Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socio‐economic Status and pregnancy outcome. An Australian study

A prospective cohort of 8556 pregnant women attending the Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane was examined to consider the impact of socio‐economic Status on pregnancy outcome. The indicators of socio‐economic Status selected were family income, maternal education and paternal occupational Status. Pregnancy out‐comes considered were preterm delivery, low birthweight, low birth‐weight for gestational age, and perinatal death. Subsidiary analyses were also undertaken for Apgar scores, time to establish respiration, need for mechanical respiration and admission to intensive care. Before adjustment, the main consistent association was between the occupational Status of the father and three measures of perinatal morbidity. Initial adjustment for the mother's socio‐demographic background and weight/height ratio reduced the strength and statistical significance of the above associations, while further adjustment for lifestyle variations between the three Status groups further reduced the above associations to marginal statistical significance. The findings suggest that observed dass differences in pregnancy outcome are attributable to the mother's personal characteristics (height/weight2, parity) and her lifestyle.
Promoting Lifestyle Change Among Cancer Survivors: When Is the Teachable Moment?

There is mounting evidence that cancer survivors who adopt a healthy lifestyle—for example, by exercising, consuming a healthy diet, and not smoking—reap physical and emotional benefits. Depending on the behavior targeted, these benefits may include reduced fatigue, improved physical functioning, improved quality of life, and greater likelihood of disease-free survival. Given the advantages, cancer survivors should be urged to address any unhealthy behaviors. It remains unclear, however, when cancer survivors will be most receptive to advice from health care providers and others about their lifestyle behaviors. In other words, it is unclear if a “teachable moment” occurs shortly after the cancer diagnosis, during cancer treatment, or sometime after treatment has been completed. This review describes the reasons it has been difficult to identify the optimal time within the cancer trajectory to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors. Some strategies for clarifying the optimal timing are discussed. The review concludes by summarizing health behavior recommendations for cancer survivors outlined by an American Cancer Society expert panel.
Appropriate tools and methods for tropical microepidemiology: a case-study of malaria clustering in Ethiopia

Background: The importance of local variations in patterns of health and disease are increasingly recognised, but, particularly in the case of tropical infections, available methods and resources for characterising disease clusters in time and space are limited. Whilst the Global Positioning System (GPS) allows accurate and easy determination of latitude and longitude, sophisticated Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that can process the data may not be available and accessible where they are most needed. Objective: To describe an appropriate procedure for interpreting GPS information. Methods: An example of space-time clustering of malaria cases around a dam in Ethiopia (106 cases in 129.7 child-years-at-risk) is used to demonstrate that GPS data can be interpreted simply and cheaply in under-resourced health service settings to provide timely and appropriate epidemiological assessments. Results: Malaria cases were clustered in time and space in the area surrounding a microdam. Conclusion: Quickly identifying disease foci using appropriate procedures in this manner could lead to better informed control and treatment activities which would represent a better use of resources as well as improved health for the community. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2003;17(1):1-8]
Electron-Density and Electron-Lifetime Profile in Nanocrystalline-TiO Electrode of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Analysed by Voltage Decay and Charge Extraction

The dependence of the electron density and electron lifetime in nanocrystalline-TiO2 electrode on the electron back reaction with I3− in a dye-sensitized solar cell, based on a mesoporous titania (TiO2) matrix immersed in an iodine-based electrolyte, has been presented by analyzing the results of voltage decay and charge extraction measurements without modelling, without interpretation of mechanism, and without complicating calculations. This new analysis approach utilizes simple equations and basic definition of kinetics, concluding in absolute electron-density and charge-lifetime measurements. The relation of electron lifetime to open-circuit voltage indicates a peak of the long-lifetime charge at 5.5 V, which is consistent with the information of middle band suggested by Bisquert et al. (2004).
Efficacy of Stepping Stones Triple P Plus a Stress Management Adjunct for Parents of Children with an Acquired Brain Injury: The Protocol of a Randomised Controlled Trial

Paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) is the most common cause of acquired disability in childhood. It frequently results in significant personality, cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes, and consequent impairment in independent functioning, education, employment and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, paediatric ABI impacts on the entire family system, with parents commonly reporting significant distress and adjustment difficulties. Despite this, there is currently limited research into effective programmes to support families following their child's ABI. This protocol describes a wait-list randomised controlled trial of a behavioural family intervention plus a parent stress management programme for paediatric ABI. Interventions will be conducted with parents in a group format, aiming to improve child outcomes by improving parenting behaviour and coping. Outcomes assessed will be: (i) child behaviour and emotional outcome as measured by parent and teacher reports; (ii) parental style and confidence; (iii) parental adjustment (stress, anxiety and depression symptoms); (iv) family functioning; (v) parent relationship; and (vi) parent psychological flexibility. Assessments will be via questionnaires conducted pre-, mid- and post- intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. The theoretical basis, study hypotheses, methods and planned analyses are described.
Caries Distribution, Prevalence, and Treatment Needs among 12–15-Year-Old Secondary School Students in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Objective. There is a change in the trends and distribution of dental caries in established and nonestablished market economies. The aim of this study was to describe caries distribution, prevalence, and treatment needs among school children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods. The study was a cross-sectional survey of students between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and clinical oral examination. Analysis of data was done using statistical package for social science version 20.0. Association between variables was tested using chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance. Results. The study population consisted of 195 school children of mean age years. The prevalence of dental caries was 15.4% ( ). The mean DMFT score for the entire group was . Dental caries occurred more significantly ( ) on the mandible (66.7%) than on the maxilla (33.3%) and was significantly ( ) more prevalent on the first molars (66.7%) than on the second molars (26.6%). Conclusion. The number of untreated dental caries was high and the restorative index was low among the students. The overall caries prevalence and mean DMFT were low even when compared to other studies in similar populations in Nigeria.
Entry Coreceptor Use and Fusion Inhibitor T20 Sensitivity of Dual-Tropic R5X4 HIV-1 in Primary Macrophage Infection

Macrophages are important targets for HIV-1, and R5X4 strains play a central role in pathogenesis, especially in late-stage patients who may receive the fusion inhibitor T20 (enfuvirtide). Sensitivity to T20 varies markedly among HIV-1 strains and is influenced by viral and cellular factors that affect Env/CD4/coreceptor interactions. We addressed the relation between T20 inhibition and the pathway by which R5X4 HIV-1 infects primary macrophages, which express both coreceptors. In U87/CD4/coreceptor cells, T20 sensitivity for entry through CCR5 and CXCR4 was correlated. In macrophages, the proportion of total entry mediated by each coreceptor differed among isolates. Neither pathway was uniformly more or less sensitive to T20, however, nor did the proportion of entry mediated by each coreceptor predict T20 sensitivity. T20 sensitivity for macrophage infection overall correlated modestly with that for entry through CCR5 but not through CXCR4; however, unlike U87 cells, sensitivity of entry through CCR5 and CXCR4 was not correlated. These results suggest that strain-specific factors influence R5X4 T20 sensitivity regardless of the coreceptor used, an absence of systematic differences in efficiency by which R5X4 strains use the 2 coreceptors, and that efficiency and kinetics of interactions with CCR5 are central determinants of macrophage entry even when both pathways are utilized.
Predator‐Induced Dispersal and the Evolution of Conditional Dispersal in Correlated Environments

It is widely accepted that organisms adjust their dispersal propensity to local population density, but there has been no analysis of how they should react to changes in environmental conditions that reduce local density. We take the case of delayed predator‐induced dispersal (PID) in aphids to explore in which way current environmental conditions may be utilized as an appropriate signal for dispersal decisions. In aphids, the presence of predators triggers the production of winged offspring that may later leave the plant and shift their center of activity permanently. Using individual‐based simulations as well as analytical approximations, we explore under which conditions PID is likely to evolve. We demonstrate that this requires substantial temporal correlation in predation risk and weak competition among prey; these conditions may be fulfilled in the aphid system. We discuss the analogy between the specific case of PID and the evolution of conditional emigration in the face of spatiotemporally correlated deterioration in reproduction or survival.
Secondary intracranial neoplasia in the dog: 177 cases (1986-2003).

BACKGROUND This study investigates the frequency, location, and clinical findings associated with 177 secondary brain tumors in dogs. HYPOTHESIS Secondary intracranial neoplasia is more common than primary intracranial neoplasia in dogs during the time period studied, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is the most common secondary intracranial tumor. ANIMALS One hundred and seventy-seven client-owned dogs presented to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital between 1986 and 2003. METHODS Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in dogs who underwent complete postmortem examination. Of these dogs, those with a diagnosis of primary intracranial neoplasia were excluded. RESULTS Of the 177 secondary brain tumors, 51 (29%) were HSAs, 44 (25%) were pituitary tumors, 21 (12%) were lymphosarcomas, and 21 (12%) were metastatic carcinomas. The average age at diagnosis was 9.6 +/- 3.0 years. Most tumors were located in the cerebrum, and a mentation change was the most common presenting clinical sign. On postmortem examination, the same tumor that was in the brain was also present in the lung in 84 cases (47%), in the kidney in 62 cases (35%), and in the heart in 55 cases (31%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Secondary intracranial neoplasia in dogs was more common than primary intracranial neoplasia during the time period studied. Many of these dogs had related disease in other body systems that was apparent on diagnostic tests such as thoracic radiography.
Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and prevalence of postnatal depression at two months postpartum in a sample of Greek mothers

The EPDS has been validated as a screening instrument for postnatal depression in numerous communities over the last 20 years. Absence of a validation study for the Greek population has limited significantly its use in Greece. A community sample of 109 women was recruited on the second day postpartum in the two largest maternity hospitals in Athens. Ninety‐five women consented to participate and to complete the EPDS, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the 28‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and the 26‐item WHO‐Quality of Life (WHO‐QOL). Of them, 81 consented to be reassessed 2 months later. At that time, in addition to the baseline questionnaires, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R (SCID), non‐patient version, was conducted in order to establish psychiatric diagnosis of major and minor depression. The clinical diagnosis was used to test the criterion validity of the EPDS, and the GHQ, BDI and WHO‐QOL scores were used to assess the concurrent validity of the EPDS. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to measure the internal consistency of the scales. A cut‐off point of 11/12 on the EPDS showed optimum Receiver Operating Characteristics. The SCID showed that 12.4% of the subjects met criteria for depression at two months postpartum.
Differential Extracellular and Intracellular Concentrations of Zidovudine and Lamivudine in Semen and Plasma of HIV-1-Infected Men

Objectives:To quantitate extracellular and intracellular zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) concentrations in blood and semen of HIV-1-infected men. Design:Nonblind, single-center, open-label pharmacokinetic (PK) study in 14 subjects receiving ZDV plus 3TC. Methods:Paired blood and semen samples were obtained during 1 intensive visit and 3 single time point visits over 2 weeks. Extracellular ZDV and 3TC concentrations were measured in blood plasma (BP) and seminal plasma (SP), and intracellular ZDV and 3TC triphosphate (TP) concentrations were measured in isolated mononuclear cells using validated methods. HIV-1 RNA was measured in blood and semen. PK parameters were estimated using noncompartmental analysis. Results:Median (interquartile range [IQR]) SP/BP area under the time-concentration curve over the 12-hour dosing interval (AUC0-12h) ratios for ZDV and 3TC were 2.28 (1.48 to 2.97) and 6.67 (4.10 to 9.14), respectively, whereas individual SP/BP concentration ratios ranged from 1.9 to 91.4. Intracellular median (IQR) SP/BP AUC0-12h ratios for ZDV-TP and 3TC-TP were 0.36 (0.30 to 0.37) and 1.0 (0.62 to 1.30), respectively, whereas individual SP/BP concentration ratios ranged from 0.11 to 2.9. HIV-1 RNA was undetectable in both compartments. Conclusions:ZDV and 3TC SP exposures are 2- to 6-fold greater than BP exposures. Seminal ZDV-TP exposures are ∼40% of those found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whereas 3TC-TP exposures are similar to PBMC exposures. PK variability makes individual SP/BP ratios a suboptimal surrogate for genital tract exposure.
Apolipoprotein E genotype of a Portuguese control population and Alzheimer's disease patients

The present work first describes the frequency of APOE alleles and genotypes in Portuguese populations in relation to AD pathology. We genotyped a group of late onset sporadic AD cases, their pairwise controls and a larger group of randomly selected individuals, to assess the distribution pattern of APOE alleles in the Portuguese population. APOE ɛ4 relative frequency may significantly vary among different populations—a fact which should be taken into consideration for the correct evaluation of the cossegregation of this allele with AD pathology. We observed a frequency of 0.087 ± 0.029 of the APOE ɛ4 and 0.043 ± 0.021 of the APOE ɛ2 allele in the Portuguese random population which as expected showed a marked prevalence of the APOE ɛ3 form (0.870 ± 0.035). In the AD patients the APOE ɛ4 allele frequency was significantly higher (0.360 ± 0.081) than in the controls (χ2 = 31.000, p < 0.00001, df = 2). Consistently APOE ɛ3 allele frequency (0.640 ± 0.081) was significantly lower than in the controls while APOE ɛ2 was absent in the studied AD population. Taken together our results demonstrate that the Portuguese population is characterized by a relatively low frequency of the APOE ɛ4 allele, in good agreement with previous observations of a gradient of ɛ4 allele frequency in Europe, decreasing from North to South. Several lines of evidence point at APOEɛe4 allele as a major genetic susceptibility factor in AD. The APOE ɛ4 allele was significantly higher [odds ratio (OR) = 5.93, 95% CI 3.55–9.91] in the Portuguese AD patients than in the random non‐demented population. The genotype analysis of the Portuguese AD patients here described reveals a marked, increased frequency of ɛ4 homo‐ and heterozygous individuals consistent with an APOE ɛ4 zigosity effect as a further genetic trait predisposing to AD development.
Thromboelastographic evaluation of hemostatic function in dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

BACKGROUND There is considerable variation in the coagulation profile of dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), making it difficult to assess overall hemostatic function. OBJECTIVES To characterize the overall hemostatic state in dogs with DIC, by use of tissue factor-activated thromboelastography (TF-TEG), and to determine whether there is an association between hemostasis and outcome. ANIMALS 50 dogs with DIC. METHODS Dogs admitted to the intensive care units, with an underlying disease known to predispose to DIC, were prospectively assessed with TF-TEG. Citrated blood samples were collected daily during hospitalization and an extended coagulation panel and TF-TEG were performed. Diagnosis of DIC was based on expert opinion. RESULTS Hemostatic dysfunction was observed on the TF-TEG profile in 33/50 of the dogs, of which 22/50 were hypercoagulable and 11/50 were hypocoagulable based on the TF-TEG G value alone. There were significant differences in k, alpha, and MA values (P < .0001) among hypo-, normo-, and hypercoagulable dogs. There was a significant difference in case fatality rate between hypo- (64%) and hypercoagulable (32%) dogs (relative risk = 2.38; P= .04). Dogs that died had significantly lower antithrombin activity (P= .03) and higher d-dimer concentration (P= .03) than survivors. CONCLUSIONS The most common overall hemostatic abnormality in dogs diagnosed with DIC was hypercoagulability, and there was significant difference in survival between hyper- and hypocoagulable dogs. The results suggest TF-TEG is valuable in the assessment of hemostatic function in dogs diagnosed with DIC.
Reduction in acute gastroenteritis hospitalizations among US children after introduction of rotavirus vaccine: analysis of hospital discharge data from 18 US states.

BACKGROUND In 2006, RotaTeq (RV5) was recommended for routine vaccination of United States (US) infants. We compared hospitalization rates for acute gastroenteritis among US children aged <5 years during pre-RV5 rotavirus seasons from 2000 through 2006 with those during the post-RV5 2007 and 2008 seasons. METHODS Using 100% hospital discharge data from 18 states, accounting for 49% of the US population, we calculated acute gastroenteritis hospitalization rates for children aged <5 years by rotavirus season, 8 age groups (0-2, 3-5, 6-11, 12-17, 18-23, 24-35, 36-47, and 48-59 months), and state. RESULTS Compared with the median rate for the 2000-2006 rotavirus seasons (101.1 hospitalizations per 10,000 children), the rates for 2007 and 2008 (85.5 and 55.5 hospitalizations per 10,000 children) were 16% and 45% lower, respectively. Children aged 0-2 months had a 28% reduction, those aged 6-23 months had a reduction of 50%, and children aged 3-5 months and 24-59 months had reductions ranging between 42% and 45% during the 2008 rotavirus season, compared with the median rate for 2000-2006 rotavirus seasons. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of the RV5 vaccine was associated with a dramatic reduction in hospitalizations for acute gastroenteritis among US children during the 2008 rotavirus season.
Cytokine dysregulation in aged horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

BACKGROUND Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the result of a loss of dopaminergic inhibition of the pars intermedia secondary to neurodegeneration of periventricular hypothalamic neurons. The pathologic events contributing to development of neurodegeneration or clinical signs in equids with PPID are unknown. Chronic inflammation may contribute to initiation or progression of PPID. HYPOTHESIS Horses with PPID have a distinct systemic cytokine profile compared with that of normal adult or aged horses. The cytokine profile of healthy aged horses differs from that of adult horses. ANIMALS Aged horses with PPID, healthy aged-matched controls, and adult controls (n = 14 per group). METHODS Total leukocyte cytokine expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plasma concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) TNF-alpha response after endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) treatment was assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Aged healthy horses had increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and interferon-gamma as well as PBMC TNF-alpha release after LPS stimulation compared with healthy adult horses. In contrast, aged horses with PPID had increased IL-8 expression, but expression of other cytokines was similar to that of healthy adult horses, not age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Aged horses show evidence of a proinflammatory state that may contribute to development of age-associated diseases. Horses with PPID have increased expression of IL-8, which may influence the ability of horses with PPID to respond to bacterial pathogens. The general decrease in proinflammatory cytokine expression observed in horses with PPID may be the outcome of high plasma concentrations of anti-inflammatory hormones.
The Impact of Different Definitions on the Estimated Rate of Transmitted HIV Drug Resistance in the United Kingdom

Background:The use of different lists of resistance mutations has resulted in estimates of transmitted HIV drug resistance (THDR) that are often not comparable. Methods:We estimated the rate of THDR based on the 3 definitions: ≥1 major mutation(s) listed on the International AIDS Society (IAS)-USA drug resistance mutation (DRM) 2006 list; ≥1 surveillance drug resistance mutation(s) (SDRM) on the published list by Shafer et al; and low-level/intermediate/high-level resistance to ≥1 drug(s) according to the Stanford HIVdb interpretation algorithm. Analyses were based on genotypic resistance tests conducted during 1997-2005 on antiretroviral therapy-naive patients and reported to the UK HIV Drug Resistance Database. The effect on THDR rates of revisions to the IAS-DRM list was also examined. Results:Overall, 10.0%, 9.2%, and 10.4% of the 8272 samples available for analysis were classified as having THDR by the IAS-DRM, SDRM, and Stanford definitions, respectively; however, there was discordance for 244 (3%) samples. Changes in the version of the IAS-DRM list over time resulted in 4%-7% differences in the estimated rate of THDR, which increased from 4%-5% during 1997-2000 to 5%-7% during 2001-2005. Conclusions:The choice of genotypic definition had a minor influence on the estimated rate of THDR. The SDRM list is recommended for epidemiological estimates of THDR as it has been designed with such studies in mind.