Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parity and the risk of pancreatic cancer: A nested case‐control study

Smoking is the only generally accepted risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Reproductive history has in recent studies been associated with pancreatic cancer, but with contradictory results. In order to evaluate a possible association between age at first birth and the number of births and pancreatic cancer, we conducted a nested case‐control study by linking 2 Swedish nationwide registries: the Cancer Registry and The Fertility Registry. Among women born between 1925 and 1970, 1,015 patients with pancreatic cancer were compared with 5,073 age‐matched controls. No association between pancreatic cancer and number of births was found. Age at first birth was inversely related with the risk of pancreatic cancer (OR per 5 years = 0.90; 95% CI 0.83<0R>–<0B>0.97; p<0B> = 0.01), an association mainly confined to women with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer before 50 years of age (OR per 5 years = 0.85; 95% CI 0.73<0R>–<0B>1.00; p<0B> = 0.04). This trend remained after adjustment for parity, but was less prominent. Young age at first birth and high parity in Sweden are, however, associated with an increased frequency of smoking, thus at least some of the increased risk for pancreatic cancer in women with young age at first birth is likely to be explained by smoking acting as a confounder. Int. J. Cancer 77:224–227, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Production of powder fish silage from fish market wastes

This study was undertaken to investigate the suitability of using fish market wastes (viscera) as raw material for powder fish silage production. Fish viscera contained 14.01±0.68% protein, 20.00±1.04% lipid, 4.75±0.64% ash, 60.62±2.15% moisture and 0.62±0.08% Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE). The pH of fish viscera was 6.21±0.07. For liquid fish silage production, 2, 3, 4 and 5% formic acid were added in blended viscera, of which 4% formic acid was found better that had a pH value of 3.77±0.07. Liquid silage contained 12.00±0.89% protein, 17.26±1.49% lipid, 3.73±0.81% ash, 66.41±3.07% moisture and 0.60±0.09% NFE. For neutralizing liquid fish silage, various concentrations, viz. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6% Na2CO3 were added. The pH value (6.32±0.01) was better when mixing with 4% Na 2 CO 3 . To produce powder fish silage 20, 30, 40 and 50% rice bran were mixed in liquid fish silage. Powder silage made with 30% rice bran was found better to improve the nutritional quality of the product that contained 20.84±0.12% protein, 33.73±0.14% lipid, 14.05±0.27% ash, 10.83±0.19% moisture, 6.61±0.10% crude fiber and 13.94% carbohydrate. The pH value was 6.54±0.01. After preparation, powder fish silage was packaged. The packaged powder fish silage was then stored for 4 months at room temperature (20-30 0 C). After four months of storage, the contents of protein, lipid, ash, moisture, crude fiber, carbohydrate and pH reached at 20.30±0.13, 32.41±0.16, 13.49±0.33, 10.98±0.28, 6.32±0.07, 16.50% and 6.76±0.09, respectively. It was found that nutritional value of powder fish silage was very high and can be used in fish feed to reduce feed cost and enhance aquaculture production. SAARC J. Agri. , 13(2): 13-25 (2015)
Vasopressin V2-Receptor Blockade With Tolvaptan in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Results From a Double-Blind, Randomized Trial

Background—In this study, we evaluated the effects of tolvaptan (OPC-41061), a novel, oral, nonpeptide vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results—This was a double-blind study investigating the effects of three doses of tolvaptan and placebo in patients with CHF. After a run-in period, 254 patients were randomly assigned to placebo (n=63) or tolvaptan [30 mg (n=64), 45 mg (n=64), or 60 mg (n=63)] once daily for 25 days. Patients were not fluid-restricted and were maintained on stable doses of furosemide. At day 1, when compared with baseline, a decrease in body weight of −0.79±0.99, −0.96±0.93, and −0.84±0.02 kg was observed in the 30-, 45-, and 60-mg tolvaptan groups, respectively, and a body weight increase of +0.32±0.46 kg in the placebo group (P <0.001 for all treatment groups versus placebo). Although the initial decrease in body weight was maintained during the study, no further reduction was observed beyond the first day. An increase in urine volume was observed with tolvaptan when compared with placebo (3.9±0.6, 4.2±0.9, 4.6±0.4, and 2.3±0.2 L/24 hours at day 1 for 30-, 45-, and 60-mg tolvaptan groups, and placebo, respectively;P <0.001). A decrease in edema and a normalization of serum sodium in patients with hyponatremia were observed in the tolvaptan group but not in the placebo group. No significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, serum potassium, or renal function were observed. Conclusions—In patients with CHF, tolvaptan was well tolerated; it reduced body weight and edema and normalized serum sodium in the hyponatremic patients.
Targeting older patient's pain within the acute care setting: development and organisational aspects of health innovations

This paper reports on the facilitators and barriers to the development and implementation of a pilot study undertaken in collaboration by clinicians from an Australian Area Health Service and academics from The University of Newcastle. It includes a description of a computerised clinical chart audit tool that may be developed to automate audits in the future. The pilot study investigated the efficacy of an educational promotion, termed the “Targeting Pain” campaign, to facilitate the detection and management of pain in older patients in an acute care ward of a large tertiary hospital.
Knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Practice of What Is Known among Ghanaian Youth, a Mixed Method Approach

Most young person will become sexually active before their 20th birthday having to battle with early and unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal deaths and injuries. This study examined young person’s sexual knowledge, attitudes and practices and their levels of utilization of sexual reproductive health. Our study progresses beyond current research of reporting only sexual behaviour among youth to have insight into sexual and reproductive health update drivers yielding new empirically robust results for the Ghanaian case for sexual and reproductive health service uptake. The descriptively cross sectional design was employed in sampling 170 youth (150 surveyed and 20 Interviewed) using the stratified sampling technique together with a purposive selection of one key informant. Test of significance and associations were performed with the Chisquare test. In all 45.2% (77/170) of youth (10 - 24) had had sexual experience in life time. In respect of in-school youth, 42% (63/150) had had sexual experience whiles 70% (14/20) out-of-school youth had had sexual intercourse in life time. A total of 28.8% (49/170) of all the youth had sexual intercourse in the last six months with only 40.1 (20/49) using condom for protection. Parental discussion of contraceptive methods (29.3%) and sexual and romantic relationship (28.0%) was the least sexual and reproductive health area discussed among in-school youth. Youth knowledge of the available sexual reproductive health service was statistically associated with reproductive health service utilization (X2 = 0.00, P ≤ 0.05). A concerted effort is required from government, NGO, Civil society organizations and religious bodies to help translate youth knowledge about sexual health into responsible sexual life and protective sex.
Apresentações de localização atípica de hemorragia no cérebro de recém-nascidos: considerações acerca de dois casos

Estudo retrospectivo de dois casos de hemorragia craniana de localizacao atipica em 777 recem-natos internados na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal da Casa de Saude Sao Jose, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Foram avaliados os aspectos clinicos e o diagnostico por metodos de imagem. Verificamos que a ultrassonografia foi diagnostica nos dois casos quando comparada com a ressonância magnetica. Em relacao a etiologia, esta foi multifatorial, e a manifestacao clinica silenciosa independente da localizacao. Ate o presente momento, a avaliacao neurologica tem tido curso satisfatorio, embora os pacientes ainda tenham baixa idade para a avaliacao neurologica definitiva.
Health‐related quality of life in Huntington's disease: Which factors matter most?

The aim of this article was to determine which aspects of Huntington's disease (HD) are most important with regard to the health‐related quality of life (HrQOL) of patients with this neurodegenerative disease. Seventy patients with HD participated in the study. Assessment comprised the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) motor, cognitive and functional capacity sections, and the Beck Depression inventory. Mental and physical HrQOL were assessed using summary scores of the SF‐36. Multiple regression analyses showed that functional capacity and depressive mood were significantly associated with HrQOL, in that greater impairments in HrQOL were associated with higher levels of depressive mood and lower functional capacity. Motor symptoms and cognitive function were not found to be as closely linked with HrQOL. Therefore, it can be concluded that, depressive mood and greater functional incapacity are key factors in HrQOL for people with HD, and further longitudinal investigation will be useful to determine their utility as specific targets in intervention studies aimed at improving patient HrQOL, or whether other mediating variables. As these two factors had a similar association with the mental and physical summary scores of the SF‐36, this generic HrQOL measure did not adequately capture and distinguish the true mental and physical health‐related HrQOL in HD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Measuring social support in rehabilitation

Purpose. To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date literature review of social support and a description of available assessment measures in order to facilitate a theoretical and operational framework for incorporating social support in rehabilitation interventions. Method. An overview of the different theoretical models and conceptual dimensions and a description of specific measures of social support are given. The implications of social support assessment for rehabilitation and recommendations for future research are discussed. Conclusion. To move forward in this area, a consensus on the definition and dimensions of social support needs to occur which could be obtained through an evaluation of existing measures 1. Practitioners and researchers in rehabilitation need to study measures of social support in order to provide empirical support for scales used in professional practice and in research to expand understanding of this important construct.
Financial Structure and Economic Growth

Recent empirical work on financial structure and economic growth analyzes multicountry dataset in panel and/or cross-section frameworks and conclude that financial structure is irrelevant. We highlight their shortcomings and re-examine this issue utilizing a time series and a dynamic heterogeneous panel methods. Our sample consists of fourteen countries. Tests reveal that cross-country data cannot be pooled. Financial structure significantly explains output levels in most countries. The results are rigorously scrutinized through bootstrap exercises and they are robust to extensive sensitivity tests. We also test for several hypotheses about the prospective role of financial structure and financial development on economic growth. JEL Classification: O16; G18; G28
Detection of Tropheryma whipplei DNA in Feces by PCR Using a Target Capture Method

ABSTRACT Whipple's disease is a rare multisystemic bacterial infection with variable clinical manifestations. For decades, the laboratory diagnosis was based on the demonstration of periodic acid Schiff-positive inclusions in macrophages of gastrointestinal biopsies. PCR has improved the diagnosis of Whipple's disease due to its increased sensitivity compared to histopathological analysis. To avoid invasive procedures for taking specimens, we have investigated the possibility of detecting Tropheryma whipplei DNA in feces rather than in biopsies or gastric aspirate of patients with and without Whipple's disease. Total bacterial DNA was isolated from stool specimens using Qiagen columns followed by a T. whipplei-specific hybridization step with a biotinylated capture probe and streptavidin-coated magnetic particles. The captured DNA was then amplified using the same seminested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene of the organism that had been applied to other specimens without capturing. For five of eight patients with Whipple's disease, duodenal biopsies and stool samples were PCR positive, whereas for the three other patients, both specimens were PCR negative. Of 84 patients without Whipple's disease, 75 tested negative in the duodenal biopsy and in the stool sample. For four, both specimens were positive. Five patients tested positive in the stool sample but not in the biopsy. However, for three of these five patients, the gastric aspirate had been PCR positive, indicating that the stool PCR result was true rather than false positive. Compared to PCR from duodenal biopsies, stool PCR has a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.3%. Additionally, 15 PCR-positive and 22 PCR-negative stool samples were extracted using the Invisorb Spin Stool DNA kit. The simplified stool extraction showed 93.3% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity compared to the target capture method. We conclude that PCR with stool specimens with either extraction method is a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for the detection of T. whipplei DNA and one not requiring invasive sampling procedures.
Maternal and neonatal complications in term breech delivered vaginally.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the maternal and neonatal complications in terms of genital tract trauma to mother, perinatal mortality, Apgar score at 5 minutes and neonatal trauma in all singleton term breech cases delivered vaginally. STUDY DESIGN Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, from May 2005 to March 2006. METHODOLOGY A 100 consecutive patients with singleton breech presentation, whether booked or unbooked, were admitted and delivered vaginally in hospital during the study period. They were studied for maternal and neonatal complications. Maternal complication included any genital tract trauma during delivery while neonatal complications were perinatal mortality, low Apgar score (less than eight at 5 minutes) and birth trauma. RESULTS There were a total 3977 deliveries during this study period, 145 breech presentation (incidence 3.6%). Out of those, 100 were included in the study. All were unbooked cases, 87% were multigravida while 13% were primigravida. An Apgar score of eight was recorded in 87% babies while 10% had an Apgar score of less than eight after 5 minutes. There were 3 still births and one neonatal death. Aggregated perinatal mortality rate was 40/1000 live births. Only one baby had birth trauma (Erb's paralysis) during vaginal breech delivery. Ninety seven (97%) mothers had no complications while only 3 (3%) had complications. Out of these, one had cervical tear and 2 had vaginal tears. CONCLUSION Offering a trial of vaginal breech delivery to strictly selected and well-counselled patients remains an appropriate option without compromising perinatal and maternal outcome. It also decreases the rate of operative delivery for this malpresentation.
Assessment of the Effects of Firms Characteristics on Earnings Management of Listed Firms in Nigeria

This study assessed the effects of firms? characteristics on earnings management of listed companies in Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of this study, a total of 20 listed firms in the Nigerian stock exchange market were selected and analyzed for the study using the judgmental sampling technique. The corporate annual reports for the period 2006-2010 were used for the study. In testing the research hypothesis, the study adopted the use of both descriptive statistics and econometric analysis using the pooled ordinary least square regression for the listed sampled firms. Findings from the study revealed that while firm size and firms? corporate strategy have a significant positive impact on earnings management (proxied by discretionary accruals); on the other hand, the relationship between firms? financial leverage and discretionary accruals of the sampled firms in Nigeria was not significant. Thus, the study concludes that large firms tend to have higher motivations and more prospects to engage in the manipulation earnings and exaggerate earnings due to the intricacy of their operations and the complexity for users to identify overstatement.
Na+/K+ATPase regulates sperm capacitation through a mechanism involving kinases and redistribution of its testis‐specific isoform

Incubation of bovine sperm with ouabain, an endogenous cardiac glycoside that inhibits both the ubiquitous (ATP1A1) and testis‐specific α4 (ATP1A4) isoforms of Na+/K+ATPase, induces tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) fertilizing ability of bovine sperm capacitated by incubating with ouabain; (2) involvement of ATP1A4 in this process; and (3) signaling mechanisms involved in the regulation of sperm capacitation induced by inhibition of Na+/K+ATPase activity. Fresh sperm capacitated by incubating with ouabain (inhibits both ATP1A1 and ATP1A4) or with anti‐ATP1A4 immunoserum fertilized bovine oocytes in vitro. Capacitation was associated with relocalization of ATP1A4 from the entire sperm head to the post‐acrosomal region. To investigate signaling mechanisms involved in oubain‐induced regulation of sperm capacitation, sperm preparations were pre‐incubated with inhibitors of specific signaling molecules, followed by incubation with ouabain. The phosphotyrosine content of sperm preparations was determined by immunoblotting, and capacitation status of these sperm preparations were evaluated through an acrosome reaction assay. We inferred that Na+/K+ATPase was involved in the regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm proteins through receptor tyrosine kinase, nonreceptor type protein kinase, and protein kinases A and C. In conclusion, inhibition of Na+/K+ATPase induced tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation through multiple signal transduction pathways, imparting fertilizing ability in bovine sperm. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting both the involvement of ATP1A4 in the regulation of bovine sperm capacitation and that fresh bovine sperm capacitated by the inhibition of Na+/K+ATPase can fertilize oocytes in vitro. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 136–148, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Three Different Soybean Meal Sources on Layer and Broiler Performance

Soybean meal (SBM) is a major protein source in poultry feeds and one of the best quality ingredients because of the relatively high protein content, good amino acid profile and bioavailability. But soybean meal quality is largely dependent on the processing technology and origins. In this experiment, effects of three different soybean meals were evaluated in layer (experiment 1) and broiler (experiment 2). Soybean meal sources used in the experiments were the US-originated dehulled soybean meal (USDHSBM), India-originated non-dehulled soybean meal (India SBM) and Brazil-originated non-dehulled soybean meal (Brazil SBM). Experiment 1 was conducted during growing and laying periods and evaluated the interactive effects of soybean meal sources according to feeding periods on growth performance and egg quality. Experiment 2 was conducted during growing period (day 1-35) and finishing period (day 35-42). The growth performance was measured for the same periods and any possible interaction between soybean meal origins and crude protein levels was also studied. In experiment 1, chicks fed India SBM utilized feed more efficiently (p<0.05) than those fed Brazil SBM from day 29 to day 42. The body weights of layers during the laying period had no relation to egg production. But egg weights were significantly heavier in all the USDHSBM fed groups than other groups (p<0.001) and depended on feed protein source during growing period (p<0.001). The average egg weight of the USDHSBM fed group scored the highest value (65.4 g), followed by the Brazil SBM fed group (62.1 g) and India SBM fed group (62.1 g). There was an effect of interaction between origins of soybean meal fed group in growing and laying period on eggshell color (p<0.01). Eggshell was significantly stronger in the USDHSBM fed (for growing period) groups than other groups (p<0.05) on 31 s t week. Haugh's unit (HU), albumin index and yolk index of the USDHSBM fed group in growing stage were significantly superior (p<0.001) to other groups. In experiment 2, for the 7-week, chicks on the India SBM group gained less (p<0.001) weight than other groups. While daily gain of India SBM chicks was not affected by dietary crude protein level, those of the USDHSBM and Brazil SBM chicks were linearly increased as dietary crude protein level increased from 18% to 20%. The gain per feed ratio of the USDHSBM group was the highest (0.585), followed by the Brazil SBM group (0.568) and India SBM group (0.550) (p<0.01). Therefore, in this experiment, the use of USDHSBM with excellent protein quality and amino acid digestibility could be of advantage to the economic production of layer and broiler.
Detection and Molecular Characterization of Porcine Enteric Calicivirus in Korea, Genetically Related to Sapoviruses

Summary Porcine enteric calicivirus (PECV) shares morphological and genetical similarities with Sapoviruses (SVs), which are the leading cause of epidemic, non‐bacterial gastroenteritis in children worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of PECV infection in pig farms in Korea, and to compare the evolutionary inter‐relationships between Korean PECVs and other caliciviruses. Among 102 diarrhoeic faecal samples of sucking (n = 50) and weaned (n = 52) piglets from 31 different farms in Korea, five samples (4.9%) were detected positive by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but nine (8.8%) by nested‐PCR. Furthermore, we found that Korean PECVs are closely related to SVs.
A study of desmoglein 1 autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris: racial differences in frequency and the association with a more severe phenotype

Background Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is characterized by pathogenic autoantibodies to desmoglein (Dsg) 3, but additional antibodies to Dsg1, the pemphigus foliaceus antigen, are detectable in some cases. Objectives To investigate the clinical significance of the presence of both Dsg 1 and 3 antibodies. Methods In 79 subjects with PV, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect IgG autoantibodies reactive with the ectodomain of Dsg1 and Dsg3. Results There was a clear association between the clinical phenotype and the Dsg antibody profile. All subjects had Dsg3 autoantibodies and 61% had coexisting Dsg1 antibodies (Dsg3+/Dsg1+). PV limited entirely to the mucosal surfaces was seen only in Dsg3+/Dsg1– patients, while additional Dsg1 antibodies (Dsg3+/Dsg1+) predicted cutaneous in addition to mucosal involvement. Although minor cutaneous involvement was observed in most Dsg3+/Dsg1– patients, severe cutaneous involvement was seen only in Dsg3+/Dsg1+ patients. Dsg1 antibodies were detectable early in the course of disease and their appearance did not relate to the use of systemic therapy. The proportion of Dsg1+ patients was higher in those of Indian origin compared with white northern Europeans (P < 0·05). Conclusions These data suggest that the presence of Dsg1 antibodies is predictive of a potentially more severe disease and that genetic factors may determine the Dsg antibody profile.