Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trend of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Korea, 1994-2004.

SETTING The 245 health centres through which the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) is implemented in Korea and the TB Laboratory Network of the Korean National Tuberculosis Association. OBJECTIVE To observe the trend of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Korea from 1994 to 2004 and possible related factors. DESIGN All tuberculosis (TB) patients registered for treatment at the health centres for a given period were assessed. RESULTS Of 2636 new smear-positive patients from the 2004 survey, 338 cases (12.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.5-14.1) showed resistance to any of the first-line drugs: 261 with isoniazid (INH) resistance (9.9%, 95%CI 8.8-11.0) and 71 with multidrug resistance (MDR) (2.7%, 95%CI 2.1-3.3). Compared with previous surveys, a statistically significant increase in MDR (P=0.00675), any drug resistance (P=0.03779), any INH resistance (P=0.00313) and any rifampicin resistance (P = 0.00176) has been observed among new cases since 1994. Any resistance to second-line drugs ranged from 0.1% (capreomycin) to 1.1% (para-aminosalicylic acid) among new cases and from 1.1% to 3.6% among retreatment cases. Resistance to kanamycin and ofloxacin was found in 1.4% and 2.6%, respectively, of new and previously treated MDR-TB cases. CONCLUSION A statistically significant increase in drug resistance was noticed among new cases.
Characterization of CD4+ T‐cell–dendritic cell interactions during secondary antigen exposure in tolerance and priming

Despite the recent advances in our understanding of the dynamics of the cellular interactions associated with the induction of immune responses, comparatively little is known about the in vivo behaviour of antigen‐experienced T cells upon secondary antigen exposure in either priming or tolerance. Such information would provide an insight into the functional mechanisms employed by memory T cells of distinct phenotypes and provide invaluable knowledge of how a specific tolerogenic or immunogenic state is maintained. Using real‐time imaging to follow the in vivo motility of naïve, primed and tolerized CD4+ T cells and their interactions with dendritic cells (DCs), we demonstrate that each of these distinct functional phenotypes is associated with specific patterns of behaviour. We show that antigen‐experienced CD4+ T cells, whether primed or tolerized, display inherently slower migration, making many short contacts with DCs in the absence of antigen. Following secondary exposure to antigen, primed T cells increase their intensity or area of interaction with DCs whereas contacts between DCs and tolerized T cells are reduced. Importantly, this was not associated with alterations in the contact time between DCs and T cells, suggesting that T cells that have previously encountered antigen are more effective at surveying DCs. Thus, our studies are the first to demonstrate that naïve, primed and tolerized T cells show distinct behaviours before and after secondary antigen‐encounter, providing a novel mechanism for the increased immune surveillance associated with memory T cells. These findings have important consequences for many immunotherapeutics, which aim to manipulate secondary immune responses.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of pravastatin and nebivolol in rat aorta.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pravastatin and nebivolol in the atherosclerotic process including inflammation and oxidative stress in rat aorta. METHODS This experimental randomized controlled study comprised of 35 Wistar albino rats. Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) - induced vascular inflammation and arteriosclerosis were treated with both of the pharmacologic agents. All were divided into 5 equal groups: the control, group I: L-NAME -15 days, group II: L-NAME 30+ nebivolol, group III: L-NAME -30+ pravastatin, group IV: L-NAME - 30 days. Serum ceruloplasmin, uric acid, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total cholesterol (T.Chol), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) were analyzed. Medial thickening and leukocyte infiltration status were examined histopathologically. The results were compared with control group and with each other using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Pravastatin diminished the rise of ceruloplasmin, which was taken as an index of inflammation (p=0.002). Pravastatin and nebivolol decreased the L-NAME induced oxidative stress (p=0.001, 0.002, respectively). Nebivolol diminished the rise of LDL (p=0.04). Pravastatin lowered T.Chol, LDL and TG levels (p=0.001, 0.008, 0.040, respectively). HDL values were not changed significantly. CONCLUSION In conclusion, 15 days of statin therapy attenuated vascular inflammation and lowered the rised lipid levels (LDL, T.cholesterol and TG). Both the nebivolol and pravastatin exhibited antioxidant property. These documented beneficial effects of both of the drugs may improve the clinical outcomes of patients with hypertension or hyperlipidemia by additional studies.
Early Life Factors Associated with Incidence of Physician-diagnosed Asthma in Preschool Children: Results from the Canadian Early Childhood Development Cohort Study

Background. Asthma is a common childhood illness. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma in preschool years and its relationship to host, prenatal and postnatal factors, early childhood factors, parental factors, household factors and demographic factors. Methods. The study sample was comprised of 8,499 infants and toddlers (<2 years at baseline) enrolled in the Canadian Early Childhood Development Study. Incidence of asthma was determined when the children were in preschool age (2 to 5 years). Results. The 4-year cumulative incidence at preschool age was 13.7% for physician-diagnosed asthma. History of early childhood wheezing before 2 years of age was a significant risk factor for incidence of asthma in preschool years (hazard ratio (HR): 2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.04–2.65). Factors that were protective for the development of asthma were breastfeeding more than 3 months (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.69–0.97); history of nose or throat infection often in childhood (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.67–0.93); early daycare attendance (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74–0.98); presence of two or more siblings at birth, (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64–0.97); and dwelling in rural non- central metropolitan areas (HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.69–0.95). Male sex, low birth weight, childhood allergy, single parent, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal medication use, parental atopy, and low SES at baseline were significant risk factors for the incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma in preschool years. Conclusion. This study emphasizes the role of wheezing in infant and toddler age on early onset of asthma during preschool years. The results also provide additional importance of early exposures to environmental factors such as early infections, daycare attendance, and rural environment in the development of proper immune dynamics to prevent asthma.
Phenomenological Study of the Effect of Microstructural Evolution on the Thermal Fatigue Resistance of Pb-Free Solder Joints

Unlike SnPb solders, the thermal fatigue reliability of the Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solders is believed to be influenced significantly by both the initial and evolving microstructures. This paper presents a phenomenological study of the relationship between the initial SAC solder joint microstructure, the evolving microstructure, and the thermal fatigue performance measured by accelerated temperature cycling (ATC). To reflect the board assemblies that are in field use, commercial surface mount components with multiple geometries and materials and from different package assemblers were joined to the board with different lead free SAC alloys. The initial microstructures of the board level solder joints were altered in a variety of ways including: 1) varying the solder joint cooling rate; 2) varying the number of solder reflow exposures; and 3) exposure to different isothermal temperature exposures. In all cases the solder joint microstructure was exposed to one or more of these treatments prior to exposure to temperature cycling. In addition, some of the test boards were exposed to different cycling dwell times to determine if the microstructural evolution that occurred during ATC testing effected the respective characteristic lifetimes of the joints. The microstructural evolution was tracked and characterized with optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy. These results could have practical implications in terms of limiting the ability to develop acceleration factors and effective strain-based models for predicting Pb-free solder joint life.
Fat Fraction Estimation of the Vertebrae in Females Using the T2*-IDEAL Technique in Detection of Reduced Bone Mineralization Level: Comparison With Bone Mineral Densitometry

Objective The aim of this study was to use the T2*-iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least squares estimation quantification (IDEAL) technique to estimate vertebral fat fraction (FF) and compare it with bone mineralization levels in females. Materials and Methods Forty-five (mean age, 49.5 years) consecutive women who underwent magnetic resonance imaging and spinal dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density (BMD) examination constituted the study population. Depending on t scores derived from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, the vertebrae were classified into 3 groups (1, healthy; 2, osteopenia; and 3, osteoporosis). The Spearman &rgr; test was used to investigate the presence of correlation between FF and BMD. Analysis of covariance was performed to compare the differences among the groups. The FF cutoff value for the prediction of osteoporosis/osteopenia was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results We found a moderate negative correlation between BMD (grams per square centimeter) and FF (r = − 0.42), and it was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The FF mean of age-corrected group 1 (45.17%; SD, 1.3) was lower than that of groups 2 (51.77%; SD, 0.69) and 3 (50.82%; SD, 1.5), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001, P = 0.021). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for FF was 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.86). The optimal cutoff point was obtained as 39%, and for this cutoff point, the sensitivity and the specificity were 93% and 60.3%, respectively. Conclusions The T2*-IDEAL technique can be used as an alternative technique in estimation of FF, and it is possible to detect reduced bone mineralization of the vertebrae by estimation of FF value with this technique.
Growth of knowledge in psychiatry and behavioural sciences in a problem‐based learning curriculum

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of undergraduate medical education in the domains of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, we examined the growth of knowledge in those disciplines in a 6‐year, problem‐based learning (PBL) curriculum. Psychiatry and behavioural sciences are taught in the 4 preclinical years and in the psychiatric clerkship. The integrative nature of this PBL curriculum led us to hypothesise that the knowledge growth curves for these disciplines are similar and show a steady upward trend throughout the curriculum.
Psychological Disturbances, Adjustment, and the Development of Phantom Shocks in Patients With an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), approved for use in 1985, is used to treat potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias by delivering an electrical impulse to the heart to convert the rhythm back to normal. Since that time, newer studies, such as MADIT II and SCD-HeFT, demonstrated the expanding utility of the ICD, which increases the likelihood of every clinician encountering a patient with an ICD. Patients with an ICD face psychological, physical, and social adjustments. Patients with an ICD, in general, have been shown to have high levels of anxiety, depression, and a sense of helplessness. A subset experiences a phenomenon of phantom shock, which may represent a manifestation of anxiety, depression, or other emotional disturbance. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon, as a phantom shock may either represent or contribute to the patient's maladjustment to the ICD. In lieu of specific screening and treatment options for phantom shock at present, we must use a general approach for recognizing patients experiencing this phenomenon.
DAP10‐ and DAP12‐associated receptors in innate immunity

Summary: The DAP10 and DAP12 signaling subunits are highly conserved in evolution and associate with a large family of receptors in hematopoietic cells, including dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, monocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells, and some B and T cells. Some receptors are able to associate with either DAP10 or DAP12, which contribute unique intracellular signaling functions. Studies of humans and mice deficient in these signaling subunits have provided surprising insights into the physiological functions of DAP10 and DAP12, demonstrating that they can either activate or inhibit immune responses. DAP10‐ and DAP12‐associated receptors have been shown to recognize both host‐encoded ligands and ligands encoded by microbial pathogens, indicating that they play an important role in innate immune responses.
Positioning activated carbon amendment technologies in a novel framework for sediment management

Contaminated sediments can pose serious threats to human health and the environment by acting as a source of toxic chemicals. The amendment of contaminated sediments with strong sorbents like activated C (AC) is a rapidly developing strategy to manage contaminated sediments. To date, a great deal of attention has been paid to the technical and ecological features and implications of sediment remediation with AC, although science in this field still is rapidly evolving. This article aims to provide an update on the recent literature on these features, and provides a comparison of sediment remediation with AC to other sediment management options, emphasizing their full‐scale application. First, a qualitative overview of advantages of current alternatives to remediate contaminated sediments is presented. Subsequently, AC treatment technology is critically reviewed, including current understanding of the effectiveness and ecological safety for the use of AC in natural systems. Finally, this information is used to provide a novel framework for supporting decisions concerning sediment remediation and beneficial reuse. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:221–234. © 2015 SETAC
Subclinical hypercortisolism in adrenal incidentaloma

Purpose of reviewThe article aims to update the reader on current developments in the area of adrenal incidentaloma complicated by subclinical hypercortisolism. We will discuss different diagnostic strategies and complications associated with this disease, and address the conflicting opinions related to the treatment of these patients. Recent findingsDepending on diagnostic criteria used, between 30 and 50% of patients with adrenocortical incidentaloma have biochemical hypercortisolism, but lack classical external features of Cushing's syndrome. The challenge facing the clinician is that in the sixth and seventh decade of life hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity are common and establishing whether these are directly related to the low-grade excess cortisol secretion in a given individual is not straightforward. Nevertheless, this subclinical hypercortisolism has been found to be associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, an increased predisposition to cardiovascular events and a higher mortality rate. The dilemma is that it is not established whether surgical excision of the adrenal adenoma in a given individual will improve these complications, and data demonstrate that surgical studies are conflicting. SummarySubclinical hypercortisolism is associated with multiple complications and definite guidelines for diagnosis are necessary. Prospective, randomized controlled studies are needed to ascertain whether medical or surgical interventions are justified, and in which patients.
Epidemiology of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is the commonest gynaecological cancer mostly affecting women in the post-menopausal age group. Rates vary worldwide and are highest in white women in Western populations. Some risk factors are related to reproduction, such as early age at menarche, late age at menopause and nulliparity, while others are more directly oestrogen-related, for example, conditions such as the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Use of unopposed oestrogen replacement therapy is associated with an increased risk, and use of the combined oral contraceptive pill is associated with a decreased risk. The relationship between tamoxifen and endometrial cancer is not established. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension increase the risk of endometrial cancer while smoking, low-fat diets and physical exercise appear to decrease the risk; all of these possibly exert their effects by various indirect influences on oestrogen levels, thus influencing the level of stimulation of the target endometrial epithelium.
The Epidemiology of Stress Fractures in Collegiate Student-Athletes, 2004-2005 Through 2013-2014 Academic Years.

CONTEXT Stress fractures are injuries caused by cumulative, repetitive stress that leads to abnormal bone remodeling. Specific populations, including female athletes and endurance athletes, are at higher risk than the general athletic population. Whereas more than 460 000 individuals participate in collegiate athletics in the United States, no large study has been conducted to determine the incidence of stress fractures in collegiate athletes. OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of stress fractures in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes and investigate rates and patterns overall and by sport. DESIGN Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING National Collegiate Athletic Association institutions. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Data were analyzed from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program for the academic years 2004-2005 through 2013-2014. We calculated rates and rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS A total of 671 stress fractures were reported over 11 778 145 athlete-exposures (AEs) for an overall injury rate of 5.70 per 100 000 AEs. The sports with the highest rates of stress fractures were women's cross-country ( 28.59/100 000 AEs), women's gymnastics ( 25.58/100 000 AEs), and women's outdoor track ( 22.26/100 000 AEs). Among sex-comparable sports (baseball/softball, basketball, cross-country, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track, and outdoor track), stress fracture rates were higher in women (9.13/100 000 AEs) than in men (4.44/100 000 AEs; RR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.71, 2.47). Overall, stress fracture rates for these NCAA athletes were higher in the preseason (7.30/100 000 AEs) than in the regular season (5.12/100 000 AEs; RR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.22, 1.67). The metatarsals (n = 254, 37.9%), tibia (n = 147, 21.9%), and lower back/lumbar spine/pelvis (n = 81, 12.1%) were the most common locations of injury. Overall, 21.5% (n = 144) of stress fractures were recurrent injuries, and 20.7% (n = 139) were season-ending injuries. CONCLUSIONS Women experienced stress fractures at higher rates than men, more often in the preseason, and predominantly in the foot and lower leg. Researchers should continue to investigate biological and biomechanical risk factors for these injuries as well as prevention interventions.
A crucial role for TNF‐α in mediating neutrophil influx induced by endogenously generated or exogenous chemokines, KC/CXCL1 and LIX/CXCL5

Background and purpose: Chemokines orchestrate neutrophil recruitment to inflammatory foci. In the present study, we evaluated the participation of three chemokines, KC/CXCL1, MIP‐2/CXCL2 and LIX/CXCL5, which are ligands for chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), in mediating neutrophil recruitment in immune inflammation induced by antigen in immunized mice.
Salivary Chemical Factors in Relation with Oral Cancer in Smokers and Non-Smokers: a Literature Review

Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity is of malignant tumors, which causes cancerous complications. DNA damage, mainly because of products of oxidative stress like reactive oxygen species, is a frequent mutagenic that triggers carcinoma. Smoking increases the probability of cancer incidence. Saliva is the first biological medium to interact with external compounds, especially smoking substances. The present study overviews the salivary level of some remarkable compounds in relation with smoking and squamous cell carcinoma. To collect data, English literature was searched in databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. The keywords used for search were as follows: ‘Carcinoma, Squamous Cell’, ‘Smoking’, ‘Saliva’, and ‘Biomarkers‘. The inclusion criteria were the presence of salivary chemical factors in relation with oral cancer and influence by smoking. Out of 239 found articles, only 56 were selected. Our results demonstrated the potential role of salivary biochemistry to predict and/or treat complications with cancer in both smoker and non-smoker individuals. Changes in concentrations of salivary chemicals including antioxidants, total antioxidant, glutathione and uric acid, epithelial growth factor, cytokine biomarkers, superoxide dismutase activity, and transcriptome were related to squamous cell carcinoma and could be used as potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis; moreover, enhancement of antioxidant level might be a potential treatment.
Testosterone and social and reproductive behaviour in Aphelocoma jays

When there is a direct relationship between testosterone level and payoff in reproductive success through aggression, testosterone levels should be elevated. Elevated testosterone, however, has fitness costs, particularly a decreased tendency to display parental care. Thus the pattern of testosterone secretion in males should vary with the social and mating system. Western scrub-jays, Aphelocoma californica woodhouseii, form monogamous pairs on territories during the breeding season. Mexican jays, A. ultramarina, live in large, stable groups and up to five females within a group attempt nesting each spring. In both species, testosterone levels rose rapidly in March and peak levels did not differ. Elevated testosterone levels were only observed for about 3 weeks in the monogamous western scrub-jay, but were observed into May in Mexican jays, a reflection of prolonged opportunity for males to mate with multiple females and continual interaction with other competing males. In Mexican jays, nonbreeding yearlings had lower testosterone levels than all other age groups. Testosterone in males owning nests did not differ from that in other adult males, many of whom engage in extrapair fertilizations. Testosterone was elevated throughout the incubation phase, but was significantly lower when chicks were present in any nest in the group. Nearly all birds in the group fed all chicks. These observations support the hypothesis that testosterone is elevated when male-male competition is frequent and mating opportunities depend on the outcome of that competition, and testosterone is decreased when the necessity for parental or alloparental care would make its effects deleterious. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.