Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes at 2 years of age after repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND We previously reported the results of a randomized, controlled trial showing that repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids reduced the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and serious neonatal morbidity. However, data have not been available regarding longer-term effects of this treatment. METHODS Women who had received an initial course of corticosteroid treatment 7 or more days previously were randomly assigned to receive an intramuscular injection of corticosteroid (11.4 mg of betamethasone) or saline placebo; the dose was repeated weekly if the mother was still considered to be at risk for preterm delivery and the duration of gestation was less than 32 weeks. We assessed survival free of major neurosensory disability and body size of the children at 2 years of corrected age. RESULTS Of the 1085 children who were alive at 2 years of age, 1047 (96.5%) were seen for assessment (521 exposed to repeat-corticosteroid treatment and 526 exposed to placebo). The rate of survival free of major disability was similar in the repeat-corticosteroid and placebo groups (84.4% and 81.0%, respectively; adjusted relative risk, 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.98 to 1.10; adjusted P=0.20). There were no significant differences between the groups in body size, blood pressure, use of health services, respiratory morbidity, or child behavior scores, although children exposed to repeat doses of corticosteroids were more likely than those exposed to placebo to warrant assessment for attention problems (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Administration of repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids reduces neonatal morbidity without changing either survival free of major neurosensory disability or body size at 2 years of age. (Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48656428 [controlled-trials.com].).
On fuzzy normed algebras

In this paper, a characterization for continuous product in a fuzzy normed algebra is established and it is proved that any fuzzy normed algebra is with continuous product. Another type of continuity for the product in a fuzzy normed algebras is introduced and studied. These concepts are illustrated by some examples. Also, the Cartesian product of fuzzy normed algebras is analyzed. c ©2016 All rights reserved.
Weight Patterns of Youth Entering an Urban Juvenile Justice Facility

Adolescents with a history of incarceration face a disproportionate number of health issues compared with their peers in virtually all areas, including perceived well-being; self-esteem; acute, chronic, and psychosocial disorders; and physical activity. Some studies have shown correlates of weight status and incarceration; however, the literature is conflicting. The current study sought to assess weight patterns of primarily minority urban youth (N = 548) entering a juvenile justice facility as well as associations between medications and weight status. Results indicate incarcerated adolescents have higher rates of overweight and obesity (40%) in comparison with nonincarcerated adolescents in the state (20 to 30%) or surrounding community (30 to 34%). Of interest, incarcerated adolescents taking asthma medications have significantly higher rates of overweight and obesity when compared with those not taking asthma medications. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and implications for future research explored.
Effects of Macrolide Antibiotics on Th1 Cell and Th2 Cell Development Mediated by Langerhans Cells.

- Background: It is well known that Langerhans cells (LCs) work as the primary orchestrators in the polarization of the immune milieu towards a T helper type 1 (Th1) or a Th2 immune response. In this study, we investigated the effects of macrolide antibiotics on Th1 cell and Th2 cell development mediated by LCs. METHODS LC-like dendritic cells (LDCs) were generated from mouse bone marrow cells and used as substitutes for LCs. Mice were primed with ovalbumin (OVA) peptide-pulsed LDCs, which had been treated with each macrolide antibiotic, via the hind footpad. After 5 days, the cytokine response in the popliteal lymph nodes was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of cell surface molecules on LDCs was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Injection of OVA peptide-pulsed LDCs, which had been treated with josamycin or spiramycin, inhibited Th2 cell development as represented by down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-4 production as well as Th1 cell development as represented by down-regulation of interferon (IFN)-g production. This inhibition of Th1 cell and Th2 cell development was associated with suppression of CD86 and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein (TIM)-4 expression, respectively, in LDCs. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) were more susceptible to josamycin than to spiramycin. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that topical application of josamycin to AD lesions colonized with S. aureus would be beneficial for control of AD by acting on both superficial S. aureus and epidermal LCs, and inhibiting the development of Th2 cells.
Demographics of tuberculosis in an emerging EU region in Southern Scandinavia

To describe demographics of tuberculosis (TB) in the Øresund region, southern Scandinavia, a retrospective analysis of epidemiological data from TB registers and population databases, from 1995 to 2002, was performed. A total of 2678 TB cases were reported with an overall incidence of 6.3 per 100,000 person-y of observation. There were major differences in notification rates among immigrants depending on their country of origin and their residence in the Øresund region. In the Danish part, 37% of all cases among immigrants came from the Horn of Africa compared to 28% in the Swedish areas. Older age and residence in Denmark were independent risk factors for TB. Comparisons of TB rates within the group of immigrants from the Horn of Africa showed higher rates in the Danish areas compared to the Swedish areas. The discrepancies in notification rates could be explained by different socioeconomic circumstances in the 2 countries or by a greater immigration from highly endemic countries into Denmark during the study period; however, ongoing transmission in specific population groups at high risk of tuberculosis cannot be excluded. This highlights the need for continued and improved surveillance for TB, especially among newly arrived immigrants from highly endemic countries.
Detection and characterization of red blood cell (RBC) aggregation with photoacoustics

Red blood cells (RBCs) aggregate in the presence of increased plasma fibrinogen and low shear forces during blood flow. RBC aggregation has been observed in deep vein thrombosis, sepsis and diabetes. We propose using photoacoustics (PA) as a non-invasive imaging modality to detect RBC aggregation. The theoretical and experimental feasibility of PA for detecting and characterizing aggregation was assessed. A simulation study was performed to generate PA signals from non-aggregated and aggregated RBCs using a frequency domain approach and to study the PA signals' dependence on hematocrit and aggregate size. The effect of the finite bandwidth nature of transducers on the PA power spectra was also investigated. Experimental confirmation of theoretical results was conducted using porcine RBC samples exposed to 1064 nm optical wavelength using the Imagio Small Animal PA imaging system (Seno Medical Instruments, Inc., San Antonio, TX). Aggregation was induced with Dextran-70 (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) and the effect of hematocrit and aggregation level was investigated. The theoretical and experimental PA signal amplitude increased linearly with increasing hematocrit. The theoretical dominant frequency content of PA signals shifted towards lower frequencies (<30 MHz) and 9 dB enhancements in spectral power were observed as the size of aggregates increased compared to non-aggregating RBCs. Calibration of the PA spectra with the transducer response obtained from a 200 nm gold film was performed to remove system dependencies. Analysis of the spectral parameters from the calibrated spectra suggested that PA can assess the degree of aggregation at multiple hematocrit and aggregation levels.
Accuracy of periapical radiography, panoramic radiography and computed tomography for examining the mental foramen region

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of different radiographic methods for bone height estimation at the mental foramen area. Methods: Twenty dry human hemimandibles were examed by using periapical and panoramic radiography, and computed tomography. An electronic digital caliper was used to measure the tracings obtained from the radiographies in three different times (groups A1, A2 and A3) and in the cross-sectioned hemimandibles (group B). Measurements consisted of: Measure 1 - from the upper limit of the alveolar ridge to the upper limit of the mental foramen; Measure 2 - from the upper limit of the mental foramen to the inferior limit of the cortical bone of the base of the jaw; Measure 3 - from the upper limit of the alveolar ridge to the inferior limit of the cortical bone of the base of the jaw. Data were analyzed with Student-t and Friedman tests. Results: The average difference values in Measure 1 were 0.33 mm, 0.35 mm and 0.85 mm for the periapical radiography, computed tomography and panoramic radiography, respectively (confidence intervals of 0.17 mm to 0.49 mm, 0.18 mm to 0.53 mm and 0.38 mm to 1.32 mm, respectively). Panoramic radiographies showed the greatest differences in Measures 2 and 3, with average values of 1.05 mm and 1.93 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Periapical radiography and computed tomography showed the best accuracy. A safety margin for surgical purposes has been suggested.
Consequences of factor IX mutations in 26 families with haemophilia B

Haemophilia B is due to a variety of mutations within the factor IX gene. In the Seattle series, 26 additional unrelated families have had a mutation identified within the past 2 years. Of these, 11 were common recurrent point mutations identifiable by rapid restriction digest screening; eight of these probably represent founder mutations. 15 others were identified by sequencing amplified coding region fragments; eight are novel. Two each had frameshift and donor splice mutations and 11 had missense mutations. Five of these mutations associated with normal levels of circulating dysfunctional factor IX were computer modelled into coordinates for factor IXa.
Efecto de los grados subnucleares de libertad en la respuesta cuasielástica nuclear

Se ha calculado la respuesta transversal nuclear utilizando un modelo de capas para describir los estados excitados nucleares. Se han incluido en el calculo corrientes de intercambio de piones, responsables de los procesos de emision de dos nucleones, y se ha analizado el efecto que producen con respecto a la respuesta a un cuerpo, asi como el de otros grados de libertad subnucleares, como los factores de forma electromagneticos del nucleon, aproximacion estatica del pion, factor de forma pion-nucleon, etc. La incertidumbre en las respuestas debida a las diferentes parametrizaciones del factor de forma electromagnetico del nucleon es del orden del 10% el efecto total de las mec en el pico es negativo. La comparacion con los datos experimentales indica que el modelo debe ser mejorado. Los efectos del tamano finito nuclear han sido estudiados mediante una comparacion entre nuestro modelo y el de un gas de fermi, con un momento de fermi efectivo. Los resultados son similares a alto q. La lda no es una buena aproximacion en nucleos medios. Las mec producen resultados similares para la respuesta a 1p-1h en ambos modelos, lo que resuelve contradicciones encontradas en la literatura.
The Effect of Diet on the Response of Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice to the Liver X Receptor Agonist T1317

It has been previously observed that low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR−/−) mice fed a Western-type diet without cholate and given the liver X receptor agonist T1317 develop a persistent and enhanced hypertriglyceridemia. In contrast, LDLR−/− mice fed a Paigen diet with cholate exhibit only a transient increase in plasma triglycerides when given T1317. Cholate as an activator of farnesoid X receptor may attenuate T1317-induced triglyceridemia. To determine if cholate was responsible for this transient nature of the hypertriglyceridemia, we orally administered T1317 to LDLR−/− mice fed a modified Paigen diet without cholate. T1317 transiently elevated plasma triglycerides by increasing plasma very-low-density lipoprotein. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma very-low-density lipoprotein in T1317-treated mice decreased from peak levels to levels found in vehicle-treated mice after 8 weeks of treatment. A gradual decline of hepatic cholesterol and a transient increase in hepatic triglycerides were also observed in T1317-treated mice. T1317 only transiently activated the expression of genes related to liver de novo lipogenesis, whereas genes related to lipid metabolism were induced in T1317-treated mice, including a gradual increase in plasma lipoprotein lipase activity. Atheroprotective effects of T1317 were observed in the innominate artery and aortic arch but not in the aortic sinus. This work indicates that some component(s) in the Paigen diet other than cholate affect the T1317-induced gene expression profile and ameliorate its effects on lipid synthesis, which lead to hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver. These findings are important for liver X receptor-related pharmaceutical development for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
An empirical investigation of hospital profitability in the post-PPS era.

In this study, we identify the empirical determinants of hospital profitability, as measured by return on assets, using a comprehensive sample of hospitals from all four U.S. regions over the post-PPS era. We augment previous empirical models of hospital profitability by considering the effects of additional economic and financial variables and the effects of conversion of ownership status. Our empirical findings suggest that the following factors are significant determinants of hospital profitability during the post-PPS era: geographic location, ownership status, teaching status, conversion of ownership status, adjusted number of employees, length of stay, competition, financial indebtedness, bed capacity, and occupancy rate. We also find that a nonlinear relationship characterizes the dependence of hospital profitability on bed capacity and occupancy rate.
Evaluation of Natural and Engineered Resistance Mechanisms in Solanum tuberosum for Resistance to Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, is a highly destructive pest of cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum L. , and is responsible for damage to both leaf and tuber tissues. Host plant resistance is a central component to developing an integrated pest management program to control potato tuber moth. This research tested the efficacy of a codon-modified CryV- Bacilius thuringiensis (CryV-Bt) gene constitutively expressed in potato and the combined effect of CryV-Bt expression with natural host plant resistance mechanisms in potato. ‘Lemhi Russet’ and 2 lines with host plant resistance mechanisms, USDA8380-1 (leaf leptines) and L235-4 (glandular trichomes), along with the CryV-Bt-transgenic lines of each of these 3 genotypes were examined. Detached leaf bioassays were conducted to examine control of potato tuber moth. Nontransformed Lemhi Russet and L235-4 were susceptible to potato tuber moth, while 54%potato tuber moth mortality was found when first instar larvae fed on USDA8380-1Ieaves. High levels of expression occurred in the CryV-Bt transgenic lines, with up to 96% potato tuber moth mortality. These transgenic lines provide a germplasm base to examine combined insect-resistance mechanisms as a means to achieve durable host plant resistance.
Analysis of Th1 and Th2 cells in murine gut-associated tissues. Frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that secrete IFN-gamma and IL-5.

After Ag and/or mitogen stimulation, cloned mouse Th1 and Th2 cells produce different cytokines that contribute to induction of particular B cell isotype responses. In this regard, IL-5 produced by Th2 cells has been shown to enhance IgA synthesis in LPS-triggered splenic (SP) B cell or in unstimulated Peyer's patch (PP) B cell cultures. This raises the possibility that Th2 cells may occur in higher frequency in gut-associated tissues, because B cells in these areas are committed to IgA synthesis. We have used an ELISPOT assay to detect individual T cells producing IFN-gamma or IL-5. For the IL-5 assay, the mAb TRFK-5 and biotinylated TRFK-4 were used in coating and detection, respectively, whereas the mAb R4-6A2 and biotinylated XMG 1.2 were similarly used for enumeration of IFN-gamma-specific spot forming cells (SFC). Specificity of each assay was tested by using Con A-activated, cloned Th1 (H66-61) or Th2 (CDC-25) cells, where the Th1 cells only produced IFN-gamma SFC and the Th2 cells only gave IL-5-specific spots. Further, preincubation of biotinylated TRFK-4 or XMG 1.2 with rIL-5 or IFN-gamma, respectively, abrogated the formation of specific spots when tested with Con A-activated SP CD4+ T cells. Both IFN-gamma and IL-5 were produced de novo, because treatment of T cells with cycloheximide inhibited both IFN-gamma and IL-5 SFC. We have assessed the numbers of T cells spontaneously secreting these cytokines in PP and in lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocyte (LPL and IEL) populations. Moderate levels of IL-5 SFC occurred in the IEL subset, whereas higher levels existed in the LPL population. Although significant numbers of IFN-gamma SFC (Th1-type) were also seen in LPLs, the frequency of IL-5 SFC was always higher (Th1:Th2 in LPL = 1:3). In IELs, equal numbers of IFN-gamma and IL-5 SFC were seen. Interestingly, CD8+ IEL T cells produced these two cytokines. In contrast, T cells freshly isolated from PP, an IgA inductive site, contained smaller numbers of IL-5- or IFN-gamma-secreting cells and SP T cells had essentially no SFC. When PP or SP T cells were stimulated with Con A, significant and approximately equal numbers of IFN-gamma- and IL-5-producing cells appeared. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Genetic Characterization and Evolutionary Implications of a car Gene Cluster in the Carbazole Degrader Pseudomonas sp. Strain CA10

ABSTRACT The nucleotide sequences of the 27,939-bp-long upstream and 9,448-bp-long downstream regions of thecarAaAaBaBbCAc(ORF7)Ad genes of carbazole-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strain CA10 were determined. Thirty-two open reading frames (ORFs) were identified, and the car gene cluster was consequently revealed to consist of 10 genes (carAaAaBaBbCAcAdDFE) encoding the enzymes for the three-step conversion of carbazole to anthranilate and the degradation of 2-hydroxypenta-2,4-dienoate. The high identities (68 to 83%) with the enzymes involved in 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid degradation were observed only for CarFE. This observation, together with the fact that two ORFs are inserted between carDand carFE, makes it quite likely that thecarFE genes were recruited from another locus. In the 21-kb region upstream from carAa, aromatic-ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase genes (ORF26, ORF27, and ORF28) were found. Inductive expression in carbazole-grown cells and the results of homology searching indicate that these genes encode the anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase involved in carbazole degradation. Therefore, these ORFs were designated antABC. Four homologous insertion sequences, IS5car1 to IS5car4, were identified in the neighboring regions ofcar and ant genes. IS5car2and IS5car3 constituted the putative composite transposon containing antABC. One-ended transposition of IS5car2 together with the 5′ portion ofantA into the region immediately upstream ofcarAa had resulted in the formation of IS5car1 and ORF9. In addition to the insertion sequence-dependent recombination, gene duplications and presumed gene fusion were observed. In conclusion, through the above gene rearrangement, the novel genetic structure of the cargene cluster has been constructed. In addition, it was also revealed that the car and ant gene clusters are located on the megaplasmid pCAR1.
Integrasi Etnomatematika dalam Kurikulum Matematika Sekolah

Etnomatematika merupakan matematika yang diterapkan oleh kelompok budaya tertentu. Itu berarti etnomatematika bukan sekedar bicara tentang etnis atau suku. Karena pengajaran matematika di sekolah dan matematika yang ditemukan anak dalam kehidupan sehari-hari sangat berbeda, maka pembelajaran matematika sangat perlu memberikan muatan/menjembatani antara matematika dalam dunia sehari-hari yang berbasis pada budaya lokal dengan matematika sekolah. Melihat kurikulum 2013 yang menanamkan pemikiran ilmiah dan pendidikan karakter, menjadi rasional untuk mengintegrasikan etnomatematika dan pembelajaran matematika. Tulisan ini membahas kemungkinan pengintegrasian etnomatematika ke dalam kurikulum matematika dan model pembelajaran yang mendukung pembelajarannya.
Fat Intake and Weight Development from 9 to 16 Years of Age: The European Youth Heart Study – a Longitudinal Study

Objective: The literature on associations between fat intake and weight development among both children and adults is inconsistent, even if it is generally assumed that a high dietary fat intake is a major determinant of obesity. The present study aimed at investigating the association between fat intake and weight development among a cohort of children aged 9–10 years at baseline and 15–16 years at follow-up, and, further, at investigating whether parents’ obesity is modifying the association. Method: Among 384 subjects aged 9 years, data on dietary intake, BMI z-score, physical activity, inactivity, parents’ social status, parents’ body mass index, child birth weight, and status of puberty was obtained in 1997. Weight and height was measured both at baseline and at 6-year follow-up, and BMI z-score was calculated. Linear regression was used to assess the role of fat intake on subsequent weight change between 1997 and 2003 with the above-mentioned variables as confounders, in 3 different models and for each sex separately. Results: The analysis showed no relation between fat intake (both absolute intake and fat energy percent) at 9 years and subsequent 6-year weight change. Only BMI z-score at baseline had a significant relation to weight change for both sexes, and number of obese parents had significant relation to weight change in girls. Number of overweight parents did not modify the association between fat intake and weight change. Conclusion: This study was unable to find a relation between fat intake and 6-year weight change among 9-year-old children. No interaction was seen between number of overweight parents on the relation between fat intake and subsequent weight change.
RECOVERY OF KAKAMEGA TROPICAL RAINFOREST FROM ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCES

1South Eastern Kenya University, School of Environment and Natural Resources Management, PO Box 170 Kitui-90200, Kenya; mutifestox@yahoo.com 2Kabiaga University, School of Natural Resource Management, PO Box 1 Kericho-20201, Kenya 3Ministry of Education, PO Box 30040-00100, Nairobi 4University of Eldoret, School of Natural Resource Management, PO Box 1125 Eldoret-30100, Kenya 5University of Nigeria, Department of Agricultural Economics, Nsukka