for haemoglobin disorders is far lower than expected, and there are wide regional variations. A high proportion of referrals are still in the second trimester and after the birth of an affected child. The findings point to serious shortcomings in present antenatal screening practice and in local screening policies and to inadequate counselling resources, especially for British Pakistanis. Key messages This audit for the United Kingdom found that utilisation of prenatal diagnosis for thalassaemias is about half that expected and for sickle cell disorders one third that expected Differences in prevalence of couples at risk or in ethnic group did not account for the wide regional differences observed First trimester prenatal diagnosis is feasible for all couples at risk of haemoglobin disorders, but less than half of those having prenatal diagnosis are first referred in the first trimester To achieve the objective of the service—informed choice for couples at risk—each district health authority needs a policy promoting screening for carriers early in pregnancy and before pregnancy, immediate expert counselling in couples' own language when appropriate, and fast track referral
A security study of the Internet : an analysis of firewall behavior and anonymous DNS

Hosts connected to the Internet are exposed to a wide array of attacks. Multiple methods are used to limit and impede attacks. This paper looks at how and if some of these methods are deployed on the Internet. The most common method employed is to limit network access to hosts using firewalls. What percentage of IP addresses are behind firewalls? What do these firewalls block and allow? What common policies are installed in firewalls? These questions are extremely important for understanding how firewalls are used as a security defense mechanism on the Internet and were previously unaddressed. In this paper, we first set off to answer these questions by performing a systematic study of firewall behavior on the Internet. Another well-adopted method to limit information about hosts is to give IP addresses anonymous hostnames based on their IP addresses on the public Internet, called anonymous DNS. This makes the function and even existence of such machine difficult to determine. In this paper, we then analyze the behavior of anonymous DNS on the Internet, e.g., what fraction of hosts have anonymous names and how much information is contained in Internet hostnames. To the best of our knowledge, we axe the first ones to systematically study the behavior of firewalls and anonymous DNS on the Internet. In this paper, we propose a methodology for such a study and describe our measurement results.
Oral anticoagulants in the elderly

Summary. Over a 1‐year period, 34 998 prothrombin time tests were performed on 2379 patients aged 40–89 years with a recommended target International Normalized Ratio (INR) value of 2·5. At least one INR value of ≥ 5 was found in 507/2379 patients (21·3%). The elderly demonstrated higher maximum and lower minimum INR values, lower warfarin doses, and an increased number of tests performed. After adjustment for these factors, the risk of INR values ≥ 5 increased with age by 15% every 10 years (95% CI 4–28%). We conclude that age is a risk factor for more unstable prothrombin time results.
Lack of clinical and physiological relationship between gastrin and calcitonin in man

Abstract. The clinical and physiological relevance of the relationship between gastrin and calcitonin has been investigated in normal subjects and in patients suffering from gastritis or duodenal ulcer. Basal plasma levels of calcitonin are increased in these patients but there is no significant relationship between calcitonin and gastrin levels. Acute pentagastrin injection in normal male subjects increased significantly (P < 0.05) plasma calcitonin levels whereas lower doses of pentagastrin which are known to stimulate gastric secretion are without effect on calcitonin levels. Moreover, stimulation of gastrin secretion by a protein test meal and by intragastric administration of a calcium chloride solution is not followed by any significant increase of plasma calcitonin levels. These results suggest that the stimulation of calcitonin secretion by gastrin and its synthetic analogue pentagastrin is a pharmacological rather than a physiological phenomenon.
Na+-H+ exchange activity in rat hepatocytes: role in regulation of intracellular pH.

Amiloride-sensitive Na+-H+ exchange has been identified in basolateral membrane vesicles from rat liver, but little is currently known about its regulation or its role in maintenance of resting intracellular pH (pHi) in intact hepatocytes. We have assessed Na+-H+ exchange activity in isolated or cultured rat hepatocytes in nominally HCO3- free solution under basal conditions and after intracellular acidification by an NH4Cl pulse by measuring 1) pHi, using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxy fluorescein, 2) net H+ efflux by pH-stat titration, and 3) amiloride-inhibitable 22Na uptake. Under resting conditions, Na+-H+ exchange did not contribute measurably to Na+ uptake and accounted for less than 20% of net H+ efflux. Hepatocyte pHi averaged 7.07 +/- 0.03, significantly above H+ electrochemical equilibrium (6.92 +/- 0.08) determined using an electrogenic proton ionophore. Transient removal of extracellular Na+ or exposure to amiloride reversibly lowered pHi by 0.09 +/- 0.01 and 0.12 +/- 0.03 pH units, respectively, within 5-10 min. After intracellular acidification by an NH4Cl pulse, Na+ uptake rate increased about twofold, the increase being entirely amiloride inhibitable. Net H+ efflux increased about threefold, and 70% of the increase was amiloride inhibitable. Recovery of pHi after an NH4Cl pulse was reversibly blocked by exposure to amiloride or removal of Na+. Na+-H+ exchange activity (calculated from the rate of change in pHi and intracellular buffering capacity) was inversely related to pHi and was estimated to approach zero at pHi 7.25-7.50. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aligning IT Capabilities with the Information Requirements of International SMEs: Information Processing Theory Revisited

The ability to internationalize has become a competitive necessity for many SMEs, enabling their survival and growth under globalization. From an IS research perspective, one important issue in this regard is the strategic role played by the firm's IT capabilities in responding to greater environmental uncertainty and correspondingly greater information requirements, and in enabling the firm's internationalization performance. Given that such a major aspect of the influence of IT on the performance of SMEs has so far been ignored, the following research question is posed: To what extent does the match between the IT capabilities and information requirements of SMEs contribute to their internationalization performance? Our research model and hypotheses are based on Tushman and Nadler's information processing model. In revisiting this model, the aim was to show its continued relevancy and extend its domain of applicability. In order to answer the research question, we conduct a survey-based empirical study of 174 Canadian SMEs that have internationalized their activities in one form or another. Our results show that a better match between IT capabilities and information requirements does indeed exert a positive influence on internationalization performance. We also find that the SMEs' IT capabilities are influenced externally by the environmental uncertainty and internally by their internationalization mode.
Effect of G-suit in treatment of postural hypotension.

Continuous, daily use of a modified aviator's g-suit has effectively prevented severe symptoms of postural hypotension in two cases where other methods of treatment had failed. Hemodynamic effects were studied on a tilt table. Inflation of the g-suit resulted in considerably higher systemic arterial pressure at heart level in the head-up position. Increases were recorded in pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output. It is suggested that the g-suit exerted its effect mainly by redistribution of blood volume into the intrathoracic compartment.
Photodermatitis and Photokeratoconjunctivitis in a Ball Python (Python regius) and a Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua spp.)

Abstract A male ball python (Python regius) and a female blue tongue skink (Tiliqua spp.) of unknown age were evaluated for anorexia, lethargy, excessive shedding, corneal opacity (python), and weight loss (skink) of approximately three weeks' duration. These animals represented the worst affected animals from a private herpetarium where many animals exhibited similar signs. At necropsy, the python had bilateral corneal opacity and scattered moderate dysecdysis. The skink had mild dysecdysis, poor body condition, moderate intestinal nematodiasis, and mild liver atrophy. Microscopic evaluation revealed epidermal erosion and ulceration, with severe epidermal basal cell degeneration and necrosis, and superficial dermatitis (python and skink). Severe bilateral ulcerative keratoconjunctivitis with bacterial colonization was noted in the ball python. Microscopic findings within the skin and eyes were suggestive of ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage or of photodermatitis and photokeratoconjunctivitis. Removal of the recently installed new lamps from the terrariums of the surviving reptiles resulted in resolution of clinical signs. Evaluation of a sample lamp of the type associated with these cases revealed an extremely high UV output, including very-short-wavelength UVB, neither found in natural sunlight nor emitted by several other UVB lamps unassociated with photokeratoconjunctivitis. Exposure to high-intensity and/or inappropriate wavelengths of UV radiation may be associated with significant morbidity, and even mortality, in reptiles. Veterinarians who are presented with reptiles with ocular and/or cutaneous disease of unapparent cause should fully evaluate the specifics of the vivarium light sources. Further research is needed to determine the characteristics of appropriate and of toxic UV light for reptiles kept in captivity.
Novel spatial modulation method using dual scatterers for wireless power transmission

Recent advances in the smart grid for electric power supply systems require long-distance wireless power transmission with smart wireless communication technology. Whereas power transmission and information transmission have been considered separately, a few papers have been proposed a method to transmit both power and information, in which wireless power transmission beam is modulated by signals [1]. However, since the peak average power ratios for the modulated beam are larger than unity, the communication was carried out only under the sacrifice of the power transmission efficiency. Thus, to utilize the maximum capacity of transmitted power, a novel wireless technology to transmit both power and information has been eagerly demanded.
Set shifting in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa: an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Set shifting inefficiencies in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) are established, however the neurocognitive profile of children and adolescents with AN is less clear. This study aimed to provide a review of the literature. METHOD Electronic databases were used to search for manuscripts. RESULTS Meta-analysis was performed on seven studies using two neuropsychological tests (Trail Making Task, TMT; Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, WCST). The mean difference in outcome between AN and healthy control (HC) groups was standardized by calculating Cohen's d. Meta-analysis of TMT studies showed a nonsignificant negative, pooled standardized mean difference of -0.005 (95% C.I. -0.416 to 0.406, z = 0.02, p = .98). WCST studies revealed a nonsignificant pooled effect size of d = 0.196 (95% C.I. -0.091-0.483, z = 1.34, p = .18). Studies which did not allow for a calculation of effect size typically showed a nonsignificant, worse performance by the AN groups. DISCUSSION The inefficiencies in set shifting that are apparent in the adult AN literature do not appear to be as pronounced in children. This may suggest that set shifting difficulties in adult AN are the result of starvation or indicative of longer duration of illness. Larger studies are needed to confirm these impressions.
Long-Term Exercise Maintenance, Physical Activity, and Health-Related Quality of Life After Cardiac Rehabilitation

Izawa KP, Yamada S, Oka K, Watanabe S, Omiya K, Iijima S, Hirano Y, Kobayashi T, Kasahara Y, Samejima H, Osada N: Long-term exercise maintenance, physical activity, and health-related quality of life after cardiac rehabilitation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:884–892. Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine exercise maintenance rate, leisure-time objective physical activity level, and health-related quality of life in relation to exercise maintenance over the 6-mo period after a supervised 5-mo recovery-phase cardiac rehabilitation program in acute myocardial infarction patients. The study also investigated whether exercise maintenance resulted in reproducible health-related quality-of-life outcomes comparable with those of the Japanese normal population. Design:This observational study comprised 109 acute myocardial infarction patients (89 men, 20 women; mean age, 63.5 ± 10.1 yrs). Physiologic outcomes (peak oxygen uptake, handgrip, and knee-extension strength) measured at 1 and 6 mos after acute myocardial infarction onset were compared. Completed exercise maintenance and health-related quality-of-life questionnaires and results of electronic pedometer recordings to evaluate leisure-time objective physical activity level were assessed 6 mos after cardiac rehabilitation. Results:The mean period from acute myocardial infarction to evaluation of outcomes was 18.8 ± 3.4 mos. Ninety of 109 patients (82.6%) continued exercise for >6 mos after cardiac rehabilitation (exercise group); 19 patients (17.4%) quit exercise after cardiac rehabilitation (nonexercise group). Improvement in physiologic outcomes was noted at 6 mos vs. those at 1 mo, but outcomes were not significantly different between groups. The exercise group performed significantly better than the nonexercise group for leisure-time objective physical activity level and scored significantly higher than the nonexercise group for seven of eight health-related quality of life measures, attaining scores similar to those of the Japanese normal population. Conclusions:At >18 mos after acute myocardial infarction, the exercise maintenance rate in our patients remains high, and exercise maintenance may be one of the factors contributing to improvement of health-related quality of life and leisure-time objective physical activity level.
p21WAF1/CIP1 expression is a marker of poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Previous research on the prognostic relevance of p21(WAF1/CIP1) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) yielded inconclusive and contradictory data. OBJECTIVES To investigate the prognostic significance of p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression, its relationship to p53 accumulation, proliferation-associated proteins Ki-67 and cyclin D1 in relation to survival and clinicopathological features in OSCC. METHODS Surgical specimens taken from 106 randomly selected patients were studied by immunohistochemistry. Expression of the protein of interest was correlated with clinical data. RESULTS p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression was found in 61.3% of OSCCs. Expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) significantly correlated with tumor size (P = 0.005), lymph node involvement (P = 0.002), clinical stage (P < 0.001), and tumor site (P = 0.002). Patients with tumors showing p21(WAF1/CIP1) immunopositivity had decreased 2-year survival (P = 0.018). Expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) was not related to age, gender, risk factors (tobacco, alcohol), dental status, or tumor differentiation grade. The p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression positively correlated with proliferation-related variables Ki-67 (P = 0.010) and cyclin D1 (P < 0.001), but not with p53 expression. CONCLUSIONS The expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) was found to be associated with poorer prognosis and tumor aggressivity in OSCC.
Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial

Current treatment options for depression are limited by efficacy, cost, availability, side effects, and acceptability to patients. Several studies have looked at the association between magnesium and depression, yet its role in symptom management is unclear. The objective of this trial was to test whether supplementation with over-the-counter magnesium chloride improves symptoms of depression. An open-label, blocked, randomized, cross-over trial was carried out in outpatient primary care clinics on 126 adults (mean age 52; 38% male) diagnosed with and currently experiencing mild-to-moderate symptoms with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores of 5–19. The intervention was 6 weeks of active treatment (248 mg of elemental magnesium per day) compared to 6 weeks of control (no treatment). Assessments of depression symptoms were completed at bi-weekly phone calls. The primary outcome was the net difference in the change in depression symptoms from baseline to the end of each treatment period. Secondary outcomes included changes in anxiety symptoms as well as adherence to the supplement regimen, appearance of adverse effects, and intention to use magnesium supplements in the future. Between June 2015 and May 2016, 112 participants provided analyzable data. Consumption of magnesium chloride for 6 weeks resulted in a clinically significant net improvement in PHQ-9 scores of -6.0 points (CI -7.9, -4.2; P<0.001) and net improvement in Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 scores of -4.5 points (CI -6.6, -2.4; P<0.001). Average adherence was 83% by pill count. The supplements were well tolerated and 61% of participants reported they would use magnesium in the future. Similar effects were observed regardless of age, gender, baseline severity of depression, baseline magnesium level, or use of antidepressant treatments. Effects were observed within two weeks. Magnesium is effective for mild-to-moderate depression in adults. It works quickly and is well tolerated without the need for close monitoring for toxicity.
Looking at Patients’ Choices through the Lens of Expected Utility

The expected utility framework underlies much research in medical decision making. Because the framework requires decisions to be decomposed into probabilities of states and the values of those states, researchers have investigated the two components separately from each other and from patients’ actual decisions. The authors propose that it would be productive to focus more research on the relationships among risk perceptions, outcome valuations, and choices in the same decision makers. They outline exploratory analyses based on two existing national surveys, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and the Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health.