Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFICACY OF MICROBIAL PHYTASE AT DIFFERENT LEVELS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MINERAL AVAILABILITY IN BROILER CHICKEN

A 4-week feeding trial with 120 day-old broiler (Hubbard) chicks was conducted to determine the efficacy of microbial phytase (Natuphos ® ) at different levels on growth performance and mineral availability in broiler chicks fed a low (0.35%) Phosphorus (P) diet. Four levels of microbial phytase (0, 250, 500 and 750 U / kg diet) were added to diets containing M.E. 3000 Kcal/kg and CP 21 %. Phytase supplementation increased (P<0.05) body weight, feed intake, FCR and dressing percentage at 28 day. Supplementation of phytase @ 500 U/kg diet to the low phasphorous diet significantly (P<0.05) improved toe ash percentage. Microbial phytase improved (P<0.05) apparent availability of P, Ca, and Mg. Supplementation of phytase @ 250 U/kg diet was the most economical as cost/kg live weight was lesser than 500 and 750 phytase U/kg diet supplementation. The results showed that microbial phytase supplementation to a low-P diet improved growth performance and apparent mineral availability in broiler chickens.
Divergent associations of drinking frequency and binge consumption of alcohol with mortality within the same cohort

Background Observational studies show beneficial effects of moderate alcohol drinking on all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, while binge drinking has been linked with increased mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of alcohol use with mortality in a population with a hybrid of drinking patterns. Method Participants in a population based cardiovascular health survey in Finnmark county in 1987–1988, aged 20–62 years, constituted the study cohort. Alcohol use was self-reported by use of questions on frequency of beer, wine and liquor intake, and one question on intake of around five drinks or more per occasion (binge drinking). Information on education, income and use of alcohol in an earlier and in a later survey was linked to the file. Mortality was assessed throughout 2009 by Cox regression, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. In the analysis of mortality by frequency of any alcohol use, we adjusted for binge consumption and vice versa. Results Two opposite trends appeared: a higher all-cause mortality in both sexes, and higher CVD mortality in men, with increasing frequency of binge drinking, compared with non-bingers. Second, in both sexes low-frequent use of any alcohol was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality, compared with abstention. The combination of any use of alcohol at least weekly and binge consumption at least monthly was common, particularly in men. Conclusions Questions on drinking frequency and a specific question on binge drinking capture different effects of alcohol use on all-cause and CVD mortality.
Case fatality of patients with stroke over a 12-month period post stroke.

INTRODUCTION Stroke is among the top 4 causes of death in South Africa and the top 10 leading causes of disability worldwide. There is a dearth of literature on stroke incidence, prevalence and outcome in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to establish the case fatality of stroke patients over a 12-month period post discharge from hospital. METHODS A total of 200 patients with first-time ischaemic stroke were recruited from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and followed up for 12 months. The Barthel Index (BI) and Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) were used to establish patient functional ability and, by inference, stroke severity. Follow-up assessments were performed at 3, 6 and 12 months post discharge. Data analysis was largely descriptive in nature. RESULTS Thirty-eight per cent of patients died within the 12 month follow-up period; 25.5% within 3 months of discharge. The average length of hospital stay was 6 days. Low BI scores at discharge were observed in the majority of patients who died. CONCLUSION The 12-month cumulative mortality was high (highest at the 3-month follow-up). The short hospital stay and poor functional ability of the patients post stroke possibly left them vulnerable to bed-rest complications, such as chest infections and pressure sores.
Gender Does Matter in Perinatal Medicine

Objective: To investigate complications and outcome of pregnancies with male and female fetuses. Methods: A population-based study comparing all singleton deliveries between the years 1988 and 1999 was performed. We compared pregnancies with male vs. female fetuses. Patients with a previous cesarean section (CS) were excluded from the study. Statistical analyses with the Mantel-Haenszel technique and multiple logistic regression models were performed to control for confounders. Results: During the study period there were 55,891 deliveries of male and 53,104 deliveries of female neonates. Patients carrying male fetuses had higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.1; 95% CI 1.01–1.12; p = 0.012), fetal macrosomia (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.8–2.1; p < 0.001), failure to progress during the first and second stages of labor (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.3; p < 0.001 and OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.3–1.5; p < 0.001, respectively), cord prolapse (OR = 1.3; 95% CI 1.1–1.6; p = 0.014), nuchal cord (OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.2; p < 0.001) and true umbilical cord knots (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.7; p < 0.001). Higher rates of CS were found among male compared with female neonates (8.7 vs. 7.9%; OR = 1.1; 95% CI 1.06–1.16; p < 0.001). Using three multivariate logistic regression models and controlling for birth weight and gestational age, male gender was significantly associated with non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.4–1.6; p < 0.001), low Apgar scores at 5 min (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.8; p < 0.001) and CS (OR = 1.2; 95%CI 1.2–1.3; p < 0.001). Controlling for possible confounders like gestational diabetes, cord prolapse, failed induction, nonprogressive labor, fetal macrosomia, nuchal cord and true umbilical cord knots using the Mantel-Haenszel technique did not change the significant association between male gender and CS. Conclusion: Male gender is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome.
Anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy after childhood cancer: role of polymorphisms in carbonyl reductase genes--a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

PURPOSE Carbonyl reductases (CBRs) catalyze reduction of anthracyclines to cardiotoxic alcohol metabolites. Polymorphisms in CBR1 and CBR3 influence synthesis of these metabolites. We examined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in CBR1 (CBR1 1096G>A) and/or CBR3 (CBR3 V244M) modified the dose-dependent risk of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy in childhood cancer survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seventy survivors with cardiomyopathy (patient cases) were compared with 317 survivors with no cardiomyopathy (controls; matched on cancer diagnosis, year of diagnosis, length of follow-up, and race/ethnicity) using conditional logistic regression techniques. RESULTS A dose-dependent association was observed between cumulative anthracycline exposure and cardiomyopathy risk (0 mg/m(2): reference; 1 to 100 mg/m(2): odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 101 to 150 mg/m(2): OR, 3.85; 151 to 200 mg/m(2): OR, 3.69; 201 to 250 mg/m(2): OR, 7.23; 251 to 300 mg/m(2): OR, 23.47; > 300 mg/m(2): OR, 27.59; P(trend) < . 001). Among individuals carrying the variant A allele (CBR1:GA/AA and/or CBR3:GA/AA), exposure to low- to moderate-dose anthracyclines (1 to 250 mg/m(2)) did not increase the risk of cardiomyopathy. Among individuals with CBR3 V244M homozygous G genotypes (CBR3:GG), exposure to low- to moderate-dose anthracyclines increased cardiomyopathy risk when compared with individuals with CBR3:GA/AA genotypes unexposed to anthracyclines (OR, 5.48; P = .003), as well as exposed to low- to moderate-dose anthracyclines (OR, 3.30; P = .006). High-dose anthracyclines (> 250 mg/m(2)) were associated with increased cardiomyopathy risk, irrespective of CBR genotype status. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates increased anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy risk at doses as low as 101 to 150 mg/m(2). Homozygosis for G allele in CBR3 contributes to increased cardiomyopathy risk associated with low- to moderate-dose anthracyclines, such that there seems to be no safe dose for patients homozygous for the CBR3 V244M G allele. These results suggest a need for targeted intervention for those at increased risk of cardiomyopathy.
Bipolar depression: a review of randomised clinical trials

Randomised, controlled trials have been completed in the study of the response of bipolar depression to lithium, antiepileptic drugs, antidepressants (particularly the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) and a few miscellaneous agents including pramipexole. In most cases, only one randomised, controlled trial has been completed, perhaps because that can be sufficient to gain US FDA approval for an additional approved use for a medication already approved for another use (usually mania). Despite numerous early studies of lithium, only one recent study was completed with sufficient controls. In virtually all trials, the controlled comparison has been with placebo. A review of risk factors, as well as adverse events and kinetics based on these studies, focuses on net benefits, in particular for quetiapine and lamotrigine. All antidepressants present with some risk for induction of mania and/or cycle acceleration and are best used in combination with mood stablisers; greatest risk for destabilisation seems to be with venlafaxine.
The Crow‐Fukase syndrome

Clinical manifestations of 102 cases with the Crow-Fukase syndrome (the syndrome of polyneuropathy, anasarca, skin changes, endocrinopathy, dysglobulinemia, and organomegaly), with or without myeloma, were reviewed. Fifty-six cases with myeloma consisted of 31 with osteosclerotic, 17 with mixed osteosclerotic and osteolytic, and 8 with osteolytic. Forty-six cases without myeloma consisted of 2 with extramedullary plasmacytoma, 33 with M protein alone, and 11 with polyclonal protein alone. There was no significant difference in incidence of the major clinical manifestations between the two groups with and without myeloma. They had a common characteristic histologic finding of the lymph node resembling that of Castleman's disease.
The Transcription Factor ATHB5 Affects GA-Mediated Plasticity in Hypocotyl Cell Growth during Seed Germination1[CC-BY]

The seed-to-seedling transition in Arabidopsis can occur following multiple spatiotemporal patterns of cell expansion, including hypocotyl-based growth promoted by the transcription factor ATHB5. Gibberellic acid (GA)-mediated cell expansion initiates the seed-to-seedling transition in plants and is repressed by DELLA proteins. Using digital single-cell analysis, we identified a cellular subdomain within the midhypocotyl, whose expansion drives the final step of this developmental transition under optimal conditions. Using network inference, the transcription factor ATHB5 was identified as a genetic factor whose localized expression promotes GA-mediated expansion specifically within these cells. Both this protein and its putative growth-promoting target EXPANSIN3 are repressed by DELLA, and coregulated at single-cell resolution during seed germination. The cellular domains of hormone sensitivity were explored within the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) embryo by putting seeds under GA-limiting conditions and quantifying cellular growth responses. The middle and upper hypocotyl have a greater requirement for GA to promote cell expansion than the lower embryo axis. Under these conditions, germination was still completed following enhanced growth within the radicle and lower axis. Under GA-limiting conditions, the athb5 mutant did not show a phenotype at the level of seed germination, but it did at a cellular level with reduced cell expansion in the hypocotyl relative to the wild type. These data reveal that the spatiotemporal cell expansion events driving this transition are not determinate, and the conditional use of GA-ATHB5-mediated hypocotyl growth under optimal conditions may be used to optionally support rapid seedling growth. This study demonstrates that multiple genetic and spatiotemporal cell expansion mechanisms underlie the seed to seedling transition in Arabidopsis.
Erythrocyte receptor (CD2)-bearing T lymphocytes are affected by diet in experimental pulmonary tuberculosis

Outbred (Hartley) and inbred (strain 2 and 13) guinea pigs were vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis BCG and placed on isocaloric, purified diets containing either 10 or 30% ovalbumin or on commercial guinea pig chow. Six weeks later, the animals were challenged by the respiratory route with virulent M. tuberculosis H37Rv. At intervals postchallenge, groups were tuberculin tested and sacrificed. Thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes were enumerated either by rosette formation with rabbit erythrocytes or by the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a guinea pig pan-T-cell monoclonal antibody, 8BE6. Protein-deficient guinea pigs of all three strains had significantly fewer erythrocyte rosette-forming (CD2+) T cells in the peripheral blood, and malnourished strain 2 and Hartley guinea pigs exhibited reduced levels of CD2+ T cells in the thymus. In contrast, animals of all three strains fed the low-protein diet harbored more CD2+ T cells in the bronchotracheal lymph nodes than did their control-fed counterparts. A larger proportion of lymphocytes from the blood and lymph nodes of all three strains were IFA positive than formed erythrocyte rosettes regardless of diet treatment. Diet had no effect on IFA-positive lymphocytes in those organs. Protein deficiency is associated with significant alterations in the number and/or distribution of T lymphocytes expressing functional CD2-receptors in BCG-vaccinated animals exposed to virulent mycobacteria by the pulmonary route. These alterations may contribute to the reduction in BCG vaccine efficacy observed in this model.
Revisiting the Exports and Economic Growth Nexus: Rolling Window Cointegration and Causality Evidence from Cote d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa

This paper reexamines the relationship between exports and economic growth in Cote d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Africa using time-varying cointegration and causality tests. The cointegration results suggest that exports, investment in physical capital and GDP move together in the long-run in the four countries. Furthermore, the full sample Granger causality tests support the export-led growth hypothesis for Malaysia and Pakistan, and the growth-led exports hypothesis for South Africa. However, the rolling window cointegration and causality tests show that the long-run and also the causal relationships between exports and GDP are time-varying. For most time periods we do not find any causal relationship between exports and GDP. There are, however, sub-periods during which unidirectional or bidirectional causal relations were found. Therefore, export-promoting strategies are not always effective tools to stimulate economic growth.
Inspiring a generation: an examination of stakeholder relations in the context of London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics educational programmes

ABSTRACT The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (London 2012) inspire a generation legacy aim targeted young people in the United Kingdom (UK) and internationally. This article explores how the London 2012 education-based legacy programmes aimed at young people, such as the Get Set initiative, affected relations between stakeholders connected to the Games. Utilising a stakeholder relations theoretical perspective we analysed documentary-based dialogue from a UK parliament Education Committee inquiry through a critical discourse analysis. From the analysis two discourses emerged. Firstly, around clarity of the purpose of the London 2012 educational programmes. Secondly, varying stakeholders’ understanding during the inquiry of the inspire a generation legacy aim was articulated around the notion of a “missed opportunity,” in particular, when translated into the domestic policy context around education and sport. The findings encourage stakeholders to reflect on potential fragmented accountability between sport mega event and domestic sectors; and achieving greater clarity to the purpose of legacy-based educational programme within a broader policy context.
Quantitative myocardial perfusion by O-15-water PET: individualized vs. standardized vascular territories.

AIMS Reporting of quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) is typically performed in standard coronary territories. However, coronary anatomy and myocardial vascular territories vary among individuals, and a coronary artery may erroneously be deemed stenosed or not if territorial demarcation is incorrect. So far, the diagnostic consequences of calculating individually vs. standardly assessed MBF values have not been reported. We examined whether individual reassignment of vascular territories would improve the diagnostic accuracy of MBF with regard to the detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-four patients with suspected CAD were included prospectively and underwent coronary CT-angiography and quantitative MBF assessment with O-15-water PET followed by invasive, quantitative coronary angiography, which served as reference. MBF was calculated in the vascular territories during adenosine stress according to a standardized 17-segment American Heart Association model and an individualized model, using CT-angiography to adjust the coronary territories to their feeding vessels. Individually defined territories deviated from standard territories in 52% of patients. However, MBF in the three coronary territories defined by standard and individualized models did not differ significantly, except in one patient, in whom the MBF of an individualized coronary territory deviated sufficiently as to change the test from a false positive to a true negative result in this particular territory. CONCLUSION Disparity between standardized and individualized vascular territories was present in half of the patients, but had little clinical impact. Still, caution should be taken not always to rely on standard territories, as this may at times cause misinterpretation.
Sequencing and expression of a gene encoding a bile acid transporter from Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708

Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708 expresses inducible bile acid 7alpha-dehydroxylation activity via a multistep pathway. The genes encoding several of the inducible proteins involved in the pathway have been previously mapped to a bile acid-inducible (bai) operon in Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708. We now report the cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the baiG gene, which is part of the bai operon. The predicted amino acid sequence of the BaiG polypeptide shows significant homology to several membrane transport proteins, including sugar and antibiotic resistance transporters, which are members of the major facilitator superfamily. Hydrophilicity plots of BaiG show a high degree of similarity to class K and L TetA proteins from gram-positive bacteria, and, like these classes of TetA proteins, BaiG has 14 proposed transmembrane domains. The baiG gene was cloned into Escherichia coli and shown to confer an energy-dependent bile acid uptake activity. Primary bile acids were preferentially transported into E. coli cells expressing this gene, with at least sevenfold and fourfold increases in the uptake of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, respectively, over control reactions. Less transport activity was observed with cholylglycine, 7-oxocholic acid, and deoxycholic acid. The transport activity was inhibited by the proton ionophores carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and nigericin but not by the potassium ionophore valinomycin, suggesting that the transport is driven by the proton motive force across the cell membrane. In summary, we have cloned, sequenced, and expressed a bile acid-inducible bile acid transporter from Eubacterium sp. strain VPI 12708. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the cloning and expression of a gene encoding a procaryotic bile acid transporter.
In vitro activities of terbinafine in combination with fluconazole and itraconazole against isolates of Candida albicans with reduced susceptibility to azoles

A checkerboard microdilution method was applied to study the in vitro interaction of terbinafine with either fluconazole and itraconazole against 30 strains of Candida albicans. Synergy was observed in 40% of the terbinafine-fluconazole interactions and in 43% of the terbinafine-itraconazole interactions, while antagonism was not observed. Even when only additivity was achieved, the combinations still showed beneficial effects since at least twofold reductions in the MICs of both drugs were found in 100% of the terbinafine-fluconazole interactions and in 76% of the terbinafine-itraconazole interactions.
Level of sustained entorhinal activity at study correlates with subsequent cued‐recall performance: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study with high acquisition rate

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with high acquisition rate was performed during the intentional memorizing of words to specify which medial temporal lobe structure is important in determining what words are subsequently remembered in a cued‐recall test and to characterize the time course of activation in that structure. Functional images of six healthy young subjects were analyzed by two subject‐ and voxel‐wise statistics: First, to identify brain areas transiently engaged in encoding of words, brain activity during memorizing visually presented words and watching a fixation cross was compared by a Kolmogorov‐Smirnov statistic (KS‐test). Second, to identify brain areas whose activity correlates with memory encoding success, a Kendall's correlation was calculated between signal intensity at study and performance in a subsequent cued‐recall test. Averaged signal intensities were plotted as a function of time to depict the time course of brain activity detected by both statistical tests. The level of slowly modulated, sustained activity in Brodmann area 28 (entorhinal cortex) did not respond transiently as study words appeared, but did correlate positively with subsequent test performance. More left than right activity in Brodmann area 45 (dorso‐lateral prefrontal cortex) and bilateral activity in Brodmann area 44 (premotor cortex) exhibited transient hemodynamic responses that did not show any relation to subsequent memory performance. Thus, the study identified a novel pattern of slowly modulated brain activity in human entorhinal cortex that may represent a declarative memory encoding state whose level predicts whether experiences will be remembered or forgotten. Hippocampus 1999;9:35–44. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.