Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE Obesity and overweight are well known risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), and are expected to be increasing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) particularly among females. Therefore, we designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight among Saudis of both gender, between the ages of 30-70 years in rural as well as in urban communities. This work is part of a major national project called Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study (CADISS) that is designed to look at CAD and its risk factors in Saudi population. METHODS This study is a community-based national epidemiological health survey, conducted by examining Saudi subjects in the age group of 30-70 years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in KSA. Data were obtained from body mass index (BMI) and were analyzed to classify individuals with overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m2), obesity (BMI >/=30 kg/m2) and severe (gross) obesity (BMI >/=40 kg/m2) to provide the prevalence of overweight and obesity in KSA. RESULTS Data were obtained by examining 17,232 Saudi subjects from selected households who participated in the study. The prevalence of overweight was 36.9%. Overweight is significantly more prevalent in males (42.4%) compared to 31.8% of females (p<0.0001). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 35.5% in KSA with an overall prevalence of 35.6% [95% CI: 34.9-36.3], while severe (gross) obesity was 3.2%. Females are significantly more obese with a prevalence of 44% than males 26.4% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Obesity and overweight are increasing in KSA with an overall obesity prevalence of 35.5%. Reduction in overweight and obesity are of considerable importance to public health. Therefore, we recommend a national obesity prevention program at community level to be implemented sooner to promote leaner and consequently healthier community.
Mental Health Service Use in a Nationally Representative Canadian Survey

Background: Previous Canadian surveys have noted a wide range of prevalence rates for mental health service use and found no consistent relation between type of contact with mental health professionals and severity of illness. This study is the first investigation to examine the prevalence and correlates of mental health service use in a nationally representative Canadian survey. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 was conducted between 2000 and 2001 (n = 125 493; respondent age 12 years and over; response rate; 84.7%). Respondents were asked whether they had contacted a professional because of emotional symptoms in the past year and about their experience of barriers to treatment. DSM-IV major depression and alcohol dependence diagnoses were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form. The relation between a range of measures of clinical severity and the type of professional contacted for emotional symptoms was examined. Results: The prevalence of 12-month help seeking for emotional symptoms was 8.3% (99%CI, 8.10 to 8.55); an additional 0.6% (99%CI, 0.49 to 0.62) of the sample perceived a need for treatment without seeking care. Respondents endorsing contact with multiple professionals or with psychiatrists only had higher levels of severity than those who had contact with family doctors only or nonphysician professionals only. Conclusions: Although untreated depression remains a significant problem in Canada, more severe illness was more likely to be associated with seeing a psychiatrist (or multiple professionals), indicating a relation between greater severity of mental illness and receiving more specialized care.
Muscle metaboreflex control of cardiac output and peripheral vasoconstriction exhibit different latencies.

Experiments were designed to determine 1) the mechanisms mediating metaboreflex-induced increases in systemic arterial pressure (SAP) in response to total vascular occlusion of hindlimb blood flow [e.g., increases in cardiac output (CO) vs. peripheral vasoconstriction] and 2) whether the individual mechanisms display differential latencies for the onset of the responses. Responses were observed in seven dogs performing steady-state treadmill exercise of mild and moderate workloads (3.2 km/h at 0% grade and 6.4 km/h at 10% grade). Differential latencies were exhibited among CO, nonischemic vascular conductance (NIVC; conductance to all nonischemic vascular beds), and renal vascular conductance (RVC), with peripheral vasoconstriction significantly preceding metaboreflex-mediated increases in CO. In addition, the latencies for SAP were not different from those for NIVC or RVC at either workload. During the lower workload there were small increases and then subsequent decreases in CO before the metaboreflex-induced increase in CO, which did contribute somewhat to the initial increases in SAP. However, the increases in CO mediated by the metaboreflex occurred significantly later than the initial increases in SAP. Therefore, we conclude that the substantial metaboreflex-mediated pressor responses that occur during the initial phase of total vascular occlusion during mild and moderate exercise are primarily caused by peripheral vasoconstriction.
Distributional expansions of powered order statistics from general error distribution

Let $\{X_{n}, n\ge 1\}$ be a sequence of independent random variables with common general error distribution $GED(v)$ with shape parameter $v>0$, and let $M_{n,r}$ denote the $r$th largest order statistics of $X_{1}, X_{2}, \cdots, X_{n}$. With different normalizing constants the distributional expansions of normalized powered order statistics $|M_{n,r}|^{p}$ are established, from which the convergence rates of powered order statistics to their limits are derived. This paper generalized Hall's results on powered-extremes of normal sequence.
In Vivo Induction of a High-Avidity, High-Frequency Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Response Is Associated with Antiviral Protective Immunity

ABSTRACT Many approaches are currently being developed to deliver exogenous antigen into the major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted antigen pathway, leading to in vivo priming of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. One attractive possibility consists of targeting the antigen to phagocytic or macropinocytic antigen-presenting cells. In this study, we demonstrate that strong CD8+ class I-restricted cytotoxic responses are induced upon intraperitoneal immunization of mice with different peptides, characterized as CD8+ T-cell epitopes, bound to 1-μm synthetic latex microspheres and injected in the absence of adjuvant. The cytotoxic response induced against a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) peptide linked to these microspheres was compared to the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response obtained upon immunization with the nonreplicative porcine parvovirus-like particles (PPV:VLP) carrying the same peptide (PPV:VLP-LCMV) previously described (C. Sedlik, M. F. Saron, J. Sarraseca, I. Casal, and C. Leclerc, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94:7503–7508, 1997). We show that the induction of specific CTL activity by peptides bound to microspheres requires CD4+T-cell help in contrast to the CTL response obtained with the peptide delivered by viral pseudoparticles. Furthermore, PPV:VLP are 100-fold more efficient than microspheres in generating a strong CTL response characterized by a high frequency of specific T cells of high avidity. Moreover, PPV:VLP-LCMV are able to protect mice against a lethal LCMV challenge whereas microspheres carrying the LCMV epitope fail to confer such protection. This study demonstrates the crucial involvement of the frequency and avidity of CTLs in conferring antiviral protective immunity and highlights the importance of considering these parameters when developing new vaccine strategies.
Therapy for osteosarcoma in dogs with intravenous injection of liposome-encapsulated muramyl tripeptide.

Canine osteosarcoma is a spontaneous malignancy in dogs, characterized by micrometastasis to pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissues at the time of diagnosis. Standard treatment involves amputation of the affected leg, but median survival time is 3-4 months with death due to metastasis. A randomized double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate liposome-encapsulated muramyl tripeptide-phosphatidylethanolamine (liposome/MTP-PE) as a treatment for metastasis in dogs undergoing amputation for osteosarcoma. Fourteen dogs were treated with liposome/MTP-PE, and 13 were treated with empty liposomes. Median survival time was 222 days for dogs treated with liposome/MTP-PE, compared to 77 days for dogs treated with empty liposomes (P less than .002). In the liposome/MTP-PE-treated group there were still four dogs alive and free of metastasis at greater than 1 year post surgery. Treatment was well tolerated; no significant toxic effects were noted except for mild elevations in body temperature (1-2 degrees C) for 2-6 hours post injection.
Rheology of High-Capillary Number Two-Phase Flow in Porous Media

Flow of immiscible fluids in porous media at high capillary numbers may be characterized by an effective viscosity. We demonstrate that the effective viscosity is well described by the Lichtenecker-Rother equation. Depending on the pore geometry, wettability and viscosity of the fluids, the exponent $\alpha$ in this equation can have different values. We find $\alpha = 1$ when fluids are well mixed with small bubbles, $\alpha = 0.6$ in two- and $0.5$ in three-dimensional systems when there is less mixing with the appearance of big bubbles, and $\alpha = -0.5$ when lubrication layers are formed along the pore walls. Our arguments are based on analytical and numerical methods.
Governance Through Trading and Intervention: A Theory of Multiple Blockholders

Traditional theories argue that governance is strongest under a single large blockholder, as she has high incentives to undertake value-enhancing interventions. However, most firms are held by multiple small blockholders. This article shows that, while such a structure generates free-rider problems that hinder intervention, the same coordination difficulties strengthen a second governance mechanism: disciplining the manager through trading. Since multiple blockholders cannot coordinate to limit their orders and maximize combined trading profits, they trade competitively, impounding more information into prices. This strengthens the threat of disciplinary trading, inducing higher managerial effort. The optimal blockholder structure depends on the relative effectiveness of manager and blockholder effort, the complementarities in their outputs, information asymmetry, liquidity, monitoring costs, and the manager's contract. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com. , Oxford University Press.
Pharmacological inhibition of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor signaling ameliorates FGF23‐mediated hypophosphatemic rickets

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a circulating factor secreted by osteocytes that is essential for phosphate homeostasis. In kidney proximal tubular cells FGF23 inhibits phosphate reabsorption and leads to decreased synthesis and enhanced catabolism of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3). Excess levels of FGF23 cause renal phosphate wasting and suppression of circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 levels and are associated with several hereditary hypophosphatemic disorders with skeletal abnormalities, including X‐linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets (ARHR). Currently, therapeutic approaches to these diseases are limited to treatment with activated vitamin D analogues and phosphate supplementation, often merely resulting in partial correction of the skeletal aberrations. In this study, we evaluate the use of FGFR inhibitors for the treatment of FGF23‐mediated hypophosphatemic disorders using NVP‐BGJ398, a novel selective, pan‐specific FGFR inhibitor currently in Phase I clinical trials for cancer therapy. In two different hypophosphatemic mouse models, Hyp and Dmp1‐null mice, resembling the human diseases XLH and ARHR, we find that pharmacological inhibition of FGFRs efficiently abrogates aberrant FGF23 signaling and normalizes the hypophosphatemic and hypocalcemic conditions of these mice. Correspondingly, long‐term FGFR inhibition in Hyp mice leads to enhanced bone growth, increased mineralization, and reorganization of the disturbed growth plate structure. We therefore propose NVP‐BGJ398 treatment as a novel approach for the therapy of FGF23‐mediated hypophosphatemic diseases. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Cytomegalovirus infection as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in CKD patients on regular haemodialysis

Background: CMV is a common infection in chronic hemodialysis patients. CMV positive patients are more likely to havecarotid atherosclerosis plaques as compared with CMV negative individuals. Carotid ultrasonography (US) is one of the most used imagingtechniques for the assessment of atherosclerosis, and it is increasingly applied in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and in chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general.Aim of the work: Is to assess the association CMV seropositivity, dyslipidemia, carotid artery plaques and media intima thickening measured by duppler US in hemodialysis patients.Subjects and methods:The present study included 60 patients with CKD on regularHemodialysis with ages ranged between 20-65 years who wereselected from Hemo-Dialysis unit in Tanta university hospital. All subjects were subjected to full medical history taking andthorough physical examination, complete blood picture, fastingblood glucose, lipid profile (Triglycerides, totalcholesterol, HDL, LDL), Serum calcium, serum phosphorus, CRP, CMV IgG and Duplex on both Carotidarteries with measurement of intima media thickness.Results: The prevalence of atherosclerosis in CMV positive andnegative patients undergoing hemodialysis is not influenced bymany factors that were taken into consideration as follow (p value>0.05) : sex, age, and body mass index, systolic and diastolic bloodpressure. , Also there was no significant change in FBS, CRP, Serum phosphorus and ionized calcium (p value >0.05) among CMV positive compared to CMV negativepatients undergoing hemodialysis.The study also showed that there was significant increase inatherosclerosis among CMV positive compared to CMV negativepatients undergoing hemodialysis as proved by Carotid Duplexthrough measuring IMT and presence of atherosclerotic plaques.Conclusion: This study concluded that there’s significant increase in atherosclerosis as proved by CarotidDuplex through measuring IMT and presence of atherosclerotic plaques in CMV positive compared to CMV negative patientsundergoing hemodialysis.
Organizational justice, voluntary learning behavior, and job performance: A test of the mediating effects of identification and leader-member exchange†

This paper presents and tests an integrative model of voluntary learning behavior. Drawing on social exchange theory, we argue that individuals are more likely to pursue learning activities when they identify with their employing organization and have a high quality leader–member exchange (LMX) relationship with their supervisor. We further argue that organizational identification is enhanced by both distributive and procedural fairness, whereas LMX quality is enhanced by interpersonal and informational fairness. Moreover, we contend that effective learning behavior improves job performance. The model was tested with a sample of 398 employees from a large automobile dealership. Results supported most predictions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of C-reactive protein in the national social life, health, and aging project.

OBJECTIVE Inflammation plays an important role in many chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging, and social, economic, and behavioral factors that contribute to inflammation may lead to differential burdens of morbidity and mortality in later life. This study examines socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) among older adults in the United States and considers the degree to which health behaviors, medical conditions and medication use, and psychosocial factors account for these associations. METHODS Multiple linear regression analysis of survey data for 1,580 participants, 57-85 years of age, in a population-based nationally representative sample of community-residing older adults in the United States. RESULTS Educational attainment, household wealth, and race/ethnicity were independently associated with CRP, with limited evidence for interactions with age. Health-related behaviors and usage of medications related to inflammation accounted for substantial proportions of these associations. DISCUSSION These results highlight the fundamental causes of inflammation among older adults and suggest pathways through which social disparities in inflammation may be reduced.
Composition-based on-the-fly rescoring for salient n-gram biasing

We introduce a technique for dynamically applying contextually-derived language models to a state-of-the-art speech recognition system. These generally small-footprint models can be seen as a generalization of cache-based models [1], whereby contextually salient n-grams are derived from relevant sources (not just user generated language) to produce a model intended for combination with the baseline language model. The derived models are applied during first-pass decoding as a form of on-the-fly composition between the decoder search graph and the set of weighted contextual n-grams. We present a construction algorithm which takes a trie representing the contextual n-grams and produces a weighted finite state automaton which is more compact than a standard n-gram machine. Finally, we present a set of empirical results on the recognition of spoken search queries where a contextual model encoding recent trending queries is applied using the proposed technique.
Serious games for assessment and rehabilitation of ankle movements

This paper presents a set of serious games for assessment and rehabilitation of pos-stroke patients. The proposed games are connected to a robotic platform for ankle rehabilitation, which allows the patients to perform tasks regarding dorsiflexion movements and muscle strength. An usability study fo the robotic platform was conducted in 19 hemiparetic and 19 healthy subjects, with the aim of evaluating ergonomics issues, safety, level of difficulty of the games, and platform ability to measure subjects' dorsiflexion range of motion and torque. Results from both games are presented and discussed.
Pattern of Thyroid Lesions in Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

Background Ultrasonography (US) is being recognized as a traditional way of the diagnosis of various thyroid disorders, and this will help in detecting the thyroid tumors in early stage. Thyroid nodules are common and usually benign; steps to diagnose malignancy should include a careful clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, a thyroid US exam and a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. Methods A total of 173 registered cases were used for analysis in this study. Diagnosis was made following US-guided FNA cytology (FNAC) and histopathological diagnosis; clinicopathological and demographic data of all such patients were obtained and analyzed for the present study. For statistical analysis, Statistical Package of Social Sciences v.22 (SPSS) was used. Results In the current study, 87.3% of patients were female, and 12.7% were male. The mean age of the patients was 43.35 years, 86.4% were Saudi nationals and there was no significant difference between age groups. Overall, the distribution of lesions in all age groups was 41.6% in the right lobe, 9.3% lesions were adenomatous, 71.1% were colloid, and 10.4% were lymphocytic. The final diagnosis of thyroid lesions was confirmed after histopathological examinations. Out of 173 cases, 12.6% (20 cases) of male patients and 87.4% (139 cases) of female patients had benign lesions, respectively. Only one male case was malignant, and seven cases were malignant in female group. Eighty percent of males and 77.7% females have colloid nodules, and 15% of males and 9.3% of females have adenomatous nodules. Four cases were non-diagnostic, one case was atypia in females, and one case was suspicious of malignancy in a male. Conclusions Most thyroid lesions in this study population were benign, while papillary carcinoma was the most common malignancy encountered. There was a marked female predominance in all types of thyroid diseases. The most common age group affected is 30 - 39 years. In Saudi Arabia, growing prevalence of thyroid cancer may be due to the increased screening using sensitive imaging in clinical practice, and ultrasonography is the most accurate and cost-effective method for detecting thyroid lesions.
Demonstration of Combined Efforts in School-Wide Academic and Behavioral Systems and Incidence of Reading and Behavior Challenges in Early Elementary Grades

This study provides descriptive data on the rates of office discipline referrals and beginning reading skills for students in grades K—3 for one school district that is implementing a three-tier prevention model for both reading and behavior support. Students in the district are provided a continuum of reading and/or behavioral support based on screening measures that indicate response to universal, targeted, and intensive support. This combined approach may be more successful due to the number of shared critical features in both systems. Results document positive outcomes in prevalence of students needing additional reading and/or behavior support (in comparison to national figures) and are reported with recommendations for future experimental analyses.
The absence of supercoiling in kinetoplast DNA minicircles.

Crithidia fasciculata kinetoplast DNA is a mitochondrial DNA composed of 5000 minicircles and approximately 25 maxicircles, all catenated into a giant network. By comparing the linking number of minicircles released from the network by limited sonication with that of control minicircles, we demonstrate that not only does the elaborate catenation of the network not cause supercoiling, but that there is no minicircle supercoiling at all. The absence of catenation‐induced supercoiling is explained by our finding [using electron microscopy (EM) and gel electrophoresis] that network minicircles are joined by only one interlock; single interlocking can be accommodated without helix distortion. EM revealed that propidium diiodide supertwists all the network minicircles and thereby condenses the network into a much smaller size while maintaining its planarity. At high dye concentration the network is condensed to a size comparable to that found in vivo. Nevertheless, network minicircles bind less propidium than free minicircles, indicating that catenation into a network restricts the supercoiling of individual rings. These studies show that the mitochondrion of trypanosomatids may be a unique niche in nature where a covalently‐closed circular DNA is not supercoiled. This absence of supercoiling may be a major factor in promoting the formation of the network.