Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating In‐Home Training for Fathers of Children With Autism Using Single‐Subject Experimentation and Group Analysis Methods

BackgroundAutism, or the broader category of autistic spectrum disorder, is a complex developmental disability with uncertain etiologies that appears to be increasing in prevalence. Researchers have stated that training programs for children with autism are most effective when they are individualized, address communicative intent of child behaviors, and promote social reciprocity between children and individuals with whom they have regular contact. Yet, to date, most of what is known comes solely from studying mothers, who have traditionally been the most accessible parent. ObjectivesIn this study the mother–child in-home training program was modified and evaluated for its effects on the acquisition of training skills by fathers and on precommunication skills by the autistic children. MethodsFrequency counts of skills taught to fathers and targeted child behaviors were obtained from videotaped father–child play sessions. These data were analyzed for each father–child dyad by using graphs and visual analyses, which are integral parts of single-participant experimentation. This procedure was replicated across all of the father–child dyads. Data were then grouped and analyzed using the more traditional repeated measures analysis of variance. ResultsThe most significant findings were increases in father use of imitating with animation (p < .0001) and child initiating following training (p < .0004). Also noteworthy were significant increases in father responding (p < .0005) and child vocalizations (p < .05). DiscussionResults of the study indicate that the in-home training for fathers of children with autism was effective and valued by the participating families.
Effect of homocysteine on plaque formation and oxidative stress in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery disease (CAD), are major causes of death in industrialized countries. Elevated concentrations of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) have been associated with an increased risk of CAD. Increased plasma levels of chemokine, characterized by their ability to induce migration and activation of leukocytes, may contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD. This study was designed to investigate the changes of plasma Hcy, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and oxidative stress markers in acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS A total of 149 subjects were divided into four groups: 50 patients with unstable angina, 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 20 coronary restenosis patients after percutaneous coronary intervention and 49 healthy control subjects. Plasma levels of Hcy, MCP-1, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase were measured. RESULTS Plasma levels of Hcy and MCP-1 showed significant increases in unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction and restenosis patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma levels of malondialdehyde were significantly increased in unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction patients when compared with control subjects (P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma superoxide dismutase levels were significantly reduced in acute myocardial infarction patients when compared with control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Hcy might act as an atherogenic factor through promoting chemokine, reactive oxygen species and oxidized low density lipoprotein production and thereby convert a stable plaque into an unstable potentially occlusive lesion.
Generalized Controller for Directed Triangle Formations

Abstract This paper proposes and analyzes a distributed control law which generalizes three different previously considered control laws for maintaining a triangular formation in the plane consisting of three point-modelled, mobile autonomous agents. It is shown that the control law under consideration can cause any initially non-collinear, positively-oriented [resp. negatively-oriented] triangular formation to converge exponentially fast to a desired positively-oriented [resp. negatively-oriented] triangular formation. These findings clarify and extend earlier results.
Bioavailability of Itraconazole in Rats and Rabbits After Administration of Tablets Containing Solid Dispersion Particles

A tablet dosage form containing solid dispersions of itraconazole (Asd tablets) was prepared by using the spray-drying and wet granulation methods. The dissolution rate of itraconazole from Asd tablets was fast, with more than 90% released within 10 min, compared to less than 20% for a marketed product, Sporanox® capsules. The oral absorption of itraconazole from Asd tablets was determined in rats and rabbits and was compared with that for Sporanox capsules. In the rat, there was no difference between the Asd tablets and Sporanox capsules in the mean area under the curve (AUC) (3089.5 ± 4332.8 ng · hr/ml and 3653.9 ± 2348.9 ng · hr/ml, respectively) and Cmax (295.0 ± 344.5 and 390.5 ± 169.4 ng/ml, respectively). Also, in the rabbit, no difference was found between the two products in the mean AUC (AUMC; 19357.9 ± 5117.5 ng · hr/ml and 23382.2 ± 6236.5 ng · hr/ml, respectively) and Cmax (766.4 ± 276.5 and 1127.5 ± 577.9 ng/ml, respectively). Despite the rapid in vitro release characteristics of itraconazole from the Asd tablets, the in vivo absorption of itraconazole was comparable to that of Sporanox capsules, with no difference in Tmax in both animal species. Serum levels of the major active metabolite hydroxyitraconazole were also measured. Itraconazole was rapidly converted to hydroxyitraconazole in both rats and rabbits, but there were species-specific differences in their pharmacokinetics. It is concluded that, in addition to drug solubility and dissolution characteristics, other formulation factors such as the physical state of the drug and the granulation process, may also need to be considered in the prediction of the in vivo absorption of itraconazole based on in vitro data.
Postoperative stereoacuity following realignment for chronic acquired strabismus in adults.

BACKGROUND There is controversy regarding whether or not visually mature individuals can permanently lose stereoacuity and under what conditions stereoacuity can be regained. Some have proposed a critical duration of misalignment in adults beyond which recovery of fine stereoacuity is not possible, despite successful surgical alignment. METHODS Twenty-one adult patients (median age 59 years) with large-angle acquired strabismus and who were successfully surgically aligned after 7 to 501 months of misalignment were studied. Subjects had no evidence of motor or sensory fusion since the onset of strabismus, on preoperative exam, or by history. Stereoacuity was measured using 1 or more of the Frisby, Preschool Randot and Titmus tests, at 8 weeks and at 12 months. Data from tests with monocular clues were not used. RESULTS At total of 67% of patients with chronic acquired strabismus and no preoperative fusion regained measurable stereoacuity and 44% regained fine stereoacuity of at least 60 seconds of arc. Of 10 patients with no or subnormal stereoacuity 8 weeks postoperatively, 6 (60%) showed improvement at the 12-month visit. Misalignment for up to 4 years did not preclude the development of postoperative stereoacuity. CONCLUSIONS Although a minority of adult strabismus patients may permanently lose stereoacuity despite successful alignment for acquired strabismus, the majority do show recovery. Such recovery of stereoacuity may take several months to occur. In our adult series, duration of misalignment did not predict failure to recover stereoacuity.
Species-specific PCR for the Diagnosis and Determination of Antibiotic Susceptibilities of Brucella Strains Isolated from Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in the Middle East. This study intended to design a uniplex PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of Brucella at the species level and determining the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Brucella in Iran. METHODS Sixty-eight Brucella specimens (38 animal and 30 human specimens) were analyzed using PCR (using one pair of primers). Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were evaluated and compared using the E-Test and disk diffusion susceptibility test. Tigecycline susceptibility pattern was compared with other antibiotics. RESULTS Thirty six isolates of B. melitensis, 2 isolates of B. abortus and 1 isolate of B. suis from the 38 animal specimens, 24 isolates of B. melitensis and 6 isolates of B. abortus from the 30 human specimens were differentiated. The MIC50 values of doxycycline for human and animal specimens were 125 and 10 μg/ml, respectively, tigecycline 0.064 μg/ml for human specimens and 0. 125μg/ml for animal specimens, and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin 0.065 and 0. 125μg/ml, respectively, for both human and animal specimens. The highest MIC50 value of streptomycin in the human specimens was 0. 5μg/ml and 1μg/ml for the animal specimens. The greatest resistance shown was to tetracycline and gentamicin, respectively. CONCLUSION Uniplex PCR for the detection and differentiation of Brucella at the strain level is faster and less expensive than multiplex PCR, and the antibiotics doxycycline, rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin are the most effective antibiotics for treating brucellosis. Resistance to tigecycline is increasing, and we recommend that it be used in a combination regimen.
Examination of energy utilization in cattle offered a forage diet at near- and sub-maintenance levels of feeding

Eight Friesian calves were reared from birth to the start of the experiment at a predetermined growth rate of 1.0 kg/d. Four calves (group 1) commenced the experiment at 22 weeks of age and the remainder (group 2) at 34 weeks, and feed intake was calculated to provide sufficient metabolizable energy to sustain zero energy balance (Em). Between experimental days 30 and 56 at maintenance levels of feeding, respiratory exchange measurements were made using open-circuit calorimetry to provide indirect estimates of heat production (H) simultaneous with measurements of faecal and urinary excretion of energy and N. A datum point for Em and H was established for each animal giving mean values for Em of 491 and 537 and for H of 476 and 511 kJ/kg live weight (LW)0.75 per d for groups 1 and 2 respectively. Treatment levels calculated as 0·25, 0·5, 0·75 and 1·25 of dry matter intake required to sustain the measured Em, were imposed on individual animals after day 56 and further measurements of H and faecal/ urinary balance were made between days 72 and 84 followed by measurements of fasting heat production (FHP) during days 86–90 from the two animals in each group which had received the 0.75 and 1.25 levels of intake. Regression analysis of the treatment levels indicated separate linear models which predicted Em at 419 and 473 kJ/kg LW0·75 per d for groups 1 and 2 respectively. The incorporation of FHP with partitioning of faecal and urinary energy losses measured during fasting altered the relationship but not the predicted Em. Overall predicted Em (days 72–84) from all models were 406 and 478 kJ/kg LW0.75 per d for groups 1 and 2 respectively which were significantly lower (P < 0·05) than Em measured during days 30–56.
Evaluation of the Skin Disinfecting Activity and Cumulative Effect of Chlorhexidine and Triclosan Handwash Preparations on Hands Artificially Contaminated with Serratia marcescens

Abstract The initial and cumulative efficacy of two antiseptic handwash preparations in eliminating Serratia marcescens from hands was evaluated on volunteers. Two antiseptics with persistent skin antibacterial activity, 4% chlorhexidine gluconate in detergent and 1.5% triclosan in natural soap, were studied in a new protocol designed according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines. After a single handwash, both preparations exhibited a degerming action statistically superior to the mechanical elimination of the marker organism that was achieved by the nonmedicated controls. Following a further nine hand recontamination sequence with 109 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL S marcescens (mean pre-disinfection baseline, log10 6.6), the efficacy of chlorhexidine and triclosan was significantly augmented: the mean log10 reduction factors were 4.15 and 3.78, respectively. In the absence of internationally accepted testing standards for antiseptic handwash products, the significance of protocol variables is discussed. The advantages to preventative microbiology of antiseptics with persistent skin antibacterial activity are highlighted.
A Review of the Biology and Management of Rodent Pests in Southeast Asia

This series of publications contains technical information resulting from ACIAR-supported programs, projects, and workshops (for which proceedings are not being published), reports on Centre-supported fact-finding studies, or reports on other useful topics resulting from ACIAR activities. Publications in the series are distributed intemztionally to a selected audience. Recent numbers in the series are listed inside the back cover.
Long-term outcome of lithium prophylaxis in bipolar disorder: a 5-year prospective study of 402 patients at a lithium clinic.

OBJECTIVE In this prospective study, information was collected on all bipolar I patients who started lithium prophylaxis at a lithium clinic during more than 15 years. METHOD Patients were evaluated bimonthly with standardized instruments for as long as they took lithium. Treatment surveillance conformed to internationally accepted guidelines. Five years after starting prophylaxis, each patient was contacted for a follow-up interview. RESULTS Of the 402 enrolled patients, 27.9% were no longer taking lithium at follow-up; 38.1% were taking lithium and had had at least one recurrence of the disorder; and 23.4% were taking lithium and had had no recurrence. Among patients still taking lithium whose plasma lithium levels had been below 0.5 mmol/liter on no more than 10% of checks, 88.0% had at least a 50% reduction in mean annual time spent in the hospital compared to a reference pretreatment period, and 43.0% had had no recurrence. Patients not taking lithium at follow-up had a poorer outcome than those taking lithium, but patients no longer taking any psychotropic drug did not differ from those taking lithium. Patients no longer taking lithium had had a higher frequency of psychotic features in the index episode than those still taking lithium. CONCLUSIONS The impact of lithium prophylaxis on the course of bipolar disorder is severely limited by the high dropout rate. In bipolar patients taking lithium regularly for several years, a drastic reduction of time spent in the hospital is almost the rule; these patients represent a self-selected population in which at least one group at high risk of poor outcome is under-represented.
Hereditary Otovestibular Dysfunction and Ménière's Disease in a Large Belgian Family Is Caused by a Missense Mutation in the COCH Gene

Objective To report the clinical, auditory, and vestibular characteristics of a nonsyndromic otovestibular dysfunction in a large Belgian family caused by a missense mutation of the DFNA9 gene: COCH. Study Design Retrospective study of the clinical, audiologic, and vestibular data of 60 genetically affected cases. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients All members of a Belgian kindred who carry the genetic (P51S) defect linked to the inherited hearing and vestibular impairment. Interventions Diagnostic otologic, audiometric, and vestibular analysis and imaging. Main Outcome Measures Pure tone audiometry, supraliminary audiometry. and vestibular investigation. Results The autosomal dominant inherited impairment was characterized by peripheral degeneration of the inner ear, leading to total deafness and bilateral vestibular areflexia. Conclusions The genetically affected persons of a Belgian family shared a progressive sensorineural hearing loss starting between the third and sixth decade. Vestibular symptoms started at about the same age as the hearing loss. The vestibular symptoms consisted of instability in darkness, a tendency to fall sideways, light-headiness, a drunken feeling, and attacks of vertigo. Most of the patients reported tinnitus, and half of them reported pressure in the ears. Clinically, 9 of the 60 patients met the criteria for definite Ménière's disease, and another 13 and 17 patients met the criteria for probable or possible Ménière's disease, respectively. All 9 were older than the age of 35, but only 1 was older than 55 years, so more than 30% of the patients were between 35 and 55 years old. A specific pattern could be recognized in the evolution of the otovestibular impairment. Under the age of 35 years, almost all the affected family members had normal hearing, whereas above the age of 55 years, the hearing loss was at least moderate, and vestibular hypofunction occurred. In between, there was a transition period of two to three decades, when deterioration of the cochleovestibular function occurred, with a temporary audiometric and vestibular asymmetry.
Successful Staged Endovascular Treatment of a Symptomatic Cervical Carotid Bifurcation Stenosis Coupled with a Coincidental Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm in the Carotid Distal Segment

SUMMARY: A 69-year-old woman had a symptomatic cervical carotid stenosis coupled with a coincidental unruptured cerebral aneurysm in the carotid distal segment. She underwent endovascular coiling for the aneurysm and then carotid stent placement (CAS) 1 month later. Both lesions were treated successfully and neither complications nor strokes occurred after the procedures. Staged endovascular treatment of coiling and subsequent CAS may be safe for patients with a cervical carotid stenosis coupled with cerebral aneurysms.
Running Title : Digoxin and OATP

Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ridgefield, CT (MET, KM, RSS); Preclinical Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA (CAW, LC, HE); Solvo Biotechnology, Budaors, Hungary (MJ); Drug Safety Research & Development (BH) and Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics & Metabolism (ELR, CAL), Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development-La Jolla Laboratories, San Diego, CA. DMD Fast Forward. Published on August 17, 2011 as doi:10.1124/dmd.111. 040816
Impact of dialysis modality on survival of new ESRD patients with congestive heart failure in the United States.

BACKGROUND It is hypothesized, but not proven, that peritoneal dialysis might be the optimal treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with established congestive heart failure (CHF) through better volume regulation compared with hemodialysis. METHODS National incidence data on 107,922 new ESRD patients from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medical Evidence Form were used to test the hypothesis that peritoneal dialysis was superior to hemodialysis in prolonging survival of patients with CHF. Nonproportional Cox regression models evaluated the relative hazard of death for patients with and without CHF by dialysis modality using primarily the intent-to-treat but also the as-treated approach. Diabetics and nondiabetics were analyzed separately. RESULTS The overall prevalence of CHF was 33% at ESRD initiation. There were 27,149 deaths (25.2%), 5423 transplants (5%), and 3753 (3.5%) patients lost to follow-up over 2 years. Adjusted mortality risks were significantly higher for patients with CHF treated with peritoneal dialysis than hemodialysis [diabetics, relative risk (RR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20 to 1.41; nondiabetics, RR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.35]. Among patients without CHF, adjusted mortality risk were higher only for diabetic patients treated with peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis (RR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.21) while nondiabetics had similar survival on peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.04). CONCLUSION New ESRD patients with a clinical history of CHF experienced poorer survival when treated with peritoneal dialysis compared with hemodialysis. These data suggest that peritoneal dialysis may not be the optimal choice for new ESRD patients with CHF perhaps through impaired volume regulation and worsening cardiomyopathy.
Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Polyphenol Extracts from Wild Berry Fruits Grown in Southeast Serbia

Purpose: To assess the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of polyphenolic extracts of three wild red wild berry fruit species from Southeast Serbia, viz, European cornel (Cornus mas), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) and wild blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). Methods: Polyphenol content was determined using spectrophotometric and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. Antioxidant activity was estimated by 2,2`- diphenyl - 1 - picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test while reliminary antimicrobial tests were carried out by disc diffusion method in which antibacterial activity was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition against test bacterial strains. Broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The highest amount of total phenols was found in European cornel (8625.89 mg kg -1 FW). Galic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, (+)-catechin, procyanidin B2, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin, rutin and quercetin-3-glucoside were the main polyphenols in the fruit extracts. All extracts showed high scavenging effect on DPPH radical with IC 50 values ranging from 22.19 to 31.18 ml g -1 , as well as high antimicrobial activity on almost all the tested bacterial strains. Conclusion: Extracts of wild berry fruits may be suitable for the preparation of medicinal and nutritional products. Keywords: European cornel, Blackthorn, Wild blackberry, Polyphenols, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial
Fitness and lean mass increases during combined training independent of loading order.

PURPOSE Although the benefits of combined endurance (E) and strength (S) training for the development of physical fitness and health are well known, scientific examination of the effect of loading order when E and S are combined into the same training session (E+S vs S+E) is rare. This study investigated the effects of moderate frequency E+S versus S+E training on physical fitness, body composition, and blood lipids. METHODS Physically active and healthy young men performed E+S (n = 16) or S+E (n = 18) training 2-3 times a week for 24 wk. Endurance (by incremental bike test) and strength (by dynamic leg press) performance as well as body composition (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle cross-sectional area of vastus lateralis (by ultrasound), and blood lipid levels were determined before and after the intervention. RESULTS Time to exhaustion, aerobic power (W), and one-repetition maximum strength significantly increased in the two groups at week 24 (E+S, 12%-15%, P = 0.003-0.001; S+E, 16%-17%, P < 0.001), but no between-group difference was observed. Similarly, the two groups significantly increased total lean mass (E+S, 3%; S+E, 3%; both P = 0.001) and muscle cross-sectional area (E+S, 14%, P = 0.001; S+E, 16%, P < 0.001) at week 24 to a similar extent. No significant changes in body fat or blood lipid levels were observed in either of the two groups at week 24. CONCLUSIONS These results showed that moderate-frequency (2-3 times per week) combined E+S or S+E training led to significant improvements in physical fitness and lean body mass but did not induce significant changes in body fat or blood lipid levels. Furthermore, because no between-group differences were observed, these results indicate that loading order does not seem to affect training adaptations of healthy moderately active young men.