Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical course of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children: outcome and outlook

Introduction: The aim of our study was to investigate the relative efficiency and adverse effects of various treatments of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children, and to determine factors associated with relapse risk in these patients. Materials and Method: We retrospectively studied the data from 690 SSNS children treated in referral center over 25 years. The analyzed treatment protocols were: Prednisolone (PRED, eight weeks in a dose 1.5-2.0 mg/kg, then it tapering and given for 9-12 months), Chlorambucil (CHL, cumulative dose 28.5-30 mg/kg), Cyclophosphamide intravenously (CYC I.V., cumulative dose of 30-36 mg/kg, then supporting dose of CHL, cumulative dose of 20-25 mg/kg) and intramuscular (CYC I.M., cumulative dose of 120-150 mg/kg). The alkylating agents were used after remission induction by PRED and under its protection. Results: Cumulative relapse-free survival was 81.9%, 69.0% and 64.5% after 12, 36 and 60 months, respectively. In multivariate analyses, relapse risk was associated with age of treatment (<6 years), and both PRED and CYC I.V. The only predictive factor for early relapse was PRED, unlike two and more relapses group where PRED and CYC I.V. as well as age from 3 to 6 years was highly prognostic. The high probability of sustained remission in combination with relatively mild adverse effects was observed for PRED used at first episode and CHL used at relapse. Conclusion: To summarize, our protocols characterized by the prolonged PRED and CHL demonstrated promising results and should be considered as an efficient alternative strategy in SSNS management.
Sonographic determination of the thickness of the peritoneum in healthy children and paediatric patients on CAPD.

BACKGROUND Prolonged peritoneal dialysis and frequent episodes of peritonitis lead to structural changes and thickening of the peritoneum. Ultrasonography investigations may provide the opportunity to detect morphological changes early, but no systematic investigations have been performed yet. METHODS Normal values of peritoneal thickness were obtained by systematically examining 131 healthy children (0-15 years) by ultrasound. Parietal peritoneal thickness was best measured at the sternal-umbical line distal from the xiphoid. Growth charts with 95% intervals were prepared. The data of 26 patients with end-stage renal failure (5-18 years) were compared to those of the normal children. RESULTS The variation coefficient for the consecutive measurements was only 5%, interobserver error was approximately 7%. Whereas gender did not have any influence, peritoneal thickness was significantly correlated to age, weight and most obviously to height (r = 0.81; P<0.001). Children treated only by haemodialysis had normal values, while an increased thickness, loss of movement, and adhesion of the two peritoneal layers were found in children on CAPD. These changes were only noted in patients who had a history of peritonitis. CONCLUSION Ultrasound examination is a simple, noninvasive and precise method to measure the peritoneal changes in children on CAPD.
Effects of Preoperative Gait Analysis on Costs and Amount of Surgery

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of clinical gait analysis (GA) on the costs of care in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP) and the amount of surgery these children undergo. Methods A retrospective review identified all ambulatory patients with CP who had undergone lower extremity orthopaedic surgery at our hospital from 1991 to 2005 with at least a 6-month follow-up. The patients were grouped into those who had undergone GA before their index surgery (GA group, N=313) and those who had not (NGA group, N=149). The groups were compared in terms of the number of procedures during index surgery and subsequent surgeries and the direct costs associated with these surgeries. Costs were calculated in US dollars by using a standardized protocol including fees for the surgeon, anesthesia, operating room, hospital stay, physical therapy, and GA. Results Patients in the GA group were significantly older and less functionally involved, had their first surgery in later years, and had a shorter follow-up than patients in the NGA group (P<0.001). Adjusting for these differences, patients in the GA group had more procedures (GA: 5.8, NGA: 4.2; P<0.001) and higher cost (GA: $43,006, NGA: $35,215; P<0.001) during index surgery, but less subsequent surgery. A higher proportion of patients went on to additional surgery in the NGA group (NGA: 32%, GA: 11%; P<0.001), with more additional surgeries per person-year (NGA: 0.3/person-year, GA: 0.1/person-year; P<0.001) resulting in higher additional costs (NGA: $3009/person-year, GA: $916/person-year; P<0.001). The total number of procedures (GA: 2.6/person-year, NGA: 2.3/person-year; P=0.22) and cost (GA: $20,448/person-year, NGA: $19,535/person-year; P=0.58) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Conclusions Clinical GA is associated with a lower incidence of additional surgery, resulting in lesser disruption to patients' lives. This finding has not been shown before and may assist patients, physicians, policy makers, and insurance companies in assessing the role of GA in the care of ambulatory children with CP. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
A CMOS Magnitude/Phase Measurement Chip for Impedance Spectroscopy

The measurement of electrical impedance is used in a plethora of biomedical applications. The most common technique used is synchronous demodulation, which provides the real and imaginary parts of the impedance. However, in practice, the method requires elaborate calibration and matching between the injection and monitoring stages. This paper presents the integrated realization of an alternative method that is less intricate to implement. The circuit was fabricated in a 0.35-<formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$\mu{\rm m}$</tex> </formula> CMOS technology, occupies an active area of 0.4 <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">${\rm mm}^{2}$</tex> </formula>, and dissipates about 21 mW of power from <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">${\pm}{\rm 2.5}~{\rm V}$</tex> </formula> supplies. The chip was used to measure equivalent RC circuits of the electrode-tissue interface over the frequency range of 100 Hz to 100 kHz, showing good correlation with the theoretical results.
The Role of Parental Mediation in the Political Socialization Process

Cynical citizens may produce disaffected children who never participate in public affairs. A telephone survey, however, finds that negativity can inspire parents to discuss politics with children. News use, coviewing, and positive mediation (reinforcing discussion) are interrelated but do not predict political discussion. The results suggest that news viewing and coviewing can have indirect positive effects on political socialization, but that skepticism and negative mediation have more impact. This suggests negativism can be valuable to political socialization.
Realizing the Promise of Web 2.0: Engaging Community Intelligence

Discussions of Health 2.0, a term first coined in 2005, were guided by three main tenets: (a) health was to involve more participation, because an evolution in the web encouraged more direct consumer engagement in their own health care; (b) data was to become the new “Intel Inside” for systems supporting the vital decisions in health; and (c) a sense of collective intelligence from the network would supplement traditional sources of knowledge in health decision making. Interests in understanding the implications of a new paradigm for patient engagement in health and health care were kindled by findings from surveys such as the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey, showing that patients were quick to look online for information to help them cope with disease. This article considers how these 3 facets of Health 2.0—participation, data, and collective intelligence—can be harnessed to improve the health of the nation according to Healthy People 2020 goals. The authors begin with an examination of evidence from behavioral science to understand how Web 2.0 participative technologies may influence patient processes and outcomes, for better or worse, in an era of changing communication technologies. The article then focuses specifically on the clinical implications of Health 2.0 and offers recommendations to ensure that changes in the communication environment do not detract from national (e.g., Healthy People 2020) health goals. Changes in the clinical environment, as catalyzed by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act to take advantage of Health 2.0 principles in evidence-based ways, are also considered.
Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Exposure to In Vitro Cultured Retina – Studies on Nanoparticle Internalization, Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, Glial- and Microglial Activity

The complex network of neuronal cells in the retina makes it a potential target of neuronal toxicity – a risk factor for visual loss. With growing use of nanoparticles (NPs) in commercial and medical applications, including ophthalmology, there is a need for reliable models for early prediction of NP toxicity in the eye and retina. Metal NPs, such as gold and silver, gain much of attention in the ophthalmology community due to their potential to cross the barriers of the eye. Here, NP uptake and signs of toxicity were investigated after exposure to 20 and 80 nm Ag- and AuNPs, using an in vitro tissue culture model of the mouse retina. The model offers long-term preservation of retinal cell types, numbers and morphology and is a controlled system for delivery of NPs, using serum-free defined culture medium. AgNO3-treatment was used as control for toxicity caused by silver ions. These end-points were studied; gross morphological organization, glial activity, microglial activity, level of apoptosis and oxidative stress, which are all well described as signs of insult to neural tissue. TEM analysis demonstrated cellular- and nuclear uptake of all NP types in all neuronal layers of the retina. Htx-eosin staining showed morphological disruption of the normal complex layered retinal structure, vacuole formation and pyknotic cells after exposure to all Ag- and AuNPs. Significantly higher numbers of apoptotic cells as well as an increased number of oxidative stressed cells demonstrated NP-related neuronal toxicity. NPs also caused increased glial staining and microglial cell activation, typical hallmarks of neural tissue insult. This study demonstrates that low concentrations of 20 and 80 nm sized Ag- and AuNPs have adverse effects on the retina, using an organotypic retina culture model. Our results motivate careful assessment of candidate NP, metallic or-non-metallic, to be used in neural systems for therapeutic approaches.
Sartorial eloquence: does it exist in the paediatrician-patient relationship?

Abstract Objective: To evaluate children's and parents' perceptions of hospital doctors' attire. Design: Questionnaire study asking children and parents to assign positive and negative attributes to five photographs of a male or female doctor dressed formally and informally. Setting: Outpatient department, Children's Hospital, Birmingham. Subjects—203 consecutive child-parent pairs attending outpatient clinics over three months. Main outcome measures: Children's and parents' preferences, assessed by comparing proportions. Results: 70% (286/406) of children and parents rated doctors' dress as important; more children rated it “very important” (27% (54/203) v 14% (29/203), P<0.01, 95% confidence interval for difference 5% to 21%). Of the 99 children responding, 44 regarded the man in white coat as most competent (44% v 20% expected by chance, P<0.01, 34% to 54%) and most concerned (32% v 20%, P<0.01, 23% to 41%). Children also regarded the woman in white coat as most competent; however, male and female doctors in white coats rated lower for friendliness. Asians and regular surgical attenders preferred doctors in white coats. The man in polo shirt and trousers was rated as most friendly (40% v 20% expected by chance, P<0.01, 30% to 50%) and most gentle (37% v 20%, P<0.01, 27% to 46%). The woman in tee shirt and slacks also rated most friendly and gentle; however, both casually dressed doctors rated lower for competence. Parents preferred more casual dress but expressed preferences less strongly, and they poorly predicted which outfits their children preferred. Conclusions: Children regard formally dressed doctors as competent but not friendly; they regard casual dress as friendly but not competent.
Reexpression of the TJ protein CLDN1 induces apoptosis in breast tumor spheroids

Members of the claudin family together with occludin are the major constituents of the tight junction (TJ) complex. The human homologue of the murine CLDN1, previously called SEMP1, was identified by differential expression analysis, and the CLDN1 mRNA was found to be downregulated or completely lost in human breast cancer cells in vitro. Retroviral‐induced CLDN1 reexpression in breast cancer cells results in plasma membrane homing of the protein and reconstitution of paracellular flux inhibition, which is not dependent on the presence of occludin protein. In this report, we investigated the physiologic role of CLDN1 in CLDN1‐transduced MDA‐MB 361 breast tumor cells in adherent 2D and suspension 3D spheroid cell cultures. Retroviral‐transduced bulk cultures were FACS‐sorted to enrich for 100% CLDN1‐positive clonal derivatives with similar expression levels of CLDN1 mRNA and protein. There was no difference in proliferation and cell death characteristics in 2D adherent cell cultures of CLDN1‐positive compared to control CLDN1‐negative and mock‐transduced cell cultures. In contrast, the majority of the CLDN1‐transduced derivatives displayed a significant elevation of apoptosis that became evident as early as 2 days after 3D spheroid culture onset. This elevated apoptosis was independent of the volume of established spheroids. The cellular immunofluorescence analysis of CLDN1 protein expression in transduced bulk cultures revealed a CLDN1‐positive subfraction with a heterogeneous pattern of membrane and cytosolic immunostaining. In the clonal MDA‐MB 361 CLDN1‐positive cultures, we found that a more prominent cell membrane localization correlated with a pronounced increase of apoptosis in tumor spheroids. In parallel, inhibition of the paracellular flux rate was observed. These findings support a potential role of the TJ protein CLDN1 in restricting nutrient and growth factor supplies in breast cancer cells, and they indicate that the loss of the cell membrane localization of the TJ protein CLDN1 in carcinomas may be a crucial step during tumor progression. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The relationship between cardiovascular and catecholamine reactions to laboratory and real-life stress.

Studies on the predictive value of stress testing in the laboratory for the reaction to real-life stress have shown equivocal results. The variety of laboratory tasks differ for unknown reasons in their predictive power, and the results vary unsystematically among the physiological parameters measured. Most studies have focused on the prediction of ambulatory levels of blood pressure. Many other influences, besides stress, however, influence ambulatory levels. Therefore, a better operationalization of real-life stress is to measure a person in a resting position during a period of well defined real-life stress. The present study investigates whether the difference in ability of laboratory stress tasks to predict real-life stress values is due to the different type of physiological response they induce. Hence, in the present study a more detailed measurement of the stress response was performed. A second question was whether stress testing would add to the prediction of the real-life stress reactions above the prediction based on resting levels. This question was answered for both cardiovascular and catecholamine reactions to laboratory tasks. Two active coping tasks, one inducing a mainly cardiac-sympathetic reaction and the other a relatively more vascular response, and a cold pressor test were administered to 33 healthy young males. Real-life stress consisted of the anticipation of the public defence of the PhD thesis. Tasks indeed differed in predictive power, but this was not a function of the type of response they induced. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Bulk Built In Current Sensor Approach for Single Event Transient Detection

Radiation effects, particularly single event transients (SETs), are increasingly affecting the reliability of integrated circuits as device dimensions are scaling down. This paper presents the use of bulk built in current sensors (Bulk-BICS) for SET detection. The efficiency and applicability of the bulk-BICS approach for Single Event Transient detection is demonstrated through device and circuit level simulations.
Adaptive nonlinear output-feedback control with unknown high-frequency gain sign

A global adaptive output-feedback control scheme, which does not require a priori knowledge of high-frequency gain sign, is proposed for general nonlinear systems in output-feedback form. Unlike in Ding (1998), the removal of a priori knowledge of the high-frequency gain sign is not at the price of making growth restrictions on system nonlinearities, and furthermore, only the minimal number of parameters needs to be updated.
Back Pain in Children and Diagnostic Value of 99mTc MDP Bone Scintigraphy

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of our study is to assess the diagnostic value of Technituim-99m-Methyle diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) Bone scintigraphy in the assessment of children with back pain. Methods: Included in this retrospective study were 68 child referred to us complaining of back pain (mean age of 13+ 2). There were 45 boys and 23 girls. All children have been investigated with conventional x-ray which revealed normal or inconclusive result. All underwent bone scintigraphy after the injection of 99mTc-MDP with calculated doses according to there body weights. Results: Bone scintigraphy revealed 17 (25%) abnormal scans in 11 boys and 6 girls. Scans findings were suggestive of spondylolysis (n=4); malignancy including primary tumors and metastases (n=3); infection including osteomyelitis and discitis (n=3); sacroiliitis (n=2); benign tumors (n=2); pseudo fractures in ribs (n=1); necrosis in femoral head epiphysis(n=1) and nonskeletal-renal retention due to hydronephrosis (n=1). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bone scan in detecting gross skeletal abnormality as a cause for back pain were 94% and 100% and 99% respectively. Conclusion: Bone isotope scan is a sensitive imaging modality in the assessment of pediatric patients with back pain. It is a reliable modality to detect and role out most benign and aggressive serious etiologies.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy

Biomedical application of nanotechnology is a rapidly developing area that raises new prospect in the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. The ability to incorporate drugs or genes into a functionalized nanoparticle demonstrates a new era in pharmacotherapy for delivering drugs or genes selectively to tissues or cells. It is envisioned that the transfer of nanoengineering capability into disease therapy will provide constant and concentrated drug delivery to targeted tissues, minimizing systemic side effects and toxicity. We have in this article highlighted the recent state of the art in nanomedicine, focusing particularly on the achievement of nanotechnology in nanoscale drug and gene delivery in vitro and in vivo. In addition, a specific emphasis has been placed on the use of nanotechnology to improve controlled drug release and sustainable drug delivery in solid tumors and on new drug therapies for age‐related neurodegenerative disorders.
Prospects for Identity Formation for Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Persons with Developmental Disabilities

The theoretical and practical constraints of identity formation for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons with developmental disabilities are explored. Firstly, disability and queer theory and conceptions of identification and community are presented. This is followed by a synopsis of some of the common societal myths about disability and about homosexuality. Thirdly, we trace how these myths affect and filter into caregiver attitudes, lesbian and gay communities and communities of persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities. All these factors conspire to inhibit self-identification as LGB for persons with developmental disabilities. It is further argued that neither disability theorists nor queer theorists have adequately accounted for such complex identities, and that, perhaps, a fusion of disability theory and queer theory may provide a more comprehensive lens to capture these complexities. We conclude with tentative yet practical suggestions to begin to create community for LGB persons with a developmental disability.
Comparison of the sedative and antinociceptive effects of midazolam and diazepam in horses

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and sedative effects of midazolam and diazepam in 10 Thoroughbred mares. The sedative effects of midazolam (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/kg iv) and diazepam (0.05, 0.15 and 0.25mg/kg iv) were investigated by determination of the spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) in automated behavior stalls and by measuring the head ptosis (HP). The antinociceptive effect was determined using a heat-projecting lamp by measuring the hoof withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) and the skin twich reflex latency (STRL). The differences were evaluated by Tukey’s test (p 10 sec) in all animals tested at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg, within 5 min. Midazolam produced a good sedative effect and diazepam a short acting antinociceptive effect.
Community Literacy Resources and Home Literacy Practices Among Immigrant Latino Families

ABSTRACT This paper reports relationships among communities, families, and Spanish-speaking children's language and literacy development in kindergarten and grade 1. Findings from a study of 35 communities show that communities with greater concentrations of Latinos are less likely to have printed materials, and available materials are more likely to be in Spanish. Communities with higher income and education levels have more literacy materials in English. Contrary to predictions, there are few associations among community literacy resources, frequency of children's home reading activities, and children's literacy achievement. This lack of association is due to within-community variation in home literacy practices and to schools' impact on home literacy. However, there are associations among community and family language characteristics and child literacy outcomes in Spanish and English, suggesting that at least in the early stages of literacy development, communities' influence on Spanish-speaking children's literacy development is through language-learning opportunities rather than literacy-learning opportunities per se.
Neglect as an aspect of the mistreatment of elderly people: reflections on the issues

This paper discusses the neglect of old people as an element of mistreatment. It considers the definition and prevalence of neglect and issues arising both in self‐neglect and in the context of professional and personal relationships. It is argued that the underlying reasons for ‘omissions of care’ are various and complex and that distinctions between ‘intentional’ and ‘unintentional’ neglect may be unhelpful. Present evidence suggests that it is the oldest and most vulnerable of elderly citizens who are most likely to experience neglect and that the numbers are not inconsiderable. This has far reaching implications for society and for many aspects of social policy and poses a moral challenge to us all.