Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retinopathy in patients with hipertension and/or diabetes in a family health unit

We would like to stress the importance of adequate examination through direct ophthalmoscopy in the screening and management of patients with hypertension and diabetes; as mentioned in the article Retinopathy in patients with hypertension and/or diabetes in a family health unit, this test gives general practitioners more control over the clinical course of their patients and leads to more accurate referrals of patients to ophthalmologists(1). Many general practitioners find it difficult to perform direct ophthalmoscopy, a test that is generally only taught to ophthalmology residents. To demonstrate this fact, we conducted a study with 133 non-ophthalmologist physicians in two Brazilian university hospitals. Participants were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire approved by the Research Ethics Committees of the Federal Universities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. They were inquired about their level of confidence in diagnosing hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, optic disc cupping, and papilledema through direct ophthalmoscopy. The questions were based on the knowledge general practitioners are expected to have according to the International Council of Ophthalmology and the United States Association for Colleges(2). We included highly prevalent diseases that can cause blindness or death. Participating physicians had graduated between 1967 and 2013. Their level of confidence was assessed based on a scale ranging from zero (low confidence) to four (maximum confidence). Sixty-five percent of respondents rated their level of confidence as zero or one, showing a low confidence in their ability to diagnose these conditions by direct ophthalmoscopy. Given the difficulty in teaching direct ophthalmoscopy during medical school, we decided to develop a low-cost training model based on physical calculations to simulate the human eye in a reliable manner, allowing students to participate in its entire construction process. The model consists of a polymethylmethacrylate sphere Retinopathy in patients with hipertension and/or diabetes in a family health unit
Recurrence and Outcomes of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in Children

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical course, etiology, management, and long-term outcomes of children suffering from Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS: We conducted a study of all pediatric patients with SJS or TEN admitted between 2000 and 2007 to the Hospital for Sick Children and Children's Hospital Boston, and particular attention was paid to clinical manifestations, etiology, mortality, and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 55 cases of SJS (n = 47), TEN (n = 5), or SJS/TEN overlap syndrome (n = 3). Drugs were identified as the most likely etiologic agent in 29 children (53%); antiepileptic drugs were the most common agents (n = 16), followed by sulfonamide antibiotics (n = 7) and chemotherapy drugs (n = 2). Acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was confirmed in 12 children (22%), and herpes simplex virus was confirmed in 5 children (9%). Treatment regimens differed significantly between participating sites and included systemic antimicrobial agents (67%), systemic corticosteroids (40%), and antiviral drugs (31%). Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to 21 children (38%), of whom 8 received concomitant systemic corticosteroids. Ten children (18%) had recurrence of SJS up to 7 years after the index episode, and 3 experienced multiple recurrences. Twenty-six children (47%) suffered long-term sequelae that mostly involved the skin and eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rate in children was lower than that reported in adults, but half of affected children suffered long-term complications. The recurrence rate of SJS was high (1 in 5), which suggests vulnerability and potential genetic predisposition. In the absence of standardized management guidelines for these conditions, treatment regimens differed significantly between participating institutions.
Evaluation of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Serum Levels in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Background:Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain often associated with sleep disorders and mood and whose pathophysiology is still not clearly defined. In recent years, some studies have hinted at a possible association between different types of pain, including the pain present in FM, with vitamin D deficiency. Objective and Methods:The present work consisted of a cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum levels in 87 patients with FM, as compared with a control group composed of 92 age- and sex-matched subjects with no chronic musculoskeletal pain. Clinical and laboratory variables that could affect the status of vitamin D were also considered. Results:There was no statistically significant difference between groups either with respect to mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D or as to the classification of levels as deficient, insufficient, or sufficient. There was no correlation of 25(OH)D levels with pain intensity. Conclusion:This study showed that light to moderate deficient and insufficient 25(OH)D levels are not found more commonly in patients with FM.
Active transport across the human placenta: impact on drug efficacy and toxicity

The human placenta expresses a large number of transport proteins. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of active efflux pumps, predominantly localised to the maternal-facing syncytial membrane of placental microvilli, comprise the major placental drug efflux transporters. A variety of other transporters are also expressed in the placenta that can facilitate xenobiotic transfer in both the maternal and fetal directions. Many drugs administered in pregnancy are ABC transporter substrates, and many are either teratogenic or fetotoxic. The invitro, invivo and clinical evidence reviewed in this article argues that active efflux of drugs by placental transporters helps to maintain its barrier function, reducing the incidence of adverse fetal effects. ABC transporter polymorphisms may explain the wide variability observed in fetal drug concentrations, incidence of teratogenesis or drug failure in pregnancies exposed to therapeutic agents. Although our understanding of the molecular mechanics and dynamics of placental drug transfer is advancing, much work is needed to fully appreciate the significance of placental drug transporters in the face of increasing drug administration in pregnancy.
Evidence for sexual partitioning of foraging mode in Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) during migration

Migrating Western Sandpipers, Calidris mauri (Cabanis, 1857), observed feeding at an intertidal stopover site on the Fraser River delta, British Columbia, shifted their foraging mode from surface-pecking to probing over a 3- week period in April and May. We tested possible mechanisms to account for the field observations. Using control and shorebird exclusion plots over a 3-month period bracketing the migration, we determined that neither seasonal nor shorebird-induced changes in the relative availability of epifaunal compared with infaunal prey accounted for the de - cline in the prevalence of epifaunal feeding behaviour. However, strong peaks in both epi- and in-faunal prey densities coincided with the migration period, suggesting that migratory timing may be linked with the productivity schedule of major stopover sites. Males, which precede females in the migration and have relatively shorter bills, were observed to engage in epifaunal feeding more frequently than females. Thus, while foraging behaviour of the Western Sandpiper at a population level appears "plastic", the feeding repertoire of individuals is more specialized and results in sexual parti - tioning of prey resources. The implications of our findings for differential distribution patterns over the nonbreeding range and sex-related differences in contaminant profiles are discussed. Resume : Nous avons observe des becasseaux d'Alaska, Calidris mauri (Cabanis, 1857), en migration, qui se nourris- saient a un site d'arret intercotidal dans le delta du Fraser, changer leur mode de recherche de nourriture de becqueta- ges de surface a des sondages plus profonds au cours d'une periode de trois semaines en avril et en mai. Nous
Older adults' attitudes toward enrollment of non-competent subjects participating in Alzheimer's research.

OBJECTIVE Research that seeks to enroll noncompetent patients with Alzheimer's disease without presenting any potential benefit to participants is the source of substantial ethical controversy. The authors used hypothetical Alzheimer's disease studies that included either a blood draw or a blood draw and lumbar puncture to explore older persons' attitudes on this question. METHOD Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 538 persons age 65 and older. Questions explored participants' understanding of research concepts, their views on enrolling persons with Alzheimer's disease in research, and their preferences regarding having a proxy decision maker, granting advance consent, and granting their proxy leeway to override the participant's decision. Additional questions assessed altruism, trust, value for research, and perceptions of Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS The majority (83%) were willing to grant advance consent to a blood draw study, and nearly half (48%) to a blood draw plus lumbar puncture study. Most (96%) were willing to identify a proxy for research decision making, and most were willing to grant their proxy leeway over their advance consent: 81% for the blood draw study and 70% for the blood draw plus lumbar puncture study. Combining the preferences for advance consent and leeway, the proportion who would permit being enrolled in the blood draw and lumbar puncture studies, respectively, were 92% and 75%. Multivariate models showed that willingness to be enrolled in research was most strongly associated with a favorable attitude toward biomedical research. CONCLUSIONS Older adults generally support enrolling noncompetent persons with Alzheimer's disease into research that does not present a benefit to subjects. Willingness to grant their proxy leeway over advance consent and a favorable attitude about biomedical research substantially explain this willingness.
Malaria and property accumulation in rice production systems in the savannah zone of Côte d'Ivoire

Irrigation stabilizes agricultural production and hence improves farmers’ living standards and conditions. The permanent presence of water may, however, increase the burden of water‐related parasitic diseases and counter the economic benefits of irrigation by reducing farmers’ health. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of malaria on farm household property, beyond the health risk (studied elsewhere). The research question was: by weakening individuals, does malaria reduce productive capacities and income workers, and consequently limit their property accumulation? To test this hypothesis, we use data on property (farming equipment, livestock and durable consumer goods) and Plasmodium falciparum indicators generated by a study carried out in 1998 in the Ivorian savannah zone characterized by inland valley rice cultivation, with a sample of nearly 750 farming households. Property is influenced by many factors related to the size of the family, the area under cultivation and high parasite density infection rate of P. falciparum. A significant negative correlation between high‐density infection rate and the property values confirms that by reducing the living standards of households, malaria is a limiting factor for property accumulation.
TGFβ1 gene polymorphisms with the risk of radiation pneumonitis in non-small cell lung cancer in different ethnic study.

10606 Background: To investigate whether non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in Chinese with risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) (grade≥3) by radiotherapy display reliable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) marker(s) located in transforming growth factor 1 (TGFβ1) gene. METHODS DNA was isolated from blood samples obtained from NSCLC patients (n=167) treated with deﬁnitive radiotherapy alone (n=125) or concurrent chemoradiation (n=42). Eight SNPs of the TGFβ1 gene (rs1800469, rs1800471, rs1982073, rs4803455, rs11466345, rs12983047, rs10417924, and rs10980942) were genotyped by direct DNA sequencing method. Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability was used to assess the risk of grade≥3 RP and Cox proportional hazards analysis to evaluate the effect of TGFβ1 genotypes on such risk. RESULTS There were 125 men and 42 women in the study with median age of 58 years. 53 (31.7%) patients developed grade 2 RP, 46 (27.5%) developed grade≥3 RP, respectively, based on CTCAEv3.0. SNP rs1982073 with RP risk in Caucasians was failed to validate to associate with the risk of grade≥3 RP in Chinese NSCLC patients. Multivariate analysis found AG/GG genotypes of novel TGFβ1 rs11466345 to be associated with a statistically signiﬁcantly higher risk of RP grades≥3 (HR=2.295; 95% CI, 1.101 to 4.783; P=0.027), compared with the AA genotype, after adjustment for age, smoking status, and dosimetric parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that AG/GG genotypes of novel TGFβ1 rs11466345 were associated with higher risk of RP in Chinese NSCLC patients treated with radiotherapy. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings in different ethnic populations.
Are secondary sex traits, parasites and immunity related to variation in primary sex traits in the Arctic charr?

Primary and secondary sex traits are influenced by the same sex hormones, and the expression of secondary sex traits may consequently signal males' capacity for sperm production. Sperm quality may also be influenced by immune activity, as sperm are non–self to the male. Parasite infections alter immune activity and may thus reduce ejaculate quality. In the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) the red abdominal colour is considered an ornament that signals important information in mate choice. We captured and individually caged sexually mature male Arctic charr during the spawning period. Afterwards we estimated abdominal colour, parasite infections, gonad mass and several spermatological and immunological variables. Intensity of abdominal colour was positively correlated to testes mass, milt mass and sperm cell numbers produced. Additionally, males with low parasite intensities had high testes mass and produced milt with high sperm density, indicating a trade–off between parasite resistance and development of primary sex traits. Our measures of immunity were, however, not related to primary sex traits. We conclude that females evaluating male abdominal coloration may obtain information about differences between males in fertilization potential and parasite resistance.
Pleasingness vs Interestingness of Visual Stimuli with Controlled Complexity: Their Relationship to Looking Time as a Function of Exposure Time

Ss take more time to perceive interesting/displeasing stimuli than uninteresting/pleasing ones. This is consistent with the results of former experiments. However we used a different operationalization of looking time, based on binocular rivalry. Each of six stimulus pairs was presented in a stereoscope. One member of each pair was interesting but displeasing in comparison to the other member. Stimulus complexity was under control. Due to binocular rivalry Ss perceived only one pattern a time. 20 Ss were asked to indicate which pattern they actually saw by pushing two buttons. For each stimulus pair was registered how long each button was pushed during each of six successive minutes. Unlike other operationalizations this one is less dependent on S's determination of what stimulus will be looked at or for how long. It has the advantage that it is bound up more exclusively with relations of similarity and dissimilarity between stimulus elements. It allows manipulation of exposure time in a systematic and continuous way. There is no significant interaction between looking and exposure time.
A G316A Mutation of Manganese Lipoxygenase Augments Hydroperoxide Isomerase Activity

Lipoxygenases with R stereospecificity have a conserved Gly residue, whereas (S)-lipoxygenases have an Ala residue. Site-directed mutagenesis has shown that these residues control position and S/R stereospecificity of oxygenation. Recombinant Mn-LO was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and its conserved Gly-316 residue was mutated to Ala, Ser, Val, and Thr. The G316A mutant was catalytically active. We compared the catalytic properties of Mn-LO and the G316A mutant with 17:3n-3, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, and 19:3n-3 as substrates. Increasing the fatty acid chain length from C17 to C19 shifted the oxygenation by Mn-LO from the n-6 toward the n-8 carbon. The G316A mutant increased the oxygenation at the n-8 carbon of 17:3n-3 and at the n-10 carbon of the C17 and C18 fatty acids (from 1–2% to 7–11%). The most striking effect of the G316A mutant was a 2-, 7-, and 15-fold increase in transformation of the n-6 hydroperoxides of 19:3n-3, 18:3n-3, and 17:3n-3, respectively, to keto fatty acids and epoxyalcohols. The n-3 double bond was essential. An experiment under an oxygen-18 atmosphere showed that both oxygen atoms were retained in the epoxyalcohols. (R)-Hydroperoxides at n-6 of C17:3, 18:3, and 19:3 were transformed 5 times faster than S stereoisomers. The G316A mutant converted (13R)-hydroperoxylinolenic acid to 13-ketolinolenic acid (with an apparent Km of 0.01 mm) and to epoxyalcohols (viz. erythro- and threo-11-hydroxy-(12R,13R)-epoxy-(9Z,15Z)-octadecadienoic acids and one of the corresponding cis-epoxides as major products). A reducing lipoxygenase inhibitor stimulated the hydroperoxide isomerase activity, whereas a suicide-type lipoxygenase inhibitor reduced this activity. The n-3 double bond also appeared to influence the anaerobic formation of epoxyalcohols by Mn-LO, since 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 yielded different profiles of epoxyalcohols. Our results suggest that the G316A mutant augmented the hydroperoxide isomerase activity by positioning the hydroperoxy group at the n-6 carbon of n-3 fatty acids closer to the reduced catalytic metal.
SIMPL-1 (SIMulated Profiles from the Layout-version 1)

A new integrated circuit process simulator, SIMPL-1, has been developed which generates the physical cross-sectional view of the devices directly from the graphics layout using a corresponding process information file. The main purpose of this simulator is to give rapid on-line visual feedback to the circuit designer as to the topographic features being created during layout. For this application, SIMPL-1 is based on rectangular shapes and simplified process models and runs in a few seconds on a VAX11/780. It is generic in that it can run from any CIF plot using an arbitrary process file constructed from standard process elements.
Teasing apart structural determinants of `toxicity' and `adjuvanticity': implications for meningococcal vaccine development

The use of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an adjuvant is limited by its high endotoxic activity. In particular, the fatty-acyl pattern of the lipid A part of LPS has been demonstrated to determine its biological activity. By genetic modification of the lipid A biosynthesis pathway in Neisseria meningitidis, a panel of recombinant strains with specific alterations in the lipid A acylation pattern, as well as a strain completely lacking LPS were isolated. Whereas all variations in the fatty-acyl pattern resulted in reduced endotoxic activity, as measured by TNF-α induction in the human macrophage cell line MM6, the adjuvant activity of the modified LPS was, in most cases, barely affected. The in vivo adjuvant properties of N. meningitidis wild-type and mutant LPS was found to correlate with induction of co-stimulatory molecules, in particular CD80 and CD40, and with IL-12 production by LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived BALB/c dendritic cells in vitro. Our results suggest that the ability of LPS to stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine induction is not necessarily linked to its adjuvant activity. The availability of this novel set of lipid A variants with improved pharmacological properties will be of great importance for the improvement of future outer membrane vesicle vaccines against N. meningitidis.
Teachers' task demands, students' test expectations, and actual test content.

BACKGROUND Previous studies on instructional importance show that individual students and their teachers differ in the topics that they consider important in the context of an upcoming teacher-made test. AIMS This study aimed to examine whether such differences between students' test expectations and teachers' intended task demands can be explained by the actual test content. SAMPLES Participants were history teachers (N=19) and their 11th-grade students (N=388). METHOD Teachers and students rated the importance of text sections that would be tested in the near future. By means of multilevel analysis, ratings were compared with the occurrence of sections in the tests. RESULTS Although teachers considered a majority of sections as important and tested only a minority of the sections, their tests still included sections rated as unimportant. The number of such discrepancies, however, was relatively small. Sections the teachers rated important had a much higher probability of being included in the test than sections rated unimportant. For students, a similar but lower degree of correspondence between ratings and test content was found. Interestingly, for sections that teachers considered important, students more often gave a higher rating when these sections appeared in the test than when they did not. The same holds for sections that teachers considered unimportant. CONCLUSIONS For both teachers and students there is a limited correspondence between perceived task demands and test content. Furthermore, students' perceptions of task demands show a compensation for some of the differences between their teachers' intended task demands and the test demands.
The Enlarged Population of Marginal Zone/CD1dhigh B Lymphocytes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice Maps to Diabetes Susceptibility Region Idd111

The NOD mouse is an important experimental model for human type 1 diabetes. T cells are central to NOD pathogenesis, and their function in the autoimmune process of diabetes has been well studied. In contrast, although recognized as important players in disease induction, the role of B cells is not clearly understood. In this study we characterize different subpopulations of B cells and demonstrate that marginal zone (MZ) B cells are expanded 2- to 3-fold in NOD mice compared with nondiabetic C57BL/6 (B6) mice. The NOD MZ B cells displayed a normal surface marker profile and localized to the MZ region in the NOD spleen. Moreover, the MZ B cell population developed early during the ontogeny of NOD mice. By 3 wk of age, around the time when autoreactive T cells are first activated, a significant MZ B cell population of adult phenotype was found in NOD, but not B6, mice. Using an F2(B6 × NOD) cross in a genome-wide scan, we map the control of this trait to a region on chromosome 4 (logarithm of odds score, 4.4) which includes the Idd11 and Idd9 diabetes susceptibility loci, supporting the hypothesis that this B cell trait is related to the development of diabetes in the NOD mouse.