Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research on the Emergence Mechanism of Complex Group Decision-making System

With the relevant theories and methods of complexity science,the paper defines the complexity of group decision-making system,and then,defines the emergence of group decision making system.Analyzing the emergence mechanism of complex group decision-making system with the theory of metasystem transition,the author hopes that it can offer a new research angle of view for group decision-making.
Abscisic Acid and Cytokinins as Possible Root-to-Shoot Signals in Xylem Sap of Rice Plants in Drying Soil

Seedlings of rice cv. IR 36 were grown in soil in small pots with a horizontally divided root system: after 6-7 weeks, about 20% of the entire root system had protruded through the holes at the base of the pots and was kept in contact with nutrient solution. At this stage the plants were exposed to three different treatments: (a) the soil was kept watered and the protruding free roots were dried in air; (b) the free roots were kept moist and the soil left unwatered; (c) both soil and protruding roots were left unwatered for 30 h and then rewatered. During the first hours of treatment a and b, a decline in stomatal conductance was observed, whereas the stem water potential remained unchanged. The concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) in the xylem, however, increased. At later stages of treatment a and b, the stem water potential began to decrease with a parallel further increase of xylem ABA. Xylem sap contained considerable amounts of bound ABA, the level of which increased during total root drying and decreased again after rewatering. Level of cytokinins, zeatin (t-Z)+zeatin riboside (t-ZR) and isopentenyladenine (2iP) + isopentenyladenosine (2iPA), on the contrary, decreased during root drying and increased again after rewatering. The results are discussed with regard to a possible function of ABA and cytokinins as root-to-shoot signals.
Clinical Characteristics and Proposed Wheat-Cofactor Challenge Protocol with a High Diagnostic Yield in Adult-Onset IgE-Mediated Wheat Allergy

Background IgE-mediated wheat allergy in adults can be childhood or adulthood onset. Adult-onset wheat allergy has been reported, but data on clinical characteristics and practical food challenge protocols are scarce. Objective We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of adult-onset wheat allergy, laboratory results, and outcomes of a modified 3-day challenge protocol using a combination of aspirin, wheat, and exercise. Patients and Methods Patients with histories compatible with adult-onset wheat allergy were recruited from Siriraj Hospital, Thailand. Clinical history, skin prick tests (SPTs), and specific IgE (sIgE) levels were ascertained. Patients with no food challenge contraindications were asked to volunteer for wheat challenge. A modified 3-day protocol using 300 mg of acetylsalicylic acid, 60–75 g of wheat flour, and exercise was used for confirmatory diagnosis of conventional wheat allergy (WA) and wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). Results Thirty-three patients were recruited. The mean age of onset was 29.7 years (SD 10.5). SPTs yielded positivity rates of 9.1%, 84.8%, and 81.8% in commercial wheat, in-house gliadin, and in-house glutenin extracts, respectively. sIgE yielded a positivity rate of 61% and 88% in wheat and ω5-gliadin, respectively. Eighteen patients underwent oral wheat challenges. Of these, 17 patients (94.4%) had positive challenges leading to definite diagnoses of WA (35%), and WDEIA (65%). One WDEIA patient developed hypotensive anaphylaxis in the protocol. Conclusion WDEIA was the most common phenotype. Our modified 3-day protocol could differentiate WA and WDEIA and yielded a high positivity rate (94.4%). It should be used cautiously as severe reactions can occur.
Combination Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Hemorrhagic Gastritis

A 37-year-old woman with Stage IV metastatic melanoma to the lung, liver, bone, and brain previously on chemotherapy, followed by single-agent nivolumab (programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor) with disease progression, followed by combination ipilimumab (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitor) and nivolumab presented to the clinic with nausea, vomiting, and inability to tolerate oral intake. Shehad received a total of 4 doses ofnivolumabmonotherapy (alongwith systemic chemotherapy) every 4weeks. She was then switched to combination therapy of nivolumab and ipilimumab every 4 weeks and received a total of 2 doses of combination therapy before symptom onset (approximately 8 weeks after initiating combination therapy). She endorsed mild epigastric discomfort; however, she denied dysphagia, odynophagia, reflux disease, or hematochezia. Trials of ondasetron, lorazepam, and prochlorperazine producedmild improvement in symptoms. Shewasnot on aprotonpump inhibitor andhadnever previouslyhad anupper endoscopyor colonoscopy. Family history was unremarkable for gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy. Vital signs and physical examination were within normal limits. Laboratory testingwaswithin normal limits without evidence of anemia or leukocytosis. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography revealed no inflammatory process or obstructive bowel pattern to explain her symptoms. Upper endoscopy revealed a normal-appearing esophagus, patchy hemorrhagic and inflamedmucosawith exudate in the gastric antrum andprepyloric region, and normal-appearing duodenum (Figure 1). A pathologic review of the gastric biopsies demonstrated gastric mucosa with severe chronic active gastritis with increased intraepithelial lymphocytosis with evidence of increased apoptotic activity consistent with checkpoint inhibitor-induced gastritis (Figure 2). Helicobacter pylori and viral immunostaining were negative. She was initiated on prednisone
Evaluating the Performance of p16INK4a Immunocytochemistry in Cervical Cancer Screening

Purpose When used for cervical cancer primary screening, liquid-based cytology (LBC) has a high specificity but a low sensitivity. For histological diagnosis of high-grade lesions, p16INK4a immunostaining has proven to be useful. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the use of p16INK4a immuno-cytology as a primary screen and a secondary screen after primary high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) screening or LBC screening. Methods A total of 1197 cytology slides were immuno-stained using automatic p16INK4a staining system (PathCIN®p16INK4a) in two studies from cervical screening programs. In the primary screening study, 875 slides were randomly selected and analyzed for p16INK4a. In the secondary screening study, 322 of the remaining slides were chosen by virtue of being HPV 16/18+, other hrHPV+/LBC≥ASC-US, or HPV-negative/LBC ≥LSIL. The sensitivity and specificity for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 or worse (CIN2+/CIN3+) were compared based on p16INK4a, LBC and HPV test results. Results In combining two studies, there were 431 cases with biopsy pathology. They included 83 cases with CIN2+ and 41 cases with CIN3+. The p16 positivity rate increased with pathologic and cytologic severity (P<0.0001). For primary screening: p16 immuno-cytology was more specific than HPV testing and was similar in sensitivity. Also, p16 immuno-cytology compared favorably with routine LBC (≥ASC-US or ≥LSIL) in sensitivity and specificity. For secondary screening: after LBC screening, “Triaging ASC-US with p16” gave a higher specificity and a similar sensitivity as compared to the “Triaging ASC-US with hrHPV” algorithm. After HPV primary screening, p16 immuno-cytology was more specific than LBC (≥ASC-US); the calculated colposcopy referral rate was also decreased by using p16 immuno-cytology as triage. Triage of “HPV16/18 and p16” had higher specificity and similar sensitivity as compared to triage of “HPV16/18 and LBC ≥ASC-US”. Conclusion For primary screening, p16INK4a immuno-cytology compares favorably to routine LBC and HPV testing. p16INK4a immunostaining could be an efficient triage to reduce the colposcopy referral rate after primary hrHPV screening or LBC screening. Therefore, p16INK4a immuno-cytology may be applicable as a favorable technology for cervical cancer screening.
Pediatric Patient With Concurrent Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Erosive Reflux Esophagitis, and Barrett's Esophagus

ABSTRACT Eosinophilic esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus are believed to be separate disease processes, with erosive esophagitis leading to Barrett's esophagus. We report a rare case of concurrent diagnoses in a pediatric patient and examine the relevant genetic profiles in the esophagus.
Identification of Apolipoprotein E as a Potential Diagnostic Biomarker of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose Apo-E, a secreted protein, is closely related to the migration and invasion of tumor cells. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression of Apo-E in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and cell lines, as well as its effects on NPC cell behavior. Patients and Methods Our study included 35 patients with NPC from Zhongnan Hospital. Expression levels of Apo-E in patients with NPC were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed using the SPSS 22 software to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the Apo-E protein in diagnosing NPC. Additionally, the level of Apo-E in NPC cell lines (NP69, 6–10B, and 5–8F) was investigated by Western blotting and IHC. Results Levels of Apo-E were higher in NPC patients than in controls. Moreover, ROC analysis revealed that increased Apo-E in the serum of NPC patients may act as a potential biomarker for NPC diagnosis (Area under the curve 0.917). Furthermore, similar results were also identified in NPC cancer cell lines. RNA interference technology was used to overexpress the endogenous Apo-E in the NPC cell line 6–10B. Wound healing and transwell assays indicated that the overexpression of Apo-E increased the number of cell colonies and migration ability, respectively. Conclusion In this study, we found that Apo-E was elevated in NPC patients and may act as a potential biomarker for NPC diagnosis. In addition, Apo-E was upregulated in NPC cell lines and promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion.
Assessment of Serum Lipid Profiles and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Among Patients Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by severe joint pain, swelling, damage, and disability which leads to joint destruction and loss of function. The complication of RA is associated with cardiovascular diseases, particularly due to systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of atherosclerosis, which acts as a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications in RA patients. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. The study made a comparison of risk factors (dyslipidemia and inflammatory status) between individuals having RA as a case group and apparently healthy individuals as a control group. Simple descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, independent sample t-test and multivariate analysis were utilized for statistical analysis. p-value of <0.05 at the 95% confidence level was considered as statistically significant. Results The result of this study demonstrated that there was a significant elevation of mean ±SD of TC, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and lowered value of HDL-C was seen among RA patients than controls (P-value <0.05). The mean ±SD of inflammatory marker, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), was significantly higher among RA patients compared to controls (P<0.05). HDL-C had a significant negative correlation with a hsCRP whereas TC/HDL-C and LDL/HDL-C had a significant positive correlation with hsCRP (P<0.05). Conclusion In this study, RA patients had lipid abnormalities and elevated systemic inflammation than controls. An increase in hsCRP and dyslipidemia status among RA patients indicates the possible development of an atherosclerotic event. Therefore, assessment of lipid profiles and hsCRP in early RA patients may be helpful to assess the possible development of cardiovascular complications.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): One Health Perspective Approach to the Bacterium Epidemiology, Virulence Factors, Antibiotic-Resistance, and Zoonotic Impact

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major human pathogen and a historically emergent zoonotic pathogen with public health and veterinary importance. In humans, MRSA commonly causes severe infectious diseases, including food poisoning, pyogenic endocarditis, suppurative pneumonia, otitis media, osteomyelitis, and pyogenic infections of the skin, soft tissues. In the horse, MRSA could cause a localized purulent infection and botryomycosis; in cattle and ewe, localized pyogenic infection and severe acute mastitis with marked toxemia; in sheep, abscess disease resembles caseous lymphadenitis caused by anaerobic strains; in dogs and cats, pustular dermatitis and food poisoning; in pig, exudative epidermatitis “greasy pig disease; in birds, MRSA causes bumble-foot. The methicillin resistance could be determined by PCR-based detection of the mecA gene as well as resistance to cefoxitin. In Egypt, MRSA is one of the important occasions of subclinical and clinical bovine mastitis, and the prevalence of MRSA varies by geographical region. In this review, we are trying to illustrate variable data about the host susceptibility, diseases, epidemiology, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, treatment, and control of MRSA infection.
Multifunctional Coating with Both Thermal Insulation and Antibacterial Properties Applied to Nickel-Titanium Alloy

Background With excellent shape memory and superelastic properties, shape memory alloy (SMA) is an ideal actuator, and it can form smart structure for different applications in medical field. However, SMA devices cause apparent thermal damage to the surrounding tissues when it works in vivo, making the application of smart structure that is composed of SMA actuator in vivo is greatly limited. Methods In this paper, coating (APA) with PLA as the main body to limit the heat conduction, a multifunctional Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs)/polylactic acid (PLA)/Al2O3 was synthesized. The Al2O3 layer was formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and AgNPs were synthesized by silver nitrate and ethylene glycol. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectra were applied to analyze the morphology and characterization of APA coating. The antimicrobial activity, thermal insulation activity, and biocompatibility of APA coating were furtherly explored and verified through animal experiments and immunohistochemistry. Results With different particle sizes and concentrations of AgNPs, APA multi-functional films were successfully prepared. The Al2O3 layer was closely combined with SMA and formed a porous surface, so the PLA and AgNPs layers can firmly adhere to SMA, thus reducing the release of nickel ions in SMA. AgNPs gave APA coating excellent antibacterial activity and effectively inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, coupled with the low thermal conductivity of PLA and Al2O3, AgNPs were tightly anchored on the surface of PLA, which has high infrared reflectivity, making the APA coating obtain good thermal insulation performance. Conclusion We have successfully prepared the APA coating and obtained the optimum amount of AgNPs, which makes it have good thermal insulation performance, good antibacterial activity and good biocompatibility, which provides a new prospect for the application of SMA.
Factors Affecting the Acceptability of Technology in Health Care Among Older Korean Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study Adopting the Senior Technology Acceptance Model

Purpose Older adults experience challenges employing technology in their health-care management due to changes in cognitive and physical functions. This study aimed to investigate the acceptance of technology among older Korean adults with multiple chronic health conditions and examine factors associated with technology acceptance, adopting the senior technology acceptance model (STAM). Patients and Methods In total, 226 community-dwelling older adults with more than two chronic conditions participated in this study. We conducted a survey that covered demographics, gerontechnology self-efficacy, gerontechnology anxiety, facilitating conditions, self-reported health conditions, cognitive ability, social relationships, attitude toward life and satisfaction, physical functioning, and technology acceptance. Results Older Korean adults with multiple chronic health conditions scored moderately high for technology acceptance (25.36±5.28). There were significant differences in technology acceptance according to age (r=−0.241), cognitive ability (r=0.225), gerontechnology self-efficacy (r=0.323), and facilitating conditions (r=0.288). Only age and education were significant factors predicting technology acceptance (Adjusted R2=0.151, p<0.001). Conclusion Although older Korean adults with multiple chronic conditions displayed good technology acceptance, their age and education level predicted the level of acceptance. Given that some components of the STAM model have social and cultural relevance, it is necessary to conduct research across various cultures to better understand technology acceptance by older adults.
Screening for psychotrauma related symptoms: Japanese translation and pilot testing of the Global Psychotrauma Screen

ABSTRACT Background: The impact of traumatic experiences or adverse life experiences has been shown to potentially affect a wide range of mental health outcomes. However, there was no brief instrument to screen for a range of psychological problems in different domains after a potentially traumatic event, and for risk factors and protective factors. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the internal consistency and concurrent validity of the Japanese version of the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS) in a traumatized sample in Japan. Method: A total sample (n = 58) with varying levels of potential posttrauma symptoms due to domestic violence or other events were recruited into this study. Self-rating measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and alcohol problems were conducted to investigate the concurrent validity. Results: The results show that a range of posttrauma symptoms assessed by the GPS were highly endorsed by this traumatized sample in all domains except for self-harm, derealization, and depersonalization. The GPS sum score was highly correlated (r > 0.79) with other measures of PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Also, the subdomain scores showed acceptable correlations with corresponding domain measures. Participants who had been sexually assaulted or had unwanted sexual experiences, and participants who had been physically assaulted during childhood, had higher scores on the total GPS and on subdomains of PTSD, as well as symptoms associated with Complex PTSD. Conclusions: This study provides an initial indication that the GPS may be a useful screening tool for trauma survivors and elucidates that the consequences of trauma are not limited to PTSD.
Clinically Important Deterioration Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treated with Nebulized Glycopyrrolate: A Post Hoc Analysis of Pooled Data from Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies

Purpose Using a composite endpoint, pooled data from two 12-week Phase III placebo-controlled trials (GOLDEN 3, NCT02347761; GOLDEN 4, NCT02347774) were analyzed to determine whether glycopyrrolate inhalation solution (25 mcg and 50 mcg) administered twice daily (BID) via the eFlow® Closed System nebulizer (GLY) reduced the risk of clinically important deterioration (CID) in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD. Methods CID was defined as ≥100-mL decrease from baseline in post-bronchodilator trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), or ≥4-unit increase in baseline St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, or moderate/severe exacerbation. The relative treatment effect of GLY versus placebo on the odds of CID (any and by component endpoints) was expressed as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroups categorized by age (<65/≥65 years), sex, smoking status (current/former), long-acting beta agonist (LABA) use, FEV1 (<50%/≥50%), and peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) (<60 L/min/≥60 L/min) were analyzed. Results Compared to placebo, GLY 25 mcg and 50 mcg BID over 12 weeks significantly reduced the risk of CID by 50% (OR: 0.50 [0.37–0.68]) and 40% (OR: 0.60 [0.44–0.80]), respectively. Subjects treated with GLY 25 mcg BID were 59% less likely to experience CID in FEV1 (OR: 0.41 [0.27–0.62]) and 48% less likely to perceive CID in health status (OR: 0.52 [0.37–0.73]). Statistically significant reductions were also observed at the higher dose. The incidence of moderate/severe exacerbations was low and comparable among the cohorts. GLY 25 mcg BID was significantly more effective than placebo (p<0.05) in preventing CID irrespective of age, smoking status, LABA use, COPD severity, or PIFR. Subjects <65 years (OR 0.45 [0.29–0.68]) and those with PIFR <60 L/min (OR 0.36 [0.20–0.67]) exhibited the largest benefit. Conclusion Nebulized GLY over 12 weeks significantly reduced the risk of CID and provided greater short-term stability in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD.
Validity of the Shahin Mixed Depression Scale: A Self-Rated Instrument Designed to Measure the Non-DSM Mixed Features in Depression

Background The DSM5-defined mixed features in depression do not include psychomotor agitation, irritability or distractibility because they are considered overlapping symptoms. A growing number of modern psychiatrists have expressed dissatisfaction with this and proposed alternative sets of mixed symptoms that are much more common and clinically relevant. Among such alternative criteria were those proposed by Koukopoulos. He utilized the research diagnostic criteria of agitated depression (RDC-A) as a mixed depression subtype, and validated another form of mixed depression, the Koukopoulos criteria for mixed depression (K-DMX). Purpose This study provides psychometric validation for the first self-rated scale designed to measure the most common mixed symptoms in depression as proposed by Koukopoulos. Patients and Methods We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study of 170 patients with unipolar depression. They completed the Shahin Mixed Depression Scale (SMDS) and underwent expert interviews as a gold standard reference. SMDS’ psychometric properties were assessed, including Cronbach’s alpha, factor analysis, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and accuracy. Results We found significant association and agreement between mixity according to SMDS and the gold standard (K-DMX and RDC-A according to expert interview) with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.87), high sensitivity (=91.4%), specificity (=98.0%), positive predictive value (=96.9%), negative predictive value (= 94.2%) and accuracy (=95.2%). Factor analysis identified one factor for psychomotor agitation and another for mixity without psychomotor agitation. Conclusion SMDS was a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the frequently encountered and clinically relevant mixed features in depression.