Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthocyanins of Hibiscus sabdiffera Calyces from Sudan

Extracts of the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa are widely used in folk medicine to combat many illnesses. The active constituents of the extracts have been shown on several occasions to be anthocyanins. In our current studies the biological activities of an extract of H. sabdariffa calyces purchased in Oman, but grown in Sudan, are being compared with those of the anthocyanins isolated from them, and, for this, the anthocyanin profile of the extract needed to be ascertained. Although several anthocyanins were detected by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS, delphinidin-3-sambubioside (major) and cyanidin-3-sambubioside were predominant.
Thyroid function, autoimmune thyroiditis and coeliac disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES Autoimmune diseases have been associated with some organ non-specific rheumatological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus; however, few studies have been performed in an extensive cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Our objective was to evaluate the thyroid function and the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies, autoimmune thyroiditis and coeliac disease in children with JIA. METHODS One hundred and fifty-one children (120 female, 31 male, median age 8.3 yr, range 2.4-16.9 yr) with JIA were evaluated. All patients underwent thyroid function tests (u-TSH, free T(4) and free T(3)), antithyroglobulin (TgA) and antiperoxidase (TPOA) antibodies, antigliadin, anti-endomysium and antitransglutaminase antibodies. All patients with raised thyroid stimulating hormone levels, low thyroid hormone levels or positive TPOA and/or TgA values had a thyroid high-resolution sonography examination. Coeliac disease was confirmed by jejunal biopsy if the specific antibodies profile was positive. One hundred and fifty-eight age- and sex-matched Caucasian children from the same geographical area acted as controls. RESULTS Fourteen (9.3%) patients showed subclinical hypothyroidism, 17 (11.9%) patients showed autoimmune thyroiditis with nine patients also showing a non-homogeneous thyroid parenchyma at ultrasound evaluation. Coeliac disease was demonstrated in 10 (6.6%) patients. Compared with controls, JIA patients had higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (P < 0.01), autoimmune thyroiditis (P < 0.0001) and coeliac disease (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS JIA children have an increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis, subclinical hypothyroidism and coeliac disease. These data seem to suggest careful monitoring of thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies and coeliac disease in JIA children.
How Many Parts to Make at Once

Reprinted from Factory, The Magazine of Management, Volume 10, Number 2, February 1913, pp. 135-136, 152. Interest on capital tied up in wages, material and overhead sets a maximum limit to the quantity of parts which can be profitably manufactured at one time; "set-up" costs on the job fix the minimum. Experience has shown one manager a way to determine the economical size of lots.
Eficácia do praziquantel e da ivermectina em equinos infectados naturalmente com ciatostomíneos

O objetivo desse trabalho foi relatar a eficacia de um anti-helmintico com dois principios ativos associados(praziquantel e ivermectina) em 14 eguas de cria, com idade media de 15 anos no municipio de Guarapuava (PR). Foram coletadas fezes diretamente da ampola retal, em tronco de contencao, em um intervalo de tempo da primeira coleta para a segunda de 15 dias e da primeira para a terceira coleta de 30 dias. Estas eguas foram aleatoriamente divididas em grupo controle (sete animais) e grupo tratado (sete animais). Foi realizada a Tecnica de Willis, Coprocultura e Tecnica de McMaster. O resultado dos exames coproparasitologicos revelou que os ovos pertenciam a familia Strongylidae , e com a coprocultura foi revelado que as larvas eram de ciatostomineos. O produto revelou que na segunda coleta das fezes, a eficacia foi de 99,09% e a terceira coleta foi de 100%. Com isso, pode-se concluir que o tratamento com praziquantel e ivermectina emassociacao e eficaz contra parasitas do genero Cyathostomum sp.
Identification of Immunodominant Sites on the Spike Protein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus: Implication for Developing SARS Diagnostics and Vaccines

The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is not only responsible for receptor binding and virus fusion, but also a major Ag among the SARS-CoV proteins that induces protective Ab responses. In this study, we showed that the S protein of SARS-CoV is highly immunogenic during infection and immunizations, and contains five linear immunodominant sites (sites I to V) as determined by Pepscan analysis with a set of synthetic peptides overlapping the entire S protein sequence against the convalescent sera from SARS patients and antisera from small animals immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV. Site IV located in the middle region of the S protein (residues 528–635) is a major immunodominant epitope. The synthetic peptide S603–634, which overlaps the site IV sequence reacted with all the convalescent sera from 42 SARS patient, but none of the 30 serum samples from healthy blood donors, suggesting its potential application as an Ag for developing SARS diagnostics. This study also provides information useful for designing SARS vaccines and understanding the SARS pathogenesis.
[Effect of total flavonoids of astragalus on endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, calumenin and connecxin 43 in suckling mouse myocardium with myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of total flavonoids of astragalus on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, calumenin and connecxin 43 (CX43) in suckling mouse myocardium with myocarditis caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). METHODS The primary culture of suckling mouse myocardium cells were randomly divided into control group, CVB3 infected group and total flavonoids of astragalus group. Firstly, to confirm the identity of the suckling mouse myocardium, α-SMA was monitored by immunohistochemistry method. Then the protein expression changes of endoplasmic reticulum chaperone-glucose regulatory protein 78 ( GRP78), calumenin and CX43 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS (1) Compared with that of the control group, the GRP78 expression level in CVB3 infected group was improved, the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were all reduced. (2) Compared with that of CVB3 infected group, GRP78 expression level was decreased, and the expression levels of calumenin and CX43 were increased in total flavonoids of astragalus group. CONCLUSION CVB3 infection may cause endoplasmic reticulum stress of rat myocardium cells by increasing the expression of GRP78 and decreasing the expression of calumenin and CX43. On the other hand, total flavonoids of astragalus can reduce the expression of GRP78 and increase the expression of calumenin and CX43.The results of this experiment may be closely related to the effects of anti-arrhythmia with viral myocarditis caused by CVB3.
Alcohol-related advice for Veterans Affairs primary care patients: Who gets it? Who gives it?

OBJECTIVE Most patients who misuse alcohol do not receive alcohol counseling from their providers. This study evaluated primary care patient and provider characteristics associated with receipt of alcohol-related advice and whether patients were advised to drink less or to abstain. METHOD Outpatients from seven Veterans Affairs (VA) general medicine clinics were eligible if they screened positive for alcohol misuse, completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and answered questions about alcohol-related treatment and advice. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to evaluate patient and provider characteristics associated with patient reports of alcohol-related advice from a primary care provider in the past year. RESULTS Among 5191 patients with alcohol misuse in the past year, 1554 (30%) reported receiving alcohol-related advice from their primary care provider during that time. Of patients advised, 73% reported advice to abstain. The likelihood of reporting advice increased as AUDIT scores increased: from 13% of patients with AUDIT scores <8 to 71% of those with scores > or =20. After adjustment for important confounders, measures reflecting the severity of alcohol misuse were most strongly associated with receipt of alcohol-related advice. Adjusted analyses also revealed increased odds of receiving advice among patients who reported liver disease, hypertension, current smoking or continuity of care. No measured provider characteristic was associated with giving advice in the fully adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS This multisite VA study found that most patients with alcohol misuse did not receive alcohol counseling from a primary care provider. Moreover, providers predominantly offered advice to abstain, and they appeared to focus on patients with the most severe problems due to drinking or medical contraindications to drinking.
Neurologic, Neuropsychologic, and Electroencephalographic Findings After European Tick-borne Encephalitis in Children

Tick-borne European early summer meningoencephalitis is believed to be a benign disease in childhood. The causative RNA virus is from the same family as the West Nile virus, and the respective clinical presentations have many similarities. We studied 19 German children who had suffered from tick-borne encephalitis virus meningitis or meningoencephalitis in an endemic area and compared them with 19 matched controls. Epidemiologic data were consistent with known features of tick-borne encephalitis infection in southern Germany. None of the children studied had severe neurologic or neuropsychologic sequelae. One child developed significant clinical depression shortly after the illness. Electroencephalograms (EEGS) from children with tickborne encephalitis were significantly slower on follow-up than control EEGs. After tickbome encephalitis, children had a higher likelihood of having an impairment of attention and psychomotor speed. Using the Touwen neurologic examination, after tick-borne encephalitis, children had lower scores than control children on 4 of the 10 subsystems. Owing to the small sample size, it was difficult to identify risk factors for and predictors of adverse outcomes. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:500-508).
A Pilot Characterization of Human Lung NSCLC by Protein Pathway Activation Mapping

Background: An understanding of the activated protein signaling architecture in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is of critical importance to the development of new therapeutic approaches and identification of predictive and prognostic biomarkers for patient stratification. Methods: We used reverse-phase protein microarrays to map the activated protein signaling networks of 47 NSCLC tumors, 28 of which were node negative, which were subjected to tumor cellular enrichment using laser capture microdissection. The phosphorylation/cleavage levels of 111 key signaling proteins and total levels of 17 proteins were measured for broadscale signaling analysis. Results: Pathway activation mapping of NSCLC revealed distinct subgroups composed of epidermal growth factor receptor (ERBB1), v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2), v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 3 (ERBB3), v-erb-a erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 4 (ERBB4), v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1- mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT-mTOR), protein kinase, AMP-activated, alpha 2 catalytic subunit (AMPK), and autophagy-related signaling, along with transforming growth factor-beta-signaling protein 1 (SMAD), insulin-line growth factor receptor (IGFR), rearranged during transfection proto-oncogene (RET), and activated CDC42-associated kinase (ACK) activation. Investigation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-driven signaling identified a unique cohort of tumors with low EGFR protein expression yet high relative levels of phosphorylated EGFR and high EGFR total protein with low relative levels of phosphorylation. Last, mapping analysis of patients with NSCLC with N0 disease revealed a pilot pathway activation signature composed of linked epidermal growth factor receptor family (HER)-AMPK-AKT-mTOR signaling network along with focal adhesion kinase- LIM domain kinase-1 (FAK-LIMK) and janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathways that correlated with short-term survival and aggressive disease. Conclusions: Functional protein pathway activation mapping of NSCLC reveals distinct activation subgroups that are underpinned by important therapeutic targets and that patients with early-stage node negative disease and poor prognosis may be identified by activation of defined, biochemically linked protein signaling events. Such findings, if confirmed in larger study sets, could help select and stratify patients for personalized targeted therapies.
25-OH vitamin D level has no impact on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 HCV-infected patients

Background and aim The impact of 25-OH vitamin D on sustained viral response (SVR) to antiviral therapy and on fibrosis progression in hepatitis C is debated. We assessed the impact of 25-OH vitamin D concentration on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Methods The study population consisted of treatment-naïve genotype 1 patients enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. A total of 516 patients received peginterferon α-2a 180 µg/week plus ribavirin 800 mg/day for 24 weeks. There were 349 patients with undetectable HCV RNA (<50 IU/ml) at week 24 (W24) who were randomised to continue dual therapy (n = 173) or to continue peginterferon alone (n = 176) until week 48. 25-OH vitamin D concentration was measured at baseline in frozen serum. Results A total of 461 patients could be analysed for virologic response at W24, and 285 (119 non-responders at W24 + 166 responders who continued dual therapy until W48) for the impact of SVR. There were 487 patients who could be analysed for fibrosis progression. Metavir fibrosis scores (centralised analysis) were: F1 30%, F2 34%, F3 27% and F4 9%. Median 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were similar in virologic responders (13.5 ng/ml) and in non-responders at W24 (12.6 ng/ml), as well as in patients with SVR (12.8 ng/ml) and without SVR (12.8 ng/ml, 3.99) at W72. Median 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were: F1: 14.30 ng/ml, F2: 13.50 ng/ml, F3: 13.30 ng/ml and F4: 12.80 ng/ml. Conclusion In this study, 25-OH vitamin D level has no impact on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in naïve genotype 1 HCV-infected patients.
A comparative cohort study on transfusion practice and outcome in two Dutch tertiary neonatal centres

The objective of this study was to investigate how a red blood cell transfusion volume of 15 or 20 mL kg−1 body weight affects the total number of administered transfusions and neonatal complications in premature infants born before 32 gestational weeks. In this observational study, we analysed clinical data from two cohorts of 218 and 241 premature infants admitted to two neonatal centres which used the same transfusion guideline and product, but different transfusion volumes. Outcome parameters were the number of administered transfusions and the composite outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular haemorrhage and mortality. The proportion of transfused infants was significantly lower (59 vs. 77%) in the centre using a lower transfusion volume of 15 mL kg−1. In infants born between a gestational age of 24 0/7 weeks and 27 6/7 weeks. a similar proportion received transfusions in both centres, with an equal number of transfusions per infant. In infants born between a gestational age of 28 0/7 weeks and 31 6/7 weeks, the proportion of transfused infants (49 vs. 74%) was significantly higher in the centre using a larger transfusion volume. In these infants, transfusion with 20 mL kg−1 resulted, however, in a mean reduction of one transfusion episode per infant. The higher proportion of transfused infants was associated with a higher pre‐transfusion haematocrit in less ill infants, suggesting the use of different triggers based on clinical grounds. Composite clinical complications were similar in both cohorts. Clinical neonatal outcome was similar disregard of a higher proportion of transfused patients and a higher total amount of RBC transfused in one of the centres. A larger transfusion volume of 20 mL kg−1 prolonged the interval until next transfusion and can reduce donor exposure in infants born between a gestational age of 28 0/7 weeks and 31 6/7 weeks.
Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Postharvest Insect Disinfestation of California Walnuts

Before shipment, California inshell walnuts destined for the valuable export market must be disinfested of both field pests (codling moth and navel orangeworm) and common storage pests (Indianmeal moth and red flour beetle). Until recently fumigation with methyl bromide has been the most common disinfestation method, but access to methyl bromide is now greatly restricted in developed countries, causing walnut processors to seek alternative methods. In addition to alternative chemical fumigants, non-chemical physical treatments are being developed. One treatment uses radio frequency energy to rapidly heat walnuts to an average temperature of 60°C for 5 minutes. Large-scale tests using an industrial radio frequency heater successfully disinfested walnuts of navel orangeworm while maintaining good product quality. A second alternative treatment is the use of cold storage (0-5°C) to either disinfest product or prevent reinfestation of clean product. At temperatures of 0 and 5°C, 95% mortality of test insects was achieved at 10 and 18 days, respectively. Storage at 10°C prevented reproduction, product damage and reinfestation, but 127 day exposures were required to kill 95% of Indianmeal moth larvae. A third alternative treatment exposes product to a low pressure (vacuum) environment of 50 mm Hg in flexible polyvinyl chloride containers. Temperature and moisture content of the product strongly affects treatment efficacy, with complete mortality of test insects achieved at treatment exposures of 48 hours or less under optimal conditions.
Coat condition of ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta, at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar: II. Coat and tail alopecia associated with Leucaena leucocepahala, 2001–2006

Fur condition in wild ringtailed lemurs, Lemur catta, was recorded during September–November birth seasons 2001–2006 at Berenty Reserve, Madagascar. Body coat condition was scored on a scale from BS 0: full, smooth coat with guard hairs, to BS5: half or more of back and limbs hairless. Tail condition was scored from TS 0: full, to TS 5: half or more hairless. Where troop core areas included stands of Leucaena leucocephala, alopecia was dramatically more frequent than in similar areas without leucaena, including many animals with score BS5 or TS5, “bald lemur syndrome. ” Female coats were worse than males,' possibly related to female dominance and access to this preferred food. Tails in non‐leucaena‐feeding females tend to remain full, even if coats deteriorate, but with leucaena‐feeding female tails are highly correlated with coat condition and equally bare. Coat and tail condition in L. catta reflected not only the dietary toxin but individual differences as well as differences between adjacent troops that may result from territorially mediated access to the environment. Leucaena contains the non‐protein amino acid mimosine, a known cause of alopecia, wasting, and organ damage in livestock, although the effects are usually reversible. This is the first case of its effect in wildlife. Leucaena is an agroforestry tree introduced throughout the tropics. In high dietary concentrations leucaena might potentially affect any browsing mammal. Am. J. Primatol. 71:199–205, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nurses' Attitudes Toward Dimensions of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' attitudes toward nursing behaviors. The research question was: What is the relative importance that nurses attribute to certain dimensions of nursing behaviors? In order to answer this question, an attitudinal instrument was developed and administered to a sample of 196 female nurses whose names were obtained from the deans and directors of the nine NLN schools in Connecticut. Five a priori constructs were used as a basis for validation in the instrument development—the utilization of a unique body of knowledge and skills; the utilization of the nursing process; research ability; leadership ability; and teaching, prevention, and maintenance. Objectives, which were obtained from each of the nine schools in Connecticut, as well as from the NLN, constituted the items in the measuring instrument. Factor analysis of the instrument yielded seven factors, accounting for 63.1 percent of the total variance. Three of these factors were the same factors as those identified in the a priori analysis. The results of this study contribute toward a better understanding of nurses' perceptions of the importance of several identified components of the nursing role.
On density of old sets in Prikry type extensions

Every set of ordinals of cardinality κ in a Prikry extension with a measure over κ contains an old set of arbitrary large cardinality below κ, and, actually, it can be split into countably many old sets. What about sets bigger cardinalities? Clearly, any set of ordinals in a forcing extension of a regular cardinality above the cardinality of the forcing used, contains an old set of the same cardinality. Still cardinals in the interval (κ, 2κ] remain. Here we would like to address this type of questions. 1 A situation under 2 = κ. Let us start with the following observation. Proposition 1.1 Suppose that 2 = κ. Let U be a normal ultrafilter over κ and PU be the Prikry forcing with U . Then in V PU there is a subset of κ without old subsets of the same size. Proof. Work in V . Pick a generating sequence 〈Aα | α < κ〉 for U such that for every α ≤ β < κ, Aβ ⊆∗ Aα . It is possible since 2 = κ and U is normal. Define an other generating sequence 〈Aα | α < κ〉 as follows. Let C ⊆ κ be a club such that |[αν , αν+1]| = κ, for every ν < κ, where {αν | ν < κ} is an increasing enumeration of C. We set Aαν = Aν . Pick a surjective map h : κ → [κ]. Let, for every ν < κ, gν : (αν , αν+1) ←→ κ. Now if β ∈ (αν , αν+1), for some ν < κ, then set Aβ = Aαν ∪ h(gν(β)). Clearly, 〈Aα | α < κ〉 is a generating sequence for U and for every α ≤ β < κ, Aβ ⊆∗ Aα. Now let G ⊆ PU be generic and {κn | n < ω} be the corresponding Prikry sequence. Set X = {α < κ | Aα ⊇ {κn | n < ω}}. A ⊆∗ B means that |A \B| < κ