Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated fasting blood glucose is associated with increased risk of breast cancer: outcome of case-control study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND There are several validated risk factors for breast cancer. However the legitimacy of elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) is not well established. This study was designed to assess this parameter as a risk factor for breast cancer among pre- and post-menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case-control study was conducted at Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi from June 2010 to August 2014. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect data of study subjects comprising 175 diagnosed breast cancer patients with positive histopathology from Breast Clinic, surgical unit-1, Civil Hospital, Karachi and 175 healthy controls from various screening programs. Blood samples were analyzed for FBG and serum insulin. RESULTS FBG, HOMA-IR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly raised in breast cancer cases when compared to control subjects. Cases and controls were further categorized in to two groups using cutoff value of 110 mg/dl to distinguish subjects into normal fasting glucose (<110 mg/dl) and having impaired fasting glucose (≥110-≤125 mg/dl) or diabetes (≥126 mg/dl). Odds ratios were found to be 1.57, 2.15 and 1.17 in overall, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups, respectively. (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A statistically significant risk of breast cancer exists in women having elevated fasting blood glucose levels, corresponding to prediabetes and diabetes, among pre and postmenopausal ages, with comparatively greater effects in the premenopausal group.
Heterogeneous Device Tracking With RSS Variation Mitigation Over a Radio Map

This letter presents an extended Kalman filtering algorithm for position tracking with a radio map consisting of received signal strength (RSS) observations by a single device at known positions. The proposed algorithm is based on a time-varying RSS model, introduced in this letter, to track the position of a device and the RSS variation arising from device heterogeneity and environmental changes. The superiority of the proposed algorithm over the existing algorithms is validated with simulations and a real experiment.
Echinocandins: role in antifungal therapy, 2005

Novel therapies to treat invasive fungal infections have revolutionised the care of patients with candidiasis, aspergillosis and other less common fungal infections. Physicians in the twenty first century have access to safer versions of conventional drugs (i.e., lipid amphotericin B products), extended-spectrum versions of established drugs (i.e., voriconazole), as well as a new class of antifungal agents; the echinocandins. The increased number of options in the antifungal armamentarium is well timed, as the incidence of both invasive candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis, and the financial burden associated with these infections, have increased significantly in the past several decades. The increasing incidence of fungal infections has risen in parallel with the increase in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. Candida is the fourth most common bloodstream isolate, ~ 50% of which are non-albicans species. Estimates suggest there to be 9.8 episodes of invasive candidiasis per 1000 admissions to surgical intensive care units, with attributable mortality at 30% and cost per episode of US$44,000. The burden of candidiasis is even higher in the paediatric population, with Candida being the second most common bloodstream infection. The increase in non-albicans candidiasis mandates the introduction of new antifungal agents capable of treating these often azole-resistant isolates. In addition, there has been a rise in the incidence of invasive aspergillosis, the most common invasive mould infection following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with an estimated incidence of 10 – 20%. The mortality associated with invasive aspergillosis has increased by 357% since 1980. Unfortunately, the overall survival rate among patients treated with amphotericin B, and even voriconazole, remains suboptimal, as evidenced by the failure of treatment in 47% of patients in the landmark voriconazole versus amphotericin B trial. Given the increasing incidence and suboptimal outcomes of these serious fungal infections, novel therapies represent an opportunity for significant advancement in clinical care. The current challenge is to discover the optimal place for the echinocandins in the treatment of invasive fungal infections.
Assessing Gujarat's 'Chiranjeevi' scheme.

More than 5,000 women die every year in Gujarat due to pregnancy complications in remote and tribal areas. The state, which faces an acute shortage of qualified gynaecologists in public health facilities, devised the Chiranjeevi Yojana wherein women below poverty line can go to empanelled private nursing homes at the government's cost. A survey in Surat district shows that empanelled private providers are situated in urban areas and most
Ellipsoidal method for design centering and yield estimation

A method for constraint region approximation, design centering and yield estimation is introduced. Extreme points of the constraint region are identified by inscribing into it the largest possible ellipsoid. Ellipsoid center is the point that centers the design. Ellipsoidal, polytope and second order Taylor series approximation schemes to the constraint region are discussed. Accuracy and implementation of the method are outlined. Two examples testing the method are included and applications to centering, tolerancing and yield estimation are shown. >
Plasma Homocysteine Affects Fibrin Clot Permeability and Resistance to Lysis in Human Subjects

Objective—Homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for thrombosis. We investigated a hypothesis that the clot permeability and its resistance to fibrinolysis is associated with plasma total Hcy (tHcy) in human subjects. Methods and Results—We studied healthy men not taking any medication (n=76), male patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) taking low-dose aspirin (n=33), men with diabetes mellitus diagnosed recently (median hemoglobin A1c 7.65%; n=16), and patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia (>7.0 mmol/L; n=15). We assessed clot permeability and turbidimetric lysis time as the determinants of fibrin clot structure. In a regression model, including age and fibrinogen, plasma tHcy was an independent predictor of clot permeation and fibrinolysis time in healthy subjects (R2=0.88, P<0.0001 and R2=0.54, P<0.0001, respectively). In CAD patients, tHcy and fibrinogen were stronger predictors of the permeation coefficient (R2=0.84; P<0.0001) than was fibrinogen alone (R2=0.66; P<0.0001), whereas tHcy was the only predictor of lysis time (R2=0.69; P<0.0001). Elevated tHcy levels observed after methionine load were not associated with any of the fibrin clot properties. In patients with diabetes or hypercholesterolemia, the influence of Hcy on permeation and, to a lesser extent, on the lysis time was obscured by dominant effects of glucose and cholesterol. In 20 asymptomatic men with hyperhomocysteinemia treated with folic acid, reduction in tHcy levels resulted in increased clot permeability (P=0.0002) and shorter lysis time (P<0.0001). Conclusions—Our results indicate that plasma tHcy predicts clot permeation and susceptibility to fibrinolysis in healthy men and CAD patients. Our data are consistent with a mechanism of thrombosis in hyperhomocysteinemia, which involves modification of fibrinogen by Hcy–thiolactone.
Importance relative des flux de gènes et de la valeur sélective individuelle dans les variations de sex ratio chez une espèce gynodioïque, Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima

Chez les plantes a fleurs, ou une immense variete de strategies de reproduction est rencontree, la dispersion des genes s’opere classiquement via des flux de pollen pour la voie mâle, et via des flux de graines pour la voie femelle. La gynodioecie correspond a un systeme de reproduction original, caracterise par la coexistence de plantes femelles et de plantes hermaphrodites au sein de populations naturelles. Ce systeme de reproduction suscite depuis longtemps un interet particulier, du fait d’un paradoxe evolutif apparent : les individus femelles, ayant perdu une voie de transmission de leur information genetique, devraient etre desavantages par rapport aux hermaphrodites, dotes des deux voies de transmission des genes. L’objet de ce travail these etait d’expliquer le maintien des femelles et les importantes variations spatiales de sex ratio frequemment observees dans les populations naturelles de betterave maritime (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima), chez laquelle le determinisme du sexe implique des interactions entre des genes cytoplasmiques induisant la sterilite mâle (CMS) et des alleles nucleaires de restauration de la fonction mâle. En melant des approches de biologie et de genetique des populations, trois thematiques ont ainsi ete abordees. (i) La valeur selective des differents types sexuels a ete mesuree, en faisant appel a des mesures phenotypiques en conditions controlees et a des analyses de paternite en populations naturelles. Ceci a permis de reveler un avantage femelle extremement restreint ainsi que des variations importantes du succes reproducteur mâle chez les hermaphrodites, liees notamment au genotype des individus et a l’existence d’un cout de la restauration. (ii) La caracterisation moleculaire de la diversite genetique au sein de plusieurs populations naturelles et entre plusieurs cohortes successives nous a permis de mettre en lumiere l’importance relative des effets de la migration, des evenements de fondation et de la derive genetique sur la structure spatiale des phenotypes sexuels. Les variations observees de sex ratio a tres fine echelle semblent ainsi expliquees par des effets de fondation multiples couples a des flux de pollen et de graines restreints dans l’espace. (iii) Finalement, nous mettons en evidence l’effet important que cette forte structure spatiale des sexes peut avoir, a la fois sur les individus hermaphrodites et sur les individus femelles. L’ensemble de nos resultats montre qu’une structure spatiale a fine echelle, generee par des evenements de fondation et des flux de genes limites, peut affecter de facon importante la dynamique de la gynodioecie dans la nature.
Cytokine-mediated regulation of ovarian function: interleukin-1 inhibits gonadotropin-induced androgen biosynthesis.

Resident ovarian macrophages have long been recognized as potential in situ regulators of ovarian function, presumably through local paracrine secretion of regulatory molecules (i.e. cytokines). One such macrophage product, interleukin-1 (IL-1) has recently been shown to exert profound regulatory effects at the level of the ovarian granulosa cell. In this report, we examine the possibility that the adjacent theca-interstitial (androgen-producing) cell may also be a site of IL-1 reception and action. The basal accumulation of androsterone, the major androgenic steroid synthesized by whole ovarian dispersates from immature rats, in the presence of insulin (1 microgram/ml), increased 8- to 9-fold after treatment with human CG (1 ng/ml). Although IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta (10 ng/ml) by themselves were without effect on basal androsterone accumulation, both cytokines (IL-1 beta greater than IL-1 alpha) inhibited human CG hormonal action (in the presence of insulin) in a dose-dependent manner, the maximal inhibitory effect being 75%. Similar results were obtained when using highly purified theca-interstitial cells derived from the same animal model suggesting that IL-1-attenuated androgen biosynthesis is due, at least in part, to IL-1 acting directly at the level of the theca-interstitial cells. The IL-1 effect proved relatively specific since all other known interleukins (IL-1, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6) were without effect. Moreover, IL-1 beta action was effectively immunoneutralized when concurrently applied with anti-IL-1 beta (but not nonimmune) sera. Significantly, the antigonadotropic action of IL-1 could not be accounted for by a decrease in the viable cell mass. Tracer studies with radiolabeled steroid substrates suggested that IL-1-attenuated ovarian androsterone accumulation is due, if only in part, to inhibition of transformations catalyzed by (theca-interstitial) 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17:20 lyase, stimulation of theca-interstitial (or granulosa 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-mediated conversions, or both. Taken together, these findings indicate that relatively low concentrations of IL-1, possibly originating from somatic ovarian cells or resident ovarian macrophages, are capable of exerting an inhibitory effect upon gonadotropin-supported androgen production. As such, these and previous observations suggest that intraovarian IL-1 may play a dual regulatory role in the developing ovarian follicle by targeting both the granulosa and theca-interstitial cells as its sites of action.
Prevalence of dental erosion in children: a national survey.

OBJECTIVES To measure the prevalence of dental erosion in permanent teeth in Iceland as part of the National Oral Health Survey. METHODS A representative, nationwide sample of 2251 Icelandic children, 20% of those aged 6, 12 and 15 year, was examined. Dental erosion was recorded for all erupted permanent teeth and graded using the modified scale of Lussi. RESULTS Erosion was not seen in the permanent teeth of six-year-olds, but was present in 15.7% of 12-year-olds, more frequently in boys than girls (19.9% boys, 11.0% girls; P < 0.001). Among 15-year-olds, dental erosion was seen among 30.7% of subjects (38.3% boys, 22.7% girls; P < 0.001). Severity of erosion was mostly scored as grade I, with only 5.5% of 15-year-olds scored as grade II, mostly on tooth 46 (4.3%) and 36 (4.2%). For 12-year-olds, 0.9% had erosion scores of grade II mostly on tooth 46 (0.8%) and 36 (0.7%). No subjects had erosion of grade III. The most common clinical manifestation of erosion was the appearance of cup-like lesions on the cusps of lower first molars. CONCLUSIONS Dental erosion was frequently present by the age of 12; the prevalence doubled by age 15 and was seen almost twice as often among boys than girls. Teeth most frequently showing signs of erosion were the lower first molars. The rapidly growing prevalence of erosion demonstrated by this nationwide survey emphasizes the need for further research into the aetiology of erosion and possible methods of preventing and treating this emerging dental problem.
Rochalimaea henselae sp. nov., a cause of septicemia, bacillary angiomatosis, and parenchymal bacillary peliosis

Nine strains of Rochalimaea spp. that were isolated from patients over a period of 4.5 years were characterized for their enzyme activities, cellular fatty acid compositions, and DNA interrelatedness among Rochalimaea spp. , Bartonella bacilliformis, and Afipia felis (cat scratch disease bacillus). All except one isolate, which was Rochalimaea quintana, were determined to belong to a newly proposed species, Rochalimaea henselae sp. nov. After recovery from clinical material, colonies required 5 to 15 days of incubation to become apparent. Cells were small, gram-negative, curved bacilli and displayed twitching motility. Enzyme specificities for amino acid and carbohydrate substrates showed that R. henselae could be distinguished from Rochalimaea vinsonii by L-arginyl-L-arginine and L-lysyl-L-alanine peptidases, but not all strains could be distinguished from R. quintana on the basis of peptidases or carbohydrate utilization. R. henselae also closely resembled R. quintana in cellular fatty acid composition, with both consisting mainly of C18:1, C18:0, and C16:0 fatty acids. However, the strains of R. henselae all contained C18:0 in amounts averaging greater than or equal to 22%, in contrast to R. quintana, which contained this cellular fatty acid in amounts averaging 16 and 18%. DNA hybridization confirmed the identification of one clinical isolate as R. quintana and showed a close interrelatedness (92 to 100%) among the other strains. Under optimal conditions for DNA reassociation, R. henselae showed approximately 70% relatedness to R. quintana and approximately 60% relatedness to R. vinsonii. Relatedness with DNA from B. baciliformis was 43%. R. henselae was unrelated to A. felis. R. henselae is the proposed species of a newly recognized member of the family Rickettsiaceae, which is a pathogen that may be encountered in immunocompromised or immunocompetent patients. Prolonged fever with bacteremia or vascular proliferative lesions are clinical manifestations of the agent.
Detection of geomagnetic jerks using wavelet analysis

Wavelet analysis is applied to detect and characterize singular events, or singularities, or jerks, in the time series made of the last century monthly mean values of the east component of the geomagnetic field from European observatories. After choosing a well-adapted wavelet function, the analysis is first performed on synthetic series including an “internal”, or “main”, signal made of smooth variation intervals separated by singular events with different “regularities”, a white noise and an “external” signal made of the sum of a few harmonics of a long-period variation (11 years). The signatures of the main, noise, and harmonic signals are studied and compared, and the conditions in which the singular events can be clearly isolated in the composite signal are elucidated. Then we apply the method systematically to the real geomagnetic series (monthly means of Y from European observatories) and show that five arid only five remarkable events are found in 1901, 1913, 1925, 1969, and 1978. The characteristics of these singularities (in particular, homogeneity of some derived functions of the wavelet transform over a large range of timescales) demonstrate that these events have a single source (of course, internal). Also the events are more singular than was previously supposed (their “regularity” is closer to 1.5 than to 2., indicating that noninteger powers of time should be used in representing the time series between the jerks).
The occupational fatigue in anesthesiologists: illusion or real?

BACKGROUND Fatigue is usually reported after lack of sleep or excessive physical or mental effort. Endocrine disorders are also associated with the symptoms of fatigue. Symptoms of fatigue were reported 20% of working population. Anesthesiologists are more exposed to stress at work because of long working hours and high demand of the job. The aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue at work from anesthesiologist' own perspectives and to identify the possible risk factors associated with fatigue. METHODS Two hundred and ten persons, were participated in this survey, they were 50 anesthesiologists, 60 diabetic patients and 100 employees. Participants were asked to answer two self report Questionnaires: The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) which used to assess the degree of fatigue and mental health respectively. RESULTS Total fatigue score was significant in anesthesiologists compared to both patients (P value = 0.047) and employees (P value < 0.001). All sub-items of fatigue score were higher in anesthesiologists compared to those of employees (P value < 0.001), however only general and mental fatigue were higher in comparison to patients (P value = 0.02). The GHQ score of the anesthesiologists was significantly higher when compared to those of the employees (P value < 0.001) but no difference with patients (P value = 0.090). Physical, mental and total score of fatigue were higher in female anesthesiologist. CONCLUSION fatigue and psychological distress are common among anesthesiologists in comparison to patients and ordinary hospital employees. Female anesthesiologists were affected more by fatigue.
Theoretical study on the kinetics of OH radical reactions with CH3OOH and CH3CH2OOH

The mechanisms and kinetics studies of the OH radical with alkyl hydroperoxides CH3OOH and CH3CH2OOH reactions have been carried out theoretically. The geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points are calculated at the UBHandHLYP/6‐311G(d,p) level, and the energy profiles are further refined by interpolated single‐point energies method at the MC‐QCISD level of theory. For two reactions, five H‐abstraction channels are found and five products (CH3OO, CH2OOH, CH3CH2OO, CH2CH2OOH, and CH3CHOOH) are produced during the above processes. The rate constants for the CH3OOH/CH3CH2OOH + OH reactions are corrected by canonical variational transition state theory within 250–1500 K, and the small‐curvature tunneling is included. The total rate constants are evaluated from the sum of the individual rate constants and the branching ratios are in good agreement with the experimental data. The Arrhenius expressions for the reactions are obtained. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Plasma Proteome Dynamics: Analysis of Lipoproteins and Acute Phase Response Proteins with 2H2O Metabolic Labeling*

Understanding the pathologies related to the regulation of protein metabolism requires methods for studying the kinetics of individual proteins. We developed a 2H2O metabolic labeling technique and software for protein kinetic studies in free living organisms. This approach for proteome dynamic studies requires the measurement of total body water enrichments by GC-MS, isotopic distribution of the tryptic peptide by LC-MS/MS, and estimation of the asymptotical number of deuterium incorporated into a peptide by software. We applied this technique to measure the synthesis rates of several plasma lipoproteins and acute phase response proteins in rats. Samples were collected at different time points, and proteins were separated by a gradient gel electrophoresis. 2H labeling of tryptic peptides was analyzed by ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LTQ MS/MS) for measurement of the fractional synthesis rates of plasma proteins. The high sensitivity of LTQ MS in zoom scan mode in combination with 2H label amplification in proteolytic peptides allows detection of the changes in plasma protein synthesis related to animal nutritional status. Our results demonstrate that fasting has divergent effects on the rate of synthesis of plasma proteins, increasing synthesis of ApoB 100 but decreasing formation of albumin and fibrinogen. We conclude that this technique can effectively measure the synthesis of plasma proteins and can be used to study the regulation of protein homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions.