Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Plasma Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase Levels And Severity of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients With Type Two Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Selenium (Se), and antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) play an important protective role in diabetes complications. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between plasma Se and GPx levels with severity of diabetic nephropathy. Patients and Methods: In a case-control study, we measured plasma Se and GPx concentrations in patients with type two diabetes without microalbuminuria (group 1), with microalbuminuria (group 2), with macroalbuminuria (group 3), and healthy control subjects (group 4). We also assessed plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, and glycated hemoglobin levels in all study patients. Results: Plasma Se and GPx concentrations were significantly lower in diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria than other study groups (P < 0.001). Albuminuria (Alb/Cr in random urine sample) had a negative correlation with plasma Se (r = -0.40, P = 0.01), and GPx (r = -0.23, P = 0.03) concentrations. Conclusions: Plasma Se and GPx levels were lower in type two diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria and related to the stage of diabetic nephropathy.
Epidemiological and microbiological study of an outbreak of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in sheep

After several thousand sheep had been imported from Australia and New Zealand to Croatia during 1995, many native sheep that had been in contact with the imported animals acquired a severe ocular disease closely resembling infectious keratoconjunctivitis. In affected flocks glucose-fermenting mycoplasma were isolated from 48 per cent of conjunctival swabs and Branhamela ovis from 58 per cent. Twelve of 42 culturally and biochemically identical isolates were identified as Mycoplasma conjunctivae by polymerase chain reaction. From the conjunctivae of two animals M conjunctivae and M arginini were isolated in mixed culture. For many reasons most farmers removed the imported animals from their flocks and only sporadic cases of the disease were recognised in 1996. At the end of 1997, six flocks which were clinically free of the disease but had been affected during 1995, and five flocks with no history of the severe ocular disease were examined clinically and microbiologically, and were found to be free of M conjunctivae infection. At the time, B ovis was cultured almost exclusively from sheep originating from flocks which had been affected during 1995 and/or 1996. It was usually isolated in pure culture or as the predominant bacterial species, and was often accompanied by mild conjunctivitis. There were no microbiologically confirmed new cases of infectious keratoconjunctivitis during 1998 and 1999.
Prevalence and risk factors for COPD in farmers: a cross-sectional controlled study

There are conflicting data regarding the magnitude and determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk in farmers. In a cross-sectional study of 917 nonfarming working controls and 3787 farmers aged 40–75 years, we assessed respiratory symptoms, tobacco exposure, job history (without direct exposure measurement) and lung function. COPD was defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criterion (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70) and by the Quanjer reference equation (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <lower limit of normal (LLN)). The prevalence (95% CI) of COPD according to the GOLD criterion was 5.1% (4.4–5.8%) and 2.9% (1.8–4.0%) in farmers and controls, respectively (p=0.005), and 3.1% (2.5–3.6%) and 1.5% (0.7–2.3%), respectively, for the LLN criterion (p<0.01). For both COPD criteria after adjustment for age, sex and smoking status, COPD prevalence was similar in controls and crop farmers. Compared to controls, four job categories had a higher prevalence of COPD according to the GOLD criterion, namely, cattle breeders, swine breeders, poultry breeders and breeders of two or more livestock types. Among cattle breeders, only those from Franche-Comté had higher prevalence of COPD according to both GOLD and LLN criteria. The prevalence of COPD in farmers is higher than in nonfarming working controls, and depends on the farming activity, the region and the criterion used to define COPD. Prevalence of COPD is higher in agricultural workers than in nonfarming working control subjects http://ow.ly/RUYe8
Voice Outcome following Acute Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

Objectives: We assessed voice outcomes following unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 72 patients with UVFP proven by laryngeal electromyography, including their Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) scores at presentation and at the study end point (at the return of vocal fold motion or before the decision regarding definitive treatment). Results: The average VHI-10 score on presentation was 26.9 of 40 (27.2 for patients who recovered motion and 26.7 for those who did not; p = 0.847). A recovery of vocal fold motion was experienced by 35% of patients, and 76.4% of patients underwent temporary vocal fold injection. For the patients who recovered motion, the average changes in VHI-10 score were −22.3 for those with injection and −11.4 for those without (p = 0.027). For patients without motion recovery, the average changes in VHI-10 score were −9.5 for those with injection and −0.8 for those without (p = 0.027). At the study end point, 84% of patients with return of motion had normal VHI-10 scores, in contrast to 21% of patients without motion recovery (p = 0.0009). Conclusions: A return of vocal fold motion is a vital determinant of voice outcome in patients with UVFP. However, despite recovery of vocal fold motion, 16% of patients in this study still had significant voice handicap. In contrast, 21% of patients without motion recovery had normal VHI-10 scores. This information can be used to counsel patients on voice outcome (precluding permanent treatment) with and without recovery of motion. There may be long-term voice benefit from early temporary vocal fold injection.
Developing Argumentation Skills among Undergraduate Students Using Inquiry Led Argument Framework

Teaching of science subjects in developing countries is still geared around traditional methods. This study aimed at teaching science students through scientific argumentation as a newer method for teacher instructors and students in Pakistan. The objectives were to develop argumentation skills in science students using Inquiry Led Argument Framework (ILAF), to explore the effectiveness of the new framework and to assess the quality of arguments generated by students using ILAF. The sample consists of two sections of bio-ethic course in a large public-sector university serving as experimental and control group. Before introducing ILAF in the experimental group, it was carefully designed, validated and pilot tested with the students. The progression in argumentation skill was monitored through written argumentation reports collected during the semester while, the effectiveness of ILAF was found through comparing the students’ academic performance with a control group at the end of semester. ILAF was found effective in developing argumentation skills and improving students’ academic performance as compared to students in the control group. The students’ quality of argument improved with practice. ILAF as a newer approach has the capacity to serve as a useful framework for teacher educators and science teachers in developing argumentation skills in students besides improving their academic performance
Polymorphisms in the genes involved in the arachidonic acid‐pathway, fish consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer

The objective of this study on colorectal cancer was to investigate the associations between SNPs in the genes involved in the arachidonic acid (AA)‐pathway, their haplotypes and colorectal cancer. Moreover, interactions between SNPs and fish consumption were considered. In this study, a total of 508 cases and 772 controls were included, originating from 2 prospective cohorts, the Monitoring Project on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors (PPHV) and Diagnostisch Onderzoek Mammacarcinoom (DOM). Genotypes of 23 SNPs in 7 candidate genes were determined and the modifying effect of fish consumption was considered. A protective effect of the minor allele of SNP V102V in PTGS2 was observed (odds ratio (OR), 0.37; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.16–0.87). The haplotype representing this allele showed a weaker inverse association, indicating that 2 alleles are necessary to obtain this protective effect. Fish consumption data was available for 209 cases and 418 controls. Increased fish consumption was inversely associated with cancer, although not significant (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.57–1.20). Despite the substantial reductions in cancer risk for some genotypes in combination with high fish intake, no significant interactions between any SNP studied and fish consumption were observed. We have previously described an association between colorectal adenomas and SNP V102V in PTGS2 and have now confirmed this association for colorectal adenocarcinomas. Fish consumption of once a week or more might protect against colorectal cancer, but no significant interactions with SNPs in the genes involved in the AA‐pathway could be detected within the study. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk factors for overdose mortality: a case-control study within a cohort of intravenous drug users.

Overdose mortality is the major adverse health effect of drug injection. The potential determinants of overdose death are poorly understood; the aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for overdose mortality among intravenous drug users (IVDU). A cohort of 4200 IVDU attending methadone treatment centres in Rome during the period 1980-1988, was enrolled. Data were collected from clinical records. Vital status and cause of death were ascertained as of 31 December 1988. A matched case-control analysis within the cohort was performed to identify risk factors of death from overdose. All overdose deaths were included as cases and four controls, matched on year of birth and sex, were selected for each case from among the cohort members still alive at the time of death of the corresponding case. In all, 81 deaths from overdose were identified as cases and compared with 324 controls. A high risk of overdose death occurred among subjects who left treatment compared with those still in treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.82-6.90). The OR was particularly elevated in the first 12 months after drop-out compared with those retained in treatment (OR = 7.98, 95% CI: 3.40-18.73). The risk of overdose death was higher for unmarried compared with married people (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.31-4.68); a higher risk of overdose death was also associated with lower educational status and younger age at first drug use, but such association was not statistically significant. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Software for the responsive space Trailblazer satellite

SpaceDev's Trailblazer microsatellite was selected to ride a Falcon booster in the first Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Jumpstart mission, intended to demonstrate rapid test, integration, and launch of a spacecraft. Jumpstart was a multi-pronged effort to fly a payload on the SpaceX Falcon 1 Flight 003 mission, which launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands on August 2, 2008. While the launch vehicle failed to reach orbit, Jumpstart nonetheless demonstrated capabilities that are critical for responsive space missions. The microsatellite was assembled and tested at SpaceDev's Poway, California facility in less than five months — an extraordinary feat for any aerospace company. The software design, development, and test approach was a key part of meeting this schedule. Our use of Linux as the operating system (OS) on the satellite's main processor allowed rapid development and testing because much of the software can be run and tested on PCs instead of only on the target hardware. This decoupled the software development from the hardware development. Heavy use of simulation tools allowed a wide range of testing, from high-fidelity component-level simulations to real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) system-level simulations. Where device emulators were not available or uneconomical to develop, we used “in-place” software emulators where the flight software on-board communicated via a high-bandwidth Ethernet “back door” to an off-board real-time simulator. This paper discusses the history of the Trailblazer microsatellite program, the software architecture, and the software development process.
A comparison of antihypertensive effects between two formulations of atenolol: tenolol and tenormin.

BACKGROUND Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker. Tenolol is a new formulation of atenolol, with bioequivalence to the original atenolol (Tenormin). This study was designed to compare the antihypertensive effects between the two formulations of atenolol, Tenolol and Tenormin. METHODS Twenty-three patients, with mild to moderate hypertension untreated with any antihypertensive drugs, were recruited. They were randomized to receive two weeks of placebo, four weeks of Tenolol or Tenormin (100 mg once daily) and two weeks of placebo. Then the treatments were crossed over for four more weeks. RESULTS At two weeks five patients were excluded because their blood pressures (BP) were below 160/90 mmHg. The baseline BPs for the patients receiving Tenormin (162 +/- 18/97 +/- 8 mmHg) and Tenolol (164 +/- 17/97 +/- 9 mmHg) were not distinct. After two weeks of treatment with Tenormin or Tenolol, systolic BPs decreased by 12 +/- 11 mmHg and 13 +/- 14 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.01 for both formulations). Similarly the diastolic BPs decreased significantly (p < 0.01) by 7 +/- 9 mmHg and 7 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively. The hypotensive effects persisted at four weeks of treatment for both formulations. Reductions in systolic and diastolic BPs by treatment with Tenormin and Tenolol were not significantly different by two-way ANOVA analysis. There were no side effects in any patient throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the generic formulation of atenolol (Tenolol) has comparable antihypertensive effects as the original formulation (Tenormin).
Mobilizing Voters with Aggressive Metaphors

How do personality traits condition the effects of campaign messages meant to mobilize voters? With two nationally representative US survey experiments, I show that common aggressive metaphors mobilize or demobilize voters depending on their traits. Aggressive metaphors increase the mobilizing impact of motivations to participate among aggressive individuals but decrease that impact among low-aggression people. For example, the language mobilizes strong partisans with aggressive personalities but demobilizes strong partisans low in aggression. This heterogeneity showcases the nuanced power of metaphors in campaigns, reaffirms the importance of personality in political behavior, and reveals the hidden role of aggression in non-violent political behavior for the first time. In practice, the net effects of aggressive metaphors can be positive, negative, or null depending on average traits in an audience.
Peer influences on drug self-administration: an econometric analysis in socially housed rats

Social-learning theories of substance use propose that members of peer groups influence the drug use of other members by selectively modeling, reinforcing, and punishing either abstinence-related or drug-related behaviors. The objective of the present study was to examine the social influences on cocaine self-administration in isolated and socially housed rats, under conditions where the socially housed rats were tested simultaneously with their partner in the same chamber. To this end, male rats were obtained at weaning and housed in isolated or pair-housed conditions for 6 weeks. Rats were then implanted with intravenous catheters and cocaine self-administration was examined in custom-built operant conditioning chambers that allowed two rats to be tested simultaneously. For some socially housed subjects, both rats had simultaneous access to cocaine; for others, only one rat of the pair had access to cocaine. An econometric analysis was applied to the data, and the reinforcing strength of cocaine was measured by examining consumption (i.e. quantity demanded) and elasticity of demand as a function of price, which was manipulated by varying the dose and ratio requirements on a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement. Cocaine consumption decreased as a function of price in all groups. Elasticity of demand did not vary across groups, but consumption was significantly lower in socially housed rats paired with a rat without access to cocaine. These data suggest that the presence of an abstaining peer decreases the reinforcing strength of cocaine, thus supporting the development of social interventions in drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.
Epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus: an update

Purpose of review Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypical systemic autoimmune disease with a significant disease burden across the world among different ethnic, racial, and age groups. The pathophysiological understanding of SLE is constantly evolving and with it, the need for a better definition of the disease itself, for understanding the risk among the different affected populations, and for identifying the factors responsible for the damage accrual through the years. Recent findings More accurate estimates of incidence and prevalence of SLE among different ethnicities and minority groups not only in the USA, but also in Europe, Middle East, and Asia have provided new insights into the disease burden around the world. Despite advances in treatment, mortality among SLE patients remains high with significant ethnic and geographic variations. Summary Sex, race, and ethnicity significantly affect SLE incidence, prevalence, and mortality.
Impact of Macroeconomic Variables on Islamic Banks Profitability

The main objective of this study is to understand and determine the impact of macroeconomic variables on Islamic banks’ profitability in Brunei. The impact of GDP growth rate, inflation, interest rate, exchange rate, oil prices, competition and money supply on Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) profitability was determined from the year 2012 to the year 2016. The secondary data was obtained from DEPD, AMBD and IMF annual reports. The collected data was analysed using Stata 15. The fixed effects panel regression technique was adopted to measure the impact of each variable on Islamic banks’ profitability. The findings revealed that GDP growth rate, inflation, exchange rate, oil prices and money supply have a significant positive impact on profitability. The findings further revealed that oil prices, GDP and inflation were the most significant and exchange rate and money supply were the least significant determinants of profitability. The findings suggest the regulators and policy makers to discover alternative resources to rejuvenate economic and financial system. Islamic bankers may revamp its marketing strategies to reduce the intensity of macroeconomic variables. This study has vigorously contributed in the existing literature of single country analysis of Islamic banks particularly in the context of Brunei.
Influence of immunogenicity on the long-term efficacy of infliximab in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND Treatment with infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody against tumor necrosis factor, can result in the formation of antibodies against infliximab. We evaluated the clinical significance of these antibodies in patients with Crohn's disease. METHODS In a cohort of 125 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease who were treated with infliximab infusions, we evaluated the concentrations of infliximab and of antibodies against infliximab, clinical data, side effects (including infusion reactions), and the use of concomitant medications before and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after each infusion. RESULTS A mean of 3.9 infusions (range, 1 to 17) per patient were administered over a mean period of 10 months. Antibodies against infliximab were detected in 61 percent of patients. The presence of concentrations of 8.0 microg per milliliter or greater before an infusion predicted a shorter duration of response (35 days, as compared with 71 days among patients with concentrations of less than 8.0 microg per milliliter; P<0.001) and a higher risk of infusion reactions (relative risk, 2.40; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.65 to 3.66; P<0.001). Infliximab concentrations were significantly lower at four weeks among patients who had had an infusion reaction than among patients who had never had an infusion reaction (median, 1.2 vs. 14.1 microg per milliliter; P<0.001). Patients who had infusion reactions had a median duration of clinical response of 38.5 days, as compared with 65 days among patients who did not have an infusion reaction (P<0.001). Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was predictive of low titers of antibodies against infliximab (P<0.001) and high concentrations of infliximab four weeks after an infusion (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The development of antibodies against infliximab is associated with an increased risk of infusion reactions and a reduced duration of response to treatment. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy reduces the magnitude of the immunogenic response.
Effect of wearing a static wrist orthosis on shoulder movement during feeding.

OBJECTIVE This study compares the effect of wrist immobilization with non-immobilization on shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, and shoulder rotation during feeding. METHOD Twenty right-hand-dominant participants with no upper-extremity dysfunction performed a controlled feeding activity under 2 separate wrist conditions: (1) while wearing a static wrist orthosis and (2) with the wrist not immobilized (free wrist). A Motion Monitor system using small magnetic sensors was used to measure range of motion. Data analysis included paired ttests to compare the 2 conditions. RESULTS Statistically significant results were found for shoulder flexion and shoulder abduction, indicating increased movement at the shoulder while feeding when the wrist was immobilized. No significant difference was found in shoulder internal rotation. CONCLUSIONS Wearing a wrist orthosis while feeding may alter normal movement patterns at the shoulder. Future research should examine the effects of wrist splinting on shoulder movement.