Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Causes of Blindness, Low Vision and Status of Cataract in 50 Years and Older Citizen of Qatar—A Community Based Survey

Background: Rapid Assessment for the Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) was conducted in Qatar during 2009. We present the prevalence and determinants of visual disabilities and status of cataract among citizens aged 50 years and older. Methods: Residents of randomly selected houses and clusters participated in the survey. Opticians noted the presenting and the best corrected vision of participants from 49 clusters. Ophthalmologists examined participants with additional instruments like bio-microscope, digital camera, auto-perimeter and auto-refractor in a mobile van. World Health Organization recommended principal cause of blindness (Visual acuity [VA] < 3/60 in better eye), Severe visual impairment (SVI) (<6/60), low vision (VA < 6/18) and unilateral blindness (VA < 3/60) were designated. Persons with VA < 6/18 and cataract were interviewed to calculate coverage and barriers for cataract surgeries. Age sex adjusted prevalence of visual disabilities and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated. Results: We examined 2,433 (97.3%) participants. The age sex adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness was 1.28% [95% CI 1.22–1.35], SVI (1.67%), low vision (3.66%) and unilateral blindness (3.61%) in 50 years and older population. Female and older age groups were significant risk factors of visual disabilities. Cataract and glaucoma were the main causes of visual disabilities. The coverage of cataract services was 68.2%. Believing that cataract as an aging process (25) and adequate vision in the fellow eye (15) were the reasons for delay in surgery. Conclusions: To reduce avoidable blindness, un-operated cataract should be addressed. Primary and secondary eye care systems should be strengthened to improve the care of blinding eye diseases in Qatar.
Effects of gestational heat stress on the lactational performance of gilts and growth performance and carcass characteristics of second-generation offspring

Pigs exposed to chronic intrauterine hyperthermia (gHS) experience greater fat deposition during life and yield carcasses with greater fat:lean content at slaughter compared to pigs gestated under thermoneutral conditions (gTN). The objectives of this study were to 1) determine whether gHS impacts the lactational performance of affected gilts (F1 generation), and 2) determine whether these effects of gHS are also evident in the next generation (F2 generation). Twenty-four gilts were bred and exposed to thermoneutral or heat stressed conditions for the entirety of gestation, and F1 female offspring were retained. At puberty, gHS and gTN gilts were bred to farrow in either spring (March / April) or summer (July / August). Colostrum and milk samples were collected at farrowing and on d 7, 14, and 21 of lactation. At weaning, four offspring (two male, two female) were retained and grown to market weight in mixed-pens under identical management conditions. Carcass characteristics were analyzed at slaughter. Milk nutrient analysis indicated that gHS gilts produced less lactose, and tended to produce greater protein, than did gTN gilts. There was no difference in the growth rate of F2 offspring, but pigs born of gHS dams did have a tendency for greater backfat thickness. The patterns of altered milk nutrient content observed in F1 gilts reflects a metabolic profile consistent with previous gHS research, and the greater backfat of F2 pigs at slaughter indicates the adipose-promoting effects of gHS may be diluted, but still evident, in the second generation.
Broad phenotypic spectrum caused by an identical heterozygous CDMP‐1 mutation in three unrelated families

CDMP‐1, a cartilage‐specific member of the TGFß superfamily of secreted signaling molecules, plays a key role in chondrogenesis, growth and patterning of the developing vertebrate skeleton. Homozygous CDMP‐1 mutations cause Hunter‐Thompson and Grebe types of acromesomelic chondrodysplasia and DuPan syndrome in humans, as well as brachypodism in mice, while heterozygous mutations cause brachydactyly type C (BDC). We present clinical and radiographic data from three unrelated families in which 12 members share the same heterozygous CDMP‐1 mutation, an insertion (insG206), resulting in a frameshift predicted to cause functional haploinsufficiency. Although eight mutation carriers display BDC, four have normal hands and feet, confirming nonpenetrance of BDC with CDMP‐1 mutations. In addition, several carriers have other skeletal abnormalities, including severe bilateral vertical talus (in two), developmental hip dysplasia (in one), and short stature (in two, who are otherwise unaffected). Premature vertebral end‐plate disease was observed in four mutation carriers and was associated with spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in three of these. Axial skeletal involvement has not been previously reported in association with CDMP‐1 mutations. This finding is consistent with CDMP‐1 expression in human hypertrophic chondrocytes, which are present in the ring epiphyses of vertebral end plates. Phenotypic variation in BDC has previously been attributed either to locus heterogeneity or to the varied functional effects of different CDMP‐1 mutations. The remarkable range of phenotypes caused by this identical CDMP‐1 mutation in these families emphasizes the crucial role of genetic background, stochastic variation and/or environmental factors in modifying the observed phenotype. Our findings illustrate that nonpenetrance for the typical features of BDC can be appreciable and that atypical skeletal features that have been reported in some patients with BDC (i.e., clubfoot, short stature, spondylolysis) may also result from CDMP‐1 mutation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Comparison of Traditional and Open-Access Policies for Appointment Scheduling

This paper compares two types of appointment-scheduling policies for single providers: traditional and open-access. Under traditional scheduling, each of a specified number of patients per day is booked well in advance, but may not show up for his or her appointment. Under open-access scheduling, a random number of patients call in the morning to make an appointment for that same day. Thus the number of patient arrivals will be random, for different reasons, under both policies. We find that the open-access schedule will significantly outperform the traditional schedule---in terms of a weighted average of patients' waiting time, the doctor's idle time, and the doctor's overtime---except when patient waiting time is held in little regard or when the probability of no-shows is quite small.
Comparison of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Induced Pleiotropic Response in the Liver of Nine Strains of Mice

We have investigated the hepatic effect of ciprofibrate, a potent peroxisomal proliferator, in 9 strains of mice to ascertain whether all strains show similar peroxisome proliferation or if there are any that are resistant to the induction of peroxisome proliferation. Dietary feeding of ciprofibrate at 2 concentrations (0.0125% or 0.025% w/w) for 2 weeks resulted in a significant increase in liver weight (170 to 200%) and a 7- to 11-fold increase in volume density of peroxisomes. Catalase and peroxisomal β-oxidation enzymes increased by 1.7- to 2.7- and 1.9- to 9.3-fold, respectively, over the controls. SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis of post-nuclear fractions of livers showed a marked increase in 80,000-mol. wt. polypeptide. Immunocytochemical studies, as expected, revealed higher levels of PBE. Ciprofibrate treatment also induced hepatic DNA synthesis in all strains as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and autoradiography. Dot blot analysis of total RNA from livers of ciprofibrate-treated mice (5 strains) showed a significant increase in peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme (PBE) mRNA. When the 9 strains were ranked for each parameter, CBA/Ca was the least responsive mouse strain and the B6C3F1 was the most responsive. However, the results of this study indicate that there is no significant interstrain difference in rankings across strains to ciprofibrate-induced hepatic pleiotropic response.
Biotech-Pharmaceutical Alliances as a Signal of Asset and Firm Quality

Biotechnology companies rely heavily on alliances with pharmaceutical companies to finance their research and development expenditures, and pharmaceutical firms rely heavily on alliances to supplement their internal research and development. Previous studies suggest that asymmetric information may lead to inefficient contracting. We examine the determinants of biotech-pharmaceutical deal prices to determine whether the market for deals between biotech and pharmaceutical companies functions as a well-informed market or whether it is characterized by asymmetric information. We find that inexperienced biotech companies receive substantially discounted payments when signing their first deal. Drugs that are jointly developed are more likely to advance in clinical trials than drugs that are developed by a single company, so the first-deal discount is not consistent with the post-deal performance of these drugs. We also find that biotech companies that sign deals receive substantially higher valuations from venture capitalists and from the public equity market, which implies that the discounts are rational; a biotechnology company that is developing its first product benefits from forming an alliance with a pharmaceutical company because it sends a positive signal to prospective investors.
Smallholder vegetable farmers in Northern Tanzania : Pesticides use practices , perceptions , cost and health effects

Smallholder farmers in Northern Tanzania grow vegetables that include tomatoes, cabbages and onions and use many types of pesticides to control pests and diseases that attack these crops. Based on the use of questionnaires and interviews that were conducted in Arumeru, Monduli, Karatu and Moshi rural districts, this study investigates farmers’ practices, perceptions and related cost and health effects on vegetable pest management using pesticides. The types of pesticides used by the farmers in the study areas were insecticides (59%), fungicides (29%) and herbicides (10%) with the remaining 2% being rodenticides. Pesticides were bought from pesticides shops (60%), general shops (30%) and cooperative shops (10%). The pesticides were supplied in containers ranging from 0.5 to 5 l or in packets ranging from 0.5 to 25 kg. Vendors often dispensed smaller quantities of pesticides in unlabelled containers. About a third of the farmers applied pesticides in mixtures. Up to 90% of this third had a maximum of 3 pesticides in a mixture. In all cases, there were no specific instructions either from the labels or extension workers regarding these tank mixtures. More than 50% of the respondents applied pesticides up to 5 times or more per cropping season depending on the crop. Insecticides and fungicides were routinely applied by 77% and 7%, respectively. Fifty-three percent of the farmers reported that the trend of pesticide use was increasing, while 33% was constant and 14% was decreasing. Sixty-eight percent of farmers reported having felt sick after routine application of pesticides. Pesticide-related health symptoms that were associated with pesticides use included skin problems and neurological system disturbances (dizziness, headache). Thirty-nine percent of farmers reported spending between 20 and 130,200 Tanzanian shillings (0.018–116 US dollars) in a year on health due to pesticides. These results will contribute to the reformation of pesticide policies for safe and effective use of pesticides by smallholder farmers in Tanzania. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Extraction and purification of curcuminoids from Turmeric ( curcuma longa L . )

Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has a tough brown skin and a deep orange flesh. Turmeric has long been used as a powerful anti-inflammatory in both the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. Turmeric was traditionally called "Indian saffron" because of its deep yellow-orange color and has been used throughout history as a condiment, healing remedy and textile dye. Turmeric is rich in curcuminoids. Curcuminoids vary in chemical structures, Physico-chemical characteristics. The present work reports on extraction method using Soxhlet extractor. Isolation and purification of curcuminoids was carried out by column chromatography. The quantification of curcumin in maximum resultant extract (by methanol) was performed using pre validated HPLC methodology. Percentage yield of curcumin by HPLC was 12.39% . extracted curcuminoids were subjected to spectrophotometer to check it’s percentage amount in extracted sample. Different solvent were used for extraction, among them methanol showed maximum yield of each curcuminoids. Separation of curcuminoids were tested in TLC chloroform: methanol at 95:5 showed RF value at 0.67, 0.6, 0.506 as curcumin, dimethoxycurcumin,bis demethoxycurcumin respectively. the methanol extract was subjected to silica gel column chromatography with chloroform: methanol at increasing polarity followed by TLC to check purity of extracted curcumin.
Thymosin α 1 potentiates the release by CD8+ cells of soluble factors able to inhibit HIV-1 and human T lymphotropic virus 1 infection in vitro

Background: Thymosin α-1 (Tα1) exploits a specific action on lymphoid cells and is able to induce in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) a strong transcriptional response. CD8 antiviral factor activity plays a role in the control or prevention of HIV-1 infection by a non-cytolytic mechanism. The ability of Tα1 to modulate the release of antiretroviral soluble factors by CD8+ cells was investigated. Methods: Supernatants from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated CD8+-isolated cells treated with Tα1 were screened on in vitro infection of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and PBMCs with HIV-1, and of PBMCs with human T lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1). In CD8+ cells, as well as in PBMCs of healthy donors as from HIV+ individuals, a microarray analysis to assess the transcriptional response after treatment was performed. Results: Tα1 potentiates the release, in LPS-stimulated CD8+ cells, of soluble factors able to inhibit both in vitro HIV-1 infection of MDMs and PBMCs and in vitro HTLV-1 infection of PBMCs. A distinctive transcriptional profile was induced by Tα1 in PBMCs from HIV+ donors. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Tα1 would represent a re-evaluated approach to antiretroviral therapy in combination with innovative treatments and with vaccine administration.
Natural history of acute hepatitis C

To study the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of acute hepatitis C, three groups of patients were enrolled. Of 26 patients with acute hepatitis C, 18 (69%) maintained HCV viraemia and 8 had cleared virus naturally at 12 months after the onset. Normalization of ALT was seen in all 8 patients with acute resolving hepatitis, but in only 1 (5%) of the 18 patients with chronic HCV infection (P < 0.001). Changes in liver histology were analysed in 43 patients with acute hepatitis C who underwent repeated liver biopsy. The mean score of the fibrotic stage was 0.9 within 1 year of the onset, and it increased gradually up to 3.5 at 30 years from the onset (0.1 grade/year). The fibrotic stage increased more rapidly in patients aged more than 50 years. In 115 patients, the mean duration between blood transfusion and the diagnosis of HCC increased significantly (P < 0.001) in accordance with increasing age at blood transfusion; 35 ± 5.3 years in patients aged less than 30 years, 30 ± 4.9 years in those aged between 30 and 40 years, and 25 ± 6.8 years in those aged more than 40 years. In conclusion, approximately 70% of patients with acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis. Once patients develop chronic hepatitic fibrosis of the liver, it progresses over several decades, faster in older patients.
Small-signal input impedance modeling of line-frequency rectifiers

This paper presents a systematic method for modeling small-signal input impedance of line-frequency AC-DC converters. The objective is to develop proper models that can be used for stability analysis of AC power systems with significant DC loads powered by such converters. The proposed modeling method uses harmonic linearization and Fourier analysis techniques to describe the current and voltage mapping process through the converter switching circuit. The voltage and current mapping relations are then combined to give an impedance mapping model which converts the impedance of any circuit or system connected to the DC output of converter into a corresponding small-signal input impedance of the converter at the AC side. Similar relations can be used to map the AC source impedance into the DC side to give the equivalent dc source impedance for stability analysis of the DC subsystem. This paper focuses on the basic principle of the impedance mapping method and uses a single-phase diode rectifier circuit to demonstrate the modeling process. The resulting ac input impedance model is validated by detailed circuit simulation as well as experimental measurements.
Progression of hypertension and kidney disease in aging fawn-hooded rats is mediated by enhanced influence of renin–angiotensin system and suppression of nitric oxide system and epoxyeicosanoids

ABSTRACT The fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rat serves as a genetic model of spontaneous hypertension associated with glomerular hyperfiltration and proteinuria. However, the knowledge of the natural course of hypertension and kidney disease in FHH rats remains fragmentary and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. In this study, over the animals’ lifetime, we followed the survival rate, blood pressure (telemetry), indices of kidney damage, the activity of renin–angiotensin (RAS) and nitric oxide (NO) systems, and CYP450-epoxygenase products (EETs). Compared to normotensive controls, no elevation of plasma and renal RAS was observed in prehypertensive and hypertensive FHH rats; however, RAS inhibition significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (137 ± 9 to 116 ± 8, and 159 ± 8 to 126 ± 4 mmHg, respectively) and proteinuria (62 ± 2 to 37 ± 3, and 132 ± 8 to 87 ± 5 mg/day, respectively). Moreover, pharmacological RAS inhibition reduced angiotensin (ANG) II and increased ANG 1–7 in the kidney and thereby may have delayed the progression of kidney disease. Furthermore, renal NO and EETs declined in the aging FHH rats but not in the control strain. The present results, especially the demonstration of exaggerated vascular responsiveness to ANG II, indicate that RAS may contribute to the development of hypertension and kidney disease in FHH rats. The activity of factors opposing the development of hypertension and protecting the kidney declined with age in this model. Therefore, therapeutic enhancement of this activity besides RAS inhibition could be attempted in the therapy of human hypertension associated with kidney disease.
Social Networks and Wages in South Africa

Although it is a stylized fact that social networks play an impor­ tant role in job search, their impact on labor market outcomes, namely wages, is still disputed, with both the “good matches” and “limited choices” hypotheses finding support in different contexts (Loury, 2006). This paper presents a simple model of the “referrer’s dilemma” to sug­ gest that individuals with low ability may still be referred to vacancies, in particular if they are socially close to the referrers, triggering wage penalties in some cases. Using data from the Cape Area Panel Study in South Africa, this paper investigates the effect of job search method (in particular, the use of social networks) and social distance (the use of household members and relatives versus friends) on wages for three groups, Black African, Coloured and White youth. Support for the model is found using fixed effects and random effects estimations for the log of hourly pay. For Black and Coloured youths, network use is associated with wage penalties for social proximity (finding a job through a household member or relative) but no significant penalty for non related contacts (friends). For White youth, no significant penalties or premiums are found. ∗ PhD Candidate, The University of Sydney. Address: John Woolley Building, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia. Email: darian.naidoo@sydney.edu. au †Lecturer, The University of Sydney.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas and Organic Solvents

Organic solvents have been suggested as a possible risk factor for non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). We studied 109 NHL incident cases and 276 controls with other cancers (1990/1996) in the city of Salvador, Brazil. Occupational exposure to organic solvents was evaluated through standardized questionnaires and defined by industrial hygienists, taking into account individuals’ lifetime history. An association between occupational exposure to organic solvents and NHL was observed, OR = 1.67 (95% CI, 0.97 to 2.87), especially among individuals less than 64 years, OR = 1.91 (95% CI, 0.99 to 3.67), and among those who used domestic insecticides, OR = 2.24 (95% CI, 1.01 to 3.97). Odds ratios were similar for nodal and diffuse NHL. These results suggest that organic solvents may contribute to the causation of NHL, especially among young individuals, and that synergism may play a role in the process of lymphomagenesis.
Competitive ability of two Brassica varieties in relation to biomass allocation and morphological plasticity under varying nutrient availability

Green cabbage (Brassica campestris, leafy variety) and turnip (Brassica campestris var. rapifera, rooty variety) were grown in both monocultures and mixtures at three nutrient levels to investigate their responses to nutrient availability with respect to biomass allocation, morphological plasticity and competitive ability. Their allocation parameters and leaf morphological traits were affected by both nutrient availability and developmental stage. Both of the varieties had a smaller biomass allocation to leaf blades, but a greater allocation to petioles at high nutrient levels. Root:shoot ratio (RSR) of green cabbage decreased with increasing nutrient availability, whereas that of turnip increased. Turnip had a smaller leaf blade weight ratio (LBWR) than cabbage, being compensated for by larger leaf area ratio (LAR) and specific leaf area (SLA). Leaf area ratio and SLA of both the varieties increased with increasing nutrient availability as did their mean dry weights. The mean dry weight of turnip was slightly greater than that of green cabbage in their respective monocultures, while that of green cabbage was greater than that of turnip in their 1:1 mixture. Therefore, green cabbage, having inherently greater biomass allocation to leaves, was generally more competitive than turnip with more biomass allocation to roots, especially at higher nutrient levels. However, within a variety, morphological plasticity (variation in LAR and SLA) was more important than the plasticity in biomass allocation (e.g. variation in RSR and LBWR) in determining competitive ability. The implication of our results is that competition models based on biomass allocation pattern alone may fail to predict competitive outcomes and that such models should also take morphological plasticity into full account.
Learning, Prediction, and the Neural Control of Behavior

Functional neuroimaging has led to a revolutionary change in our understanding of how the human brain controls behavior. Much of this new information has come from studying brain changes as subjects learn and adapt to novel situations and environments. We have been interested in the issue of cognitive control: the system used by the brain that enables us to concentrate on a particular goal while ignoring multiple competing distractions. Here we show that one strategy used by the brain to improve cognitive control is to predict events that are likely to happen in the future and to prepare for them in advance. The prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate are important components of this network.