Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity and concordance between self-reported and clinical diagnosis of hypertension among elderly residents in northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND Self-reported information has been used as an easy and quick method to estimate the prevalence of systemic hypertension in populations. However, verification of whether self-reports of the disease are consistent with clinical diagnosis is essential for proper use of this information. This study aimed to verify the validity and concordance between self-reported and clinical diagnosis of hypertension in the elderly population of a city in northeastern Brazil. METHODS This was a cross-sectional and population-based study. The prevalence of diagnosed and self-reported hypertension and the validity and concordance between self-reported and clinical diagnosis and their distribution according to demographic and socioeconomic variables were assessed. The validity of self-reported hypertension was determined by sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. RESULTS Overall, 795 elderly patients were evaluated (69.1% women). There was a high prevalence of hypertension among the elderly (diagnosed: 75.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 71.1%-77.9%; self-reported: 59.7%, 95% CI = 56.3%-63.1%). For self-reported hypertension, sensitivity was substantial (77.1%), specificity was excellent (93.4%), positive predictive value was excellent (97.3%), and negative predictive value was moderate (57.2%). There was a moderate concordance between self-reported and clinical diagnosis of hypertension (kappa = 0.59; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Reasonable validity and moderate concordance of self-reported information on hypertension was observed, which reinforces the idea that this information can be used as strategy for detecting the disease prevalence in this population. However, because of nonachievement of excellence in the validity and reliability of the measured blood pressure, this information should be carefully considered for the strategic planning of health services.
Effect of Local Cultural Context on the Success of Community‐Based Conservation Interventions

Abstract: Conservation interventions require evaluation to understand what factors predict success or failure. To date, there has been little systematic investigation of the effect of social and cultural context on conservation success, although a large body of literature argues it is important. We investigated whether local cultural context, particularly local institutions and the efforts of interventions to engage with this culture significantly influence conservation outcomes. We also tested the effects of community participation, conservation education, benefit provision, and market integration. We systematically reviewed the literature on community‐based conservation and identified 68 interventions suitable for inclusion. We used a protocol to extract and code information and evaluated a range of measures of outcome success (attitudinal, behavioral, ecological, and economic). We also examined the association of each predictor with each outcome measure and the structure of predictor covariance. Local institutional context influenced intervention outcomes, and interventions that engaged with local institutions were more likely to succeed. Nevertheless, there was limited support for the role of community participation, conservation education, benefit provision, and market integration on intervention success. We recommend that conservation interventions seek to understand the societies they work with and tailor their activities accordingly. Systematic reviews are a valuable approach for assessing conservation evidence, although sensitive to the continuing lack of high‐quality reporting on conservation interventions.
Change in HIV-related stigma in South Africa between 2004 and 2016: a cross-sectional community study

ABSTRACT A critical component of an AIDS-free generation is to reduce HIV-related stigma. Previous research predicted that stigma would decline over time with increased contact with PLWH, understanding of the disease and availability of treatment. The aim of the research was to explore change in stigma over a 12-year period, by comparing data collected from two large cross-sectional samples from South African communities in 2004 (before the roll-out of antiretroviral treatment (ART)) and in 2016. Students recruited respondents according to criteria related to age, gender, race and area of living. A survey assessing moral judgement and interpersonal distance was used to assess personal and perceived community stigma. Responses to ten identical items used in the 2004 and 2016 data collection were compared. Personal stigma attached to HIV decreased significantly over time, except in respect of having close contact with PLWH, such as dating and befriending. Perceived community stigma remained high in all subgroups. It is argued that perceived community stigma contributes to high levels of internalised stigma among PLWH. Interventions should focus on helping PLWH to cope with perceived stigma and strategies to address stereotyping, which contributes to perceived community stigma.
Neurobiology of reproduction in the female rat. A fifty-year perspective.

With respect to the ovarian status and the estrous cycle as expressed by the vaginal cytology, it was emphasized that there is only a rough correspondence between the vaginal stages and the days of the cycle. The 4-day cycle tends to be the most frequent, with the 5-day cycle a normal variant. Spontaneous persistent vaginal estrus (SPE), an acyclic state occurring in older adult rats, reflects the presence in the ovaries of large vesicular follicles failing to luteinize and, hence, the absence of corpora lutea once the condition becomes well established. Pseudocyclic fluctuations in the vaginal smear during SPE resemble those in ovariectomized rats treated chronically with estrogen. The age of onset of SPE varies among different rat strains, appearing as early as 5 or 6 months in the DA and CD strains, but rarely before 12 months in the O-M strain. O-M/DA hybrids were intermediate. In the DA strain there was also a marked influence of length of daily illumination on the occurrence of SPE: exposure to 10 hours or less of light per day restored cycling to rats that had already shown SPE while exposed to longer days. An hereditary influence of age was also apparent in the rapidity with which continuous illumination induced persistent estrus (LLPE). Young DA females rapidly entered LLPE within 10 days, while young O-M females remained cyclic for 5 weeks. Hybrids again were intermediate. At middle age. O-M rats became as responsive as young rats of the DA strain. Like SPE in DA rats. LLPE was reversible, for estrous cycles returned after daily exposure to light was reduced. The special sensitivity of DA rats to lighting may have been a trait acquired from outcrossing with wild gray rats in years past. Normal cycling could be restored in SPE rats by daily injection of progesterone at low dosage. The same effect followed isolated treatments with progesterone upon return of proestrus/estrus after interruption of SPE. This was the first demonstration of positive feed-back of progesterone, the first sign of its biphasic action, and an indication that progesterone facilitates the action of estrogen in promoting ovulation. When progesterone treatment was delayed after proestrus/estrus there was progressively lower effectiveness during the next 10 days. Indirect support of regular ovulatory cycles resulted from treating DA SPE rats with prolactin (PRL) daily at low doses, provided that an initial set of corpora lutea was first induced by other means. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Fermentation of plant cell wall derived polysaccharides and their corresponding oligosaccharides by intestinal bacteria.

New types of nondigestible oligosaccharides were produced from plant cell wall polysaccharides, and the fermentation of these oligosaccharides and their parental polysaccharides by relevant individual intestinal species of bacteria was studied. Oligosaccharides were produced from soy arabinogalactan, sugar beet arabinan, wheat flour arabinoxylan, polygalacturonan, and rhamnogalacturonan fraction from apple. All of the tested substrates were fermented to some extent by one or more of the individual species of bacteria tested. Bacteroides spp. are able to utilize plant cell wall derived oligosaccharides besides their reported activity toward plant polysaccharides. Bifidobacterium spp. are also able to utilize the rather complex plant cell wall derived oligosaccharides in addition to the bifidogenic fructooligosaccharides. Clostridium spp. , Klebsiella spp. , and Escherichia coli fermented some of the selected substrates in vitro. These studies do not allow prediction of the fermentation in vivo but give valuable information on the fermentative capability of the tested intestinal strains.
THF EARLY STAGES OF ABSORPTION OF INJECTED HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE IN THE PROXIMAL TUBULES OF MOUSE KIDNEY: ULTRASTRUCTURAL CYTOCHEMISTRY BY A NEW TECHNIQUE

The early stages of absorption of intravenously injected horseradish peroxidase in proximal tubules of mouse kidney were studied with a new ultrastructural cytochemical technique. In animals killed as early as 90 sec after injection, reaction product was found on the brushborder membranes and in the apical tubular invaginations. From the latter structures it was transported to the apical vacuoles, in which it was progressively concentrated to form protein absorption droplets. The method, which employs 3,3'-diaminobenzidine as oxidizable substrate, gives sharp localization and is sensitive. This system is advantageous in studying the early stages of renal tubular protein absorption, since small amounts of protein on membranes and in tubules and vesicles can be detected easily. The method also appears promising for studying protein transport in a variety of other cells and tissues.
Reducing HIV risk behavior of men who have sex with men through persuasive computing: results of the Men's INTernet Study-II

Objective:The primary objective of this study was to develop and test a highly interactive Internet-based HIV prevention intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM remain the group at highest risk for HIV/AIDS in the United States and similar countries. As the Internet becomes popular for seeking sex, online interventions to reduce sexual risk are critical. Given previous studies, a secondary objective was to demonstrate that good retention is possible in online trials. Design:A randomized controlled trial with 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month follow-up design was employed. Methods:In 2008, 650 participants were randomized to an online, interactive sexual risk reduction intervention or to a waitlist null control. Results:Retention was 76–89% over 12 months. At 3-month follow-up, results showed a 16% reduction in reported unprotected anal intercourse risk among those in the treatment condition versus control [95% confidence interval (95% CI) of rate ratio: 0.70–1.01]. No meaningful differences were observed at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion:Internet-based, persuasive computing programs hold promise as an effective new approach to HIV prevention for MSM, at least in the short term. Further, online trials can be conducted with acceptable retention provided strong retention protocols are employed. Four directions for future research are identified.
Effect of hyperprolactinaemia on intra‐ocular pressure

Editor, W e have read with great interest the article by Mansouri et al. (2013) published in your journal. The authors reported marked reduction in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in a female patient during sexual activity with the timing of the largest drop of the IOP corresponding to the recorded moment of orgasm. They hypothesized that the rapid increase in prolactin and dopamine levels occurring during orgasm (Kruger et al. 2005) may have an IOPlowering effect resulting in immediate reduction in the IOP in this distinct patient. Actually, previous studies have already reported the IOP-lowering effect of dopamine in vivo, while low IOP values have been correlated with low prolactin levels in the plasma of women with seasonal affective disorder (Mekki & Turner 1985; Stojek et al. 1991). Hereby, we would like to share our experience of IOP measurements in patients with hyperprolactinaemia, but without any documented ocular pathology. In a prospective case series of five patients, data were collected for healthy eyes in patients with hyperprolactinaemia. Data included IOP and blood prolactin levels. Mean IOP for the right eyes (OD) was 8.4 mmHg and for the left eyes (OS) 8 mmHg, which is significantly lower than the mean IOP of the normal population (Leydhecker 1976). Mean prolactin blood level was 432.4 ng/ml, while the normal range is 2–18 ng/ml in males and 2–29 ng/ml in (non-pregnant) females. Significant negative correlation was found between IOP and prolactin blood levels for both eyes (OD: Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.9368, p = 0.019; OS: Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r = 0.922, p = 0.026) suggesting that the higher the levels of blood prolactin the lower the IOP. Detailed status of patients is depicted in Table 1. These preliminary data are in agreement with the clinical hypothesis of Mansouri et al., indicating that sex hormones such as prolactin, may have an important role in the physiology of IOP regulation. Of course, it should be interesting to investigate IOP changes in these patients after establishing normal levels of blood prolactin. Larger studies are required to delineate the exact nature of the IOP effects induced by sex hormones such as prolactin.
Poor memory, negative symptoms and abnormal movements in never-treated Indian patients with schizophrenia

Background Cognitive impairment, frequently found in patients with schizophrenia, may be associated with negative symptoms and dyskinesia. However, antipsychotic medication may be a confounding variable. These putative associations may be clarified by examining never-treated patients. Method Never-treated elderly schizophrenic patients (n=19) living in south-east India were compared with treated patients (n=25) and normal subjects (n=55). Memory was assessed by the Wechsler Memory Scale, negative symptoms by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and dyskinesia by the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale. Results Normal subjects had a higher mean memory quotient than patients. There were no significant differences between never-treated and treated patients. Negative symptoms were associated with a poorer memory in the never-treated group. There was no association between memory and dyskinesia. Conclusions There is an association in never-treated patients between a poorer memory and negative symptoms, but not between a poorer memory and dyskinesia.
Whole‐body mineral measurements in Swedish adolescents at 17 years compared to 15 years of age

Aim: To provide reference data for bone mineral variables in 15‐ and 17‐y‐old adolescents and to analyse the relationships between these variables and measures of bone and body size, gender, puberty, growth, various lifestyle and environmental factors and socioeconomic background. Methods: In the same 321 randomly selected adolescents (147 boys and 174 girls) living in two different regions of Sweden, the total bone mineral content (TBMC), bone area (BA) and total bone mineral density (TBMD) were assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry at ages 15 and 17 y. The effects of bone and body size, gender, growth, sexual maturity, physical activity, region of domicile, social conditions, food habits, smoking and alcohol intake on TBMC and TBMD were examined in multivariate analyses. Results: In the 15‐y‐old adolescents, BA, height, gender, physical activity, maturity and weight explained 91% and 48%, of the variance in TBMC and TBMD, respectively. In similar analyses in the 17‐y‐olds, the corresponding figures were 92% and 62%, respectively, when BA, height, growth, physical activity, gender and region emerged as significant in the model. In all these analyses, BA explained most of the variance in TBMC and TBMD. No significant reduction of variance was found when different measures of social conditions, smoking, food habits, alcohol or dietary intakes of energy, calcium or vitamin D were included in the models. The reason why region of domicile had a significant impact on TBMC in the 17‐y‐olds is not known. The fact that the normal fluoride concentration in drinking water (1.1 mg/L) is 10 times higher in the region where TBMC was higher than in the other region is an interesting observation.
Comparison of histological, cytological and bacteriological findings in the endometrium of the mare.

Summary Histopathological, cytological and bacteriological results of breeding soundness examinations were compared with regard to neutrophil leukocytes and culture of pathogens, respectively. Two groups of specimens were analyzed. Group 1 included 161 related histological, cytological and bacteriological examinations of 142 mares and group 2 included the mares in group 1 and comprised 243 related cytological and bacteriological examinations of 174 mares. Bacteriological cultures were done aerobically and classified as significant, insignificant or negative. In 74.5 % of the examinations in group 1 all parameters were negative and in 6.8% all were positive resulting in 81.3% agreement. In 77.0% of the examinations in group 2 both parameters were negative and in 11.1% both parameters were positive resulting in 88.1% agreement. There was a close correlation between the numbers of potential pathogens recovered and the occurrence of neutrophil leukocytes in histological and/or cytological specimens and between the numbers of neutrophil leukocytes in histological specimens and the occurrence of positive cytological specimens. It was apparent from this study that the interpretation of culture results is aided by concurrent histological and cytological examinations and that the diagnosis of uterine pathology is more accurate when multiple diagnostic procedures are used. Zusammenfassung Die Ubereinstimmung histologischer, zytologischer und bakteriologischer Untersuchungsergebnisse am Endometrium der Stute Im Rahmen der Zuchttauglichkeitsuntersuchung der Suite wurden histologische, zytologische und bakteriologische Untersuchungen des Endometriums durchgefuhrt. Von besonderem Interesse war dabei die Korrelation zwischen dem Vorhandensein von neutrophilen Granulozyten und von aeroben Mikroorganismen, wozu das folgende Probenmaterial untersucht wurde: Gruppe 1 umfaste 161 histologische, zytologische und bakteriologische Untersuchungen von 142 Stuten und Gruppe 2 umlaste 243 zytologische und bakteriologische Ergebnisse (einschlieslich 161 aus Gruppe 1) von 174 Stuten. Die positiven bakteriologischen Ergebnisse wurden entweder als bedenklich oder als unbedenklich eingestuft. In Gruppe 1 stimmten die Untersuchungsergebnisse in 81,3% der Falle uberein, wobei in 74,5% alle Ergebnisse negativ und in 6.8% alle positiv waren. Die entsprechenden Resultate in Gruppe 2 lauteten 88,1%, 77,0% bzw. 11,1%. Deutliche Korrelationen wurden einerseits zwischen der Anzahl von bedenklichen Erregern und dem Vorhandensein von neutrophilen Granulozyten in Biopsieproben und/oder Abstrichen und andererseits zwischen der Anzahl von neutrophilen Granulozyten in Biopsieproben und dem Vorhandensein von Entzundungszellen in Abstrichen beobachtet. Die Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, das histologische und/oder zytologische Abklarungen die Interpretation von bakteriologischen Befunden erleichtern und die Genauigkeit der Diagnose wesentlich erhohen.
Vitamin D3 supplementation of beef steers increases longissimus tenderness.

The objectives of these experiments were to determine 1) the effectiveness of supplemental vitamin D3 (VITD) on altering plasma and muscle calcium levels, 2) whether VITD supplementation improves Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) values of steaks from feedlot beef steers, and 3) the tenderness response curve of longissimus steaks from steers supplemented with VITD. In Exp. 1, 20 crossbred steers were assigned randomly to one of four treatment diets consisting of either 0, 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d. Blood samples were obtained daily during this supplementation period and 5 d thereafter (d 11 to 15). Between d 6 and 13, a linear increase (P < .01) in ionized plasma calcium concentrations was observed in steers supplemented with VITD. Compared to unsupplemented steers, serum calcium concentrations of the steers receiving 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day were increased 8 to 48%. In Exp. 2, longissimus samples from crossbred steers (n = 118) that were supplemented with either 0 or 5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 7 d were obtained and aged for 7, 14, or 21 d. Following the initial 7-d postmortem aging period, VITD supplementation lowered (P < .01) WBS (.58 kg) and increased sensory tenderness rating (.6 units) compared to cuts originating from unsupplemented steers. In Exp. 3, 44 steers were supplemented with either 0 or 7.5 x 106 IU of VITD per day for 10 d immediately prior to slaughter. Results indicated that plasma and longissimus calcium concentration were higher (P < .05) for steers that received supplemental VITD. Compared with unsupplemented cuts, VITD supplementation improved WBS of cuts aged for either 7 or 14 d (P = .02 and P = .07, respectively). Sensory panelists rated samples from VITD supplemented steers as more tender than their unsupplemented counterparts. Activation of calpain proteases could be responsible for the observed tenderization due to the supplementation of VITD.
Antecedents and Consequences of Firms' Climate Change Management Practices: Stakeholder and Synergistic Approach

There is a growing pressure for firms to address global warming issues, but firms differ in adopting and implementing management practices in response to climate change. The aim of this study is to assess stakeholder pressure and firms’ responses to climate change, and their effect on emission reduction and operational performance. A survey was conducted and then empirically analyzed using regression analysis. This study shows that financial investors and regulatory agencies are the most influential stakeholders for adopting and implementing climate change management practices. Process efficiency and low-carbon product development are the most adopted carbon management practices while organizational engagement and carbon offsetting are not preferred. This article provides evidence that some firms’ climate change management practices lead to improved operational performance such as cost reduction and enhanced delivery and flexibility, as well as improved climate change performance including carbon emission and energy consumption reductions. This study provides guidance for policy makers and firm managers on how to identify, design and manage global warming issues within the business arena.
The application of search engine optimization for internet marketing: An example of the motel websites

According to the report of the world Travel & Tourism Council in 2007, half of the American travelers make their accommodations reservations through the internet. Therefore, the rankings in the search engine results become more important. In order to understand the feasibility of applying the techniques of search engine optimization (SEO) to tourism industry as well as its influences and marketing efficiency. This study takes a motel website as an example, to propose the specific methods of the SEO. The conclusion of this research indicates that the bandwidth and the ranking of the motel websites obviously have increased after applying SEO. Furthermore, the inquiry telephones and the accommodation amounts present significant increases. This research shows that SEO might well be applied in tourism industry.