Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Knowledge and Utilization of the Partograph among Health Professionals in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Labor and delivery are unpredictable events, which if not monitored properly can result in a disabled or a fatal state. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the use of the partograph to monitor and improve the management of labor and to support decision-making regarding interventions. However, little is known about the status of knowledge and utilization of the partograph in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of the partograph and its utilization. A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1 to 30, 2012 among 292 health professionals working in public health institutions of the region, using a structured interviewer administered ques-tionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with knowledge of the partograph and obstetric care. Utilization status of the partograph was assessed from 160 purposively selected delivery charts using structured checklists. More than half (53.4%) of the study participants had good knowledge of the partograph. Females were 2 times more likely to have good knowledge of the partograph than males (AOR=2.0, 95% CI= (1.2, 3.6). Similarly, those who had previous obstetric training were 2 time more likely to have good knowledge of the partograph than otherwise (AOR=2.1, 95% CI= (1.3, 3.7). However, participants’ level of knowledge of components ofthe partograph was very poor. While only 26.6% of participants were able to mention 50%or more of com-ponentsof the partograph; females, midwives, and those having prior obstetric training were found to have better knowledge of components of the partograph than their counter parts (AOR=3.3, 95% CI (1.9, 5.6), (AOR=4.9, 95% CI (2.4, 9.9)and (AOR=2.0, 95% CI (1.1, 3.6)) respectively. In this study, the level of knowledge of obstetric care was found to be poor. Although it wasrevealed that majority of the participants had favorable attitude towards the use of partograph, only 29% of the paragraph papers reviewed was properly filled to monitor the progress of labor. Despite significant number of study participants reported that the partograph is useful to monitor laborand make timely decision, their level of knowledge of the partograph and its components was generally poor. Presence of prior training, participants’ sex and profession were the variables that had influenced the level of knowledge of the partograph and obstetric care. Favorable attitude by itself was inadequate to ensure use of the partograph. Periodic on-job training regarding to obstetric care and on the partograph should be provided to all obstetric care providersparticularly to males and nurses by profession in the region. Regular supportive supervision is also needed to motivate staffs to utilize the partograph and help them become dedicated to record and document their findings.
Somatic Mutation Patterns in Hemizygous Genomic Regions Unveil Purifying Selection during Tumor Evolution

Identification of cancer driver genes using somatic mutation patterns indicative of positive selection has become a major goal in cancer genomics. However, cancer cells additionally depend on a large number of genes involved in basic cellular processes. While such genes should in theory be subject to strong purifying (negative) selection against damaging somatic mutations, these patterns have been elusive and purifying selection remains inadequately explored in cancer. Here, we hypothesized that purifying selection should be evident in hemizygous genomic regions, where damaging mutations cannot be compensated for by healthy alleles. Using a 7,781-sample pan-cancer dataset, we first confirmed this in POLR2A, an essential gene where hemizygous deletions are known to confer elevated sensitivity to pharmacological suppression. We next used this principle to identify several genes and pathways that show patterns indicative of purifying selection to avoid deleterious mutations. These include the POLR2A interacting protein INTS10 as well as genes involved in mRNA splicing, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and other RNA processing pathways. Many of these genes belong to large protein complexes, and strong overlaps were observed with recent functional screens for gene essentiality in human cells. Our analysis supports that purifying selection acts to preserve the remaining function of many hemizygously deleted essential genes in tumors, indicating vulnerabilities that might be exploited by future therapeutic strategies.
Multifunctional regulation of angiogenesis by high-density lipoproteins.

AIMS High-density lipoproteins (HDL) exert striking anti-inflammatory effects and emerging evidence suggests that they may augment ischaemia-mediated neovascularization. We sought to determine whether HDL conditionally regulates angiogenesis, depending on the pathophysiological context by (i) inhibiting inflammation-induced angiogenesis, but also; (ii) enhancing ischaemia-mediated angiogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS Intravenously delivered apolipoprotein (apo) A-I attenuated neovascularization in the murine femoral collar model of inflammation-induced angiogenesis, compared with phosphate-buffered saline infused C57BL6/J mice (58%), P < 0.05. Conversely, apoA-I delivery augmented neovessel formation (75%) and enhanced blood perfusion (45%) in the murine hindlimb ischaemia model, P < 0.05. Reconstituted HDL (rHDL) was tested on key angiogenic cell functions in vitro. rHDL inhibited human coronary artery endothelial cell migration (37.9 and 76.9%), proliferation (15.7 and 40.4%), and tubulogenesis on matrigel (52 and 98.7%) when exposed to two inflammatory stimuli: tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and macrophage-conditioned media (MCM). In contrast, rHDL significantly augmented hypoxia-stimulated migration (36.9%), proliferation (135%), and tubulogenesis (22.9%), P < 0.05. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that these divergent actions of rHDL were associated with conditional regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2, which were attenuated in response to TNF-α (40.4, 41.0, and 33.2%) and MCM (72.5, 30.7, and 69.5%), but augmented by rHDL in hypoxia (39.8, 152.6, and 15.7%%), all P < 0.05. CONCLUSION HDL differentially regulates angiogenesis dependent upon the pathophysiological setting, characterized by suppression of inflammation-associated angiogenesis, and conversely, by the enhancement of hypoxia-mediated angiogenesis. This has significant implications for therapeutic modulation of neovascularization.
Magnetic softness of permalloy granular films produced by Co-evaporation

Permalloy granular films were fabricated by co-evaporation. In this paper, MgF/sub 2/ and CaF/sub 2/ are used as matrices. The films exhibit good magnetic softness and perpendicular or inplane uniaxial anisotropy that determines high frequency characteristics. The anisotropy is considered to originate from alignment of nanosized granules connected with exchange interaction. Magnetization curves, susceptibility and transmission electron microscopic images support speculation of microscopic granular structure and origin of anisotropy. Very high deposition speed is possible without serious deterioration of magnetic softness. High controllability of anisotropy and high speed deposition are advantageous from the industrial standpoint.
Inhibition of spontaneous metastasis in a rat prostate cancer model by oral administration of modified citrus pectin.

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in U.S. men and remains incurable once it has metastasized. Many stages of the metastatic cascade involve cellular interactions mediated by cell surface components, such as carbohydrate-binding proteins, including galactoside-binding lectins (galectins). Modified citrus pectin (pH-modified), a soluble component of plant fiber derived from citrus fruit, has been shown to interfere with cell-cell interactions mediated by cell surface carbohydrate-binding galectin-3 molecules. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine whether modified citrus pectin, a complex polysaccharide rich in galactosyl residues, could inhibit spontaneous metastasis of prostate adenocarcinoma cells in the rat. METHODS The ability of modified citrus pectin to inhibit the adhesion of Dunning rat prostate cancer MAT-LyLu cells to rat endothelial cells was measured by 51Cr-labeling. Modified citrus pectin inhibition of MAT-LyLu cell anchorage-independent growth was measured by colony formation in agarose. The presence of galectin-3 in rat MAT-LyLu cells and human prostate carcinoma was demonstrated by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. One million MAT-LyLu cells were injected subcutaneously into the hind limb of male Copenhagen rats on day 0. Rats were given 0.0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, or 1.0% (wt/vol) modified citrus pectin continuously in their drinking water (from day 4 until necropsy on day 30). The number of MAT-LyLu tumor colonies in the lungs were counted. RESULTS Compared with 15 or 16 control rats that had lung metastases on day 30, seven of 14 rats in the 0.1% and nine of 16 rats in the 1.0% modified citrus-pectin group had statistically significant (two-sided; P < .03 and P < .001, respectively) reductions in lung metastases. The lungs of the 1.0% modified citrus pectin-treated rats had significantly (two-sided; P < .05) fewer metastatic colonies than control groups (9 colonies +/- 4 [mean +/- SE] in the control group compared with 1 colony +/- 1 in the treated group). Modified citrus pectin had no effect on the growth of the primary tumors. In vitro, modified citrus pectin inhibited MAT-LyLu cell adhesion to rat endothelial cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner as well as their colony formation in semisolid medium. CONCLUSIONS We present a novel therapy in which oral intake of modified citrus pectin acts as a potent inhibitor of spontaneous prostate carcinoma metastasis in the Copenhagen rat. IMPLICATIONS Further investigations are warranted to determine the following: 1) the role of galectin-3 in normal and cancerous prostate tissues and 2) the ability of modified citrus pectin to inhibit human prostate metastasis in nude mice.
Clinical importance of intraperitoneal fluid in patients with blunt intra-abdominal injury.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intraperitoneal fluid (IF) in blunt trauma patients with intra-abdominal injuries, to determine the rate of exploratory laparotomy in patients with and without IF, and to identify the location of this IF. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 604 patients with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt trauma who were admitted to a level 1 trauma center over a 42-month period. Patients were considered to have intra-abdominal injuries if an injury to the spleen, liver, urinary tract, pancreas, adrenal glands, gallbladder, or gastrointestinal tract was identified on abdominal computed tomography (CT) or at exploratory laparotomy. Patients were considered to have IF if fluid was identified on abdominal CT or during exploratory laparotomy. In patients undergoing abdominal CT or abdominal ultrasound (US), the specific location of the IF was identified. Four hundred forty-three (73%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69 - 77%) of the 604 patients with intra-abdominal injuries had IF. Patients with IF had an increased risk of laparotomy (344/443 [78%] v 44/161 [27%], odds ratio = 9.2, 95% CI 6.1-13.9). Of the 539 patients undergoing abdominal CT or abdominal US, IF was identified in 389 (72%) and was visualized in the following locations: 258 of 389 (66%) in Morison's pouch, 216 of 389 (56%) in the left upper quadrant, 187 of 389 (48%) in the pelvis, and 139 of 390 (36%) in paracolic gutters. Three patients with IF visualized solely in the paracolic gutters underwent laparotomy. The majority of patients with intra-abdominal injuries have IF, and these patients are more likely to undergo laparotomy. Morison's pouch is the most common location for IF to be detected with radiologic imaging. However, visualization of the paracolic gutters with abdominal US may detect IF in patients with intra-abdominal injuries that would otherwise not be detected by US.
Processes as terms: non-well-founded models for bisimulation

A compositional semantics characterizing bisimulation equivalence is derived from transition system specifications in the SOS style, satisfying certain syntactic syntactic conditions. We use Aczel's nonstandard set theory for solving a recursive equation for a domain fo processes. It contains non-well-founded elements modelling possibly infinite behaviour. Semantic interpretations of syntactic operators are obtained by defining the operational semantics for terms consisting of both syntactic and semantic (processes)entities. Finally, we return to standard set theory by observing that a similar, though less general, result can be obtained with the use of complete metric spaces.
Speaker normalization and adaptation using second-order connectionist networks

A method for speaker normalization and adaption using connectionist networks is developed. A speaker-specific linear transformation of observations of the speech signal is computed using second-order network units. Classification is accomplished by a multilayer feedforward network that operates on the normalized speech data. The network is adapted for a new talker by modifying the transformation parameters while leaving the classifier fixed. This is accomplished by backpropagating classification error through the classifier to the second-order transformation units. This method was evaluated for the classification of ten vowels for 76 speakers using the first two formant values of the Peterson-Barney data. The results suggest that rapid speaker adaptation resulting in high classification accuracy can be accomplished by this method.
Proposed diagnostic criteria for the Brugada syndrome.

(see 3,4 for review). TheBrugada syndrome is a familial disease displaying anautosomal dominant mode of transmission with incom-plete penetrance and an incidence ranging between 5 and66 per 10 000. In regions of Southeast Asia where it isendemic, the clinical presentation of Brugada syndromeis distinguished by a male predominance (8:1 ratio ofmales:females) and the appearance of arrhythmic eventsat an average age of 40 years (range: 1 to 77 years)
Host Resistance and Immune Deviation in Pigeon Cytochromec T-Cell Receptor Transgenic Mice Infected withToxoplasma gondii

ABSTRACT Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to be mediated by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) produced by NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells. While studies of SCID mice have implicated NK cells as the source of the cytokine in acute infection, several lines of evidence suggest that IFN-γ production by CD4+ T lymphocytes also plays an important role in controlling early parasite growth. To evaluate whether this function is due to nonspecific as opposed to T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent stimulation by the parasite, we have examined the resistance toT. gondii infection of pigeon cytochrome ctransgenic (PCC-Tg) Rag-2−/− mice in which all CD4+ T lymphocytes are unreactive with the protozoan. When inoculated with the ME49 strain, PCC-Tg animals exhibited only temporary control of acute infection and succumbed by day 17. Intracellular cytokine staining by flow cytometry revealed that, in contrast to infected nontransgenic controls, infected PCC-Tg animals failed to develop IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells. Moreover, the CD4+ lymphocytes from these mice showed no evidence of activation as judged by lack of upregulated expression of CD44 or CD69. Nevertheless, when acutely infected transgenic mice were primed by PCC injection, the lymphokine responses measured after in vitro antigen restimulation displayed a strong Th1 bias which was shown to be dependent on endogenous interleukin 12 (IL-12). The above findings argue that, while T. gondii-induced IL-12 cannot trigger IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells in the absence of TCR ligation, the pathogen is able to nonspecifically promote Th1 responses against nonparasite antigens, an effect that may explain the immunostimulatory properties of T. gondii infection.
Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of Pancreas

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas are neoplasms that are characterized by ductal dilation, intraductal papillary growth, and thick mucus secretion. This relatively recently defined pathology is evolving in terms of its etiopathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and treatment guidelines. A PubMed database search was performed. All the relevant abstracts in English language were reviewed and the articles in which cases of IPMN could be identified were further scrutinized. Information of IPMN was derived, and duplication of information in several articles and those with areas of persisting uncertainties were excluded. The recent consensus guidelines were examined. The reported incidence of malignancy varies from 57% to 92% in the main duct-IPMN (MD-IPMN) and from 6% to 46% in the branch duct-IPMN (BD-IPMN). The features of high-risk malignant lesions that raise concern include obstructive jaundice in a patient with a cystic lesion in the pancreatic head, the findings on radiological imaging of a mass lesion of >30 mm, enhanced solid component, and the main pancreatic duct (MPD) of size ≥10 mm; while duct size 5-9 mm and cyst size <3 mm are considered as "worrisome features. " Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are primary investigations in diagnosing and following up on these patients. The role of pancreatoscopy and the analysis of aspirated cystic fluid for cytology and DNA analysis is still to be established. In general, resection is recommended for most MD-IPMN, mixed variant, and symptomatic BD-IPMN. The 5-year survival of patients after surgical resection for noninvasive IPMN is reported to be at 77-100%, while for those with invasive carcinoma, it is significantly lower at 27-60%. The follow-up of these patients could vary from 6 months to 1 year and would depend on the risk stratification for invasive malignancy and the pathology of the resected specimen. The understanding of IPMN has evolved over the years. The recent guidelines have played a role in this regard.
ANÁLISE DO GERENCIAMENTO DE RESULTADOS POR MEIO DE DECISÕES OPERACIONAIS NAS EMPRESAS COMPONENTES DO IBrX – ÍNDICE BRASIL

Os relatorios contabeis constituem o principal meio de disponibilizacao de informacoes financeiras para os agentes de mercado. Essas informacoes, no entanto, podem ser gerenciadas mediante decisoes operacionais que buscam afetar as informacoes reportadas ao mercado. O presente estudo tem por objetivo verificar em que medida as empresas que compoe IBrX – Indice Brasil, da BM&FBovespa, gerenciam seus resultados contabeis, baseadas em decisoes operacionais. Foram coletados dados contabeis das 100 empresas listadas no IBrX, no periodo de 2007 a 2011, utilizando os modelos desenvolvidos por Dechow, Kothari e Watts (1998), implementados por Roychowdhury (2006) e estimados por meio de dados em painel. As evidencias estatisticas apontaram que, dentre as principais praticas de gerenciamento por decisoes reais, as empresas do IBrX nao utilizaram o volume de vendas e os niveis de producao para aumentar ou reduzir os resultados contabeis. Esses resultados podem sugerir que os problemas de agencia, presentes nessas organizacoes, podem ter sido mitigados, inibindo a utilizacao dessas estrategias. Alem disso, a manipulacao dos accruals contabeis pode ter sido preferida em relacao as decisoes operacionais, ja que, normalmente, nao reflete em fluxos de caixa e nao influenciam a estrutura operacional das empresas.
Renal transplantations performed using non–heart-beating organ donors: going back to the future?1

Background. As more expanded-criteria organ donors are used to bridge the widening gap between organ supply and demand, non–heart-beating (NHB) donors will become increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to analyze renal transplant outcomes using this source of cadaveric (CAD) organs and compare the results with heart-beating organ sources. Methods. Data from 98,698 adult CAD renal transplant recipients and 34,531 living donor renal transplant recipients registered in the U. S. Renal Data System database between January 1993 and June 2000 were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare graft and patient survival rates between NHB, CAD, and living donor transplant recipients. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify risk factors for NHB donor recipients, while adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results. Recipients of NHB donor organs experienced nearly twice the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) compared with heart-beating donors (42.4% vs. 23.3%, respectively). NHB donor transplants experienced comparable allograft survival when compared with CAD transplants at 6 years (73.2% vs. 72.5%, respectively;P =NS); patient survival was greater at 6 years for NHB compared with CAD renal transplant recipients (80.9% vs. 77.8%, respectively;P =NS). Significant factors for allograft loss for NHB donor organ recipients included the following: organ used for repeat transplants; DGF; donor age older than 35 years; and head trauma as a cause of initial injury (relative risk 2.74, 1.90, 1.78, and 1.41, respectively). Conclusions. Although exhibiting elevated DGF rates, allograft and patient survival rates of transplants from NHB donor sources are equivalent to those from conventional CAD sources. Donor age, recipient transplant number, female recipient, mechanism of injury, and DGF were the most pertinent variables leading to poor outcomes.
FUNDAÇÃO OSWALDO CRUZ - FIOCRUZ ESCOLA NACIONAL DE SAÚDE PÚBLICA SERGIO AROUCA - ENSP Taxa Metabólica Basal em Adultos Residentes em Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Estudo de Base Populacional

This paper re v i ews the most re l e vant aspects of measuring basal metabolic ra t e ( B M R ) . The authors discuss individual and lifestyle factors (age, a n t h ro p o m e t ry, s m o k i n g , p h y s i- cal activity, d i e t , m e n s e s , and ethnicity) as well as possible environmental factors at time of mea- s u rement which may alter BMR va l u e s . Various available pre d i c t i ve equations, especially those recommended by the Wo rld Health Organization in 1985, and subsequent validation studies, p a rt i c u l a rly in populations living in the tro p i c s , a re pre s e n t e d . The re v i ew indicates the need for m o re information on BMR from populations living in different parts of the world so that better estimates can be provided for clinicians and epidemiologists.
Evaluation of Severe Insomnia In The General Population: Results of a European Multinational Survey

The epidemiology of severe insomnia and its effect on quality of life and healthcare consumption was assessed in a survey of the general population of five northern European countries. Applying established consumer sampling techniques, insomnia sufferers were selected from the general population using a questionnaire, conducted by face-to-face interview, and severity of insomnia was ranked (severe, mild/moderate, no sleep complaint) using a specific algorithm. Population samples were matched according to case control methodology for age, gender and geographical region. A second questionnaire gathered information on sleep problems, quality of life (SF-36 scores) and healthcare consumption. The prevalence of severe insomnia ranged from 4% to 22%, was higher in females than in males, but did not increase significantly with age. Patients with severe insomnia had been experiencing sleeping problems for a median of 2–6 years. In all countries, insomnia had a negative impact on quality of life, and the degree of impairment in quality of life was directly related to the severity of insomnia. Individuals with severe insomnia also showed a higher level of healthcare consumption. Despite this, severe insomnia did not appear to feature prominently in the doctor-patient relationship.