Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Provision of Micronutrient Powder in Response to the Cyclone Sidr Emergency in Bangladesh: Cross-Sectional Assessment at the end of the Intervention

Background Micronutrient powder has been endorsed as an effective means to improve the micronutrient status of emergency-affected populations. Objective To document the experience and findings of a cross-sectional assessment of the micronutrient powder program implemented as part of the emergency response to Cyclone Sidr. Methods Micronutrient powder was distributed to 100,714 children under 5 years of age and 59,439 pregnant or lactating women severely affected by Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional assessment, including hemoglobin and anthropometric measurements, was conducted after the completion of the micronutrient powder program among children under 5 years of age, lactating mothers, and postmenarcheal adolescent girls in the intervention area. Comparison groups for each, drawn from the control area, which had not received micronutrient powder, were assessed at the same time. Results The prevalence of anemia among children under 5 years of age was approximately 80% in both areas. Among children in the intervention area, those who consumed at least 75% of the micronutrient powder sachets had a lower prevalence of stunting than those who consumed less than 75% of the sachets (40% vs. 52%, p < .05). Among lactating mothers in the intervention area, the prevalence rates of thinness and anemia were lower among those who consumed at least 75% of the sachets than among those who consumed less than 75% of the sachets (thinness, 31% vs. 46%, p < .05; anemia, 50% vs. 61%, p = .07). For adolescent girls in the intervention and control areas, none of whom had received micronutrient powder, the prevalence rates of anemia were 52% and 45%, respectively (p = .05). Conclusions Micronutrient powder may reduce anemia among lactating mothers, when the compliance rate is high. Anemia prevalence prior to micronutrient powder distribution had not been investigated and could have been higher among children and lactating mothers in the intervention than in the control area, resulting in the negation of the potential positive impact of micronutrient powder on anemia.
Facet-controlled anatase TiO2 nanoparticles through various fluorine sources for superior photocatalytic activity

Reactive surface-exposed anatase TiO2 (a-TiO2) is highly desirable for applications requiring superior photocatalytic activity. In order to obtain a favorable surface, morphology control of the a-TiO2 using capping agents has been widely investigated. Herein, we systematically study the effects of different F sources (HF, TiF4, and NH4F) as the capping agent on the morphology control and photocatalytic activities of a-TiO2 in a hydrothermal process. When either HF or TiF4 was added, large truncated bipyramids formed with the photocatalytically active {001} facet, whereas the NH4F was not effective for facet control, yielding nanospheres similar to the pure a-TiO2. The morphology changes were related to the decomposition behaviors of the F sources in the solvent material: HF and TiF4 decomposed and supplied F− ions before a-TiO2 nucleation, which changed the nucleation rate and growth direction, leading to the resultant a-TiO2 morphology. On the other hand, NH4F supplied F− ions after a-TiO2 nucleation and could not change the growth behavior. In terms of the photocatalytic effect, the HF- and TiF4-treated a-TiO2 effectively decomposed ∼90% and ∼80% of methylene blue, respectively, in 1 h, while ∼60% was decomposed for the NH4F-treated a-TiO2. Note that pure a-TiO2 photocatalytically decomposed only ∼10% of methylene blue over the same time. These results pave the way to precise control of the facet of TiO2 through using different capping agents.
Alterations in human muscle protein metabolism with aging: Protein and exercise as countermeasures to offset sarcopenia

Aging is associated with a reduction in skeletal muscle mass—sarcopenia—the etiology of which is multifactorial. One mechanism is that aging has, as one of its hallmarks, a reduced sensitivity of skeletal muscle to the normally potent anabolic effects of protein feeding and resistance exercise, and to the anticatabolic effects of insulin, the combination of which has been termed “anabolic resistance. ” However, this reduced sensitivity of skeletal muscle to anabolic stimuli may, in some cases, be overcome by providing a greater quantity of the nutrition and/or exercise stimulus. Daily habitual physical activity appears to be a primary determinant of anabolic resistance as we have recently shown that as little as 14 days of reduced ambulatory activity was sufficient to induce anabolic resistance in the elderly by attenuating the postprandial increase in muscle protein synthesis (MPS). The etiology of anabolic resistance is complex and may include alterations in amino acid uptake/utilization, cell signaling status, muscle blood flow, and microvascular perfusion (impacting amino acid delivery and availability). Further, there appears to be sexual dimorphism with advancing age in the response of MPS to amino acid/insulin provision. Maintenance of physical activity during aging is of fundamental importance for skeletal muscle to allow it to appropriately respond to the anabolic effects of nutrition. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(2):199–205, 2014
Mathematical modeling for optimal deployment of in-building Distributed Antenna Systems

In-building Distributed Antenna System (IB-DAS) has been proved to be one of the most efficient methods to provide sufficient coverage and capacity for indoor users. The target of a successful IB-DAS deployment is to guarantee the coverage as well as the capacity of the in-building areas with minimum deployment cost. We consider the optimal deployment of the IB-DAS based on passive DAS in this paper. Mixed Integer Programming model has been developed for the topology design of IB-DAS through the optimal installation of power splitters in order to connect all the antennas with minimum cable cost, meanwhile, the transmit power at each antenna are kept within the satisfied level for the service guarantee. The model can deliver optimal solutions to systems with a practical size where passive DAS is commonly deployed. To improve the time efficiency, preprocessing has been done to integrate the building layout data into the modeling. Application of the model over realistic IB-DAS deployment has been conducted, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the model.
Efficacy of Intravenous Ondansetron for Prevention of Postspinal Shivering during Lower Segment Cesarean Section: A Double-Blinded Randomized Trial

Background and Aims: Elective lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia is frequently associated with shivering. Ondansetron has been shown to be effective for postspinal shivering. In the present study, we compare the efficacy of ondansetron to prevent postspinal shivering in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A total of eighty full-term parturients scheduled for elective lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. Group O received 8 mg/4 ml ondansetron, and Group S received 4 ml normal saline intravenously immediately before induction of spinal anesthesia. The level of sensory block, core body temperature, shivering score, and presence or absence of nausea and vomiting during the perioperative period, 1st and 5th min neonates Apgar scores were recorded. The data analysis was carried out with Z-test and Chi-square test. Results: Ten percent (4/40) of patients in Group O and 42.5% (17/40) of patients in Group S had Grade III shivering during the perioperative period and that was treated with intravenous injection tramadol (P = 0.001). Two patients (5%) in ondansetron and 19 patients (47.5%) in control group had nausea and vomiting (P < 0.001) and was treated with intravenous 10 mg metoclopramide. 1st and 5th min Apgar scores of neonates were not statistically different in the groups. Conclusions: Ondansetron is an effective way to prevent shivering, nausea and vomiting during lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia with no effect on Apgar score.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation and Anteromedialization for Isolated Patellar Articular Cartilage Lesions

Background: Isolated chondral lesions of the patella are particularly challenging to treat, and long-term studies of treated isolated patellar lesions are limited. Previous short-term studies have reported favorable outcomes of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of the patella and/or trochlea, with a trend toward improvement when anteromedialization (AMZ) of the tibial tubercle was performed with the procedure. Hypothesis: Autologous chondrocyte implantation with concomitant AMZ for symptomatic isolated patellar lesions provides functional and symptomatic improvement in patients at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Patients with failed primary treatment of isolated patellar full-thickness articular cartilage defects and patellofemoral malalignment who were treated with ACI and AMZ of the tibial tubercle at least 5 years prior were contacted for final postoperative outcome scores. Outcome scales including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System, and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) scores were assessed at baseline and final follow-up. Results: Of 27 eligible patients, 23 (25 knees) were available for assessment at a mean follow-up of 7.6 years (range, 5.1-11.4 years). Significant improvements from baseline to final follow-up were observed in the IKDC score (from 42.5 to 75.7; P < .0001), modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System score (from 3.0 to 7.0; P < .0001), Lysholm score (from 40.2 to 79.3; P < .0001), and SF-12 score (physical component score: from 41.2 to 47.6; P = .002; mental component score: from 48.1 to 60.7; P = .0001). Most patients (83%; 19/23) rated their surgery as good or excellent. The overall reoperation rate was 40% (10/25) largely because of periosteal hypertrophy (33%). One patient failed at 5.9 years postoperatively and underwent patellofemoral arthroplasty. Conclusion: Combined ACI and AMZ resulted in significant improvements in symptoms and function with a low incidence of adverse events in patients with isolated symptomatic patellar chondral defects after a mean follow-up of more than 7 years.
Prevalence of mental illness among Saudi adult primary-care patients in Central Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of mental illness morbidity among Saudi adult primary care patients from Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of the prevalence of mental illness morbidity in a randomly selected sample of 609 Saudi adult patients, aged from 15 years to 65 years who attended Family and Community Medicine Clinic, Armed Forces Hospital, Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from July 2000 to November 2000. The Rahim Anxiety-Depression Scale was used in the evaluation. RESULTS In this study, 609 Saudi patients were screened. Their mean age standard deviation was 33.72 13.39. Of these, 46.6% were men and 53.4% were women. The prevalence of the minor mental illness morbidity was 18.2%, (30.5% when the sub-threshold mental illness are included). It was significantly higher in women (22.2%) than men (13.7%) with p-value=0.0073. The prevalence rate was high in the younger age group, (p<0.0001). In patients aged 15 years to 29 years it was 23.2%, and in those aged between 30 years and 44 years it was 17.8%, whereas, in patients aged 45 years to 65 years the prevalence was 7.1%. Also, the rate was high in divorcees (40%) and widows (43.8%). The prevalence rate in patients with diabetes mellitus was 16% (p=0.562), with hypertension, 22.2% (p=0.303), and with bronchial asthma, 28.3% (p=0.008). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender and bronchial asthma were associated with mental illness. CONCLUSION Our study shows that one 3rd of primary health care patients have mental illness. Due to the high prevalence of mental illnesses among primary health care clinic attendants and screening for such problems by using Rahim Anxiety-Depression scale could be time consuming, exploring the psychiatric dimension and effect of diseases should be included during any consultation.
Matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and blood–brain barrier: Versatile breakers and makers

Matrix metalloproteinases are versatile endopeptidases with many different functions in the body in health and disease. In the brain, matrix metalloproteinases are critical for tissue formation, neuronal network remodeling, and blood–brain barrier integrity. Many reviews have been published on matrix metalloproteinases before, most of which focus on the two best studied matrix metalloproteinases, the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, and their role in one or two diseases. In this review, we provide a broad overview of the role various matrix metalloproteinases play in brain disorders. We summarize and review current knowledge and understanding of matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and at the blood–brain barrier in neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, cerebral aneurysms, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and brain cancer. We discuss the detrimental effects matrix metalloproteinases can have in these conditions, contributing to blood–brain barrier leakage, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, demyelination, tumor angiogenesis, and cancer metastasis. We also discuss the beneficial role matrix metalloproteinases can play in neuroprotection and anti-inflammation. Finally, we address matrix metalloproteinases as potential therapeutic targets. Together, in this comprehensive review, we summarize current understanding and knowledge of matrix metalloproteinases in the brain and at the blood–brain barrier in brain disorders.
Structural and functional abnormalities of the insular cortex in trigeminal neuralgia: a multimodal magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Abstract Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder characterized by intense, lancinating attacks of facial pain. Increasing evidence suggests that TN is accompanied by abnormalities in brain morphology, white matter microstructure, and function. However, whether these abnormalities are linked or reflect independent etiologies remains unknown. Using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging data of 20 patients with TN and 21 healthy controls, we investigated cortical gyrification abnormalities, their relationships with abnormalities of the underlying white matter microstructure and gray matter morphology, as well as their functional significance in TN. Compared with controls, patients with TN showed significant local gyrification index (LGI) reductions predominantly in the left insular cortex, which were negatively correlated with pain intensity. In this cluster, patients with TN had concurrent cortical thickness reductions but unaltered cortical surface area. Meanwhile, LGI of this cluster was not correlated with overlying cortical thickness or surface area but was positively correlated with the fractional anisotropy of 2 nearby white matter clusters, suggesting that insular LGI reductions may be primarily driven by microstructural abnormalities of the underlying white matter tracts, rather than by abnormalities in cortical thickness and surface area. In addition, patients with TN exhibited increased insula functional connectivity to the left posterior cingulate cortex and thalamus, which was positively correlated with disease duration. These findings provide new evidence for the involvement of insular abnormalities in the pathophysiology of TN.
The impact of age of onset on amygdala intrinsic connectivity in major depression

Background Early-onset major depressive disorder (EO-MDD), beginning during childhood and adolescence, is associated with more illness burden and a worse prognosis than adult-onset MDD (AO-MDD), but little is known about the neural features distinguishing these subgroup phenotypes. Functional abnormalities of the amygdala are central to major depressive disorder (MDD) neurobiology; therefore, we examined whether amygdala intrinsic connectivity (IC) can differentiate EO-MDD from AO-MDD in a cohort of adult MDD patients. Subjects and methods Twenty-one EO-MDD (age of onset ≤18 years), 31 AO-MDD patients (age of onset ≥19 years), and 19 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (7 minutes). Amygdala seed-based resting-state functional connectivity was compared between groups. Results AO-MDD patients showed loss of inverse left amygdala–left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex IC and increased inverse left amygdala–left inferior parietal IC, compared to both HCs and EO-MDD. EO-MDD showed a switch from inverse to positive IC with right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, compared to HCs and AO-MDD. This effect was removed when we controlled for illness burden. Conclusion Alterations in amygdala IC with the default-mode network were specifically related to EO-MDD, whereas amygdala IC with executive cognitive control regions was preferentially disrupted in AO-MDD. Increased illness burden, an important clinical marker of EO-MDD, accounted for its specific effects on amygdala IC. Brain imaging has the potential for validation of clinical subtypes and can provide markers of prognostic value in MDD patients.
Comparative validity of the ASSO–Food Frequency Questionnaire for the web-based assessment of food and nutrients intake in adolescents

Background A new web-based food frequency questionnaire (the ASSO–FFQ) was developed within the ASSO Project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. Objective The aim of the present study is to assess the validity of the ASSO–FFQ at food groups, energy, and nutrients level. Design and subjects The validation study compared the ASSO–FFQ against a weighted food record (WFR) measuring foods, beverages and supplements intake, compiled during the week following the ASSO–FFQ administration. Ninety-two subjects aged 14–17, recruited from secondary schools in Palermo (Italy), completed the ASSO–FFQ and WFR. The intake of 24 food groups, energy, and 52 nutrients were taken as main outcomes. Tests for paired observations, Spearman and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (cc), kappa statistics and classification in quintiles, Bland–Altman plots and multiple regressions, on untransformed and transformed data were used for the statistical analysis. Results High cc (≥0.40) were found for soft drinks, milk, tea/coffee, vegetables, and lactose; fair energy-adjusted cc (0.25–0.40) for water, alcoholic drinks, breakfast cereals, fishery products, savory food, fruit juice, eggs, and 19 nutrients. The subjects classified in the same or adjacent quintile for food groups ranged from 40% (alcoholic drinks) to 100% (dried fruit); for energy and nutrients from 43% (phosphorus, thiamin, niacin) to 77% (lactose). Mean differences were not significant for water, soft drinks, meat, sweets, animal fats, milk and white bread, and vitamin B12 and folate. Limits of Agreement were broad for all food groups and nutrients. School, gender, alcohol consumption and between meals mainly affected most food groups’ intake differences. Gender stratification showed females had increased Pearson’s cc for energy and 28 nutrients, such as almost all fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Conclusions The ASSO–FFQ could be applied in epidemiological studies for the assessment of dietary consumption in adolescents to adequately rank food, energy and nutrient intakes at a group level.
Inhibition of experimental choroidal neovascularization in rats by an av-integrin antagonist

Purpose. Integrin a v ß 3 is predominantly expressed on endothelial cells in choroidal neovascularization (CNV). We evaluated the efficacy of cyclic RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide, an a v -integrin antagonist, in a rat model of laser-induced CNV. Methods. We evaluated the effect of cyclic RGD on the adhesion and cell viability of bovine choroidal endothelial cells (BCECs) by cell counting and the trypan blue dye exclusion test. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in female Long Evans rats (day 0), followed by intravitreal administration of one dose of cyclic RGD of 200 (n = 9), 100 (n = 10), 50 (n = 4), or 0µg (n = 9) on days 9 and 11. We assessed the area of CNV by fluorescein angiography and the thickness microscopically on histologic sections. Neovascular vessels were detected by an antibody against factor VIII. Results. Cyclic RGD (0.02 to 200µg/ml) inhibited adhesion of BCECs in a dose-dependent manner without changing the cell viability (p < 0.01). In eyes treated with two injections of 200 or 100µg of cyclic RGD peptide, the development of CNV was significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited in the area of leakage on fluorescein angiography. Histologically, the CNV membrane was observed beneath the retina and the factor VIII-positive cells and red blood cells were involved. The thickness of the lesions was significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in eyes that received 200 or 100µg of RGD. Conclusions. Cyclic RGD effectively inhibited CNV progression in a rat model of laser-induced CNV, suggesting that this a v -integrin antagonist may be beneficial in the treatment of CNV.
Converting an Old Machines Lab Into a Functioning Power Network With a Microgrid for Education

As colleges prepare or revise their power engineering courses to include discussions on the smart grid, the microgrid, distributed energy sources and renewable energy resources, the need for new material suitable for inclusion in a typical 4-year undergraduate engineering course has never been more obvious. Toward this effort, an old machines lab was remodelled and converted into a small power network that can be operated in both grid-connected and grid-islanded microgrid modes. The intent of this paper is to devise laboratory experiments to supplement a course in conventional power systems analysis at the undergraduate level. During the remodeling process, two of six synchronous machines in the lab were converted to represent distributed generating units within a laboratory-based microgrid. The use of electromechanical distributed generators (EDG) with a low start-up time allows the system to operate as a conventional power network with provisions for frequency and voltage variations. Students can experiment with voltage control and power sharing between the EDGs in islanded mode. A Laboratory Grid Central Controller (LGCC) was developed in LabVIEW® to coordinate the operation of the EDGs, the utility grid and the loads. Its functions are similar to those of a central dispatch office, albeit on a much smaller scale. A one credit hour lab course held on this laboratory was offered for the first time during the Fall semester of 2012 at Missouri S&T.
Plant Defense Response to Fungal Pathogens (Activation of Host-Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase by Elicitor-Induced Enzyme Dephosphorylation)

Elicitor preparations containing the avr5 gene products from race 4 of Cladosporium fulvum and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cells near isogenic for the resistance gene Cf5 were used to investigate events following the treatment of host plasma membranes with elicitor. A 4-fold increase in H+-ATPase activity, coincident with the acidification of the extracellular medium, was detected immediately after elicitor treatment. The elicitor-induced stimulation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase was inhibited by okadaic acid but not by staurosporine, suggesting that protein dephosphorylation was required for increased H+-ATPase activity. This observation was confirmed by [gamma]-32P labeling and immunodetection of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase. Effects of guanidine nucleotide analogs and mastoparan on the ATPase activity suggested the role of GTP-binding proteins in mediating the putative elicitor-receptor binding, resulting in activation of a phosphatase(s), which in turn stimulates the plasma membrane H+-ATPase by dephosphorylation.