Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immune Efficacy of Salmonella ohio Somatic antigen in mice

Summary This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Salmonella ohio Somatic antigen on humoral and cellular immunity in mice. Two groups of mice (thirty in each) were used, first group was immunized twice at two weeks intervals subcutaneously (S/C) with 0.5 ml of somatic antigen (prepared by heat inactivation of S. ohio) containing 1×10 8 C.F. U (protein content 200 µg); second group was injected S/C with phosphate buffer saline(PBS). Blood samples were collected at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post booster dose. Humoral immunity was detected by ELISA test, while cellular immunity detected by E. rosette and delayed type hypersensitivity test (DTH). The immunized and control mice groups were challenged with 5LD50 of virulent Salmonella ohio six weeks post booster dose. IgG was increased significantly (P<0.05) at 2, 4, and 6 weeks in the immunized group, and the maximum increase of antibody titers was determined at fourth week (651.7 ± 21.3) in comparison with the control group which remained within the normal value in all times of the experiment. E.rosette test showed a significantly increase in the mean of the activated lymphocyte of the immunized group at fourth week of immunization while control group gave normal range of active lymphocyte. In DTH test, immunized group showed a significant increase in footpad thickness after 24 hours post inoculation with soluble antigen in comparison with control group. Immunized mice were resist the challenge dose 5LD50 {5x (1.5x10 7 )}of virulent Salmonella ohio and all mice of control group died within (3- 4) days.
Is self-swabbing for gonorrhea and Chlamydia an acceptable method for screening in men who have sex with men?

Evidence-Based Answer The Aptima Combo 2 assay® (AC2), a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), demonstrates substantial agreement between self-collected specimens (SCS) and provider-collected specimens (PCS) testing for rectal and pharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in men who have sex with men (MSM). Selfcollection using strand displacement assays (SDA) has poor sensitivity (SOR: B, multiple diagnostic studies). The Cobas Amplicor PCR (PCR) has not been adequately proven for this indication (SOR: C, low-quality diagnostic study).
Analysis of Notched Newsprint Sheet in Mode I Fracture

Abstract in French Nous avons etudie une nouvelle technique permettant d’analyser une feuille de papier encochee chargee en mode I, en se basant sur la modelisation cohesive des craquelures. La methode prevoit la defaillance finale de la feuille, peu importe sa dimension ou la longueur initiale de la craquelure. Le commencement de la craquelure, le developpement de la stabilite de la craquelure et le commencement de l’instabilite de la craquelure sont prevus. Les simulations de la feuille de papier encochee revelent que le concept d’autonomie, c’est-a-dire l’independance de la geometrie du specimen et de la configuration des charges, dans une zone pres du bord de la craquelure, n’est pas en general predominant, sauf lors d’une moindre resistance. La methode est confirmee par un bon nombre d’essais. Des feuilles de diverses dimensions sont soumises a l’essai. Pour ces essais, du papier journal de 45 g/m² a ete utilise. (Less)
Addition of muramyl tripeptide to chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic osteosarcoma: A report from the Children’s Oncology Group

10018 Background: With longer followup, the addition of muramyl tripeptide (MTP) to chemotherapy has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma (OS). We report the results of MTP addition to chemotherapy for patients with metastatic OS. Methods: Intergroup-0133 was a prospective randomized trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with OS. We compared three drug chemotherapy with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and high-dose methotrexate (Regimen A) to the same three drugs with the addition of ifosfamide (Regimen B). We evaluated the addition of MTP to chemotherapy. We report herein the first analysis of 91 patients with metastatic OS at presentation. Outcome measures included event free survival (EFS) and survival. Results: Five-year EFS for patients who received MTP (n=46) was 42% versus 26% for those who did not (n=45), p=0.38. The 5-year overall survival for patients who received MTP versus no MTP was 53% and 40% respectively (p=0.36). The comparison of Regim.
From frustration to satisfaction : using NLP to improve self-expression

How often do students tell us they are frustrated at being unable to express themselves, and more specifically, their true, deep and complex thoughts? We reassure them that language learning takes time, and that, with concerted effort, they will learn English. And mostly they do, but being able to fulfil various forms of academic assessment does not necessarily mean that non-native speakers can express, to their complete satisfaction, the depth and subtleties of their true thoughts and feelings such as is possible in their own language. Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is making an impact on English language teaching, and may just offer one solution to this problem. By drawing upon the notion of preferred representational systems, this paper suggests that expressing oneself with satisfaction may be as simple as understanding how one processes and stores information.
Extension of the range of the bryozoans Tricellaria inopinata and Bugula simplex in the North-east Atlantic Ocean (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida)

Uitbreiding van het areaal van de mosdiertjes Tricellaria inopinata en Bugula simplex in het noordoosten van de Atlantische Oceaan (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) In 2000 werd het mosdiertje Tricellaria inopinata op twee plaatsen bij Goes (Zeeland) aangetroffen. De soort is in 1985 beschreven aan de hand van materiaal van Venetie, waar ze kennelijk door scheepvaart is geintroduceerd. Tricellaria inopinata is afkomstig uit het noorden van de Stille Oceaan. De soort komt nu ook in Zuid-Australie, Nieuw-Zeeland, Japan en Taiwan voor, en is daar waarschijnlijk geintroduceerd. In 1996 werd deze soort voor het eerst aan de Atlantische kust van Europa waargenomen, in Galicie (NW Spanje). Waarschijnlijk tussen 1996 en 1998 koloniseerde de soort Zuid-Engeland in de omgeving van Wight. Naar aanleiding van de vondst bij Goes werd een onderzoek ingesteld naar de struikvormige mosdiertjes van (jacht)havens in Frankrijk, Belgie en Nederland. Vastzittende kolonies van T. inopinata werden aangetroffen bij Scharendijke, Burghsluis, Bruinisse, Neeltje Jans, Colijnsplaat, Kats, Goes en Breskens in Nederland, Blankenberge en Oostende in Belgie en Hendaye in Zuidwest-Frankrijk. De soort werd aangetroffen op (begroeiing van) pontons en jachten in jachthavens en in het Goesse Meer vooral op wieren. In Zuidwest- Nederland was de soort reeds zodanig wijdverspreid en talrijk in 2000, dat de introductie waarschijnlijk al in 1999 of eerder plaatsvond. Waarschijnlijk zal de soort in Belgie en Nederland beperkt blijven tot (jacht)havens en binnenwateren met een voldoende hoog zoutgehalte, vanaf circa 25 ‰. In de Grevelingen zal zich naar verwachting een grote populatie ontwikkelen. Tijdens het onderzoek werden ook vastzittende kolonies van het mosdiertje Bugula simplex aangetroffen, en wel in Oostende (Belgie) en bij het Goesse Sas. In beide gevallen bevonden de dieren zich op pontons, palen en een kademuur van een jachthaven. Oorspronkelijk is deze soort beschreven van de Adriatische Zee. In Groot-Brittannie wordt ze al waargenomen sinds de negentiende eeuw. Ook daar is B. simplex waarschijnlijk ingevoerd, want de vindplaatsen zijn steeds havens. De soort is tevens bekend van de Atlantische kust van Noord-Amerika en aan het einde van de twintigste eeuw is B. simplex geintroduceerd in Zuid-Australie en Nieuw-Zeeland. De verspreiding van deze soort in Belgie en Nederland zal waarschijnlijk beperkt blijven tot enkele (jacht)havens.
Estudo das mutações C282Y, H63D e S65C do gene HFE em doentes brasileiros com sobrecarga de ferro Study of C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations in the HFE gene in Brazilian patients with iron overload

Hemochromatosis is one of the most frequent genetic diseases in humans and one of the most important causes of iron overload. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations of the HFE gene in Brazilian patients with iron overload, to verify the coexistence of chronic hemolytic anemia, hepatitis C and excessive alcohol consumption and to evaluate the influence of these variables on body iron deposits. Transferrin saturation, serum ferritin and C282Y, H63D and S65C HFE gene mutations (by PCR method) were determined in 50 patients with iron overload in the Hemocentro da Santa Casa de Sao Paulo between January 2000 and May 2004. The frequency of the HFE gene mutations in patients with iron overload was 76.0% (38/50). Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were significantly higher in homozygous patients with the C282Y mutation confirming the correlation between the C282Y/C282Y genotype and a higher risk of iron overload. The coexistence of chronic hemolytic anemia, hepatitis C and excessive alcohol consumption are implicated in increased iron deposits and constitute additional risk factors in patients with HFE gene mutations for iron overload.
Diversity of eating patterns and obesity in older adults—A new challenge

The increase in the variety of food choices influences the eating patterns of older adults, which is in turn increases the occurrence of obesity. This study aimed at identifying eating patterns and their association with obesity in a representative sample of older adults living in an urban area and registered in the basic health unit in the city of Botucatu, S? o Paulo, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study and data collection took place from March to June of 2011 through the application of a validated food frequency questionnaire for older adults, a socio-demographic survey and an anthropometric evaluation. Eating patterns were identified through principal component analysis. Scores of individual consumption were divided in tertiles, characterizing as low, moderate or high adherence of the individuals to each pattern. Logistic regression models were fitted for the outcomes “general obesity” and “abdominal obesity” and the tertiles of consumption adjusting by sociodemographic variables. Six eating patterns were identified: Healthy foods, Snacks and weekend meals, Fruits, Light and whole foods, Mild diet and Traditional diet. It was found that the adherence to healthy foods is protective against obesity as well as adherence of snacks and weekend meals are risk of obesity. Eating patterns and their recognized influence on obesity comprise an issue that deserves continuous attention in order to evaluate collectively the eating profile, and develop specific nutritional guidelines for older adults.
A Study of Inhalation of Peppermint Aroma on the Pain and Anxiety of the First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Methods: This research was done as a clinical trial study on 128 nulliparous women assigned into two groups (64 subjects in aromatherapy group and 64 subjects in control group). In aromatherapy group, mixtures containing 0.2ml essence of peppermint and 2ml normal saline impregnated gauze, and in the control group, only 2ml normal saline impregnated gauze were attached to their dress collar, and the administration was repeated every 30 minutes. Level of anxiety was measured in dilatations 3-4 and 8-10cm and the intensity of pain in dilatations 4-5, 6-7, and 8-10cm. The data were collected through demographic and obstetric questionnaire, observation checklist, spielberger anxiety questionnaire, and pain numerical rating scale.
Registro Mexicano de Síndromes Coronarios Agudos: RENASICA II Mexican Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Objetivo: El registro pretende establecer en Mexico las caracteristicas clinicas, identificar abordajes terapeuticos y conocer la evolucion hospitalaria en pacientes con sindromes coronarios agudos. Metodos y resultados: RENASICA II es un registro prospectivo que incluye 8,098 pacientes con diagnostico final de sindrome coronario agudo. Tres mil quinientos cuarenta y tres tuvieron angina inestable o infarto sin elevacion del ST (AI/IMNEST) y 4,555 con infarto con elevacion del ST (IMEST). A su ingreso al hospital se identifico dolor toracico tipico de isquemia en 78% y 85% respectivamente. Se considero de alto riesgo al 36% de los pacientes con AI/IMNEST. En la mayoria de los pacientes con IMEST la localizacion fue anterior y se encontraban en clase KK I. En AI/IMNEST se utilizo aspirina en el 90%, heparina no fraccionada 50%, heparina de bajo peso molecular 45%, nitratos 58%, bloqueadores beta 50% e inhibidores de enzima convertidora en el 54%. En IMEST estos medicamentos se utilizaron en el 88%, 54%, 44%, 66%, 51% y 64% respectivamente. En pacientes con AI/IMNEST se realizo angiografia en el 62%, angioplastia coronaria 30% y cirugia de revascularizacion 8%. En el grupo con IMEST estos procedimientos se realizaron en el 44%, 27% y 4% respectivamente. En IMEST el 37% recibio terapia fibrinolitica y 15% fueron llevados a angioplastia primaria o facilitada. La mortalidad hospitalaria global del 7%, en AI/IMNEST fue del 4% y en IMEST del 10%. Conclusion: El mas grande registro de sindromes coronarios agudos en Latinoamerica provee informacion importante sobre el espectro clinico, evolucion hospitalaria, calidad de atencion e identifica areas de oportunidad para mejorar la atencion medica. El RENASICA II extiende nuestro conocimiento sobre como la reperfusion y el tratamiento antitrombotico modifican la evolucion y cuales procesos necesitamos mejorar en la practica real en Mexico.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios and their association with atherogenic index of plasma in sickle cell nephropathy

Background/Objectives: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR and PLR) were introduced as cheap and readily assessed biologic markers of subclinical inflammation. There are few studies that have evaluated NLR and PLR as prognostic markers of proteinuria in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. This study seeks to evaluate NLR and PLR in SCA patients with proteinuria, impaired kidney function and to ascertain whether there exist relationship between the leukocyte ratios and atherogenic index of plasma. Materials and Methods: The NLR, PLR, and atherogenic index were calculated from full blood count and lipid profile parameters determined from fasting blood specimens collected from 200 confirmed SCA patients and 100 control subjects with normal hemoglobin (Hb). Results: The NLR and PLR values were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in SCA patients compared with control subjects with normal Hb. Similarly, NLR and PLR values were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in SCA patients with proteinuria and those with impaired kidney function than without proteinuria and normal controls. A significantly positive association was observed between NLR and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in SCA patients with proteinuria (P < 0.05) and those with impaired kidney function (P < 0.02) while significant association was observed between PLR and AIP in SCA with impaired kidney function (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The leukocyte ratios may be useful as prognostic markers for the presence of proteinuria in SCA patients and impaired kidney function as well as cardiovascular risk event. The need to have reference cut-off values of NLR and PLR is hereby suggested to better identify those patients at risk in the management SCA patients.
Investigating Molecular Dynamics with Sparse Grid Surrogate Models

NANCE, JAMES DANIEL. Investigating Molecular Dynamics with Sparse Grid Surrogate Models. (Under the direction of Carl T. Kelley.) Molecules in nature conform to a geometry that minimizes their potential energy, and some molecules have multiple potential energy minima. One can study how a molecule transitions from one stable geometry to another by studying dynamics on its potential energy surface. The potential energy of a molecule with N atoms is a function of 3N − 6 molecular coordinates and is computed via an expensive optimization process, thus modeling reaction pathways in all 3N −6 coordinates can be cumbersome for large molecules. In this thesis we describe a cheaper surrogate model for the potential energy surfaces constructed using a sparse grid interpolation algorithm initially developed by Smolyak [198]. Evaluation of the surrogate is much less expensive than the evaluation of the actual energy function, so our technique offers a more computationally efficient way to study dynamics than traditional methods. Furthermore, molecular vibrations and thermal fluctuations can cause randomness in dynamics, so it is of interest to follow many reaction paths at once, necessitating a fast and efficient implementation of Smolyak’s interpolation algorithm. We describe a new implementation that computes analytical gradients of Smolyak’s interpolating polynomial and is designed to evaluate a large number of points simultaneously. We compare performance times of our implementation to MATLAB’s Sparse Grid Interpolation Toolbox [121] and present dynamical simulations for various test molecules. We also describe how one could extend our new reaction path following method to nonadiabatic dynamics, or dynamics where the Born-Oppenheimer approximation breaks down. In particular, we are interested in studying intersystem crossing dynamics of iron-based molecular complexes for an application to solar cells. We present three-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the [Fe(terpy)2] 2+ complex, the first time these surfaces have been studied in more than two dimensions. Finally, we employ sparse grids for Bayesian inference for a groundwater model. Interpolation and integration on sparse grids offer an alternative to other expensive methods such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms to estimate summary statistics for quantities of interest. Here we interpolate the likelihood function and compute marginal densities using sparse grids for four parameters to verify results from MCMC. © Copyright 2015 by James Daniel Nance
Speaking of Hunger and Coping with Food Insecurity: Experiences in the Afro-Ecuadorian Highlands

Using examples from an Afro-Ecuadorian community, we analyze indicators of household food insecurity and discuss them in terms of household structure and different time frames. We found that perceptions of hunger vary independently over time and are expressed differently in different types of households. We also found that definitions, although variable within the population, can be framed in five conceptual categories: a) an experience filled with anguish or despair; b) hunger as an economic issue; c) a concern over child welfare; d) an experience of the physical body; e) hunger as the experience of not having any food rather than not having variety in what is eaten; and f) those individuals who indicated they had never experienced hunger. We also learned that individuals act and react in a variety of ways to food insecurity. Our study highlights the way people attempt to adjust to fluctuations in food and resources, how they can feel helpless and alienated, and how they attempt to do the best they can with dignity and hopefulness.
ICT in Art

The role of ICT in art teaching is I believe of great importance. The paper outlines and illustrates some of the reasons and connections and makes an argument for its increased usage in future art education in schools. The work shown uses hardware and software that is affordable for most schools and creates links through the internet and Web page design on an international scale.
Vaccinatiegraad Rijksvaccinatieprogramma Nederland : Verslagjaar 2010

Net als in voorgaande jaren lag in 2010 de gemiddelde deelname aan alle vaccinaties uit het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma landelijk gezien ruim boven de ondergrens van 90 procent. Voor de BMR-vaccinatie houdt de WHO een iets hogere ondergrens aan, van 95 procent, om mazelen wereldwijd uit te kunnen roeien. Deze ondergrens is wel voor de eerste vaccinatieronde (zuigelingen) behaald, maar niet voor de tweede vaccinatie (9-jarigen). Hierdoor is in Nederland een uitbraak van mazelen niet uitgesloten. Dit blijkt uit een rapport van het RIVM over de vaccinatiegraad in Nederland in 2010. Het betreft gegevens over zuigelingen die zijn geboren in 2007, kleuters geboren in 2004 en schoolkinderen geboren in 1999. Voor zuigelingen lag de deelname aan de BMR-, Hib- en meningokokken C-vaccinatie op 96 procent, aan de DKTP-vaccinatie op 95 procent, en aan de pneumokokkenvaccinatie op 94 procent. De deelname aan de hepatitis B-vaccinatie onder kinderen van wie een of beide ouders is geboren in een land waar hepatitis B veel voorkomt, is verder toegenomen. Extra aandacht blijft nodig voor de hepatitis B-vaccinatie voor kinderen van moeders die drager zijn van hepatitis B. Kinderen die op jonge leeftijd worden besmet met dit virus hebben namelijk een groter risico drager van dit virus te worden en op de lange termijn op leveraandoeningen. Vrijwillige vaccinatie in Nederland leidt tot een hoge vaccinatiegraad. Dat is niet alleen nodig om zo veel mogelijk mensen individueel te beschermen maar ook om de bevolking als geheel te beschermen tegen uitbraken van infectieziekten (groepsimmuniteit). Continue aandacht en gezamenlijke inspanning van alle partijen die bij het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma zijn betrokken, blijft nodig om de Nederlandse kinderen tijdig en volledig te vaccineren.
Surgical Resection after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

Background: Completion surgery after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in management of locally advanced cervical cancers (LACC) still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare disease-free and overall survival rates in patients who had completion surgery and who were therefore treated conservatively by exclusive concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study from January 2005 to December 2014 included 130 patients with LACC, managed by standard CCRT followed by brachytherapy at the radiotherapy department of Military Hospital Mohamed V of Rabat in Morocco. Inclusion criteria were the following: Biopsy-proven carcinoma of the cervix, FIGO stage IB2 to IVA and treatment with CCRT followed by brachytherapy. All patients had good response to standard CCRT, with a clinical decrease in tumor volume of more than 50%. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the authors practice: Group 1 consisted of patients without completion surgery who had theoretically a good response to standard treatment and Group 2 consisted of patients treated by completion surgery with pelvic control on final pathology. One hundred and two patients are included in Group 1 and 28 in Group 2. The mean age of the patients was 50.9 years (range 29–82). Squamous cell carcinoma 115 (89.8%) was the leading histological type. Tumor size was 4.77 ± 1.44 cm clinically and 46.72 ± 15.42 mm in MRI. The parametrial was invaded in 113 (87.6%) of cases and the pelvic lymph nodes were suspected in 29 (23%) of cases. Major of patients whom underwent a completion surgery showed a complete response on final pathology. Overall, 20.8% (27/130) of patients had a recurrence, with a median time to recurrence of 8 months [2-55]. With a mean follow-up of 44 months (2 to 118), the local control rate was 68.5% (n=89) and 20 (15.4%) patients were lost to follow-up. The overall survival (OS) at 5 years in Group 1 and 2 was respectively 59.8% and 88.9% and the relapse-free survival (RFS) was respectively 73.3% and 88.9%. A significant benefit of completion surgery was seen only in OS (p=0.011). Conclusion: completion surgery after CCRT has a place in the multimodality management of locally advanced cervical cancer with significant benefice in local control and OS.