Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deriving age‐specific incidence from prevalence with an ordinary differential equation

This article describes new relationships between the age‐specific incidence of, the prevalence of and mortality from a chronic disease. We express these relationships in terms of an ordinary differential equation and form the methodological basis for a novel approach to estimating incidences from age‐specific prevalence data. We examine practical aspects of the relationships and a comparison with a known stochastic method in a simulation study. Finally, we apply the novel method to a data set of renal replacement therapy recorded from patients with chronic kidney failure in a region of Germany with approximately 310,000 inhabitants from 2002 to 2010. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficiency of Islamic and Conventional Banks in Pakistan: A Non-parametric Approach

The purpose of this paper is to analyze comparative efficiency of banking system in Pakistan comprising of Islamic banks (IB), conventional banks with Islamic banking division (IBD) and conventional banks (CB). For this purpose we use two methods: First, ratio analysis to analyze cost, revenue and profit efficiency; Second, data envelopment analysis (DEA), for comparative analysis of banks’ technical, pure technical and scale efficiencies. We use efficiency scores of DEA to analyze the impact of size on the efficiency. Finally, we compare and contrast the efficiency estimates with the traditional measures of banks efficiency. We find that Islamic bank is more cost efficient and less revenue efficient. Considering their growth rate which is rudiment to scale efficiency (SE) we argue that Islamic banks should be encouraged to reach the efficient frontier in the banking industry by reducing their wastes. We further observe that hybrid banking may not be feasible form for banking industry in Pakistan. In view of the observed inverse relationship of size with scale efficiency we recommend reconsideration of the regulators’ policy of increasing the capital base of the banks thus forcing them to increase their size.
Pallidotomy and quality of life in patients with parkinson's disease: An early study

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of stereotactic neurophysiologically guided pallidotomy on health‐related quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Eleven patients with PD (seven men, four women; mean age, 57.2 years; mean duration of disease, 14 years) with motor complications refractory to medical therapy underwent unilateral pallidotomy. Clinical assessment was carried out a week before surgery and 4 months after the surgical procedure and was based on the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations protocol. QoL was measured by means of the PDQ‐39. A set of rating scales (Hoehn & Yahr, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Schwab and England, Northwestern University Disability Scale of Walking, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale), timed tests, and self‐evaluations of motor function and mood were applied. Improvement was found in dyskinesias (74%) and off‐period disability (42%). Cardinal motor signs improved significantly (30%–59%). Four dimensions of the PDQ‐39 (Mobility, ADL, Emotions, Bodily Pain) showed a significant improvement (p <0.01–0.001). The global effect on QoL, measured through the PDQ‐39 Summary Index (35.3%; 95% confidence interval: 15.60–54.97), was also significant (p <0.01) but unrelated to major clinical changes. Pallidotomy significantly improves QoL in patients with advanced PD. QoL measurement provides relevant information that is probably not attainable by clinical assessment.
Cyclo‐oxygenase and nitric oxide synthase isoforms in rat carrageenin‐induced pleurisy

1 The profiles of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms were determined in the rat carrageenin‐induced pleurisy model of acute inflammation. 2 The enzymes were assessed in peripheral blood leucocyte (PBL) cell pellets taken from untreated animals and at 2, 6 and 24 h after injection of the irritant in pleural exudate cell pellets and lung homogenates. 3 COX activity was assessed by the generation of prostacyclin (PGI2, measured as the stable metabolite, 6‐keto prostaglandin F1α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were also carried out. 4 NOS activity was based on the conversion of [3H]‐L‐arginine to [3H]‐L‐citrulline in the presence (total NOS activity) or absence of Ca2+ (inducible NOS; iNOS). 5 Peripheral blood leucocyte samples contained low levels of COX activity. In pleural exudate cell pellets, COX activity peaked at 2 to 6 h after injection of the carrageenin. At 24 h, COX activity was significantly reduced. 6 Western blot analysis demonstrated that the inducible isoform of COX (COX‐2), was the predominant enzyme at all time points. Low levels of COX‐2 were seen in PBLs. In pleural exudate cell pellets maximal COX‐2 protein levels were seen at 2h. 7 Immunohistochemistry confirmed the findings of Western blot studies. Approximately 10% of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in PBLs from untreated animals were immunopositive for COX‐2. In cell pellet smears from carrageenin‐induced pleurisy taken 2 h after injection of the irritant, PMNs were also the major source of COX‐2 immunoreactivity. A small proportion of macrophages and mesothelial cells were also immunolabelled for COX‐2. 8 Low levels of NOS activity were seen in PBLs. In pleural exudates NOS activity was maximum at 6h and greatly reduced by 24 h. This activity was solely attributable to iNOS. 9 The present results illustrated a similar profile of COX and NOS activity in the carrageenin‐induced pleurisy model of acute inflammation. It was demonstrated that COX‐2 and iNOS were the predominant isoforms of their respective enzymes.
Nonlinear Elasticity and an 8-nm Working Stroke of Single Myosin Molecules in Myofilaments

Measuring Single Myosins at Work In the past 15 years, the molecular mechanism of muscle contraction has been investigated at the single-molecule level; however, results have varied between laboratories because of the nonprocessive properties of skeletal myosin. Now, Kaya and Higuchi (p. 686) have measured the nonlinear elasticity and working stroke size of single skeletal myosins by combining optical trapping and fluorescence imaging with subnanometer accuracy. The data suggest that it is important to relate myosin's internal structural changes to physiological force generation and filament sliding. Single-molecule measurements refine our understanding of how muscle myosin works. Using optical trapping and fluorescence imaging techniques, we measured the step size and stiffness of single skeletal myosins interacting with actin filaments and arranged on myosin-rod cofilaments that approximate myosin mechanics during muscle contraction. Stiffness is dramatically lower for negatively compared to positively strained myosins, consistent with buckling of myosin’s subfragment 2 rod domain. Low stiffness minimizes drag of negatively strained myosins during contraction at loaded conditions. Myosin's elastic portion is stretched during active force generation, reducing apparent step size with increasing load, even though the working stroke is approximately constant at about 8 nanometers. Taking account of the nonlinear nature of myosin elasticity is essential to relate myosin’s internal structural changes to physiological force generation and filament sliding.
High-throughput sequencing reveals extraordinary fluidity of miRNA, piRNA, and siRNA pathways in nematodes

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans contains each of the broad classes of eukaryotic small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). To better understand the evolution of these regulatory RNAs, we deep-sequenced small RNAs from C. elegans and three closely related nematodes: C. briggsae, C. remanei, and C. brenneri. The results reveal a fluid landscape of small RNA pathways with essentially no conservation of individual sequences aside from a subset of miRNAs. We identified 54 miRNA families that are conserved in each of the four species, as well as numerous miRNAs that are species-specific or shared between only two or three species. Despite a lack of conservation of individual piRNAs and siRNAs, many of the features of each pathway are conserved between the different species. We show that the genomic distribution of 26G siRNAs and the tendency for piRNAs to cluster is conserved between C. briggsae and C. elegans. We also show that, in each species, 26G siRNAs trigger stage-specific secondary siRNA formation. piRNAs in each species also trigger secondary siRNA formation from targets containing up to three mismatches. Finally, we show that the production of male- and female-specific piRNAs is conserved in all four species, suggesting distinct roles for piRNAs in male and female germlines.
[Follicle stimulating hormone inhibits cisplatin induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) can inhibit apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells induced by cisplatin (DDP) and its possible mechinism. METHODS DNA fragmentation assay, (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labling TUNEL), Western blot were used to analyze the changes in expression levels of Survivin and bcl-2 protein. The relative activity of caspase-3 was also determined. RESULTS 200 mIU/ml FSH could regulate down the percentage of apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation induced by 5.0 micrograms/ml cisplatin, while 200 mIU/ml FSH increased Survivin protein expression but could't influence the expression of bcl-2 protein. CONCLUSION FSH can inhibit ovarian cancer cells apoptosis induced by cisplatin. The possible mechinism is up-regulation of Survivin expression and down-regulation of caspase activity.
Empathic technologies for distance/mobile learning: An empirical research based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)

Purpose This paper examines the acceptance, of a group of 79 students, of an educational forum, used for mobile and distance learning, that has been modified to include empathic characteristics and affective principles. Design/methodology/approach With this study is proposed that the introduction of empathic and affective principles in educational forums is a useful and effective way to increase students’ participation and motivation in educational contexts. After an analysis of existing literature and research on the subject of empathic technology, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used as a framework for the research model. The analysis of their acceptance is done via an extended version of the UTAUT that focuses on the use of the variable attitude toward technology and uses gender, age and experience as moderators. A partial least square technique has been used to test the nine hypotheses. Findings The results confirmed three of the nine hypotheses: performance expectancy and effort expectancy had a positive influence on the students attitudes towards empathic forums, while the effect of social influence and facilitating conditions was considered insignificant; social influence had a positive influence on the students’ behavioral intention to use emphatic forums, while attitude toward technology, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions and effort expectancy were considered not relevant. Originality/value The focus of this study was the influence of attitude toward empathic forums, used for mobile and distance learning, and the results establish the grounds for future research on attitude as an important determinant of technology acceptance.
Methadone Versus Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Dependence and Risk of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Background: Our objective was to estimate the association between methadone and neonatal abstinence syndrome compared with buprenorphine using a probabilistic bias analysis to account for unmeasured confounding by severity of addiction. Methods: We used a cohort of live-born infants exposed in utero to methadone or buprenorphine for maternal opioid maintenance therapy at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, from 2013 to 2015 (n = 716). We determined exposure and outcome status using pharmacy billing claims. We used log-binomial regression models to assess association of treatment with neonatal abstinence syndrome after adjusting for parity, maternal race, age, delivery year, employment, hepatitis c, smoking, marital, and insurance status. We implemented probabilistic bias analysis, informed by an internal validation study, to assess the impact of unmeasured confounding by severity of addiction. Results: Infants exposed to methadone in utero were more likely to experience neonatal abstinence syndrome compared with those exposed to buprenorphine (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2, 1.5). After adjustment, infants exposed to methadone were more likely (adjusted RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1, 1.5) than infants exposed to buprenorphine to have the syndrome. In the validation cohort (n = 200), severe addiction was more common in methadone- versus buprenorphine-exposed deliveries (77% vs. 32%). However, adjustment for severe addiction in the bias analysis only slightly attenuated the association (RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0, 1.4), supporting conventional analysis. Conclusions: Methadone is associated with increased risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome compared with buprenorphine in infants exposed in utero. This association is subject to minimal bias due to unmeasured confounding by severity of addiction.
Triggering the Interferon Antiviral Response Through an IKK-Related Pathway

Rapid induction of type I interferon expression, a central event in establishing the innate antiviral response, requires cooperative activation of numerous transcription factors. Although signaling pathways that activate the transcription factors nuclear factor κB and ATF-2/c-Jun have been well characterized, activation of the interferon regulatory factors IRF-3 and IRF-7 has remained a critical missing link in understanding interferon signaling. We report here that the IκB kinase (IKK)–related kinases IKKϵ and TANK-binding kinase 1 are components of the virus-activated kinase that phosphorylate IRF-3 and IRF-7. These studies illustrate an essential role for an IKK-related kinase pathway in triggering the host antiviral response to viral infection.
Risks of young age for selected neurocognitive deficits in medulloblastoma are associated with white matter loss.

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that inadequate development of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) is associated with the relationship between young age at the time of craniospinal irradiation (CRT) and deficient neurocognitive performance in survivors of childhood medulloblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-two patients treated since 1985 participated in this cross-sectional study. All had been treated with CRT with or without chemotherapy and had survived 1 or more years after treatment. Neurocognitive evaluations were conducted with tests of intellect (intelligent quotient; IQ), verbal memory, and sustained attention. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, using a hybrid neural network, assessed the volume of NAWM. RESULTS Neurocognitive test results were below normal expectations for age at the time of testing. A young age at CRT was significantly associated with worse performance on all neurocognitive tests except that of verbal memory. An increased time from completion of CRT was significantly associated with worse performance on all neurocognitive tests except that of sustained attention. After statistically controlling for the effects of time from CRT, we examined the association of NAWM with neurocognitive test results. These analyses revealed that NAWM accounted for a significant amount of the association between age at CRT and IQ, factual knowledge, and verbal and nonverbal thinking, but not sustained attention or verbal memory. CONCLUSION The present results suggest that, at least for some cognitive functions, deficient development and/or loss of NAWM after CRT may provide a neuroanatomical substrate for the adverse impact of a young age at the time of CRT.
Role of ABCG2 in Transport of the Mammalian Lignan Enterolactone and its Secretion into Milk in Abcg2 Knockout Mice

Lignans are phytoestrogens that are metabolized by the gut microbiota to enterodiol and enterolactone, the main biologically active enterolignans. Substantial interindividual variation in plasma concentration and urinary excretion of enterolignans has been reported, this being determined, at least in part, by the intake of lignan precursors, the gut microbiota, and the host’s phase 2 conjugating enzyme activity. However, the role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the transport and disposition of enterolactone has not been reported so far. Active transport assays using parental and Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells transduced with murine and human ABCG2 showed a significant increase in apically directed translocation of enterolactone in transduced cells, which was confirmed by using the selective ABCG2 inhibitor Ko143. In addition, enterolactone also inhibited transport of the antineoplastic agent mitoxantrone as a model substrate, with inhibition percentages of almost 40% at 200 μM for human ABCG2. Furthermore, the endogenous levels in plasma and milk of enterolactone in wild-type and Abcg2(−/−) knockout female mice were analyzed. The milk/plasma ratio decreased significantly in the Abcg2(−/−) phenotype, as compared with the wild-type mouse group (0.4 ± 0.1 as against 6.4 ± 2.6). This paper is the first to report that enterolactone is a transported substrate and therefore most probably a competitive inhibitor of ABCG2, which suggests it has a role in the interindividual variations in the disposition of enterolactone and its secretion into milk. The inhibitory activity identified provides a solid basis for further investigation in possible food-drug interactions.
Neurocritical care education during neurology residency

Objective: Limited information is available regarding the current state of neurocritical care education for neurology residents. The goal of our survey was to assess the need and current state of neurocritical care training for neurology residents. Methods: A survey instrument was developed and, with the support of the American Academy of Neurology, distributed to residency program directors of 132 accredited neurology programs in the United States in 2011. Results: A response rate of 74% (98 of 132) was achieved. A dedicated neuroscience intensive care unit (neuro-ICU) existed in 64%. Fifty-six percent of residency programs offer a dedicated rotation in the neuro-ICU, lasting 4 weeks on average. Where available, the neuro-ICU rotation was required in the vast majority (91%) of programs. Neurology residents' exposure to the fundamental principles of neurocritical care was obtained through a variety of mechanisms. Of program directors, 37% indicated that residents would be interested in performing away rotations in a neuro-ICU. From 2005 to 2010, the number of programs sending at least one resident into a neuro-ICU fellowship increased from 14% to 35%. Conclusions: Despite the expansion of neurocritical care, large proportions of US neurology residents have limited exposure to a neuro-ICU and neurointensivists. Formal training in the principles of neurocritical care may be highly variable. The results of this survey suggest a charge to address the variability of resident education and to develop standardized curricula in neurocritical care for neurology residents.
Chemical composition of upper renal tract calculi in Multan.

OBJECTIVE To study the chemical composition of upper renal tract (renal and ureteric) calculi in Multan. SETTING Department of Urology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. STUDY PERIOD September 1992 to February 1999. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 700 renal and ureteric calculi were analyzed by chemical method of Hodgkinson. RESULTS The commonest were uric acid (28.1%) calculi, followed in frequency by calcium oxalate calculi (26.1%), mixed calculi containing calcium oxalate and uric acid (21.8%) and calculi containing calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (10.4%). Other variety of calculi were less common. CONCLUSION Uric acid, calcium oxalate and mixed uric acid and calcium oxalate calculi are the main types in Multan region (JPMA 50:145, 2000).
POSSIBLE ROLE OF T-STRAIN MYCOPLASMA IN NONGONOCOCCAL URETHRITIS. A SIXTH VENEREAL DISEASE?

A study of urethritis patients at a US Naval Base in Luzon, Republic of the Philippines, was conducted by a naval research team to determine the nature of a urethritis problem there. Of 203 men in the study, 117 had uncomplicated gonorrhea and 22 had gonorrhea additionally associated with Mycoplasma (PPLO) and "L" organisms—a total of 139 gonorrhea cases. Urethritis among the remaining 64 men was nongonococcal. However, 33 of the 64 men had nongonococcal urethritis associated with a recently reported organism—the T-strain Mycoplasma . In 30 of these 33 men, this organism was the only Mycoplasma recovered in culture. We suggest that a distinct form of venereal urethritis has emerged which is associated with the T-strain Mycoplasma organism and which is completely unresponsive to penicillin.
The ear as a frequency analyzer. II.

Previous experiments on the limit of the ear's frequency‐analyzing power, carried out with only two subjects, were repeated for four other subjects. The limit was investigated by measuring the number of harmonics of a complex tone that can be heard separately. It was found that, even under the most favorable conditions, not more than the first five to seven harmonics can be distinguished. This limit agrees with the critical‐band concept, that is to say, a partial of a multitone stimulus can be heard only when the adjacent tones are separated by more than the critical bandwidth.
HIV/AIDS prevention in Thailand: success and challenges.

This article discusses Thailands proactive and committed efforts to slow the spread of AIDS and HIV infections. Thailand established HIV/AIDS strategies and policies based on research and evaluation. Government made a commitment to financing and implementation. The spread of HIV/AIDS slowed but about 1 million became infected. The Thai government altered strategies and policy as knowledge of the extent of risk behavior grew and the social economic and cultural roots of the epidemic were revealed. Programs expanded beyond the public health sector to socioeconomic sectors. Equal partnerships were formed between private businesses nongovernmental and community organizations. By 1996 the Thai government supported 91% of AIDS program efforts. Research studies were initiated in 1989. In 1991 all government sponsored sexually transmitted disease clinics promoted condom use in the commercial sex trade. There was encouragement among commercial sex owners sex workers and clients to use condoms. AIDS education was incorporated into school curricula in 1990. AIDS education evolved to include life skills empowerment. Early studies alerted the government to increased HIV infections among the Royal Thai Armys new young recruits and pregnant women. During 1990-97 declines occurred in exposure to sex workers and extramarital sex. There is evidence of change in sex behavior among at-risk groups. The prevalence of HIV is still high despite declining trends. The crisis will be exacerbated by financial crises increased immigration from neighboring countries and reduced AIDS budgets.
Random lifts of $K_5\setminus e$ are 3-colourable

Amit, Linial, and Matou\vsek (Random lifts of graphs III: independence and chromatic number, Random Struct. Algorithms, 2001) have raised the following question: Is the chromatic number of random $h$-lifts of $K_5$ asymptotically (for $h\to\infty$) almost surely equal to a single number? In this paper, we offer the following partial result: The chromatic number of a random lift of $K_5\setminus e$ is asymptotically almost surely three.