LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation of seizures.

OBJECTIVE
There is a complex bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy. Sleep/wake timing of seizures has been investigated for several individual seizure types and syndromes, but few large-scale studies of the timing of seizures exist in people with varied epilepsy types. In addition, the genetic contributions to seizure timing have not been well studied.


METHODS
Sleep/wake timing of seizures was determined for 1,395 subjects in 546 families enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP). We examined seizure timing among subjects with different epilepsy types, seizure types, epilepsy syndromes, and localization. We also examined the familial aggregation of sleep/wake occurrence of seizures.


RESULTS
Seizures in nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE) were more likely to occur during sleep than seizures in generalized epilepsy (GE), for both convulsive (odds ratio [OR] 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.59-7.52) and nonconvulsive seizures (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.48-7.21). Seizures occurring within 1 h of awakening were more likely to occur in patients with GE than with NAFE for both convulsive (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.54-3.39) and nonconvulsive (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.04-2.66) seizures. Frontal onset seizures were more likely than temporal onset seizures to occur during sleep. Sleep/wake timing of seizures in first-degree relatives predicted timing of seizures in the proband.


SIGNIFICANCE
We found that sleep/wake timing of seizures is associated with both epilepsy syndrome and seizure type. In addition, we provide the first evidence for a genetic contribution to sleep/wake timing of seizures in a large group of individuals with common epilepsy syndromes.
Dengue virus in Aedes aegypti larvae and infestation dynamics in Roraima, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE
To detect the presence of dengue virus in larval forms of Aedes aegypti and to associate vector presence with rainfall and incidence of disease.


METHODS
Eighteen households were randomly selected for egg collection in a neighborhood of the city of Boa Vista, Roraima, in Northern Brazil. Two oviposition traps were installed per home, and removed after one week. This was repeated on a monthly basis between November 2006 and May 2007. Trap positivity rate and egg density were calculated. Following the eclosion of 1,422 eggs, 44 pools of at least 30 larvae each were formed, which were evaluated for presence of dengue virus using RT-PCR and hemi-nested PCR. Dengue incidence rates in the period were correlated with rainfall rates. The association between these two variables and the number of eggs collected was determined using Pearson correlation.


RESULTS
None of the pools tested positive for presence of dengue virus, despite the high incidence of dengue in the neighborhood during the studied period. The density of Ae. aegypti increased with rainfall, but was not correlated with incidence of dengue.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that transovarial transmission of dengue virus in mosquitoes occurs at a very low frequency, and therefore virus persistence in urban settings may not depend on such transmission. The mosquito population increased during the rainy season due to increased formation of breeding sites; the lack of correlation with incidence of dengue may be due to underestimation of incidence data during epidemics.
Report on airmagnetic surveys of two areas in the Kenya rift valley ag

Abstract Airmagnetic surveys have been carried out in two areas within the Kenya Rift system: the Lake Magadi region and the region south of Lake Hannington. In both regions, but particularly in the area south of Lake Hannington, NW-SE trending magnetic anomalies stand out clearly. The source of these anomalies is considered to be in the deeper earth's crust beneath the rift zone. At present no explanation for the anomalies can be offered. There is no convincing evidence from the magnetic data for the occurrence of extended intrusive bodies in the upper part of the earth's crust beneath the rift floor.
Acid-catalyzed reactions of hexanal on sulfuric acid particles: Identification of reaction products

While it is well established that organics compose a large fraction of the atmospheric aerosol mass, the mechanisms through which organics are incorporated into atmospheric aerosols are not well understood. Acid-catalyzed reactions of compounds with carbonyl groups have recently been suggested as important pathways for transfer of volatile organics into acidic aerosols. In the present study, we use the aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) to probe the uptake of gasphase hexanal into ammonium sulfate and sulfuric acid aerosols. While both deliquesced and dry non-acidic ammonium sulfate aerosols showed no organic uptake, the acidic aerosols took up substantial amounts of organic material when exposed to hexanal vapor. Further, we used H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and GC–MS to identify the products of the acid-catalyzed reaction of hexanal in acidic aerosols. Both aldol condensation and hemiacetal products were identified, with the dominant reaction products dependent upon the initial acid concentration of the aerosol. The aldol condensation product was formed only at initial concentrations of 75–96wt% sulfuric acid in water. The hemiacetal was produced at all sulfuric acid concentrations studied, 30–96wt% sulfuric acid in water. Aerosols up to 88.4wt% organic/11.1wt% H2SO4/0.5wt% water were produced via these two dimerization reaction pathways. The UV-VIS spectrum of the isolated aldol condensation product, 2-butyl 2-octenal, extends into the visible region, suggesting these reactions may impact aerosol optical properties as well as aerosol composition. In contrast to previous suggestions, no polymerization of hexanal or its products was observed at any sulfuric acid concentration studied, from 30 to 96wt% in water. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Drug Discovery Prospect from Untapped Species: Indications from Approved Natural Product Drugs

Due to extensive bioprospecting efforts of the past and technology factors, there have been questions about drug discovery prospect from untapped species. We analyzed recent trends of approved drugs derived from previously untapped species, which show no sign of untapped drug-productive species being near extinction and suggest high probability of deriving new drugs from new species in existing drug-productive species families and clusters. Case histories of recently approved drugs reveal useful strategies for deriving new drugs from the scaffolds and pharmacophores of the natural product leads of these untapped species. New technologies such as cryptic gene-cluster exploration may generate novel natural products with highly anticipated potential impact on drug discovery.
Ecological functions and human values in wetlands: A framework for assessing forestry impacts

The term “value” usually connotes something of use or desirable toHomo sapiens. Values ascribed to many wetlands include providing habitats for fishing, hunting, waterfowl, timber harvesting, wastewater assimilation, and flood control, to name a few. These perceived values arise directly from the ecological functions found within the wetlands. Ecosystem functions include hydrologic transfers and storage of water, biogeochemical transformations, primary productivity, decomposition, and community/habitat. An analysis of the relationship among wetland functions and values, showed that over-utilization or intensive removal of wetland values (e.g., timber harvesting with drainage), can often result in a loss of specific wetland functions. An assessment procedure comparing changes in wetland function from both a disturbed and reference wetland was developed. This approach scales the wetland functions in a reference system to 100% and then compares the altered wetlands’ functional response. Methods to analyze wetland functions in the field are outlined along with examples of the effects of forestry activities on wetland response.
Close relationships, inflammation, and health

Different aspects of personal relationships including social integration, social support, and social conflict have been related to inflammation. This article summarizes evidence linking the quality and quantity of relationships with gene expression, intracellular signaling mechanisms, and inflammatory biomarkers, and highlights the biological and psychological pathways through which close relationships impact inflammatory responses. Relationship conflict and lower social support can effectively modulate proinflammatory cytokine secretion both directly (via CNS/neural/endocrine/immune biobehavioral pathways), and indirectly, by promoting depression, emotional stress responses, and detrimental health behaviors. Accordingly, thorough assessments of health behaviors and attention to key methodological issues are necessary to identify the contributions of relationships to inflammation, and thus we highlight procedural issues to be considered in the design of studies. Despite some notable methodological challenges, the evidence suggests that learning more about how close relationships influence inflammation will provide important new insights into the ways that relationships impact health.
Fault diagnosis in a plant using Fisher discriminant analysis

In this paper Fisher's discriminant analysis (FDA) is used for detecting and diagnosing faults in a real plant. FDA provides an optimal lower dimensional representation in terms of discriminating between classes of data, where, in this context of fault diagnosis, each class corresponds to data collected during a specific, known fault. A discriminant function is applied to detect and diagnose faults using both simulated and real data collected from a plant: a two-tank system, showing good results.
Assessing patients' preferences for characteristics associated with homeopathic and conventional treatment of asthma: a conjoint analysis study.

BACKGROUND
A study was undertaken to investigate the preferences of patients with asthma for attributes or characteristics associated with treatment for their asthma and to investigate the extent to which such preferences may differ between patient subgroups.


METHODS
The economic technique of conjoint analysis (CA) was used to investigate patients' strength of preference for several key attributes associated with services for the treatment of asthma. A CA questionnaire was administered to two groups of asthma outpatients aged 18 years or older, 150 receiving conventional treatment at Whipps Cross Hospital (WC) and 150 receiving homeopathic treatment at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital (RL).


RESULTS
An overall response rate of 47% (n=142) was achieved. Statistically significant attributes in influencing preferences for both the WC and RL respondents were (1) the extent to which the doctor gave sufficient time to listen to what the patient has to say, (2) the extent to which the treatment seemed to relieve symptoms, and (3) the travel costs of attending for an asthma consultation. The extent to which the doctor treated the patient as a whole person was also a statistically significant attribute for the RL respondents.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that aspects associated with the process of delivery of asthma services are important to patients in addition to treatment outcomes. The homeopathic respondents expressed stronger preferences for the doctor to treat them as a whole person than the patients receiving conventional treatment. Overall, the preferences for the attributes included in the study were similar for both groups.
Aspirin Use Post-Acute Coronary Syndromes: Intolerance, Bleeding and Discontinuation

Background: While aspirin's secondary prevention benefit is clear, prior reports indicate that 19–83% of eligible patients may not use aspirin chronically. Methods: We investigated intolerance and bleeding while on aspirin and aspirin discontinuation using 5337 post-acute coronary syndrome patients considered appropriate for chronic antiplatelet therapy who were randomly assigned to aspirin in SYMPHONY and 2nd SYMPHONY and followed for 94 (64,157) days. Multivariable logistic regression models tested associations between baseline characteristics and aspirin discontinuation and bleeding. Results: Nearly 18% of patients discontinued study aspirin; 48% subsequently used open-label aspirin and 5% other antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Black race, recurrent ischemia, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lighter weight, shorter time to treatment and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, diuretics, and digitalis were independently associated with early discontinuation. Early discontinuation was less likely in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. Although major or minor bleeding was common (12.6%), only 1.0% of aspirin-treated patients were reported to discontinue due to bleeding. Gastrointestinal (10.5%) and puncture site (7.6%) were the most common bleeding locations. Bleeding risk was associated with lower estimated creatinine clearance, shorter time to treatment, smoking, Killip class >II, higher systolic blood pressure, and use of aspirin or heparin prior to starting study aspirin. Conclusions: Despite early initiation and close follow-up, more than 9% of aspirin-treated patients discontinued therapy early and remained off treatment. Addressing the factors associated with both bleeding and discontinuation during chronic therapy is necessary to improve adherence to this inexpensive, life-saving therapy.
Unstable Simple Elbow Dislocation Treated with the Repair of Lateral Collateral Ligament Complex

BACKGROUND
Unstable simple elbow dislocation (USED) repair is challenged by the maintenance of joint reduction; hence, primary repair or reconstruction of disrupted ligaments is required to maintain the congruency and allow early motion of the elbow. We evaluated the effectiveness and the outcome of lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex repair with additional medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair in cases of USED.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 21 cases of diagnosed USED without fractures around the elbow that were treated with primary ligament repair. In all cases, anatomical repair of LCL complex with or without common extensor origin was performed using suture anchor and the bone tunnel method. Next, the instability and congruency of elbow for a full range of motion were evaluated under the image intensifier. MCL was repaired only if unstable or incongruent elbow was observed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and radiographic outcomes on last follow-up images.


RESULTS
All cases achieved a stable elbow on radiographic and clinical results. LCL complex repair alone was sufficient to obtain the stable elbow in 17 of 21 cases. Four cases required additional MCL repair after restoration of the LCL complex. The overall mean MEPS was 91 (range, 70 to 100): excellent in 12 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 2 cases. All 17 cases with LCL complex repair only and 2 of 4 cases with additional MCL repair had excellent or good results by MEPS.


CONCLUSIONS
USED requires surgical treatment to achieve a congruent and stable joint. If the repair of lateral stabilizer such as LCL complex acquires enough joint stability to maintain a full range of motion, it may not be necessary to repair the medial stabilizer in all cases of USED.
A school-based program to prevent adolescent dating violence: a cluster randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an interactive curriculum that integrates dating violence prevention with lessons on healthy relationships, sexual health, and substance use reduces physical dating violence (PDV).


DESIGN
Cluster randomized trial with 2.5-year follow-up; prespecified subgroup analyses by sex.


SETTING
Grade 9 health classes.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 1722 students aged 14-15 from 20 public schools (52.8% girls). Intervention A 21-lesson curriculum delivered during 28 hours by teachers with additional training in the dynamics of dating violence and healthy relationships. Dating violence prevention was integrated with core lessons about healthy relationships, sexual health, and substance use prevention using interactive exercises. Relationship skills to promote safer decision making with peers and dating partners were emphasized. Control schools targeted similar objectives without training or materials.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome at 2.5 years was self-reported PDV during the previous year. Secondary outcomes were physical peer violence, substance use, and condom use. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.


RESULTS
The PDV was greater in control vs intervention students (9.8% vs 7.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-6.02; P = .05). A significant group x sex interaction effect indicated that the intervention effect was greater in boys (PDV: 7.1% in controls vs 2.7% in intervention students) than in girls (12.1% vs 11.9%). Main effects for secondary outcomes were not statistically significant; however, sex x group analyses showed a significant difference in condom use in sexually active boys who received the intervention (114 of 168; 67.9%) vs controls (65 of 111 [58.6%]) (P < .01). The cost of training and materials averaged CA$16 per student.


CONCLUSION
The teaching of youths about healthy relationships as part of their required health curriculum reduced PDV and increased condom use 2.5 years later at a low per-student cost.
Food safety knowledge and practice among elderly people living at home.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the food storage knowledge and practice of elderly people living at home.


METHODS
Three phase survey data collection: face to face interviews; dietary diaries with a food frequency questionnaire; and follow up interviews.


SETTING
Urban Nottingham.


PARTICIPANTS
809 elderly people (aged 65+) randomly selected from general practitioner lists.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Respondent's refrigerator temperature; knowledge of freezer star rating; understanding of "use by" and "sell by" dates; reported ability to read food product safety labels.


RESULTS
From a weighted total of 645 refrigerators measured, 451 (70%) were too warm for the safe storage of food (> or = 6 degrees Celsius). Only 41% of respondents (n = 279) knew the star rating of their freezer. Within a smaller sub-sample knowledge of the "use by" and "sell by" dates was good, but 45% of these respondents reported difficulty reading food labels. The storage of foods at inappropriate temperatures was not independent of socioeconomic or demographic status, and tended to be more likely among the poorer and those not living alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Food storage practices among the majority of elderly people interviewed in this study do not meet recommended safety standards to minimise the risk of food poisoning.
1 Governance Structures , Voluntary Disclosures and Public Accountability : The Case of UK Higher Education Institutions

Purpose: We investigate the extent of voluntary disclosures in UK higher education institutions’ (HEIs) annual reports and examine whether internal governance structures influence disclosure in the period following major reform and funding constraints. Design/methodology/approach: We adopt a modified version of Coy and Dixon’s (2004) public accountability index, referred to in this paper as a public accountability and transparency index (PATI), to measure the extent of voluntary disclosures in 130 UK HEIs’ annual reports. Informed by a multitheoretical framework drawn from public accountability, legitimacy, resource dependence and stakeholder perspectives, we propose that the characteristics of governing and executive structures in UK universities influence the extent of their voluntary disclosures. Findings: We find a large degree of variability in the level of voluntary disclosures by universities and an overall relatively low level of PATI (44%), particularly with regards to the disclosure of teaching/research outcomes. We also find that audit committee quality, governing board diversity, governor independence, and the presence of a governance committee are associated with the level of disclosure. Finally, we find that the interaction between executive team characteristics and governance variables enhances the level of voluntary disclosures, thereby providing support for the continued relevance of a ‘shared’ leadership in the HEIs’ sector towards enhancing accountability and transparency in HEIs. Research limitations/implications: In spite of significant funding cuts, regulatory reforms and competitive challenges, the level of voluntary disclosure by UK HEIs remains low. Whilst the role of selected governance mechanisms and ‘shared leadership’ in improving disclosure, is asserted, the varying level and selective basis of the disclosures across the surveyed HEIs suggest that the public accountability motive is weaker relative to the other motives underpinned by stakeholder, legitimacy and resource dependence perspectives. Originality/value: This is the first study which explores the association between HEI governance structures, managerial characteristics and the level of disclosure in UK HEIs.
The initial pharmaceutical development of an artesunate/amodiaquine oral formulation for the treatment of malaria: a public-private partnership

Artemisinin-based combination therapy is currently recommended worldwide for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Fixed-dose combinations are preferred as they favour compliance. This paper reports on the initial phases of the pharmaceutical development of an artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) bilayer co-formulation tablet, undertaken following pre-formulation studies by a network of scientists and industrials from institutions of both industrialized and low income countries. Pharmaceutical development was performed by a research laboratory at the University Bordeaux Segalen, School of Pharmacy, for feasibility and early stability studies of various drug formulations, further transferred to a company specialized in pharmaceutical development, and then provided to another company for clinical batch manufacturing. The work was conducted by a regional public-private not-for-profit network (TropiVal) within a larger Public Private partnership (the FACT project), set up by WHO/TDR, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi). The main pharmaceutical goal was to combine in a solid oral form two incompatible active principles while preventing artesunate degradation under tropical conditions. Several options were attempted and failed to provide satisfactory stability results: incorporating artesunate in the external phase of the tablets, adding a pH regulator, alcoholic wet granulation, dry granulation, addition of an hydrophobic agent, tablet manufacturing in controlled conditions. However, long-term stability could be achieved, in experimental batches under GMP conditions, by physical separation of artesunate and amodiaquine in a bilayer co-formulation tablet in alu-alu blisters. Conduction of the workplan was monitored by DNDi. Collaborations between research and industrial groups greatly accelerated the process of development of the bi-layered ASAQ tablet. Lack of public funding was the main obstacle hampering the development process, and no intellectual property right was claimed. This approach resulted in a rapid technology transfer to the drug company Sanofi-Aventis, finalizing the process of development, registration and WHO pre-qualification of the fixed-dose co-formulation together with DNDi. The bi-layered tablet is made available under the names of Coarsucam® and Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop®, Sanofi-Aventis. The issue related to the difficulty of public institutions to valorise their participation in such initiative by lack of priority and funding of applied research is discussed.