Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Indirect Effect of Ethnic Identity on Marijuana Use Through School Engagement: An African American High School Sample

ABSTRACT Background: African American marijuana use is associated with many negative social, emotional, and health-related consequences. Of significance, over recent years this population has shown an increase in use. In the literature, ethnic identity and school engagement are prominent protective factors against substance use. Objective: This study will examine how these protective factors are related, specifically whether ethnic identity mitigates risk through school engagement to reduce marijuana use. Method: A path analysis was conducted with 437 African American high school students (41% male) from Midwestern schools to examine the role of school engagement in the relationship between ethnic identity and marijuana use. Results: The results revealed that students high in ethnic identity have higher school engagement, which lessens their frequency of marijuana use. Therefore, ethnic identity reduces marijuana use by increasing student's school engagement. Conclusions/Importance: The results offer a clearer picture of how ethnic identity and school engagement protect against marijuana use. The results also present insight into how to protect students who are low in ethnic identity.
10 A Di ff erence-Making Framework for Intuitive Judgments of Responsibility

‘Would-be politician Robert “Bobby” McDonald has learnt the hard way that every vote can count. McDonald, 27, tied with Olivia Ballou for a seat on Walton City Council in Kentucky on 669 votes . When his wife Katie rang him with ten minutes to go before the polls closed to say she hadn’t had time to vote, he told her not to bother . McDonald, whose fate is likely to be decided by a toss of a coin if a recount does not split them, did not blame his wife, who works nights as a patient care assistant at a hospital and is finishing training as a nurse . “She feels bad enough,” he said. “She worked extra hours, goes to school and we have three kids, so I don’t blame her. She woke up about ten minutes before the polls closed and asked if she should run up, but I told her I didn’t think one vote would matter. ”’1 (Herald Sun,2 November 9, 2012). Assigning responsibility is a complex matter. Not only are there multiple criteria by which we evaluate people’s actions, but there are often distinct senses of responsibility in play. Take Bobby McDonald’s wife, Katie, in the
Immune mediators in vitreous fluids from patients with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE Various immune mediators are hypothesized to have important roles in the pathogenesis of vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. We determined the immune mediator profile in the vitreous of eyes with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma. METHODS We studied 28 eyes (23 patients) with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma, and 27 eyes (27 patients) undergoing vitrectomy for macular hole and epiretinal membrane served as controls. Undiluted vitreous samples were collected, and cytometric bead array and ELISA were used to determine the vitreous concentrations of 38 immune mediators, including 14 interleukins (IL); interferon (IFN)-γ; oncostatin M (OSM); IFN-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10; monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1; macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α; MIP-1β, regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES); monokine induced by IFN-γ (Mig); stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α; B-cell-attracting chemokine (BCA)-1; basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); Fas ligand; granzyme A; and granzyme B. RESULTS Vitreous levels of BCA-1, bFGF, Fas ligand, granzyme A, granzyme B, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, Mig, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, OSM, RANTES, and SDF-1α were significantly higher in vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma patients than in controls. A moderate-to-strong positive correlation was observed between granzyme A and BCA-1, IFN-γ, or MIP-1β; between IFN-γ and Mig or SDF-1α; between IL-6 and IL-8, IL-10, IP-10, or MCP-1; between IL-8 and MCP-1, Mig, or MIP-1β; between IL-10 and MCP-1 or MIP-1α; between Mig and IP-10 or Mig; and between MIP-1α and MIP-1β. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that elevated vitreous levels of various immune mediators inducing growth, migration, and apoptosis of B-cell lymphoma are involved possibly in the pathophysiology of vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma.
Zeranol Induces Deleterious Effects on the Testes and the Prostate Gland of Mature Rats

Background. Endocrine disrupters have been shown to affect the male and female reproductive systems and to alter potential fertility. Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a continuous-release pellet containing 12 mg of zeranol for 30 days on the testes and the prostate gland of mature male rats. Results. Zeranol treatment induced significant decrease of the testes and the prostate gland weights which were associated with a remarkable atrophy of the testicular seminiferous tubules and prominent regression of the glandular compartment of the prostate gland. However, zeranol treatment increased the thickness of the periductal layer of stromal cells of the prostate gland from a thin layer that express intense immunostaining of SM-actin and mild vimentin to a thicker layer of cells that exhibited intense immunostaining for both SM-actin and vimentin. Conclusion. These findings suggest that zeranol-induced changes to the prostate gland could result from either a direct effect of zeranol on the prostate gland or an indirect effect by interfering with testosterone production through disruption of testicular function.
Behavioral Effects of Kainic Acid Administration on the Immature Brain

Summary: Prepubescent male rats with an amygdaloid electrode in place were administered kainic acid (KA) intraperitoneally (i.p.) while controls received phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). All KA‐treated animals developed status epilepticus with bilateral forelimb clonus and ictal discharges on the EEC The rats were then tested as adults for learning, memory, emotionality, social interaction, and activity level using the T maze, water maze, handling test, home cage intruder test, and open field test. KA‐treated rats learned at a slower, rate in the water maze and T maze than the controls. In addition, KA‐treated rats had evidence of impaired memory during spatial bias testing in the water maze. In the home cage intruder test, KA‐treated animals were more submissive and less aggressive than control animals. Finally, KA‐treated animals were significantly more active than control animals in the open field test. This study demonstrates that KA administration to the immature brain, in a convulsant dose, results in permanent changes in behavior, learning, and memory.
Two Schemas for Online Character Recognition of Telugu Script Based on Support Vector Machines

We present two schemas for online recognition of Telugu characters, involving elaborate multi-classifier architectures. Considering the three-tier vertical organization of a typical Telugu character, we divide the stroke set into 4 subclasses primarily based on their vertical position. Stroke level recognition is based on a bank of Support Vector Machines (SVMs), with a separate SVM trained on each of these classes. Character recognition for Schema 1 is based on a Ternary Search Tree (TST), while for Schema 2 it is based on a SVM. The two schemas yielded overall stroke recognition performances of 89.59% and 96.69% respectively surpassing some of the recent online recognition performance results related to Telugu script reported in literature. The schemas yield character-level recognition performances of 90.55% and 96.42% respectively.
The minimum dose of dexmedetomidine required for cessation of postspinal anesthesia shivering: A prospective observational study

Background and Aims: Shivering is a common postanesthesia adverse event with multiple etiologies. Dexmedetomidine, a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is known to reduce the shivering threshold. However, the minimum dose at which dexmedetomidine causes cessation of shivering is unknown. The aim of this prospective observational study was to find the minimum dosage of dexmedetomidine required for abolition of post-spinal anesthesia (SA) shivering. Material and Methods: Thirty patients having shivering after SA were enrolled, who received dexmedetomidine in the dosage of 1 mcg/kg over 10 min. The time-to-cessation of shivering and the dose of dexmedetomidine required were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: The mean time-to-cessation of shivering after starting dexmedetomidine infusion was 155.88 ± 15.16 s for Grade 3 shivering and 177.71 ± 10.87 s for Grade 4 shivering. Till that time, the mean dose of dexmedetomidine which had been infused was 0.258 ± 0.024 mcg/kg in Grade 3 shivering and 0.295 ± 0.018 mcg/kg in Grade 4 shivering. Conclusion: The minimum dose of dexmedetomidine required for abolition of shivering was 0.258 ± 0.024 mcg/kg for patients with Grade 3 shivering and 0.295 ± 0.018 mcg/kg for patients with Grade 4 shivering, which is much less than the commonly administered dose.
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: laboratory diagnostics and comparative clinical features in adults and children

ABSTRACT Introduction: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is the most common autoimmune encephalitis due to autoantibodies against neuronal surface antigens, can affect both children and adults, leading to neurological and neuropsychological sequelae. However, it is potentially treatable and the prompt start of immunotherapy associates with better prognosis. Conversely, misdiagnosis can be harmful. The detection of NMDAR antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid plays a pivotal role in the diagnostic work-up. Reliable methods for NMDAR antibody detection are thus fundamental to assure accurate diagnosis and allow early treatments. Areas covered: This review recapitulates the pathogenic mechanisms of NMDAR encephalitis as a model of antibody mediated synaptopathy, and gives insights into the related state-of-the-art laboratory testing. The differences in clinical presentations, tumor associations and responses to treatments between adults and children are also described. Expert commentary: The relevance of NMDAR encephalitis has placed neuroimmunology laboratories in a crucial position, but methods for NMDAR antibody detection are awaiting thorough and consensus-based standardizations. In the next few years, this process, along with novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms, could improve the disease management and clarify the still pending role of NMDAR antibodies in healthy people and in other more common neuropsychiatric disorders.
Implementation of quality assurance and medical audit: general practitioners' perceived obstacles and requirements.

BACKGROUND The introduction of quality assurance and medical audit has been an important development in general practice. However, the introduction of such programmes does not necessarily mean they are implemented by general practitioners. AIM A study was undertaken to describe the problems and requirements perceived by general practitioners in relation to the implementation of quality assurance and medical audit in general practice. METHOD Interviews were carried out with a stratified sample of 120 Dutch general practitioners. Knowledge, acceptance and application of quality assurance and medical audit activities were investigated, and perceived problems and requirements in implementing quality assurance and audit activities were explored. RESULTS General practitioners in the Netherlands were generally positive towards quality assurance activities, but had little experience of carrying out such activities. The most frequently mentioned obstacles to implementing quality assurance activities concerned lack of time, colleagues' negative attitudes and fear of assessment and criticism by colleagues. Requirements for implementing quality assurance included having regular meetings with colleagues about quality assurance, having information on the aims and methods of quality assurance, having data from other practices with which to compare performance, having support in data collection, in audit in the practice and in setting up local peer review, and having financial support. The most important factor predicting the actual application of quality assurance activities was found to be knowledge of specific quality assurance activities. CONCLUSION Well-designed programmes for the implementation of quality assurance and medical audit, using a variety of different interventions, have to be developed. Such programmes should include the training of professionals in the concepts and methods of quality assurance as well as the provision of financial support for quality assurance activities.
Posttraumatic Epilepsy: What's Contusion Got to Do with It?

Text of Abstract Liability to develop posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) correlates in a general way with trauma dose. While contusion of the brain produces an admixture of extravasated blood, edema fluid and necrotic tissue at the site of skull trauma and in regions remote from the direct force, an unpredictable cascade of shearing injury, torsion and rotation and a myriad of physiological changes occur in structures subject to the mechanical pressure wave. Animal models mimic components of injury, some more thoroughly than others. Designing a treatment that is a prophylaxis for the development of PTE awaits understanding the mechanisms of epileptogenesis initiated by trauma.
Heel movement in horses: comparison between glued and nailed horse shoes at different speeds.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY It has been suggested that the heel of the horse's hoof expands in the stance phase and this reduces the concussion at impact and helps pump blood into the hoof. Therefore, farriers usually leave a gap in the heel region when using the traditional nailed shoe. Recently glued shoes which are attached firmly to the heel have been developed and these could restrict heel movement. OBJECTIVE To compare the degree of mediolateral heel movement between glued and nailed shoes. METHODS Seven Thoroughbreds were used. Either their fore- or hind hooves were shod with plain aluminium shoes, attached first with glue and later with nails. Measurements were collected continuously with a displacement sensor fixed between the medial and lateral hoof walls at the heel. The horses ran on a treadmill at a walk (1.8 m/s), trot (3.5 m/s), canter (8 m/s) and gallop (12 m/s). The mediolateral heel movement in a nonweightbearing position was set at zero for each hoof and thus positive and negative numbers represented expansion and contraction, respectively. Average values of 10 consecutive strides at each speed were compared between the 2 shoeing methods by paired t test. RESULTS At all running speeds, the heels expanded in the first 70-80% of the stance phase and contracted at breakover. The total heel movement calculated as the sum of the maximum expansion and contraction value was less with glued shoeing than with nailed shoeing for walking (all limbs), trotting (all limbs), cantering (leading forelimb and both hindlimbs) and galloping (both hindlimbs). CONCLUSIONS Glueing restricted heel movement, suggesting possible interference with shock absorption and blood pumping in the hoof. Further study is needed to evaluate the influence of glued shoeing on hoof mechanics.
Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric heart transplant recipients: A single‐center experience

Abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is emerging as an effective agent for the treatment of both established rejection and primary rejection prophylaxis in solid‐organ transplantation (Tx). However, little data is available on the use of MMF in the pediatric population. We therefore report on our experience with MMF in 21 pediatric heart transplant recipients. Data were obtained by retrospective chart review. Median age at time of review was 12.3 yr (range 11 months to 16.9 yr). Median age at Tx was 10.7 yr (range 55 days to 16.7 yr). MMF was started at a median of 4.3 months after Tx (range 1 day to 4.5 yr). At the time of MMF institution, all patients were concurrently on prednisone and azathioprine; 20 of these patients were also undergoing treatment with tacrolimus (median dose 0.18 mg/kg, range 0.03–0.64 mg/kg) and one with cyclo‐sporin A (10 mg/kg). Azathioprine was discontinued at the time of commencing MMF. The average MMF dose was 40 ± 14 mg/kg. The rationale for switching to MMF included rejection (International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation [ISHLT] 3A/B), 66%; inability to wean steroids, 14%; ABO blood group donor–recipient mismatch, 10%; coronary artery disease (CAD), 5%; and side‐effects of immuno‐suppression, 5%. Of the patients switched for rejection, 93% demonstrated resolved or improving rejection. Both ABO donor–recipient mismatch patients were started on tacrolimus/MMF as primary therapy and had no significant episodes of rejection. Two patients had rejection classified as unchanged (one with CAD, one treated with addition of sirolimus prior to improvement). Corticosteroids were successfully discontinued in 28% of patients, and 20% are currently on a reduced dose. Fourteen per cent developed significant rejection while attempting to reduce the steroid dose. Steroid reduction has not yet been attempted in 38% of patients. The following side‐effects were reported in 38% of the patients: diarrhea, 10%; gastrointestinal discomfort, 20%; and leukopenia, 20%. Dose reduction or temporary discontinuation was required in 63% of the patients who experienced side‐effects (24% of the total number of patients). Opportun‐istic infections developed in 10% (cryptococcus, cytomegalovirus). Hence, MMF appears to be effective for treatment of rejection in the pediatric heart transplant population and has an acceptable side‐effect profile. In addition, it may have a role in primary rejection prophylaxis and may facilitate a reduced steroid dosage or a steroid‐free immunosuppression regimen.
Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mannan Antibodies in Familial Crohn's Disease

Objective:Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan antibodies (ASCA) are associated with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ASCA in families in which at least two members were affected with Crohn's disease.Methods:A total of 20 families including two (n = 15) or more (n = 5) patients with Crohn's disease were tested for ASCA with use of an ELISA method. Overall, 51 affected members, 66 healthy first degree relatives, and 163 healthy control subjects were studied.Results:ASCA were detected in 35 of 51 (69%) patients with Crohn's disease and in 13 of 66 (20%) healthy relatives versus one of 163 healthy control subjects (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001). ASCA-positive relatives were distributed in 12 of 20 families. ASCA were present in eight healthy parents and four healthy siblings. The prevalence of ASCA in relatives did not depend on the ASCA status of affected members.Conclusion:ASCA in 20% of healthy first degree relatives of patients with Crohn's disease suggest that these antibodies might be a subclinical marker for Crohn's disease in families. Whether ASCA reflect environmental or genetic factors or a combination of both is unknown.
Analysis of emission tomographic scan data: limitations imposed by resolution and background.

The proper analysis of positron emission tomographic scan data requires a careful knowledge of the limitations of the tomographic system used so that scan data can be collected and sampled in a manner consistent with those limitations. The present investigation was undertaken to clarify some of the limitations imposed by resolution. The usual imaging situation, e.g., 218FDG , C15O2, or 15O2 , involves imaging structures of limited size in all three dimensions which may appear either warm or cool in relation to some background level of activity. In emission tomography the importance of adequate data sampling within a given plane has been frequently emphasized. Little attention, however, has been given to proper z axis sampling for clinical scanning. The actual selection of regions of interest from scans can have a significant impact on the subsequent statistical analysis. Previous work on this subject has experimentally examined the relationship of object size to quantitative estimation in the hot spot-cold background situation for the one- and two-dimensional cases. Approximate three-dimensional recovery coefficients for the hot spot-cold background situation have been calculated. An examination of the factors discussed above, three-dimensional objects with varying contrast, z axis sampling, and selection of regions of interest, has not yet been addressed in the literature. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine these factors.
Oral health status and parental perception of child oral health related quality-of-life of children with autism in Bangalore, India.

BACKGROUND Children with autism present with the physical-mental impairments and oral problems, which may have an impact on their quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of the following study was to assess oral health status and parental perception of child oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children with autism. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in 4-15-year-old children with autism (n = 135) and children without autism (n = 135). Oral health status was evaluated using Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S), its Miglani's modification for deciduous teeth, Decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) and Decayed, missing and filled surface (DMFS/dmfs) indices. Parents answered the Parental-Caregivers Perception Questionnaire for assessing children's OHRQoL. Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed. RESULTS Mean OHI-S, DMFT, dmft scores were significantly high among children with autism (2.07 ± 0.83; 0.86 ± 1.22, 1.40 ± 2.48) when compared to children without autism (0.46 ± 0.58; 0.46 ± 1.06, 0.59 ± 1.28) respectively. Out of all domains of OHRQoL, mean score of functional limitations related to teeth problem was significantly higher among children with autism (8.87 ± 5.65) as compared to non-autism group (6.66 ± 4.97). CONCLUSION Functional limitations may have a negative impact on oral health status that might influence OHRQoL.