Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Smoking Habits of Mother during Pregnancy with Pregnancy Outcome

Background: The objectives of this work were to study the association of maternal smoking habits with stillbirths, abortions, neonatal deaths, birth weights, placental weights and the outcomes on the 28th day of life. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and completed with the hospitals’ recorded data collected over a period of 5 years from 47,000 babies born in several hospitals in Ontario, Canada. The mothers were classified into four categories: non-smokers, light smokers (less than 10 cigarettes per day), moderate smokers (between 10 and 19 cigarettes per day) and heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per day). The population surveyed was of mixed ethnicity from both rural and urban areas. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package. Results: Even the light smoking habit has an effect on the birth weight and the placental weight but for other characteristics, stillbirth, abortion, and the outcomes on the 28th day of life, no significant difference observed between light smokers and non-smokers. Conclusion: While quit smoking must be the ultimate goal for any smoker, the present study concludes that moderate and heavy smokers, if they will not be able to quit, they should reduce their number of cigarettes per day to at least the level of light smokers to achieve the same results for non-smokers. All characteristics show significant difference between non-smokers and moderate and heavy smokers.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Proactive Interference during Spoken Cued Recall

Though lesions to frontal cortex can increase susceptibility to interference from previously established but irrelevant memories ("proactive interference"), the specific regions underlying this problem are difficult to determine because the lesions are typically large and heterogeneous. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate proactive interference in healthy volunteers performing an "AB-AC" paired-associate cued-recall paradigm. At Study, participants intentionally encoded semantically related visual word pairs, which were changed three times (high interference), repeated three times (low interference), or presented only once. At Test, participants were presented with the first word of each pair and attempted to recall its most recent associate from the Study phase. To overcome the problem of image artifacts caused by speech-related head motion, we cued speech during a gap between image acquisitions. Regions in left inferior frontal cortex and bilateral frontopolar cortex showed interference effects during both Study and Test. The pattern of responses in these regions differed, however. Left inferior frontal regions showed mainly reduced responses associated with low interference, whereas frontopolar regions showed mainly increased responses associated with high interference. When incorrect as well as correct trials were analyzed at Test, additional activation associated with high interference was observed in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These data suggest that distinct regions within prefrontal cortex subserve different functions in the presence of proactive interference during cued recall.
Psoriatic arthritis--a clinico-radiological study.

ABSTRACT: A clinico radiological study based on 50 patients of psoriasis, diagnosed on the basis of morphology of the lesions and also by histopathological changes in the affected skin, over the period of 1 year is reported. The incidence of psoriasis was found to be 0.92 percent of hospital attending patients. The joint involvement was present clinically in 18 (13 percent cases). Radiological 22 (44 percent) cases had peripheral arthritis & 16 (32 percent) cases had spinal changes. In all the cases the rheumatoid factor was found to be negative. The joint changes were related to total duration of the disease but not to severity of skin surface involved The joint changes were associated with nail involvement in 72 percent & were preceded by skin lesions in all cases. The patients with joints involvement had abnormal faecal, fat d xylose excretion, raised serum Ig A, Ig G levels and raised serum uric acid levels in varying percentage.
Coffee Berry Borer Joins Bark Beetles in Coffee Klatch

Unanswered key questions in bark beetle-plant interactions concern host finding in species attacking angiosperms in tropical zones and whether management strategies based on chemical signaling used for their conifer-attacking temperate relatives may also be applied in the tropics. We hypothesized that there should be a common link in chemical signaling mediating host location by these Scolytids. Using laboratory behavioral assays and chemical analysis we demonstrate that the yellow-orange exocarp stage of coffee berries, which attracts the coffee berry borer, releases relatively high amounts of volatiles including conophthorin, chalcogran, frontalin and sulcatone that are typically associated with Scolytinae chemical ecology. The green stage of the berry produces a much less complex bouquet containing small amounts of conophthorin but no other compounds known as bark beetle semiochemicals. In behavioral assays, the coffee berry borer was attracted to the spiroacetals conophthorin and chalcogran, but avoided the monoterpenes verbenone and α-pinene, demonstrating that, as in their conifer-attacking relatives in temperate zones, the use of host and non-host volatiles is also critical in host finding by tropical species. We speculate that microorganisms formed a common basis for the establishment of crucial chemical signals comprising inter- and intraspecific communication systems in both temperate- and tropical-occurring bark beetles attacking gymnosperms and angiosperms.
The Status of Study Strategy Instruction: Implications for Classroom Teachers.

Two recent studies show clearly where the problem lies. In one by Tierney, LaZansky, and Schallert (1982), 10th graders in Texas and Illinois in social studies and biology classes were asked to complete an extensive survey of their text difficulties and study habits. The data showed that these sophomores had a restricted range of strategies for learning from text and an even more naive concept of how to plan tasks or evaluate accomplishments. A study of 395 college freshmen at a Midwestern university used a selfreport survey that included probes concerning student strategies in learning from lectures and preparing for examinations (Simpson, 1983). The data suggested that college students (a) had a restricted range of study strategies; (b) could rarely explain why a strategy was important to their own learning process; (c) had one study strategy for most learning tasks regardless of the content area; and (d) had little idea how to know or check when they were ready for a test. Although this recent research has illustrated that students do lack mature
Effect of the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil on the sodium balance of rats.

Rats treated chronically with either propylthiouracil or thiouracil show a negative sodium balance, lose weight and eventually die if given a diet deficient in sodium. When the diet is deficient in both sodium and potassium, goitrogen-treated rats lose more sodium and less potassium than untreated controls, with resultant high urinary Na/K ratios. The high urinary Na/K ratio is typical of animals with adrenocortical deficiency. Indeed, goitrogen-treated rats, given a choice between water and NaCl solution to drink, manifest a spontaneous appetite for NaCl solutions which is similar in character to that seen in adrenalectomized rats. The possibilities exist that these drugs interfere with: (a) renal production of renin, which is now known to stimulate adrenal secretion of aldosterone; (b) adrenal cortical secretion of aldosterone; and (c) utilization of aldosterone by the kidney tubule. The present experiments do not indicate which one of the above, if any, is responsible for the increased sodium loss of g.
Expression of constitutively active p21H‐rasval12 in postmitotic pyramidal neurons results in increased dendritic size and complexity

The small G protein p21Ras is a critical molecular switch for relaying neurotrophic actions and is essential for normal functioning and plasticity of the nervous system. In this study, the morphogenetic effects of p21Ras were investigated on neurons in vivo. Morphological changes of layers II/III and Vb commissural pyramidal neurons of the primary somatosensory cortex were analyzed in transgenic mice expressing permanently active p21H‐RasVal12 in postmitotic neurons. Pyramidal cells were retrogradely labelled with biotinylated dextran amine and subsequently traced using Neurolucida. Compared with wild‐type mice, transgenic animals showed a significant increase in the surface area and volume of basal dendrites on the proximal and intermediate segments in layers II/III and on further distal segments in layer V. In addition, the surface area and volume of the trunk and of the proximal segments of oblique branches of apical dendrites were enlarged in both layers. Sholl analyses of basal and apical dendrites showed a significant increase in dendritic complexity of layer V neurons. A positive correlation was observed between the size of the basal dendrite and the neuronal soma size in the transgenic population, indicating that growth‐promoting effects of p21H‐RasVal12 affect both cellular compartments in parallel. However, the dendritic surface correlated with the number of tips and dendritic stem diameter in both wild‐type and transgenic populations, demonstrating that these relations represent rather conservative design principles in dendritic morphology. The data presented here suggest an important role of p21Ras‐dependent signaling in the final differentiation and maintenance of dendritic morphology. J. Comp. Neurol. 467:119–133, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MyoD protein accumulates in satellite cells and is neurally regulated in regenerating myotubes and skeletal muscle fibers

MyoD belongs to a family of helix‐loop‐helix proteins that control myogenic differentiation. Transfection of various non‐myogenic cell lines with MyoD transforms them into myogenic cells. In normal embryonic development MyoD is upregulated at the time when the hypaxial musculature begins to form, but its role in the function of adult muscle remains to be elucidated. In this study we examined the cellular locations of MyoD protein in normal and abnormal muscles to see whether the presence of MyoD protein is correlated with a particular cellular behaviour and to assess the usefulness of MyoD as a marker for satellite cells. Adult rats were anaesthetised and their tibialis anterior or soleus muscles either denervated, tenotomised, freeze lesioned, lesioned and denervated, or lesioned and tenotomised. At various intervals after the operations the rats were killed and their muscles removed, snap frozen, and sectioned with a cryostat along with muscles from unoperated neonatal and adult rats. The sections were processed for immunohistochemistry using a rabbit affinity‐purified antibody to recombinant MyoD. MyoD proved to be an excellent marker for active satellite cells; satellite cells in neonatal and regenerating muscles contained high levels of MyoD protein. MyoD positive cells were not observed in the muscles of old adults, in which the satellite cells are fully quiescent. MyoD immunoreactivity was rapidly lost from satellite cell nuclei after they fused into myotubes and was not detected in either sub‐synaptic or non‐synaptic nuclei of mature fibers. Denervation, and to a lesser extent tenotomy, of lesioned muscles induced expression of MyoD in myotubal nuclei. Denervation of normal muscles also upregulated MyoD in muscle fiber nuclei, an effect which was maximal after 3 days. We conclude that MyoD protein is neurally regulated in both myotubes and muscle fibers. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinguishing Spins in Decay Chains at the Large Hadron Collider

If new particles are discovered at the LHC, it will be important to determine their spins in as model-independent a way as possible. We consider the case, commonly encountered in models of physics beyond the Standard Model, of a new scalar or fermion D decaying sequentially into other new particles C,B,A via the decay chain D→Cq, C→Blnear, B→Alfar, lnear and lfar being opposite-sign same-flavour charged leptons and A being invisible. We compute the observable 2- and 3-particle invariant mass distributions for all possible spin assignments of the new particles, and discuss their distinguishability using a quantitative measure known as the Kullback-Leibler distance.
Characteristics of Children Evaluated at a Pediatric Low Vision Clinic: 1981–2003

The records of 1,661 children and adolescents who received 3,188 clinical low vision evaluations from a single examiner at low vision clinics sponsored by the Iowa Braille School over a 22-year period were surveyed to determine the characteristics of this population. The factors that were reviewed included age, sex, ocular condition, best-corrected vision at far and near, habitual working distance, and recommended optical devices.
Effects of Iron-Unsaturated Human Lactoferrin on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Damage in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Human milk (HM) contains various bioactive antioxidants. Lactoferrin (Lf) has been assumed to be one of the major antioxidants in HM. We examined the antioxidative properties of iron-unsaturated human Lf (apo-hLf, the major form of Lf in HM) in two intestinal epithelial cell lines: (1) An intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) were preincubated for 24 h with either 50 μg/mL of apo-hLf, iron-saturated human Lf (holo-hLf), iron-unsaturated bovine transferrin (apo-bTf), or 800 ng/mL of the iron-chelating compound deferoxamine (DFX), followed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) challenge to induce oxidative stress. Survival rates were significantly higher in the cells preincubated with apo-hLf and DFX than those preincubated with holo-hLf. (2) Caco-2 cells were preincubated with or without apo-hLf for 24 h, followed by an H2O2 challenge. Intracellular oxidative stress was assessed by a fluorescent probe, 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). Fluorescent intensity of cell images and cell homogenates was significantly lower in the cells preincubated with apo-hLF than those preincubated without apo-hLF. Our study indicates that apo-hLf alleviates H2O2-induced oxidative damage in intestinal cells due to the iron-chelating capacity. Therefore, Lf in HM may act as an antioxidant in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Students' perceptions of their learning environments

In this work , I report a study conducted at an English Language BA of a public university during 2013, aimed at identifying students’ perceptions about their learning environment. A common thread in research in student learning refers to the ways in which students go about learning. In searching students’ perceptions about their learning environment, I based this study in Lizzio et al. work, who adopted Biggs s theory explained in his 3P model (1989) , as a conceptual framework for this study.
Structural Basis and Kinetics of Force-Induced Conformational Changes of an αA Domain-Containing Integrin

Background Integrin αLβ2 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen, LFA-1) bears force upon binding to its ligand intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) when a leukocyte adheres to vascular endothelium or an antigen presenting cell (APC) during immune responses. The ligand binding propensity of LFA-1 is related to its conformations, which can be regulated by force. Three conformations of the LFA-1 αA domain, determined by the position of its α7-helix, have been suggested to correspond to three different affinity states for ligand binding. Methodology/Principal Findings The kinetics of the force-driven transitions between these conformations has not been defined and dynamically coupled to the force-dependent dissociation from ligand. Here we show, by steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations, that the αA domain was successively transitioned through three distinct conformations upon pulling the C-terminus of its α7-helix. Based on these sequential transitions, we have constructed a mathematical model to describe the coupling between the αA domain conformational changes of LFA-1 and its dissociation from ICAM-1 under force. Using this model to analyze the published data on the force-induced dissociation of single LFA-1/ICAM-1 bonds, we estimated the force-dependent kinetic rates of interstate transition from the short-lived to intermediate-lived and from intermediate-lived to long-lived states. Interestingly, force increased these transition rates; hence activation of LFA-1 was accelerated by pulling it via an engaged ICAM-1. Conclusions/Significance Our study defines the structural basis for mechanical regulation of the kinetics of LFA-1 αA domain conformational changes and relates these simulation results to experimental data of force-induced dissociation of single LFA-1/ICAM-1 bonds by a new mathematical model, thus provided detailed structural and kinetic characterizations for force-stabilization of LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction.
Randomized Phase II Study of Two Schedules of Carboplatin and Gemcitabine for Stage IIIB and IV Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (JACCRO LC-01 Study)

Background: Gemcitabine combined with carboplatin (CG) is one of the regimens used widely for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Improvement in its toxicity may result in good clinical outcomes. Methods: A new schedule of gemcitabine and carboplatin (CG8) was compared with the standard one (CG1). Both are 3-weekly regimens, but carboplatin is administered on day 1 in CG1 and on day 8 in CG8. Results: The response rate of CG1 was 29.2%, which was higher than that of CG8 (22.2%). Median survival times in CG1 and CG8 were 348 and 455.5 days, respectively. Grade ≧3 leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia were observed in 56.0, 72.0 and 36.0% of patients with CG1 and in 33.3, 25.9 and 14.8% of patients with CG8, respectively. Whereas grade ≧3 elevation of asparatate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase was seen mainly in CG8, grade ≧3 non-hematologic toxicities such as febrile neutropenia, infection, appetite loss, diarrhea and eruption were observed only in CG1. Conclusion: CG1 is superior in response rate, but CG8 shows improved toxicities and a tendency of prolonged survival.
Erratum in print version of "Toward a More Accurate Quantitation of the Activity of Recombinant Retroviruses: Alternatives to Titer and Multiplicity of Infection"

In this paper, we present a mathematical model with experimental support of how several key parameters govern the adsorption of active retrovirus particles onto the surface of adherent cells. These parameters, including time of adsorption, volume of virus, and the number, size, and type of target cells, as well as the intrinsic properties of the virus, diffusion coefficient, and half-life (t(1/2)), have been incorporated into a mathematical expression that describes the rate at which active virus particles adsorb to the cell surface. From this expression, we have obtained estimates of C(vo), the starting concentration of active retrovirus particles. In contrast to titer, C(vo) is independent of the specific conditions of the assay. The relatively slow diffusion (D = 2 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s) and rapid decay (t(1/2) = 6 to 7 h) of retrovirus particles explain why C(vo) values are significantly higher than titer values. Values of C(vo) also indicate that the number of defective particles in a retrovirus stock is much lower than previously thought, which has implications especially for the use of retroviruses for in vivo gene therapy. With this expression, we have also computed AVC (active viruses/cell), the number of active retrovirus particles that would adsorb per cell during a given adsorption time. In contrast to multiplicity of infection, which is based on titer and is subject to the same inaccuracies, AVC is based on the physicochemical parameters of the transduction assay and so is a more reliable alternative.
The MR Imaging Appearance of Longitudinal Split Tears of the Peroneus Brevis Tendon

Purpose Longitudinal split tears of the peroneus brevis tendon have been increasingly reported as a source of lateral ankle pain and disability. MR imaging is useful in identifying the appearance of longitudinal split tears of the peroneus brevis tendon to differentiate this entity from other causes of chronic lateral ankle pain. We observed variations in anatomy associated with these tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-two patients (eleven males, eleven females) were identified as having longitudinal split tears of the peroneus brevis tendon. These cases were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate for the following: shape of the peroneus brevis tendon, high signal in the peroneus brevis tendon, tendon subluxation, appearance of the superior peroneal retinaculum, presence of osseous changes in the ankle, lateral ankle ligaments, presence of a bony fibular spur, flattening of the peroneal groove of the fibula and presence of a peroneus quartus. A control group consisted of twenty ankles imaged for reasons other than lateral ankle pain. The same structures were assessed in this group. A Fisher's exact P-value was used to determine the significance of each finding in the two groups. RESULTS Statistically significant associated findings were chevron shaped tendon (p = .0001), high signal in the peroneus brevis (p = .0017), bony changes (p = .0001), flat peroneal groove (p = .0001), abnormal lateral ligaments (p = .0004), and lateral fibular spur (p = .0006). Conclusions MR imaging is useful in differentiating longitudinal split tears of the peroneus brevis tendon from other lateral ankle disorders. It can show the extent of the abnormality in the tendon and the associated findings of soft tissue and/or bone variations which must be addressed at the time of surgery.
Comparison of propofol-based sedation regimens administered during colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND The ideal sedative agent for endoscopic procedures should allow a rapid modification of the sedation level and should not have any adverse effects. AIM To evaluate and compare the efficacy, safety, cost and patient satisfaction of some propofol-based sedation regimens administered during colonoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred twenty one patients scheduled for elective outpatient colonoscopy with conscious sedation were randomized to four groups to evaluate the administration of dexmedetomidine, sufentanil, meperidine and midazolam in combination with propofol to maintain sedation during the procedure. Evaluated outcomes were efficacy, safety, cost and patient satisfaction of sedation procedures. RESULTS Patients receiving dexmedetomidine achieved a higher degree of sedation when compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). The lapse to recover protective reflexes and motor function, was significantly shorter in groups receiving dexmedetomidine or sufentanil than in groups receiving meperidine or midazolam (p < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in pre-sedation and post-sedation neurophysiologic performance, measured by the Trail Making A and B tests. CONCLUSIONS Sedation for endoscopy can be safely and effectively accomplished with low doses of propofol combined with dexmedetomidine, intranasal sufentanil, IV meperidine and IV meperidine with midazolam.