Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy: at the crossroads of public health policy

The intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) with sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine (SP) has been a key component of the focused antenatal care package for nearly a decade, reducing the burden of low birthweight attributable to malaria in sub‐Saharan Africa. However, SP has lost parasite sensitivity in many sub‐Saharan locations during the same period, rendering its beneficial effect in IPTp debatable. Malaria transmission has also declined in some epidemiological settings. There is no evidence to suggest, however, that the risk of malaria in pregnancy without preventive measures has declined in the same locations. Thus, the urgency to identify efficacious drugs and/or new strategies to prevent malaria in pregnancy remains as great as ever. We summarise the results of recently published SP‐IPTp studies from areas of high drug resistance and/or low malaria transmission. We also present the evidence for mefloquine and azithromycin‐based combinations (ABCs), two leading drug options to replace SP in IPTp. We discuss optimal dosing for ABCs and their likely protection against several sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. We also summarise data from a diagnosis‐based alternative to IPTp known as the intermittent screening and treatment (IST) for malaria. Clinical and operational research is urgently needed to compare birth outcomes achieved by IPTp with ABCs vs. IST using an efficacious antimalarial therapy.
The Effect of High School Socioeconomic, Racial, and Linguistic Segregation on Academic Performance and School Behaviors

Background/Context The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision on Brown v. Board of Education concluded that segregated schools were inherently unequal and therefore unlawful. That decision was not based solely upon the notion that segregated black schools were inferior in terms of academic instruction, curricular rigor, resources, etc., but also on research that showed segregating black children had negative social-emotional and behavioral consequences. However, the vast majority of the research on school segregation over the past 50 years, has focused on its effects on academic achievement and opportunity to learn. As a result, little is known about the effects of school segregation on social-emotional and behavioral outcomes. This is a critical gap in the literature because other research indicates that school behaviors are as strong or stronger predictors of long-term educational, social, and employment outcomes as academic achievement. Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of three forms of school segregation—socioeconomic, ethnic/racial, and linguistic—on school behaviors (i.e., attendance, grade retention, and suspension) and academic performance (reading and math achievement test scores and GPA) in high school. The study also examines the degree to which each of three school mechanisms (school inputs, peer influences, and school practices) mediates the effects of segregation on student outcomes. Research Design The study uses survey data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:02). A sequence of multilevel models are fit to the data to address the research objectives. Conclusions American high schools are highly segregated by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and English language status. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic segregation are strongly associated with school behaviors and academic performance. The negative effects of racial/ethnic and socioeconomic segregation on school behaviors and academic performance inordinately effect black, Hispanic, and low SES adolescents because they are far more likely to attend segregated schools. School practices that reduce disorder and disruption and emphasize academics strongly mediate of the effects of segregation as does having friends at school with an academic focus. Adopting positive behavioral practices to reduce behaviors that interfere with learning without increasing suspension and expulsion are likely most critical for ameliorating the effects of segregation. Reducing academic tracking is also recommended, given that it likely contributes to negative within-school peer influences among low SES and minority adolescents. However, greater integration is likely necessary to fully address the consequences of segregation.
Defects in GLP-1 response to an oral challenge do not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of prediabetes.

CONTEXT There has been much speculation as to whether defects in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and the progression from normal glucose tolerance to prediabetes and diabetes. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether fasting and postchallenge concentrations of active and total GLP-1 decrease as glucose tolerance and insulin secretion worsen across the spectrum of prediabetes. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING The study was performed in the clinical research unit of an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Participants included 165 subjects with a fasting glucose below 7.0 mmol/liter and not taking medications known to affect gastrointestinal motility or glucose metabolism. INTERVENTION Intervention included a 2-h, 75-g oral glucose tolerance test with insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and GLP-1 measurements at seven time points. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE We evaluated the association of integrated, incremental active, and total GLP-1 concentrations with integrated, incremental glucose response to 75 g oral glucose. RESULTS After accounting for covariates, there was no evidence of a relationship of incremental glucose concentrations after oral glucose tolerance test with active and total GLP-1 (r(s) = -0.16 and P = 0.14, and r(s) = 0.00 and P > 0.9, respectively). There also was no association of GLP-1 concentrations with insulin secretion and action. CONCLUSIONS The lack of association of GLP-1 concentrations with glucose tolerance status and with insulin secretion and action in a cohort encompassing the full spectrum of prediabetes strongly argues against a significant contribution of defects in GLP-1 secretion to the pathogenesis of prediabetes.
The Effect of Measurement Error on Differences in Hospital Expenditures

Differences in expenditures for medical care among various subgroups in the population according to age, income, residence, and ethnicity have important public policy implications. However, few efforts have been made to assess the extent to which these apparent differences among subgroups observed in social surveys may be influenced by measurement error. This paper provides a framework for examining the impact of various kinds of error including random error and biases. The framework is applied to data on hospital expenditures from a national survey of health services expenditure which includes in addition to consumer reports, verifying information from hospitals, physicians, and thirdparty payers who provided services to persons in the sample. Differential error according to demographic and social characteristics is estimated. The impact of such differential error on conclusions about the distribution of health resources is discussed.
Inpatients' knowledge about primary liver cancer and hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the level of an inpatient population's awareness about hepatitis and primary liver cancer (PLC), the most common type of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and then to initiate education of this group. METHODS A survey was conducted with 1300 participants within the inpatient unit in representative tertiary hospitals in the Chaoshan area of China. Structured questionnaires contained demographic data and statements about different aspects of liver cancer and hepatitis. The questionnaires were completed by trained medical practitioners after they had conducted the interviews. RESULTS One way ANOVA showed that the sample population lacked adequate knowledge about HCC and hepatitis. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the participant's level of education had the greatest impact on their total knowledge score when other variables remained constant. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated: a general lack of awareness amongst the participants about the preventative strategies, and the management options available for people with primary liver cancer and hepatitis; education level was an important factor affecting knowledge levels. The demonstrated deficiencies in people's knowledge about hepatitis and HCC, and their lack of subsequent protective behaviours are likely to play an important role in HCC and hepatitis transmission or prevention.
Glucocorticoid Activation of Na+/H+Exchanger Isoform 3 Revisited

The stimulative effect of glucocorticoids on intestinal salt and water absorption has been known for more than two decades. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this activation remain elusive. Previous studies showed that methylprednisolone specifically increased Na+/H+ exchanger isoform (NHE) 3 mRNA in ileum and kidney without affecting NHE1 mRNA levels. These results suggest that glucocorticoids activate NHE3 activity by induction of NHE3 transcripts. We recently found in PS120 and opossum kidney cells that chronic incubation with dexamethasone activated NHE3 independent of gene induction, indicating that the transcriptional activation may not be the only determining factor in the NHE3 activation. Furthermore, dexamethasone activated NHE3 activity only in the presence of a NHE3 regulatory protein, NHERF2, which was previously shown to confer cAMP-dependent inhibition of NHE3. This activation of NHE3 could not be duplicated by NHERF1. We identified serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase, SGK1, as the protein interacting with PDZ domains of NHERF2 to regulate NHE3 activity. The expression of SGK1 enhanced NHE3 transport in PS120 fibroblasts. In addition, the “kinase-dead” SGK1 blocked activation of NHE3 by dexamethasone in opossum kidney cells. These data demonstrated that glucocorticoid activation of NHE3 requires the activation of SGK1 and the presence of NHERF2 acting as a scaffold protein.
Epidemiologya Treatment Outcome of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma ( DLBCL ) : Indian Perspective

In the Indian Population based cancer registry (PBCR), the incidence of NHL is 4.4%among males and 3.1% in Females (F). It is the 7th most common cancer in males and 6th most common cancer in females in Delhi (Figure 1) [3]. In India, the age-adjusted rate of NHL reported were highest in the state of Delhi [6.2 (M) & 4.6(F) per 100, 000 population] and lowest in the state of Meghalaya [1.0 (M) & 0.7(F) per 100, 000 population] (Figure 2). But these PBCR in India are primarily located in urban cities and cover only 10% of population (comparedto14% coverage in the USA and 27% in Europe). As 70% of Indian population lives in rural area, coverage of this population by currently existing cancer registries is still limited [4,5].
Predictors of Mortality in Elderly Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome - Data from Taiwan Acute Coronary Syndrome Full Spectrum Registry.

BACKGROUND Some difficulties and variations remain associated with the care of elderly patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). METHODS We included 1470 patients from a Taiwan nationwide registry who fulfilled the criteria of NSTE-ACS, and stratified these patients by age and evaluated the treatment, complications and outcomes in different age groups. Furthermore, we analyzed risk factors and standards of care to determine the predictors of mortality. RESULTS Patients ≥ 75 years of age (n = 396) had significantly higher incidences of 90-day mortality [odd ratio (OR) = 4.5 (1.2-16.3), p = 0.023] and 1-year mortality [OR = 4.9 (2.0-12.3), p = 0.001] compared with those patients 45-64 years of age (n = 595). In the patients ≥ 75 years of age, previous myocardial infarction (MI) [OR = 3.3 (1.1-9.8), p = 0.035], statins [OR = 0.35 (0.1-0.9), p = 0.037], left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% [OR = 3.9 (1.5-10.4), p = 0.006] were associated with 90-day mortality. Furthermore, previous MI [OR = 4.0 (1.3-12.6), p = 0.019] was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality. Age [OR = 1.1 (1.03-1.2), p = 0.002], previous MI [OR = 2.2 (1.1-4.4), p = 0.034], angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker [OR = 0.5 (0.3-0.9), p = 0.028], and LVEF < 35% [OR = 4.3 (1.9-9.5), p < 0.001] were associated with 1-year mortality. Furthermore, previous MI [OR = 2.6 (1.1-6.5), p = 0.037], LVEF < 35% [OR = 4.7 (1.5-14.4), p = 0.007] and percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) or not [OR = 0.3 (0.1-0.9), p = 0.021] were independent predictors of 1-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS Previous MI, LVEF < 35% and PCI or not could predict 1-year mortality in advanced elderly patients with NSTE-ACS. Despite their elevated morbidities and complications, PCI was still beneficial for these patients.
Induction and Maintenance of Airway Responsiveness to Allergen Challenge Are Determined at the Age of Initial Sensitization1

Age is an important factor in determining the quantity and quality of immune responses when challenged with allergen. In a model of allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation, where the sensitization phase and challenge phases can be dissociated in time, we examined the impact of age on these two phases. Sensitization of young mice (1–20 wk), but not older animals (30–40 wk), led to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness, airway eosinophilia, Th2 cytokine responses, and allergen-specific IgE, regardless of the age when the challenge phase was conducted. Thus, age at the time of initial sensitization was shown to be the critical factor dictating the nature of the response to later allergen challenge, as older mice remained responsive to allergen challenge if sensitized at a young age. These effects were shown to be mediated by lung T cells from sensitized young mice. Moreover, the failure of old sensitized mice to mediate these effects was shown not to be the result of active suppression of the responses. These data define the importance of age at initial allergen exposure in dictating subsequent responses in the lung when exposed to allergen and may help to define why asthma, even in adults, is most often initiated in early childhood.
Automatic Generation of 3 D GIFs

We combine monocular depth estimation with motion segmentation techniques to produce split-depth GIFs (GIF is a common animated image format, and split-depth is a technique to enhance the 3-D effect of the GIF by inserting white bars that split the depth of the scene). We use a deep convolutional neural field (DCNF) model to perform monocular depth estimation, and also perform motion segmentation using Gaussian Mixture Model for color cues and Optical Flow for motion cues into a Markov Random Field. We test the DCNF model on the NYU v2 dataset and find an average relative error of 0.24 and a RMS error of 0.825. We also compare the produced split-depth GIFs with a dataset of manually-annotated ones to find an average recall of 0.94 and average precision of 0.83 in computing the foreground/background pixels relevant to the split-depth level. We find that combining motion segmentation with monocular depth estimation results in an increase in precision of roughly 20% compared to solely using monocular depth estimation to generate the split-depth GIFs.
Long-term outcome of unilaterally transplanted parkinsonian patients. I. Clinical approach.

Five patients with Parkinson's disease, unilaterally transplanted with foetal mesencephalic cells into putamen (n=1) or putamen and caudate (n=4), were followed throughout a period of 15-36 months after surgery, according to the recommendations of the core assessment programme for intracerebral transplantations (CAPIT). All these patients exhibited an increase in the fluorodopa uptake in the grafted putamen, which was most significant in the first and last patient of the series. Long-term bilateral improvement of skilled hand movements was observed, starting between the third and sixth month after grafting, and confirmed by the statistical analysis of CAPIT timed tests. A mild to moderate effect on the amount of 'off' time and 'on-off' fluctuations was observed, whereas, apart from one case, no other clear effect on gait, walking and speech was found. One patient included in the study, already suffering slight cognitive impairment, clearly exhibited progression of a dementia process after surgery. Daily living activities were clearly improved in only one of the other four patients. At the end of the study period, all patients needed L-dopa therapy at a similar or higher dose than before grafting, but, in most of them, other dopaminergic drugs were reduced or stopped. All patients exhibited bilateral dyskinesias before grafting that were greatly decreased in intensity a few months after surgery. Delayed asymmetrical dyskinesias, occurring on the side displaying the better motor improvement, i.e. contralateral to the graft, were observed in three patients. These results suggest that neural transplants may influence two central mechanisms involved in motor function and the onset of dyskinesias. These effects are likely to occur through complex interactions with the post-synaptic dopaminergic receptors. The occurrence of dyskinesias might simply reflect increased presynaptic storage and release of dopamine. Alternatively, it might, in part, represent some other long-term deleterious effect of the graft. Since PET-scan data indicate that the reinnervation obtained is sub-optimal, it will be of interest to obtain a larger and denser reinnervation of the host striatum and to try, thereafter, to reduce the dose of L-dopa.
Helix‐helix packing angle preferences for finite helix axes

Recently, James Bowie addressed the question of how to normalize correctly the distribution of observed helix‐helix packing angles in proteins (Bowie, Nature Struct. Biol. 4:915–917, 1997). A hitherto unrealized yet significant bias toward crossed packing angles was revealed. However, the derived random reference distribution of packing angles requires that helices have to be assumed as infinite in length. Here, we complement Bowie's analysis by consideration of the more realistic case where helices are of finite length. As a result, the statistical bias toward near perpendicular packings appears to be even stronger. Proteins 33:457–459, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the genomes of simian, bovine, and human rotaviruses by gel electrophoresis and detection of genomic variation among bovine isolates

By co-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, the segmented double-standed RNA genome of the simian rotavirus, SA 11, was compared with those of human and bovine rotaviruses. A comparison between SA 11 virus and the Northern Ireland cell culture adapted bovine virus showed that the electrophoretic mobilities of each of the 11 corresponding segments differed. In other comparisons, four to seven segment variations were more common. When the genomes of various bovine rotaviruses were compared, eight different electropherotypes were detected. Four of these electropherotypes were obtained from one property during a single outbreak of disease. In view of such genetic diversity, a scheme for the systematic designation of different rotavirus samples is proposed. The significance of the variations in relation to the molecular epidemiology of bovine rotavirus infections is discussed.
Purification and properties of sialoadhesin, a sialic acid‐binding receptor of murine tissue macrophages.

Macrophage subpopulations in the mouse express a lectin‐like receptor, sialoadhesin (originally named sheep erythrocyte receptor, SER), which selectively recognizes sialoglycoconjugates and is likely to be involved in cellular interactions of stromal macrophages in haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues. In this report we describe the purification and ligand specificity of sialoadhesin isolated from mouse spleen. Purified sialoadhesin, a glycoprotein of 185 kd apparent Mr, agglutinated sheep or human erythrocytes at nanomolar concentrations in a sialic acid‐dependent manner. Low angle shadowing and electron microscopy showed that sialoadhesin consisted of a globular head region of approximately 9 nm and an extended tail of approximately 35 nm. To investigate the specificity for sialic acid, we studied the interaction of sialoadhesin with derivatized human erythrocytes, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. In conclusion, sialoadhesin specifically recognizes the oligosaccharide sequence Neu5Ac alpha 2‐‐‐‐3Gal beta 1‐‐‐‐3GalNAc in either sialoglycoproteins or gangliosides. These findings imply that specific sialoglycoconjugates carrying this structure may be involved in cellular interactions between stromal macrophages and subpopulations of haematopoietic cells and lymphocytes.
Trait self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping motives in sports situations

Abstract We examined the relationship between physical self-esteem and claimed self-handicapping among athletes by taking motives into consideration. In Study 1, 99 athletes were asked to report their tendency to engage in claimed self-handicapping for self-protective and self-enhancement motives (trait measures). Low self-esteem athletes reported a higher tendency to engage in claimed self-handicapping for these two motives compared with high self-esteem athletes. Neither low nor high self-esteem athletes reported a preference for one motive over the other. In Study 2, 107 athletes participated in a test that was ostensibly designed to assess high physical abilities – and thus to encourage self-handicapping for self-enhancement motives (success-meaningful condition) – or to assess low physical abilities, and thus to encourage self-handicapping for self-protective motives (failure-meaningful condition). Before starting the test, athletes were given the opportunity to claim handicaps that could impair their performance. Low self-esteem athletes claimed more handicaps than high self-esteem athletes in both conditions. Findings suggest that low physical self-esteem athletes engage more in claimed handicapping regardless of motives, relative to high physical self-esteem athletes.
Arbitrarily fast tracking feedback systems for a class of nonlinear plants

Abstract In the present article it is proved that stability can be ensured by quasi-linear compensators for plants with global Lipschitz nonlinearity. In the present article, it is shown that arbitrarily fast tracking can be obtained achieved using quasi-linear feedback are explored for various numbers of poles in excess of zeros in a given plant. This is a study of the intrinsic capability of feedback systems to achieve arbitrarily high performance because in industrial applications the raise of the gain is limited by hardware protection.