Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new approach to morbidity risk assessment in hookworm endemic communities

SUMMARY The relationship between paired hookworm prevalence and mean intensity of infection data from geographically defined communities was examined. The results show that, in spite of major socio-economic and environmental differences between communities, the relationship is consistent and non-linear. A generalized value of k (the exponent of the negative binomial distribution) for hookworms was estimated to be 0.34, which is consonant with previous estimates from cross-sectional data. Maximum likelihood analysis indicates that the severity of hookworm aggregation in humans has an inverse relationship to mean worm burden which is less marked than for Ascaris lumbricoides. A simple model, based on published estimates of hookworm burdens associated with hookworm anaemia, was used to predict prevalence of morbidity from prevalence of infection data for Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. Predictions correspond to the observation that hookworm anaemia is highly focal, and largely coastal, in distribution. These analyses suggest that locality-targeting of chemotherapy is particularly appropriate for the control of hookworm morbidity.
The influence of age on reproductive capacity in C57BL mice.

Summary. The influence of age on fertility was investigated in male and female C57/BL Icrf a' mice, ranging in age from 1\m=1/2\to 30 months. In males, the number of litters sired declined after about 24 months but there was no significant change in litter size. Most mice over 24 months old were sterile. The oldest male to sire a litter was 31 months old. The litter size in females followed the accepted pattern, declining from about 8 months: most mice were sterile by 12 months and the oldest mouse to produce a litter was 16 months old. The decline in fertility with increasing age in the female is well established (e.g. Jones & Krohn, 1961) but there is little information on the effects of age on breeding performance in the male. Although there is some evidence of declining fertility in bulls (Bishop, Campbell, Hancock & Walton, 1954), Finn (1964), using a non-inbred mouse strain (TO) found that the age of the sire had no significant effect on fertility as measured by litter size. In the present paper, the effects of age on the number of litters and on litter size in a colony of ageing mice are described. The mice used were C57/BL Icrf a', a mutant sub-line of C57BL mice established by Craigie (personal communication) in 1958 and since maintained in the ICRF laboratories. The mice were housed in pairs in an artificially lighted room (12 hr light and 12 hr darkness) and fed on a commercial pelleted diet (GR/R/3EK, Dixon's, Ware). Tap water was freely available. Five groups of males, 5, 18, 20, 24 and 30 months old, were used. Each was paired with a female of proved fertility. If the female died or became ill, it was replaced. The ages of the fifty-one females used ranged from 6 weeks to 7 months (eleven were 6 weeks old, seven were 3 months old, twenty-two were 4 months old and eleven were 5 to 7 months old). Three additional groups, each of six females aged 10, 17 and 25 months, were also used. These were paired with males of proved fertility, aged 7 months. The results are given in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 gives litter size, number of litters and interval between litters for each group of males. To avoid the possible effects of declining fertility in the female, only the figures for the first 4 months of the breeding period are given. Litter size was not influenced by season. The oldest male to sire a litter was 31 months of age. Table 2 gives the litter size by
The Effect of Midazolam and Lorazepam on Postoperative Recovery After Cardiac Surgery

M idazolam and lorazepam have been used as adjuncts to high-dose opioids to provide hypnosis and reduce the incidence of intraoperative recall during cardiac surgery (l-7). Administration of an amnestic dose of a benzodiazepine during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may be considered due to dilution of anesthetics administered prior to CPB (8,9). However, the postoperative effects related to the sedative and amnestic activity from benzodiazepines administered during CPB has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of amnestic doses of midazolam or lorazepam during CPB had any effect on postoperative recovery. We also examined the influence of several independent variables that could have affected the pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepines or opioids and thereby influenced recovery from anesthesia.
The Prevalence and Regional Variation of Major Depressive Disorder Among Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Medicare Population

Background: Current evidence suggests an association between coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder (MDD). Data to support a similar association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and MDD are more limited. This study examines the prevalence and regional variation of both PAD and MDD in a large contemporary patient sample. Methods: All Medicare claims, part A and B, from January 2009 until December 2011 were queried using diagnosis codes specific for a previously validated clinical algorithm for PAD and major depression. Codes for PAD included those specific to cerebrovascular disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral arterial disease prevalence, major depression prevalence, and coprevalence rates were determined, respectively. Regional variation of both conditions was determined using zip code data to identify potential endemic areas of disease intensity for both diagnoses. Results: Over the study interval, the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis of PAD remained relatively constant (3.0%-3.7%, n = 0.85-1.06 million in part A and 17.4%-17.5%, n = 4.82-4.93 million in part B), and MDD showed a similar trend (1.6%-2.7%, n = 0.46-0.79 million in part A and 6.1%-6.7%, n = 1.69-1.90 million in part B). The observed rate of MDD in those with an established diagnosis of PAD was 5-fold higher than those without PAD in part A claims (1.8-fold in part B claims). Moreover, there was a significant linear geographic correlation among patients with PAD and MDD (r = .54, P ≤ .01). Conclusions: This study documents a correlation between PAD and MDD and may, therefore, identify an at-risk population susceptible to inferior clinical outcomes. Significant regional variation exists in the prevalence of PAD and MDD, though there appear to be specific endemic regions notable for both disorders. Accordingly, health-care resource allocation toward endemic regions may help improve population health among this at-risk cohort.
Psychophysiology of work: stress, gender, endocrine response, and work-related upper extremity disorders.

BACKGROUND Mental stress may induce muscle tension and has been proposed to contribute to the development of work related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) by driving low threshold motor units into degenerative processes by overload. METHODS AND RESULTS Measurements of perceived stress, catecholamines, blood pressure, and heart rate are associated with stress induced elevation of trapezius electromyographic activity. In repetitive tasks, where WRUEDs are common, psychophysiological arousal is generally high both during and after work. A possible explanation of the high prevalence of WRUEDs among women could be that women often are performing repetitive tasks and are exposed to additional stress from unpaid work. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that both physical and psychosocial work conditions may contribute to WRUEDs by inducing physiological stress and muscle tension.
A prospective study of ultrasound scan-guided thrombin injection of femoral pseudoaneurysm: a trend toward minimal medication.

BACKGROUND Catheterizations and endovascular procedures in which the femoral artery is cannulated are sometimes complicated by iatrogenic pseudoaneuryms. Surgical repair of pseudoaneurysms was the treatment of choice until 1991 when compression was used in those that were small. A less uncomfortable technique involving the ultrasound scan-guided injection of thrombin (UGTI) has been used more recently. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound scan-guided thrombin injection (UGTI) as a treatment of iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms. METHODS From December 1998 to December 2000, 3734 femoral artery catheterizations were performed, and from those, 32 consecutive patients with 33 femoral pseudoaneurysms (0.88%) of less than 8 cm were prospectively enrolled for UGTI. With sterile technique, a 21-gauge or 22-gauge spinal needle was used to access the pseudoaneurysm and thrombin (100 to 6000 international units [IU]) was slowly injected until thrombosis occurred. RESULTS The initial success rate was 100%. Thirty-one cases (93.9%) remained successfully thrombosed with a single injection at day 30. Recurrence of two pseudoaneurysms (6.1%) was seen at day 1 and day 8. One patient had groin cellulitis develop, and the other had a bleed into the thigh after discharge; both were treated with open surgical repair. Fifteen patients underwent UGTI on an outpatient basis with 100% successful ablation. More than half of the patients were on an inpatient basis (53.1%). Hospital stay was 1 to 9 days, with 88.2% of the patients released on day 1 or 2. However, two patients had a prolonged stay: one from open repair (day 9) and the other from a gastrointestinal bleed (day 8). Pseudoaneurysms ranged from 1.7 to 7.5 cm and lasted 1 to 17 days before UGTI. Twenty-one of the patients (65.7%) continued undergoing anticoagulant therapy at the time of injection. Ten of the last 11 cases needed less than 800 IU, and nearly half of the pseudoaneurysms (49%) successfully thrombosed with less than 600 IU. No procedural complications or mortality were noted. No statistical significance was found between occurrence of the pseudoaneurysm and sheath size (with chi(2) test, P value =. 05) or between the size of the pseudoaneurysm and successful thrombosis (with chi(2) test: degrees of freedom, 6 - 1 = 5; P value =. 227426). A mean follow-up period of 11.8 months was documented (range, 71 to 24 months). Seven patients were lost to follow-up at less than 30 days. CONCLUSION Percutaneous thrombin injection of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms is an effective treatment. Not only is it minimally painful, but it can be done as an outpatient procedure and anticoagulation therapy does not hinder the success. Minimal thrombin seems necessary to successfully treat pseudoaneurysms that may further limit procedure-related complications.
Arginine infusion stimulates prolactin, growth hormone, insulin, and subsequent lactation in pregnant dairy cows.

L-Arginine or saline was administered intravenously by rapid infusion into 16 late-pregnant Holstein cows to study changes of prolactin, growth hormone, insulin, total protein, urea nitrogen, and subsequent lactation. Arginine was infused daily at . 1 g/kg body weight starting about 7 days prior to predicted calving until calving. Blood was sampled via a jugular cannula at 0700, 0715, 0730 (infusion immediately followed 0730 h sample), 0745, 0815, 0845, 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700, and 1900 h. Arginine infusion evoked dramatic but transient increase of concentrations of blood serum prolactin, growth hormone, and insulin. Urea nitrogen also was elevated in blood serum but not total protein. The secretory response of prolactin, growth hormone, and insulin to daily arginine infusion during the entire prepartum period was not diminished. Milk production for the first 22 wk of lactation tended to be higher (by about 10%) for cows infused with arginine as compared to cows infused with saline. Therefore, repeated arginine infusion in late-pregnant cows dramatically increased prolactin, growth hormone, and insulin and tended to increase subsequent milk yield.
A single amino acid change converts Aurora-A into Aurora-B-like kinase in terms of partner specificity and cellular function

Aurora kinase-A and -B are key regulators of the cell cycle and tumorigenesis. It has remained a mystery why these 2 Aurora kinases, although highly similar in protein sequence and structure, are distinct in subcellular localization and function. Here, we report the striking finding that a single amino acid residue is responsible for these differences. We replaced the Gly-198 of Aurora-A with the equivalent residue Asn-142 of Aurora-B and found that in HeLa cells, Aurora-AG198N was recruited to the inner centromere in metaphase and the midzone in anaphase, reminiscent of the Aurora-B localization. Moreover, Aurora-AG198N compensated for the loss of Aurora-B in chromosome misalignment and cell premature exit from mitosis. Furthermore, Aurora-AG198N formed a complex with the Aurora-B partners, INCENP and Survivin, and its localization depended on this interaction. Aurora-AG198N phosphorylated the Aurora-B substrates INCENP and Survivin in vitro. Therefore, we propose that the presence of Gly or Asn at a single site assigns Aurora-A and -B to their respective partners and thus to their distinctive subcellular localizations and functions.
Morphologic changes of peritoneum and expression of VEGF in encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis rat models.

BACKGROUND Simple sclerosis consisted of a thin layer of submesothelial sclerotic tissue in peritoneal dialysis patients. Encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) was characterized by thick sclerotic tissue involving vascular alterations in peritoneal dialysis patients. The objective of the present study is to evaluate serial morphologic changes and expressions of angiogenic factors [i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopietin-1 (Ang-1), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2)] in EPS rat models. METHODS Twenty-four rats were given a daily intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate and ethanol dissolved in saline (CH). Nine rats were injected with CH and anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody simultaneously. Quantitative blood vessel evaluation was performed by staining for GS1-lectin. The mRNA expression of VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, and their receptors was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical staining was performed in peritoneal vessels using anti-VEGF, Ang-1, and Ang-2 antibodies. Hematopoietic stem cells were detected using anti-CD34 antibody. RESULTS The vessel area, diameter, and length gradually increased until day 21, and then decreased. VEGF and Ang-2 mRNA expressions gradually increased until day 35. In contrast, Ang-1 peaked at day 21 and then decreased significantly. VEGF blockade improved the experimental EPS. In immunohistochemistry, the vessels stained by VEGF and Ang-2 were detected in subfibrous layer. CD34-positive cells were markedly stained at day 21. CONCLUSION Neoangiogenesis was observed in a rat model of experimental EPS. VEGF and angiopoietin/Tie system play an important role in the neoangiogenesis in this model. An analysis using this experimental rat model may elucidate the development of EPS in peritoneal dialysis patients.
Effects of pulsed and continuous wave 902 MHz mobile phone exposure on brain oscillatory activity during cognitive processing

The aim of the current double‐blind studies was to partially replicate the studies by Krause et al. [ 2000a , b , 2004 ] and to further investigate the possible effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by mobile phones (MP) on the event‐related desynchronisation/synchronisation (ERD/ERS) EEG (electroencephalogram) responses during cognitive processing. Two groups, both consisting of 36 male participants, were recruited. One group performed an auditory memory task and the other performed a visual working memory task in six exposure conditions: SHAM (no EMF), CW (continuous wave EMF) and PM (pulse modulated EMF) during both left‐ and right‐side exposure, while the EEG was recorded. In line with our previous studies, we observed that the exposure to EMF had modest effects on brain oscillatory responses in the alpha frequency range (∼8–12 Hz) and had no effects on the behavioural measures. The effects on the EEG were, however, varying, unsystematic and inconsistent with previous reports. We conclude that the effects of EMF on brain oscillatory responses may be subtle, variable and difficult to replicate for unknown reasons. Bioelectromagnetics 28:296–308, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of energy deficiency on estrogen metabolism in premenopausal women.

PURPOSE Physical activity has been associated with decreased breast cancer risk, potentially through changes in estrogen metabolism. Two-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1) have different biological properties, and the ratio of these metabolites (2/16) has been proposed to predict breast cancer risk. Diet and exercise have been found to influence estrogen metabolism, particularly when a state of negative energy balance is achieved. We sought to determine whether 4 months of moderate-intensity exercise coupled with calorie restriction would result in changes in urinary 2-OHE1, 16alpha-OHE1, or 2/16 in sedentary, premenopausal, eumenorrheic women. METHODS Average age was 31.5 yr, average body fat was 31.6%, and average BMI was 23.7. Urinary estrogen metabolites were measured in 24 women during the baseline and for four intervention months in the midfollicular and midluteal phases. RESULTS The intervention produced a significant drop in body fat (4.5%) and body weight (3.7 kg). Aerobic fitness increased significantly (26%; P < 0.001). Overall, there were no significant effects of the diet and exercise intervention on 2-OHE1, 16alpha-OHE1, or 2/16. However, when divided into tertiles according to baseline 2/16, the intervention resulted in significant increases in 2/16 in women in the lowest tertile. Women in the lowest tertile (average 2/16 = 0.91) did not differ from the other tertiles in baseline estradiol concentrations, body fat, weight, fitness, or changes in these variables with the intervention. CONCLUSION The data suggest that women at higher risk for developing breast cancer because of low 2/16 may reduce their risk by participating in lifestyle interventions such as exercise/calorie restriction.
Concentration of adipogenic and proinflammatory cytokines in the bone marrow supernatant fluid of osteoporotic women

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility, and a resulting susceptibility to fractures. Distinctive environmental bone marrow conditions appear to support the development and maintenance of the unbalance between bone resorption and bone formation; these complex bone marrow circumstances would be reflected in the fluid surrounding bone marrow cells. The content of regulatory molecules in the extracellular fluid from the human bone marrow is practically unknown. Since the content of cytokines such as adiponectin, leptin, osteoprogeterin (OPG), soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (s‐RANKL), tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) may elicit conditions promoting or sustaining osteoporosis, in this work we compared the concentrations of the above‐mentioned cytokines and also the level of the soluble receptors for both IL‐6 and leptin in the extracellular fluid from the bone marrow of nonosteoporotic and osteoporotic human donors. A supernatant fluid (bone marrow supernatant fluid [BMSF]) was obtained after spinning the aspirated bone marrow samples; donors were classified as nonosteoporotic or osteoporotic after dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) measuring. Specific commercially available kits were used for all measurements. The cytokines' concentration in BMSF showed differently among nonosteoporotic and osteoporotic women; this last group was characterized by higher content of proinflammatory and adipogenic cytokines. Also, osteoporotic BMSF differentiated by decreased leptin bioavailability, suggesting that insufficient leptin action may distinguish the osteoporotic bone marrow. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Comparison on Stability between Islamic and Conventional Banks in Malaysia

Islamic banks were relatively unaffected during the recent financial meltdown. This has raised the possibility that financial institutions, operating on Islamic principles are more stable compared to their conventional counterparts. This motivates us to undertake to examine relative stability between Islamic and conventional banks. Z-score and NPL are used as proxies for bank stability. Computation of Z-score and NPL suggest that on average Islamic banks are relatively more stable than their conventional counterparts. Standard panel data analysis suggests that factors affecting both Islamic and conventional banks stability are similar, except for the degree of diversification in income. Stability is not a function of income diversification for Islamic banks but it is in the case of conventional banks. This explained why during recent crisis, when various sources of bank income was adversely affected, Islamic banks remained stable as opposed to the conventional banks.
Simple type-theoretic foundations for object-oriented programming

Abstract We develop a formal, type-theoretic account of the basic mechanisms of object-oriented programming: encapsulation, message passing, subtyping and inheritance. By modelling object encapsulation in terms of existential types instead of the recursive records used in other recent studies, we obtain a substantial simplification both in the model of objects and in the underlying typed λ-calculus.
Molecular Typing of Field Isolates from two outbreaks of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus from Pakistan

A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (RT-PCR/RFLP) technique was used for the identification and characterization of Pakistani field isolates of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). A total of 8 bursa samples were collected from two outbreaks during September and October 2003 from Tehsil Sumandri, Dist. Faisalabad with 40-50% mortality in commercially reared broiler chicken flocks experiencing signs typical of infectious bursal disease (IBD). Four samples were found to contain IBDV genome by One Step RTPCR using VP2 gene specific primers. The assay amplified a 743 bp fragment from 701-1444 nucleotides. RT-PCR product was further subjected to restriction digestion using MboI and MvaI restriction enzymes. A third enzyme SspI was used to identify the very virulent phenotype. The RFLP profile was found similar for all four isolates with MvaI enzyme but different for one isolate when digested with MboI. All three MvaI-positive viruses were further found positive for SspI digestion and yielded RFLP profile similar to vvIBDV in Europe whereas one isolate was SspI negative and had a RFLP profile similar to classic IBDV strains. The clinical history of high mortality and SspI restriction enzyme positivity revealed that vvIBDV strains exist in Pakistan.
Denosumab Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws as Consequence of Osteoporosis Treatment-A Case Series

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws represents a widely studied pathology. Moreover, some cases of ONJ related to the use of Denosumab have also been described recently. Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody. It is bound with high affinity and specificity to nuclear factor kappa beta activating factor ligand (RANKL) and prevents Rank activation with reduction bone reabsorption. However, medium and long term effects of this drug are not unknown yet. The main goal of the present report is twofold. First, we point out the serious complications that these drugs might provoke. Second, we describe four cases of Denosumab related ONJ in order to expand the knowledge about the proper management of this rare complication.