Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Longitudinal Study of Biomedical and Psychosocial Predictors of Multiple Hospitalizations Among Young People with Insulin‐dependent Diabetes Mellitus

The aim of the present study was to estimate the cumulative probability of multiple diabetes‐related hospitalizations and identify associated risk factors in a sample of 92 school‐age children, newly diagnosed with insulin‐dependent (Type 1) diabetes mellitus, who were followed longitudinally for up to 14 years (mean: 9 years). ‘Multiple hospitalizations’ as a variable was defined as three or more admissions. Altogether 26 young patients (28%) had multiple admissions (with a total of 158 hospitalizations), yielding an estimated cumulative probability for this outcome of 0.33 by 10 years after onset of diabetes. Multivariate longitudinal analyses revealed that at any given point in time, four variables significantly increased the risk of multiple admissions: higher levels of glycosylated haemoglobin reflecting poorer metabolic control, higher levels of externalizing symptoms reflecting greater behaviour problems, younger age at diagnosis, and lower socio‐economic status. According to the results of post hoc analyses, however, the aforementioned risk factors do not appear to be specific to multiple hospitalizations, and can serve to identify groups that are generally vulnerable to readmissions.
Ventricular dilatation in experimental intraventricular hemorrhage in pigs. Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and the effects of fibrinolytic treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (HVD) is a prominent feature of human intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and a strong indicator for poor outcome. We developed an IVH model to define the mechanisms responsible for HVD and to test the efficacy of intraventricular administration of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) in the treatment of HVD. METHODS Isolated IVH was produced in pigs by injecting 10 mL of blood simultaneously with thrombin into the right lateral ventricle. The treatment group received 1.5 mg of TPA after induction of IVH. Intraventricular blood volume and the volume of the lateral ventricles were assessed by CT after 90 minutes, 7 days, and 42 days. Intracranial pressure, the pressure-volume index, and the resistance to outflow of cerebrospinal fluid (R(out)) were measured 30 minutes and 7 days after IVH. RESULTS After IVH, the volume of the lateral ventricles increased from 1.98 +/- 0.69 to 6.43 +/- 1.23 mL (P < .001). There was a linear relationship between ventricular and clot volume (P = .014). Initially, R(out) increased from 24.34 +/- 7.13 to 63.56 +/- 64.91 mm Hg/mL per minute (P < .001). After 7 days, restoration of normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation occurred, but the ventricles were still significantly enlarged (5.24 +/- 1.76 mL, P < .001) and filled with blood. Within 6 weeks, ventricular volume had returned to normal values, paralleled by complete clot resolution. Intraventricular administration of TPA significantly accelerated clot clearance and restoration of normal ventricle volume. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that intraventricular bleeding may cause impairment of cerebrospinal fluid circulation but that the mass effect of clots distending the ventricle walls is the most important mechanism responsible for HVD. This model closely imitates several prominent features of human IVH and may therefore be a useful tool for preclinical assessment of the efficacy and safety of treatment with TPA.
United States Patent Office: stereoscopic-television apparatus for individual use

My invention is directed to improvements in stereo-scopic-televisiou apparatus for individual use. MY invention generally speaking comprises the following elements: a hollow casing, a pair of optical units, a pair of television tube units, a pair of ear phones and a pair of air discharge nozzles, all coacting to cause the user to comfortably see the images, hear the sound effects and to be sensitive to the air discharge of said nozzles. One object of nay invention is to provide easily adjustable and comfortable means for causing the apparatus containing the optical units, to be held in proper position on the head of tim user so that the apparatus does not sag, and so that its weight is evenly distributed over the bone structure of the front and back of the head, without the necessity of holding the apparatus tap by hand, Another object is to provide means whereby the optical and television tube units may be individually adjusted to bring said units into their proper positions with respect to the eyes of the user and with respect to each olher. Another object is to provide ear phones which are so designed that the outer eat" is completely free and untouched , thus allowing the ear phones to operate fully as sound focusing organs. Another object is to provide means for independently adjusting the pair of ear phones to bring them into proper position with respect to the ears of the user. Another object is to provide means for conveying to th0 head of the spectator, air currents of varying velocities , temperatures and odors. Another object is to provide the optical units with a special lens arrangcruent which will bend the peripheral rays coming from tile television tube so that they enter the eyes of the user from the sides thereof, creating the sensation of peripheral vision filling an arc of more than 140 ° horizontally and vertically. A practical embodiment of nay invention is represented in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 represents a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of the optical units, the television tubes and the eyes of the user. Fig. 2 represents a detailed perspective view of the apparatus with the ear phones omitted. Fig. 3 represents on an enlarged scale a top plan view of the apparatus with the top of the hollow casing removed. Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal section taken …
Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: impact on the gut immune system and allergic reactions

Probiotics and prebiotics, alone or together (synbiotics), can influence the intestinal microbiota and modulate the immune response. They may therefore be tools that can prevent or alleviate certain pathologies involving the gut immune system, such as allergies for which no treatment is yet available. This review focuses first on the definitions of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics and key cells in the gut immune system. It then discusses their effects on mucosal immune stimulation. Experimental findings suggest that different probiotic species have similar effects on innate immunity by improving the mechanisms of pathogen destruction. On the contrary, their impacts seem to be variable on the adaptive immune system. Prebiotics can also exert an influence on the gut immune system via the stimulation of the autochthonous bacteria metabolism. Finally, this review focuses on the effects of food supplements on allergy. Different studies performed in humans or rodents have supported a potential role for selected probiotics and prebiotics in reducing some allergic parameters. Probiotic effects on allergy treatment are unclear, especially in human studies. However, they are potentially effective at short‐term for prevention when they are administered in perinatal conditions. A clinical study performed with an infant cohort revealed a beneficial effect of prebiotics in preventing allergic manifestations at long‐term. Further studies are nonetheless essential to confirm these findings. Food supplements offer potential tools for the prevention or treatment of allergy, but insufficient evidence is available at present to recommend their use in clinical practice.
C‐Aryl Glucosides with Substituents at the Distal Aryl Ring as Sodium‐Dependent Glucose Cotransporter Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

A series of novel C‐aryl glucosides with various substituents at the distal aryl ring have been synthesized and evaluated for hypoglycemic effect in normal and diabetic mice and in type 2 diabetic rats. The results indicated that introduction of electron‐donating group at the distal aryl ring could improve glucose tolerance in normal mice, whereas introduction of electron‐withdrawing group at this position could deteriorate. The urinary glucose excretion was significantly increased after glucose (3 g/kg) administration in normal mice with the treatment of 13c. Moreover, compound 13c could reduce fed blood glucose levels in a dose‐dependent manner in type 2 diabetic rats, showed a remarkable antihyperglycemic effect with 2 weeks of treatment in diabetic mice, and might be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Seminested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Detecting Helicobacter pylori DNA in Carotid Atheromas

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of the glmM gene, selected as Helicobacter pylori target sequence, was improved. While performing pathogenicity island cagA gene detection to discriminate pathogenic strains in atherosclerotic carotid samples, several cagA-positive but glmM-negative samples were found. Polymorphisms present in the region amplified in the nested PCR reaction could explain this result; primers were therefore designed to perform a seminested reaction; this modification optimized sensitivity while maintaining specificity. A real-time PCR for Helicobacter DNA detection was also setup. The combination of all 4 PCR reactions detected 83% of H. pylori DNA-positive samples in atherosclerotic carotid tissue, 64% of which were cagA gene positive.
Oxygenation Cascade in Conversion of n-Alkanes to α,ω-Dioic Acids Catalyzed by Cytochrome P450 52A3*

Purified recombinant cytochrome P450 52A3 and the corresponding NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase from the alkane-assimilating yeast Candida maltosa were reconstituted into an active alkane monooxygenase system. Besides the primary product, 1-hexadecanol, the conversion of hexadecane yielded up to five additional metabolites, which were identified by gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry as hexadecanal, hexadecanoic acid, 1,16-hexadecanediol, 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, and 1,16-hexadecanedioic acid. As shown by substrate binding studies, the final product 1,16-hexadecanedioic acid acts as a competitive inhibitor of n-alkane binding and may be important for the metabolic regulation of the P450 activity. Kinetic studies of the individual sequential reactions revealed highV max values for the conversion of hexadecane, 1-hexadecanol, and hexadecanal (27, 23, and 69 min−1, respectively), whereas the oxidation of hexadecanoic acid, 1,16-hexadecanediol, and 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid occurred at significantly lower rates (9, 9, and 5 min−1, respectively). 1-Hexadecanol was found to be the main branch point between mono- and diterminal oxidation. Taken together with data on the incorporation of 18O2-derived oxygen into the hexadecane oxidation products, the present study demonstrates that a single P450 form is able to efficiently catalyze a cascade of sequential mono- and diterminal monooxygenation reactions fromn-alkanes to α,ω-dioic acids with high regioselectivity.
Effects of FDI Flows on Institutional Development in the South: Does It Matter Where the Investors are from?

FDI flows to and from developing countries have increased significantly accounting for more than 31% and 52% of global flows in 2012, respectively. Even more impressive has been the increase in South-South FDI flows, reaching around 63% of all outflows from developing countries in 2010. The increasing share of South-South flows and rising assertiveness of developing country multinationals in cross-border investments have created a controversy with regard to their effects on host country institutions. Given the weaker conditionality requirements in South-South FDI compared to North-South flows, developing countries such as China are accused of undermining developed country efforts to improve the institutional quality of developing countries. In this paper we provide an empirical analysis of the effects of bilateral FDI flows on institutional distance between home and host countries and whether such effects are dependent on the direction of the flows that is South-South vs. North-South, as well as South-North and North-North. The empirical result using bilateral FDI flows data among 134 countries during 1990-2009 suggests that the institutional development effects of bilateral FDI flows from North to South as well as those from South to South countries are not significant and are not any different from each other. In either case we do not find any significant convergence or divergence effect of FDI flows on the institutional distance between host and home countries. We also fail to find any significant effect of pooled North-South FDI flows on host country institutions. In contrast, we find that pooled SouthSouth FDI flows have a significantly negative effect on host country institutions. Furthermore, we find some evidence that South – South FDI flows might be harmful to institutional development in natural resource rich countries while the opposite is true for North – South flows. Last but not least we discover that bilateral trade flows are much more influential in institutional convergence between countries.
Comorbidity of axis I psychiatric disorders in bulimia nervosa.

BACKGROUND The coexistence of other psychiatric disorders in patients with bulimia nervosa is of major clinical and theoretical interest. We therefore studied a group of consecutively evaluated bulimic patients. METHOD The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) was administered to a sample of 59 female patients with DSM-III-R-defined bulimia nervosa. RESULTS The following frequencies of lifetime Axis I comorbid diagnoses were found (in decreasing frequency): any affective disorder (75%), major depressive disorder (63%), any anxiety disorder (36%), any substance abuse disorder (20%), social phobia (17%), generalized anxiety disorder (12%), and panic disorder (10%). In the 44 cases with an affective disorder, 27 (61%) had the onset of affective disorder, 27 (61%) had the onset of their affective disorder prior to the onset of their bulimia, 15 (34%) afterward, and 2 (5%) concurrently. In the 21 cases with any anxiety disorder, 15 (71%) had the onset of their anxiety disorder prior to the onset of their bulimia, 4 (19%) afterward, and 2 (10%) concurrently. CONCLUSION These data confirm previous reports of a strong association between bulimia nervosa and affective illness, which in most cases precedes the eating disorder. In addition, a high frequency of anxiety disorders, particularly social phobia, is seen in bulimic patients.
Molecular predictors of outcome in low-grade glioma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent and ongoing translational studies in neurooncology have investigated the role of molecular markers as potential predictors of outcome in patients with WHO grade I and II gliomas, commonly summarized as low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Here, we seek to highlight the most relevant molecular aberrations associated with these tumour types and update on recent findings on their potential prognostic and predictive value. RECENT FINDINGS So far, no biomarker discussed has any relevance for the postoperative course of disease without genotoxic treatment. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations, 1p deletion or 1p/19q codeletion have the strongest prognostic impact on survival of patients with LGG, given a genotoxic treatment is provided. Recent findings from phase III clinical trials on anaplastic oligodendroglial tumours conducted in North America and Europe suggest that the addition of procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine to radiotherapy is beneficial in the treatment of anaplastic gliomas with 1p/19q codeletion. To decipher the role of 1p/19q codeletion in LGG will be challenging. Recent developments in v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF)(V600E)-specific small molecule inhibitors and their clinical approval for other cancer types could turn BRAF(V600E) into a promising molecular predictor of outcome in pilocytic astrocytomas, given a treatment with a mutation-specific BRAF inhibitor is applied. SUMMARY Clinical prognostic factors such as age, tumour size and the presence or absence of clinical symptoms have long been recognized in the management of patients with LGGs. Molecular biomarkers are increasingly evolving as additional factors that facilitate diagnostics and therapeutic decision-making. However, further prospective randomized studies including multivariate analyses are needed to clearly distinguish between prognostic and predictive effects.
Image encryption using generalized tent map

This paper introduces two generalized tent maps where the conventional map is a special case. Although the output of the conventional tent map shows different responses, it has only one control parameter that limits its behavior and applications. The proposed generalized tent maps increase the degrees of freedom and produce a versatile response that can fit many applications. The characteristics of each generalization are discussed such as: fixed points, bifurcation diagrams, and Lyapunov exponents. Finally, a simple image encryption application, based on the generalized tent maps, is presented for the design of long encryption key using the added parameters. Moreover, statistical and sensitivity analysis are presented to demonstrate the benefits of the generalized maps.
World Stroke Organization Global Stroke Services Guidelines and Action Plan

Every two seconds, someone across the globe suffers a symptomatic stroke. ‘Silent’ cerebrovascular disease insidiously contributes to worldwide disability by causing cognitive impairment in the elderly. The risk of cerebrovascular disease is disproportionately higher in low to middle income countries where there may be barriers to stroke care. The last two decades have seen a major transformation in the stroke field with the emergence of evidence-based approaches to stroke prevention, acute stroke management, and stroke recovery. The current challenge lies in implementing these interventions, particularly in regions with high incidences of stroke and limited healthcare resources. The Global Stroke Services Action Plan was conceived as a tool to identifying key elements in stroke care across a continuum of health models. At the minimal level of resource availability, stroke care delivery is based at a local clinic staffed predominantly by non-physicians. In this environment, laboratory tests and diagnostic studies are scarce, and much of the emphasis is placed on bedside clinical skills, teaching, and prevention. The essential services level offers access to a CT scan, physicians, and the potential for acute thrombolytic therapy, however stroke expertise may still be difficult to access. At the advanced stroke services level, multidisciplinary stroke expertise, multimodal imaging, and comprehensive therapies are available. A national plan for stroke care should incorporate local and regional strengths and build upon them. This clinical practice guideline is a synopsis of the core recommendations and quality indicators adapted from ten high quality multinational stroke guidelines. It can be used to establish the current level of stroke services, target goals for expanding stroke resources, and ensuring that all stages of stroke care are being adequately addressed, even at the advanced stroke services level. This document is a start, but there is more to be done, particularly in the realm of primary prevention. Despite differences in resource availability, the message we wish to convey is that stroke awareness, education, prevention, and treatment should always be feasible. Communities and institutions should set goals to continuously expand their stroke service capabilities. This document is intended to augment stroke advocacy efforts throughout the world, providing a strategic plan for optimizing stroke outcomes.
AnkB, a Periplasmic Ankyrin-Like Protein inPseudomonas aeruginosa, Is Required for Optimal Catalase B (KatB) Activity and Resistance to Hydrogen Peroxide

ABSTRACT In this study, we have cloned the ankB gene, encoding an ankyrin-like protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. TheankB gene is composed of 549 bp encoding a protein of 183 amino acids that possesses four 33-amino-acid ankyrin repeats that are a hallmark of erythrocyte and brain ankyrins. The location ofankB is 57 bp downstream of katB, encoding a hydrogen peroxide-inducible catalase, KatB. Monomeric AnkB is a 19.4-kDa protein with a pI of 5.5 that possesses 22 primarily hydrophobic amino acids at residues 3 to 25, predicting an inner-membrane-spanning motif with the N terminus in the cytoplasm and the C terminus in the periplasm. Such an orientation in the cytoplasmic membrane and, ultimately, periplasmic space was confirmed using AnkB-BlaM and AnkB-PhoA protein fusions. Circular dichroism analysis of recombinant AnkB minus its signal peptide revealed a secondary structure that is ∼65% α-helical. RNase protection and KatB- and AnkB-LacZ translational fusion analyses indicated that katBand ankB are part of a small operon whose transcription is induced dramatically by H2O2, and controlled by the global transactivator OxyR. Interestingly, unlike the spherical nature of ankyrin-deficient erythrocytes, the cellular morphology of anankB mutant was identical to that of wild-type bacteria, yet the mutant produced more membrane vesicles. The mutant also exhibited a fourfold reduction in KatB activity and increased sensitivity to H2O2, phenotypes that could be complemented in trans by a plasmid constitutively expressing ankB. Our results suggest that AnkB may form an antioxidant scaffolding with KatB in the periplasm at the cytoplasmic membrane, thus providing a protective lattice work for optimal H2O2 detoxification.
Human Genetic Disorders Caused by Mutations in Genes Encoding Biosynthetic Enzymes for Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans*

A number of genetic disorders are caused by mutations in the genes encoding glycosyltransferases and sulfotransferases, enzymes responsible for the synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of proteoglycans, including chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate. The phenotypes of these genetic disorders reflect disturbances in crucial biological functions of GAGs in human. Recent studies have revealed that mutations in genes encoding chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate biosynthetic enzymes cause various disorders of connective tissues. This minireview focuses on growing glycobiological studies of recently described genetic diseases caused by disturbances in biosynthetic enzymes for sulfated GAGs.
Estimating Waiting Times from Transactional Data

Given transactional data consisting of service starting and finishing times in a queuing system with a Poisson arrival process and service in order of arrival, the distributions and moments of waiting times W1, …, WN, of customers within a busy period of length N are computed efficiently by exploiting an embedded Markov chain. All first moments E(Wk ∣ data from busy period of length N) are computed in O(N3) multiplications; finding the distributions of all Wk on a set of n prespecified times requires O(nN3) multiplications; finding all rth order moments needs O(rN4) multiplications. The algorithms described are all new, as fast or faster than all known algorithms, and address a broader range of performance measures than the extant literature.
Exploring IT Governance in Theory and Practice in a Large Multi-National Organisation in Australia

Abstract IT governance is critical to most organisations and has an influence on the value generated by IT investments. Unfortunately, IT governance is more aspiration than reality in many organisations. This research seeks to address the dearth of empirical evidence about IT governance in practice, presenting the findings of an IT governance case study in an Australian organisation. Recommendations are provided to assist organisations to maximise potential of IT governance and insights are provided for researchers.