Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood Cardiometabolic Outcomes of Maternal Obesity During Pregnancy: The Generation R Study

Maternal prepregnancy obesity is associated with impaired cardiometabolic health in offspring. Whether these associations reflect direct intrauterine causal mechanisms remains unclear. In a population-based prospective cohort study among 4871 mothers, fathers, and their children, we examined the associations of both maternal and paternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) with childhood body fat distribution and cardiometabolic outcomes and explored whether any association was explained by pregnancy, birth, and childhood factors. We measured childhood BMI, total body and abdominal fat distribution, blood pressure, and blood levels of lipids, insulin, and C-peptide at the age of 6 years. We observed that higher maternal and paternal prepregnancy BMI were associated with higher childhood BMI, total body and abdominal fat mass measures, systolic blood pressure, and insulin levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P<0.05). Stronger associations were present for maternal than paternal BMI, with statistical support for heterogeneity between these associations. The associations for childhood fat mass and cardiometabolic outcomes attenuated after adjustment for childhood current BMI. Compared with children from normal-weight mothers, those from obese mothers had increased risks of childhood overweight (odds ratio, 3.84 [95% confidence interval, 3.01–4.90]) and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors (odds ratio, 3.00 [95% confidence interval, 2.09–4.34]). Smaller effect estimates for these outcomes were observed for paternal obesity. In conclusion, higher maternal and paternal prepregnancy BMI were associated with an adverse cardiometabolic profile in offspring, with stronger associations present for maternal prepregnancy BMI. These findings suggest that maternal prepregnancy BMI may influence the cardiometabolic health of offspring through direct intrauterine mechanisms.
Examining the Prediction Role of Spiritual Intelligence and Gender in Moral Reasoning

The prediction role of spiritual intelligence in moral reasoning is studied in a sample of 249 students (124 males, 125 females), from 11th grade of government schools in Wilayat Alsuwaiq, in North Albatinah region in the Sultanate of Oman. Gibbs et al., (1984) inventory is used to measure moral reasoning, and King (2008) inventory is used to measure spiritual intelligence. The findings indicate that spiritual intelligence and gender predict moral reasoning, while spiritual intelligence contributes significantly to the total score of moral reasoning as opposed to gender which does not. In addition, moral reasoning does not differ significantly by gender, whereas spiritual intelligence does. Future research is needed to investigate different factors that may have an effect on students’ moral reasoning.
Tidal perturbations and variability in the mesopause region over Fort Collins, CO (41N, 105W): Continuous multi‐day temperature and wind lidar observations

An unusually long data set was acquired at the sodium lidar facility at Colorado State University (41N, 105W), between Sep 18 and Oct 01, 2003, including a 9‐day continuous observation. This time is long enough to average out the perturbations of gravity waves and short‐period planetary waves. As such, it can be used to define tidal‐period perturbations in temperature and horizontal wind. Assuming the sodium mixing ratio is a constant of motion, the observed tidal‐period oscillation in sodium density follows that of vertical wind. Thus, the data set defines tidal‐period perturbations of temperature and wind vector. The observed amplitudes and phases were compared to Global Scale Wave Model predictions (both GSWM00 and GSWM02). We found excellent agreement in diurnal phases and reasonable agreement in semidiurnal phases. However, GSWM02 overestimates diurnal amplitudes and both model versions underestimate observed semidiurnal amplitudes. Since the data period is long enough for the study of planetary waves and of tidal variability, we perform spectral analysis of the data, revealing a strong quasi 3‐day wave in meridional wind, a 14 hour perturbation in zonal wind, and both 14‐hour and 10‐hour periods in meridional wind, likely the result of nonlinear interactions. The observed semidiurnal amplitudes are much larger than the corresponding diurnal amplitudes above 85 km, and over a few days the diurnal and semidiurnal amplitudes vary by factors of 2–3. Causes for the observed tidal variability in terms of planetary wave modulation and tide‐gravity wave interaction are explored qualitatively.
Entropy Dynamics in Cone Production of Longleaf Pine Forests in the Southeastern United States

Irregular temporal patterns of seed production are a challenge for the regeneration and restoration of longleaf pine, which is a keystone component of an endangered ecosystem in the southeastern United States. In this study, long-term data for longleaf pine cone production, collected at six sites across the southeastern region, was examined from the perspective of information entropy. Our results indicate that long-term monitoring data usefully reflects the information entropy and trajectory in cone production. The entropy of cone production for longleaf pine forests at all sites increased slowly through time. However, a slight decrease in entropy was also noted. Entropy across all sites remained within 1.28~1.77 until 2016. High linear correlation existed between entropy and log (time length). MaxEnt overestimated the information entropy at each site, although the dynamics were similar. Joint entropy among all sites might reflect an emergent pattern for entropy across the region. Our study provides an important approach for characterizing ecosystem dynamics by information flow in adaptive ecosystem management.
Is Beer Healthier than Booze? How the Change in Consumption Shares of Alcoholic Beverage Types Affects Mortality in Young People

This paper uses cross-state and cross-regional variation in both levels and growth rates of the shares of alcohol beverage types to ascertain the effect, if any of this variation on health outcomes related to excessive alcohol consumption, with particular focus on beer versus spirits (“hard liquor”). Some evidence is found that beer drinking is more negative for traffic fatalities and suicides for ages 15-19, but results are not conclusive. Income is a strong predictor of lower mortality.
Neurophysiologic and vascular studies in erythromelalgia: a retrospective analysis.

Erythromelaigia is a poorly understood clinical syndrome characterized by painful, hot, red extremities. We assessed the frequency and types of abnormalities observed during tests of vascular, peripheral neurophysiologic, and autonomic function in patients with erythromelalgia.Methods Of" 163 charts of patients fulfilling the clinical diagnosis of erythromelalgia. 93 patients underwent vascular studies Five of them had detailed vascular studies in 10 affected lower extremities performed before and during symptoms, fifty-four patients underwent neurophysiologic testing, 27 had autonomic reflex screening (ARS). and two had recordings of peripheral autonomic surface potentials (PASP). Results. Measurements in the toes during symptoms revealed a mean temperature increase of 11.6 C (P = 0,00011 along with a laser flow increase from a mean of 6.8 mL/min per 100 g tissue to 76.5 mL/min per 100 g tissue (P<.0.0001). Baseline TcPO; in the feet decreased by 6.7 mmHg (P = 0.032) during symptoms. Twenty-one of 54 electromyographic recordings were abnormal: all fulfilled the criteria for axonal neuropathy. Seventeen of 27 ARSs and one PASP showed severe postganglionic sudomotor impairment; five of 17 additionally had peripheral adrenergic dysfunction.Conclusions During symptoms, an increase in flow and temperature is accompanied paradoxically by a decrease in oxygenation of the affected area; a high proportion of patients have a distal small fiber neuropathy with selective involvement of cutaneous sympathetic fibers; in addition, large fiber neuropathy is often present.
The Health Belief Model Variables as Predictors of Risky Driving Behaviors among Commuters in Yazd, Iran

Background: Road traffic injuries are a major but neglected global public health problem. The human factor appears in the literature as the most prevalent contributing factor of road traffic crashes. The purpose of the study was to utilize components of the Health Belief Model to predict risky driving behaviors among a sample of commuters in Yazd, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. A two-stage cluster sampling was used to recruit 300 drivers to participate in the study. Results: The most reported risky driving behavior was speaking with others and using a cell phone, both while driving. There was a negative statistically significant association between risky driving behaviors and age. The occurrence of risky driving behaviors was higher among males as well as single drivers and was inversely related to education level. There was also a positive statistically significant correlation between risky driving behaviors and road traffic accidents and the number of traffic citations/fines. Perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, threat, and net benefits were significantly related to risky driving behaviors. Conclusion: The pattern of risky driving behaviors, and safe driving barriers among commuters in Yazd, Iran, which are identified in this study, could be used in planning effective intervention programs to improve the driving habits of the commuters. The results of the study showed that Health Belief Model can be used as a conceptual framework for intervention programs aimed at decreasing road traffic accidents.
Genre Analysis of Enquiry Letters across Cultures:Perspectives on Rhetorical Structures

With the globalization of business interaction, writing business letters seems to be necessary as international networks continue to expand. Identifying specific content, organization of thoughts, ideas, and references of business letters becomes clear only if one maintains generic structures of letters; yet the schematic structure of such letters have not been broadly addressed across different languages. To this end, 200 English and Persian business letters were analyzed focusing on the purpose of enquiring information from local and international companies. These letters were investigated, following Santos' (2002) model of negotiation, to explore the generic structure, lexico-grammaticality, and politeness strategies. With a few exceptions in some sub-steps, the two corpora were relatively similar in the exchange of information though they differed considerably in the use of positive and negative politeness strategies and in applying different forms of directives. The important role that an enquiry letter plays in the creation of organizational knowledge and in the functional work necessitates further cross-cultural investigations of such letters.
Single-Dose and Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children

ABSTRACT Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF) is a potent nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor approved for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults. The single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of tenofovir were evaluated following administration of tenofovir DF in treatment-experienced HIV-infected children requiring a change in antiretroviral therapy. Using increments of tenofovir DF 75-mg tablets, the target dose was 175 mg/m2; the median administered dose was 208 mg/m2. Single-dose pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 18 subjects, and the geometric mean area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to ∞ (AUC0-∞) was 2,150 ng · h/ml and the geometric mean maximum concentration (Cmax) was 266 ng/ml. Subsequently, other antiretrovirals were added to each patient's regimen based upon treatment history and baseline viral resistance results. Steady-state pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 16 subjects at week 4. The steady-state, geometric mean AUC for the 24-h dosing interval was 2,920 ng · h/ml and was significantly higher than the AUC0-∞ after the first dose (P = 0.0004). The geometric mean Cmax at steady state was 302 ng/ml. Tenofovir DF was generally very well tolerated. Steady-state tenofovir exposures in children receiving tenofovir DF-containing combination antiretroviral therapy approached values seen in HIV-infected adults (AUC, ∼3,000 ng · h/ml; Cmax, ∼300 ng/ml) treated with tenofovir DF at 300 mg.
Retrograde surgical drainage of pancreas for chronic relapsing pancreatitis.

The incidence of relapsing pancreatitis following recovery from acute pancreatitis has not clearly been determined. Thompson and Derrick, 29 in a study of 61 cases, found an incidence of recurrence of 64%. Collins and Owens 6 state that most patients who survive acute pancreatitis will not have subsequent attacks. Wilkinson and associates 32 state that between 7% and 15% of patients with acute pancreatitis developed other attacks. Numerous procedures have been advised for the relief of relapsing pancreatitis, none of them completely satisfactory. We should consider the disease as being primary in some cases and secondary in others. 26 The procedures that will be beneficial in secondary chronic relapsing pancreatitis are, in the main, not satisfactory for the primary type. The secondary type of chronic relapsing pancreatitis is exemplified by those cases in which stones are present in the ampulla of Vater or biliary tract disease is present. Adequate treatment
2‐Deoxy‐D‐Glucose Prevents and Nicotinamide Potentiates 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine‐Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity

Abstract: Neurotoxicity induced by different substituted amphetamines has been associated with the exhaustion of intracellular energy stores. Accordingly, we examined the influence of 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2‐DG), a competitive inhibitor of glucose uptake and metabolism, and nicotinamide, an agent that improves energy metabolism, on 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐induced 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT; serotonin) deficits. Administration of MDMA (15 mg/kg i.p.) produced a significant hyperthermia, whereas 2‐DG caused a profound hypothermia that lasted throughout the experiment. When MDMA was given to 2‐DG‐treated rats, an immediate but transient hyperthermia occurred and was followed by a return to hypothermia. 2‐DG had no effect on 5‐HT concentrations in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum but prevented the neurotoxicity induced by MDMA. When rats were injected with 2‐DG/MDMA and were warmed to prevent hypothermia, the protection afforded by 2‐DG was abolished. Nicotinamide had no effect on body temperature of the rats, and the hyperthermia induced by the nicotinamide/MDMA treatment was similar to that of the saline/MDMA‐treated rats. However, the long‐term 5‐HT deficits induced by MDMA were potentiated by nicotinamide in all the brain regions examined. Finally, no change on ATP concentrations in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum was observed up to 3 h after a single dose of MDMA. These results suggest that an altered energy metabolism is not the main cause of the neurotoxic effects induced by MDMA.
Up‐modulation of interferon‐γ mediates the enhancement of spontanous cytotoxicity in prolactin‐activated natural killer cells

Prolactin (PRL) has been shown to participate in lymphocyte activation. In particular, the constitutive natural killer (NK) and the lymphokine‐activated killer (LAK) cytotoxicity of CD56+ CD16+ cells is increased by its physiological to supraphysiological concentrations. As PRL has been shown to up‐regulate the production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we studied its effect on IFN‐γ production by NK cells as a possible mechanism of autocrine activation of cytotoxicity. Released and intracellular IFN‐γ, as well as IFN‐γ mRNA expression, were increased by pituitary and recombinant human PRL, which stimulated optimal NK and LAK cytotoxicity. Treatment with blocking anti‐IFN‐γ monoclonal antibody (mAb) selectively affected PRL‐increased killing of K562 targets, demonstrating that PRL‐mediated enhancement of spontaneous cytotoxicity depends, at least in part, on up‐regulation of IFN‐γ.
Nuclear Export of 60S Ribosomal Subunits Depends on Xpo1p and Requires a Nuclear Export Sequence-Containing Factor, Nmd3p, That Associates with the Large Subunit Protein Rpl10p

ABSTRACT Nuclear export of ribosomes requires a subset of nucleoporins and the Ran system, but specific transport factors have not been identified. Using a large subunit reporter (Rpl25p-eGFP), we have isolated several temperature-sensitive ribosomal export (rix) mutants. One of these corresponds to the ribosomal protein Rpl10p, which interacts directly with Nmd3p, a conserved and essential protein associated with 60S subunits. We find that thermosensitive nmd3 mutants are impaired in large subunit export. Strikingly, Nmd3p shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm and is exported by the nuclear export receptor Xpo1p. Moreover, we show that export of 60S subunits is Xpo1p dependent. We conclude that nuclear export of 60S subunits requires the nuclear export sequence-containing nonribosomal protein Nmd3p, which directly binds to the large subunit protein Rpl10p.
Glomus Vagale Tumors

Eighteen patients with glomus vagale tumors treated by surgical resection are reviewed. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are diagnostic. Arteriography is used to determine multicentric tumors. The incidence of multicentric tumors in this series was 40%. Adequate surgical exposure is necessary for removal of the tumor without injury to the carotid artery. Vagal paralysis was present in all cases postoperatively and resulted in dysphagia and aspiration. Cricopharyngeal myotomy and Teflon injection aided in rehabilitation of deglutition. Curability with surgery is high, but radiation therapy is recommended in selected patients.
Genome-Wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Typing Method for Identification of Bacillus anthracis Species and Strains among B. cereus Group Species

ABSTRACT As an issue of biosecurity, species-specific genetic markers have been well characterized. However, Bacillus anthracis strain-specific information is currently not sufficient for traceability to identify the origin of the strain. By using genome-wide screening using short read mapping, we identified strain-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among B. anthracis strains including Japanese isolates, and we further developed a simplified 80-tag SNP typing method for the primary investigation of traceability. These 80-tag SNPs were selected from 2,965 SNPs on the chromosome and the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids from a total of 19 B. anthracis strains, including the available genome sequences of 17 strains in the GenBank database and 2 Japanese isolates that were sequenced in this study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 80-tag SNP typing showed a higher resolution power to discriminate 12 Japanese isolates rather than the 25 loci identified by multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). In addition, the 80-tag PCR testing enabled the discrimination of B. anthracis from other B. cereus group species, helping to identify whether a suspected sample originates from the intentional release of a bioterrorism agent or environmental contamination with a virulent agent. In conclusion, 80-tag SNP typing can be a rapid and sufficient test for the primary investigation of strain origin. Subsequent whole-genome sequencing will reveal apparent strain-specific genetic markers for traceability of strains following an anthrax outbreak.
Antiviral Activity of Arabinosyladenine and Arabinosylhypoxanthine in Herpes Simplex Virus-Infected KB Cells: Selective Inhibition of Viral Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Synchronized Suspension Cultures

The drug 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A) significantly suppressed the formation of herpes simplex virus type 1-induced syncytia in BHK-21/4 cells at concentrations as low as 0.1 μg/ml. Optimal activity was noted when the drug was added before initiation of viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis (3.5 h postinfection). The deaminated derivative of ara-A, 9-β-d-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine (ara-H), was at least 10 times less effective in suppressing the development of herpes simplex virus-induced syncytia. The replication of herpes simplex virus was measured by assaying fluids and cells from infected drug-treated cultures by using a plaque production technique. Ara-A at drug levels of >10 < 32 μg/ml completely blocked the replication of infectious virus particles. Ara-H was less effective than ara-A in reducing the replication of virions. Rates of host and viral DNA synthesis were monitored by pulse labeling herpes simplex virus-infected synchronized KB cells with [3H]thymidine and subsequently separating viral from cellular DNA in CsCl density gradients. During synthetic (S) phase, ara-A or ara-H at concentrations ranging from 3.2 to 32 μg/ml selectively inhibited viral DNA synthesis. At 3.2 μg of ara-A per ml, viral DNA synthesis was reduced 74% although total cellular DNA synthesis was unaffected. Increasing concentrations of ara-A produced increasing temporal delays in the maximal rate of host DNA synthesis. This time shift was not observed in cells treated with ara-H.
Effect of planting method, tillage and weed management on productivity and physico-chemical properties of rice (Oryza sativa) – wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 2002–03 and 2003–04 at Raipur in Chhattisgarh to assess the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) – wheat [Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol. ] cropping system and changes in soil-nutrient status due to different planting methods of rice and tillage and weed-management practices of wheat. Transplanting of rice after Sesbania aculeata (green manure, GM) incorporation (RiceGM-TP) produced significantly higher grain yield of rice (19.5–25.3%) and increased the organic C, available N and K over transplanting of rice (RiceTP) and beushening system without GM (RiceBS). The residual effect of RiceGM-TP gave 11.1% higher grain yield of wheat, increased the available N, P and K content in the soil and reduced the bulk density in 0–7 and 10–17 cm soil depths. Conventional tillage (WheatCT) in wheat produced 19.1% higher grain yield than zero tillage (WheatZT). Zero-tilled wheat gave 10.7% higher organic C in the soil than Wheat CT. Infiltration rate was the highest under WheatCT and observed to be 20.5% higher at harvest. Post-emergence application of sulfosulfuron @ 25 g/ha and metsulfuron-methyl @ 4 g/ha reduced the dry weight of weeds significantly over the weedy check and increased the grain yield of wheat. Transplanting of rice after GM incorporation followed by conventional tillage and post-emergence application of sulfosulfuron in wheat improved the soil physico-chemical properties and gave the maximum total productivity (12.45 t/ha) and net returns (Rs 52,104/ha).