Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Lymphocyte Caspase-3 Activity in Patients with Schizophrenia

Increased Lymphocyte Caspase-3 Activity in Patients with Schizophrenia A growing body of evidence indicates that cortical brain cells of schizophrenic patients are vulnerable to apoptosis. As apoptosis is an important mechanism in organism modeling during development, active since the early phase of intrauterine life, it could be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. To test this hypothesis, caspase-3 activity was determined in peripheral blood mono nuclear cells from 30 patients with schizophrenia and from 30 age and gender matched healthy subjects by a colorimetric commercially available kit. Consistent with increased susceptibility to apoptosis, caspase-3 activity in lymphocytes of patients with schizophrenia was significantly increased (0.111±0.055 μmol/mg protein, p<0.05) in comparison with those in the matched control group (0.086±0.030 μmol/mg protein). The highest activity was obtained in the group showing almost equally positive and negative symptoms (0.159±0.096 μmol/mg protein) and it was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the group with a relative predomination of positive symptoms (0.100±0.029 μmol/mg protein). Caspase-3 activity in patients receiving typical antipsychotic drugs (0.124± 0.071 μmol/mg protein) was not significantly different from that in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics (0.104±0.039 μmol/mg protein). To our knowledge to date, this has been the first demonstration that there is a significant increase in caspase-3 activity, determined in native cells, in patients with schizophrenia, indicating a dysregulated apoptotic mechanism in this disease. Povećana Aktivnost Kaspaze-3 u Limfocitima Obolelih od Shizofrenije Sve je više dokaza da su kortikalne ćelije mozga obolelih od shizofrenije osetljive na apoptozu. Kako je apoptoza aktivna od rane faze intrauterinog života, važan mehanizam u modelovanju organizma tokom razvoja, mogla bi biti uključena u patogenezu shizofrenije. U cilju testiranja ove hipoteze određivana je aktivnost kaspaze-3, kolorimetrijskom metodom, u mononuklearnim ćelijama periferne krvi kod 30 obolelih od shizofrenije i 30 zdravih osoba slične starosti i pola. Shodno povećanoj osetljivosti na apoptozu, aktivnost kaspaze-3 u limfocitima obolelih od shizofrenije je značajno veća (0,111±0,055 μmol/mg proteina, p<0,05) u poređenju sa vrednostima kontrolne grupe (0,086±0,030 μmol/mg proteina). Najviša aktivnost je dobijena u grupi bolesnika sa skoro podjednako izraženom pozitivnom i negativnom simptomatologijom (0,159±0,096 mmol/mg proteina) i bila je značajno viša (p<0,05) od vrednosti grupe sa relativnom predominacijom pozitivnih simptoma (0,100±0,029 μmol/mg proteina). Nije nađena značajna razlika u aktivnosti kaspaze-3 između bolesnika tretiranih tipičnim (0,124±0,071 μmol/mg proteina) odnosno atipičnim (0,104±0,039 μmol/mg proteina) antipsihoticima. Prema našim saznanjima ovo su prvi rezultati koji pokazuju da je aktivnost kaspaze-3 značajno povećana u nativnim ćelijama obolelih od shizofrenije što ukazuje na disregulaciju apoptotičnog mehanizma u ovoj bolesti.
A Comparison between Daily Hassles and Major Life Events as Correlates of Well-being in Older Adults

RÉSUMÉ L'objectif principal de cette recherche était de déterminer si les embêtements de la vie quotidienne sont plus fortement reliés au bien-être physique et psychologique chez les personnes âgées que les événements majeurs. Les modèles de prédiction du bien-être physique et psychologique ont été déterminés en fonction de la contribution des embêtements et des événements majeurs ainsi que d'autres variables incluant l'évaluation subjective de la santé. Deux cents personnes âgées ont rapporté les événements majeurs des trois dernières années et les embêtements survenus au cours du dernier mois. Les sujets ont également évalué leur état de santé et le degré d'incapacité dans les activités quotidiennes conséquente à chacune de leurs maladies chroniques. Des analyses de régression multiple par étapes ont montré que (1) l'évaluation subjective de la santé, l'incapacité dans les activités quotidiennes et la fréquence des embêtements sont reliées au bien-être physique et que (2) le bien-être psychologique est associé à la fréquence des embêtements, l'âge et l'incapacité dans les activités de la vie quotidienne. La fréquence des événements majeurs récents ne contribue pas significativement à l'un ou l'autre des modèles. Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus selon que l'Échelle des Embêtements ou seulement les items de cette échelle qui ne correspondent pas à des symptômes étaient utilisés dans les analyses de régression. Les résultats suggèrent que la fréquence des embêtements est plus fortement reliée au bien-être chez les personnes âgées que la fréquence des événements majeurs. ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to determine if daily hassles are stronger correlates of physical and psychological well-being in the elderly than major life events. The contribution of these and other correlates, including self-rated health, to the best predictive model of both physical and psychological well-being was evaluated. Two hundred older adults reported major life events during the past three years and were administered the Hassles Scale and the Perceived Well-Being Scale. Subjects also reported the presence of chronic illnesses and rated their health and limitation in daily activities as a consequence of each chronic illness. Stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that (1) self-rated health, limitation in daily activities, and frequency of hassles are related to physical well-being, and (2) psychological well-being is associated with frequency of daily hassles, age, and limitation in daily activities. Frequency of major life events does not contribute significantly to either model. Similar results were obtained by using either the Hassles Scale or only non-symptomatic hassles as correlates. The results of this study show frequency of daily hassles to be a stronger correlate of well-being than frequency of major life events.
Early prenatal food supplementation ameliorates the negative association of maternal stress with birth size in a randomised trial.

Low birthweight increases the risk of infant mortality, morbidity and poor development. Maternal nutrition and stress influence birth size, but their combined effect is not known. We hypothesised that an early-invitation time to start a prenatal food supplementation programme could reduce the negative influence of prenatal maternal stress on birth size, and that effect would differ by infant sex. A cohort of 1041 pregnant women, who had delivered an infant, June 2003-March 2004, was sampled from among 3267 in the randomised controlled trial, Maternal Infant Nutritional Interventions Matlab, conducted in Matlab, Bangladesh. At 8 weeks gestation, women were randomly assigned an invitation to start food supplements (2.5 MJ d(-1) ; 6 days a week) either early (∼9 weeks gestation; early-invitation group) or at usual start time for the governmental programme (∼20 weeks gestation; usual-invitation group). Morning concentration of cortisol was measured from one saliva sample/woman at 28-32 weeks gestation to assess stress. Birth-size measurements for 90% of infants were collected within 4 days of birth. In a general linear model, there was an interaction between invitation time to start the food supplementation programme and cortisol with birthweight, length and head circumference of male infants, but not female infants. Among the usual-invitation group only, male infants whose mothers had higher prenatal cortisol weighed less than those whose mothers had lower prenatal cortisol. Prenatal food supplementation programmes that begin first trimester may support greater birth size of male infants despite high maternal stress where low birthweight is a public health concern.
The effect of Plasmodium falciparum malaria on platelet counts in patients attending the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

This prospective cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing the effect of Plasmodium falciparum malaria on platelet count among various categories of hospital patients in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. A total of six hundred and ten (610) patients participated in the study and three hundred and sixty (360) non-malaria infected patients were used as controls. The prevalence rate of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in this study was 40.98%. The mean platelet count of 113 ± 57 x 10 9 /L observed in the malaria infected patients was found to be significantly lower than the mean count of 168 ± 48 x 10 9 /L in the non-infected subjects (controls) (t = 4.867, P 9 /L was significantly lower than the control value of 166 ± 85 x 10 9 /L (t = 4.696, P 9 /L in the non infected pregnant women. (t = 3.051, P Plasmodium falciparum malaria on platelet count was not significant in adolescents aged 13 17 years. (t = 0.047, P>0.05). The mean haematocrit value obtained in this study was 0.35l/l. The mean haematocrit values of 0.33 ± 0.07l/l in a Pf 2+ infection and 0.35 ± 0.06l/l in a Pf 1+ infection was not found to be statistically different (t = 0.33, P>0.05). The reduction in platelet count and haematocrit values was found to be independent of the degree of parasitaemia. Thrombocytopenia might therefore be one of the useful indicators of 166 ± 85 x 10 9 /L (t = 4.696, P 9 /L in the non infected pregnant women. (t = 3.051, P 0.05). The mean haematocrit value obtained in this study was 0.35l/l. The mean haematocrit values of 0.33 ± 0.07l/l in a Pf 2+ infection and 0.35 ± 0.06l/l in a Pf 1+ infection was not found to be statistically different (t = 0.33, P>0.05). The reduction in platelet count and haematocrit values was found to be independent of the degree of parasitaemia. Thrombocytopenia might therefore be one of the useful indicators of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children and pregnant women. Keywords : Plasmodium falciparum , malaria, platelet count, thrombocytopenia, Calabar, Nigeria Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 3(2) 2005: 15-23
Complementary feeding practices and child growth outcomes in Haiti: an analysis of data from Demographic and Health Surveys.

The Haitian National Nutrition Policy identifies the promotion of optimal complementary feeding (CF) practices as a priority action to prevent childhood malnutrition. We analysed data from the nationally representative 2005-2006 Haiti Demographic Health Survey using the World Health Organization 2008 infant and young child feeding indicators to describe feeding practices among children aged 6-23 months and thus inform policy and programme planning. Multivariate regression analyses were used to identify the determinants of CF practices and to examine their association with child growth outcomes. Overall, 87.3% of 6-8-month-olds received soft, solid or semi-solid foods in the previous 24 h. Minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were achieved in 29.2%, 45.3% and 17.1% of children aged 6-23 months, respectively. Non-breastfed children were more likely to achieve MDD than breastfed children of the same age (37.3% vs. 25.8%; P < 0.001). The proportion of children achieving MMF varied significantly by age (P < 0.001). Children with overweight mothers were more likely to achieve MDD, MMF and MAD [odds ratio (OR) 2.08, P = 0.012; OR 1.81, P = 0.02; and OR 2.4, P = 0.01, respectively] than children of normal weight mothers. Odds of achieving MDD and MMF increased with household wealth. Among mothers with secondary or more education, achieving MDD or MAD was significantly associated with lower mean weight-for-age z-score and height-for-age z-score (P-value <0.05 for infants and young child feeding indicator × maternal education interaction). CF practices were mostly inadequate and contributed to growth faltering among Haitian children 6-23 months old.
Impact of lipid-based nutrient supplements and corn-soy blend on energy and nutrient intake among moderately underweight 8-18-month-old children participating in a clinical trial.

Nutrition interventions have an effect on growth, energy and nutrient intake, and development, but there are mixed reports on the effect of supplementation of energy-dense foods on dietary intake. This substudy aimed at assessing the effect of supplementation with corn-soy blend (CSB) or lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) on energy and nutrient intake in moderately underweight children participating in a clinical trial. A total of 188 children aged 8-18 months participated and received daily either 284 kcal from CSB or 220 kcal from LNS and no supplements (control). An interactive 24-h recall method was used to estimate energy and nutrient intakes in the groups. Total mean energy intake was 548 kcal, 551 kcal and 692 kcal in the control, CSB and LNS groups, respectively (P = 0.011). The mean (95% confidence interval) intake of energy and protein were 144 (37-250; P < 0.001) and 46 (1.5-7.6; P < 0.001) larger, respectively, in the LNS group than among the controls. No significant differences were observed between the control and CSB groups. Energy intake from non-supplement foods was significantly lower in the CSB group compared with the control group, but not in the LNS group, suggesting a lower displacement of non-supplement foods with LNS. Both CSB and LNS supplementation resulted in higher intakes of calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin C compared with controls (all P ≤ 0.001). This study indicates that LNS might be superior to CSB to supplement underweight children as it results in higher energy intake, but this requires confirmation in other settings.
Nocardioides daeguensis sp. nov., a nitrate-reducing bacterium isolated from activated sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant.

A Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain 2C1-5(T)) was isolated from activated sludge of an industrial wastewater treatment plant in Daegu, South Korea. Its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest phylogenetic relatives were the type strains of Nocardioides nitrophenolicus (98.6 % similarity), N. kongjuensis (98.5 %), N. caeni (98.4 %), N. simplex (98.3 %), N. aromaticivorans (98.1 %) and N. ginsengisoli (97.5 %); the phylogenetic distance from other species with validly published names within the genus Nocardioides was greater than 3 %. Strain 2C1-5(T) was characterized chemotaxonomically as having ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω6c as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 74.9 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties and phenotypic characteristics supported the affiliation of strain 2C1-5(T) to the genus Nocardioides. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 2C1-5(T) from existing species with validly published names. Therefore, strain 2C1-5(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides daeguensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 2C1-5(T) ( = JCM 17460(T) = KCTC 19799(T)).
A Barrier Kinetic Mapping Unit: Application to Ionic Transport in Gastric Smooth Muscle

A model has been developed to characterize the ionic basis of the shape of the electrical control activity (ECA) observed in gastric smooth muscle. The model uses barrier kinetics to describe the underlying ionic transport mechanisms responsible for the gastric ECA. The transmission coefficient parameter, which has been given little importance in the past, plays a major role in our model. It represents the gating and kinetics of the different channels. The model compares well with the Goldman‐Hodgkin‐Katz current equations for the sodium, calcium, and potassium channels. The model illustrates the importance of the calcium pump in maintaining the resting membrane potential and shows how the waveshape is influenced by the ratio of free to total intracellular calcium concentration. The effects of potassium accumulation and calcium on the waveform were also investigated. In the fundus of the stomach, where there are no voltage oscillations, the potassium channels were found to be more important than the other channels in maintaining the resting membrane potential.
Computer games for dental health education in primary schools

In order to compare the ability of nine and 10-year- old children to learn from computer teaching, tra ditional teaching methods, and a combination of the two, 203 children from five schools were divided into three test groups and a control. After teaching, the children were tested on their assimilation of knowl edge. It was shown that a combination of traditional teaching and computer teaching was the best way of imparting knowledge. None of these groups showed a significant improvement in oral hygiene.
Association of maternal characteristics and behaviours with 4‐year‐old children's dietary patterns

Abstract This study examined the association of family and maternal characteristics with preschool children's dietary patterns. Trained interviewers evaluated subsample 3422 mothers and children enrolled in the population‐based birth cohort Generation XXI (Porto, Portugal, 2005–2006). Maternal characteristics and behaviours (exercise, smoking habits, diet and child‐feeding practices) and family characteristics were evaluated. Maternal diet was classified by a dietary score, and children's dietary patterns were identified by latent class analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by multinomial regression models. The analysis was based on a framework with four conceptual levels: maternal socio‐economic position (SEP) at 12 years, maternal socio‐economic and demographic characteristics at child's delivery, family characteristics and maternal behaviours at child's 4 years. Three dietary patterns were identified in children: high in energy‐dense foods (EDF); low in foods typically consumed at main meals and intermediate in snacks (Snacking); higher in healthy foods; and lower in unhealthy ones (Healthier, reference). Lower maternal SEP had an overall effect on children's diet (low vs. high SEP; EDF, OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.42–2.18; Snacking, OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.27–2.35), while maternal education was directly associated with it (≤9 vs. >12 schooling years, EDF, OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.70–2.81; Snacking, OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.82–3.55). Children whose mothers had worse dietary score were significantly more likely to follow unhealthier patterns (first vs. fourth quartile; EDF, OR = 9.94, 95% CI: 7.35–13.44, P‐trend < 0.001; Snacking, OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.94–6.05, P‐trend < 0.001). Maternal diet was the key factor associated with children's diet, above and beyond socio‐economic and demographic characteristics, accounting for one‐third of the determination coefficient of the fully adjusted model. At preschool age, interventions should give a particular focus on maternal diet and low SEP groups.
Efficacy of Argentine propolis formulation for topical treatment of canine otitis externa

Os efeitos terapeuticos da formulacao em gotas oticas de propolis procedentes da Argentina foram avaliados no tratamento da otite externa canina. Quarenta e oito caes com sintomas de otite externa foram distribuidos aleatoriamente em ensaio clinico duplo-cego controlado para avaliar a eficacia da formulacao topica com a propolis contra um placebo topico no tratamento da otite externa. A preparacao de propolis e placebo foi administrada em ambos os canais da orelha externa, duas vezes por dia, durante 14 dias. Ao longo do estudo, os caes foram submetidos a exame fisico e a analise microbiologica de exsudatos auriculares. Os mais frequentes microrganismos isolados em meios de cultura foram: Malassezia pachydermatis (54,2%), Staphylococcus aureus (43,8%), Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (25,0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20,8%), Candida albicans (18,8%), Proteus mirabilis (16,7%), Streptococcus spp. (16,7%), Enterococcus faecalis (12,5%), Escherichia coli (12,5%), Staphylococcus intermedius (6,3%), Klebsiella spp. (4,2%) e Candida glabrata (2,1%). A preparacao de propolis apresentou atividade antimicrobiana contra a maioria dos microrganismos isolados de amostras do grupo de tratamento, sendo que os do grupo-controle nao se recuperaram da doenca infecciosa auricular, e nao foram observados efeitos adversos a propolis. Isso permitiu aos pacientes tratados com propolis melhora significativa dos parâmetros clinicos. Essa nova formulacao da propolis argentina para o ouvido apresenta potencial utilidade no tratamento topico da otite externa em caes.
Association of objective major life events with the delivery of preterm babies

Introduction In many instances of pre-term deliveries a definite cause cannot be identified. Major objective life events may be associated with some of these cases. Objectives To assess the significance of major objective life events in preterm deliveries. Design Cross-sectional case-control study. Method A pre-tested questionnaire was filled by the mothers under supervision. 100 cases of preterm deliveries and 100 cases of term deliveries were analysed. Results A sudden reduction of income, hospitalisation of the mother for non-obstetric causes, hospitalisation of an immediate family member and assault by the husband were significantly associated with preterm deliveries. Death of an immediate family member, instances of husband working in the war-torn areas of north and east and a long term illness of a close relative were events which were not significantly associated with pre-term deliveries. 57/100 pre-term deliveries as compared to 21/100 controls had experienced one or more stressful life events (P<0.05). Conclusions One or more stressful life events were associated with pre-term delivery.
The emotional and practical experiences of formula-feeding mothers.

The majority of infant-feeding research is focused on identifying mother's reasons for the cessation of breastfeeding. The experience of mothers who choose to use formula is largely overlooked in quantitative designs. This study aimed to describe the emotional and practical experiences of mothers who formula feed in any quantity, and examine whether these experiences would vary among different cohorts of formula-feeding mothers according to prenatal feeding intention and postnatal feeding method. A total of 890 mothers of infants up to 26 weeks of age, who were currently formula feeding in any quantity, were recruited through relevant international social media sites via advertisements providing a link to an online survey. Predictors of emotional experiences included guilt, stigma, satisfaction, and defense as a result of their infant feeding choices. Practical predictor variables included support received from health professionals, respect displayed by their everyday environment, and main sources of infant feeding information. Descriptive findings from the overall sample highlighted a worryingly high percentage of mother's experienced negative emotions as a result of their decision to use formula. Multinomial logit models revealed that negative emotions such as guilt, dissatisfaction, and stigma were directly associated with feeding intention and method. The evidence suggests that the current approach to infant-feeding promotion and support may be paradoxically related to significant issues with emotional well-being. These findings support criticisms of how infant-feeding recommendations are framed by health care professionals and policy makers, and highlight a need to address formula feeding in a more balanced, woman-centered manner.