Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate suppresses the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis in a dose dependent manner

Little is known about the dose–response relationship of potential, unwanted, effects of inhaled beclomethasone (BDP) on the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly in non‐specialist clinic settings. The purpose of our study was to investigate the dose–response relationship of inhaled BDP on the HPA axis in a general practice patient population. We also explored the optimal testing strategy in this population and correlated effects of inhaled BDP on the HPA axis with other systemic corticosteroid side effects.
The Effect of Iron on the Primary Root Elongation of Arabidopsis during Phosphate Deficiency1[W][OA]

Root architecture differences have been linked to the survival of plants on phosphate (P)-deficient soils, as well as to the improved yields of P-efficient crop cultivars. To understand how these differences arise, we have studied the root architectures of P-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia-0) plants. A striking aspect of the root architecture of these plants is that their primary root elongation is inhibited when grown on P-deficient medium. Here, we present evidence suggesting that this inhibition is a result of iron (Fe) toxicity. When the Fe concentration in P-deficient medium is reduced, we observe elongation of the primary root without an increase in P availability or a corresponding change in the expression of P deficiency-regulated genes. Recovery of the primary root elongation is associated with larger plant weights, improved ability to take up P from the medium, and increased tissue P content. This suggests that manipulating Fe availability to a plant could be a valuable strategy for improving a plant's ability to tolerate P deficiency.
Assessment of the Accuprobe Listeria monocytogenes culture identification reagent kit for rapid colony confirmation and its application in various enrichment broths

The Accuprobe Listeria monocytogenes Culture Identification Reagent Kit, a nonradioactive probe, was evaluated as a colony confirmation test and in different selective or nonselective enrichment broths. The probe was 100% sensitive and 100% specific when applied to isolated colonies. The minimal detection limit in physiological saline was established to be about 10(5) CFU of L. monocytogenes. Hybridization done directly in broths seeded with L. monocytogenes showed variable results. Three nonselective broths (Todd-Hewitt broth, brain heart infusion broth, and tryptic soy broth) and one selective broth (FDA) gave positive reactions at an inoculum of 5 x 10(6) CFU, whereas two other selective broths (UVM, and PALCAMY) gave negative reactions with up to 10(8) and 10(9) CFU. In FDA broth, the level of detection of L. monocytogenes was not modified by the presence of other organisms in mixed cultures.
Age–period–cohort analysis of the incidence of schizophrenia in Scotland

Synopsis Studies examining a possible decline in the incidence of schizophrenia over the last two to three decades have paid little attention to the possible role of birth cohort effects. We collected data on a Scottish national sample of all schizophrenic patients, admitted for the first time between 1966 and 1990 (N = 11348; male = 6301). In an Age–Period–Cohort analysis, a full model, incorporating three factors, had a substantially better fit to the data than other models (especially, an Age–Period model), providing clear evidence of the presence of a cohort effect. After adjustment for the effects of age and period, there was a 55% reduction in the rate of schizophrenia in men and a 39% fall in the number of women over the 50-year birth period from 1923 to 1973. The marked decline in the first admission rates observed in Scotland cannot, however, be attributed entirely to this cohort effect. Rather, a greater proportion of the declining first admission rates (88%) is ascribed to the period effect (i.e. artefactual or causally related cross-sectional effects). Nevertheless, the fact that a birth-cohort effect accounts for part of the declining incidence, suggests that causal environmental factors operating early in life have been diminishing in intensity.
Influence of Simvastatin on Aspects of Thrombogenesis in CAPD Patients

← Background Patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are prone to dyslipidemia and have a high risk of cardiovascular death. Statins show beneficial effects on serum lipids and thrombogenesis in various groups of patients, but prospective studies have so far not been performed on CAPD patients. ← Aim To determine the effects of 6 month's treatment with simvastatin on platelet function and some hemostatic parameters, markers of endothelial cell injury, in 14 CAPD patients with hypercholesterolemia. ← Methods Simvastatin was given in a dose of 10 mg at bedtime. Commercially available kits were used for all determinations. ← Results Cholesterol and low density lipoprotein fell significantly as early as after 1 month of the therapy (p < 0.001). Platelet aggregation in whole blood and plateletrich plasma was transiently decreased by simvastatin therapy. The fibrinolytic activity index increased significantly after 6 months of simvastatin administration (p < 0.05), reaching values observed in the control group, whereas euglobulin clot lysis time, which was also significantly shortened after 6 months (p < 0.05), did not reach values obtained in healthy volunteers. Vascular cell adhesion molecule, thrombomodulin, and protein Z decreased significantly after 3 months of the therapy (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas intercellular adhesion molecule decreased after 6 months (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor, protein Z, total tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), TFPI/Xa complexes, and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor concentration and activity fell significantly after 6 months of treatment with simvastatin (all p < 0.05). Tissue plasminogen activator concentration increased after 1 month (p < 0.01 after 1 month, p < 0.05 after 3 and 6 months), whereas total homocysteine fell after 6 months of simvastatin therapy (p < 0.05). Truncated TFPI decreased significantly as early as after 1 month of therapy (p < 0.05 after 1 month, p < 0.01 after 3 and 6 months). ← Conclusion Simvastatin is an effective hypolipemic agent in CAPD patients. It favorably affects platelet aggregation and the extrinsic coagulation pathway, improves fibrinolysis, and ameliorates endothelial dysfunction. Simvastatin might reduce the risk of thrombotic complications in CAPD patients.
IMPACT OF ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) ON PHYSIOLOGY AND GROWTH OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERR.)

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the allelopathic effect of aqueous extract from either fresh or oven dried leaves and root of unstressed or water stressed maize plants on soybean growth and its effects on rhizosphere soil treated with maize plant extract. The extracts were applied for 10h to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] as seed soaking treatment prior to sowing. The application of extract prepared from fresh leaves of unstressed maize plants significantly increased micronutrients contents of soil. Higher concentration of Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ contents were found in rhizosphere of soybean plants treated with fresh and oven dried leaf extracts of drought stressed maize plants. Both fresh and oven dried leaf extracts significantly increased the Fe + , Cu + , Cr 3+ , Zn 2+ and Co + content of soil. The extract prepared from fresh leaves of drought stressed maize plants significantly increased the accumulation of proline, sugar and endogenous abscisic acid content of soybean leaves. The protein content was decreased by these treatments. Significant increases were recorded in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), catalase (CAT) and endogenous abscisic acid in response to application of fresh as well as oven dried leaf extracts prepared from drought stressed maize plants. The leaf extracts were more effective than root extracts and oven drying further augmented its stimulatory effect on the accumulation of Na + content and micronutrients eg. Co, Zn 2+ , Mn 3+ and Cu + etc. It can be inferred that aqueous extracts possess allelopathic effects which alter the physiology of soybean plants.
Towards Ecological Validity in Menu Research

Abstract The goal of this research was to test the effects of menu organization on user performance under situations representative of typical user-computer interactions. Effects of alphabetical, categorical, and random organizations on response time and accuracy were tested using a problem-solving task in which problems differed in degree of complexity. In addition, explicit or implicit targets were searched for in menus consisting of items from distinct or overlapping categories. Results indicated that alphabetical and categorical organizations were generally equivalent and superior to random organizations, replicating the results of others. Unexpectedly, decreasing category distinctiveness, although generally detrimental, did not seem to negatively affect performance with categorical menu organizations. On the other hand, problem complexity had large effects on performance and magnified the effects of other factors such as target type. These results extend some previous conclusions about menu organization to situations that are more typical of user interactions. The limits of generalizing from results of controlled experiments to truly ecologically valid settings are also discussed.
Knowledge, attitude and response of mothers about fever in their children

Aim This study was conducted to determine mothers' knowledge about fever, and their attitudes and responses to fever in children, along with the influence of demographic characteristics on the level of knowledge, and to identify occurrences of fear of fever. Materials and Methods The study consisted of 4500 mothers with children 0–12 years of age who were referred to the pediatric health and disease polyclinic and primary care polyclinic over a period of 24 months. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing 32 open-ended, multichoice questions, and assessed using number, percentage and χ2 analyses. Results In this study, 36% of mothers regarded body temperatures lower than 37°C as fever; 83% believed that fever was harmful for their children, and 92.3% experienced fear and concern due to their child's fever. The most significant reason for fear was the belief that the child may have a seizure. Moreover, 12% of mothers feared that their child would die due to fever. The level of fear triggered by fever was lower as the education level of the mothers increased. Meanwhile, when their child had a fever, 28.9% of mothers used antifebrile drugs without consulting a physician, while 19% applied cold water and 7.7% applied water with alcohol or vinegar, among other inappropriate practices. Conclusion Increased information about fevers geared towards the caregivers of children, particularly mothers, would prevent the unnecessary treatment of children, as well as minimising delayed and insufficient responses to fever.
Blood donor white blood cell reduction filters as a source of human peripheral blood–derived endothelial progenitor cells

BACKGROUND: Neovascularization in tumors, wounds, and sites of ischemic injury occurs by both angiogenesis (proliferation from existing vessels) and by vasculogenesis (differentiation into endothelial cells from circulating endothelial progenitor cells [EPCs]). EPCs can be obtained from marrow, from cord blood, or by ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood (PB). The ease of obtaining human PB EPCs has led many recent studies to utilize PB EPCs. The ability to obtain large numbers of PB EPCs would greatly facilitate characterization to further our understanding of EPC biology and their application in cellular gene therapy.
Chronic pain following total hip arthroplasty: a nationwide questionnaire study

Background: Chronic post‐operative pain is a well‐recognized problem after various types of surgery, but little is known about chronic pain after orthopedic surgery. Severe pre‐operative pain is the primary indication for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Therefore, we examined the prevalence of chronic pain after THA in relation to pre‐operative pain and early post‐operative pain.
Cutaneous Hodgkin's disease in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

A 22‐year‐old man with human immunodeficiency virus infection had skin nodules of the chest wall. When a biopsy was performed on these nodules, Hodgkin's disease was discovered. The patient was subsequently found to have widespread disease involving the lymph nodes and liver. Skin involvement with Hodgkin's disease is rare. In this report, we review previous descriptions of skin involvement appearing in the literature. Cancer 64:2585–2587, 1989.
Reproducibility of a survey questionnaire for the investigation of low back problems in adolescents

A test‐retest design was used to investigate the reproducibility of the results obtained using a survey questionnaire for low back problems in adolescents. A 1‐wk interval between test and retest was chosen. Participants were recruited from four schools. Selection of schools was based on geographic location, size of the school and educational level. Sixty‐seven adolescents (mean age= 16.62 y; SD = 0.57; range = 16–18) suffering from low back problems agreed to participate. A questionnaire on perceived characteristics of back problems and functional limitations was designed. Item completion rate and the reproducibility of results were investigated by means of percentage agreement and (weighted) kappa. High levels of reproducibility were found for items that evaluated perceived characteristics of back problems and functional limitations (Kw= 0.70‐0.93). Results suggest that the questionnaire used in the present study provided reproducible information. Detailed information on low back problems in adolescents could be obtained using this questionnaire.
Quality of Sexual Life in Women with Primary Sjögren Syndrome

Objective. To assess the quality of sexual life of women with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) and to identify its correlations with disease activity and damage, quality of life, and mood disorders. Methods. The quality of sexual life of 24 women with pSS was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Twenty-four healthy women, matched by age and hormonal status, were enrolled as controls. Mood disorders and quality of life were investigated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Patients underwent a gynecological visit with vaginal pH measurement, cervicovaginal swabs, and Pap smears. Disease activity and damage were assessed by the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren syndrome disease activity and damage indexes. Results. Patients with pSS showed a pathological mean FSFI score (19.1 ± 7.33) significantly different from controls (p = 0.004), both in menstruating women (p = 0.006) and in menopausal women (p = 0.03). Major differences between the 2 groups were detected in dyspareunia (p < 0.005), lubrication (p = 0.006), desire (p = 0.004), and arousal (p = 0.018). The FSFI score was inversely correlated with age (p = 0.008) and anxiety HADS (p = 0.031). No early anatomical changes, swabs, and Pap smear alterations were revealed in patients with pSS; however, vaginal pH was higher than normal in premenopausal patients (6.0 ± 0.77). Conclusion. Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with pSS have a worse sexual quality of life. We reported a greater prevalence of dyspareunia that is statistically significant when compared with controls. The FSFI could be a useful tool to assess this topic, but has been neglected in the care of patients with pSS heretofore.
EVOLUTION OF OHMICALLY HEATED HOT JUPITERS

We present calculations of thermal evolution of hot Jupiters with various masses and effective temperatures under ohmic dissipation. The resulting evolutionary sequences show a clear tendency toward inflated radii for effective temperatures that give rise to significant ionization of alkali metals in the atmosphere, compatible with the trend of the data. The degree of inflation shows that ohmic dissipation along with the likely variability in heavy element content can account for all of the currently detected radius anomalies. Furthermore, we find that in the absence of a massive core, low-mass hot Jupiters can overflow their Roche lobes and evaporate on Gyr timescales, possibly leaving behind small rocky cores.
Prophylactic methylxanthines for endotracheal extubation in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND Weaning and extubating preterm infants on intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) for respiratory failure may be difficult. A significant contributing factor is thought to be the relatively poor respiratory drive and tendency to develop hypercarbia and apnoea, particularly in very preterm infants. Methylxanthine treatment started before extubation might stimulate breathing and increase the chances of successful weaning from IPPV. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of prophylactic methylxanthine treatment on the use of intubation and IPPV and other clinically important side effects in preterm infants being weaned from IPPV and in whom endotracheal extubation is planned. SEARCH STRATEGY The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2010), the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, MEDLINE (1966 to July 2010), CINAHL (1982 to July 2010) and EMBASE (1988 to July 2010). SELECTION CRITERIA All published trials utilising random or quasi-random patient allocation in which treatment with methylxanthines (theophylline or caffeine) was compared with placebo or no treatment to improve the chances of successful extubation of preterm or low birth weight infants were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group were used. MAIN RESULTS Seven studies were identified for inclusion. Methylxanthine treatment results in a reduction in failure of extubation within one week (summary RR 0.48, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.71; summary RD -0.27, 95%CI -0.39 to -0.15; NNT 4, 95%CI 3 to 7; six trials, 172 infants). There is significant heterogeneity in the RD meta-analysis perhaps related to the large variation in baseline rate in the control groups (range 20 to 100%). The CAP trial enrolled the largest number of infants, but did not report extubation rates. In the caffeine group, there were lower rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, PDA ligation, cerebral palsy and death or major disability at 18 to 21 months. Infants receiving caffeine had reduced postmenstrual ages at time of discontinuing oxygen therapy, positive pressure ventilation and endotracheal intubation. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Methylxanthines increase the chances of successful extubation of preterm infants within one week of age. Important neurodevelopmental outcomes are improved by methylxanthine therapy. In any future trials, there is a need to stratify infants by gestational age (a better indicator of immaturity than birth weight). Caffeine, with its wider therapeutic margin, would be the better treatment to evaluate against placebo.
Protection Against Pursuit: A Conceptual and Empirical Comparison of Cyberstalking and Stalking Victimization Among a National Sample

Cyberstalking is a relatively understudied area in criminology, with no consensus among scholars as to whether it represents a modified form of stalking or whether it is an entirely new and emerging criminal phenomenon. Using data from the 2006 Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), this study compares stalking and cyberstalking victims across several dimensions, including situational features of their experiences and self-protective behaviors. Results indicate that there are significant differences between stalking and cyberstalking victims, including their number of self-protective behaviors adopted, duration of contact with their stalker, financial costs of victimization, and perceived fear at onset. Perceived fear over time, the occurrence of a physical attack, and sex of the victim were all associated with a higher number of self-protective behaviors for cyberstalking victims compared to stalking victims, net of the effect of the control variables. Implications for stalking theory, research, and criminal justice policy are discussed.
A 10-A High-Precision DC Current Source With Stability Better Than 0.1 ppm/h

The principle, design, and measurement of a 10-A highly stable dc current source is described. Based on a modified low-frequency equivalent model of the MOSFET, we obtain the strict current equation of the MOSFET-based voltage-controlled current source. Factors determining the current stability are investigated and reasonable selection criteria for the key components are discussed. Reasons for oscillation due to the high parasitic capacitance of the paralleled MOSFETs with low set of drain-source voltage are explained and a combined noise gain and lead compensation method is proposed. The best measurement results show that the relative standard deviation and relative drift of the current in 1 h are, respectively, 7.5×10-8 and 2.2×10-8. The current source has been used in our high current meter stability evaluation experiments and can be used for other cases with appropriate improvement, such as the Joule Balance Project to redefine the kilogram at National Institute of Metrology.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PrrF Small RNAs Regulate Iron Homeostasis during Acute Murine Lung Infection

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that requires iron for virulence. Iron homeostasis is maintained in part by the PrrF1 and PrrF2 small RNAs (sRNAs), which block the expression of iron-containing proteins under iron-depleted conditions. The PrrF sRNAs also promote the production of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), a quorum sensing molecule that activates the expression of several virulence genes. The tandem arrangement of the prrF genes allows for expression of a third sRNA, PrrH, which is predicted to regulate gene expression through its unique sequence derived from the prrF1-prrF2 intergenic (IG) sequence (the PrrHIG sequence). Previous studies showed that the prrF locus is required for acute lung infection. However, the individual functions of the PrrF and PrrH sRNAs were not determined. Here, we describe a system for differentiating PrrF and PrrH functions by deleting the PrrHIG sequence [prrF(ΔHIG)]. Our analyses of this construct indicate that the PrrF sRNAs, but not PrrH, are required for acute lung infection by P. aeruginosa. Moreover, we show that the virulence defect of the ΔprrF1-prrF2 mutant is due to decreased bacterial burden during acute lung infection. In vivo analysis of gene expression in lung homogenates shows that PrrF-mediated regulation of genes for iron-containing proteins is disrupted in the ΔprrF1-prrF2 mutant during infection, while the expression of genes that mediate PrrF-regulated PQS production are not affected by prrF deletion in vivo. Combined, these studies demonstrate that regulation of iron utilization plays a critical role in P. aeruginosa's ability to survive during infection.