Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of two programs of exercise on body composition of adolescents with Down syndrome

Objective: To investigate the effects of a 12 week aerobic and resistance exercise on body composition of adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with 41 adolescents with Down syndrome, aged 15.5±2.7 years, divided into three groups: Aerobic Training Group (ATG; n=16), Resisted Training Group (RTG; n=15) and Control Group (CG; n=10). There were two types of training: aerobic, with intensity of 50-70% of the heart rate reserve 3 times/week, and resisted, with intensity of 12 maximum repetitions 2 times week. Both trainings were applied during a 12-week period. The percentage of fat evaluation was performed using plethysmography with Bod Pod(r) equipment. Waist circumference (WC), body weight and height were also measured. Paired t-test was used to compare variables before and after the exercise program. Results: The percentage of body fat did not change significantly for both groups that participated in the training intervention. However, CG showed a significant increase in this variable (31.3±7.2 versus 34.0±7.9). On the other hand, body mass index (BMI) and WC were significantly reduced for ATG (BMI: 27.0±4.4 and 26.5±4.2; WC: 87.3±11.1 and 86.2±9.7), while RTG and GC showed no differences in these variables. Conclusions: The aerobic and resisted training programs maintained body fat levels. ATG significantly reduced BMI and WC measures. Individuals who did not attend the training intervention increased their percentage of fat.
Heredity in Gastroenterology: A Review

Attention is drawn to the more important genetic principles which have a bearing on medical problems, and stress is laid on the careful planning necessary if a clinical genetic research project is to produce worthwhile results. There follows a review of the present state of knowledge concerning heredity and various gastroenterological disorders, with suggestions of the lines of research most likely to be rewarding. The view is expressed that the most urgent need is for more knowledge of the genetics of the physiological processes of the gastrointestinal tract.
Impact of crystal polymorphism on the systemic bioavailability of rifaximin, an antibiotic acting locally in the gastrointestinal tract, in healthy volunteers

Background Rifaximin is an antibiotic, acting locally in the gastrointestinal tract, which may exist in different crystal as well as amorphous forms. The current marketed rifaximin formulation contains polymorph alpha, the systemic bioavailability of which is very limited. This study compared the pharmacokinetics of this formulation with those of the amorphous form. Methods Amorphous rifaximin was specifically prepared for the study and formulated as the marketed product. Two doses (200 mg and 400 mg) of both formulations were given to two groups of 12 healthy volunteers of either sex according to a single-blind, randomized, two-treatment, single-dose, two-period, cross-over design. Plasma and urine samples were collected at preset times (for 24 hours or 48 hours, respectively) after dosing, and assayed for rifaximin concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results For both dose levels, peak plasma concentration, area under the concentration-time curve, and cumulative urinary excretion were significantly higher after administration of amorphous rifaximin than rifaximin-α. Ninety percent confidence intervals for peak plasma concentration, area under the concentration-time curve, and urinary excretion ratios were largely outside the upper limit of the accepted (0.80–1.25) range, indicating higher systemic bioavailability of the amorphous rifaximin. The few adverse events recorded were not serious and not related to the study medications. Conclusion Rifaximin-α, a crystal polymorph, does differ from the amorphous form, the latter being systemically more bioavailable. In this regard, care must be taken when using – as a medicinal product – a formulation containing even small amounts of amorphous form, which may alter the peculiar pharmacologic properties of this poorly absorbed antibiotic.
Biology and Management of the Mexican Rice Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Rice in the United States

The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), is an invasive pest of rice, Oryza sativa L. , in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. This pest also damages sugarcane, Saccharum spp. hybrids; corn, Zea mays L. ; and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and feeds on weedy noncrop grasses. Multiple aspects of integrated pest management including use of pheromone traps, manipulation of planting dates, harvest cutting height, stubble management, noncrop host management, soil fertility management, host plant resistance, use of insecticides, and biological control have been studied for Mexican rice borer management. However, the current management strategy in rice primarily relies on the use of chlorantraniliprole insecticide seed treatments. This profile addresses Mexican rice borer biology and management in rice in the United States.
A Hybrid Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on a Two-Level Clustering Hierarchy with Enhanced Energy Efficiency

A two-level hierarchical clustering based hybrid routing protocol (THCHP) for wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. The per frame time average energy dissipation performance of THCHP is analytically evaluated. The accuracy of the derived analytical expression is validated via comparisons with simulation results. Furthermore, we compare the performance of THCHP to the previously proposed APTEEN protocol. Our results show that THCHP achieves significant energy savings when compared to APTEEN. In addition, comparisons between the average query response times of THCHP and APTEEN show that the proposed THCHP scheme achieves a much lower query response time and can operate over a broad range of query arrival rates with minimal increases in response time.
Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence by Cinnamaldehyde, the Major Constituent of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Ramulus Cinnamomi

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common disorder in middle-aged women and the elderly population. Although surgical treatment of SUI has progressed, pharmacological therapies remain unelucidated. We screened potential herbal medicines against SUI with an ex vivo organ bath assay. Ramulus Cinnamomi and its major constituent cinnamaldehyde cause a high contractile force of the urethra and a low contractile force of blood vessels. Cinnamaldehyde dose-dependently reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. In the vaginal distension- (VD-) induced SUI model in mice, cinnamaldehyde significantly reversed the VD-induced SUI physical signs and reduced blood pressure. Cinnamaldehyde may offer therapeutic potential against SUI without the possible side effect of hypertension. The modulation of several SUI-related proteins including myosin, iNOS, survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, and superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) may play some crucial roles in the therapeutic approach against SUI. This information may offer clues to the pathogenesis of SUI and open additional avenues for potential therapy strategies.
Anesthetic management of a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with atrial flutter posted for percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a most common genetic cardiovascular disorder, characterized by asymmetric hypertrophy of the interventricular septum that leads to intermittent obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Clinical presentation ranges from absence of symptoms to sudden death in the young and disability at any age. Although patients are asymptomatic in basal conditions, but anesthesia and surgical stress can lead to exacerbation of the LVOT obstruction and may complicate the perioperative course. Therefore, complete understanding of the pathophysiology and anesthetic implications is needed for the successful perioperative outcome. We describe the successful management of a case of HCM with atrial flutter posted for percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
On the use of non-linear receding-horizon observers in batch terpolymerisation processes

In this paper, a non-linear receding-horizon observer is proposed for state reconstruction in batch terpolymerisation reactors. The related investigations show that the state reconstruction problem may be quite ill conditioned in the sense that different states may exist that lead to roughly the same output. It seems however that when constrained receding-horizon estimation is used together with a dedicated crossing singularity heuristic, state reconstruction is possible even in presence of measurement noise and up to 10% error on the r.h. s of the ODE's describing the system's dynamics. The efficiency and the real-time implementability of the overall scheme is shown through illustrative scenarios including both simulation and experimental validation.
Medico-Legal Age Estimation in a Sub-adult Portuguese Population: Validation of Atlas Schour and Massler and London

Introduction: Age estimation in children and adolescents often depends on morphological methods, such as examination of dental development. Objectives: The aim of this project was to validate, in a Portuguese population, two forensic methods of dental age estimation – Schour and Massler charts and the London atlas. Materials and Methods: The test sample was composed by 108 dental radiographs of living and known-age individuals. Dental age was estimated according to each method. Chronological age was then compared to the estimated dental age using individual t-test and paired t-test. Results: Results showed that the Schour and Massler charts underestimated age and the London atlas overestimated age. Nevertheless, the London atlas performed better in all measures. Mean differences for both the London atlas and Schour and Massler were 0,1389 and -5,4167 months respectively. Schour and Massler charts showed significant statistical difference between dental age and chronological age (p <0.05). Discussion and Conclusions: We conclude that, in the evaluated sample, age estimation using the London atlas represents an improvement in forensic age estimation from developing teeth. Further studies should be done with a larger Portuguese population sample.
Existence of vector bundles and global resolutions for singular surfaces

We prove two results about vector bundles on singular algebraic surfaces. First, on proper surfaces there are vector bundles of rank two with arbitrarily large second Chern number and fixed determinant. Second, on separated normal surfaces any coherent sheaf is the quotient of a vector bundle. As a consequence, for such surfaces the Quillen K-theory of vector bundles coincides with the Waldhausen K-theory of perfect complexes. Examples show that, on non-separated schemes, usually many coherent sheaves are not quotients of vector bundles.
Effects of Coating Material Properties on the Wideband Reflectivity Performance of Microwave Calibration Targets

This communication investigates the wideband reflectivity performance of calibration targets for spaceborne radiometers, which are fabricated as coated pyramids/cones. Specifically, the effects of the coating material properties on the wideband reflectivity performance are studied. Numerical studies based on finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods are carried out considering two coating materials with distinct characteristics. The mechanisms of structural absorption and reflection in both the low- and the high-frequency regions are discussed, and the relations between the coating material properties and the total reflectivity are determined. The results show that the absorption within the coating layer is not the only factor that determines the structural reflection in the high-frequency region; the impedance matching between the coating and free space, especially in the case of coated pyramids, is also a determinant. Different geometry optimization strategies are presented for the two materials based on their distinct characteristics. The wideband reflectivity performance is found to be well improved.
In Vitro Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of S-013420 against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT The pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters and the antibacterial activity of S-013420, a novel bicyclolide, against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, including macrolide-resistant isolates, were investigated using an in vitro PD model. Various time-concentration curves were artificially constructed by modifying the PK data obtained in phase I studies. The activity against H. influenzae was evaluated using two parameters, that is, the area above the killing curve (AAC) and the viable cell reduction at 24 h. The relationships between the antibacterial activity of S-013420 and the three PK/PD parameters were investigated by fitting the data to the sigmoid maximum effective concentration model. The square of the correlation coefficient (R2) values for AAC versus the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24)/MIC, the peak concentration (Cmax)/MIC, and the cumulative percentage of a 24-h period that the drug concentration exceeded the MIC under steady-state PK conditions (%TMIC) were 0.92, 0.87, and 0.49, respectively. The R2 values for viable cell reduction at 24 h versus AUC0-24/MIC, Cmax/MIC, and %TMIC were 0.93, 0.61, and 0.56, respectively. These results demonstrated that AUC0-24/MIC is the most significant parameter for evaluation of the antibacterial activity of S-013420. The values of AUC0-24/MIC required for maximum and static efficacy were 10.8 and 9.63, respectively, for H. influenzae and 16.3 to 22.3 and 4.66 to 9.01, respectively, for S. pneumoniae. This analysis is considered useful for determining the AUC value at the infection site, which would be required for efficacy in clinical use.
Juvenile Exposure to Anthracyclines Impairs Cardiac Progenitor Cell Function and Vascularization Resulting in Greater Susceptibility to Stress-Induced Myocardial Injury in Adult Mice

Background— The anthracycline doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used to treat pediatric cancers but is associated with cardiotoxicity that can manifest many years after the initial exposure. To date, very little is known about the mechanism of this late-onset cardiotoxicity. Methods and Results— To understand this problem, we developed a pediatric model of late-onset doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in which juvenile mice were exposed to doxorubicin, using a cumulative dose that did not induce acute cardiotoxicity. These mice developed normally and had no obvious cardiac abnormalities as adults. However, evaluation of the vasculature revealed that juvenile doxorubicin exposure impaired vascular development, resulting in abnormal vascular architecture in the hearts with less branching and decreased capillary density. Both physiological and pathological stress induced late-onset cardiotoxicity in the adult doxorubicin-treated mice. Moreover, adult mice subjected to myocardial infarction developed rapid heart failure, which correlated with a failure to increase capillary density in the injured area. Progenitor cells participate in regeneration and blood vessel formation after a myocardial infarction, but doxorubicin-treated mice had fewer progenitor cells in the infarct border zone. Interestingly, doxorubicin treatment reduced proliferation and differentiation of the progenitor cells into cells of cardiac lineages. Conclusions— Our data suggest that anthracycline treatment impairs vascular development as well as progenitor cell function in the young heart, resulting in an adult heart that is more susceptible to stress.
Long term prognostic value of Nottingham histological grade and its components in early (pT1N0M0) breast carcinoma.

AIMS To determine the prognostic usefulness of the Nottingham histological grade (NHG) and its components in a series of 270 patients with stage pT1N0M0 breast cancer with a median follow up of 12.5 years. METHODS Microscopic slides were re-examined and the degree of tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism, and mitotic counts were assessed and scored according to the suggested guidelines. The association with cancer specific survival (CSS) was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Whereas tumour size, patient age, menopausal status, type of surgery, or adjuvant treatment were not related to prognosis, histological type (p < 0.01) and NHG (p < 0.005) were associated with CSS. When evaluating the components of NHG separately, survival was not related to the score for pleomorphism, but was significantly better in tumours with score 1 or 2 for tubule formation (p < 0.007) and in those with score 1 for mitotic counts (p < 0.006). The two components retained independent significance in multivariate analysis. When the proposed cut off points for mitotic counts were replaced by lower ones based on tertile values, the mitotic index became the strongest prognostic factor (p = 0.0001) and histological type was the only additional factor of independent prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm the prognostic value of NHG in pT1N0M0 breast carcinoma, show that the evaluation of tubule formation and mitotic rate provides independent prognostic information, and suggest that the proposed cut off points for mitotic counts may be too high for this particular group of tumours.
The role of divalent cations in the regulation of microtubule assembly. In vivo studies on microtubules of the heliozoan axopodium using the ionophore A23187

Low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions have been shown to influence microtubule assembly in vitro. To test whether these cations also have an effect on microtubules in vivo, specimens of Actinosphaerium eichhorni were exposed to different concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Experimental degradation and reformation of axopodia were studied by light and electron microscopy. In the presence of Ca++ and the ionophore axopodia gradually shorten, the rate of shortening depending on the concentrations of Ca++ and the ionophore used. Retraction of axopodia was observed with a concentration of Ca++ as low as 0.01 mM. After transfer to a Ca++-free solution containing EGTA, axopodia re-extend; the initial length is reached after about 2 h. Likewise, reformation of axopodia of cold-treated organisms is observed only in solutions of EGTA or Mg++, whereas it is completely inhibited in a Ca++ solution. Electron microscope studies demonstrate degradation of the axonemal microtubular array in organisms treated with Ca++ and A23187. No alteration was observed in organisms treated with Mg++ or EGTA plus ionophore. The results suggest that, in the presence of the ionophore, formation of axonemal microtubules can be regulated by varying the Ca++ concentration in the medium. Since A23187 tends to equilibrate the concentrations of divalent cations between external medium and cell interior, it is likely that microtubule formation invivo is influenced by micromolar concentrations of Ca++. These concentrations are low enough to be of physiological significance for a role in the regulation of microtubule assembly in vivo.
Health related quality of life and pain characteristics among Iranian patients suffering non-malignant chronic pain

Background Chronic pain is a frequent disability that negatively affects patient's quality of life. Understanding of the possible relation between sociodemographic and medical variables with Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) may help identifying the multidimensionality of pain and risk factors that limit physical and psychological adjustment of the patients. The present study was done to find these possible relationships, based on using Medical Outcomes Survey-Short Form (SF-36). Methods Among the patients who were referred to pain clinic of Iranian Pain Society, 101 consecutive outpatients were select based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the participants in this study orally satisfied and were fully informed by a check list and SF-36 questionnaire. The possible impact of demographic variables, characteristics, diagnosis, analgesic use, smoking and opium addiction were collected as the first part of a routine pretreatment evaluation. Results Our findings showed significant relation between HRQL and gender (P < 0.05), the rate of chronic pain in female was higher than male, and same results found for elderly patients compared to younger ones. Our findings also showed significant relation between employment and intensity of pain (p = 0.001) as, employed patients showed less physical and psychotic problems than unemployed ones. The mean average of intensity of pain in these patients was 7.5±2.2; few patients used alcohol (4%), opium (1%) and cigarette (10%). Large number of participants used analgesic (%78.2). No significant difference between sociodemographic features with pain duration and quality of life was found. In contrast our data showed significant difference between pain intensity and quality of life (p < 0.001). Conclusion Based on our findings it could be concluded that chronic pain in Iranian patients certainly leads to poor HRQL, the state is more serious in the elderly and female patients. Thus, in order to re-socialize the patients suffering chronic pain and decrease the impact of their pain on their life, these findings should be considered in any kind of pain relief therapy.
Impact of Dabigatran versus Phenprocoumon on ADP Induced Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation with or without Concomitant Clopidogrel Therapy (the Dabi-ADP-1 and Dabi-ADP-2 Trials)

Background. A relevant number of patients receive triple therapy with clopidogrel, aspirin, and oral anticoagulation. Clopidogrel's efficacy on ADP induced platelet function may be influenced by concomitant antithrombotic therapies. Data regarding the effect of dabigatran on platelet function is limited to in vitro studies and healthy individuals. Methods. The “Dabi-ADP-1” and “Dabi-ADP-2” trials randomized patients with atrial fibrillation to either dabigatran or phenprocoumon for a 2-week period. In Dabi-ADP-1 (n = 70) patients with clopidogrel therapy were excluded and in Dabi-ADP-2 (n = 46) patients had to be treated concomitantly with clopidogrel. The primary endpoint was ADP-induced platelet aggregation between dabigatran and phenprocoumon at 14 days. Secondary endpoints were ADPtest HS-, TRAP-, and COL-induced platelet aggregation. Results. There was no significant difference regarding the primary endpoint between both groups in either trial (Dabi-ADP-1: Dabigatran: 846 [650–983] AU × min versus phenprocoumon: 839 [666–1039] AU × min, P = 0.90 and Dabi-ADP-2: 326 [268–462] versus 350 [214–535], P = 0.70) or regarding the secondary endpoints, ADPtest HS-, TRAP-, and COL-induced platelet aggregation. Conclusion. Dabigatran as compared to phenprocoumon has no impact on ADP-induced platelet aggregation in atrial fibrillation patients neither with nor without concomitant clopidogrel therapy.