Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns and Drivers of Regional Crop Production in Chad

Agriculture constitutes the largest economic sector and professional occupation in Chad, and is undergoing rapid changes due to processes of population increase, institutional reforms, conflicts in neighbouring countries, increasingly globalized trade networks, and environmental changes. But despite their importance for livelihoods and economic growth, the specific patterns and drivers of change in the agricultural sector are however poorly understood. This has mostly been a result of low data availability and a lack of comprehensive research programs to address the agricultural changes of various spatial scales. By analysing crop statistics on a level of detail that have not been done before, this thesis has been able to show how the agricultural production is changing over time and between the different administrative regions in Chad. In general it found that the harvested area has been increasing faster than the yield, and that a majority of the changes have happened under abrupt rather than gradual changes. By using this detailed understanding of the patterns of change, and by combining numerous kinds of relevant datasets on hydrology, demographics, international aid, market prices, conflicts, and agricultural practices, this thesis has evaluated potential factors of these changes with an extent and detail that have not been done before. This evaluation have showed that variations in hydrological conditions, market prices, and food security conditions can be linked to the variability in crop production. By looking at descriptions of livelihood conditions in agricultural areas, factors such as material and technical farm support have been linked to abrupt changes in the crop production for specific areas. Also, the differences in long term change between the administrative regions in Chad have been explained by differences in demographic factors and amount of international aid received. These and similar results are relevant to increase the understanding of how agricultural societies evolve in Chad, and how strategies and interventions can be developed to assist local communities in their objectives. More specifically, the results can be used to evaluate the effects of certain events or policies, and to improve seasonal predictions for crop production and food availability. Beyond Chad, the results and methods developed for this thesis are relevant for application in the wider Sahel, where the agro-ecological and institutional conditions share some key characteristics.
Caregiving Experiences of Families Living with Patients with Schizophrenia: a Systematic Review.

Review question/objective The objective of the review is to determine the meaningfulness of caregiving experiences of families living with patients with schizophrenia. The specific review question is: - What are the experiences of caregivers who live with patients with schizophrenia? Inclusion criteria Types of participants The review will consider studies that include the family of person (18 years and older) with schizophrenia diagnosed for at least six months by any criteria based on the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Third Edition Revised (DSM-III-R), the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV TR), the World Health Organization's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), or confirmed by their attending psychiatrists. Non-schizophrenic patients such as patients with psychosis, depression, bipolar, dementia, alcoholism, and substance-related disorders will be excluded. The family is defined as key persons who live or who are in close contact with the patient or who provide care or have taken on role as the main caregivers for a family member with schizophrenia. The caregivers should be at least 18 years old who can be parents, siblings, spouses, children, or other relatives. This review will consider studies in any culture. Studies that explore experiences of patients with schizophrenia will be excluded. Caregiving experiences are defined as any subjective data that families expressed or shared about their feelings and perceptions related to their caring or living with their schizophrenia member including caring tasks, feeling or attitudes or beliefs, needs, coping or help seeking behaviours or ways to solve problems. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The review will consider qualitative studies that explore caregiving experiences of families of patients with schizophrenia that related to their caring or living with their schizophrenia member including caring tasks, feeling or attitudes or beliefs, needs, coping or help seeking behaviours or ways to solve problems. This review will include studies conducted in either hospital or community settings. TRUNCATED TO 350 WORDS.
MicroMeeting Getting out : protein traffic in prokaryotes

Protein secretion systems in prokaryotes are increasingly shifting from being considered as experimental models for ‘more complex’ processes (i.e. eukaryotes) to being a major source of key biological questions in their own right. The pathways by which proteins move between compartments or insert into membranes in prokaryotic cells are certainly less numerous than in eukaryotes (though not dramatically so). However, the quality and complexity of bacterial protein targeting systems indicate that virtually all mechanistic problems associated with protein traffic were solved very efficiently well before eukaryotes appeared on the Earth crust. Indeed, recent studies have both increased the number of known prokaryotic protein traffic systems and indicated new layers of complexity for those that were already well characterized. This report describes some recent developments in bacterial protein traffic that were presented at two meetings in the autumn of 2003.
Correlation of Histopathology and Clinical Symptoms in Meralgia Paresthetica

Meralgia paresthetica is a neuropathic pain disorder resulting from an entrapment neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This condition results in pain, paresthesias and numbness over the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. We present a case of meralgia paresthetica and discuss both the clinical and histopathological findings as they relate to one another. We report a case of meralgia paresthetica refractory to conservative treatment who underwent neurectomy with successful treatment of symptoms. Histopathological examination revealed moderate loss of myelinated axons with some axonal atrophy. The distinct pathologic findings were axonal regeneration clusters and thinly myelinated axons as well as moderate perineurial thickening. These findings corresponded well to the patient’s preoperative symptoms of paresthesias and pain. This case serves to shed light on the pathophysiology of meralgia paresthetica and its clinical presentation. It also shows the role of surgical treatment in cases refractory to conservative management in order to alleviate painful symptoms
Evidence for separation of HCV subtype 1a into two distinct clades

Summary. The nucleotide sequence diversity present among hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates allows rapid adjustment to exterior forces including host immunity and drug therapy. This viral response reflects a combination of a high rate of replication together with an error‐prone RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, providing for the selection and proliferation of the viruses with the highest fitness. We examined HCV subtype 1a whole‐genome sequences to identify positions contributing to genotypic and phenotypic diversity. Phylogenetic tree reconstructions showed two distinct clades existing within the 1a subtype with each clade having a star‐like tree topology and lacking definite correlation between time or place of isolation and phylogeny. Identification of significant phylogenetically informative sites at the nucleotide level revealed positions not only contributing to clade differentiation, but which are located at or proximal to codons associated with resistance to protease inhibitors (NS3 Q41) or polymerase inhibitors (NS5B S368). Synonymous/nonsynonymous substitution mutation analyses revealed that the majority of nucleotide mutations yielded synonymous amino acids, indicating the presence of purifying selection pressure across the polyprotein with pockets of positive selection also being detected. Despite evidence for divergence at several loci, certain 1a characteristics were preserved including the length of the alternative reading frame/F protein (ARF/F) gene, and a subtype 1a‐specific phosphorylation site in NS5A (S349). Our analysis suggests that there may be strain‐specific differences in the development of antiviral resistance to viruses infecting patients who are dependent on the genetic variation separating these two clades.
"Vasocrine" formation of tumor cell-lined vascular spaces: implications for rational design of antiangiogenic therapies.

Here we report that B16F10 murine melanoma cells mimic endothelial cell behavior and the angiogenic process in vitro and in vivo. Cord formation in vitro by tumor cells is stimulated by hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibited by antibodies against VEGF and the VEGF KDR receptor (VEGF receptor 2). We define regulation of tumor cell-derived vascular space formation by these vasoactive compounds as "vasocrine" stimulation. ICRF 159 (Razoxane; NSC 129943) prevents tumor cell but not endothelial cell cord formation in vitro, and the antiangiogenic drug TNP-470 (NSC 642492) inhibits endothelial but not tumor cell cord formation in vitro. Both drugs inhibit formation of blood-filled vascular spaces in vivo. These results bear on the anticipated action of ICRF 159 in human clinical trials and novel strategies for targeting tumor blood supplies.
Kinetics and inhibition of the formation of 6beta-naltrexol from naltrexone in human liver cytosol.

AIMS To determine the kinetics of the formation of 6beta-naltrexol from naltrexone in human liver cytosol, and to investigate the role of potential inhibitors. METHODS The kinetics of the formation of 6 beta-naltrexol from naltrexone were examined in eight human liver cytosol preparations using h.p.l.c. to quantify 6 beta-naltrexol and, the extent of inhibition of 6 beta-naltrexol formation was determined using chemical inhibitors. The formation of 6 beta-naltrexol and the back reaction of 6 beta-naltrexol to naltrexone were also examined in a microsomal preparation. RESULTS The Vmax, Km and CLint values for the formation of 6 beta-naltrexol from naltrexone were in the ranges of 16-45 nmol mg-1 protein h-1, 17-53 microM and 0.3-2.2 ml h-1 mg-1 protein, respectively. The steroid hormones testosterone (Ki = 0.3 +/- 0.1 microM) and dihydrotestosterone (Ki = 0.7 +/- 0.4 microM) were the most potent competitive inhibitors of 6 beta-naltrexol formation, with naloxone, menadione and corticosterone also producing > 50% inhibition at a concentration of 100 microM. The opioid agonists morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone and hydromorphone, and a range of benzodiazepines showed < 20% inhibition at 100 microM. In the microsomal preparation, there was no formation of naltrexone from 6beta-naltrexol nor any formation of 6beta-naltrexol from naltrexone. CONCLUSIONS The intersubject variability in the kinetic parameters of 6beta-naltrexol formation could play a role in the efficacy of and patient compliance with naltrexone treatment. This variability could be due in part to a genetic polymorphism of the dihydrodiol dehydrogenase DD4, one of the enzymes reported to be responsible for the formation of 6beta-naltrexol from naltrexone. DD4 also has hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity which could account for the potent inhibition by the steroid hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The clinical significance of the latter finding remains to be established.
High pressure effects step‐wise altered protein expression in Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis

In this study we investigated the cellular response to the application of high hydrostatic pressure. High pressure is increasingly used for food preservation. With high resolution 2‐D electrophoresis we compared the protein patterns of atmospherically grown Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis with those pressure treated up to 200 MPa. We performed the comparative study by using overlapping immobilized pH gradients covering the pH range from 2.5 up to 12 in order to maximize the resolution for the detection of stress relevant proteins. For improved quantitative analysis, staining with SyproRuby™ was used in addition to silver staining. By computer aided image analysis we detected more than a dozen spots within the pH range from 3.5 to 9 that were more than two‐fold increased or 50% decreased in their intensity upon high pressure treatment. Two of them (approx. values: pI 4.0 and 4.2, respectively; Mr ≈ 15 000) have almost identical matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry spectra and were identified by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry as putative homologs/paralogs to cold shock proteins of Lactococcus lactis. Their expression is opposed (i.e. the more acidic one is repressed, while the other one is induced); this effect is maximal at 1 h, 150 MPa. It was further remarkable that by monitoring the barosensitivity of the cells within 25 MPa steps, we observed a differential pressure induction or repression of the detected proteins as well. For example one protein (approx. values: pI 4.2, Mr ≈ 15 000) shows a maximum induction after 1 h, 150 MPa while another one (pI 7.5, Mr ≈ 25 000) is maximally induced after 1 h, 50/75 MPa. This indicates a successive cell response and different signalling pathways for these responses.
BLOOD-GROUP FREQUENCIES AND ASTROCYTOMATA.

T ItERE have accumulated in the medical literature of the past decade reports that have concerned themselves with the patterns of frequency of ABO blood types in a variety of diseases. When projected against the blood-type distribution of control populations, the ABO blood types often showed deviations of varied statistical significance. A direct correlation between susceptibility to certain diseases and specific ABO types has been proposed. In recent years, conflicting reports have arisen from a number of similar surveys conducted among patients with brain neoplasms. 1,4,~,9 Selverstone and Cooper 5 noted that patients with astrocytoma exhibited a higher incidence of blood type A than did a general hospital population. This report summarizes the distribution of the ABO blood type in 630 consecutive patients submitted to neurosurgieal operation at Kings County Hospital Center and includes ]3~ cases of histologically verified astrocytoma. In conformity with the criteria accepted by Selverstone and Cooper, 5 the category of astrocytoma included neoplasms of varying anaplasia derived from astrocytes, as established by Kernohan and associates. 2 The most numerous histologic type encountered in the current series was astrocytoma, Grades 3 and 4 (glioblastoma multiforme).
Telithromycin Is Active against Mycobacterium avium in Mice despite Lacking Significant Activity in Standard In Vitro and Macrophage Assays and Is Associated with Low Frequency of Resistance during Treatment

ABSTRACT The activity of telithromycin, a new ketolide, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) strains. The MIC of telithromycin for several M. aviumisolates obtained from the blood of AIDS patients ranged from 16 to >128 μg/ml (MIC at which 90% of isolates are inhibited, >128 μg/ml), and the compound did show activity in the macrophage system at concentrations greater than 8 or 16 μg/ml, but this was dependent on the MAC strain used. Telithromycin was then administered to mice infected with MAC strain 101 for 4 weeks at doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg of body weight/day. Treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day was bacteriostatic, but at 400 mg/kg/day telithromycin was bactericidal for MAC strains. The frequency of the emergence of resistance to telithromycin was low despite prolonged usage (12 weeks). This study demonstrates that telithromycin is active in vivo against MAC and warrants further evaluation.
An Analytical Study of Rape in Delhi

Rape is among the highest forms of crime experienced by women in all sectors of the society. In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in ratio of rape in India. Delhi bagged the dubious record of being the only union territory where such crimes were reported. Rape is a serious crime and increasingly gaining visibility as a major public health concern. The present study aimed to find out the demographic profile of rape victims and the impact of rape. A total of 100 rape victims from shelter homes and different areas of Delhi were taken as the sample of the study. An informal interview was conducted to obtain, an overall pictures of victim's traumatic experience. A case study approach was followed in assessing for victims trauma caused by rape and other insults. Information was derived from the victims verbal and behavioral communications. Details pertaining to age, religion, literacy, Socio-economic status, marital status, site of incidence, number of assailants, and relationship with assailants were noted down. It was found that most of the victims were illiterate or poorly educated, unmarried and belonged to the lower social segments of the society. Highly affected age group was 11-15 yrs. In majority of the cases victim knew the assailant. A large number of invalid consensual rape cases has been noted down. The residence of the victim was the most commonly noted location of sexual assault. Victims also reported that they face social stigma, disgrace and suffer serious guilt-pangs if they register for protest. It's very difficult to ask for help because the rape has made them feel ashamed, weak, and wounded.
Comparison of the efficacy of intralesional versus intramuscular injection Meglumine Antimoniate in the treatment of sores of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of intralesional with intramuscular injection meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Design: Prospective, comparative, interventional study. Setting: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, [PIMS] Islamabad. Material and Methods: Seventy six (40 males, 36 females) consecutive patients with sores of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis presenting to the Dermatology department, underwent treatment with Intralesional (1 ml/cm2 of Sb) or Intramuscular injection Meglumine antimoniate ((20 mg Sb/kg/day for 21 to 28 days) according to the selection criteria for each group from April 2004 to March 2005. On the basis of demonstration of Leishmania tropica (LT) bodies in the skin slit smears/skin biopsies, 76 patients were included in the study and were followed-up for therapeutic safety and efficacy at different intervals. After completing local or systemic treatment, cure rate was calculated by observing the improvement criteria i.e. flattening, softening, decrease in size of lesion and absence of erythema, induration, . According to the sample selection procedure for the two modalities of treatment 46 (60.5%) patients were found suitable for Intralesional therapy and 30(39.5%) were found suitable for Intramuscular therapy. Results: Males 40(52.6%) constituted a slightly greater number than females 36(47%) The final outcome of intralesional injection meglumine antimoniate at weekly intervals in 46 patients was that 44 (95.65%) got completely cured, whereas among those receiving I/M therapy 25(83.3%) got cured with their lesions getting almost flattened and itch/pain subsided. Z test for proportion was used for comparison which was Z=1.75 showing that proportion of cured patients with IL treatment was greater than IM treatment (P= 0.027 =<0.05) which confirms that there is a significant relationship between route of administration and outcome of lesion . The average number of injections required for 1/L was found to be 6 at weekly intervals and 18 for 1/M treatment. Both the treatments were given according to the recommended guidelines of WHO. Design: Prospective, comparative, interventional study. Conclusion: Intralesional therapy is superior to Intramuscular therapy with meglumine antimoniate in terms of efficacy, safety, outcome.
Arrhythmogenesis after acute myocardial necrosis with and without preceding ischemia in rats

Abstract Background: The relative role of acute myocardial ischemia and infarction in ventricular arrhythmogenesis is incompletely understood. We compared the arrhythmia pattern after ischemia/infarction to that observed after direct myocardial necrosis without preceding ischemia in rats. Methods: Coagulation necrosis was induced in Wistar rats (n=20, 280±3 g) by radiofrequency current application (for 15 s) from a 4-mm-tip ablation catheter. Myocardial infarction was induced by coronary artery ligation with (n=10) or without (n=10) reperfusion. Using 24-h telemetry recording, we examined ventricular arrhythmias, voluntary motor activity and indices of sympathetic activation. Results: The coagulation-necrosis volume was 24.4%±0.6%, comparable to the infarct size in the absence of reperfusion. Acute left ventricular failure and sympathetic activation were similar in the three groups. Coagulation necrosis induced ventricular fibrillation immediately, followed by a second peak after ∼1 h. Reperfusion decreased ventricular arrhythmias, whereas a second arrhythmogenic period (between the third and the eight hour) was noted in non-reperfused infarcts (mainly monomorphic ventricular tachycardia). Conclusions: Distinct arrhythmia patterns occur after myocardial infarction (with or without reperfusion) and after direct necrosis. They are not produced by differences in sympathetic activation and are likely related to the evolution of myocardial injury. The necrosis rat model may be useful in studies of arrhythmogenesis.
A comparative study of the ultrastructure of submandibular, parotid and exocrine pancreas in diabetes and fasting.

OBJECTIVE To comparatively analyze the ultrastructural changes in the submandibular and parotid glands and in the exocrine pancreas following diabetes induced by Streptozotocin exposure and the effects of fasting and insulin treatment on these alterations. METHODS For experimental procedure, we included 48 Sprague-Dawley type rats in July 2001-March 2002 at Gazi University, Turkey. We divided the rats into 8 groups following the infusion of Streptozotocin. RESULTS While the degeneration manifested itself as accumulation of secretions within the mucous cells in the submandibular gland, lipid droplets were absent, being replaced by vacuolar structures. The parotid gland and exocrine pancreas, having similar properties, were affected similarly. Diabetes-induced loss of granules was observed in the serous cells in both glands. There was diffuse lipid accumulation within these cells. Regarding granule content, we observed the most prominent degenerative changes in the parotid gland. While cellular loss was observed in neither the submandibular, nor the parotid gland, we noted presence of apoptotic cells was noted in the pancreas. State of fasting was found to cause alterations within the glands indicating increased activity. While insulin treatment was seen to restore the structure to normal in general in both of the 3 glands. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that both of the 3 glands are affected by diabetes and concomitant fasting, and this effect manifests itself via the granule content.