Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adherence to guidelines for drug treatment of asthma in children: potential for improvement in Swedish primary care.

BACKGROUND Adherence to guidelines in general is poor. Because asthma is the most common chronic disease in Swedish children, identifying areas for improvement regarding drug treatment for asthma is crucial. AIM To explore the utilisation patterns of anti-asthmatic drugs in children with asthma in relation to evidence-based guidelines. METHOD All children visiting 14 primary healthcare centres in Stockholm, Sweden, who had their first prescription of anti-asthmatic agents dispensed between July 2006 and June 2007 were followed over 24 consecutive months. The children (1033 in total) were divided in two age groups: 0-6 years and 7-16 years. The outcome measurements were: the characteristics of the physicians initiating drug treatment; the extent to which the children were initiated on the drugs recommended in the guidelines; and the amount and frequency of drugs dispensed over time and whether the dosage texts on the prescriptions contained adequate information. RESULTS In 54% of the older children and 35% of the younger children, only one prescription for anti-asthmatic drugs was dispensed during two years of follow-up following the first prescription. In school-aged children, 50% were initiated on inhaled short-acting bronchodilating beta2-agonists (SABA) in monotherapy. Among preschool children, 64% were initiated on SABA and inhaled corticosteroids in combination. In 41% of the prescriptions dispensed, the indication was stated and in 25% the mechanism of action was stated. Drug therapy was initiated by a general practitioner in 42% of the younger children and 72% of the older children. CONCLUSION There is a need for improvement in adherence to guidelines in important areas. Asthma, especially among children aged 7-16 years, is usually a chronic disease and should, in many cases, be treated with anti-asthmatics counteracting inflammation. However, this was not the case in our study. In addition, the dosage texts written by the physicians did not follow recommendations and may negatively influence patient safety.
Creatine phosphokinase elevation in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: an unknown association?

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels. DESIGN Single-center prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING Academic sleep disorder center. PATIENTS Two hundred one consecutive patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 54.9 +/- 11.0 years; 155 men and 46 women; mean body mass index, 31.3 +/- 6.9 kg/m(2)) with suspected sleep-disordered breathing. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS OSAS was confirmed in182 patients (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], > 5 events per hour) and was ruled out in 19 patients (control subjects) by standard polysomnography. Sixty-six OSAS patients and 1 control patient showed an unexplained CK elevation. The mean baseline CK level was significantly higher in patients with severe OSAS (AHI, > 30 event per hour; n = 89) compared to those with mild-to-moderate OSAS (AHI, 5 to 30 events per hour; n = 93) and control subjects (191.4 +/- 12.9 vs 134.3 +/- 7.5 vs 107.1 +/- 7.9 U/L, respectively; p < 0.01). Receiver operating curve analysis identified an optimal cutoff value of > 148 U/L (r = 0.660) for CK, which yielded a positive predictive value of 99%, a sensitivity of 43%, and a specificity of 95% for the diagnosis of OSAS. The mean nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation was the main predictor of CK level (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment resulted in a significant decline of CK levels both in patients with mild-to-moderate OSAS (n = 38; 129.7 +/- 13.4 vs 96.7 +/- 7.6 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001) and in patients with severe OSAS (n = 39; 187.7 +/- 18.9 vs 132.2 +/- 12.9 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS One third of our study population showed a mild-to-moderate elevation in CK level, which was highly predictive of OSAS. The application of CPAP therapy in OSAS patients resulted in a significant decrease in CK level. We speculate that OSAS may account for a substantial number of cases of unexplained CK elevation (ie, hyperCKemia). Further studies should address the prevalence of OSAS in patients with mild-to-moderate hyperCKemia.
Newborn care practices in an urban slum of Delhi.

BACKGROUND Despite efforts by government and other agencies, neonatal morbidity and mortality continues to be high in India. Among other reasons, newborn care practices are major contributors for such high rates. AIMS To find out the newborn care practices including delivery practices, immediate care given after birth and breast-feeding practices in an urban slum of Delhi. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Community based, cross-sectional survey in a resettlement colony (a type of urban slum). MATERIALS AND METHODS Semi-structured, pre-tested schedule was used to interview 82 mothers of newborns in the study area. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Data was analyzed using Epi - info version 6.04. Fischer exact test and chi2 test were applied. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION More than half i.e. 26 (56.1%) of home deliveries, which were mostly conducted by dais (24, 91.3%) or relatives in 4 (8.7%) of home deliveries. Bathing the baby immediately after birth was commonly practiced in 38 (82.6%) of home deliveries. Finger was used to clean the air passage in most of the home deliveries (29, 63%). About 61% (28) of home delivered newborns were not weighed at birth. Rooming in was practiced in majority of the cases. A few of home delivered neonates (12) were given injection tetanus toxoid by unqualified practitioners. Use of clip, band or sterile thread to tie the cord and no application to the cord was significantly higher in institutional deliveries. Breast milk as the first feed was significantly more in institutional deliveries. There is an urgent need to reorient health care providers and to educate mothers on clean delivery practices and early neonatal care.
The Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire

We report the development and evaluation of a brief questionnaire measure of persecutory ideation, the Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire (PIQ). Our approach was theoretically driven in that the PIQ was constructed in accordance with comprehensive definitional considerations and criteria set out by Freeman and Garety (2000). Sixty-six more general paranoia-related items were accumulated, and 10 independent raters sorted the items into two sets, “persecutory ideation” and “other. ” An 80% agreement criterion was set, resulting in 10 persecutory ideation items. The PIQ was evaluated with a nonclinical and a clinical sample. In both samples, it was shown to have excellent reliability (internal consistency) and excellent convergent validity as a measure of certain aspects of general paranoid ideation. Finally, the PIQ shared unique variance with severity of persecutory delusions in the clinical group, providing good criterion validity for the PIQ as a measure of specifically persecutory ideation, rather than paranoia in general.
Ambiance rose production and nutrient supply in soil irrigated with treated sewage

Effluents from secondary sewage treatment plants may contain amount of nutrients with the potential to cause eutrophication of water bodies. One of the ways to decrease this influx of nutrients would be the agricultural reuse. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the irrigation of roses of the Ambiance variety with the effluent from an anaerobic reactor and an intermittent sand filter (nitrified effluent). The trial lasted for 152 days. The dose of nitrogen applied via effluent was 91% of the crop requirement; of phosphorus, 3.5% (very low); and of potassium, 23%. There was no difference among treatments for the evaluated variables: diameter and length of stem, diameter and length of bud, and fresh weight of flower buds. The production of floral stems was higher in treatments with effluents without conventional fertilization. It is concluded that the irrigation with a treated effluent is an alternative for the fertilization of ambiance roses.
Neighbourhood deprivation and hospitalization for atrial fibrillation in Sweden.

AIMS Several cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are strongly associated with socioeconomic disparities and neighbourhood deprivation. However, no study has determined whether neighbourhood deprivation is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to determine whether there is an association between neighbourhood deprivation and hospitalization for AF. METHODS AND RESULTS The entire Swedish population aged 25-74 years was followed from 1 January 2000 until hospitalization for AF, death, emigration, or the end of the study period (31 December 2008). Data were analysed by multilevel logistic regression, with individual-level characteristics (age, marital status, family income, educational attainment, migration status, urban/rural status, mobility, and comorbidity) at the first level and level of neighbourhood deprivation at the second level. Neighbourhood deprivation was significantly associated with AF hospitalization rate in women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-1.47], but not men (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.97-1.04). The odds of AF in women living in the most deprived neighbourhoods remained significant after adjustment for age and individual-level socioeconomic characteristics (OR = 1.12, 95% 1.08-1.16). However, in the full model, which took account of age, individual-level socioeconomic characteristics, and comorbidities (chronic lower respiratory diseases, OR = 1.30; type 2 diabetes, OR = 1.32; alcoholism and alcohol-related liver disease, OR = 1.57; hypertension, OR = 2.84; obesity, OR = 1.80; heart failure, OR = 7.40; coronary heart disease, OR = 1.81; and hyperthyroidism, OR = 6.79), the odds of AF did not remain significant in women in the most deprived neighbourhoods (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.99-1.07). CONCLUSION Neighbourhood deprivation and socioeconomic disparities are not independently associated with hospitalized AF in contrast to many other CVDs.
Complications of Interlaminar Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections: A Review of the Literature

Study Design. A comprehensive literature review. Objectives. To review and critically evaluate the past literature focusing on incidence and clinical presentation of complications associated with interlaminar cervical epidural steroid injection (ICESI). The overall goal is to guide the direction of future research and improve clinical care by increasing awareness of complications, their presentations, and management. Summary of Background Data. Although ICESI is considered a relatively safe procedure, a number of minor and major complications have been reported across the literature. Thus far, reports of complications are limited to retrospective studies, case reports, and data extrapolated from lumbar and thoracic procedures. As a result, the past literature has been of limited value with regard to facilitating both clinical care and future research efforts. Methods. Medical databases were searched for studies of ICESI. The bibliographies of these papers were then searched as well. Papers focusing on cervical techniques that did not involve injection into the epidural space were discarded, as were studies of thoracic and lumbar spine injections. Reports of complications associated with ICESI were further subdivided into major and minor categories. Results. The reported rate of complications associated with ICESI varied between 0 and 16.8%. Conclusion. There are significant limitations in the available literature discussing the complications associated with ICESI, but they strongly suggest that ICESI is a relatively safe procedure. Numerous potential adverse reactions have been associated with ICESI, with the vast majority being minor and transient in nature. However, serious complications may also result and may be technique related. Injectionists should be aware of the clinical presentations, rates, potential consequences, and appropriate techniques to avoid these complications. More studies are needed with specific focus on cervical complication rates, standardization of injection techniques, and differentiation between complications and poor efficacy. In addition, the use of a prospective randomized blinded controlled design would be beneficial.
Microevolution, low clonal diversity and genetic affinities of parthenogenetic Sitobion aphids in New Zealand

In sharp contrast to their southeast Asian and European counterparts, Sitobion miscanthi and S. near fragariae aphids in Australia exhibit a complete absence of sexual reproduction. This demands an explanation within the context of the evolution and maintenance of sex and parthenogenesis. Accordingly, we executed a genetic analysis of the two species in neighbouring New Zealand. Microsatellites and single‐stranded conformation polymorphism/sequence analysis of the nuclear gene elongation factor 1α were used to identify aphid clones and confirm species identification, respectively. Karyotypic variation was also investigated. The New Zealand fauna showed few (nonrecombining) genotypes and appears to have received migrants from both Australia and Asia. Other genotypes have apparently arisen in situ in New Zealand, exhibiting stepwise mutation of microsatellite alleles and also karyotypic change. Thus, these data represent rare evidence of evolution within wild‐living parthenogenetic lineages. Karyotypic changes appear to occur at a rate even greater than that of microsatellite evolution. Strong geographical partitioning of genotypes/karyotypes was found, with certain ones predominating over large areas. These data suggest that clonal selection could be important in the distribution and patterning of genetic variation. We present a model to explain the genetic patterns, with particular reference to the absence of sexual reproduction in Sitobion aphids in New Zealand and Australia.
B7/CD28 Costimulation Is Critical in Susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Corneal Infection: A Comparative Study Using Monoclonal Antibody Blockade and CD28-Deficient Mice1

Evidence suggests that Pseudomonas aeruginosa stromal keratitis and corneal perforation (susceptibility) is a CD4+ T cell-regulated inflammatory response following experimental P. aeruginosa infection. This study examined the role of Langerhans cells (LC) and the B7/CD28 costimulatory pathway in P. aeruginosa-infected cornea and the contribution of costimulatory signaling by this pathway to disease pathology. After bacterial challenge, the number of LC infiltrating the central cornea was compared in susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) vs resistant (cornea heals) BALB/c mice. LC were more numerous at 1 and 6 days postinfection (p.i.), but were similar at 4 days p.i. , in susceptible vs resistant mice. Mature, B7 positive-stained LC in the cornea and pseudomonas Ag-associated LC in draining cervical lymph nodes also were increased significantly p.i. in susceptible mice. To test the relevance of these data, B6 mice were treated systemically and subconjunctivally with neutralizing B7 (B7-1/B7-2) mAbs. Treatment decreased corneal disease severity and reduced significantly the number of B7-positive cells as well as the recruitment and activation of CD4+ T cells in the cornea. IFN-γ mRNA levels also were decreased significantly in the cornea and in draining cervical lymph nodes of mAb-treated mice. When CD28−/− animals were tested, they exhibited a less severe disease response (no corneal perforation) than wild-type B6 mice and had a significantly lower delayed-type hypersensitivity response to heat-killed pseudomonas Ag. These results support a critical role for B7/CD28 costimulation in susceptibility to P. aeruginosa ocular infection.
Mutational and Structural Studies Aimed at Characterizing the Monomer of HIV-1 Protease and Its Precursor*

An experimental protocol for folding the mature human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease is presented that facilitates NMR studies at a low protein concentration of ∼20 μm. Under these conditions, NMR spectra show that the mature protease lacking its terminal β-sheet residues 1-4 and 96-99 (PR5-95) exhibits a stable monomer fold spanning the region 10-90 that is similar to that of the single subunit of the wild-type dimer and the dimer bearing a D25N mutation (PRD25N). Urea-induced unfolding monitored both by changes in 1H-15N heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectra and by protein fluorescence indicates that although PR5-95 monomer displays a transition profile similar to that of the PRD25N dimer (50% unfolded (U50) = ∼1.9 m), extending the protease with 4 residues (SFNF) of its N-terminally flanking sequence in the Gag-Pol precursor (SFNFPRD25N) decreases the stability of the fold (U50 = ∼1.5 m). Assigned backbone chemical shifts were used to elucidate differences in the stability of the PRT26A (U50 = 2.5 m) and SFNFPRD25N monomers and compared with PRD25N/T26A monomer. Discernible differences in the backbone chemical shifts were observed for N-terminal protease residues 3-6 of SFNFPRD25N that may relate to the increase in the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and the very low catalytic activity of the protease prior to its autoprocessing at its N terminus from the Gag-Pol precursor.
Massively parallel resequencing of the isogenic Drosophila melanogaster strain w1118; iso-2; iso-3 identifies hotspots for mutations in sensory perception genes

We used the Illumina reversible-short sequencing technology to obtain 17-fold average depth (s.d.~8) of ~94% of the euchromatic genome and ~1-5% of the heterochromatin sequence of the Drosophila melogaster isogenic strain w1118; iso-2; iso-3. We show that this strain has a ~9 kb deletion that uncovers the first exon of the white (w) gene, ~4 kb of downstream promoter sequences, and most of the first intron, thus demonstrating that whole-genome sequencing can be used for mutation characterization. We chose this strain because there are thousands of transposon insertion lines and hundreds of isogenic deficiency lines available with this genetic background, such as the Exelixis, Inc., and the DrosDEL collections. We compared our sequence to Release 5 of the finished reference genome sequence which was made from the isogenic strain y1; cn1 bw1 sp1 and identified ~356,614 candidate SNPs in the ~117 Mb unique sequence genome, which represents a substitution rate of ~1/305 nucleotides (~0.30%). The distribution of SNPs is not uniform, but rather there is a ~2-fold increase in SNPs on the autosome arms compared with the X chromosome and a ~7-fold increase when compared to the small 4th chromosome. This is consistent with previous analyses that demonstrated a correlation between recombination frequency and SNP frequency. An unexpected finding was a SNP hotpot in a ~20Mb central region of the 4th chromosome, which might indicate higher than expected recombination frequency in this region of this chromosome. Interestingly, genes involved in sensory perception are enriched in SNP hotspots and genes encoding developmental genes are enriched in SNP coldspots, which suggests that recombination frequencies might be proportional to the evolutionary selection coefficient. There are currently 12 Drosophila species sequenced, and this represents one of many isogenic Drosophila melanogaster genome sequences that are in progress. Because of the dramatic increase in power in using isogenic lines rather than outbred individuals, the SNP information should be valuable as a test bed for understanding genotype-by-environment interactions in human population studies.
An Investigation into the Role of Short-Selling and Its Impact on the Weekend Effect – Evidence from Australian Market

This research paper has two objectives. First, whether the Weekend Effect anomaly documented in the literature exists in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). Second, whether the existence of the Weekend Effect can be attributed to the role of short-sellers. Using daily data for the period from January 1994 to December 2007, this study observes a strong Weekend Effect in equal-weighted index and small-cap stocks. As the size of the firm increases the Weekend Effect starts to disappear due to significantly negative Monday returns for smaller firms and significantly positive Monday returns for larger firms. Further, this research does not find evidence that speculative short-sellers add to the Weekend Effect. Rather this study reveals an opposite finding, that when short-sellers are more active the Weekend Effect diminishes and when short-sellers are less active, the study observes strong Weekend Effect. However, this result is not robust with regard to the assumed relationship between the Weekend Effect and stocks with tradable options.
Suspected limbic encephalitis and seizure in cats associated with voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibody.

BACKGROUND Treatment-resistant complex partial seizures (CPS) with orofacial involvement recently were reported in cats in association with hippocampal pathology. The features had some similarity to those described in humans with limbic encephalitis and voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibody. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate cats with CPS and orofacial involvement for the presence of VGKC-complex antibody. ANIMALS Client-owned cats with acute orofacial CPS and control cats were investigated. METHODS Prospective study. Serum was collected from 14 cats in the acute stage of the disease and compared with 19 controls. VGKC-complex antibodies were determined by routine immunoprecipitation and by binding to leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) and contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2), the 2 main targets of VGKC-complex antibodies in humans. RESULTS Five of the 14 affected cats, but none of the 19 controls, had VGKC-complex antibody concentrations above the cut-off concentration (>100 pmol/L) based on control samples and similar to those found in humans. Antibodies in 4 cats were directed against LGI1, and none were directed against CASPR2. Follow-up sera were available for 5 cats in remission and all antibody concentrations were within the reference range. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Our study suggests that an autoimmune limbic encephalitis exists in cats and that VGKC-complex/LGI1 antibodies may play a role in this disorder, as they are thought to in humans.
Plasma oxidized LDL: a predictor for acute myocardial infarction?

Abstract. Nordin Fredrikson G, Hedblad B, Berglund G, Nilsson J (Malmö University Hospital, Lund University; and Biomedical Laboratory Science, Malmö University, Sweden). Plasma oxidized LDL: a predictor for acute myocardial infarction? J Intern Med 2003; 253: 425–429.