Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body mass index, weight change and mortality risk in a prospective study in India.

BACKGROUND Although the detrimental effect of overweight and obesity has been extensively reported in Western populations, little is known on the association between body weight, weight change and mortality in Asian populations whose weight distribution and mortality differ considerably from the West. METHODS A cohort of 75 868 subjects aged 35 years and above, participants of the Trivandrum Oral Cancer Study-a cluster-randomized controlled trial originally implemented to evaluate the efficacy of visual inspection on oral cancer, in Kerala State, South India-were followed up from 1995 to 2004. Weight and height were measured both at baseline and in 3.5-year follow-up surveys. Early years of follow-up were excluded from the analyses. Relative risks of overall death and cause-specific death were estimated according to the body mass index (BMI) category of the WHO Asian population definitions, and to weight changes between two surveys. RESULTS Low BMI was a predictor of mortality, while high BMI was not. Mortality risks in men adjusted for age, smoking habits and other potential confounders, as compared with a BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m(2), were 1.26 (95% CI 1.03-1.55) for BMI < 16 kg/m(2); 1.16 (1.03-1.32) for BMI = 16-18.4 kg/m(2); 0.95 (0.81-1.12) for BMI = 23-24.9 kg/m(2); 0.85 (0.69-1.05) for BMI = 25-27.4 kg/m(2); and 0.89 (0.65-1.21) for BMI >/= 27.5 kg/m(2). Similar findings were observed in women. BMI was not associated with deaths from cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes. A low BMI (<16 kg/m(2)) was associated with increased deaths from chronic respiratory diseases. Smoking and socio-economical status did modify the association. A moderate weight gain of 4-10% between the two surveys was associated with decreased risk of death, while moderate and severe weight loss were predictive factors of death. Similar results were observed in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS Among this Indian rural population, mild to severe leanness (BMI < 16 kg/m(2)) and weight loss were important determinants of mortality, especially from chronic respiratory diseases, while overweight and above (BMI > 23 kg/m(2)) did not show any detrimental effect.
Duration of exposure to gluten and risk for autoimmune disorders in patients with celiac disease. SIGEP Study Group for Autoimmune Disorders in Celiac Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The relationship between celiac disease and many autoimmune disorders has been explained by the sharing of a common genetic factor. In a multicenter national study, we examined the relationship between the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease and the duration of exposure to gluten. METHODS Over a 6-month period, 909 patients with celiac disease (group A; mean age, 16.1 +/- 3.8 years; grouped according to age at diagnosis into three subgroups [group A1, <2 years; group A2, 2-10 years; and group A3, >10 years]), 1268 healthy controls (group B; mean age, 20.8 +/- 4.5 years), and 163 patients with Crohn's disease (group C; mean age, 28.8 +/- 10 years) were evaluated for the presence of autoimmune disorders. RESULTS Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in group A was significantly higher than in group B (14% vs. 2.8%; P < 0.000001) but not higher than in group C (12.9%). Prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease increased with increasing age at diagnosis: 5.1% in group A1, 17% in group A2, and 23.6% in group A3 (P = 0.000001). In group A3, the prevalence of autoimmune disorders was significantly higher than in group C. In a logistic regression model, age at diagnosis was the only significant predictor variable of the odds of developing an autoimmune disorder (r = 0.3; P < 0.000001). CONCLUSIONS Our data show for the first time that the prevalence of autoimmune disorders in celiac disease is related to the duration of exposure to gluten.
Atrial reservoir function by strain rate imaging in asymptomatic mitral stenosis: prognostic value at 3 year follow-up.

AIMS Assessment of left and right systolic atrial reservoir function in asymptomatic mitral stenosis (MS) by strain and strain rate imaging (SRI) and their prognostic power at 3 year follow-up was the purpose of this study. There is clear indication to treat (by surgery or percutaneous valvotomy) symptomatic patients with MS, whereas for the asymptomatic ones, the question is much debated. So, we need new echocardiographic parameters helpful for the management of asymtomatic patients. Atrial reservoir function by SRI could help in evaluation of these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifty-three asymptomatic patients with MS and 53 healthy controls were evaluated by the standard echo-Doppler study [mitral valve (MV) area, mean gradient, systolic pulmonary pressure, left atrial (LA) width, LA volumes, LA compliance index] and by Doppler myocardial imaging (velocity, strain, and SR of both atria). The endpoint at 3 year follow-up was symptoms, hospitalization for cardiac cause, atrial fibrillation, thrombo-embolic events, valvular surgery, or percutaneous commissurotomy. LA width, volumes, and systolic pulmonary pressure were significantly increased in MS patients (P < 0.001). Atrial myocardial velocities and deformation indices were significantly compromised in MS patients (P < 0.0001). Significant correlation was found between atrial myocardial velocity and MV area (by pressure half-time method: P = 0.019, R = 0.41; by planimetric method: P = 0.016, R = 0.43). Peak systolic LA myocardial strain and SR were significantly correlated with atrial volumes (strain: P = 0.03, R = -0.28; SR: P = 0.0008, R = -0.42), with atrial compliance index (strain: P = 0.04, R = 0.26; SR: P = 0.04, R = 0.16), with atrial ejection fraction (strain: P < 0.0001, R = 0.56; SR: P = 0.03, R = 0.43). At 3 year follow-up, 22 (41%) patients had events. Comparing the MS patients who had events during the 3 year follow-up with those who did not, the former had bigger LA volumes, although these parameters did not reached a significant value, whereas atrial myocardial systolic SR was significantly impaired in patients with events. In multivariate analysis, the best predictor of adverse events was LA peak systolic SR average (P = 0.04; coefficient: 0.113; SE: 0.055; cut-off value of 1.69 s(-1) for LA peak systolic SR average) with a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 80.6%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.852 (SE: 0.048; 95% CI: 0.74-0.93, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Atrial myocardial deformation properties, assessed by SRI, are abnormal in asymptomatic patients with rheumatic MS. The degree of this impairment is predictor of events in a 3 year follow-up. SRI could be helpful in decision-making of asymtomatic patients with MS.
Tropical pyomyositis (myositis tropicans): current perspective

Tropical pyomyositis, a disease often seen in tropical countries, is characterised by suppuration within skeletal muscles, manifesting as single or multiple abscesses. The most common organism implicated is Staphylococcus aureus. In 20%–50% of cases there is a history of trauma to the affected muscles. Commonly involved muscles are quadriceps, glutei, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, biceps, iliopsoas, gastrocnemius, abdominal and spinal muscles. Early diagnosis is often missed because of lack of specific signs, unfamiliarity with the disease, atypical manifestations, and a wide range of differential diagnosis. Diagnostic techniques like ultrasound and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging are very useful in diagnosis. The diagnosis is confirmed either by biopsy or aspiration of pus from the affected muscles. The initial antibiotic of choice is cloxacillin. Incision and drainage are important components of management. Treatment for Gram negative or anaerobic organisms should be instituted, whenever indicated. Physicians should become more familiar with this potentially life threatening but curable infective disease entity.
Using the Facebook group as a learning management system: An exploratory study

Facebook is a popular social networking site. It, like many other new technologies, has potential for teaching and learning because of its unique built-in functions that offer pedagogical, social and technological affordances. In this study, the Facebook group was used as a learning management system (LMS) in two courses for putting up announcements, sharing resources, organizing weekly tutorials and conducting online discussions at a teacher education institute in Singapore. This study explores using the Facebook group as an LMS and the students’ perceptions of using it in their courses. Results showed that students were basically satisfied with the affordances of Facebook as the fundamental functions of an LMS could be easily implemented in the Facebook group. However, using the Facebook group as an LMS has certain limitations. It did not support other format files to be uploaded directly, and the discussion was not organized in a threaded structure. Also, the students did not feel safe and comfortable as their privacy might be revealed. Constraints of using the Facebook group as an LMS, implications for practice and limitations of this study are discussed.
Smithian ammonoid faunas from northeastern Nevada: implications for Early Triassic biostratigraphy and correlation within the western USA basin

Intensive sampling of the lower portion of the Thaynes Group within the Palomino Ridge area (northeastern Nevada) yielded abundant and well-preserved Smithian (Early Triassic) ammonoid faunas. Ammonoid taxonomy and a detailed biostratigraphy for this locality are reported herein. One new genus (Palominoceras) and one new species (? Pseudosageceras bullatum) are described. Additionally, based on new data from Palomino Ridge and previous data from neighboring localities in Utah, we porvide here the first quantitative Smithian ammonoid biochronological scheme for the western US basin. This new zonation is based on the Unitary Associations (UA) method. The biochronical sequence comprises five unitary association zones that can be correlated with other localities from the Northern Indian Margin (Salt Range, Pakistan, Spiti, northern India and Tulong, South Tibet). Three unitary association zone (UAZ1, UAZ2 and UAZ3) are defined for the early Smithian, one (UAZ4) spans the entire middle Smithian and one (UAZ5) signifies the first part of the late Smithian. Finally, a hypothetical UAZ6 would represent the second part of the late Smithian.
Language Lateralization Represented by Spatiotemporal Mapping of Magnetoencephalography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Determination of hemispheric language dominance is critical for planning epilepsy surgery. We assess the usefulness of spatiotemporal source analysis of magnetoencephalography for determining language laterality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with epilepsy were studied. The patients performed a semantic word-processing task during MEG recording. Epochs containing language-related neuromagnetic activity were averaged after preprocessing. The averaged data between 250 and 550 ms after stimulus were analyzed by using dynamic statistical parametric mapping. ROIs were obtained in the opercular and triangular parts of the inferior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus in both hemispheres. We calculated laterality indices according to 1) dSPM-amplitude method, based on the amplitude of activation in the ROIs, and 2) dSPM-counting method, based on the number of unit dipoles with activation over a threshold in the ROIs. The threshold was determined as half of the maximum value in all ROIs for each patient. A LI ≥0.10 or ≤−0.10 was considered left- or right-hemisphere dominance, respectively; a LI between −0.10 and 0.10 was considered bilateral. All patients underwent an intracarotid amobarbital procedure as part of presurgical evaluation. RESULTS: The dSPM-counting method demonstrated laterality consistent with the IAP in 32 of 35 patients (91.4%), the remaining 3 (8.6%) demonstrated bilateral language representation, whereas the dSPM-amplitude method showed 18 (51.4%) concordant and 17 (48.6%) bilateral. No laterality opposite to the IAP was found. CONCLUSIONS: Spatiotemporal mapping of language lateralization with the dSPM-counting method may reduce the necessity for an IAP in as many as 90% of patients.
Subdivision exterior calculus for geometry processing

This paper introduces a new computational method to solve differential equations on subdivision surfaces. Our approach adapts the numerical framework of Discrete Exterior Calculus (DEC) from the polygonal to the subdivision setting by exploiting the refin-ability of subdivision basis functions. The resulting Subdivision Exterior Calculus (SEC) provides significant improvements in accuracy compared to existing polygonal techniques, while offering exact finite-dimensional analogs of continuum structural identities such as Stokes' theorem and Helmholtz-Hodge decomposition. We demonstrate the versatility and efficiency of SEC on common geometry processing tasks including parameterization, geodesic distance computation, and vector field design.
Rapid Modulation of P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Transport at the Blood-Brain Barrier by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Lipopolysaccharide

At the blood-brain barrier, P-glycoprotein, an ATP-driven drug efflux pump, selectively limits drug access to the brain parenchyma, impeding pharmacotherapy of a number of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. We previously used confocal imaging to demonstrate in isolated rat brain capillaries that endothelin-1 (ET-1), acting through an ETB receptor, NO synthase, and protein kinase C, rapidly and reversibly reduces P-glycoprotein transport function. In this study, we define a link between the brain's innate immune response and functional regulation of P-glycoprotein. We show that exposing brain capillaries to the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), activated a TNF-R1 receptor, released ET-1, activated ETB receptor signaling, and essentially abolished P-glycoprotein-mediated transport. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a potent activator of the brain's innate immune response, reduced P-glycoprotein activity through TNF-α release, ET-1 release, and ETB receptor signaling. TNF-α and LPS effects had a rapid onset (minutes), were reversible, and did not involve changes in tight junctional permeability. These findings define a signaling pathway through which P-glycoprotein activity is acutely modulated. They show that this key component of the selective/active blood-brain barrier is an early target of cytokine signaling during the innate immune response and suggest ways to manipulate the barrier for improved CNS pharmacotherapy.
Frequency of anti-tuberculous therapy-induced hepatotoxicity in patients and their outcome.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a very common droplet infection especially in the northern areas. If untreated, the disease may be fatal within 5 years in more than half of cases. To study the frequency of anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) induced hepato-toxicity was the subject of the present hospital based descriptive study. METHOD The study was conducted in Medical Unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital and patients with diagnosed Tuberculosis in whom ATT was initiated were included in the study. The subsequent development of elevated liver enzyme levels and hepatitis, amongst some members of the study group; was diagnosed, with the help of clinical findings and Liver Function Tests (LFT's) and were dealt with according to severity. RESULTS Out of the 500 patients studied 277 (55.4%) were male and 223 (44.6%) were female, 203 (40.5%) were in age group 21-35 years, 136 (27.1%) in age group 36-50 years, 141 (28.1%) in age group 51-65 years while 20 (4%) were above 65 years of age. Out of them 40 (8%) developed hepatotoxicity, 21 (4.2%) patients amongst the study group developed overt hepatitis, 20 (4%) of them made an uneventful recovery while 1 (0.2%) died of Fulminant Hepatic Failure (FHF). CONCLUSIONS ATT-induced hepato-toxicity, was frequently encountered in patients put on ATT.
Dark Lumen Magnetic Resonance Enteroclysis in Combination With Mri Colonography for Whole Bowel Assessment in Patients With Crohn's Disease: First Clinical Experience

Background: Magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) is a recently introduced imaging technique that assesses the small bowel with similar sensitivity and specificity as the fluoroscopically performed conventional enteroclysis. Magnetic resonance imaging colonography (MRC) seems to be a promising technique for polyp assessment in the colon. In this feasibility study, we evaluated the combination of small bowel MRI with unprepared MRC as an integrative diagnostic approach of the whole bowel in patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: Thirty patients with known Crohn's disease were prospectively examined. No particular colonic preparation was applied. Applying the dark lumen technique in all patients, MRE and MRC were performed within 1 session using an integrative examination protocol. T2‐weighted and contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted sequences were acquired. Inflammation assessment (grades 0 to 2) of the colon was compared with conventional colonoscopy in 29 patient and with surgery in 1 patient. The entire colon was graded fair to good distended in all patients. In 11 of 210 evaluated colonic segments, feces hindered an adequate intraluminal bowel assessment. Twenty‐three of 30 patients had complete colonoscopy as the gold standard. In 7 patients, complete colonoscopy could not be performed because of an inflamed stenosis. Results: Correct grading of colonic inflammation was performed with 55.1% sensitivity and 98.2% specificity in all segments. Considering only more extensive inflammation (grade 2), the sensitivity of MRC increased to 70.2% with a specificity of 99.2%. Conclusions: The combination of MRE and MRC could improve the diagnostic value of abdominal MRI evaluation in patients with Crohn's disease. However, MRC can not replace conventional colonoscopy in subtle inflammation assessment.
Improvement of zone control induction heating equipment for high-speed processing of semiconductor devices

In order to process a semiconductor device of high quality, uniform heating is necessary, but it is not easy to heat uniformly with conventional induction heating equipment. To solve this problem, zone control induction heating equipment has been jointly developed. In this paper, we examine the effect of dividing an induction heater into several small coil groups having different current and frequency, using the finite-element method. We describe the heating characteristics of the zone control coil groups and show that nearly uniform heating is possible by controlling both current and frequency.
Microbiological Assessment of some Parameters of Kariesh Cheese Sold by Supermarkets and Street Vendors in Alexandria, Egypt

Background: Kariesh cheese is the most popular soft cheese consumed in Egypt especially in the countryside . Some of Kariesh cheese is produced in equipped factories, but most in farmers’ homes and unlicensed places not under standard requirements for hygienic food production . Cheese could be contaminated by different types of microorganisms during its production, handling, distribution and storage under unhygienic conditions. Contamination with different microorganisms causes cheese spoilage and/or foodborne illnesses . Objective(s): To assess some microbiological parameters of Kariesh cheese, as recommended by the Egyptian standards for Kariesh cheese No.1008/2000. A comparison of Kariesh cheese samples collected from supermarkets and street vendors was carried out. Methods: A total of 270 Kariesh cheese samples were collected in the period between September 2015 and January 2016 from 3 randomly selected Alexandrian districts. Half of the samples (135) were collected from street vendors and the other half was collected from supermarkets. The microbiological tests performed were: total plate count, estimation of total and fecal coliforms, and detection of E. coli , S. aureus as well as yeasts and moulds. Results: According to the Egyptian standard No.1008/2000 for Kariesh cheese parameters, only 6% and 7% of the examined Kariesh samples were satisfactory for yeasts and moulds and total plate count respectively. As regards total coliforms and E.coli , 44% and 48% respectively of the samples were satisfactory, while 39% of the samples were satisfactory for fecal coliforms, and around 90% were for S. aureus. The mean microbial counts in all tested parameters were higher in Kariesh cheese samples sold by street vendors rather than supermarkets, and this was statistically significant . Conclusions: The microbiological parameters of Kariesh cheese in this study showed unacceptable high levels especially among street vendors' samples. Keywords: Kariesh cheese, street vendors, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E.coli , S. aureus , fungi
Evolution's cauldron: Duplication, deletion, and rearrangement in the mouse and human genomes

This study examines genomic duplications, deletions, and rearrangements that have happened at scales ranging from a single base to complete chromosomes by comparing the mouse and human genomes. From whole-genome sequence alignments, 344 large (>100-kb) blocks of conserved synteny are evident, but these are further fragmented by smaller-scale evolutionary events. Excluding transposon insertions, on average in each megabase of genomic alignment we observe two inversions, 17 duplications (five tandem or nearly tandem), seven transpositions, and 200 deletions of 100 bases or more. This includes 160 inversions and 75 duplications or transpositions of length >100 kb. The frequencies of these smaller events are not substantially higher in finished portions in the assembly. Many of the smaller transpositions are processed pseudogenes; we define a “syntenic” subset of the alignments that excludes these and other small-scale transpositions. These alignments provide evidence that ≈2% of the genes in the human/mouse common ancestor have been deleted or partially deleted in the mouse. There also appears to be slightly less nontransposon-induced genome duplication in the mouse than in the human lineage. Although some of the events we detect are possibly due to misassemblies or missing data in the current genome sequence or to the limitations of our methods, most are likely to represent genuine evolutionary events. To make these observations, we developed new alignment techniques that can handle large gaps in a robust fashion and discriminate between orthologous and paralogous alignments.
Tx1: a transposable element from Xenopus laevis with some unusual properties

A family of transposable genetic elements in the genome of the frog, Xenopus laevis, is described. They are designated Tx1. Transposability of the elements was deduced by characterization of a chromosomal locus which is polymorphic for the presence or absence of a Tx1 element. Nucleotide sequence analysis suggested that Tx1 elements show target site specificity, as they are inserted at the pentanucleotide TTTAA in all four cases that were examined. The elements appear to have 19-base-pair (bp) inverted terminal repeats, and they are flanked by 4-bp target duplications (TTAA), although the possibility that they do not create target site duplications is discussed. Tx1 elements have several unusual characteristics: the central portion of each element is comprised of a variable number of two types of 393-bp repeating units; the rightmost 1,000 bp of the element contains separate regions potentially capable of forming bends, left-handed Z-form DNA, and alternative stem-loop structures. Comparisons among single frogs suggest that germ line transposition is relatively infrequent and that variations in numbers of internal repeats accumulate quite slowly at any locus.