Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Discriminative Gene Modules between Two-Class DNA Microarray Data and Its Application to Chronic Loneliness Patients' Dataset

Development of techniques for assisting to discover useful biomarkers for disease diagnosis is a crucial issue in the field of Biometrics as well as clinical area. In this paper, we propose a novel method that searches for informative gene sets (called modules) for discriminating between different but similar two disease classes in DNA microarray data. This method enables us to identify discriminatory modules that are not only differential between the classes but also specific within respective classes. The proposed method is applied to a dataset obtained from peripheral bloods of individuals with chronic loneliness, and the biological functions of the extracted discriminative modules are evaluated by the functional enrichment analysis. As a result, we show that the proposed method can identify not only biologically meaningful genes as suggested by earlier studies but also novel findings not shown so far.
The homogeneity of architecture in a heterogeneous world

Summary form only given. It has long been accepted within embedded computing that using a heterogeneous core focused to a specific task can deliver improved performance and subsequent improved power efficiency. The challenge has always been how can the software programmer integrate this hardware diversity as workloads become generalized or often unknown at design time? Using library abstraction permits specific tasks to benefit from heterogeneity, but how can general purpose code benefit? This talk will describe the hardware and software techniques currently being developed in next generation ARM based SoC to address the challenge of maintaining the homogeneity of the software architecture while extending to the benefits of heterogeneity in hardware.
Cannabis use and the course of schizophrenia: 10-year follow-up after first hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the relationship between cannabis use and the course of illness in schizophrenia over 10 years of follow-up after first psychiatric hospitalization. METHOD The authors assessed 229 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder five times: during the first admission and 6 months, 2 years, 4 years, and 10 years later. Ratings of cannabis use and psychiatric symptoms (psychotic, negative, disorganized, and depressive) were made at each assessment. RESULTS The lifetime rate of cannabis use was 66.2%, and survival analysis revealed that lifetime use was associated with an earlier onset of psychosis. The rates of current use ranged from 10% to 18% across assessments. Cannabis status was moderately stable, with tetrachoric correlation coefficients between waves ranging from 0.48 to 0.78. Mixed-effects logistic regression revealed that changes in cannabis use were associated with changes in psychotic symptoms over time even after gender, age, socioeconomic status, other drug use, antipsychotic medication use, and other symptoms were controlled for. Structural equation modeling indicated that the association with psychotic symptoms was bidirectional. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use is associated with an adverse course of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia, and vice versa, even after taking into account other clinical, substance use, and demographic variables.
Optimal Methods to Screen Men and Women for Intimate Partner Violence: Results From an Internal Medicine Residency Continuity Clinic

Contradictory data exist regarding optimal methods and instruments for intimate partner violence (IPV) screening in primary care settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal method and screening instrument for IPV among men and women in a primary-care resident clinic. We conducted a cross-sectional study at an urban, academic, internal medicine residency continuity clinic in Connecticut among English or Spanish speaking adult patients. One group of patients ( n = 340) received a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) containing the partner violence screen (PVS) and the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened or Screamed at Questionnaire (HITS). A second group (n = 126) was screened with PVS and HITS by their primary care providers during face-to-face (FTF) clinical encounters. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association between IPV prevalence and screening method (SAQ or FTF) after adjusting for socio-demographic effects. The overall IPV prevalence was 17.3% using the SAQ and 9.0% with FTF screening (p = .008). Patients receiving the SAQ were more likely to report IPV than those who were screened FTF (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-5.6). This effect persisted for women, who had a higher odds of IPV when screened through a SAQ than when screened FTF (AOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4-8.6). Men did not differ in reporting IPV between methods: 11% with SAQ versus 9.4% FTF (p = .69). In internal medicine residency continuity clinics, a SAQ for IPV may result in higher disclosure and completion rates among female patients compared to FTF screening. Unique screening instruments and methods may be needed for men.
How to Calculate Clearance of Highly Protein-Bound Drugs during Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration Demonstrated with Flucloxacillin

Background: Flucloxacillin is an important antimicrobial drug in the treatment of infections with Staphylococcus aureus and therefore is often used in staphylococcal infections. Furthermore, flucloxacillin has a high protein binding rate as for example ceftriaxone or teicoplanin – drugs which have formerly been characterized as not being dialyzable. Methods: The pharmacokinetic parameters of 4.0 g flucloxacillin every 8 h were examined in 10 intensive care patients during continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) using a polyamide capillary hemofilter. In addition, the difficulty of calculating the hemofiltration clearance of a highly protein-bound drug is described. Results: Flucloxacillin serum levels were significantly lowered (56.9 ± 24.0%) even though only 15% of the drug was detected in the ultrafiltrate. Elimination half-life, total body clearance and sieving coefficient were 4.9 ± 0.7 h, 117.2 ± 79.1 ml/min and 0.21 ± 0.09, respectively. These discrepancies can be explained by the high protein binding of flucloxacillin, the adsorbing property of polyamide and the equation in order to calculate hemofiltration clearance. The unbound fraction of a 4.0 g flucloxacillin dosage facilitates time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) of 60% only for strains up to a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 mg/l. Conclusion: Based on the data of this study, we conclude that intensive care patients with staphylococcal infections on CVVH should be treated with 4.0 g flucloxacillin every 8 h which was safe and well tolerated. Moreover, further studies with highly protein-bound drugs are recommended to check the classical ‘hemodialysis’ equation as the standard equation in calculating the CVVH clearance of highly protein-bound drugs.
Promotional role for glucocorticoids in the development of intracellular signalling: enhanced cardiac and renal adenylate cyclase reactivity to beta-adrenergic and non-adrenergic stimuli after low-dose fetal dexamethasone exposure.

Fetal exposure to high doses of glucocorticoids, as used to aid lung maturation in the therapy of Respiratory Distress Syndrome, causes growth retardation and interference with development of beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated cell signalling. The current study examined whether lower levels of steroids might instead play a positive trophic role in receptor transduction. Pregnant rats were given dexamethasone at or below the threshold for growth impairment (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) on gestational days 17, 18 and 19, and the beta-receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase was evaluated in membrane preparations from heart and kidney. The enzymatic response to isoproterenol was compared with effects on: (1) basal (unstimulated) adenylate cyclase, (2) adenylate cyclase stimulation mediated by forskolin, which bypasses the beta-receptor, and (3) development of beta-receptor binding capabilities, assessed with [125I]pindolol. In the heart, prenatal exposure to dexamethasone produced a dose-dependent enhancement of beta-receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity; however, both basal and forskolin-stimulated activity were also increased and beta-receptor binding was relatively unaffected. These results suggest that enhanced responsiveness was occurring at the level of the cyclase itself, rather than by effects on receptors on their G-protein coupling to enzyme activity. Promotional effects on adenylate cyclase were detectable at the low dose of dexamethasone, without any evidence of growth impairment. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Case of Miller Fisher Syndrome with Unusual Features: Brisk Muscle Stretch Reflexes and Facial Palsy

Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), a rare variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), typically presents as the triad of areflexia, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia. We report a case of MFS associated with brisk muscle stretch reflexes and facial palsy which may confuse the diagnosis of MFS.
Quantitative plasmid mixture analysis using the fluorogenic 5′‐nuclease polymerase chain reaction assay †

The fluorogenic 5′‐nuclease polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been shown to be useful for quantifying a given DNA target in a sample. Here we show how an existing PCR protocol can be amended for quantification by incorporating distinctive dual‐labeled, sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes and resulting in a two‐ to threefold broader and more reliable dynamic range than that of conventional end‐point analysis of PCR products. Moreover, we show a multiplex situation in which two targets, one normal and one mutated, can be amplified and quantified simultaneously and in the same reaction tube. Use of this novel approach for quantitative PCR applications eliminates the need for post‐PCR processing and has clinical‐ and research‐based diagnostic applications, particularly for measuring levels of mutations in a mixture. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 37:147–154, 2001 Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Iridoids and Other Monoterpenes in the Alzheimer’s Brain: Recent Development and Future Prospects

Iridoids are a class of monoterpenoid compounds constructed from 10-carbon skeleton of isoprene building units. These compounds in their aglycones and glycosylated forms exist in nature to contribute to mechanisms related to plant defenses and diverse plant-animal interactions. Recent studies have also shown that iridoids and other structurally related monoterpenes display a vast array of pharmacological effects that make them potential modulators of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This review critically evaluates the therapeutic potential of these natural products by assessing key in vitro and in vivo data published in the scientific literature. Mechanistic approach of scrutiny addressing their effects in the Alzheimer’s brain including the τ-protein phosphorylation signaling, amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, aggregation, toxicity and clearance along with various effects from antioxidant to antiinflammatory mechanisms are discussed. The drug likeness of these compounds and future prospects to consider in their development as potential leads are addressed.
Successful Treatment of Human Plague with Oral Ciprofloxacin

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved ciprofloxacin for treatment of plague (Yersina pestis infection) based on animal studies. Published evidence of efficacy in humans is sparse. We report 5 cases of culture-confirmed human plague treated successfully with oral ciprofloxacin, including 1 case of pneumonic plague.
Polypoid basal cell carcinoma on the scrotum

Dear Editor, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is seen exclusively on hair-bearing skin that is frequently exposed to the sun, especially that on the face. We report here the case of a patient who presented with a black pedunculated nodule on the left scrotum, which was found to be polypoid BCC. A 54-year-old male patient was referred to us with a 2-week history of a rapidly growing tumor on the left scrotum. The lesion had first appeared as a small red nodule 6 months earlier on the site that had been previously injured. The detail of injury is uncertain. An elastic hard, 17-mm, pedunculated black nodule with a smooth surface was found on the left scrotum (Fig. 1). A few small telangiectatic vessels could be seen on its surface without ulceration. Study of an excisional biopsy sample revealed the nodule to be a symmetrical and pedunculated neoplasm. The covering epidermis was thinning, and the neoplasm was composed of solid and cystic aggregations of basaloid cells. The tumor aggregations were restricted to the pedunculated zone. The masses were of various shapes and sizes. Cystic spaces containing hyalinized tissues formed as a result of tumor necrosis (Fig. 2a). The basaloid cells
Export Market Effectiveness: The Role of Export Commitment, Innovativeness and Marketing Capabilities

Drawing on the resource-based view, this study investigates the way that export commitment and innovativeness contribute to marketing capabilities development, and the effect of all these factors on export market effectiveness. We use a survey data of 202 exporting manufacturing firms based in Portugal to test the relationships between the constructs analyzed in this study. The findings demonstrate that a high export commitment tends to cultivate a higher degree of innovativeness, which in turn allows firms to develop superior marketing capabilities (i.e., pricing, new product development, marketing communication and distribution capabilities). Export commitment and new product development capability have a direct impact on export market effectiveness.
Os efeitos da taxa de câmbio e dos preços do petróleo nos preços internacionais das commodities brasileiras

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar os efeitos das variações da taxa de câmbio e dos preços de petróleo sobre os preços das commodities brasileiras. Foram realizados vários procedimentos relacionados com séries temporais: Testes de raiz unitária; Causalidade à Granger; Cointegração de Jonhasen; Estimação e análise do Modelo Vetorial de Correção de Erro (VEC); Decomposição da variância dos erros de previsão e estimação da função de resposta a impulso. O período analisado corresponde a janeiro de 2002 a maio de 2012. Os resultados dos testes de raiz unitária Dickey-Fuller Aumentado e Phillips-Perron demonstraram que todas as séries são integradas de ordem 1, ou seja I(1). O teste de cointegração de Johansen confirma a existência de relação de longo prazo entre as variáveis. A partir da aplicação do teste de causalidade à Granger constatou-se que os preços das commodities causam os preços do petróleo. Tal constatação contrariou a hipótese de estudo em que os preços do petróleo causariam os preços das commodities. Assim sendo, realizou-se a estimação do Modelo Vetorial de Correção de Erro com base no teste de Causalidade à Granger e também considerando a hipótese de estudo, os resultados apontaram que ambos têm respaldo econômico.
Coordination of Mobile Processes with Mobile Groups

We present the concept of mobile groups as a basic mechanism for both the reliable migration and the coordination of mobile processes. Analogously to traditional group systems, mobile groups also provide message delivery guarantees and virtual synchrony. Furthermore, they make process mobility not only visible for the group, but also consistently ordered with other group actions (such as crashes, joins, leaves, and other migrations). The mobile groups approach represents a novel mobility support mechanism which can be used to handle reliability of mobile distributed systems (such as the mobile agent systems), at the application and system level (e.g., for coordinating distributed agents and for reliable agent migration, respectively). We discuss the motivations for the mobile groups, formally define their basic properties, and present a membership protocol for such groups. We also discuss some implementation issues and present the advantages of mobile groups against mechanisms commonly employed for the coordination of mobile processes or agents.
Polyene macrolide antibiotic cytotoxicity and membrane permeability alterations I. Comparative effects of four classes of polyene macrolides on mammalian cells

The relationship between polyene macrolide‐induced early membrane damage and cytotoxicity in B1 (hamster), B82 (mouse), and RAG (mouse) cells has been investigated. Filipin (FIL) induced the greatest immediate damage, as monitored by 51Cr release, followed by mediocidin (MED), amphotericin B‐deoxycholate (Fungizone®) (FZ) and pimaricin (PIM). For long term effect, PIM was the least toxic followed by MED, FZ, and FIL as indicated by 24‐hour survival, 72‐hour viability, and growth rate of cells. In evaluating polyene macrolide‐induced permeability alterations and cytotoxicity two types of interactions with mammalian cells were found: (1) cell toxicity at polyene macrolide levels not eliciting immediate membrane permeability changes; and (2) immediate membrane damage without long range toxicity.
Rapid Adaptation of Translational Vestibulo‐Ocular Reflex: Time Course, Consolidation, and Specificity

When monkeys were subjected to repeated trials of brief linear head acceleration and were required to maintain fixation on a visual target, the initial eye speed of their translational vestibulo-ocular reflex (TVOR) was systematically increased if the target was world-fixed (TVOR condition), or systematically decreased if the target was head-fixed (TVORC condition). To study the time course of adaptation and its consolidation, monkeys were given repeated TVOR trials for several days (1000 trials/ day) in order to maximize their initial eye speed. After eye speed was stable (high gain state), the monkeys were given TVORC trials for several days to minimize eye speed (low gain state). TVOR responses were computed by averaging eye speed over multiple trials in the high and low gain states. Using this paradigm, we identified three temporally distinct components in the initial 80 msec of the TVOR. The earliest component began 7.7 msec after the onset of head motion and showed minimal modification even after several days of high or low gain training. The intermediate component began 20 msec after the onset of head motion and could be systematically modified by training trials. The late component was the most labile of the three components. It began 35 msec after the onset of head motion and was parametrically modified after a single trial of new context. Neither the early nor the intermediate latency component was parametrically influenced by a change in task context. Furthermore, these learned changes were consolidated and could be observed several days after training without any reinforcement, indicating that the adaptive changes are due to long-term synaptic plasticity and not to a simply learned strategy. We hypothesize that the initial component of the TVOR is mediated solely by brainstem circuits that include central vestibular and oculomotor neurons. The second component of the TVOR response is hypothesized to involve the vestibulo-cerebellum (flocculus and ventral paraflocculus). The third component is hypothesized to involve cortical circuits that are sensitive to behavioral context.
Dietary habits and obesity in European children1

The IDEFICS/I.Family study (financed by the 6th and 7th European Framework Programs for Research) has investigated the eating behavior of children and adolescents from eight European countries with particular regard to obesity and its health consequences. In almost all countries, sugar consumption made up more than 20% of overall energy intake. In Germany the proportion was actually 30%. In summary, our results show that improving the quality of food consumed, i.e. increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole meal products and reducing sugar-added and industrially processed foods, may prevent the development of childhood obesity. A dietary pattern characterized by high levels of vegetables, fruits and whole meal bread, for instance, was associated with a 36% lower risk of overweight and obesity. Moreover, similarities could be seen between the dietary patterns of family members. An association was also observed between lower social status and unfavorable dietary patterns in children. The results recommend political measures to support children, particularly those from socially disadvantaged families, to eat more healthily and thus prevent the development of overweight and obesity already in childhood.
Respiratory syncytial virus and asthma: still no final answer

During the past two decades, a large number of studies have addressed the association of viral respiratory events in early life and the subsequent development of recurrent wheezing and asthma later in life.1–4 Investigations performed both in animal models and in humans have provided new insights into potential pathogenetic mechanisms discernible during acute and convalescent stages of viral events and their potential association with the long-term consequences of these events.5 6 Retrospective analysis of clinical trials has suggested that the use of anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies may decrease the incidence of subsequent asthma-like symptoms,7 but prospective data are lacking. The strongest data for the association between early RSV events and asthma comes from longitudinal studies. The Tucson Children's Respiratory Study was based on a healthy and representative population, and its results, if not automatically applicable to all communities given the peculiarities of the Arizona desert, have been replicated in other population-based studies. The main findings from the Tucson study indicated that RSV, independent of other known risk factors for asthma, was significantly associated with recurrent wheeze in the first decade of life.1 The results of a larger birth cohort, also population based, the ALSPAC study from Bristol points in the same direction as the Tucson study: children with a RSV bronchiolitis admission in the first year of life were more likely to have asthma at age 7 years, compared with controls and there was no relation with RSV infection and the development of atopy at this age.8 The issue of a possible relation between early life RSV bronchiolitis and the later development of atopy has been entertained by a series of studies, and the disparities of findings seem to be …
Human Resource Management and Business Success in Small, Hi-Tech Firms: Some Lessons for Data Processing

What does human resource management contribute to the success of small, high-technology firms? The results of our survey clearly indicate three human resource-related characteristics that increase the chances of success in small software firms. The lessons from this can be generalised to apply in high-tech departments within firms that deal on a product basis with internal customers. Although success is rarely guaranteed, these three characteristics contribute to a flexible planning framework to meet and counter challenges in fast-changing markets. Ten success tactics are detailed and translated to a data-processing context.