Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunologic parameters 2 years after high-titer measles immunization in Peruvian children.

Immunization with high-titer measles vaccines has been associated with excess mortality in children 2-4 years after vaccination. In this study, immunologic parameters in 64 Peruvian children who had been immunized an average of 27 months earlier with high-titer vaccines were compared with parameters in 76 recipients of low-titer vaccines. Delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte phenotype distributions by flow cytometry, and lymphoproliferation after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation were assessed. High-titer recipients had smaller indurations to tetanus, diphtheria, and Proteus (P < .05) antigens, decreased PHA stimulation (P = .04), and a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .04) than low-titer recipients. After adjustment for sex, concurrent illnesses, and other variables in regression analyses, high-titer recipients had a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .025) and decreased lymphocyte proliferation to PHA (P = .058). These results may provide a clue to the pathogenesis of delayed excess mortality after high-titer measles vaccination in some developing countries.
Technique analysis of the kuda and sila serves in sepaktakraw

The aims of this study were to gain insights on sepaktakraw serves, identify technique differences, and establish factors influencing ball speeds. The best successful kuda and sila serves of nine elite male national sepaktakraw players were captured using seven ProReflex 1000 optical cameras operating at 240 Hz. The kuda and sila serves are non-planar kicking techniques exhibiting a non proximal-to-distal sequence. Differences in kicking kinematics (P < 0.05) signify differences between techniques. Compared with the sila, the kuda kicking limb is a longer rigid segment that moves over a greater range of motion. Together with a greater increase in foot and shank angular accelerations approaching ball contact, this leads to marginally higher kuda foot impact speeds. Since foot speeds were not at their peak during impact, a longer rigid kuda kicking limb was the primary determinant of kuda ball release speeds. Greater range of motion enables the longer rigid kuda lever to generate greater kicking angular momentum, resulting in greater impact impulse. This immediately translated to the significantly higher ball release speeds based on the impulse–momentum relationship. Coaching implications include improving hip joint flexibility and working on a fluid movement of a longer rigid segment kicking technique.
The relationship between unemployment rate and the size of the shadow economy. The case of United States

The paper aims to investigate the nature of the relationship between unemployment rate(UR) and the size of the U.S.A. shadow economy(SE) measured as % of official GDP for the period 1980*2009, using cointegration and granger causality tests. The size of the shadow economy estimated using the MIMIC model is decreasing over the last two periods, achieving the value of about 7.3% of official GDP at the middle of 2009. The empirical results point out the existence of a long*run relationship between the variables and a unidirectional causation that runs from unemployment rate to shadow economy. We extend the classical Okun's law, in order to estimate the relationship between growth rate of official economy, unemployment rate and the size of the shadow economy. The results reveal a significant direct relationship between shadow economy and the unemployment rate and an indirect relation between shadow economy and growth of official sector.
Long term care staff beliefs about evidence based practices for the management of dementia and agitation

Despite a growing literature on effective interventions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and agitation, the management of these conditions in long term care (LTC) often is inadequate. The goals of the present study were: (a) to evaluate existing beliefs about evidence based practices (EBP) for the management of Alzheimer's disease and agitation among LTC staff; and (b) to evaluate the contribution of demographic and attitudinal variables to LTC staff beliefs about these EBP.
Does obstructive sleep apnea impair the cardiopulmonary response to exercise?

STUDY OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary exercise performance in lean and obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with controls. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING The study was carried out in Sao Paulo Sleep Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS INDIVIDUALS WITH SIMILAR AGES WERE ALLOCATED INTO GROUPS: 22 to the lean OSA group, 36 to the lean control group, 31 to the obese OSA group, and 26 to the obese control group. INTERVENTIONS The participants underwent a clinical evaluation, polysomnography, a maximum limited symptom cardiopulmonary exercise test, two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, and spirometry. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The apnea-hypopnea index, arousal index, lowest arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and time of SaO2 < 90% were different among the groups. There were differences in functional capacity based on the following variables: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), P < 0.01 and maximal carbon dioxide production (VCO2max), P < 0.01. The obese patients with OSA and obese controls presented significantly lower VO2max and VCO2max values. However, the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and anaerobic threshold (AT) did not differ between groups. Peak diastolic blood pressure (BP) was higher among the obese patients with OSA but was not accompanied by changes in peak systolic BP and heart rate (HR). When multiple regression was performed, body mass index (P < 0.001) and male sex in conjunction with diabetes (P < 0.001) independently predicted VO2max (mL/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that obesity alone and sex, when associated with diabetes but not OSA, influenced exercise cardiorespiratory function.
Clinical and radiological correlates of reduced cerebral blood flow measured using magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND Methods for determining cerebral blood flow (CBF) using bolus-tracking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have recently become available. Reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of brain tissue are associated with reductions in regional CBF in animal stroke models. OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical and radiological features of patients with severe reductions in CBF on MRI and to analyze the relationship between reduced CBF and ADCs in acute ischemic stroke. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Referral center. METHODS We studied 17 patients with nonlacunar acute ischemic stroke in whom perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were performed within 7 hours of symptom onset. A PWI-DWI mismatch of more than 20% was required. We compared patients with ischemic lesions that had CBF of less than 50% relative to the contralateral hemisphere with patients with lesions that had relative CBF greater than 50%. Characteristics analyzed included age, time to MRI, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, mean ADC, DWI and PWI lesion volumes, and 1-month Barthel Index score. RESULTS Patients with low CBF (n = 5) had lower ADC values (median, 430 x 10 (-6) mm(2)/s vs. 506 x 10 (-6) mm(2)/s; P =. 04), larger DWI volumes (median, 41.8 cm(3) vs. 14.5 cm(3); P =. 001) and larger PWI lesions as defined by the mean transit time volume (median, 194.6 cm(3) vs. 69.3 cm(3); P =. 01), and more severe baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (median, 15 vs. 9; P =.02). CONCLUSION Ischemic lesions with severe CBF reductions, measured using bolus-tracking MRI, are associated with lower mean ADCs, larger DWI and PWI volumes, and higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores.
Anti-implantation activity of some indigenous plants in rats.

Various extracts of one hundred and eight medicinal plants were screened for their anti-implantation activity in female albino rats. Out of these, 50% ethanolic extract of Codonospis ovata Benth (PL); 50% ethanolic, acetone and benzene extracts of Puararia tuberosa DC (TUB); aqueous and methanolic extracts of Punica granatum Linn. (PX) and ethanolic and acetone extracts of Rubus ellipiticus Smith (PX) inhibited pregnancy in 70-90% of rats. Similarly ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees (LF) and Kigelia pinnata DC (PL); ethanolic and acetone extracts of Acrostichum aureum Linn. (PL), Juniperus communis Linn. (SD), Lepidium capitatum H.f. & T. (PL); ethanolic and benzene extracts of Citrulus colocynthus Schrad (LF) and acetone extract of Codonopsis ovata Benth (PL) showed 60-70% anti-implantation activity. Extracts of a few plants VIZ. Dolichos biflorus Linn. (SD), Ferule orientalis Linn. (PL), Nerium odoratum Lamk (RT), Randia dumetorum Lamk (SD) and Ruta graveolens Linn. (PL) could inhibit pregnancy in 50-60% of rats. The rest of the plants were either inactive or showed insignificant antifertility activity.
Attitude of farmers towards Non-Governmental Extension Organisations in Oyo-State, Nigeria

The study examined the attitude of farmers towards non-governmental extension organisations (NGEOs) in Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to choose 160 respondents. Data were collected through interview schedule and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics at p=0.05. More than one-third of the respondents were in the age bracket of 41-50years, majority were males (67.5%), 76.9% had ten years of formal education and 81.9% were married. Only 28.8% cultivated between 2.43-4.05hectares, 23.7% had more than 20years of farming experience and 65.0% grew cash crop. Majority (86.3%) of the respondents were aware of NGEOs through radio and FADU was ranked 1st followed by Leventis as the most prominent NGEOs. Greater percentage (93.7%) was willing to pay for the services of the organizations. However, 82.5% could only afford between N 1,000.00– N 10,000.00/month. Prohibitive cost of services provided (mean = 0.719) was the major limiting factors to respondents’ willingness to access services of NGEOs. Notwithstanding, 57.5% had favourable attitude towards NGEOs. There was significant relationship between years of formal education (r=0.346), years of farming experience (r=0.187), marital status (χ 2 =25.47), primary occupation (χ 2 =10.016) and attitude towards NGEOs. Also, type of crops grown (χ 2 =4.32), willingness to pay (χ 2 =9.525), number of hectares under cultivation (r=0.171), source of information (r=0.519) and constraints to using NGOE services (r=0.428) had significant relationships with respondents’ attitude towards NGEOs. Synergies and collaboration between governmental and NGEOs become imperative for efficient and effective delivery of extension services. Key words: Non-governmental extension organization, attitude of farmers
Sustained and therapeutic levels of human factor IX in hemophilia B mice implanted with microcapsules: key role of encapsulated cells

A gene therapy delivery system based on microcapsules enclosing recombinant cells engineered to secrete a therapeutic protein was explored in this study. In order to prevent immune rejection of the delivered cells, they were enclosed in non‐antigenic biocompatible alginate microcapsules prior to being implanted intraperitoneally into mice. We have shown that encapsulated C2C12 myoblasts can temporarily deliver therapeutic levels of factor IX (FIX) in mice, but the C2C12 myoblasts elicited an immune response to FIX. In this study we report the use of mouse fetal G8 myoblasts secreting hFIX in hemophilia mice.
Semantic categorization and reading skill across Dutch primary grades: development yes, relationship no*

ABSTRACT In the present study, the development of semantic categorization and its relationship with reading was investigated across Dutch primary grade students. Three Exemplar-level tasks (Experiment 1) and two Superordinate-level tasks (Experiment 2) with different types of distracters (phonological, semantic and perceptual) were administered to assess semantic categorization skills. Reading was measured with a standardized word-reading test. Results of both experiments demonstrated that children in the higher grades had shorter reaction times and fewer errors than children in the lower grades. Reading skill, however, was not related to semantic categorization performance. Moreover, neither grade level nor reading skill was related to the effect of distracter type on error percentages. Based on the results of this study, we suggest a substantial development of semantic categorization skills over time, and reject the notion that Dutch poor readers have less advanced semantic categorization skills than typical readers.
Partisan Inconsistency and Partisan Change in Federal States: The Case of Canada

Recent research on partisan instability has shown that party identification is endogenous to candidate, issue, and other transient forces in the electoral arena. This paper uses 1974, 1979, and 1980 Canadian national panel data to argue that federalism may enhance tendencies toward partisan change net of issue, candidate, or other effects. By increasing the number of arenas in which interparty conflict occurs, a federal system permits and perhaps encourages voters to develop different party identifications at national and subnational levels of government. Such patterns of party identification, in turn, accentuate the probability of subsequent partisan change at both levels. This finding cautions that orientations toward political parties cannot be properly understood without reference to the structural properties of a polity.
Suppression of proHB-EGF Carboxy-Terminal Fragment Nuclear Translocation: A New Molecular Target Therapy for Gastric Cancer

Purpose: Inactivation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) represents a promising strategy for the development of selective therapies against epithelial cancers and has been extensively studied as a molecular target for cancer therapy. However, little attention has been paid to remnant cell-associated domains created by cleavage of EGFR ligands. The present study focused on recent findings that cleavage of membrane-anchored heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (proHB-EGF), an EGFR ligand, induces translocation of the carboxyl-terminal fragment (CTF) of HB-EGF from the plasma membrane to the nucleus and regulates cell cycle. Experimental Design: Two gastric cancer cell lines, MKN28 and NUGC4, were used. KB-R7785, an inhibitor of proHB-EGF shedding, was used to suppress HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation with cetuximab, which inhibits EGFR phosphorylation. Cell growth was analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt assay, apoptosis was evaluated by assay of caspase-3 and caspase-7, and cell cycle was investigated by flow cytometry. Results: Immunofluorescence study confirmed that KB-R7785 inhibited HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation under conditions of proHB-EGF shedding induction by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in gastric cancer cells. KB-R7785 inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and high-dose KB-R7785 induced apoptosis. Moreover, KB-R7785 induced cell cycle arrest and increased sub-G1 DNA content. KB-R7785 suppressed cyclin A and c-Myc expression. All effects of KB-R7785 were reinforced by combination with cetuximab. Conclusions: These results suggest that both inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation and inhibition of HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation play crucial roles in inhibitory regulation of cancer cell growth. Suppression of HB-EGF-CTF nuclear translocation might offer a new strategy for treating gastric cancer.
Heat generation during implant drilling: the significance of motor speed.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to measure the heat generated from 3 drilling speeds (1,225, 1,667, and 2,500 rpm) using the armamentarium of 4 implant systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS The mean rise in temperature, the time of drilling, and the time needed for pig jaw bone to return to the baseline temperature were monitored using 4 thermocouple technology. RESULTS The mean rise in temperature, the time of drilling, and the time needed for the specimens to return to the baseline temperature were lower at 2,500 rpm than at 1,667 or 1,225 rpm (P < or =.05), regardless of the system used. The rpm also directly correlated to the amount of time the bone remained at an elevated temperature. CONCLUSION From a heat generation standpoint, we conclude that preparing an implant site at 2500 rpm could decrease the risk of osseous damage, which may affect the initial healing of dental implants. This may decrease the devital zone adjacent to an implant after surgery and be most advantageous in immediate load application to dental implants.
Integration and Efficiency Convergence in European Life Insurance Markets

This study examines the impact of integration on the efficiency of European Union (EU) life insurance markets for the post deregulation period 1998-2007. To assess the effects of deregulation, we first estimate cost and revenue efficiencies by applying the metafrontier data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, which facilitates efficiency comparisons across countries. In the second stage, we test the degree of inter-country convergence as well as cross sectional dispersion by using panel data models. Our findings show that efficiencies have converged and that the dispersion of mean efficiency scores across countries has been reduced, providing evidence of integration in the EU life insurance market. Results also show the β-convergence and σ-convergence in metatechnology efficiency ratios suggesting that technological discrepancy among the life insurance markets of major EU countries has decreased. We also find that financial market development, legal and governmental systems, as well as competitive intensity affect insurance market performance and integration.
Societal Change, Care Need and Long-Term Care Workforce in Selected European Countries

This paper aims to show the impact of societal change on the demand and supply of long-term care workforce. As age is the major driver of the need for care the growth in the number of elderly and oldest old will increase the demand for long-term care workforce. Caregiving to the elderly is predominantly the task of the family in almost all European countries. However, the majority of European countries provide some kind of formal care either in institutions, at home or as cash benefits. The amount of provided publicly financed long-term care services and the required formal workforce spread widely across the European countries depending on the long-term care system and the financial resources. We selected five countries: Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovakia which represent different long-term care systems and financial resources. In all studied countries the demand for long-term care workforce will increase significantly. Although also the informal care giving potential aged 50+ is expected to increase, the increase in the demand for formal care workforce is projected to be higher than the supply. The current shortage of nursing and caring personnel will be strengthened. This requires an expansion of recruitment and retention strategies.
ABSORPTION OF SHED I‐Ak AND H‐2Kk ANTIGENS BY LYMPHOID CELLS

The fate of cell surface I-Ak and H-2Kk antigens shed by murine spleen cells in culture was studied by incubation of nonlabeled spleen cells or splenic T or B cells with culture fluids containing shed radiolabeled alloantigens. Approximately 30 to 40% of the shed alloantigens could be absorbed by syngeneic or allogeneic murine T cells, B cells, or macrophages, but not by heterologous erythrocytes or human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Absorption was dependent on temperature and lipids associated with the shed glycoproteins. Once absorbed, the alloantigens were catabolized by the absorbing cells with a half-life of approximately 4 hr. It is suggested that absorption of shed cell surface alloantigens may be a vehicle for intercellular communication in the immune system.
Development and validation of a brief Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Nurses.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses Scale. BACKGROUND Coping self-efficacy beliefs are defined as self-appraisals of capabilities to cope with environmental demands. People with higher levels of coping self-efficacy beliefs tend to approach challenging situations in an active and persistent way, whereas those with lower levels of coping self-efficacy beliefs tend to direct greater energy to managing increasing emotional distress. METHOD In 2006, 1383 nurses completed the following measures: Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Nurses, Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations Short Form and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Based on a randomized split of the data, we conducted exploratory factor analysis on group 1 data (n = 691) and confirmatory factor analysis within the framework of structural equation modelling on group 2 data (n = 692). FINDINGS The exploratory results revealed two factors: Coping Self-Efficacy to cope with the occupational burden (Cronbach alpha = 0.77) and Coping Self-Efficacy to cope with the relational burden (alpha = 0.79). In the confirmatory group, the two-factor structure was tested against an alternative one-factor structure and confirmed as the best solution. Correlation patterns between the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses Scales, and both coping and burnout variables, supported the criterion-related validity of the Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy for Nurses dimensions. CONCLUSION Nurses can have two basic and distinct coping self-efficacy beliefs: beliefs about occupational burden and beliefs about relational difficulties in the workplace. Research is needed into how efficacy evaluations shift as a result of specific stress management interventions.
Somatic symptoms in consultation-liaison psychiatry

Abstract In medically ill patients the term ‘somatic symptoms’ is used to understand those symptoms which cannot be fully understood in the light of existing medical illness(es). These include a number of physical symptoms and also certain clinical syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome among others. However, it is increasingly recognized that such patients have larger degrees of psychological morbidities, especially depressive and anxiety disorders, and have disproportionately elevated rates of medical care utilization, including outpatient visits, hospitalizations and total healthcare costs. In view of this psychological morbidity, significant distress and functional impairment, the role of the consultation-liaison psychiatrist is prominent in the management of these patients. A consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatrist is expected to be part of the primary care team to manage patient with unexplained SS, and at the same time is expected to guide colleagues to practice a patient-centred approach to improve the outcome of patients with such symptoms. The clinical work of a CL psychiatrist involves evaluation of patients with medically unexplained symptoms for probable psychiatric disorders and treatment of psychiatric morbidity and also management of patients without psychiatric morbidity. Management strategies include reattribution, cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants, with each strategy showing varying degrees of success.