Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prognostic model for functional outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To construct a prognostic algorithm to predict 5-year functional outcome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). METHODS Data from all patients with 5-year followup (n = 985) were used from an inception cohort, the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study (ERAS). Possibly relevant prognostic factors considered in the initial stage of the model-building process were standard clinical, radiological, and laboratory features measured at baseline and at 1 year. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression, and the predictive performance of the model was tested using measures of discrimination and calibration. RESULTS Bootstrap resampling identified 6 variables that consistently predicted severe functional outcome. Functional grade III/IV (odds ratio 6.7) and HAQ at 1 year (odds ratio 2.4) were the most important. Other variables included socioeconomic status, hemoglobin, and radiographic and disease activity scores. Estimates of the regression coefficients and performance were corrected for over-fitting. Reasonably large values for the c-index (0.82) and the Nagelkerke R(2) (0.39) indicate that the set of prognostic factors explains the variation in outcome to a degree that implies good prediction for individual patients. CONCLUSION The algorithm identifies patients in the first year of RA who are likely to have poor function by 5 years and who could potentially benefit from aggressive drug therapy. A nomogram is produced for simple application of the model in clinical practice. While further external validation is necessary, this model could allow clinicians to target aggressive therapy earlier in a patient's disease course.
Effect of Chicken Genotype on Growth Performance of Pure and Crossbred Progenies in the Development of a Broiler Line

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of chicken genotype on the growth performance, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of the progenies resulting from purebred (Giriraja (Gr) X Giriraja (Gr)), straight (Gr male X Alpha female), reciprocal (Alpha male X Gr female) and Alpha male X White Leghorn (WL) female crosses. Data obtained on body weight, body length, breast girth, keel length, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency in a Completely Randomized Design were analysed using one-way analysis of variance for the fixed effect of chicken genotype. Generally, all growth traits, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by chicken genotype. Body parameters, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency increased as birds advanced in age. Progenies resulting from mating of Giriraja X Giriraja chickens had the highest body weight, breast girth and feed conversion efficiency. However, the reciprocal crosses of Alpha X Gr resulted in significant (P < 0.05) improvement of body length, keel length and feed intake. In conclusion therefore, the genetic superiority exhibited by the crosses of Alpha x Gr when compared with other crossbreds could be exploited to speed up the growth performance of indigenous chicken towards having Nigerian indigenous broiler line.
Modeling the Impact of Interventions on an Epidemic of Ebola in Sierra Leone and Liberia

Background: An Ebola outbreak of unparalleled size is currently affecting several countries in West Africa, and international efforts to control the outbreak are underway. However, the efficacy of these interventions, and their likely impact on an Ebola epidemic of this size, is unknown. Forecasting and simulation of these interventions may inform public health efforts. Methods: We use existing data from Liberia and Sierra Leone to parameterize a mathematical model of Ebola and use this model to forecast the progression of the epidemic, as well as the efficacy of several interventions, including increased contact tracing, improved infection control practices, the use of a hypothetical pharmaceutical intervention to improve survival in hospitalized patients. Findings: Model forecasts until Dec. 31, 2014 show an increasingly severe epidemic with no sign of having reached a peak. Modeling results suggest that increased contact tracing, improved infection control, or a combination of the two can have a substantial impact on the number of Ebola cases, but these interventions are not sufficient to halt the progress of the epidemic. The hypothetical pharmaceutical intervention, while impacting mortality, had a smaller effect on the forecasted trajectory of the epidemic. Interpretation: Near-term, practical interventions to address the ongoing Ebola epidemic may have a beneficial impact on public health, but they will not result in the immediate halting, or even obvious slowing of the epidemic. A long-term commitment of resources and support will be necessary to address the outbreak.
Specific up‐regulation of GADD153/CHOP in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium‐treated SH‐SY5Y cells

Growth arrest DNA damage‐inducible 153 (GADD153) expression was increased in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐pyridinium (MPP+)‐treated human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as determined by gene microarray analysis. GADD153 expression increased after 24 hr of MPP+ (1 mM) exposure and preceded activation of caspase 3. Comparison of GADD153 expression among cultures treated with other toxins whose primary mode of action is either via mitochondrial impairment (rotenone) or via oxidative stress (6‐hydroxydopamine or hydrogen peroxide) showed that GADD153 was uniquely up‐regulated by MPP+. Together these data suggest that a cellular mechanism distinct from mitochondrial impairment or oxidative stress contributes significantly to the up‐regulation of GADD153 by MPP+ and that GADD153 may function as an inducer of apoptosis following MPP+ exposure. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of bioactive substances in stored donor blood: prestorage versus bedside leucofiltration

Leucocyte filtration has been suggested to improve transfusion products. We studied the effect of prestorage versus bedside leucofiltration on reduction of bioactive substances and leucocyte content in donor blood. Forty‐five units of whole blood from healthy blood donors were studied. Of these units, 9 were stored under standard conditions for 35 d, 9 were leucofiltered after donation and then stored for 35 d, and 3×9 units were stored for 7, 21 and 35 d, respectively, before leucofiltration. Samples were collected from blood units immediately after donation, and before and after leucofiltration, and analysed by ELISA and RIA methods for extracellular content of myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), histamine (HIS) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1). Leucocyte content was counted in all samples. In non‐filtered blood extracellular MPO, ECP, HIS and PAI‐1 were accumulated in a storage time‐dependent manner, while prestorage leucofiltration prevented this accumulation. Leucofiltration after storage for 7, 21 or 35 d did not significantly reduce the accumulated bioactive substances, which were similar to levels in non‐filtered blood stored for the same period of time. Prestorage and bedside leucofiltration on day 7 reduced the leucocyte content to less than 0.5×106/L, whereas the median content in blood stored for 21 or 35 d was only reduced to 32.0 and 52.2×106/L, respectively. Prestorage leucofiltration may thus be advantageous to bedside leucofiltration.
Worldview transformation and the development of social consciousness

In this paper, we examine how increasing understanding and explicit awareness of social consciousness can develop through trans- formations in worldview. Based on a model that emerged from a series of qualitative and quantitative studies on worldview transformation, we identify five developmental levels of social consciousness: embedded, self-reflexive, engaged, collaborative, and resonant. As a person's worldview transforms, awareness can expand to include each of these levels, leading to enhanced prosocial experiences and behaviours. Increased social consciousness can in turn stimulate further transform- ations in worldview. We then consider an educational curriculum to facilitate the understanding of worldview and the cultivation of social consciousness as core capacities for twenty-first century students and global citizens.
Regulated Overexpression of the A1-Adenosine Receptor in Mice Results in Adverse but Reversible Changes in Cardiac Morphology and Function

Background— Both the A1- and A3-adenosine receptors (ARs) have been implicated in mediating the cardioprotective effects of adenosine. Paradoxically, overexpression of both A1-AR and A3-AR is associated with changes in the cardiac phenotype. To evaluate the temporal relationship between AR signaling and cardiac remodeling, we studied the effects of controlled overexpression of the A1-AR using a cardiac-specific and tetracycline-transactivating factor–regulated promoter. Methods and Results— Constitutive A1-AR overexpression caused the development of cardiac dilatation and death within 6 to 12 weeks. These mice developed diminished ventricular function and decreased heart rate. In contrast, when A1-AR expression was delayed until 3 weeks of age, mice remained phenotypically normal at 6 weeks, and >90% of the mice survived at 30 weeks. However, late induction of A1-AR still caused mild cardiomyopathy at older ages (20 weeks) and accelerated cardiac hypertrophy and the development of dilatation after pressure overload. These changes were accompanied by gene expression changes associated with cardiomyopathy and fibrosis and by decreased Akt phosphorylation. Discontinuation of A1-AR induction mitigated cardiac dysfunction and significantly improved survival rate. Conclusions— These data suggest that robust constitutive myocardial A1-AR overexpression induces a dilated cardiomyopathy, whereas delaying A1-AR expression until adulthood ameliorated but did not eliminate the development of cardiac pathology. Thus, the inducible A1-AR transgenic mouse model provides novel insights into the role of adenosine signaling in heart failure and illustrates the potentially deleterious consequences of selective versus nonselective activation of adenosine-signaling pathways in the heart.
Salt stress change chlorophyll fluorescence in mango

This study evaluated the tolerance of mango cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins' and 'Uba' grafted on rootstock 'Imbu' to salt stress using chlorophyll fluorescence. Plants were grown in modified Hoagland solution containing 0, 15, 30, and 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. At 97 days the parameters of the chlorophyll fluorescence (F0, Fm, Fv, F0/Fm, Fv/Fm, Fv'/Fm', ΦPSII = [(Fm'-Fs)/(Fm')], D = (1- Fv'/Fm') and ETR = (ΦPSII×PPF×0,84×0,5) were determined. At 100 days, the leaf emission and leaf area, toxicity and leaf abscission indexes were determined. In all cultivars evaluated, in different degree, there were decreases in photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, enhanced concentrations from 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. The decreases in the potential quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were 27.9, 18.7, 20.5, and 27.4%, for cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins', and 'Uba', respectively, when grown in 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. It was found decreases in leaf emission and mean leaf area in all cultivars from 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. There were increases in leaf toxicity of 33.0, 67.5, 41.6 and 80.8% and in leaf abscission of 71.8, 29.2, 32.5, and 67.9% for the cultivars 'Haden', 'Palmer', 'Tommy Atkins', and 'Uba' respectively, when grown in 45 mmol L-1 NaCl. Leaf toxicity and leaf abscission were not observed in 15 mmol L-1 NaCl. The decrease in Fv/Fm ratio were accompanied by decreasing in leaf emission and increased leaf toxicity index, showing, therefore, the potential of chlorophyll fluorescence in the early detection of salt stress in mango tree.
Flow‐Mediated Vasodilation and Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract: Increased evidence suggests an accelerated macrovascular disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Brachial artery flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) and carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) are two indicators of subclinic cardiovascular disease and are frequently used as surrogate measures of subclinic atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate macrovascular involvement in SSc. We studied 35 SSc patients (6 males and 29 females; 11 with diffuse and 24 with limited disease) and 20 healthy controls. Brachial artery FMD was assessed by method described by Celermajer in all patients and 13 control subjects. IMT was measured using high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasonography in patients and controls. Traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoke) were also assessed. FMD was significantly impaired (3.41%± 4.56% versus 7.66%± 4.24%; P < 0.037) and IMT was significantly elevated compared with healthy controls (0.93 ± 0.29 mm versus 0.77 ± 0.13 mm; P < 0.005). FMD was not significantly different in SSc with increased IMT compared with those with normal IMT). No correlation was found between risk factors for atherosclerosis and the impairment of FMD or IMT in SSc patients. The impairment of endothelial function and structural changes of large vessels are evident in SSc, but do not seem associated with traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. Prospective studies including also clinical outcomes are needed to assess the features and significance of macrovacular involvement in SSc.
Voting Power, Bankruptcy Risk and Radical Debt Financing Behavior of Family Firms: Empirical Evidences from China

Using a sample of A-share firms during 2001 to 2004, we investigates whether leverage of family controlled firms differs from that of nonfamily controlled firms based on isolating the disturbance of institutional factors. The empirical test reveals that family controlled firms appear to have higher levels of leverage than non family counterparts. Under the weak investor protection and the absence of bankruptcy mechanism, the private firms controlled by family tend to employ high leverage and have incentive to use debt as a means of concentrating voting power outweighs the need to reduce debt in order to mitigate firm risk. Additional analysis indicates that there exist different impacts of the percentage of ownership on debt financing behavior, the percentage of family shareholders present a negative relationship with leverage
Enhancing parents' confidence to care in acute childhood illness: triangulation of findings from a mixed methods study of Community Children's Nursing.

BACKGROUND Children's emergency hospital use is of concern internationally, but there has been little examination of home care by nurses. AIMS To examine the care provided by community children's nurses during acute illness. DESIGN Triangulation of findings from case studies of three Community Children's Nursing Teams. METHODS Parents or carers (n = 763) completed questionnaires between 2008-2010 about their contacts with nurses and satisfaction with aspects and overall assessment of nursing care provided. Eighty-one individuals participated in semi-structured interviews: 29 parents/carers described their experiences and explained their questionnaire responses in more detail; 13 children talked about their care both in hospital and at home; and 39 nurses and other healthcare providers explained how nurses supported care of children at home. Questionnaire data were analysed descriptively and interview data qualitatively. The findings were integrated by triangulation of methods (questionnaires and interviews) and of data from different informants (children, parents, healthcare providers). RESULTS Nursing care most frequently took the form of advice and education by either home visits or telephone contact. Parents and children were reassured by access to nurses and it gave them confidence to care at home. Most respondents thought that it reduced the time their children spent in hospital. CONCLUSIONS Nurses can make an important contribution to supporting parents to care confidently for their children at home to reduce or even to avoid hospitalization for acute conditions and give them confidence to manage future episodes of illness.
Clinically based surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in young children admitted to selected US hospitals between January 2000 and June 2009

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is under-reported in countries that do not employ polymerase-chain reaction for surveillance because culture-negative cases are omitted. To evaluate a clinically based, case-finding method, we developed case definitions for “probable,” “compatible with,” and “possible, but unlikely” IMD, respectively, based on supportive documentation (e.g., discharge diagnosis of meningococcal infection, culture-negative bacterial meningitis, petechiae/purpura, Gram-negative diplococci on Gram stain) and weight of clinical evidence, which we then applied to electronic health records for all children aged ≤5 y who were admitted to approximately 100 US hospitals between January 2000 and June 2009. Among 47,863 qualifying admissions, 16 children had culture-positive IMD, 5 had “probable” IMD, and 5 had illness “compatible with” IMD. Five additional children had disease considered “possible but unlikely” IMD. Our case-finding methods suggest that culture-based ascertainment may underestimate the number of IMD cases by 31–63%, supporting findings in other nations that culture-based reporting provides incomplete information on disease incidence and therefore underestimates the potential benefits of routine vaccination of young children against meningococcal disease.
Panic comorbidity with bipolar disorder: what is the manic-panic connection?

CONTEXT Bipolar/panic comorbidity has been observed in clinical, community and familial samples. As both are episodic disorders of affect regulation, the common pathophysiological mechanism is likely to involve deficits in amygdala-mediated, plasticity-dependent emotional conditioning. EVIDENCE Neuronal genesis and synaptic remodeling occur in the amygdala; bipolar and panic disorders have both been associated with abnormality in the amygdala and related structures, as well as in molecules that modulate plasticity, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). These biological elements are involved in behavioral conditioning to threat and reward. MODEL Panic attacks resemble the normal acute fear response, but are abnormally dissociated from any relevant threat. Abnormal reward-seeking behavior is central to both manic and depressive syndromes. Appetites can be elevated or depressed; satisfaction of a drive may fail to condition future behavior. These dissociations may be the result of deficits in plasticity-dependent processes of conditioning within different amygdala subregions. CONCLUSIONS This speculative model may be a useful framework with which to connect molecular, cellular, anatomic and behavioral processes in panic and bipolar disorders. The primary clinical implication is that behavioral treatment may be critical to restore function in some bipolar patients who respond only partially to medications.
Altruistic sperm donation in a sperm-dependent parthenogenetic hermaphrodite is stabilized by reciprocal sperm exchange

Sperm-dependent parthenogenetic animals require sperm from an ‘altruistic’ mate in order to trigger embryogenesis, but without genetic contribution from the sperm donor. The stability of sperm donation is puzzling, particularly in populations that consist of sperm-dependent parthenogenetic hermaphrodites. Here, selection should favour total reduction of the male function, which would lead to population extinction. We investigated mating behaviour in a population of the sperm-dependent parthenogenetic, hermaphroditic flatworm Schmidtea polychroa. In this species, parthenogens possess a fully functional male reproductive system. We predicted that individuals should trade sperm and hence, only donate when receiving sperm from their partner. Results from 54 pairs indicate that conditional reciprocity is common, possibly even more so than in previously studied sexual conspecifics. In contrast to sexuals, however, parthenogens do not increase allocation to sperm with body size. Taken together, the data indicate that in order to receive sperm and ensure full maternal fertility, parthenogenetic S. polychroa must be able to produce and donate a minimum of self-sperm. As such, sperm trading contributes to the stability of apparently ‘altruistic’ sperm donation. This study is also the first convincing example of sperm trading in internally fertilizing hermaphrodites with a strong preference for the female role.
Evaluation of University-Library Knowledge Management Practice : Comparative Case Studies from Developing and Developed Countries

Knowledge management (KM) has become a vital part of the successful development of private and governmental organizations. KM is processed tools and behaviors that participate in the formulation and performance of the beneficiaries of the organization, acquisition, storage and distribution of knowledge. This is to reflect on the business processes and to gain access to best practices with a view to long-term competition and adaptation. In this context, the personal understanding of KM is a key factor in successful employments of KM activities. In this thesis, the level of understanding of knowledge management and the extent of its usage in the university library by librarians was investigated. A comparison study was established between libraries in developed and developing countries. Interviews and observations were performed and the results were analyzed. The results indicate the concept of KM is hardly known, however it is employed to different extent between these counties, the developed countries were by far more successful in utilizing current technology to advance their service and personal expertise with few challenges. Lack of communication, knowledge sharing, and the shortage in the budget was essential in limiting the usage of KM in developing counties. The knowledge derived from this thesis advances an understanding of the importance of KM in library performance, thus presenting the basis for improving libraries in developing countries and advancing libraries in developed countries.
The onconeural antigen Nova-1 is a neuron-specific RNA-binding protein, the activity of which is inhibited by paraneoplastic antibodies

Nova-1, a protein expressed in tumors and neurons, is a target antigen in a human paraneoplastic motor disorder [paraneoplastic opsoclonus- myoclonus ataxia (POMA)]. We evaluated the relationship between the function of Nova-1 and its role as a disease antigen. We show that Nova- 1 is a neuron-specific RNA-binding protein with sequence and functional similarities to FMR-1. Nova-1 mRNA is restricted to the subcortical nervous system, and the protein binds to RNA with high affinity. Nova-1 KH domains mediate this RNA binding, and point mutations within them abrogate binding. POMA disease antisera (6/6) recognize the third KH domain but not an inactive point mutant, and affinity-purified antibody blocks Nova-1 RNA binding. Thus, a cardinal feature of POMA is the production of antibodies that inhibit Nova-1-RNA interactions, suggesting such inhibition may cause the neurological disease.