Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Mortality after Hospital Admission for Stroke

Background: Differences between men and women in stroke symptoms, management and disability have been reported to be unfavorable for women. Yet, studies into differences between men and women in survival after a stroke yielded inconsistent results. We investigated whether gender was associated with all-cause mortality after hospital admission for stroke. Methods: A nationwide cohort of patients with a first admission for stroke and stroke subtypes was identified through linkage of national registers. Age- and gender-specific mortality risks were quantified for 28-day case-fatality, 1-year and 5-year periods. Cox regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding factors. Results: We identified 30,675 stroke patients (15,925 women, 14,750 men). In ischemic-stroke patients, 28-day case-fatality, 1-year and 5-year mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85 to 0.95, HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.92, HR 0.84; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.88, respectively) and in intracerebral-hemorrhage patients, 1-year and 5-year mortality risks (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99) were lower for women compared to men after adjustment for age and previous admissions for cardiovascular diseases or diabetes mellitus. In subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, no differences between men and women in crude and adjusted mortality risks were observed. When all stroke types were combined, differences in mortality risk between men and women were seen, and appeared to differ by age (increased risk in young women, lower risk in older women). Conclusions: Women have lower 28-day case-fatality and long-term mortality risks after an ischemic stroke and lower 1-year and 5-year mortality risks after an intracerebral hemorrhage compared to men, whereas no differences in mortality risks were found for subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Hemostatic profile in nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the coagulation profile and its relation to steroid therapy, and the frequency of thromboembolic complications and its correlation with coagulation parameters in nephrotic syndrome (NS). SETTING Hospital based. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty children with NS were subdivided into four groups, namely, fresh cases, steroid dependent, remission after therapy and steroid resistant. An equal number of age and sex matched children served as controls. In all the study and control subjects, detailed clinical examination, liver function tests, renal function tests and detailed coagulation profile were done. Evaluation of renal veins and inferior vena cava for the presence of thrombosis was also done by abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS Thrombocytosis was detected in 57.5% and the degree of thrombocytosis was directly related to the amount of proteinuria. The mean prothrombin and thrombin times were within normal range in the study children. The activated partial thromboplastine time (APTT) was prolonged in six cases (15%) and three out of these six children had thromboembolic complications. Antithrombin-III level was significantly lower (p < 0.001) whereas protein C and S were significantly elevated (p < 0.001) as compared to controls. The levels became normal with remission of the disease. Steroid therapy significantly increased the levels of proteins C, protein S. AT-III and fibrinogen as compared to controls. Thromboembolic complications were seen in 3 cases (7.6%) and were associated with very low levels of AT-III and protein C and all three had serum albumin below 2 g/dl. CONCLUSIONS The importance of coagulation profile in nephrotic syndrome is highlighted and a high index of suspicion for thromboembolic complications is warranted in patients with thrombocytosis, hyper fibrinogenemia, prolonged APTT and in children with low levels of AT-III, protein C and protein S.
Effects of Fetal Alcohol Exposure on Fever, Sickness Behavior, and Pituitary–Adrenal Activation Induced by Interleukin-1β in Young Adult Rats

Exposure to alcohol in utero can lead to long-lasting impairments of immune functions and to decreased resistance to infectious agents. We have previously reported that fetal alcohol-exposed rats show markedly decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced fever and suggested that fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) impairs the communication between the immune and the nervous systems. The present study examined the effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) on body temperature, motor activity, ingestive behavior, and pituitary-adrenal activation in fetal alcohol-exposed and control rats. Transmitters for continuous biotelemetric recording of body temperature and motor activity were implanted i.p. in normal (N) adult rats, offspring of dams fed a liquid diet supplemented with ethanol (E), and pair-fed control offspring (P). In one experiment, rats were injected with either IL-1 (2 micrograms/kg, i.p.) or saline at the beginning of the light period. IL-1 produced a marked increase in body temperature, which was significantly lower in E rats than in N and P rats. In a second experiment, rats were administered either IL-1 (10 micrograms/kg, i.p.) or saline at the beginning of the dark period. IL-1 produced an initial transient hypothermia followed by a longer-lasting hyperthermia. During the hyperthermic phase, fever in the E rats was lower than in the P rats, but comparable to fever in the N rats. IL-1 significantly reduced motor activity, during both the hypothermic and hyperthermic phases. This effect was similar in all prenatal treatment groups. IL-1 also suppressed 24-h food consumption in N and P rats and water consumption in P rats, but it did not produce significant anorexia and adypsia in E rats. A third experiment demonstrated that IL-1 (2 micrograms/ kg, ip) significantly increased ACTH and corticosterone release in all prenatal treatment groups. IL-1-induced corticosterone secretion was attenuated in P offspring, compared to both E and N rats. Together, these findings indicate that exposure to ethanol in utero produces impairments in mechanisms that mediate the effects of IL-1 on body temperature (particularly during the light period) and ingestive behavior, but not on motor activity and pituitary-adrenal activation. In view of the adaptive role of IL-1-induced fever and anorexia, these impairments may contribute to the decreased resistance to infections observed in animals and humans following FAE.
Work, worklessness and the political economy of health inequalities

This essay argues that work, and the socioeconomic class polarities it creates, plays a fundamental role in determining inequalities in the distribution of morbidity and mortality. This is by means of uneven exposure to physical hazards and psychosocial risks in the workplace, as well as by inequalities in exclusion from the labour market and the absence of paid work. Furthermore, this essay shows that the relationships between work, worklessness and health inequalities are influenced by the broader political and economic context in the form of welfare state regimes. This leads to the development of a model of the political economy of health inequalities, and how different types of public policy interventions can mitigate these relationships. This model is then applied to the case of work and worklessness. The essay concludes by arguing that politics matters in the aetiology of health inequalities.
UVA-ketoprofen–induced Hemoglobin Radicals Detected by Immuno–spin Trapping¶

Abstract Ketoprofen (3-benzoyl-α-methylbenzeneacetic acid, KP) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that causes both phototoxicity and photoallergy. Here, we investigated the formation of hemoglobin radicals, in both purified hemoglobin and red blood cells (RBC), induced by ultraviolet A (UVA)–KP by using “immuno–spin trapping,” a novel approach that combines the specificity of spin trapping with the sensitivity of antigen–antibody interactions. The methemoglobin (metHb) radicals react covalently with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) to form nitroxyl radical adducts that are oxidized to the corresponding nitrone adducts, which in turn are specifically recognized by antiserum against DMPO nitrone. We found that the formation of nitrone adducts in metHb depended on the UVA dose, the KP concentration and the presence of DMPO, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Adduct formation decreased when irradiation was carried out in the presence of catalase or nitrogen, suggesting that H2O2 plays a key role in KP-UVA–induced metHb radical formation. KP in the dark did not generate metHb radical–derived nitrone adducts, whereas UVA alone resulted in the formation of metHb radical–derived nitrone adducts that increased with UVA dose from 4 to 10 J/cm2. However, KP (25 and 200 μM) plus UVA (4 and 10 J/cm2) resulted in a significant increase in the formation of metHb radical–derived nitrone adducts as compared with UVA or KP alone, indicating that KP photosensitized the production of the metHb radicals in the presence of UVA. In contrast, no metHb radical–derived nitrone adduct was detected in the absence of DMPO, even though KP and UVA were present. We also detected the hemoglobin radical formation in RBC as well as in hemolysates. The endogenous antioxidants and exogenous reduced glutathione inhibited the protein radical formation. These studies have shown that the immuno–spin-trapping technique can be used to detect radical damage in proteins as a result of photosensitizing reactions. The successful detection of protein radical formation caused by KP photosensitization could help further understand the photoallergic effect of this NSAID.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the elderly contain varicella-zoster virus DNA.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from humans of different ages were analyzed for DNA sequences specific for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genes 29 and 62 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Neither VZV gene was detected in DNA from umbilical cord blood PBMC of 10 infants or from blood PBMC of two 3-year-old children. In 22 humans less than 60 years old, gene 29 was not detected, and gene 62 was detected in only one subject. In 33 humans greater than 60 years old, including patients with postherpetic neuralgia, PBMC from 4 subjects contained gene 29, 4 contained gene 62, and 1 contained both genes. The presence of VZV DNA correlated significantly with age (P less than .05, chi 2 and logistic regression analysis), but not with gender or postherpetic neuralgia.
Role of Peyer's patches in the induction of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative spiral bacterium that causes gastritis and peptic ulcer and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Although Th1 immunity is involved in gastritis and the accumulation of H. pylori-specific CD4+ T cells in the H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa in human patients, how T cells are primed with H. pylori antigens is unknown because no apparent lymphoid tissues are present in the stomach. We demonstrate here that Peyer's patches (PPs) in the small intestine play critical roles in H. pylori-induced gastritis; no gastritis is induced in H. pylori-infected mice lacking PPs. We also observed that the coccoid form of H. pylori is phagocytosed by dendritic cells in PPs. We propose that H. pylori converts to the coccoid form in the anaerobic small intestine and stimulates the host immune system through PPs.
The Adoption of Mobile Payment Services for "Fintech"

This paper examined the acceptance of payment-type Fintech services of users by utilizing the Elaboration Likelihood Model by Petty and Cacioppo [1] and by applying variables associated with the Technology Acceptance Model. In addition, it analyzed the causal relationship between concern for information privacy and self-efficacy by adopting them as moderating variables. Results suggested that usefulness, ease of use and credibility had an effect on intention to use, and self-efficacy was found to have an moderating effect on independent and dependent variables. Further, concern for information privacy was found to be a factor obstructing the path to intention to use. The implications of this study are that in the promotion of payment-type Fintech services, convenience and usefulness are the most critical and influential variables in terms of usage, while government deregulation and stronger security are called for from an institutional aspect.
Lossy compression of noisy images

Noise degrades the performance of any image compression algorithm. This paper studies the effect of noise on lossy image compression. The effect of Gaussian, Poisson, and film-grain noise on compression is studied. To reduce the effect of the noise on compression, the distortion is measured with respect to the original image not to the input of the coder. Results of noisy source coding are then used to design the optimal coder. In the minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) sense, this is equivalent to an MMSE estimator followed by an MMSE coder. The coders for the Poisson noise and the film-grain noise cases are derived and their performance is studied. The effect of this preprocessing step is studied using standard coders, e.g., JPEG, also. As is demonstrated, higher quality is achieved at lower bit rates.
Regulatory Protectionism, Developing Nations, and a Two-Tier World Trade System

‘Regulatory protection’ or technical barriers to trade (TBT) are two names for the myriad of cost-raising, behind-the-border measures that substantially inhibit trade. This paper argues that TBTs are important and their liberalization will continue. This liberalization will involve ‘hegemonic harmonization’ or mutual recognition of rules and test. Such liberalization will almost surely entail preferential arrangements among rich nations, creating in essence, a two-tier system of market access with developing nations in the second tier. Importantly, this discrimination will be higher for advanced products (which are naturally subject to more regulations and standards), so the discrimination may have an 'escalating' feature, much as tariffs did in the early post-war period. Consequently, the WTO should address the potentially discriminatory aspects of regional TBT liberalization initiatives. In particular, rules of origin should not be allowed.
Isolation and characterization of Paracoccus denitrificans mutants with defects in the metabolism of one-carbon compounds

Mutants deficient in the metabolism of one-carbon compounds have been obtained by treating Paracoccus denitrificans with the mutagen N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Mutants were selected without enrichment procedures by newly developed plate screening tests. The obtained mutants were characterized by their growth responses, cytochrome composition, enzyme activities, and immunogenic reaction with antisera against methanol dehydrogenase. By these criteria five mutant classes could be distinguished. Class I mutants are involved in the expression of methanol dehydrogenase. Three mutants of this class have a defect in the structural gene. A double mutant was found with defects in the expression of both methanol dehydrogenase and hydrogenase. Class II mutants have a defect in a regulatory gene involved in the regulation of both methanol dehydrogenase and methylamine dehydrogenase. Class III mutants are deficient in formaldehyde metabolism. A defect may exist in the expression of a second non-NAD-linked formaldehyde dehydrogenase which was postulated to be involved in C1 metabolism. Class IV mutants are deficient in cytochrome c. Mutants of class V have a defect in synthesis of the molybdenum cofactor essential for the function of formate dehydrogenase.
Response inhibition and attentional control in anxiety

Traditionally, anxiety has been associated with a selective attentional bias for threat and a decreased capacity in attentional control. In two different experiments, we investigated whether individuals with different levels of self-reported state anxiety (Experiment 1) and induced anxiety (Experiment 2) had impaired response inhibition processes (attentional control deficit) as characterized by a different response style in the presence of negative stimuli under low and high perceptual load conditions. A go/no-go paradigm with emotional distractors (angry, happy, and neutral faces) was used to provide measures of perceptual sensitivity, inhibition, and response style. Our findings showed that perceptual sensitivity, as assessed by the d′ parameter of signal detection theory, was reduced in all participants for angry faces under low perceptual load, where enough perceptual resources were available to be attracted by distractors. Importantly, despite similar perceptual sensitivity, the beta parameter indicated that high state anxiety individuals in both experiments were less flexible at adjusting to task demands in the presence of angry face distractors by adopting a stricter criterion. Implications of findings are discussed within current models of attentional control in anxiety.
The effect of diltiazem on the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation

The efficacy of diltiazem in the attenuation of the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation was studied in patients who received 0.2 or 0.3 mg/kg diltiazem 60 seconds before the start of laryngoscopy. These data were compared with a control group who received saline. Each group consisted of 10 patients who had elective surgery. Patients who received saline showed a significant increase in mean arterial pressure and rate pressure product associated with tracheal intubation. These increases after tracheal intubation were reduced in diltiazem‐treated patients compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05). The data suggest that a bolus injection of diltiazem is a simple, practical and effective method to attenuate the hypertensive response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.
Usability of Music for Social Inclusion of Children

This article is an overview of the system and architecture requirements of middleware for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)-funded usability of music for social inclusion of children (UMSIC) project. The main objective of the UMSIC project is to use modern mobile technologies to increase social inclusion among children. In this article, the general architecture and the components of the UMSIC middleware are described and its relation to the requirements set by the scenarios is presented. In addition, the relation of the UMSIC project and PeerHood, an existing implementation of peer-to-peer communications and neighborhood concept, is described.
Relationship of spermatozoal DNA fragmentation with semen quality in varicocele‐positive men

The aim of the study was to assess the semen quality and levels of spermatozoal nuclear DNA fragmentation in subfertile subjects clinically diagnosed with varicocele, subfertile subjects without varicocele and healthy fertile controls. Semen samples were obtained from 302 subjects. Of them, 115 were healthy fertile controls having normal semen characteristics, 121 subfertile men diagnosed with varicocele, both, clinically and on ultrasonography, while 66 subjects were subfertile with no varicocele. Spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation were measured. In the study population, deterioration in semen quality‐decreased spermatozoal concentration, percentage motility and normal morphology was seen in subfertile subjects, especially with varicocele. Highest spermatozoal DNA fragmentation was observed in varicocele‐positive subjects as compared with varicocele‐negative subjects and healthy fertile controls. Significant negative correlation was seen between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and concentration (r = −0.310), motility (r = −0.328) normal morphology, WHO method (r = −0.221) and Tygerberg strict criteria (r = −0.180) in the varicocele‐positive subfertile subjects. In conclusion, this study suggests existence of a negative relationship between spermatozoal DNA fragmentation and semen quality in varicocele‐positive subfertile subjects.
Efficacy and economics of certain new generation novel insecticides against legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) -

Two field experiments were conducted during Kharif, 2010 and 2011 to find out economical control measures against legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) on pigeonpea. Experimental results showed that the per cent inflorescence damage due to Maruca was lowest in chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (2.08%) and flubendiamide 39.35 SC (3.64%), followed by spinosad 45 SC (6.21%) as against control (31.18%) with 93.3, 88.3 and 80.1 per cent reduction over control respectively. Similarly, pod damage due to legume pod borer was lowest in chlorantraniliprole (4.30%), flubendiamide (6.03%) and Spinosad (8.80%) as against control (47.28%) with 90.9, 87.3 and 81.4 per cent reduction over control respectively. Highest grain yield was recorded in chlorantraniliprole treated plots (686.1 kg/ha) with 127.5 per cent increase over control, followed by flubendiamide (595.8 kg/ha) and spinosad (589.0 kg/ha) with 97.6 and 95.3 per cent increase over control (301.6 kg/ha) respectively. The cost effectiveness of chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide was also high and very favorable with incremental cost-benefit ratios of 1: 4.64 and 1: 4.50 respectively, followed by indoxacarb (1: 3.67), emamectin benzoate (1: 3.13) and spinosad (1: 2.97).
Tumor-Infiltrating γδ T Lymphocytes Predict Clinical Outcome in Human Breast Cancer

Understanding and dissecting the role of different subsets of regulatory tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the immunopathogenesis of individual cancer is a challenge for anti-tumor immunotherapy. High levels of γδ regulatory T cells have been discovered in breast TILs. However, the clinical relevance of these intratumoral γδ T cells is unknown. In this study, γδ T cell populations were analyzed by performing immunohistochemical staining in primary breast cancer tissues from patients with different stages of cancer progression. Retrospective multivariate analyses of the correlations between γδ T cell levels and other prognostic factors and clinical outcomes were completed. We found that γδ T cell infiltration and accumulation in breast tumor sites was a general feature in breast cancer patients. Intratumoral γδ T cell numbers were positively correlated with advanced tumor stages, HER2 expression status, and high lymph node metastasis but inversely correlated with relapse-free survival and overall survival of breast cancer patients. Multivariate and univariate analyses of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells and other prognostic factors further suggested that intratumoral γδ T cells represented the most significant independent prognostic factor for assessing severity of breast cancer compared with the other known factors. Intratumoral γδ T cells were positively correlated with FOXP3+ cells and CD4+ T cells but negatively correlated with CD8+ T cells in breast cancer tissues. These findings suggest that intratumoral γδ T cells may serve as a valuable and independent prognostic biomarker, as well as a potential therapeutic target for human breast cancer.