Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fire retardants, biocides, plasticisers, and sudden infant deaths

The message of the “back to sleep” campaign holds until the chemistry has been worked out Recent television programmes linking the sudden infant death syndrome to the antimony added to the plastic of cot mattresses has concerned the public and health care professionals alike. Unfortunately, the programmes and their fallout have been stronger on opinion and invective than on accurate information. There is a danger that the message of the government's “back to sleep” campaign, which has been followed by a dramatic fall in sudden infant deaths in Britain in the past three years,1 may be obscured by incomplete, inaccurate, and sensationalist reporting. Barry Richardson, a consulting scientist, proposed in 1989 that fire retardants in cot mattresses might contribute to the sudden infant death syndrome.2 The essential component of his hypothesis was that, under the right conditions of warmth and humidity and in the presence of traces of organic material (for example, from sweat or urine), certain fungi (such as Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) can metabolise constituents of infants' mattresses (phosphorus, arsenic, or antimony) and produce the highly toxic trihydrides—phosphine, arsine, and stibine. These trihydrides, by acting as anticholinesterases, might then kill infants by inducing cardiac or respiratory failure of rapid onset. S brevicaulis is common and can degrade nitrogen-containing compounds in organic material (for example, in meat, cheese, and leather), so that ammonia (nitrogen trihydride) is released. Phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony are—like nitrogen—in group V/Vb of the periodic table of the elements, and Richardson's hypothesis is that their trihydrides may be similarly produced. Such a degradation process was recognised in the 19th century as leading to deaths from arsine poisoning. (In damp conditions S brevicaulis degraded arsenic …
Prevalence of back symptoms in elders.

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of back pain has not been well studied in elders in the US. We describe the prevalence of back symptoms in a cohort of elderly subjects residing in the US by age, sex, examination site, and location of pain. METHODS Data from this study are based on 1037 surviving members of the original Framingham Heart Study cohort aged 68-100 years who participated in the 22nd biennial examination in 1992-93. Subjects were questioned about back pain and timing and location of pain. RESULTS Prevalence estimates varied, depending on the question used to assess back symptoms and the manner in which the question was asked. For example, back symptoms on most days occurred in 22.3 of 100 elders. Low back symptoms were more prevalent than those in the mid or upper back. Prevalence was higher among women than men, especially for symptoms in the mid or upper back area. Age did not affect the prevalence of back symptoms in this elderly cohort. Back symptoms were also more prevalent among subjects who were examined in their residence than among those who were examined at the examination site. Most subjects who were examined at their residence chose this location for health reasons. CONCLUSION Back symptoms are highly prevalent in the elderly, although, among elders, they do not increase in prevalence with age. They are more common in women than men. Elders confined mostly to their homes have an especially high prevalence of back symptoms.
Direct Analysis of Genes Encoding 16S rRNA from Complex Communities Reveals Many Novel Molecular Species within the Human Gut

ABSTRACT The human intestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem which plays a key role in nutrition and health. Although this microbiota has been studied in great detail by culture techniques, microscopic counts on human feces suggest that 60 to 80% of the observable bacteria cannot be cultivated. Using comparative analysis of cloned 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences, we have investigated the bacterial diversity (both cultivated and noncultivated bacteria) within an adult-male fecal sample. The 284 clones obtained from 10-cycle PCR were classified into 82 molecular species (at least 98% similarity). Three phylogenetic groups contained 95% of the clones: theBacteroides group, the Clostridium coccoidesgroup, and the Clostridium leptum subgroup. The remaining clones were distributed among a variety of phylogenetic clusters. Only 24% of the molecular species recovered corresponded to described organisms (those whose sequences were available in public databases), and all of these were established members of the dominant human fecal flora (e.g., Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron,Fusobacterium prausnitzii, and Eubacterium rectale). However, the majority of generated rDNA sequences (76%) did not correspond to known organisms and clearly derived from hitherto unknown species within this human gut microflora.
Correlation between gastric pH and gastro‐oesophageal reflux contents: ambulatory pH‐impedance monitoring results

Abstract Gastro‐oesophageal reflux events should be related to gastric contents. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between gastric pH and the nature of reflux events. Ambulatory oesophageal pH‐impedance and gastric pH monitoring was performed in 41 patients [29 off and 12 on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy] and 12 controls. The mean gastric pH was measured within 2 min around the reflux episodes, 10 cm below the cardia. Acid reflux events occurred more frequently at gastric pH <4 (89%) than non‐acid reflux events (63%, P < 0.0001). Acid reflux events extended more frequently 15 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS; 34%) than non‐acid reflux episodes (24%, P = 0.005). Gastric pH was significantly lower during interprandial reflux events than during postprandial ones in the three groups (P < 0.001). A positive correlation was found between gastric pH and the nadir oesophageal pH during reflux events in the three groups: this correlation was more significant in patients on PPI therapy. We conclude that most acid and non‐acid reflux episodes occur at acid gastric pH, as measured 10 cm below the LOS. This measure does not appear a good predictor of the pH of reflux events.
Chronology of the appearance of beta, A, and alpha mitochondria-rich cells in the gill epithelium during ontogenesis of the brown trout (Salmo trutta).

Three types of mitochondria-rich (MR) cells, the alpha, beta, and accessory cells, are observed in the gill epithelium of juvenile and adult freshwater teleosts. In addition to numerous mitochondria, their cytoplasm contains a network of membranous tubules, the tubular system, connected to the laterobasal plasma membrane. Because they are believed to play a role in ionic regulation, it is of interest to examine the order of appearance and the ultrastructural characteristics of such cells during the embryogenesis and larval life of the brown trout. Gills of embryos and fry maintained in freshwater were thus removed at different stages and prepared for transmission and scanning electron microscopic examination. One week before hatching, cells resembling the beta cells of juvenile and adult teleosts appeared first among the epithelial cells located at the base of the filaments in the gills of the brown trout larva. In addition to their tubular system, they contained numerous and large apical structures seemingly originating from the Golgi apparatus. At approximately hatching time, small pear-shaped cells were seen to be closely apposed to the lateral side of the beta cells; they were usually devoid of apical structures and were considered to be accessory cells. After yolk sac resorption, additional cells, the alpha cells, were present along the lamellae. In contrast to the beta cells, they only exhibited poorly developed apical structures. The possible role of these three types of MR cells in osmoregulation during fish development is discussed.
Cattle mortality due to poisoning in Spain: a cross-sectional epidemiological study

The lack of nationwide public databases on poisoning in cattle makes it difficult to investigate this issue. Hence, we conducted an epidemiological study using the data on cattle poisoning provided by an insurance company (2000-2005), to determine the mortality rate due to poisoning in cattle in Spain and to assess the influence of the following variables: type of farming, age, sex, time of year, year and region. We observed a mortality rate of 23.25 per 100,000 animals in Spain with a higher rate in beef than dairy cattle (32.14 vs. 4.51 per 100,000 animals). There were also differences in the mortality rate between breeding cattle and future breeders, affecting dairy and beef cattle in a different way. In dairy cattle, we found differences between the years analysed. In beef cattle, the time of year with highest risk of poisoning was the last quarter (19.45 per 100,000 animals), while the lowest mortality rate was observed in the first quarter (1.33 per 100,000). There were pronounced differences between regions in beef cattle, differences being non-significant in dairy cattle. Lastly, in beef cattle, no differences were found between sexes. In summary, the mortality rate due to poisoning in cattle in Spain is low, and the risk of poisoning is determined by the farming system, animals’ stage of development, time of year and region.
Corpus luteum growth and function in lactating Holstein cows during spring and summer.

Corpus luteum growth and function were monitored daily for a complete estrous cycle by ultrasonography and peripheral serum progesterone in lactating, cyclic Holstein cows during spring (n = 8) and summer (n = 8). For spring and summer, respectively, daily ambient temperatures (mean +/- SEM) were 21.2 +/- . 9 and 31.1 +/- . 3 degrees C. In summer compared with spring, early morning rectal temperatures were higher on d 1, 2, and 3, when the corpus luteum was forming, and on d 15 and 19. The length of the luteal phase and the corpus luteum cross-sectional area were similar for the two seasonal groups. Central luteal cavities were observed during spring and summer. Serum progesterone secreted between d 6 and 18 was lower during summer. In addition, progesterone concentrations during the entire luteal phase and the peak magnitude of progesterone tended to be lower during summer. Suppressed luteal function may contribute to low fertility when cows are inseminated during summer.
Family-based study shows heterogeneity of a susceptibility locus on chromosome 8q24 for nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate.

BACKGROUND Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a common birth defect. Although a number of susceptibility loci have been reported, replication has often been lacking. This is likely due, in part, to the heterogeneity of datasets and methodologies. Two independent genome-wide association studies of individuals of largely western European extraction have identified a possible susceptibility locus on 8q24.21. METHODS To determine the overall effect of this locus, we genotyped six of the previously associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in our Hispanic and non-Hispanic white family-based datasets and evaluated them for linkage and association. In addition, we genotyped a large African American family with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate that we had previously mapped to the 8q21.3-24.12 region to test for linkage. RESULTS There was no evidence for linkage to this region in any of the three ethnic groups. Nevertheless, strong evidence for association was noted in the non-Hispanic white group, whereas none was detected in the Hispanic dataset. CONCLUSION These results confirm the previously reported association and provide evidence suggesting that there is ethnically based heterogeneity for this locus.
Cytochrome c Oxidase Activity and Oxygen Tolerance*

Most cultured cells and intact animals die under hyperoxic conditions. However, a strain of HeLa cells that proliferates under 80% O2, termed “HeLa-80,” has been derived from wildtype HeLa cells (“HeLa-20”) by selection for resistance to stepwise increases of oxygen partial pressure. The tolerance of HeLa-80 cells to hyperoxia is not associated with changes in antioxidant defenses or susceptibility to oxidant-mediated killing. Rather, under both 20 and 80% O2, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is ∼2-fold less in HeLa-80 cells, likely related to a significantly higher cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity (∼2-fold), which may act to deplete upstream electron-rich intermediates responsible for ROS generation. We now report that in HeLa-80 cells elevated COX activity is associated with a >2-fold increase in the regulatory subunit COX Vb, whereas expression levels of other subunits are very close to wild type. Small interfering RNA against Vb selectively lowers COX Vb expression in HeLa-80 cells, increases mitochondrial ROS generation, decreases COX activity 60–80%, and diminishes viability under 80% (but not 20%) O2. In addition, overexpression of subunit Vb increases COX activity and decreases ROS production in wild-type HeLa-20 cells, along with some increase in tolerance to hyperoxia. Overall, our results indicate that it is possible to make cells tolerant of hyperoxia by manipulation of mitochondrial electron transport. These observations may suggest new pharmaceutical strategies to diminish oxygen-mediated cellular damage.
Identifying the socio-demographic and clinical determinants of family functioning in Greek patients with psychosis

Background: Studies on determinants affecting family functioning of patients with psychosis are still limited in Greece. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with family functioning in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Crete, Greece. Methods: A total of 100 patients and their caregivers agreed to participate in the study. Family functioning was assessed in terms of cohesion, adaptability, communication and satisfaction dimensions (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV Package), expressed emotion (Family Questionnaire), family burden (Family Burden Scale) and caregivers’ psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-28). Multivariate linear regression models were implemented to examine the associations between each one of the family measures and different social and clinical characteristics. Results: With regard to the caregivers’ characteristics, gender, employment status, origin, residence, financial status, relation to the patient, contact with the patient and family structure were among the most significant determinants of family functioning. Also, patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, including age, education, origin, residence and employment status, as well as illness-related factors, such as onset of mental illness, number of hospitalisations, last hospitalisation, longer hospitalisation and clinical diagnosis impacted intrafamilial relationships. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a number of social and clinical factors contributed to the family environment of patients with psychosis. Identifying the determinants of family functioning in psychosis is instrumental in developing understandings regarding the factors which may contribute to the rehabilitation or relapse of the patient and the support required to strengthen positive family interactions.
Occurrence of house dust mites, Dermatophagoides spp. (Acari: Pyroglyphidae), during the heating season.

Four sites in homes of dust-allergic patients were sampled for house dust mites. Levels of infestation in specific sites ranged from 0–3120 mites per gram of dust for Dermatophagoides spp. , with considerable variation within and between homes. Greater usage of infested articles and rooms and larger household size were correlated with higher mite densities. A positive correlation was found between mite population levels in mattresses and living room furniture as compared to floors beneath them. Plastic encasement precludes mite occurrence in mattresses, but not in other locations. Use of an air filtering device did not reduce the mite population to a low level. No correlation was found between mite density and age of dwelling, dwelling type, socioeconomic level of the resident, or presence or absence of central air conditioning, and dehumidifiers.
Competition and Transparency in Financial Markets

Is competition sufficient to induce transparency in financial markets? We examine this question taking into consideration that competition in financial markets frequently resembles a tournament, where superior relative performance and greater visibility are rewarded with convex payoffs. We show under fairly general conditions (i.e., model variations) that higher competition for this remuneration often makes discretionary disclosure less likely. In the limit when the market is perfectly competitive, transparency is minimized. We show that this effect may decrease efficiency and per capita welfare, particularly when it is optimal to screen all market participants to determine whether they should be allocated a scarce good. Our analysis implies, then, that competition might be unreliable as a driver of transparency and efficiency in financial markets, especially in settings where tournament-style remuneration takes place.
The potential of cystatin-C to evaluate the prognosis of acute heart failure: A comparative study

Background: The prognosis of acute heart failure (HF) can be determined by cardio-renal function which is assessed by cystatin-C (Cys-C). We evaluated whether Cys-C could be a more useful prognostic indicator in acute HF, compared with uric acid (UA) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Methods: Two hundred thirty-two HF patients in the emergency room were studied using measurements of Cys-C, UA, and NT-proBNP. During the follow-up, cardiac events, defined as the composites of recurrent HF or cardiac death, were determined. Results: Seventy-seven cardiac events (28 cardiac deaths, 49 recurrent HFs) occurred over two years. The events group revealed higher levels of Cys-C, UA, and NT-proBNP. They showed increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, reduced septal tissue Doppler velocity (TVI-Sm), and low frequencies of beta-blockers (BB), diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/-receptor blockers. Cys-C (the best cutoff: 1.7 mg/l) had a steady, persistent hazard ratio (HR) over two years. On multivariate analysis, Cys-C, TVI-Sm, and BB were significant predictors for adverse events. Cys-C provided an incremental value for prognosis more than NT-proBNP and UA did over the follow-up period. Conclusions: Compared with UA and NT-proBNP, Cys-C could be better prognostic biomarker for cardiac events two years after acute HF.
Antioxidant Property and Cardiovascular Effects of Coconut ( Cocos nucifera ) Water

Coconut water, a natural nutritious beverage that contains several biologically active chemical substances, is used in the management/treatment of several disorders in Eastern Nigeria. This study was set up to evaluate the antioxidant potential of coconut water and its effect on the cardiovascular system in albino rats. Twenty five adult male albino rats, used in this work, were placed into five groups (A, B, C, D and E), of five rats per group. Groups A, B, C and D were administered orally with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 ml/kg body weight respectively of the coconut water for fourteen consecutive days. Group E was the control. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were used to investigate antioxidant activity of the coconut water, while lipid profile was determined as an index of its cardiovascular effect. GPX and SOD activity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the test groups than in untreated group, while MDA levels decreased significantly (P< 0.05) in the treated groups relative to the control. There was
Multilevel preconditioners for a quadrature Galerkin solution of a biharmonic problem

Efficient multilevel preconditioners are developed and analyzed for the quadrature finite element Galerkin approximation of the biharmonic Dirichlet problem. The quadrature scheme is formulated using the Bogner–Fox–Schmit rectangular element and the product two‐point Gaussian quadrature. The proposed additive and multiplicative preconditioners are uniformly spectrally equivalent to the operator of the quadrature scheme. The preconditioners are implemented by optimal algorithms, and they are used to accelerate convergence of the preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Numerical results are presented demonstrating efficiency of the preconditioners. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2006
Comparative evaluation of two surgical scrub preparations in cattle.

One hundred seventeen cattle that had undergone surgery were assigned randomly to two preoperative skin preparation protocols. Group 1 (60 animals) skin preparation was with povidoneiodine soap and isopropyl alcohol, whereas group 2 (57 animals) had skin preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol. Quantitative microbial culture plates were used to estimate the number of colony forming units (CFUs) before skin preparation (prescrub), after skin preparation (postscrub), after surgery (postoperative), and in room air (environment). A significant decrease in CFU occurred postscrub for both skin preparations (P < .05). Chlorhexidine and alcohol preparation resulted in significantly fewer CFUs (LSMean +/- SE = 2.79 CFU +/- 1.74) and a greater percentage reduction in CFUs (98.64% +/- 2.01) postscrub than providone and alcohol (LSMean +/- SE = 10.27 CFUs +/- 1.51, 93.29% +/- 1.85); (P < .005). Group 2 had a significantly higher frequency of negative cultures postscrub (49.1%) compared with group 1 (18.3%) (P < .001). The number of postoperative CFUs were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Wound infection frequency for clean surgical procedures was not significantly different between the two skin preparation protocols (group 1 = 9.8%, group 2 = 10.7%), however, infection frequency was significantly higher for surgical procedures with a ventral abdominal approach (5 of 14, 35.7%,) compared with a flank approach (1 of 41, 2.4%) or other approaches (orthopedic procedures) (1 of 16, 6.3%) (P < .05). Both skin preparation protocols were effective and safe in decreasing the skin microflora population of cattle before surgery and although preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate and alcohol resulted in less CFUs immediately postscrub, the frequency of surgical wound infection was similar for both protocols.