Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of obesity measures: relationship with blood pressures and hypertension.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of the present study was to compare the relationship of all obesity measures with blood pressures and to fi nd out the best obesity measure, associated with greater risk of hypertension. METHODS A total of 180 adult Bengalee Hindu men from Hridoypur of 24 Pgs (N), West Bengal, India were evaluated in the present cross-sectional study. Biosocial data (such as age, education, occupation), anthropometry and blood pressure measurements were obtained. Body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (CI) and waist stature ratio (WSR) were subsequently derived. Statistical analysis includes linear and logistic regression. RESULTS The mean age of the studied individuals was 35.7 years (standard deviation, 9.35 years) and the frequency of hypertensive individuals was 11.7 percent. WSR explained 14.3 percent variance of systolic blood pressure (SBP), followed by waist circumference (WC) (13.0 percent) and BMI (13.1 percent). BMI (8.8 percent), WC (8.6 percent) and WSR (8.4 percent) explained closely the same amount of variance of diastolic blood pressure (DBP). All obesity measures were significantly and positively correlated with blood pressures. The odds-ratio (OR) associated with a 1 kilogramme per square metre increase in BMI was 1.17. Comparing values for a 0.1 increase in WSR was 1.22, followed by WHR (OR 1.09). A 1.0 cm increase in WC was associated with OR 1.07 followed by OR 1.06 for a 1.0 increase in CI. In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of hypertension were age and BMI. CONCLUSION Among all obesity measures, WSR and BMI explained comparatively larger amount of variance of SBP and DBP, respectively. However, the greater risk of developing hypertension was associated with increasing BMI.
Continental-scale patterns of Cecropia reproductive phenology: evidence from herbarium specimens

Plant phenology is concerned with the timing of recurring biological events. Though phenology has traditionally been studied using intensive surveys of a local flora, results from such surveys are difficult to generalize to broader spatial scales. In this study, contrastingly, we assembled a continental-scale dataset of herbarium specimens for the emblematic genus of Neotropical pioneer trees, Cecropia, and applied Fourier spectral and cospectral analyses to investigate the reproductive phenology of 35 species. We detected significant annual, sub-annual and continuous patterns, and discuss the variation in patterns within and among climatic regions. Although previous studies have suggested that pioneer species generally produce flowers continually throughout the year, we found that at least one third of Cecropia species are characterized by clear annual flowering behaviour. We further investigated the relationships between phenology and climate seasonality, showing strong associations between phenology and seasonal variations in precipitation and temperature. We also verified our results against field survey data gathered from the literature. Our findings indicate that herbarium material is a reliable resource for use in the investigation of large-scale patterns in plant phenology, offering a promising complement to local intensive field studies.
Predictors of anemia in preschool children: Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project

Background: A lack of information on the etiology of anemia has hampered the design and monitoring of anemia-control efforts. Objective: We aimed to evaluate predictors of anemia in preschool children (PSC) (age range: 6–59 mo) by country and infection-burden category. Design: Cross-sectional data from 16 surveys (n = 29,293) from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) project were analyzed separately and pooled by category of infection burden. We assessed relations between anemia (hemoglobin concentration <110 g/L) and severe anemia (hemoglobin concentration <70 g/L) and individual-level (age, anthropometric measures, micronutrient deficiencies, malaria, and inflammation) and household-level predictors; we also examined the proportion of anemia with concomitant iron deficiency (defined as an inflammation-adjusted ferritin concentration <12 μg/L). Countries were grouped into 4 categories on the basis of risk and burden of infectious disease, and a pooled multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted for each group. Results: Iron deficiency, malaria, breastfeeding, stunting, underweight, inflammation, low socioeconomic status, and poor sanitation were each associated with anemia in >50% of surveys. Associations between breastfeeding and anemia were attenuated by controlling for child age, which was negatively associated with anemia. The most consistent predictors of severe anemia were malaria, poor sanitation, and underweight. In multivariable pooled models, child age, iron deficiency, and stunting independently predicted anemia and severe anemia. Inflammation was generally associated with anemia in the high- and very high–infection groups but not in the low- and medium-infection groups. In PSC with anemia, 50%, 30%, 55%, and 58% of children had concomitant iron deficiency in low-, medium-, high-, and very high–infection categories, respectively. Conclusions: Although causal inference is limited by cross-sectional survey data, results suggest anemia-control programs should address both iron deficiency and infections. The relative importance of factors that are associated with anemia varies by setting, and thus, country-specific data are needed to guide programs.
Bayesian estimation of evoked and induced responses

We describe an extension of our empirical Bayes approach to magnetoencephalography/electroencephalography (MEG/EEG) source reconstruction that covers both evoked and induced responses. The estimation scheme is based on classical covariance component estimation using restricted maximum likelihood (ReML). We have focused previously on the estimation of spatial covariance components under simple assumptions about the temporal correlations. Here we extend the scheme, using temporal basis functions to place constraints on the temporal form of the responses. We show how the same scheme can estimate evoked responses that are phase‐locked to the stimulus and induced responses that are not. For a single trial the model is exactly the same. In the context of multiple trials, however, the inherent distinction between evoked and induced responses calls for different treatments of the underlying hierarchical multitrial model. We derive the respective models and show how they can be estimated efficiently using ReML. This enables the Bayesian estimation of evoked and induced changes in power or, more generally, the energy of wavelet coefficients. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protective effect of pentoxifylline on male Wistar rat testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymeth amphetamine

Objective(s): 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) one of the methamphetamine derivatives that affect the reproductive system, has not been well understood. Many young people are consumers of drugs such as MDMA that can affect their reproductive capability. Apoptosis is the main mechanism for male infertility. Pentoxifylline (PTX) increases cAMP intracellularly and reduces tumor necrosis factor-α. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of PTX administration in MDMA-induced apoptosis in testes of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 g were randomly divided into five groups: control group (without any intervention), group receiving 7.5 mg/kg MDMA three times every two hours for one day, first experimental group receiving 100 mg/kg PTX just at the time of third injection of MDMA, second experimental group receiving 100 mg/kg PTX a week before MDMA administration, and the vehicle group, which received MDMA+saline. Two weeks later, testes were removed and prepared for H&E staining, TUNEL and Western blot techniques. Results: There was a significant decrease of the score in the MDMA group compared with the control group. In first and second experimental groups, the quality of seminiferous epithelium was improved compared with the MDMA group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells/tubule increased in MDMA and vehicle groups, which is decreased by administration of PTX before MDMA. Expression of active caspase-3 significantly increased in MDMA group, which is significantly decreased by administration of PTX before MDMA. Conclusion: PTX can significantly reduce the severity of lesions in the testes following administration of MDMA.
The functional anatomy of central auditory processing

Disorders of audition stand at a crossroads between neurology, audiology, psychiatry and ENT. It is not uncommon for patients to ‘fall between the cracks’ of the referral pathway, and to become increasingly frustrated when specialties cannot decide who is responsible for them. The aim of this ‘How to understand it’ article is to demystify central auditory disorders for neurologists, and to show that they can be assessed like any other neurological symptom, based on a consideration of the anatomy and physiology of the auditory pathway. To illustrate this we describe the case history of a patient who had lost the ability to recognise and appreciate music who presented to an audiology clinician (DMB), who then sought neurology support (TEC, TDG). We elucidated the nature of the deficit in the analysis of sound patterns using psychophysics, but the deficits could have been predicted by a consideration of the anatomy and physiology of the auditory system. The patient was a 48-year-old, right-handed salesman who was a keen listener to popular music. He had no previous symptoms relating to environmental sound or speech perception. He suffered two low-speed road traffic accidents in a single journey on the way to work. The first was nose-to-tail, as he failed to see the car in front stop in traffic, and the second was nose-to-nose with a parked car. After the second incident, he pulled over and called an ambulance, as he felt ‘disorientated’. The ambulance crew found him to be confused and complaining of headache and nausea, so brought him to hospital. Initial physical examination showed no injuries but his blood pressure was 230/120 mm Hg. Neurological examination identified a left upper motor neurone facial palsy with preserved limb power, left-sided sensory and visual neglect, left-sided hyper-reflexia and left extensor plantar response. Immediate unenhanced CT of the head …
Short course prednisolone for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder or stiff painful shoulder): a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial

Objective: To determine whether a short course of prednisolone is superior to placebo for improving pain, function, and range of motion in adhesive capsulitis. Design: Double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Setting: Community based rheumatology practice in Australia. Participants: 50 participants (24 active, 26 placebo); 46 completed the 12 week protocol. Entry criteria were age ⩾18 years, pain and stiffness in predominantly one shoulder for ⩾3 weeks, and restriction of passive motion by >30° in two or more planes. Interventions: 30 mg oral prednisolone/day for three weeks or placebo. Main outcome measures: Overall, night, and activity related pain, SPADI, Croft shoulder disability questionnaire, DASH, HAQ, SF-36, participant rated improvement, and range of active motion measured at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Results: At 3 weeks, there was greater improvement in overall pain in the prednisolone group than in the placebo group (mean (SD) change from baseline, 4.1 (2.3) v 1.4 (2.3); adjusted difference in mean change between the two groups, 2.4 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.8)). There was also greater improvement in disability, range of active motion, and participant rated improvement (marked or moderate overall improvement in 22/23 v 11/23; RR = 2 (1.3 to 3.1), p = 0.001). At 6 weeks the analysis favoured the prednisolone group for most outcomes but none of the differences was significant. At 12 weeks, the analysis tended to favour the placebo group. Conclusions: A three week course of 30 mg prednisolone daily is of significant short term benefit in adhesive capsulitis but benefits are not maintained beyond six weeks.
Safety of myocardial flash-contrast echocardiography in combination with dobutamine stress testing for the detection of ischaemia in 5250 studies

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to provide evidence regarding the safety of real-time flash-contrast echocardiography combined with dobutamine–atropine stress echo (DASE). Background: The combination of perfusion assessment using myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) with DASE has shown very promising results for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Concerns have, however, been expressed regarding the safety of the use of echo-contrast agents in echocardiography. Design: 5250 individuals (70.8% men, aged 64.6 years (SD 10.6)) were submitted to DASE, with concurrent MCE using a low mechanical index technique with the administration of high-energy impulses in order to assess replenishment time. Results: No deaths or myocardial infarctions were observed. Sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation requiring resuscitation occurred in two cases (0.04%). The incidence of other arrhythmic events was: sustained VT not requiring resuscitation, 10 (0.18%); non-sustained VT, 18 (0.34%); atrial tachycardia, 4 (0.08%); atrial fibrillation, 25 (0.48%). Other observed adverse events included: intense headache, 52 (1%); intense back pain, 26 (0.5%). Vagal reactions with marked systolic blood pressure falls were observed in 45 cases (0.9%). Hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 23 cases (0.44%), although no serious cases of hypersensitivity requiring hospitalisation were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of DASE/MCE were 92%, 61% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions: This report of safety data regarding stress-contrast echocardiography in a large series of subjects suggests that this is an exceptionally safe technique, given that in 5250 studies no study-related deaths or myocardial infarctions were encountered, whereas serious adverse events requiring hospitalisation were extremely rare (one in 2625 studies).
Performance of optically-preamplified PDM-BPSK-M-ary PPM and PDM-QPSK-M-ary PPM systems with finite extinction ratio

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of optically preamplified homodyne receivers for combined modulation schemes. The combined modulation schemes include polarization-division-multiplexed quadrature phase-shift keying (PDM-QPSK) with M-ary pulse position modulation (M-ary PPM). In addition, we investigate the performance of polarization-division-multiplexed binary phase-shift keying (PDM-BPSK)-M-ary PPM. The performance of the two modulation schemes was evaluated under the finite extinction ratio (ER) of optical transmitters. Simulation results indicate that PDM-BPSK M-ary PPM systems are more sensitive to finite ER than PDM-QPSK M-ary PPM systems. The results also indicate that for M ≥ 32, for both modulation schemes, a severe ER penalty (more than 5 dB) exists for ER ≤ 23 dB.
Distribution and innervation of putative peripheral arterial chemoreceptors in the red‐eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Peripheral arterial chemoreceptors have been isolated to the common carotid artery, aorta, and pulmonary artery of turtles. However, the putative neurotransmitters associated with these chemoreceptors have not yet been described. The goal of the present study was to determine the neurochemical content, innervations, and distribution of putative oxygen‐sensing cells in the central vasculature of turtles and to derive homologies with peripheral arterial chemoreceptors of other vertebrates. We used tract tracing together with immunohistochemical markers for cholinergic cells (vesicular acetylcholine transporter [VAChT]), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; the rate‐limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis), and serotonin (5HT) to identify putative oxygen‐sensing cells and to determine their anatomical relation to branches of the vagus nerve (Xth cranial nerve). We found potential oxygen‐sensing cells in all three chemosensory areas innervated by branches of the Xth cranial nerve. Cells containing either 5HT or VAChT were found in all three sites. The morphology and size of these cells resemble glomus cells found in amphibians, mammals, tortoises, and lizards. Furthermore, we found populations of cholinergic cells located at the base of the aorta and pulmonary artery that are likely involved in efferent regulation of vessel resistance. Catecholamine‐containing cells were not found in any of the putative chemosensitive areas. The presence of 5HT‐ and VAChT‐immunoreactive cells in segments of the common carotid artery, aorta, and pulmonary artery appears to reflect a transition between cells containing the major neurotransmitters seen in fish (5HT) and mammals (ACh and adenosine). J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1399–1418, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Editorial the Motor Disorder of Multiple System Atrophy

The term multiple system atrophy was originally proposed by Graham and Oppenheimer' in a paper describing a patient with autonomic failure, cerebellar ataxia and probable pyramidal signs, but no parkinsonism, in life. Pathologically, there was cell loss and gliosis, without Lewy bodies, not only in intermediolateral cell columns, olives, pons and cerebellum, but also in the substantia nigra and the putamen. The term then was developed2 as a common label to include many, but not all, cases of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension,3 or pure autonomic failure (others may have Lewy body disease), Shy-Drager syndrome,4 and autonomic failure associated with olivo-pontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),5 and striatonigral degeneration.6 At autopsy, these cases showed involvement of most or all of the above structures to varying degrees.78 Some authors subsequently sought to widen the usage of the term to include other degenerative brain diseases. MSA is a specific condition, however, and only one of a number of "multisystem degenerations". Oppenheimer was willing to consider that MSA may also be familial and, indeed, the pathology of dominantly inherited OPCA could often be difficult to distinguish from that of some cases of sporadic cerebellar-predominant MSA. Clinically, however, there are often important differences. Thus, in some familial cases, pigmentary retinopathy, optic atrophy or dementia,9 and in some others titubation, supranuclear ophthalmoplegia including downgaze, areflexia or cataracts,'0 which are not part of sporadic MSA, may be seen. Another difference is the usual absence of autonomic failure and the generally younger onset and often much longer survival of familial cases of OPCA. The most convincing argument for considering sporadic adult-onset cases of striatonigral degen-eration, Shy-Drager syndrome, and OPCA as suffering with one disorder, namely MSA (which is, moreover, distinct from familial OPCA) comes from the recent independent demonstration in such cases by several groups of oligodendrogliall'-' and neuronal"'17 intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions, which have not been found in 15 cases of familial OPCA, nor in a large number of neurological controls including idiopathic Parkinson's disease and Steele-Richardson-Olszewski disease. They have been found in one atypical patient (age at onset 52 years, age at death 56 years) said to have familial OPCA. Clinical diagnostic criteria for possible, probable and definite MSA as a sporadic disease with onset above age 30 years have been proposed'8 and, more recently, slightly revised with the addition of proposed pathological criteria. '9 Two approaches to characterising the motor disorder of MSA are possible. A prospective study of patients …
The Effects of Exercise with TENS on Spasticity, Balance, and Gait in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a useful modality for pain control. TENS has recently been applied to decrease spasticity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of TENS to an exercise program reduces spasticity and improves balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Material/Methods This was a single-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Thirty-four ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke participated and were randomly allocated to the TENS or Placebo group. The TENS group performed therapeutic exercise with TENS while the placebo (non-stimulation) TENS group performed therapeutic exercise with placebo TENS. Participants in both groups followed the same 30-min exercise regimen 5 times per week for a period of 6 weeks. Spasticity (modified Ashworth scale), static (balance system), and dynamic balance (timed up and go test), and gait ability (gait analyzer) were measured at 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention. Results Significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. Spasticity improved by 0.80 points in the TENS group. Anterior-posterior and medial-lateral sway velocity among static balance parameters and dynamic balance showed significant differences between the TENS and Placebo TENS groups (p=.000). Gait speed and cadence were enhanced significantly in the TENS group (p=.000). Step and stride length on the paretic side showed a significant difference in the TENS group (p=.000), while only velocity showed a significant difference in the Placebo TENS group (p=.004). Conclusions A combination of therapeutic exercise and TENS may reduce spasticity and improve balance, gait, and functional activity in chronic stroke patients.
Feasibility of Air Target Detection Using GPS as a Bistatic Radar

The feasibility of using GPS as a bistatic radar illuminator for the purposes of air target detection is examined. The power budget analysis is first performed assuming the use of a single satellite, but is followed by a discussion of the expected improvements when multiple satellites are employed. The analysis includes the effect of GPS signal strength dynamic range, also known as the 'near-far' problem. The difference between the radar cross-section (RCS) of a typical air target and ground- based clutter reflections is discussed, followed by an estimation of the effect of ground clutter on the operation of such a system.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Activity Against Burn Wounds Contaminating Bacteria

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared from the plant extract of N. arbor-tristis under atmospheric conditions through green synthesis and characterized by various physicochemical techniques like UV-Visible spectroscopy, IR Spectra, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the results confirmed the synthesis of homogeneous and stable AgNPs by the plant extracts. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was investigated against most common bacteria found in burn wound Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In these tests, Mueller Hinton agar plates were used with AgNPs of various concentrations, supplemented in liquid systems. P. aeruginosa was inhibited at the low concentration of AgNPs, whereas the growth-inhibitory effect on S. epidermidis was mild. These results suggest that AgNPs can be used as effective growth inhibitors of various microorganisms, making them applicable to diverse medical devices and antimicrobial control systems.