Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of red cell osmotic fragility test with varying degrees of saline concentration in detecting beta-thalassaemia trait.

INTRODUCTION This study was performed with the objective of determining the efficacy of naked eye single tube red cell osmotic fragility test (NESTROFT) as a screening test for beta-thalassaemia trait, and to standardise a saline concentration which could give best results with minimum error and maximum sensitivity and specificity. METHODS Five concentrations (0.35 percent, 0.36 percent, 0.37 percent, 0.38 percent and 0.39 percent) of buffered saline solutions were used. NESTROFT was applied to three groups of subjects: 24 normal individuals, 87 subjects with genetically-proven beta-thalassaemia trait and 13 patients with proven iron-deficiency anaemia. RESULTS The results demonstrated that 0.36 percent was the best saline concentration for NESTROFT. It could detect 97.7 percent of heterozygous beta-thalassaemia patients, compared to 94.25 percent, 91.95 percent, 88.51 percent and 82.76 percent detection rates obtained with 0.35 percent, 0.37 percent, 0.38 percent and 0.39 percent saline concentrations, respectively. Specificity of NESTROFT with 0.36 percent saline was also higher at 83.3 percent, whereas that of 0.35 percent, 0.37 percent, 0.38 percent and 0.39 percent was 79.17 percent, 79.17 percent, 70.83 percent and 62.5 percent, respectively. This test with 0.36 percent saline concentration was also positive for three (23.08 percent) patients with iron-deficiency anaemia. CONCLUSION NESTROFT done with 0.36 percent buffered saline solution provides more accurate results compared to the other concentrations tested. Since the test is sensitive, cost-effective, rapid and reliable, it may be considered as the single screening test to be used in areas with limited laboratory facilities and economic resources.
Research data management and data sharing behaviour of university researchers

Introduction. The aim of this study is to understand how university researchers behave in the context of using and sharing research data in OA mode. Method. An online questionnaire survey was conducted amongst academics and researchers in three countries – UK, France and Turkey. There were 26 questions to collect data on: researcher information, e.g. discipline, gender and experience; data sharing practices, concerns; familiarity with data management practices; and policies/challenges including knowledge of metadata and training. Analysis. SPSS was used to analyse the dataset, and Chi-Square tests, at 0.05 significance level, were conducted to find out association between researchers’ behaviour in data sharing and different areas of research data management (RDM). Results. Findings show that OA is still not common amongst researchers. Data ethics and legal issues appear to be the most significant concerns for researchers. Most researchers have not received any training in RDM such as data management planning metadata, or file naming. However, most researchers would welcome formal training in different aspects of RDM. Conclusions. This study indicates directions for further research to understand the disciplinary differences in researchers’ data access and management behaviour so that appropriate training and advocacy programmes can be developed to promote OA to research data.
Electron Microscopy of Amyloid Fibrils and Microvessels

ABSTRACT: Senile plaques and microvessels in the cortices of brains with Alzheimer's disease were examined using serial sections under light and electorn microscopes. In addition, observations were carried out by using an immunostaining method. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Every senile plaque contains some amyloid fibrils, and many senile plaques have degenerated capillaries with amyloid fibrils. (2) Amyloid fibrils without senile plaques continue directly to the capillaries. (3) A considerable number of preamyloids are observed surrounding the capillaries when a methenamine silver stain is used. (4) α1‐antichymotrypsin is found in amyloid fibrils, endothelial cells, and vascular feet or astrocytic processes. Our findings strongly suggest that amyloid fibrils forming senile plaques have a close relationship to the capillaries. Moreover, a protease inhibitor, such as α1‐antichymotrypsin, could possibly play an important role in producing the amyloid fibrils.
[Frequency and pathotypes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Peruvian children with and without diarrhea].

UNLABELLED INTRODUCTION; Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are a major cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries. However, they are not part of routine diagnosis in clinical laboratories. OBJECTIVES To determine the DEC prevalence in Peruvian children and to describe the genetic variability of these strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 8 003 E. coli strains previously isolated from eight different studies of diarrhea in children, mainly from peri-urban areas of Lima, were analyzed. Diagnosis of DEC was done with Multiplex real-time PCR using genes for each of the 6 DEC groups. Conventional PCR was performed for the detection of additional virulence genes. RESULTS Globally, the mean prevalence in diarrhea samples (n=4,243) was: enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) 9.9%, enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) 8.5%, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) 6.9%, diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) 4.8%, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 0.8% and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) 0.6%. The relative frequency of each pathogen varies according to the age and the type of study. The main pathotypes in control samples (n=3,760) were EPEC (10.9%) and EAEC (10.4%). An important variability in the virulence genes frequency and molecular resistance mechanisms for each pathotype was found, without differences between diarrhea and control groups. CONCLUSIONS DEC are a major cause of diarrhea in Peruvian children. These pathogens are highly heterogeneous. Additional studies are required to determine the prevalence in rural areas of Peru and in severe diarrhea cases.
Cytogenetic sensitivity of G0 lymphocytes of Fanconi anemia patients and obligate carriers to mitomycin C and ionizing radiation

It is well known that Fanconi anemia (FA) patients show a hypersensitivity to the effect of cross-linking agents such as mitomycin C (MMC) and diepoxybutane (DEB), while the sensitivity of these patients to ionizing radiation is still controversial. Fanconi anemia heterozygotes do not show a hypersensitivity to the above mentioned agents compared to normal individuals. To examine the radio-sensitivity of Fanconi anemia patients and heterozygotes, ten patients and 13 heterozygotes were enrolled in this study. Standard metaphase analysis for detection and verification of radio-sensitivity was used to establish the relationship between γ-ray and chromosome breakages in these groups. Statistical analysis was used for the assessment of aberrations including chromatid and chromosome breaks and exchanges. Results of chromosome aberration yield that: (i) differentiation between obligate carriers and the control group after MMC treatment and gamma irradiation was not possible; (ii) homozygotes were clearly distinguishable from heterozygotes and controls after MMC treatment; (iii) FA patients don’t show hypersensitivity to gamma irradiation compared to normal controls and heterozygous carriers.
Thyroid Insufé ciency. Is Thyroxine the Only Valuable Drug

Purpose: To evaluate the efecacy of a drug containing both liothyronine and thyroxine (T31 T4) in hypothyroid patients who were treated, but not cured, with thyroxine (T4 alone). Design: Practice-based retrospective study of patients’ records. Materials and Methods: The records of 89 hypothyroid patients, treated elsewhere with thyroxine but still with hypothyroidism, seen in a private practice in Antwerp, Belgium, were compared with those of 832 untreated hypothyroid patients, over the same period of time (May 1984‐July 1997). Results: The same criteria were applied to both groups: a score of eight main symptoms of hypothyroidism and the 24 h urine free T3 dosage. The group of 89 patients, treated elsewhere with T4, but still complaining of symptoms of hypothyroidism, did not really differ from the group of untreated hypothyroid patients as far as symptoms and 24 h urine free T3 were concerned. A number of these patients were followed up during treatment with natural desiccated thyroid (NDT): 40 T4 treated patients and 278 untreated patients. Both groups responded equally favourably to NDT. Conclusions: Combined T31 T4 treatment seems to be more effective than treatment with T4 alone in hypothyroid patients.
Early Necrotic DNA Degradation Presence of Blunt-Ended DNA Breaks, 3 (cid:1) and 5 (cid:1) Overhangs in Apoptosis, but only 5 (cid:1) Overhangs in Early Necrosis

The structure of DNA breaks in early necrosis was analyzed and compared with apoptotic DNA degradation using in vivo and cell culture models. Early necrosis (1 hour after cell death) was produced in vivo by the freezing-thawing of rat thymus and in cell culture of Jurkat cells. Apoptosis was induced in the same cell types using dexamethasone for thymus and staurosporine for Jurkat cells. Selective detection of double-strand DNA breaks with blunt ends was performed by in situ ligation. Blunt-ended breaks bearing 5 (cid:1) phosphates were detected in apoptotic but not in early necrotic cells. Pretreatment of apoptotic and necrotic tissue with Klenow enzyme with or without added dNTPs reduced all 3 (cid:1) or 5 (cid:1) overhangs to blunt ends. Subsequent in situ ligation with blunt-ended probes revealed no 3 (cid:1) overhangs in necrotic cells. However double-strand cuts with 5 (cid:1) overhangs were abundant in necrotic DNA. 5 (cid:1) Overhangs were also detected in apoptotic cells. Presence of exclusively 5 (cid:1) overhangs in early necrosis with absence of a variety of possible DNA ends, suggests the existence of a specific orderly mechanism of DNA degradation. (Am J Pathol 2003, 162:1571–1578)
Proteins that underlie neoplastic progression of ulcerative colitis

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. Because UC tumorigenesis is associated with genomic field defects that can extend throughout the entire colon, including the non‐dysplastic mucosa, we hypothesized that the same field defects will include abnormally expressed proteins. Here, we applied proteomics to study the protein expression of UC neoplastic progression. The protein profiles of colonic epithelium were compared with (i) UC patients without dysplasia (non‐progressors), (ii) non‐dysplastic colonic tissue from UC patient with high‐grade dysplasia or cancer (progressors), (iii) high‐grade dysplastic tissue from UC progressors, and (iv) normal colon. We identified differential protein expression associated with UC neoplastic progression. Proteins relating to mitochondria, oxidative activity, and calcium‐binding proteins were some of the interesting classes of these proteins. Network analysis discovered that Sp1 and c‐myc proteins may play roles in UC early and late stages of neoplastic progression, respectively. Two over‐expressed proteins in the non‐dysplastic tissue of UC progressors, carbamoyl‐phosphate synthase 1 and S100P, were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry analysis. Our study provides insight into the molecular events associated with UC neoplastic progression, which could be exploited for the development of protein biomarkers in fields of non‐dysplastic mucosa that identify a patient's risk for UC dysplasia.
Reciprocal Influences Between Parents’ Perceptions of Mother-Child and Father-Child Relationships: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study in Chinese Preschoolers

ABSTRACT To examine the reciprocal influences between mother-child and father-child relationships, the authors analyzed cross-lagged longitudinal data on children's relationships with both parents using a structural equation modeling approach. Mothers and fathers of 100 Chinese preschoolers aged 2–3 years filled in the Child-Parent Relationship Scale (R. Pianta, 1992) across 2 time periods 9 months apart. The results showed stability of mother-child and father-child relationships and longitudinal reciprocal influences between the relationships in that over a 9-month follow-up period, mother-child closeness negatively predicted conflict in father-child relationships, and father-child conflict positively predicted mother-child conflict.
Nucleotide sequence and expression of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa algF gene controlling acetylation of alginate

Colonization of the cystic fibrosis lung by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is greatly facilitated by the production of an exopolysaccharide called alginate. In this study we determined the nucleotide sequence of an alginate modification gene, algF, which controls the addition of acetyl groups to alginate. Expression of algF using a T7 promoter‐expression system showed that algF codes for a 24.5 kDa polypeptide (predicted size 22 832 Da) that is processed to 19.5 kDa. The N‐terminus of the processed polypeptide matched the predicted amino acid sequence of AlgF starting at Asp‐29. An algF mutant failed to produce alginate owing to a polar effect on the downstream algA gene. Although the algA gene, provided in trans, restored synthesis of alginate, the alginate was non‐acetylated. We show that a plasmid containing both the algF and algA gene complements the alginate acetylation defect of the algF mutant strain.
The ProFitMap-neck – reliability and validity of a questionnaire for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in neck pain

Purpose: To assess overall reliability and validity of a neck-specific questionnaire, the Profile Fitness Mapping neck questionnaire (ProFitMap-neck), on three chronic neck pain groups. Method: Participating groups were as follows: whiplash associated disorders, inpatient care (IP-WAD, n = 127); nonspecific neck pain, inpatient care (IP-NS, n = 83) and nonspecific neck pain subjects (non-IP-NS, n = 104). All groups answered the ProFitMap-neck and the SF-36, whereas non-IP-NS also answered the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Functional Self-Efficacy Scale (SES). Internal consistency, test–retest reliability and components of convergent construct, face and content validity were determined for the ProFitMap-neck. Results: The ProFitMap-neck showed good internal consistency in all three groups, and ICC test–retest reliability (0.80–0.91). Good correlation (0.66–0.78) and highest agreement was reached with NDI. According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, the symptom scale of the ProFitMap-neck was mainly classified to the domain of impairments–body functions, and the functional limitation scale to the activity limitation domain. Conclusion: The results indicate that the ProFitMap-neck is valid for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in people with chronic neck pain. The combination of a composite total score of symptoms and function as well as separate scores of each domain makes ProFitMap-neck suitable for research as well as in clinical practice. Implications for Rehabilitation The ProFitMap-neck can be used as a valid self-assessment tool for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in people belonging to the most prevalent categories of neck pain. The combination of the symptom and functional limitation questionnaire scores in a total score can be used for an overall clinical judgment.
Busy Directors and Shareholder Satisfaction

Prior research has examined the firm-level performance implications of “busy” boards. Firm-level analysis, however, masks important heterogeneity in the time constraints and expertise of individual busy directors. We develop and validate shareholder voting as a proxy for shareholders’ satisfaction. Our director-specific tests provide compelling evidence that the potential costs of busy directors outweigh their benefits. At the same time, we uncover new sources of heterogeneity among busy directors. For example, the downsides are more pronounced for directors who sit on boards where fiscal year ends cluster in the same month. Our analysis highlights the role of shareholder voting in board composition research.
Long-term follow-up of the United Kingdom Medical Research Council protocols for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 1980-1997. Medical Research Council Childhood Leukaemia Working Party.

Results of three consecutive completed UK trials (1980-1997) for childhood lymphoblastic leukaemia are presented. National accrual has progressively increased so that over 90% of all the country's ALL cases were treated on the latest trial reported, UKALLXI. From 1980 to 1990, event-free and overall survival progressively improved, following adoption of an American therapy template and use of two post-remission intensification modules. Since 1990 despite demonstration of the benefit of a third intensification module overall event-free survival (EFS) has not improved further. Survival remains high due to a good retrieval rate especially for those relapsing off treatment after receipt of two intensification pulses. Possible reasons for the plateau in event-free survival (including type and dose of induction steroid, dropping of induction anthracycline, type and dose of asparaginase, gaps early in therapy following intensification, and overall lack of compliance in maintenance) are being explored in the latest protocol ALL '97. Cranial irradiation had been successfully replaced by a long course of intrathecal methotrexate injections for the majority of patients. Age (<1 year >10 years) sex (male) and white count >50 x 10(9)/l plus slow initial bone marrow clearance were consistently the most important independent prognostic indicators during this time period. Rome/NCI criteria accurately predict standard and high-risk groups for B cell lineage, but not consistently for T cell disease. This international collaborative venture might help us to define those truly at highest risk, and how we can optimise therapy for specific subgroups including T-ALL and those with unfavourable cytogenetics.
Deafness in shipyard workers; critical evaluation of findings in six hundred cases and diagnosis of occupational deafness.

FOR WELL over a century it has been known that excessive noise may cause impairment of hearing. Bunch 1 refers to the work of Fosbroke, who, in 1831, gave a lucid description of deafness in blacksmiths. Not only did the industrial revolution, which had its onset about that time, cause an extensive social upheaval, but its development was accompanied by progressively louder industrial and community noise. In a previous article I 2 evaluated the literature relating to occupational deafness and also reiterated basic criteria for the diagnosis of occupational deafness. The laboratory work of Wittmaak, 3 Lurie, 4 Brunner, 5 and others confirmed scattered clinical observations relating to the susceptibility of the inner ear to trauma, excessive noise, and chemical poisons. Since 1945 a considerable amount of work has been published about the harmful effects of excessive noise and changes in barometric pressure in military personnel. These papers have again
A Population Health Perspective on Disability and Depression in Elderly Women and Men

The dominant model of assessing depression among elderly women and men has been a biomedical model with the emphasis on the need for diagnosis and treatment of individuals with this condition. This model has portrayed the disease of depression as widespread among the elderly and suggested that more extensive medical treatment is needed. The common treatment for depression involves medication, which raises questions about costs and side effects, and psychotherapy, which raises questions concerning the willingness of the elderly to accept treatment as well as the cost of such treatment. This paper proposes an alternative to the biomedical individualistic model–the perspective of population health–for dealing with widespread depressive symptomatology among the elderly. This model of population health “ . is
Novel use of a high‐energy excimer laser catheter for calcified and complex coronary artery lesions

This study was designed to evaluate safety and effectiveness of the 0.9 mm excimer laser coronary catheter with increased laser parameters. We report a prospective trial of 100 calcified and/or balloon‐resistant lesions where a new 0.9 mm excimer laser catheter was used at standard or higher energy level to facilitate angioplasty. Standard in‐hospital clinical and angiographic parameters were collected and measured. Laser technical success was obtained in 87 lesions (92%), procedural success was reached in 88 lesions (93%), and clinical success in 82 lesions (86%). Increased laser parameters were used for 29 resistant lesions. This new 0.9 mm excimer laser coronary catheter using higher energy parameters seems to be safe and effective for management of calcified and nondilatable lesions. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:155–161. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of anesthesia and reproductive performance upon diazepam and xylazine injection in rats.

The aims of the current study were to evaluate the effects of diazepam (D) and/or xylazine (X) on the induction of sedation and anesthesia, performing ovarian transplantation and litter size upon administration during pregnancy. One hundred and five albino rat females were classified randomly into four groups given intraperitoneal (IP) injection of physiological saline (group I), diazepam (6.2 mg /kg body weight group II), xylazine (13.2 mg/kg/body weight group III) and 6.2 mg/kg body weight diazepam and 13.2 mg/kg body weight xylazine (group IV). Induction of sedation and anesthesia were monitored. The onset of anesthesia, duration of surgical anesthesia and sleep time after injections was recorded. Rectal temperatures were monitored at 0, 20, 40, 60 and 120 min after injection. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 120 min post injection for determination of hemoglobin, glucose and urea concentrations. Ovarian transplantation was performed in females anesthesized with DX drugs. Mated females were injected with physiological saline, 6.2 mg/kg diazepam and/or 13.2 mg/kg xylazine at day 4, 11 and 18 of pregnancy and litter sizes were recorded. Sedation was obtained after injection of diazepam or xylazine alone whereas surgical anesthesia was obtained upon injection of both diazepam and xylazine. The onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia and sleep time after DX injection was 4.6, 144.1 and 79.1 min, respectively. Rectal temperature decreased (P<0.05) after injection of diazepam and/or xylazine. The hemoglobin
3. Human Breast Epithelial Cells (HBEC) in Culture 4. Factors Influencing Susceptibility of HBEC to Cell Transformation 4.1. Lobular differentiation 4.2. Genetic predisposition 4.3. Cell immortalization 5. Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Immortalization 5.1. Activation of telomerase 5.2. Abrogation of 

1. Abstract 2. Introduction. 3. Human Breast Epithelial Cells (HBEC) in Culture 4. Factors Influencing Susceptibility of HBEC to Cell Transformation 4.1. Lobular differentiation 4.2. Genetic predisposition 4.3. Cell immortalization 5. Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Immortalization 5.1. Activation of telomerase 5.2. Abrogation of cell cycle control 5.3. Genes preferentially expressed during cell immortalization 6. Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Transformation 6.1. Epigenetic mechanisms 6.2. Genetic mechanisms 7. Genomic changes in Immortalization and Transformation of HBEC 7.1. Genomic changes in cell immortalization 7.2. Genomic changes in cell transformation 8. Genomic Changes in Human Breast Lesions 9. Functional Roles of Chromosomes 11 and 17 in Transformed Phenotype Expression of HBEC 10. Summary and Perspectives 11. Acknowledgments 12. References