Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity in HIV-1/AIDS infected patients: a correlation with the disease progression.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To find a correlation, if any, between the concentration of plasma selenium and erythrocyte activity in HIV-infected patients with the progression of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plasma selenium concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were measured in 62 HIV-1 seropositive patients before commencing antiretroviral drug. Thirty (30) age-matched and apparently healthy HIV-1/11 seronegative subjects were recruited as control subjects. HIV-1 seropositive patients were classified according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Criteria. RESULTS The mean plasma selenium concentrations of 0.53+/-0. 06_mol/L and 0.71+/-0. 10_mol/L were significantly reduced (P<0.001) in HIV- 1 patients with CD4+ count of <200 lym/mm3 and that of 200-499 lym/mm3 respectively when compared with the controls which is 1.01+/-0. 10_mol/L. The mean erythrocyte GSH-Px activity of 15.1+/-2.4 U/g Hb and 20.7+/-3.7U/g Hb of HIV-1 seropositive patients with CD4+ count of <200 lym/mm3 and 200-499 lym/mm3 respectively were significantly reduced (P<0.001) compared with 31.5+/-4.5 U/g Hb for the control. Our results clearly show that there is reduced scavenging antioxidant i.e Selenium and GSH-Px which will lead to oxidative stress in the HIV-1 patients when compared with controls, and decrease significantly with the progression of disease, i.e. AIDS<symptomatics<asymptomatics<controls. HIV-1 subtype variants have no significant influence in both parameters. CONCLUSION The inclusion of selenium micronutrient which is essential for the activity of erythrocyte GSH-Px as an adjuvant in the management of HIV seropositive patients to prevent additional damage that can be caused by free radicals will be of immense benefit.
Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease and overview of pathogenesis.

INCIDENCE Incidence is defined as the number of new cases of a disease in a defined population occurring within a specified period of time. Population-based studies conducted in the US and designed to evaluate the incidence rate of IBD have been limited. Between 1990 and 2000 the incidence rate of UC and CD in Olmsted County, MN was estimated to be 8.8 and 7.9 per 100,000 personyears, respectively.2 In 2003, the population of the US and Canada was approximately 320 million people. Loftus et al. determined that between 7000 and 46,000 residents of the US and Canada are newly diagnosed with UC each year. In addition, 10,000 to 47,000 residents of the US and Canada are diagnosed with CD annually.1 (Table 1)2-18
The Genre of School Music and its Shaping by Meso, Micro, and Macro Contexts

The meaning of any kind of music is inseparable from the conditions under which it is generated and experienced. The understanding of "school music" as a genre requires the understanding of the contexts that shape and define it. Contexts affect both what teachers teach and how they teach, shaping explicit and implicit messages and values. In this paper, I focus on the meso, institutional context-- the structures and goals of the school system--, as they interact with the micro context -- teachers' commitments and expertise--, and the macro context-- the larger cultural and societal values.
The distribution of GABA‐containing perikarya, fibers, and terminals in the forebrain and midbrain of pigeons, with particular reference to the basal ganglia and its projection targets

Immunohistochemical techniques were used to study the distributions of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in pigeon forebrain and midbrain to determine the organization of GABAergic systems in these brain areas in birds. In the basal ganglia, numerous medium‐sized neurons throughout the striatum were labeled for GABA, while pallidal neurons, as well as a small population of large, aspiny striatal neurons, labeled for GAD and GABA. GAD+ and GABA+ fibers and terminals were abundant throughout the basal ganglia, and GABAergic fibers were found in all extratelencephalic targets of the basal ganglia. Most of these targets also contained numerous GABAergic neurons. In pallial regions, approximately 10‐12% of the neurons were GABAergic. The outer rind of the pallium was more intensely labeled for GABAergic fibers than the core. The olfactory tubercle region, the ventral pallidum, and the hypothalamus were extremely densely labeled for GABAergic fibers, while GABAergic neurons were unevenly distributed in the hypothalamus. GABAergic neurons and fibers were abundant in the dorsalmost part of thalamus and the dorsal geniculate region, while GABAergic neurons and fibers were sparse (or lightly labeled) in the thalamic nuclei rotundus, triangularis, and ovoidalis. Further, GABAergic neurons were abundant in the superficial tectal layers, the magnocellular isthmic nucleus, the inferior colliculus, the intercollicular region, the central gray, and the reticular formation. GABAergic fibers were particularly abundant in the superficial tectal layers, the parvocellular isthmic nucleus, the inferior colliculus, the intercol‐licular region, the central gray, and the interpeduncular nucleus. These results suggest that GABA plays a role as a neurotransmitter in nearly all fore‐ and midbrain regions of birds, and in many instances the observed distributions of GABAergic neurons and fibers closely resemble the patterns seen in mammals, as well as in other vertebrates. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a New Energy Recycling Hydraulic Lift Cylinder for Forwarders

In mechanized forestry, much of the work is conducted by use of cranes, and recovering potential energy is a possible method to reduce energy consumption when using cranes for lift work. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of a new »Energy-efficient hydraulic lift cylinder« (EHLC), which has a secondary cylinder built into its piston rod, to store potential energy from lowering the boom in the form of pressurized hydraulic oil in an accumulator and using the stored energy in the next boom lift. The EHLC was mounted on a forwarder, and manipulated to enable its use also as a standard cylinder. We then compared the EHLC and a standard cylinder in terms of function and energy consumption during repetitive boom lifts and lowerings. With the tested settings the EHLC saved up to approximately 9.4% of the energy consumed during the first part of boom lifts and up to 3.2% of the total lift energy. With possible further adjustments, such as optimization of the accumulator size, enlargement of the assisting cylinder diameter, and enhancement of the accumulator pressurization, but most importantly reduction in internal leakage, the current EHLC could have commercial potential.
A placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with irritability associated with autistic disorder.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of irritability in children and adolescents with autistic disorder. METHOD Two hundred eighteen children and adolescents (aged 6-17 years) with a diagnosis of autistic disorder, and with behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, self-injurious behavior, or a combination of these symptoms, were randomized 1:1:1:1 to aripiprazole (5, 10, or 15 mg/day) or placebo in this 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Efficacy was evaluated using the caregiver-rated Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability subscale (primary efficacy measure) and the clinician-rated Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. RESULTS At week 8, all aripiprazole doses produced significantly greater improvement than placebo in mean Aberrant Behavior Checklist Irritability subscale scores (5 mg/day, -12.4; 10 mg/day, -13.2; 15 mg/day, -14.4; versus placebo, -8.4; all p < .05). All aripiprazole doses demonstrated significantly greater improvements in mean Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score than placebo at week 8. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were as follows: placebo 7.7%, aripiprazole 5 mg/day 9.4%, 10 mg/day 13.6%, and 15 mg/day 7.4%. The most common adverse event leading to discontinuation was sedation. There were two serious adverse events: presyncope (5 mg/day) and aggression (10 mg/day). At week 8, mean weight change (last observation carried forward) was as follows: placebo +0.3 kg, aripiprazole 5 mg/day +1.3 kg, 10 mg/day +1.3 kg, and 15 mg/day +1.5 kg; all p < . 05 versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS Aripiprazole was efficacious and generally safe and well tolerated in the treatment of children and adolescents with irritability associated with autistic disorder.
Bleeding peptic ulcer.

Peptic ulcer is the most common cause of acute hemorrhage in the upper gastrointestinal tract, accounting for about 50 percent of cases1–14. There are approximately 150,000 hospitalizations per year in the United States for evaluation and treatment of bleeding ulcers (based on 1985 estimates and excluding federal hospitals)15. Although hospitalization and surgery for uncomplicated ulcers have decreased in the United States and Europe over the past 20 to 30 years, the number of hospital admissions for hemorrhage associated with ulcers has remained relatively unchanged15–17. It is noteworthy that the incidence of bleeding ulcers appears to .
Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a useful technique to diagnose lesions that are located in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Aassessment the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal diseases in comparison to other imaging techniques in Egypt. 62 patients with upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic lesions who underwent EUS for further detection or confirmation of the diagnosis. The participants were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory tests (S. albumin, ALT,AST,CBC,.etc). abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography. Endoscopy was done according to the presenting complaint and site of lesion, patients were subjected to either an upper gastrointestinal (GIT) endoscopy or an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The included patients were 36 males (58.1%) and 26 females (41.9%) with mean age 51.84±13.39 years. Obstructive jaundice was the most common presenting complaint (30 patients, 48.4%), vomiting (9 patients, 14.5%), hematemesis (8 patients, 12.9%), epigastric pain (6 patients, 9.7%), dysphagia (3 patients, 4.8%), and elevated tumor markers (3 patients, 4.8%). CT was more accurate in detecting pancreatic lesions especially focal lesions in head of pancreas. EUS was significantly more accurate than abdominal CT in diagnosing esophageal and gastric submucosal lesions, 15 patients all were detected by EUS (100%) while only 9 patients were detected by using abdominal CT (60%) (x24.7, p < 0.05). Out of 40 cases confirmed diagnosis by histopathology, EUS alone missed 3 cases with sensitivity 96%, specificity 85%, PPV 92%, NPV 92% and accuracy 92% in detecting upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic lesions. EUS is a sensitive diagnostic tool of upper GI and pancreatic lesions with overall accuracy of 92%.
Gray Scale and Power Doppler Study of Biopsy‐Proven Kikuchi Disease

Kikuchi disease is a benign, self‐limiting cause of cervical lymphadenopathy. It can show sonographic features similar to those of other common causes of lymphadenopathy. The purpose of this study was to characterize the sonographic features of Kikuchi disease that can contribute in differentiating between Kikuchi disease and other diseases causing cervical lymphadenopathy.
Dutch psychogeriatric day-care centers: a qualitative study of the needs and wishes of carers

ABSTRACT Background: In the past day-care facilities for people with dementia were developed with little input from the users. As these facilities play an increasingly important role in the lives of the growing number of community-living persons with dementia and their caregivers, it now seems obvious to incorporate users' perspectives when establishing or optimizing day care. This study addresses the needs and wishes of informal caregivers when providing skilled psychogeriatric day-care in the Netherlands. Method: This is a qualitative, exploratory study, based on interviews with family caregivers and professional focus groups as the primary data source. Results: Using data from the interviews, the needs and wishes of carers were classed into three general domains: (1) approach to care – relating to shared and tailored care and confidence in professionals as well as the facility as important themes; (2) professional expertise – relating to the carers' need for education and information regarding dementia, available resources, as well as cooperation between professionals; and (3) the day program – concerning the content and structure of the day care. Conclusions: The interviews with the caregivers suggest that the relationship with day-care personnel is an important aspect of psychogeriatric day-care. Caregivers have high expectations regarding the expertise of professionals, but seem to be unaware of available resources and services. Professionals should play a more active role in providing education, advice and support. Above all, the attendees must have a positive experience of the day-care facilities and its activities.
Dopamine measurements in molluscan ganglia and neurons using a new, sensitive assay

DOPAMINE is the principal catecholamine found in the molluscan CNS, and its role as a neurotransmitter has been studied in various species (see reviews by WELSH, 1972; GERSCHENFELD, 1973; KEHOE & MARDER, 1976). Using histofluorescence techniques, only specific neurons show a green fluorescence characteristic of DA. Biochemical studies have demonstrated the presence both of appropriate biosynthetic enzyme systems and of specific uptake mechanisms. Electrophysiological studies have described different receptors for DA in various neurons which mediate excitatory, inhibitory, or mixed responses. The most convincing evidence for a neurotransmitter role for DA was provided by studies of the giant DA-containing neuron (GDC) and its postsynaptic neurons in the pond snail, Planorbis corneus (see review by BERRY & PENTREATH, 1978). In this communication we have used a new, ultrasensitive radiochemical assay (MCCAMAN et a/., submitted for publication) to measure DA in the ganglia and in individual neurons of several marine and fresh water gastropod molluscs: Aplysia californica, Tritonia diomedia, Lymnaea stagnalis, and Helisoma trioolis. Neurons containing measurable amounts of DA were found only in the pedal ganglia of the fresh water species, Lymnaea and Helisoma and are probably homologous to the G D C described in Planorbis.
14 Stratification of Patients with Follicular Lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoid neoplasm that is derived from mutated germinal center B cells and exhibits a nodular or follicular histologic pattern. It is typically composed of a mixture of small, cleaved follicle center cells referred to as centrocytes and large noncleaved follicular center cells referred to as centroblasts. FL accounts for about 20 % of all lymphomas with the highest incidence in the USA and Western Europe. In Asia and in the developing countries the incidence is much lower [1].
Remote sensing assisted multi-level crop acreage estimation — An application of small area estimation in Heilongjiang province

The planted acreage estimation for major crops by using remote sensing is typically combine the sample data from ground survey with information derived from image classification, and the common applied approaches are regression estimator by using linear model and calibration estimator by using confusion matrix. In general, the crop acreage estimation for provincial level in China only satisfied the precision for the target population and could not disaggregate to small areas, such as county and town level statistics. In recent years, the small area estimation is extended its application to agricultural statistics, so that by building a small area model it is applicable to estimate the sub-population or domains. This paper is adopted small area estimation approach to estimate crop acreage at county level in Heilongjiang province, China by combining image classification and ground survey data of year 2011. First, the scheme of sample selection for ground survey and method of remote sensing classification for crops in Heilongjiang province is introduced. Historical Landsat TM images in recent years are used to extract cropland to construct area frame, and then a stratified two stage sampling is adopted to select samples for ground survey. Some real Landsat TM images in early August of year 2011 as a key phenological period are used to discriminate major crops(corn, rice and soybean) by ML for entire province. Second, for the purpose of multi-level crop acreage estimation, we expect that the aggregation of county level estimates are equal to the estimate for entire province based on regression estimation. To meet this constraint, this paper is adopted a basic level small area model with fixed effects so that the sum of county estimates could be added up to the estimate of provincial total. The fitted model in the case of Heilongjiang province is in the form of a multi-response multiple regression. Third, the precision in terms of MSE of the estimates for corn, rice and soybean derived from small area model are illustrated, the coefficient of variation of estimates for these three major crops on county level average are relatively small and acceptable in practice. Finally, we discuss the model fitness of small area model, which are relevant to sample design for ground survey and form of model setting. In conclusion, it is efficient and robust to estimate sub-provincial crop acreage by adopting small area model if model itself is statistical sounding.
Mimicry of human IgE epitopes by anti-idiotypic antibodies1

Abstract According to Jerne’s network hypothesis, the binding site of an anti-idiotypic antibody also represents the internal image of an epitope present on a foreign, or even a self antigen. In recent years, antigen mimicry has been defined at the molecular level for some xeno-antigens. However, until now there has been no demonstration of structural mimicry between a human anti-idiotypic antibody and a self structure. To address this question, we used human IgE as the self structure and a well-defined anti-human IgE mAb (BSW17). We describe the isolation of two anti- idiotypic antibodies specific for the anti-IgE antibody BSW17 from a non-immune human Fab phage display library. Interestingly, these two anti-idiotypic antibodies mimic the same molecular surface region as a previously described IgE peptide mimotope isolated by panning on BSW17, but they cover a much larger epitope on the IgE molecule. Accordingly, immunisation of rabbits with the two anti-idiotypic antibodies induced high-affinity antibodies with the same characteristics as BSW17. Thus, our data demonstrate that it is possible to isolate anti-idiotypic antibodies derived from the human genome without the need for hyperimmunisation, and confirm Jerne’s hypothesis that both foreign antigens and self structures can be mimicked by our own immunoglobulins.
Promoter Hypermethylation of FHIT and P14 Genes in OSCC Patients among North Indian Population

Cancer is the leading cause for death worldwide causing millions of death. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one the leading cancers causing mortality across the world. Major cause for oral cancer is the smoking, chewing of tobacco and alcohol consumption. It has been found that epigenetic changes are also responsible for the oral cancer. These are caused due to environmental and dietary factors. FHIT is a tumor suppressor gene which gets hypermethylated due to several factors. It was observed that the FHIT hypermethylation was found to be significant in the north Indian population (p-value= 0.0007). FHIT hypermethylation was observed in 55% (22 out of 40) of the samples. It was also found to be significant with respect to all the three risk factors. This statistical calculation was done through Epiinfo 7.2 software. However p14 hypermethylation was not found to be significant in OSCC patients among north Indian population. This is the first report on the promoter hypermethylation of FHIT gene in OSCC patients among north Indian population.
Assessing Children's Progress in Taking Intellectual Risks in a Mathematical Inquiry Classroom with a Positive Learning Approach.

Intellectual risk is valued among 21st century skills. Three primary teachers who promoted positive learning within mathematical inquiry collaborated with researchers to design and apply a rubric to assess children’s progress in taking intellectual risks twice during the year. Results suggest that handling setbacks and giving feedback to peers were the most challenging skills initially, but showed significant gains by the end of the year. Teacher interviews discussed challenges that students faced and how positive classroom culture encouraged intellectual risk.
Real Misvaluation Externalities

We show that the misvaluation of a firm affects the investment of related firms, which we call real misvaluation externalities. We estimate that firms significantly reduce investment when their peers’ stock prices fall due to exogenous fire sales triggered by mutual funds redemptions, as predicted by a model in which managers rely on stock prices a source of information but cannot perfectly filter out noise in prices. The model also implies that the investment-to-noise sensitivity should be stronger when peers’ prices are more informative, and weaker when managers are better informed. We also find support for these predictions. Overall, our results provide a new channel through which non-fundamental shocks to stock prices influence the real economy. ∗University of Toronto, HEC Paris, University of Maryland, and Princeton University, respectively. Dessaint can be reached at olivier.dessaint@rotman.utoronto. ca, Foucault can be reached at foucault@hec.fr, Frésard can be reached at lfresard@rhsmith.umd. edu, Matray can be reached at amatray@princeton.edu. For helpful comments, we thank Denis Gromb, Clemens Otto, Andrei Shleifer, as well as seminar participants at the University of Montreal. All errors are the authors alone.
Acquisition of immunity to Eimeria maxima in newly hatched chickens reared on new or reused litter

The acquisition of immunity by chickens infected 18 h post-hatch with 100 oocysts of Eimeria maxima and reared in floor-pens in contact with their droppings was investigated. In the first experiment, birds were placed on new litter and immunity was measured at 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks by calculation of weight gain from days 0 to 7 following challenge with 100000 oocysts or by oocyst production in the faeces from days 5 to 8 following challenge with 500 oocysts. In the second experiment, birds were placed on new litter or reused litter from the first experiment (1 week after birds from the first experiment had been removed when 6 weeks of age), and were challenged at 1, 2, and 3 weeks of age. In the first experiment, immunity had developed in birds challenged at 3, 4, and 5 weeks, judged by weight gain and oocyst production, but immunity was not complete at 2 weeks. In the second experiment, immunity had developed in birds challenged at 1, 2, and 3 weeks measured by either criterion. In both experiments, birds produced small numbers of oocysts in their faeces following challenge. Judged by the weight gain following challenge, no significant difference in the acquisition of immunity was observed whether birds were reared on new or reused litter.