Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Some results of the regional Arthritis Control Program in Michigan.

The present investigation reports on the effects of a program of comprehensive care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Five dependent variables representing indices of disease activity were employed in assessing the merit of comprehensive, continuing management when compared with conventional management, often episodic, provided in arthritis clinics. Over the short duration of the project, this controlled study suggests greater benefits for patients in the comprehensive program. Greater insight into the relative benefits of different management modalities may be provided for future projects of this type in which a longer period of observation is possible.
Factors Associated with Seven-Year Incidence of Diabetes Complications among Older Mexican Americans

Background: Diabetes is common in elderly persons and is highly prevalent in Mexican Americans. Little is known about factors associated with the incidence of diabetes complications. Objective: To examine the social, demographic and health factors associated with a 7-year incidence of diabetes complications among older Mexican Americans with diabetes. Methods: A 7-year prospective cohort of 536 non-institutionalized Mexican Americans aged ≧65 years with diabetes residing in the Southwest of USA. Measures included socio-demographic factors, duration of diabetes, diabetes treatment, medical conditions and body mass index. Diabetes complications were assessed by self-reports of any kidney, eye and circulation problems or amputation due to diabetes over a 7-year period. Results: Subjects with disease duration of ≧10 years were found to have an increased incidence of kidney, eye and circulation problems or amputation over a 7-year period. Hazard ratio (HR) for circulation problems was significantly higher in foreign-born subjects with >15 years in the USA. Foreign-born subjects with <15 years in the USA and those with a frequent number of physician visits were at increased risk of kidney complications. Subjects with baseline eye complications had a higher HR for incidence of amputations in the next 7 years. Subjects with baseline circulation complications had a higher incidence of amputations, eye and kidney complications in the next 7 years. Conclusions: Our data suggest that risks of diabetes complications are influenced by different factors. Prolonged diabetes duration, being foreign-born, living in the USA for a longer period, and frequent physician visits were factors associated with diabetes complications. Designing intervention strategies to reduce diabetes complication risks requires an understanding of the differences in demographic and health predictors of such risks.
COMPARATVE CHICKEN GENOME ANALYSIS OF EGYPTION LOCAL BREEDS AND DEVELOPED STRAINS 5-THE MICROSATELLITE DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN MATROUH, EL-SALAM AND BANDARAH STRAINS

The aim of this study was to compare the genetic variation of three developed chicken strains (Matrouh, El-Salam and Bandarah). Nine highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were used in 133 birds. One hundred fifteen alleles were detected in the overall populations with a mean number of 12.78 alleles per locus. The highest number of alleles was 24 for microsatellite marker MCW 49. While, ADL171 and MCW 43 loci recorded lowest number of alleles across all populations (8). Dendrogram was generated from estimates of genetic distance among chicken populations. Mean number of alleles per strains overall loci ranged from 4.00 for Bandarah to 4.44 for Matrouh. Number of specific alleles was 8 for all strains studied and effective number of allele (ENA) ranged from 1.49 for MCW43 to 4.95 for MCW49. Averages of expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.597, 0.601 and 0.607 for Matrouh, El-Salam and Bandarah chicken populations, respectively. Dendogram Based Nei’s genetic distance revealed that Matrouh and Bandarah chicken populations are closely related than that of El-Salam . The study revealed the existence of moderate genetic diversity in chicken populations studied and also showed that the markers used were highly informative and can be used in future studies involving breeding, management and conservation of chicken populations.
Financial Literacy Key to Retirement Planning in Malaysia

This paper examined the influence of financial learning on retirees’ retirement financial planning preparation. 750 questionnaires were distributed with a 53.9% return rate. Three hypotheses were analysed using hierarchical regression analysis. The results revealed that some mediating effect existed between financial learning and behavioural assessment of personal finance, and that the older age groups had mediating effect on the relationship between financial learning and subjective perception of satisfaction with personal finance. Within this context, respondents were satisfied with their financial situation from the behavioural assessment of personal finances, subjective perception and perceived financial well-being perspective. The study also indicated that some mediating effect existed between financial learning and behavioural assessment of personal finance, and that the older age groups (above 50 years) had mediating effect on the relationship between financial learning and subjective perception of satisfaction with personal finance.
Measuring Women's Psychological Well-Being in Indonesia

ABSTRACT This paper describes the development of a set of measures of women's psychological well-being in Indonesia, identifies meaningful clusters of women based on the well-being measures, and explores the sociodemographic factors associated with these well-being clusters. This is the first published study to measure psychological well-being among a large sample of Indonesians and the first to focus on women in that country. Rather than use standard measures of psychological well-being developed in Western nations and untested among Asian women, focus groups were conducted to develop an understanding of Indonesian women's perceptions of their own well-being. The focus group findings were used to develop 41 questionnaire items to measure psychological well-being, and the questionnaire was administered to 796 women in Sumatra and Lampung. Factor analysis reduced the well-being variables into five factors accounting for 45% of the total variance: (1) general negative feelings; (2) satisfaction with relationships and ability to control fertility; (3) satisfaction with economic, family and personal conditions; (4) negative feelings regarding marital and domestic issues; and (5) ability to pursue activities outside the home. We constructed five scales based on these factors. Based on their scores on these scales, women grouped into three clusters differentiated by their scores on four of the five scales. Low levels of psychological well-being were associated in bivariate analyses with: (1) rural residence; (2) young age (under age 30); (3) marriage before age 20; (4) low socioeconomic status; and (5) lower educational attainment.
Long-Term Treatment With Raltegravir is Associated with Lower Triglycerides and Platelets Count in the Older HIV+ Population: Results from the Ral-Age Study.

BACKGROUND Raltegravir (RAL) is considered one of the better-tolerated antiretroviral medications, due to limited side effects and minimal drug-drug interactions. Matherials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 96 HIV+, over 60 years old, experienced patients who had switched from any antiretroviral drug to raltegravir-based nuc-sparing or standard nucleoside-backbone regimens. A control group with patients aged under 60 years old was included. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 66 years (IQR 10.5) (77 M, 19 F); the median time horizon of follow-up was 4 years (IQR 5). HIV-RNA at baseline was undetectable for more than 6 months in most of the patients. Median CD4+ count was 453 cells/mmc (IQR 379). 49 patients had AIDS history. All the patients were assuming concomitant medications. No adverse effect attributed to the use of raltegravir was reported in the medical records. Only 2 patients presented virological failure, whereas viremic blips were observed in 10 patients. After switching to RAL-containing regimens triglycerides values showed a statistically significant reduction from a median value of 172 (IQR 105.5) mg/dl to 129 mg/dl (IQR 73) (p=0,0001). Switching to a standard regimens was associated with a marked reduction of triglycerides. Cholesterol levels were reduced at the time of follow-up (T2) but no significant modifications were observed when patients which had introduced drugs to treat dislypidemia were removed from the analysis; in contrast, triglycerides reduction was also confirmed in this sub-group. Patients presented higher levels of CD4+ at T2 and reduced platelet count [from 230 300/mmc (SD 123 527) to 197 125/mmc (SD 66 377), p=0,04]. Similar trends were observed in younger patients. CONCLUSION RAL-containing regimens are safe and highly effective in the older population. RALtreatment is associated with the reduction of triglycerides and platelets count in the older population.
Novel Root Fungal Consortium Associated with a Dominant Desert Grass

ABSTRACT The broad distribution and high colonization rates of plant roots by a variety of endophytic fungi suggest that these symbionts have an important role in the function of ecosystems. Semiarid and arid lands cover more than one-third of the terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. However, a limited number of studies have been conducted to characterize root-associated fungal communities in semiarid grasslands. We conducted a study of the fungal community associated with the roots of a dominant grass, Bouteloua gracilis, at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA sequences from roots collected in May 2005, October 2005, and January 2006 were amplified using fungal-specific primers, and a total of 630 sequences were obtained, 69% of which were novel (less than 97% similarity with respect to sequences in the NCBI database). B. gracilis roots were colonized by at least 10 different orders, including endophytic, coprophilous, mycorrhizal, saprophytic, and plant pathogenic fungi. A total of 51 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found, and diversity estimators did not show saturation. Despite the high diversity found within B. gracilis roots, the root-associated fungal community is dominated by a novel group of dark septate fungi (DSF) within the order Pleosporales. Microscopic analysis confirmed that B. gracilis roots are highly colonized by DSF. Other common orders colonizing the roots included Sordariales, Xylariales, and Agaricales. By contributing to drought tolerance and nutrient acquisition, DSF may be integral to the function of arid ecosystems.
Effect of Hyperglycemia on Erythrocyte Carbonic Anhydrase and Lactic Acid in Type II Diabetic Subjects

Background: Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is a ubiquitous enzyme catalyzing the reversible hydration of CO2 to and H+. CA plays a crucial role in CO2 transport, acid-base balance, and in linking local acidosis to O2 unloading from hemoglobin and also facilitates lactate shuttling across the monocarboxylate transporters (MCT). The study aimed to investigate the influence of hyperglycemia on erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase activity and lactic acid in type II diabetic patients. Method: Red blood cell carbonic anhydrase activity was determined in washed lysed-hemolysate by the action of the enzyme on the substrate p-nitrophenyl acetate. The absorbance of released p-nitrophenol was recorded at 345 nm. Glycated Hemoglobin was determined by ion exchange method (Spectrum Diagnostic Kit). Blood glucose, lactate, cholesterol and triglyceride were determined using Accutrend GCT meter (Roche, Germany) with cobias® test strips. Results: The present study showed that hyperglycemia significantly (p < 0.05) increased both erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase activity and blood lactate level in type II diabetic patients. Conclusion: We may conclude that hyperglycemia may be responsible for the increased activity of carbonic anhydrase activity and blood lactate concentration.
Altered dopaminergic transmission in the anorexic anx/anx mouse striatum

We demonstrate abnormal dopaminergic neurotransmission in anorexic mice, homozygous for a recessive mutation (anx) causing starvation and motor disturbances. Isolated neurons from anx/anx striatum displayed a markedly increased activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase compared with normal littermates. Dopamine down-regulates Na+,K+-ATPase activity in striatal medium spiny neurons in rat, mouse and guinea pig. However, addition of dopamine in vitro failed to suppress the increased activity in anx/anx striatal neurons. Striatal dopamine and its metabolites, but not norepinephrine, were slightly but significantly lower in anx/anx mice than in normal littermates. We suggest that abnormal dopaminergic transmission may contribute to the anx phenotype.
Multiplanar Display Computerized Body Tomography Applications in the Lumbar Spine

This paper is the first report of an extensive clinical use of computerized body tomography (CBT) for diagnosis of spinal disorders. Meticulous care in gathering and analyzing CBT images is emphasized. The multiplanar display (MPD) technique illustrates an important software capability for spine cases. Clinical examples are presented in support of confident CBT diagnosis of lumbar disc abnormalities in addition to various forms of stenosis, and an outline for proposed indications for CBT in the spinal canal and spinal cord. Surgical and myelographic correlations indicate a significant future role for CBT in all categories of spinal disorders, particularly its sensitivity in demonstrating lumbar disc abnormalities. Spine work in this hospital has shown a sustained growth over the last two years and now represents the largest single CBT patient category (35-40% of CBT work during the 20 months preceding July 1, 1979). The results documented in this paper strongly contradict the minor status accorded CBT spine work in a recent two-part summary article in the New England Journal of Medicine. The authors think that spine work, paradoxically, represents a little recognized but potentially the strongest justification for continued development and deployment of body scanning equipment. Several research activities related to diagnosis of spinal disorders are discussed. These include high-resolution zoom scan modifications, dose reduction techniques, better reconstructed coronal and sagittal displays, a generalized oblique plane capability, and several forms of three-dimensional display.
Spatial distribution patterns of interphase centromeres during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of promyelocytic leukemia cells.

BACKGROUND The pericentromeric heterochromatin is an important element for the regulation of gene silencing. Its spatial distribution during interphase appears to be cell-type specific. This study analyzes three-dimensional (3D) centromere distribution patterns during cellular differentiation along the neutrophil pathway. METHODS Differentiation of the promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 was induced by retinoic acid. Centromeres in interphase nuclei were visualized by immunofluorescence staining of centromere-associated proteins with CREST serum. 3D images of nuclei were obtained by confocal microscopy. Automated methods for the segmentation of point-like objects in 3D images were implemented to detect the position of centromeres. Features of centromere localization patterns were determined by constructing the minimal spanning tree of the centromere distribution. RESULTS In differentiated NB4 cells, the number of centromere conglomerates (chromocenters) was decreased and the distance between chromocenters was increased as compared with untreated controls. The nuclear volume did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The measured rearrangement of centromeres indicates a progressive clustering of heterochromatin and a global remodeling of interphase chromosome territories during differentiation of NB4 cells. The developed methods for the analysis of 3D centromere distribution patterns provide the opportunity for a fast and objective analysis of heterochromatin remodeling.
Top of the Class: The Importance of Ordinal Rank

This article establishes a new fact about educational production: ordinal academic rank during primary school has lasting impacts on secondary school achievement that are independent of underlying ability. Using data on the universe of English school students, we exploit naturally occurring differences in achievement distributions across primary school classes to estimate the impact of class rank. We find large effects on test scores, confidence, and subject choice during secondary school, even though these students have a new set of peers and teachers who are unaware of the students’ prior ranking in primary school. The effects are especially pronounced for boys, contributing to an observed gender gap in the number of Maths courses chosen at the end of secondary school. Using a basic model of student effort allocation across subjects, we distinguish between learning and non-cognitive skills mechanisms, finding support for the latter.
Homotopy methods for constraint relaxation in unilevel reliability based design optimization

In reliability based design optimization, a methodology for finding optimized designs characterized with a low probability of failure the main objective is to minimize a merit function while satisfying the reliability constraints. Traditionally, these have been formulated as a double-loop (nested) optimization problem, which is computationally intensive. A new efficient unilevel formulation for reliability based design optimization was developed by the authors in earlier studies, where the lower-level optimization was replaced by its corresponding first-order Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) necessary optimality conditions at the upper-level optimization and imposed as equality constraints. But as most commercial optimizers are usually numerically unreliable when applied to problems accompanied by many equality constraints, an optimization framework for reliability based design using the unilevel formulation is developed here. Homotopy methods are used for constraint relaxation and to obtain a relaxed feasible design and heuristic scheme is employed to update the homotopy parameter.
Confusion

Very commonly these mental changes go along with being generally unwell. You may have an infection, or have slightly lower oxygen levels than normal. You may be in pain, or be receiving strong pain relief medicines, and there are other common events, which may follow an operation and an anaesthetic, which can lead to you becoming confused. These events will all be treated as part of normal care, and the mental changes are likely to improve as the body recovers. What are the symptoms? Some people become agitated and confused in their thinking and behaviour, whereas others become quiet and withdrawn. Symptoms can vary greatly, but here are some typical symptoms.
Architecture and morphology of the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex

A previous report identified the location of comparable architectonic areas in the ventral frontal cortex of the human and macaque brains [S. Mackey & M. Petrides (2010) Eur. J. Neurosci. , 32, 1940–1950]. The present article provides greater detail with regard to the definition of architectonic areas within the ventromedial part of the human ventral frontal cortex and describes their location: (i) in Montreal Neurological Institute proportional stereotactic space; and (ii) in relation to sulcal landmarks. Structural magnetic resonance scans of four brains were obtained before the preparation of the histological specimens, so that the architectonic parcellation could be reconstructed in its original three‐dimensional volume. The areal density of individual cortical layers was sampled quantitatively in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex of eight brains (16 hemispheres). The agranular cortex along the ventral edge of the corpus callosum and posterior margin of the ventromedial surface is replaced by a graded series of increasingly granular and more complexly laminated areas that succeed one another in a posterior‐to‐anterior direction. In parallel, the width of the supragranular layers (i.e. layers II and III) increases as compared with the infragranular layers (i.e. layers V and VI) from posterior to anterior. A measure of how rapidly cortical features change at areal boundaries also showed that the rate of change in the granule and pyramidal cell densities of layers IV and V, respectively, was greater at the borders between posterior areas than between anterior areas. This article will facilitate the anatomical identification and comparison of experimental data involving the human vmPFC.
The diagnostic outcomes of children with suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following multidisciplinary assessment

Aim: To undertake a retrospective analysis of the patients referred with suspected attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to a multidisciplinary clinic at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne between 2004 and 2007. This study aimed to determine the proportion of children diagnosed with ADHD, the frequency of comorbid diagnoses, and the level of functional impairment of referred children.
Effects on Faecal Microbiota of Dietary and Acidic Oligosaccharides in Children During Partial Formula Feeding

Objective: To test the safety and effect on faecal microbiota of a formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides alone or in combination with acidic oligosaccharides in infants at the age of partial formula feeding. Patients and Methods: The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised intervention trial in which 82 healthy, full-term, partially breast-fed children, from 1 week to 3 months old, were given 1 of the following formulae: whey-based formula (control group), whey-based formula with galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS group), or whey-based formula with galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides added with pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS group). Children were studied for the duration of the partial formula feeding period and every 2 weeks for 2 months after breast-feeding cessation. The total bacteria count and the proportion of 7 bacterial families were determined using in situ hybridisation coupled to flow cytometry. Results: The total bacterial count did not alter with time or type of feeding (9.9 ± 0.1 log10 cells per gram wet weight). Compared with the control group, there was an increase of the Bifidobacterium genus (P = 0.0001), and a decrease of proportions for the Bacteroides group (P = 0.02) and the Clostridium coccoides group (P = 0.01) in both oligosaccharide groups. The proportion of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS compared with the scGOS/lcFOS group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Infant formulae appear to be clinically safe and effective on infant microbiota. They minimize the alteration of faecal microbiota after cessation of breast-feeding and promote bifidobacteria proportions, with a stronger effect when acidic oligosaccharides are present.