Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Somatic Development and Some Indices of Lipid Metabolism in 11-year-old Children Born with Extremely Low Birth Weight (<1000 G) (long-term Cohort Study)

Abstract Aim To continue the prospective follow-up cohort study on the somatic development and lipid metabolic parameters of 11-year-old-children born with extremely low birth weight and to compare them with the results obtained in the study of 7-year-old children from the same group. Material and methods 204 newborns with birth weight ≤1000 g were born in the Malopolska voivodship between 1.09. 2002 and 31.08. 2004. From this group 115 (56%) children died during infancy and 89 (44%) infants survived. At the age of 7 years 81 (91%) of the children from this group were examined. At the age of 11 years investigations were carried out in 62 (75%) of the children, while 19 (26%) were lost to follow-up. All the children underwent anthropometric measurements. Moreover, the lipid profile (serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) was evaluated. The control group consisted of 36 children born at term chosen randomly from the general population and matched with regard to age and sex. Results Children born with extremely low birth weight were generally smaller than their peers. At 7 years, they were shorter (113.75 cm(-0.72) vs. 124.52 cm(0.53)), lighter (19.47 kg(- 1.12)vs.25. 23 kg(0.39)), had a smaller head circumference (49.81 cm(-2.19) vs.52. 5 cm(-0.377)), waist circumference (50.14 cm(-0.83) vs.55. 45 cm (0.34)), mid-upper arm circumference (17.51 cm vs. 19.29 cm), skinfold thickness (0.76cm(-0.817) vs.0. 92cm (-0.19)) and body mass index (14.5 kg/m2(-0.99)vs.16. 16 kg/m2(0.12)) expressed both as absolute values and z-score values compared to the control group. At 11 years old, the height (141.7 cm(-0.368) vs. 146.26 cm(0.65)), weight (33.88 kg (-0.59)vs.40. 45 kg(0.66)), head circumference (51.37 cm(-2.05)vs.54. 02 cm(-0.33)), waist circumference (61.7 cm (0.26) vs.67. 84 cm( 1.06)), mid-upper arm circumference (20.95 cm vs. 22.85 cm), skinfold thickness (1.17 cm(-0.25)vs.1. 68 cm(0.78)) and body mass index (16.74 kg/m2(-0.62) vs. 18.72 kg/m2(0.36)) expressed both as absolute values and z-score values were still lower in children born with extremely low birthweight than in the control group. However, their gains over the time period between 7 and 11 years were comparable to their born-at-term peers in all the measured anthropometric parameters. There were no statistically evident differences in the indices of lipid metabolism. Conclusions Preterm children with extremely low birth weight (<1000 g) are at an increased risk of growth failure. Once they reach teenage years they are shorter and lighter than their age- and sex-matched born-at-term peers. They also have smaller heads. In our study we did not find statistically evident differences between the investigated and control group in lipid indices. There is a need for longitudinal studies to observe somatic, mental and metabolic development in order to organize multidisciplinary holistic medical care for them.
Patients’ Contribution As a Quid Pro Quo for Community Supports? Evidence from Vietnamese Co-Location Clusters

This paper studies the emerging societal phenomenon of voluntarily co-located patients communities, by examining a data set containing 336 responses from four such co-location clusters in Hanoi, Vietnam. The analysis successfully models the data employing the baseline category logits framework. The results obtained from the analysis show that patients co-living in these clusters contribute their resources (financial and in-kind) in hope of community's supports during their medical treatments. They also contribute voluntary services and share information/experiences with the community, with different beliefs on expected outcome with respect to their possible benefits provided by their communities. Patients value the business community's supports––a reflection of better awareness of corporate social responsibilities––higher, and are more skeptical toward expected benefits from the public health system. The results represent one of first attempts in understanding this special type of somewhat isolated circles of desperate patients who have been excluded from Vietnam's fast-growing emerging market economy.
The Effect of Varying Pulse Duration, Wavelength, Spot Size, and Fluence on the Response of Previously Treated Capillary Vascular Malformations to Pulsed-Dye Laser Treatment

Modern lasers allow different parameters to be altered in an effort to gain further improvement in otherwise resistant capillary vascular malformations (CMs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of changing the pulse duration, wavelength, spot size, and fluence on the color and capillary architecture of 585-nm pulsed-dye, laser-resistant CMs. Eighteen patients were assessed with a depth measurement videomicroscope (DMV) before and after 12 test patches with ScleroPlus and V-Beam lasers at specified parameters. In the majority of the test patch areas, there was little improvement after treatment. However, 44% of patients had greater than 75% clearance in at least 1 test patch site. This study demonstrates that both lasers can achieve further lightening in 585 nm 0.45 msec pulsed-dye laser-resistant CMs. However, in CMs consisting of small-diameter deep vessels, further improvement is unlikely.
Efficacy of Eight Larvicidal Botanical Extracts from Khaya senegalensis and Daucus carota against Culex annulirostris

ABSTRACT The failure to discover a significant new class of insecticides has led many researchers back to biodiscovery studies in the search for new and economically viable alternatives. After a preliminary screening of botanical extracts using descending series of concentrations (1,000, 500, 100, 50, and 5 mg/liter), 8 extracts from 2 potential botanical agents, Khaya senegalensis (Desrousseaux) and Daucus carota L. , were tested against 4th instars of Culex annulirostris (Skuse) following the standard World Health Organization insecticide susceptibility methodology. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values for K. senegalensis against Cx. annulirostris using acetone, ethanol, hexane, and methanol extracts were 20.12, 5.1, 5.08, and 7.62 mg/liter, respectively. The LC50 values for D. carota against Cx. annulirostris using acetone, ethanol, hexane, and methanol extracts were 236.00, 36.59, 77.19, and 241.8 mg/liter, respectively. Extracts from K. senegalensis were more potent than those from D. carota against Cx. annulirostris and hexane and ethanol were the best solvents to extract essential oils from both plant species, respectively. In potency, K. senegalensis was similar to azadirachtin, but fractionation and compound isolation of the hexane extract in particular may reveal a potent phytochemical that could be compared to synthetic mosquitocides.
An effective medium approach to predict the apparent contact angle of drops on super-hydrophobic randomly rough surfaces

The apparent contact angle of large 2D drops with randomly rough self-affine profiles is numerically investigated. The numerical approach is based upon the assumption of large separation of length scales, i.e. it is assumed that the roughness length scales are much smaller than the drop size, thus making it possible to treat the problem through a mean-field like approach relying on the large-separation of scales. The apparent contact angle at equilibrium is calculated in all wetting regimes from full wetting (Wenzel state) to partial wetting (Cassie state). It was found that for very large values of the roughness Wenzel parameter (rW > −1/ cos θY, where θY is the Young's contact angle), the interface approaches the perfect non-wetting condition and the apparent contact angle is almost equal to 180°. The results are compared with the case of roughness on one single scale (sinusoidal surface) and it is found that, given the same value of the Wenzel roughness parameter rW, the apparent contact angle is much larger for the case of a randomly rough surface, proving that the multi-scale character of randomly rough surfaces is a key factor to enhance superhydrophobicity. Moreover, it is shown that for millimetre-sized drops, the actual drop pressure at static equilibrium weakly affects the wetting regime, which instead seems to be dominated by the roughness parameter. For this reason a methodology to estimate the apparent contact angle is proposed, which relies only upon the micro-scale properties of the rough surface.
Azithromycin reduces pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model

ABSTRACT Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease without proper treatment. Despite intensive research, the exact underlying pathogenesis remains elusive. It is regarded as a continuous injury, resulting in inflammation, infiltration, and proliferation of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix deposition, leading to an irreversible restrictive lung function deterioration and death. In this study the effect of azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was investigated. C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally instilled with bleomycin (0.5 mg/kg) or saline. In the bleomycin group, half of the animals received azithromycin every other day from day 1 on. Bronchoalveolar lavage and histology were performed at days 7 and 35, and pulmonary function tests on day 35. At day 35, fibrotic lesions (spindle cell proliferation/collagen I deposition) were paralleled by a restrictive lung function pattern. Alterations were found in neutrophils and macrophages (innate immunity) and in TH2, TH17, and Treg cytokines (adaptive immunity). Azithromycin significantly reduced both fibrosis and the restrictive lung function pattern. This study demonstrated a beneficial effect of azithromycin on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. A possible mechanism could be a modulation of both innate immunity and adaptive immunity. These findings might suggest a potential role for azithromycin in the treatment of IPF.
The Value of Trading Relationships and Networks in the CDS Market

We investigate execution quality issues in the OTC single-name credit default swap (CDS) market using confidential transactions-level trade repository data. Specifically, we analyze the impact of counterparties’ matching and negotiation abilities on the terms of trade of CDS contracts, under incomplete information about market liquidity and quotes. We show that execution cost of a CDS transaction, measured as the deviation of the traded CDS spread from the market consensus spread, is explained, in part, by the counterparties’ trading activity level, trading networks, and trading relationships. Further, we test the importance of these determinants of execution cost under stressed market conditions, such as a crisis regime, low trading volume and high market volatility.
Mitogenic activity of sulfated chitosan and cellulose derivatives is related to protection of FGF-2 from proteolytic cleavage.

Novel chitosan (CHS) and cellulose sulfates (CSs) are studied regarding their mitogenic activity and their protective effect against proteolytic digestion of FGF-2. An intermediate degree of sulfation (DS(S) ) and lower concentration of CHS have superior effect on 3T3 cell growth while the mitogenic activity of CS increases with DS(S) and concentration. Experiments with trypsin as model proteinase show that protection of FGF-2 from proteolytic digestion depends on DS(S) and the concentration of derivatives in the same manner as cell growth. Studies on stability of FGF-2 added to cultures of 3T3 cells show that the FGF-2 concentration remains higher in the presence of derivatives. Results indicate that the mitogenic activity of CHS and CS is due to protection of FGF-2 from proteolytic cleavage.
Endothelin A Receptor Blockade Decreases Expression of Growth Factors and Collagen and Improves Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in Kidneys from Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

This study hypothesizes that endothelin-1 induces renal damage by increasing expression of growth/inflammatory factors, important in renal fibrosis. Male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) (8-weeks, n = 24) were randomized into three groups: control group, high-salt group (4% NaCl), and salt plus an endothelin A receptor antagonist, BMS 182874 (40 mg/kg/d). After 20 weeks treatment, rats were killed. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of renal preproendothelin-1, endothelin A and B receptors, and procollagen I and III was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-&bgr;1 and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was determined by immunoblotting. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity was measured by zymography. In salt-loaded SHRSPs, preproendothelin-1 mRNA expression was increased 1.6-fold, and endothelin A receptor mRNA expression was decreased (70% of control). Salt-loaded SHRSPs had increased renal expression of TGF-b1 and procollagens. MMP-2 activity was augmented fivefold. BMS decreased (p < 0.01) expression of TGF-&bgr;1, bFGF, and procollagen I and reduced MMP-2 activity. Thus severe hypertension and renal dysfunction in salt-loaded SHRSPs are associated with increased expression of renal endothelin-1, growth factors, and collagen. BMS treatment alleviated these effects, suggesting that nephroprotection by endothelin A receptor blockade is mediated by normalizing expression of growth factors, reducing extracellular matrix deposition, and decreasing MMP activity.
Impact of blood transfusion and burn injury on microbial translocation and bacterial survival

The role of the immune system in microbial translocation must be clarified. In these studies, the effect of blood transfusion‐related immunosuppression on translocation was investigated in a burn animal model previously known to increase the gut's permeability to 14C‐ radiolabeled Escherichia coli. In a first experiment, Balb/c mice underwent transfusion (T) with 0.2 mL per mouse of allogeneic C3H/HeJ mouse blood 5 days prior to undergoing 30‐percent burn injury (B) and simultaneous gavage (G) with 10(9) E. coli bacteria labeled with 14C. An additional six groups of Balb/c mice underwent different combinations of T, B, and G procedures (TG, BG, TB, T, B, G). Survival rate was recorded for all groups on Day 10. This experiment suggested that B and T, to a lesser extent, were the factors affecting survival, although the combination of T, B, and G clearly showed a synergistic effect on mortality. In a second experiment, 18 Balb/c mice belonging to TBG, BG, TG, and G groups were sacrificed 1, 4, and 24 hours after burn or gavage. The residual radioactivity and the percentage of viable bacteria were computed for mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lungs, blood, and peritoneal fluid. Statistical analysis of the radionuclide counts recognized B as the only variable able to enhance the magnitude of 14C E. coli translocation. The percentage of viable bacteria showed that T and, more moderately, B were the factors leading to the failure of bacterial clearance in the tissues.
Histochemical Analysis Reveals Organ-Specific Quantitative Trait Loci for Enzyme Activities in Arabidopsis1

To identify genetic loci involved in the regulation of organ-specific enzyme activities, a specific histochemical staining protocol was used in combination with quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Using phosphoglucomutase (PGM) as an example, it is shown that enzyme activity can specifically, and with high resolution, be visualized in non-sectioned seedlings of Arabidopsis. The intensities of staining were converted to quantitative data and used as trait for QTL analysis using Landsberg erecta × Cape Verde Islands recombinant inbred lines. Independently, PGM activities were quantified in whole-seedling extracts, and these data were also used for QTL analysis. On the basis of extract data, six significant (P < 0.05) loci affecting PGM activity were found. From the histochemical data, one or more specific QTLs were found for each organ analyzed (cotyledons, shoot apex, hypocotyl, root, root neck, root tip, and root hairs). Loci detected for PGM activity in extracts colocated with loci for histochemical staining. QTLs were found coinciding with positions of (putative) PGM genes but also at other positions, the latter ones supposedly pointing toward regulatory genes. Some of this type of loci were also organ specific. It is concluded that QTL analysis based on histochemical data is feasible and may reveal organ-specific loci involved in the regulation of metabolic pathways.
An intervention study to enhance medication compliance in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether daily videotelephone or regular telephone reminders would increase the proportion of prescribed cardiac medications taken in a sample of elderly individuals who have congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS The authors recruited community-dwelling individuals age 65 and older who had the primary or secondary diagnosis of CHF into a randomized controlled trial of reminder calls designed to enhance medication compliance. There were three arms: a control group that received usual care; a group that received regular daily telephone call reminders; and a group that received daily videotelephone call reminders. Compliance was defined as the percent of therapeutic coverage as recorded by Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps. Subjects were recruited from 2 sources: a large urban home health care agency and a large urban ambulatory clinic of a major teaching hospital. Baseline and post-intervention MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLHF) scores were obtained. RESULTS There was a significant time effect during the course of the study from baseline to post-intervention (F[2,34] = 4.08, p < .05). Over time the elderly individuals who were called, either by telephone or videotelephone, showed enhanced medication compliance relative to the control group. There was a trend, but no significant difference between the two intervention groups. Both SF-36 and MLHF scores improved from baseline to post-intervention for all groups. There was no significant change in the SF-36 scores for the sample, but there was a significant change for the MLHF scores (p < .001). The control group had a significant fall off in the medication compliance rate during the course of the study, dropping from 81% to 57%. CONCLUSIONS Telephone interventions are effective in enhancing medication compliance and may prove more cost effective than clinic visits or preparation of pre-poured pill boxes in the home. Technologic advances which enable clinicians to monitor and enhance patient medication compliance may reduce costly and distressing hospitalization for elderly individuals with CHF.
What's in a Forename? Cue Familiarity and Stereotypical Thinking ☆ ☆☆ ★

Recent research has characterized categorical thinking as an essential component of the person perception process. Yet relatively little is known about the myriad factors that moderate the accessibility of this mode of thought. With regard to this we hypothesized that the subjective familiarity of a person's forename may play an important role in triggering categorical thinking. Specifically, category-based knowledge may be more accessible when triggered by familiar than unfamiliar forenames. We report the results of three experiments that supported this prediction. Relative to unfamiliar names, participants required less time to verify the gender of familiar forenames (Experiment 1) and semantic priming was more pronounced when stereotype-related material followed the presentation of familiar than unfamiliar items (Experiment 2). Also, familiar forenames attracted more extreme gender-based evaluations than their unfamiliar counterparts (Experiment 3). We consider the theoretical and methodological implications of these findings for a variety of issues in person perception.
Segmental Variations of Bone Mineral Density in the Cervical Spine

Study Design This study assessed the variability of segmental bone mineral density in the lower cervical spine (C4 through C7). A mean segmental bone mineral density value at each level was determined for all specimens, and a mean coefficient of variation among the 17 specimens was calculated. Objectives To quantify the degree of intersegmental bone mineral density variations within cadaveric lower cervical spine segments. Summary of Background Data Bone mineral density studies in the thoracic and lumbar spine have shown a high degree of variability between spinal segments; however, the extent of segmental bone mineral density variability in the cervical spine is unknown. Methods Seventeen human cadaveric cervical spine specimens (C4 through C7) were scanned in a water bath using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in a lateral direction. Segmental bone mineral density of the vertebral bodies of all specimens were analyzed with respect to differences between segments within each specimen. Results The mean coefficient of segmental bone mineral density variations within each specimen for all spines was 14.8% (range, 5.8%-22.9%). Bone mineral density mean values and ranges at each level were as follows: C4, 0.720 g/cm2 (range, 0.367-1.161 g/cm2); C5, 0.784 g/cm2 (range, 0.348-1.268 g/cm2); C6, 0.735 g/cm2 (range 0.367-1.450 g/cm2); C7, 0.590 g/cm2 (range, 0.340-1.040 g/cm2). Paired analysis of difference between all levels for 16 specimens demonstrated the bone mineral density at the C7 level to be significantly lower than at all other levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our data show that significant interlevel bone mineral density variability exists in the lower cervical spine, and suggests that random single segment bone mineral density sampling or mean specimen bone mineral density values may not be relevant.
Long-term Memory in Emerging Markets: Evidence from the Chinese Stock Market

The notion of long-term memory has received considerable attention in empirical finance. This paper makes two main contributions. First one is, the paper provides evidence of long-term memory dynamics in the equity market of China. An analysis of market patterns in the Chinese market (a typical emerging market) instead of US market (a developed market) will be meaningful because little research on the behaviors of emerging markets has been carried out previously. Second one is, we present a comprehensive research on the long-term memory characteristics in the Chinese stock market returns as well as volatilities. While many empirical results have been obtained on the detection of long-term memory in returns series, very few investigations are focused on the market volatility, though the long-term dependence in volatility may lead to some types of volatility persistence as observed in financial markets and affect volatility forecasts and derivative pricing formulas. By means of using modified rescaled range analysis and Autoregressive Fractally Integrated Moving Average model testing, this study examines the long-term dependence in Chinese stock market returns and volatility. The results show that although the returns themselves contain little serial correlation, the variability of returns has significant long-term dependence. It would be beneficial to encompass long-term memory structure to assess the behavior of stock prices and to research on financial market theory.