Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of oral ketamine compared to midazolam for sedation of children undergoing laceration repair

AbstractObjective: To assess the efficacy of oral ketamine versus oral midazolam for sedation during laceration repair at a pediatric emergency department.Methods: Children between 1 and 10 years requiring laceration repair were randomly assigned to 2 groups, treated either with oral midazolam (0.7 mg/kg) or with oral ketamine (5 mg/kg). Main outcomes measured were level of pain during local anesthesia, as assessed by the parent on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) and the number of children who required intravenous sedation. Secondary outcomes included VAS by physician, pain assessment by child, maximal sedation depth assessed by the University of Michigan Sedation Scale, time until University of Michigan Sedation Scale 2 or more, general satisfaction of a parent and treating physician, length of procedure, total sedation time, and the incidence of any adverse events.Results: Sixty-eight children were recruited of which 33 were girls. Average age was 5.08 ± 2.14 years. Thirty-seven children were treated with ketamine and 31 with midazolam. Parent-assessed VAS in ketamine treated patients was 5.07 ± 0.75 compared with 3.68 ± 0.7 in midazolam treated patients [mean difference = 1.39 95% confidence interval (CI) –0.47 to 3.26]. Twelve (32%) of the children treated with ketamine required the addition of IV sedation compared to only 2 children (6%) of the children treated with midazolam [odds ratio (adjusted for age and gender) 6.1, 95% CI: 1.2 to 30.5]. The rest of the measured variables were similar between the groups, with no statistical significance.Discussion: No difference in the level of pain was found between ketamine and midazolam treated patients. Compared with oral midazolam (0.7 mg/kg), oral ketamine (5 mg/kg) was associated with higher rates of sedation failure, and thus is not recommended as a single agent for oral sedation in children requiring laceration repair.
Symptoms-Based Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Students of Bahawalpur Correlated with their Eating Habits

Purpose: To conduct a symptoms-based evaluation of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in university and colleges students of Bahawalpur- Pakistan and correlate the data with their eating habits. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was accomplished using a questionnaire for the assessment of IDA among 500 students enrolled in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur and two affiliated colleges in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Symptoms-based evaluation was carried out to obtain the results. Results: The results showed that 41.2 % (206 students) of the 500 students were anemic. The proportion of anemic females and males was 65.53 % (135) and 34.46 % (71), respectively. Of the 206 students, 96.11 % (198) were below the age of 25 years, 83.96 % (173) in official hostels, 52.42 % (108) belonged to families of average socioeconomic status, 77.18 % (159) suffer from short-term memory, and 47.08 % (97) were unaware of IDA. The most commonly observed symptoms were flattened brittle nails, dizziness, and fatigue after physical activity, 88.83 % (183); presence or absence of glosittis 87.37% (180); ringing in the ears, 84.46 % (174); headache, 62.62 % (129); frequent minor infections, 46.60 % (96); shortness of breath, 40.29 % (83); taste disturbance, 35.92 % (74); ice cravings, 22.33 % (46); and angular stomatitis 18.97 % (39). Conclusion: An unexpectedly large number of female students exhibit symptoms of IDA due to poor nourishment. Findings from this survey can be used in awareness programs to increase academic performance in young adults and to eliminate IDA.
Systemic administration of valproic acid and zonisamide promotes differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cell–derived dopaminergic neurons

Cell replacement therapy using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a promising strategy for the treatment of neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, a limiting factor for effective cell transplantation is the low survival rate of grafted cells, especially neurons. In this study, we modified the host environment and investigated whether the simultaneous administration of soluble factors can improve the survival and differentiation of murine iPSC-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons in host brains. With the goal of applying this technology in clinical settings in the near future, we selected drugs that were already approved for clinical use. The drugs included two commonly used anti-convulsants, valproic acid (VPA) and zonisamide (ZNS), and estradiol (E2), also known as biologically active estrogen. Following neural induction of murine iPSCs, we collected neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by sorting PSA-NCAM+ cells, then treated the PSA-NCAM+ cells with drugs for 4 days. An immunofluorescence study revealed that 0.01 mM and 0.1 mM of VPA and 10 nM of E2 increased the percentage of tyrosine hydroxylase+ (TH: a DA neuron marker) cells in vitro. Furthermore, 0.1 mM of VPA increased the percentage of TH+ cells that simultaneously express the midbrain markers FOXA2 and NURR1. Next, in order to determine the effects of the drugs in vivo, the iPSC-derived NPCs were transplanted into the striata of intact SD rats. The animals received intraperitoneal injections of one of the drugs for 4 weeks, then were subjected to an immunofluorescence study. VPA administration (150 mg/kg/daily) increased the number of NeuN+ post-mitotic neurons and TH+ DA neurons in the grafts. Furthermore, VPA (150 mg/kg/daily) and ZNS (30 mg/kg/daily) increased the number of TH+FOXA2+ midbrain DA neurons. These results suggest that the systemic administration of VPA and ZNS may improve the efficiency of cell replacement therapy using iPSCs to treat PD.
Acceptance Factors and Current Level of Use of Web 2.0 Technologies for Learning in Higher Education: a Case Study of Two Countries

The use of Web 2.0 technology tools or social media in educational context is being emphasized in recent times in different parts of the world and this has brought about a significant increase in the number of educational institutions who are aware of their usefulness when either implementing them as a separate system or incorporating them into their learning management systems. However, there is little research on the acceptance and how much these tools are currently being used for learning hence the need for more empirical studies to investigate factors that would influence acceptance and increase the use of these technologies. The study developed hypotheses and a research model which was operationalized into a questionnaire administered to academics and students in Scotland and Nigeria. 317 responses were received from Nigeria and 279 from Scotland. Analysed data was used to validate the research model that is aimed at explaining acceptance and present level of use of Web 2.0 technology tools in learning environments.
Nonasymptotic Multicast Throughput and Delay in Multihop Wireless Networks

Previous works on multicast capacity mainly focus on deriving asymptotic order results in large-scale wireless networks. While they can explore the general scaling laws of throughput capacity, it is also of great interest for practical concern to predict the exact achievable throughput in networks with an arbitrary finite number of nodes. In this paper, we investigate the nonasymptotic throughput and delay of multihop wireless networks for multicast applications wherein for each source node, k nodes are randomly selected as receivers. It is challenging for the exact performance analysis since multicast transmission has a dynamic nature due to the following factors: 1) random distribution of nodes; 2) bursty traffic arrivals; and 3) different timescales for transient analysis. To tackle the problem, we propose an explicit analytical model and develop a multicast routing scheme, which accounts for these aspects. With our proposed model, we derive lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB) on nonasymptotic multicast throughput and delay using stochastic network calculus. We show that the performance results hold for all timescales and network sizes and are strongly correlated to data burstiness and the number of receivers. While we investigate from a nonasymptotic point of view, our results can also cover the asymptotic scaling laws. Simulations are conducted to further verify the accuracy of the analytical bounds.
Frequency of Natural Resistance within NS5a Replication Complex Domain in Hepatitis C Genotypes 1a, 1b: Possible Implication of Subtype-Specific Resistance Selection in Multiple Direct Acting Antivirals Drugs Combination Treatment

Different HCV subtypes may naturally harbor different resistance selection to anti-NS5a inhibitors. 2761 sequences retrieved from the Los Alamos HCV database were analyzed in the NS5a domain 1, the target of NS5a inhibitors. The NS5a resistance-associated polymorphisms (RAPs) were more frequently detected in HCV G1b compared to G1a. The prevalence of polymorphisms associated with cross-resistance to compounds in clinical use (daclatasvir, DCV, ledipasvir, LDV, ombitasvir, and OMV) or scheduled to come into clinical use in the near future (IDX719, elbasvir, and ELV) was higher in G1b compared to G1a (37/1552 (2.4%) in 1b sequences and 15/1209 (1.2%) in 1a isolates, p = 0.040). Interestingly, on the basis of the genotype-specific resistance pattern, 95 (6.1%) G1b sequences had L31M RAP to DCV/IDX719, while 6 sequences of G1a (0.5%) harbored L31M RAP, conferring resistance to DCV/LDV/IDX719/ELV (p < 0.0001). Finally, 28 (2.3%) G1a and none of G1b isolates harbored M28V RAP to OMV (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the pattern of subtype-specific resistance selection in the naturally occurring strains may guide the treatment option in association with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) targeting different regions, particularly in patients that are difficult to cure, such as those with advanced liver disease or individuals who have failed previous DAAs.
The relationship between increased growth and resistance induced in plants by root colonizing microbes

Trichoderma spp. are effective biocontrol agents for numerous foliar and root phytopathogens, and some are also known for their abilities to enhance systemic resistance to plant diseases as well as overall plant growth. Root colonization with T. harzianum strain T22 induces large changes in the proteome of shoots of maize seedlings (Zea mays) even though T22 is present only on roots; changes also were recorded in the roots. In shoots, we identified 91 of 114 upregulated and 30 of 50 downregulated proteins. In roots, 20 upregulated and 11 downregulated proteins were found and 17 and eight, respectively, were identified. Classification of proteins differentially expressed in both shoots and roots revealed that the largest number of upregulated proteins was involved in carbohydrate metabolism; in shoots, some upregulated proteins were involved in photosynthesis. Increases in these protein classifications suggest enhanced respiratory and photosynthetic rates. These changes may be required for the enhanced growth response induced by colonization of Trichoderma following seed or soil treatments. Stress and defense related proteins that were upregulated probably are related to the enhanced resistance conferred by the Trichoderma inoculation. We suggest that Trichoderma induces both increased growth, which is mediated by an increase in photosynthetic and respiratory rates, and systemic induced resistance. These two general effects may be mediated by different elicitors. Addendum to: Shoresh M, Harman GE. The molecular basis of shoot responses of maize seedlings to Trichoderma harzianum T22 inoculation of the root: A proteomic approach. Plant Physiol 2008; In press.
Racial differences in the prevalence of dementia among patients admitted to nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia among black and white residents on admission to nursing homes and to determine whether demographic and health characteristics known to be associated with dementia were correlated with dementia in this population. METHODS Data from medical records and structured interviews with family members, nursing staff, and nursing home residents were gathered for 2,285 persons newly admitted to nursing homes in Maryland from 1992 to 1995. A stratified sample of 59 nursing homes was used. An expert panel of five physicians classified each resident as demented, nondemented, or indeterminate. Associations between dementia status, race, and selected characteristics were examined. RESULTS Black residents (77 percent) were significantly more likely than white residents (57 percent) to be classified as demented. Older age was associated with dementia in both races. Less education, male gender, and a history of a cerebrovascular accident were associated with an increased prevalence of dementia among white residents only. After demographic and health characteristics associated with dementia were controlled for, black race remained independently associated with a diagnosis of dementia. CONCLUSIONS The rate of dementia on admission to nursing homes was higher among black residents than among white residents, a finding that has implications for the delivery of care. The higher rate may be due to psychosocial factors operating differently in blacks and whites that influence the timing of admission to a nursing home.
Fine‐scale population structure and dispersal in Biomphalaria glabrata, the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma mansoni, in Venezuela

Biomphalaria glabrata is the main intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in America and one of the most intensely studied species of freshwater snails, yet very little is known about its population biology. Here, we used seven highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to analyse genetic diversity in the Valencia lake basin, which represents the core of the endemic area for schistosomiasis in Venezuela. Populations were sampled at short spatial scale (a few kilometres), both inside the lake and in ponds or rivers near the lake. Our results indicate that B. glabrata essentially cross‐fertilizes, with little variation in selfing rates among populations. Our markers detected considerable genetic variation, with an average heterozygosity of 0.60. More diversity per population was found within than outside the lake, suggesting an influence of connectivity among populations on the levels of genetic diversity. A marked population structure was detected and lake populations were less structured than other populations. Most individuals were assigned to their population of origin using an assignment test. No strong demographic signal (e.g. bottleneck) was detected, though lake populations are likely to experience bottlenecks more frequently than the other populations analysed. Differences in gene flow therefore seem to play an important role in population differentiation and in the restoring of genetic diversity in demographically unstable populations.
Functional recovery after surgical resection of low grade gliomas in eloquent brain: hypothesis of brain compensation

Objectives: To describe functional recovery after surgical resection of low grade gliomas (LGG) in eloquent brain areas, and discuss the mechanisms of compensation. Methods: Seventy-seven right-handed patients without deficit were operated on for a LGG invading primary and/or secondary sensorimotor and/or language areas, as shown anatomically by pre-operative MRI and intraoperatively by electrical brain stimulation and cortico-subcortical mapping. Results: Tumours involved 31 supplementary motor areas, 28 insulas, 8 primary somatosensory areas, 4 primary motor areas, 4 Broca’s areas, and 2 left temporal language areas. All patients had immediate post-operative deficits. Recovery occurred within 3 months in all except four cases (definitive morbidity: 5%). Ninety-two percent of the lesions were either totally or extensively resected on post-operative MRI. Conclusions: These findings suggest that spatio-temporal functional re-organisation is possible in peritumoural brain, and that the process is dynamic. The recruitment of compensatory areas with long term perilesional functional reshaping would explain why: before surgery, there is no clinical deficit despite the tumour growth in eloquent regions; immediately after surgery, the occurrence of a deficit, which could be due to the resection of invaded areas participating (but not essential) to the function; and why three months after surgery, almost complete recovery had occurred. This brain plasticity, which decreases the long term risk of surgical morbidity, may be used to extend the limits of surgery in eloquent areas.
Foliar Application of Humic Acid on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Aromas Strawberry in Soilless Culture.

In order to evaluate the effect of humic acid on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of strawberry (Fragaria ananasa cv. 'Aromas'), an experiment was conducted as factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications in a commercial hydroponic greenhouse. The rooted daughter plants of 'Aromas' strawberry were planted in pots containing perlite and cocopeat (1:1). Humic acid were sprayed on the plants when they were completely established. The treatments consisted of different concentrations of humic acid (Greenhum containing 13% humic acid) (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mg l-1). Certain traits were measured including leaf chlorophyll index; the weight, length, width and length/width ratio of the fruits; number of fruit in plant; yield of single plant in a 2months period; malformed fruit percent; total soluble solid percent and fruit firmness. Results indicated that the application of humic acid had positive influence on fruit number, total yield of plant, TSS, fruit firmness and chlorophyll content. Generally, foliar application of humic acid led to the improvement of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of this cultivar of strawberry. Consequently, the application of 1.5-3 mg l-1 humic acid is recommended in hydroponic culturing of strawberry.
On the ambiguous treatment of the Schrödinger equation for the infinite potential well and an alternative via flat solutions: The one-dimensional case

An ambiguity in the mathematical treatment of the study of bound state solutions of the Schrodinger equation for infinite well type potentials (studied for the first time in a pioneering article of 1928 by G. Gamow) is pointed out. An alternative to prove a similar "localizing effect" is here offered "in terms Hardy type potentials" with the distance to the boundary as a variable. The existence of flat solutions (with zero normal derivative at the boundary) and solutions with compact support is here obtained by first time in the literature for elliptic problems for this kind of linear equations.
The Spermatogonial Stem Cell Niche in the Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu)1

ABSTRACT In the seminiferous epithelium, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are located in a particular environment called the “niche” that is controlled by the basement membrane, key testis somatic cells, and factors originating from the vascular network. However, the role of Leydig cells (LCs) as a niche component is not yet clearly elucidated. Recent studies showed that peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) present a peculiar LC cytoarchitecture in which these cells are located around the seminiferous tubule lobes, making the peccary a unique model for investigating the SSC niche. This peculiarity allowed us to subdivide the seminiferous tubule cross-sections in three different testis parenchyma regions (tubule-tubule, tubule-interstitium, and tubule-LC contact). Our aims were to characterize the different spermatogonial cell types and to determine the location and/or distribution of the SSCs along the seminiferous tubules. Compared to differentiating spermatogonia, undifferentiated spermatogonia (Aund) presented a noticeably higher nuclear volume (P < 0.05), allowing an accurate evaluation of their distribution. Immunostaining analysis demonstrated that approximately 93% of Aund were GDNF receptor alpha 1 positive (GFRA1+), and these cells were preferentially located adjacent to the interstitial compartment without LCs (P < 0.05). The expression of colony-stimulating factor 1 was observed in LCs and peritubular myoid cells (PMCs), whereas its receptor was present in LCs and in GFRA1+ Aund. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that LCs, different from PMCs, might play a minor role in the SSC niche and physiology and that these steroidogenic cells are probably involved in the differentiation of Aund toward type A1 spermatogonia.
Murine Cytomegalovirus with a Transposon Insertional Mutation at Open Reading Frame M35 Is Defective in Growth In Vivo

ABSTRACT We had previously constructed a pool of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) mutants that contained a Tn3-based transposon sequence randomly inserted in the viral genome. In the study reported here, one of the mutants, RvM35, which contains the transposon insertion at open reading frame M35, was characterized both in vitro in tissue cultures and in immunocompetent Balb/c and immunodeficient SCID mice. Our results provide the first direct evidence to suggest that M35 is not essential for viral replication in vitro in NIH 3T3 cells. Compared to the wild-type strain and a rescued virus that restored the M35 region, the viral mutant was attenuated in growth in both the intraperitoneally infected Balb/c and SCID mice. At 21 days postinfection, the titers of the mutant in the salivary glands, lungs, spleens, livers, and kidneys of the SCID mice were lower than the titers of the wild-type Smith strain and the rescued virus by 50,000-, 100-, 10-, 100-, and 50-fold, respectively. Moreover, the growth of RvM35 is severely attenuated in the salivary glands. The virulence of the mutant virus also appears to be attenuated, because no death was observed in SCID mice infected with RvM35 until 35 days postinfection, while all the animals infected with the wild-type and rescued viruses died 27 days postinfection. Our results suggest that M35 is important for MCMV virulence in killing SCID mice and is required for optimal viral growth in vivo, including in the salivary glands.
Positivity conditions for Hermitian symmetric functions

We introduce a countable collection of positivity classes for Hermitian symmetric functions on a complex manifold, and establish their basic properties. We study a related notion of stability. The first main result shows that, if the underlying matrix of coefficients of an entire Hermitian symmetric function has at most k positive eigenvalues, then it can lie in the k-th positivity class only if it is a squared norm. We establish a similar result for Hermitian symmetric functions on the total space of a holomorphic line bundle. Finally we study the positivity classes for a natural one-parameter family of Hermitian metrics on a power of the universal bundle over complex projective space; we obtain sharp information about the parameter values in order to be in the k-th class. The paper closes with some additional information about the case when k is 2, where a nonlinear version of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality arises.