Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experience of Pandemic Influenza with H1N1 in Children with Leukemia

It is not exactly known the risks from infection with pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in children with leukemia. Here the authors present their experience in 5 children with leukemia. Pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 was detected in 5 patients (F/M: 3/2) at their institution. The ages of these patients were between 2 and 16 years. Four had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 1 acute myeloblasic leukemia (AML). Three of the ALL patients had the diagnosis of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 at the same time as they were diagnosed with ALL. The remaining 2 patients were receiving intensive chemotherapy. All patients had fever, rhinorrhea, and cough. Although bronchopneumonia was seen in 3 patients, only 1 revealed respiratory distress. Stomachache and diarrhea was seen in the patient who had no pneumonia. All treated as inpatients, but none of them required hospitalization in intensive care unit. One to 3 days after the symptoms of influenza appeared, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was given to all patients in combination with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Fever declined to normal ranges in 1 to 3 days after treatment was started. The patients received oseltamivir for 5 to 7 days. Cell culture tests were found to be positive for influenza A and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed H1N1 for all 5 patients. Although this is a very small case series, pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 did not seem to be very dangerous for children with leukemia if the oseltamivir treatment was given early when symptoms of influenza appeared.
Adding Successor

Given a class C of word languages, the C-separation problem asks for an algorithm that, given as input two regular languages, decides whether there exists a third language in C containing the first language, while being disjoint from the second. Separation is usually investigated as a means to obtain a deep understanding of the class C. In this article, we are mainly interested in classes defined by logical formalisms. Such classes are often built on top of each other: given some logic, one builds a stronger one by adding new predicates to its signature. A natural construction is to enrich a logic with the successor relation. In this article, we present a transfer result applying to this construction: We show that for suitable logically defined classes, separation for the logic enriched with the successor relation reduces to separation for the original logic. Our theorem also applies to a problem that is stronger than separation: covering. Moreover, we actually present two reductions: one for languages of finite words and the other for languages of infinite words.
Effects of new, individually adjusted, progressive balance group training for elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new, individually adjusted, progressive and specific balance group training programme on fear of falling, step execution, and gait in healthy elderly people with fear of falling and tend to fall. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. Subjects: Fifty-nine community dwelling elderly people were recruited by advertisement, and allocated at random to an intervention group (n = 38) or a control group (n = 21). Intervention: Individually adjusted, progressive and specific balance group training was given three times a week for three months. The training incorporated elements included in, and required for, independent activities of daily living, and for reactions to loss of balance during dual or multiple tasks. Main measures: Fear of falling was assessed with Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). The reaction time of step execution was measured with the step-execution test, and gait was measured with GAITRite®. Results: After three months the intervention group showed significant positive changes in the FES-I (P = 0.008), in the step-execution phase of dual-task performance (P = 0.012), and in gait at preferred speed during single-task performance; in cadence (P = 0.030) and, at fast speed, in velocity (P = 0.004) and cadence (P = 0.001). Significant decreases were also found for the likelihood of depression after participating in the training programme. Conclusion: This new balance training programme is feasible and leads to decreased fear of falling, decreased time for step execution during dual-task performance and increased velocity during fast walking.
[Distribution and mRNA Expression of BAMBI in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer.].

BACKGROUND BAMBI structure is similar with that of the receptor I of TGF-beta, it broadly participates in the control of TGF-beta signaling. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and its significance of BAMBI in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the relation between BAMBI and clinical and pathological factors of NSCLC. METHODS Sixty-three cases with NSCLC and adjacent normal tissue specimens were used for immunohistochemical assay. Thirty-one fresh lung cancer tissue specimens and surrounding normal lung tissue specimens was preserved for RT-PCR in -70 (o)C after quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately. RESULTS The level of BAMBI mRNA in cancer tissues was higher than that in the corresponding adjacent tissues (0.358+/-0.135 vs 0.249+/-0.129), with the difference being statistically significant (P =0.003). BAMBI protein expressed mainly in the membrane and the cytoplasm close to the membrane, its expression in the cancer tissue was higher than that in the adjacent tissues, the difference was significant (P <0.01). Expression of BAMBI in the cancer tissue was higher than that in the adjacent tissues, and the expression of BAMBI in adenocarcinoma of lung is higher than that in squamous carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The expressions of BAMBI significantly increase in NSCLC. It might be a common affair in carcinogenesis of NSCLC.
Real-time monitoring of metabolic function in liver-on-chip microdevices tracks the dynamics of mitochondrial dysfunction

Significance Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology is poised to replace animal toxicity testing, but thus far has demonstrated few advantages over traditional methods. Here we demonstrate a sensor-integrated platform permitting real-time tracking of the dynamics of metabolic adaptation to mitochondrial dysfunction. Our approach permits detection of chemical toxicity before any effects on cell or tissue viability can be observed. Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology aims to replace animal toxicity testing, but thus far has demonstrated few advantages over traditional methods. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the development of chemical and pharmaceutical toxicity, as well as pluripotency and disease processes. However, current methods to evaluate mitochondrial activity still rely on end-point assays, resulting in limited kinetic and prognostic information. Here, we present a liver-on-chip device capable of maintaining human tissue for over a month in vitro under physiological conditions. Mitochondrial respiration was monitored in real time using two-frequency phase modulation of tissue-embedded phosphorescent microprobes. A computer-controlled microfluidic switchboard allowed contiguous electrochemical measurements of glucose and lactate, providing real-time analysis of minute shifts from oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic glycolysis, an early indication of mitochondrial stress. We quantify the dynamics of cellular adaptation to mitochondrial damage and the resulting redistribution of ATP production during rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and troglitazone (Rezulin)-induced mitochondrial stress. We show troglitazone shifts metabolic fluxes at concentrations previously regarded as safe, suggesting a mechanism for its observed idiosyncratic effect. Our microfluidic platform reveals the dynamics and strategies of cellular adaptation to mitochondrial damage, a unique advantage of organ-on-chip technology.
Neonatal Gonocyte Differentiation in Mongolian Gerbil Meriones unguiculatus Involves Asynchronous Maturation of Seminiferous Cords and Rapid Formation of Transitional Cell Stage

This study describes the neonatal differentiation of the Mongolian gerbil gonocytes, focusing on the relationship between its relocation to the basement membrane, apoptosis and postrelocation changes and also the distribution of androgen receptors (AR). Testes of gerbils from 1 to 35 days of age (d) were examined by high resolution light microscopy and immunocytochemistry for proteins PCNA, VASA, and AR as well as by the TUNEL method. Gonocytes were quantified according to degree of relocation into nonrelocated, relocating and relocated. Most of them were found in the center of seminiferous cords at 1 d but a small number of relocating and relocated gonocytes were already visible in the first postnatal day. After relocation, gonocytes change phenotypically to a transitional stage designated herein prospermatogonia. Both gonocyte relocation and transformation into spermatogonial lineage occur asynchronously in the seminiferous cords, mainly after 7 d. Gonocyte proliferation began before but peak after their relocation to basement membrane at the prospermatogonia stage. Higher levels of gonocyte apoptosis were found at 7 d and 21 d. From this time onward gonocytes were not found. Gonocytes and prospermatogonia showed high amounts of AR in their cytoplasm contrary to spermatogonial subtypes, indicating a possible AR inactivation in these cells. In conclusion, the process of gonocyte relocation in the gerbil extends until the second postnatal week, leads to their rapid differentiation into prospermatogonia and occurs simultaneously with the loss of androgen sensitivity. Differently from other laboratory rodents, the events regarding gonocyte maturation in the gerbil last longer and occur asynchronously in seminiferous cords. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generalized Fracture Toughness and Compressive Strength of Sustainable Concrete Including Low Calcium Fly Ash

The paper presents the results of tests on the effect of the low calcium fly ash (LCFA) addition, in the amounts of: 0% (LCFA-00), 20% (LCFA-20) and 30% (LCFA-30) by weight of cement, on fracture processes in structural concretes. In the course of the experiments, compressive strength of concrete and fracture toughness for: I (tensile), II (in-plane shear) and III (anti-plane shear) models of cracking were measured. The tests determined the effect of age of concretes modified with LCFA on the analyzed parameters. The experiments were carried out after: 3, 7, 28, 90, 180 and 365 days of curing. Fracture toughness of concretes was determined in terms of the critical stress intensity factors: KIcS, KIIc, KIIIc and then a generalized fracture toughness Kc was specified. The obtained results are significant for the analysis of concrete structures subjected to complex loading. The properties of composites with the additive of LCFA depend on the age of the concrete tested. Mature concretes exhibit high fracture toughness at 20% additive of LCFA, while the additive of LCFA in the amount of 30% weight of cement has a beneficial effect on the parameters of concrete only after half a year of curing.
Encoding and output order processes in short-term order recall of distinctive items

Adults recalled the order of the letters in one of two four-letter segments following a distractor task. They knew in advance the identity of the letters in each segment. A letter was made distinctive by replacing it with a red dash. This unusual form of distinctiveness generally had negative effects on recall of both the segment containing the missing letter and the absent letter within the segment. Encoding and output processes were manipulated by varying precue information and recall order instructions, respectively. Informing participants in advance whether or not a trial would contain a distinctive (i.e., missing) letter depressed recall. Constraining output order eliminated the disadvantage for the absent letter. The results are discussed in terms of encoding and output order processes in short-term recall of order information.
Hepatitis B virus and HIV coinfection: results of a survey on treatment practices and recommendations for therapy.

BACKGROUND The management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection is challenged by the selection of patients for therapy, options for antiviral medications, and inconsistency in published treatment guidelines. METHODS A survey was sent to 161 sites in a multicenter HIV clinical trials group to assess HBV screening, criteria for initiation of therapy, and treatment choices for patients coinfected with HBV and HIV. RESULTS Of 161 sites, 78 completed the survey (response rate, 48.4%). Of these sites, 98.7% screened for HBV infection, 86% vaccinated HIV-infected patients who were not immune to HBV infection, and 79% made treatment decisions without referral to a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. Treatment recommendations varied; 42% of the sites initiated therapy when patients' levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were elevated and HBV DNA level was >10(5) copies/mL, whereas 49% of the sites initiated therapy in the presence of any detectable HBV DNA level. Antiviral treatment choices for patients who were not concurrently receiving antiretroviral therapy were lamivudine plus tenofovir, adefovir, or interferon. Patients concurrently receiving antiretroviral therapy received lamivudine plus tenofovir preferentially, followed by tenofovir plus emtricitabine, adefovir, or interferon. Ninety-one percent of the sites screened for hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The majority of HIV-infected patients were screened and vaccinated for HBV infection and underwent surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma. Decisions regarding the performance of liver biopsy, threshold to initiate therapy, and criteria to discontinue therapy varied, reflecting inconsistencies in available treatment guidelines. Treatment decisions reflected concerns regarding future drug resistance in patients who are naive to antiretroviral therapy and the emergence of drug resistance in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Heterogeneity of Hemolysin Expression during Neonatal Streptococcus agalactiae Sepsis

ABSTRACT The β-hemolysin of Streptococcus agalactiae is a major virulence factor; consequently, nonhemolytic strains rarely cause infections. We report on a case of neonatal sepsis caused by a strain displaying heterogeneous hemolysin expression. It was detected by the simultaneous isolation of hemolytic and nonhemolytic colonies from cultures of the infant's blood.
[Breech presentation - an analysis of results in one perinatal center].

OBJECTIVE A retrospective analysis of medical records during years 2007-2011 considers maternal and fetal outcome in patients with breech presentation terminated by vaginal delivery versus caesarean section (CS). DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovak Republic. METHODS Authors devided patients with breech presentation of fetus (n = 299) to groups of single pregnancies terminated in term (n = 197), before term (n = 67) and to group of multiple pregnancies (n = 35). All groups were devided according to the way of termination of pregnancy by vaginal delivery, by acute CS and by planned CS. Main followed parameters: parity, gestational week, Apgar score, birth weight, birth length, fetal gender, indications for CS, mortality and neonatal morbidity, umbilical artery pH, convulsions, admit to neonatal intensive care unit, intubation of neonate, intracranial bleeding, cervical spine and peripheral nerve injuries. RESULTS Total cohort of breech deliveries was 299. In the group of single pregnancies in term was 19.8% terminated by vaginal delivery (n = 39), 32.5% deliveries by acute CS (n = 64). The most common indication was fetal hypoxia (43.8%). By planned CS was terminated 47.7% deliveries (n = 94). The most common indication for CS was footling presentation (54.3%). Severe neonatal morbidity was rare and without significant difference according to the type of termination of pregnancy. Neonatal outcome was comparable in the group of preterm deliveries(n = 67) terminated by vaginal delivery or by CS. All neonatal deaths were associated with extreme prematurity and not with type of termination of gravidity. CONCLUSION Clinical outcomes between vaginal breech deliveries and breech deliveries terminated by CS in term in singleton pregnancies were not significant different. Mortality of neonates delivered by preterm delivery was associated with severe prematurity.
Hearing threshold distribution and effect of screening in a population-based German sample

Abstract Objective: To establish the status of hearing in adults in Germany and the effects of screening for noise, tinnitus, ear diseases, and general health on the distribution of hearing threshold levels (HTL) Design: A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted between 2010 and 2012 in two middle-sized cities. Study sample: A total of 1903 adults aged 18 to 97 years from a randomized sample drawn from the local registration offices and stratified for age and gender. Results: Dispersion and distribution of HTL data observed in the population-based sample are well in line with international results. However, median HTL tend to be better than in most recent international studies. Screening for “otological normality” improves the median HTL overall by 3 dB in males and 1 dB in females. This effect is strongly age-dependent in males and far less pronounced in females. While by and large HTL medians of females in the screened sample meet the values expected by ISO 7029:2000, HTL medians of males in middle and higher age cohorts are better than expected, especially in the frequencies above 2 kHz. Conclusions: This study supports international findings that in males, the age-related decrease in hearing sensitivity at high frequencies is smaller than described by ISO 7029:2000.
Studies on the effects of microbial phytase on amino acid digestibility and energy metabolisability in caecectomised laying hens and the interaction with the dietary phosphorus level

1. Caecectomised laying hens were used in two assays to study the effects of a microbial 6-phytase on amino acid (AA) digestibility and energy metabolisability using (1) diets with phytate-rich protein sources and (2) with two dietary phosphorus (P) levels. The two assays followed a 2 × 2-factorial arrangement of treatments using 8 hens per treatment. The hens were housed individually in metabolism cages, and excreta were quantitatively collected for a period of 5 d. 2. In Assay 1, two dietary P levels (8.0 and 4.0 g/kg dry matter) and two levels of phytase supplementation (0 and 1000 U/kg diet) were used in diets that were mainly based on maize, sunflower meal and wheat gluten. The digestibility of AA was 0⋅01 to 0⋅02 lower in the diet with the low P than with the high P concentration. The effect of P content was significant for 12 out of the 14 AA studied. The supplementation of phytase significantly improved the degradation of myo-inositol(1,2,3,4,5,6)hexakisphosphate (IP6), but affected neither AA digestibility nor energy metabolisability. An interaction between the two factors was not detected. 3. In Assay 2, diets contained one main protein source (sunflower meal or rapeseed meal) at a concentration of 250 g/kg. The diets were either supplemented or not with phytase (1500 U/kg diet). On average, AA digestibility was 0·01 lower in the rapeseed meal-containing diet than in the sunflower meal-containing one. The maximum difference was 0·03. The effect of the protein source was significant for 9 of the 14 AA studied. The supplementation of phytase had no significant effect on AA digestibility or energy metabolisability. 4. Our studies do not substantiate the hypothesis that improved IP6 degradation due to phytase supplementation is associated with improved AA digestibility and energy metabolisability in laying hens. An interaction between phytase efficacy to improve AA digestibility or energy metabolisability and the P level in the diet does not seem to exist.
Gender Gap in Earnings at the Industry Level

In this article the authors seek an answer to the question: does the percentage of women working in an industry have an effect on earnings distinct from the effect of sex at the individual level? On the basis of the `comparable worth' approach, the authors hypothesized that, controlling for education, experience and sex, the percentage of women working in an industry would have a negative effect on earnings. This hypothesis was tested by performing multi-level analyses using data from 12 countries. The hypothesis was confirmed: the multi-level analyses showed a significant negative effect of the percentage of women in an industry on individual earnings, when individual characteristics were controlled for. This effect applied equally for men and women working in an industry. Part, though not all, of the effect could be accounted for by the fact that female-dominated industries are less unionized and more characterized by small firms than male-dominated industries.
Canine distemper virus and multiple sclerosis

One of many hypotheses in the literature addressing the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) proposes that exposure to canine distemper virus increases the risk of MS. Canine distemper virus is one of more than a dozen viruses that, at one time or another, have been thought to be involved in the etiology of MS. This review briefly summarizes the epidemiologic evidence for this relationship. Epidemiologic investigations of MS have reported marked geographic variation in MS prevalence, and it is now widely believed that MS is a disease with a long latency period following a critical event likely occurring during childhood or early adolescence.1 Studies of migrants between countries with differing prevalence indicate that people born in a high-prevalence area who move to a low-prevalence area develop MS at the same rate as the population of the host country if this move occurs prior to adolescence. If the move takes place after adolescence, the evidence indicates that individuals retain the risk of their native country.2 This evidence is quite convincing for migrants from high-prevalence to low-prevalence areas, but less so for the reverse pattern of migration from countries of low-prevalence moving to countries of high prevalence.1 These data suggest that one or more environmental exposures occurring before adolescence may pre-dispose to developing MS later in life. Since exposure to numerous viruses occurs during childhood, and since viruses are well recognized causes of demyelination and inflammatory responses, MS may have a viral etiology. Many authors have investigated infectious agents, with particular interest in viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus, varicella, and canine distemper virus.2,3 Canine distemper virus is a ubiquitous neurotropic virus causing canine distemper in the animal families Canidae (dog, fox, coyote, and wolf), Mustelidae (mink, otter, weasel, skunk, marten, fisher, and wolverine), and Procyonidae (raccoon) as well as …