Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the intrauterine environment and blood pressure in 3‐year‐old Japanese children

In 195 Japanese children the systolic pressure at 3 years of age was inversely correlated to the body weight at birth and positively correlated to the mothers' systolic pressure during pregnancy: the average systolic pressure in children whose body weight at birth exceeded 3510 g was 3.0 mmHg, which was lower than that of children whose body weight at birth was 2990 g or less. There was an increase of 0.12 mmHg in the children's systolic pressure with each increment of 1 mmHg in the systolic pressure of their mothers. The systolic pressure at 3 years in children of mothers who had had pretibial oedema during pregnancy (101.0 ± 8.8 mmHg) was significantly higher compared with children whose mothers did not have oedema (96.6 ± 9.6 mmHg).
Pathogen burden, cytomegalovirus infection and inflammatory markers in the risk of premature coronary artery disease in individuals of Indian origin.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs at an earlier age in South Asians compared with other ethnic groups. Infection and inflammation show a positive association with the disease. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of infection and inflammatory markers with premature CAD in the Indian Atherosclerosis Research Study population. METHODS Antibody titres for Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen and secretory phospholipase A2, were measured in 866 individuals (433 CAD patients and matched controls). All individuals were followed-up for recurrent cardiac events for four years. ANOVA was used to study the association of infection and inflammation with CAD. RESULTS The present study found that the odds of CAD occurrence was 2.42 (95% CI 1.26 to 4.64; P<0.008), with all four infections and increased in the presence of hsCRP (OR 4.67 [95% CI 1.43 to 15.25]); P=0.011). Only anti-CMV antibody levels were a significant risk factor for CAD occurrence (OR 2.23 [95% CI 1.20 to 4.15]; P=0.011) and recurrent cardiac events (OR 1.94 [95% CI 0.85 to 4.45]; P=0.015). Mean values of the inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 (P=0.035), fibrinogen (P=0.014), hsCRP (P=0.010) and secretory phospholipase A2 (P=0.002) increased with CMV antibody levels. Incorporating hsCRP and IL-6 in the risk prediction models significantly increased the OR to 2.56 (95% CI 1.16 to 5.63; P=0.019) with a c statistic of 0.826. CONCLUSIONS Pathogen burden, especially CMV infection in combination with inflammatory markers, is a significant predictor of CAD risk in the young Indian population.
The diagnostic reliability of the buccal radiograph after root canal filling.

Summary. The quality of root canal fillings in 172 single-rooted extracted human teeth as it appeared on the buccal radiograph was assessed and compared with first that on a proximal radiograph, second the amount of linear dye penetration, and third the quality of adaptation and compaction of gutta-percha observed in transverse root sections. The results justify the conclusion that the clinical radiograph has a limited correlation with first the quality of the root filling ascertained from a proximal radiograph, second dye penetration, and third the stereomicroscopic evaluation of filling adaptation and compaction in transverse root canals that are oval or ribbon-shaped in transverse section are considered.
The median preoptic nucleus: front and centre for the regulation of body fluid, sodium, temperature, sleep and cardiovascular homeostasis

Located in the midline anterior wall of the third cerebral ventricle (i.e. the lamina terminalis), the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) receives a unique set of afferent neural inputs from fore‐, mid‐ and hindbrain. These afferent connections enable it to receive neural signals related to several important aspects of homeostasis. Included in these afferent projections are (i) neural inputs from two adjacent circumventricular organs, the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, that respond to hypertonicity, circulating angiotensin II or other humoural factors, (ii) signals from cutaneous warm and cold receptors that are relayed to MnPO, respectively, via different subnuclei in the lateral parabrachial nucleus and (iii) input from the medulla associated with baroreceptor and vagal afferents. These afferent signals reach appropriate neurones within the MnPO that enable relevant neural outputs, both excitatory and inhibitory, to be activated or inhibited. The efferent neural pathways that proceed from the MnPO terminate on (i) neuroendocrine cells in the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to regulate vasopressin release, while polysynaptic pathways from MnPO to cortical sites may drive thirst and water intake, (ii) thermoregulatory pathways to the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and medullary raphé to regulate shivering, brown adipose tissue and skin vasoconstriction, (iii) parvocellular neurones in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus that drive autonomic pathways influencing cardiovascular function. As well, (iv) other efferent pathways from the MnPO to sites in the ventrolateral pre‐optic nucleus, perifornical region of the lateral hypothalamic area and midbrain influence sleep mechanisms.
Comparison of Real-Time PCR, Conventional PCR, and Galactomannan Antigen Detection by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Samples from Hematology Patients for Diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT An iCycler iQ real-time PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA Aspergillus-specific sequences was developed for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Positive findings were obtained for 18 of 20 (90%) bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimens from patients with probable or confirmed IPA and were obtained for none of the 24 BAL samples from patients with no clinical evidence of aspergillosis. These results were concordant with those of a nested PCR assay, which detected 90% of the patients with IPA, while galactomannan ELISA revealed positivity for 100% of these patients, suggesting that combined use of methods might improve the diagnosis of IPA.
Ontogeny of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia

Relatively little is known about the development of GABAA receptor subunits and their gene expression in mammalian spinal cord. The expressions of mRNAs encoding 13 GABAA receptor subunits (α1–6, β1–3, γ1–3, and δ) in embryonic, postnatal, and adult rat spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells were studied by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT ‐ PCR) analysis. Both techniques revealed the presence of all subunit mRNAs originally found in the rat brain, except for α6, which was not detectable, and δ, which was weakly detected only by RT‐PCR. Two anatomically distinctive sets of subunit mRNAs were found by in situ hybridization within the ventricular zone (VZ) and mantle zone (MZ). The trio of α4, β1, and γ1 subunit mRNAs emerged exclusively in neuroepithelial cells at embryonic day 13 (E13) and remained detectable in the VZ until E17. In the MZ, β3 subunit mRNA was first detected at E12, while α2, α3, α5, β2, γ2, and γ3 transcripts appeared at E13. Expressions of the subunit mRNAs in the MZ rapidly increased and expanded in a ventrodorsal sequence from motoneurons to dorsal horn neurons before reaching a peak in the late embryonic/early postnatal period. The mRNA expressions declined during postnatal development, by region‐selective depletion, with α4, α5, β1, β2, γ1, and γ3 subunit mRNAs becoming barely detectable. In contrast, α2, α3, β3, and γ2 transcripts persisted into adulthood with distinct anatomical distributions. RT‐PCR analysis revealed unique developmental patterns in the intensities of PCR products, most of which were in good agreement with developmental changes in the densities of hybridized mRNA signals. However, RT‐PCR amplified minute amounts of mRNAs for α1, α4, α5, β1, β2, γ1, γ3, and δ subunits in adults, which were not found in film autoradiograms, but could be detected in a few grain‐positive cells in emulsion‐dipped sections. DRG cells expressed α2, α3, α5, β2, β3, and γ2 subunit mRNAs during embryogenesis but only α2, β3, and γ2 subunit mRNAs were reliably detected in the adult. The transient expression of α4β1γ1 subunit mRNAs primarily in the VZ correlates with the period of neurogenesis, while the developmental changes of α2, α3, β3, and γ2 subunit mRNAs in the MZ parallels previously reported changes in GABA expression and in synapse formation and elimination. These results implicate a role of early‐expressed GABA and GABAA receptors in the development of rat spinal cord. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress Fracture of the Proximal Phalanx of the Great Toe

Three cases of stress fracture of the proximal phalanx of the great toe occurring in a 12-year-old female volleyball player, a 17-year-old female long distance runner, and a 12-year-old male soccer player are reported. This condition probably develops after repeated forced dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with changing steps. When athletes who repeatedly run and jump complain of pain in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and there is no history of trauma, this condition should also be considered.
Outbreak of type A botulism and development of a botulism surveillance and antitoxin release system in Argentina.

CONTEXT Botulism is an important public health problem in Argentina, but obtaining antitoxin rapidly has been difficult because global supplies are limited. In January 1998, a botulism outbreak occurred in Buenos Aires. OBJECTIVES To determine the source of the outbreak, improve botulism surveillance, and establish an antitoxin supply and release system in Argentina. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cohort study in January 1998 of 21 drivers of a specific bus route in urban Buenos Aires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Occurrence of botulism and implication of a particular food as the vehicle causing this outbreak. RESULTS Nine (43%) of 21 bus drivers developed botulism, presenting with gastroenteritis, symptoms of acute cranial nerve dysfunction including ptosis, dysphagia, blurred vision, and motor weakness. One driver experienced respiratory failure. Type A toxin was detected from 3 of 9 patients' serum samples. All drivers received botulism antitoxin; there were no fatalities. Consumption of matambre (Argentine meat roll) was significantly associated with illness. Among 11 persons who ate matambre, 9 developed illness, compared with none of those who did not eat it (P<.001). The matambre had been cooked in water at 78 degrees C to 80 degrees C for 4 hours, sealed in heat-shrinked plastic wrap, and stored in refrigerators that did not cool adequately. Subsequently, a botulism surveillance and antitoxin release system was established. CONCLUSIONS Insufficient cooking time and temperatures, storage in heat-shrinked plastic wrap, and inadequate refrigeration likely contributed to Clostridium botulinum spore survival, germination, and toxin production. A rapid-response botulism surveillance and antitoxin release system in Argentina should provide more timely distribution of antitoxin to patients and may serve as a model for other nations.
Forensic Pathology in Nigeria: The Ife Experience

A review of 400 consecutive medico-legal autopsies in the Ife-Ijesha zone of Western Nigeria is reported to highlight the medico-legal problems in Nigeria. The majority of these cases (71 per cent) were accidental deaths. There were only 44 sudden natural deaths out of which 18 were children under 15 years old. In only 16 cases (4 per cent) were the circumstances consistent with suicide; and there were 15 homicidal deaths. There were 9 cases in which it was not possible to determine the cause of death, and 2 deaths from criminal abortions. The results were compared to those from other parts of Africa.
Creative Counselor Self-Care

While most counselors have knowledge about self-care and the ability to articulate its importance to clients and others, a disconnect between knowledge and counselor self-care action remains. Expressive arts therapy techniques and creativity in counseling may provide answers to this problem. The same types of techniques used with clients could be useful for counselors in managing their own career stress and for creating more balance in their lives. Creative self-care helps the counselor by providing therapeutic value in the process of creation, increasing self-awareness, externalizing the problem, and symbolically containing the problem. The authors offer a seven-part model for creative selfcare: 1) create a consistent plan to engage in mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually nourishing activities; 2) schedule restorative rejuvenation when anticipating stress; 3) prepare a list of emergency strategies for unanticipated stress; 4) meet regularly with peers or colleagues for support; 5) evaluate counselor-specific professional, perceptual, and personal challenges to self-care; 6) record and review successes; and 7) include self-compassion as an essential element of healthy self-care.
Revisiting the peripheral sink hypothesis: inhibiting BACE1 activity in the periphery does not alter β‐amyloid levels in the CNS

Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and the subsequent neural plaque formation is a central aspect of Alzheimer's disease. Various strategies to reduce Aβ load in the brain are therefore intensely pursued. It has been hypothesized that reducing Aβ peptides in the periphery, that is in organs outside the brain, would be a way to diminish Aβ levels and plaque load in the brain. In this report, we put this peripheral sink hypothesis to test by investigating how selective inhibition of Aβ production in the periphery using a β‐secretase (BACE)1 inhibitor or reduced BACE1 gene dosage affects Aβ load in the brain. Selective inhibition of peripheral BACE1 activity in wild‐type mice or mice over‐expressing amyloid precursor protein (APPswe transgenic mice; Tg2576) reduced Aβ levels in the periphery but not in the brain, not even after chronic treatment over several months. In contrast, a BACE1 inhibitor with improved brain disposition reduced Aβ levels in both brain and periphery already after acute dosing. Mice heterozygous for BACE1, displayed a 62% reduction in plasma Aβ40, whereas brain Aβ40 was only lowered by 11%. These data suggest that reduction of Aβ in the periphery is not sufficient to reduce brain Aβ levels and that BACE1 is not the rate‐limiting enzyme for Aβ processing in the brain. This provides evidence against the peripheral sink hypothesis and suggests that a decrease in Aβ via BACE1 inhibition would need to be carried out in the brain.
Complications associated with liver transplantation in the obese recipient

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome with attendant morbid obesity continues to increase nationwide. A concomitant increase in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and associated end‐stage liver disease requiring transplantation is expected to parallel this trend. Between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2008, our center performed 813 solitary adult deceased‐donor liver transplants. Patients were divided into groups based on the World Health Organization International Classification of obesity. Patients within each obesity class were compared to normal weight recipients. Preoperative demographics among all groups were similar. NASH was more common in higher BMI groups. Operative time, blood product usage, ICU length of stay, infectious complications, and biliary complications requiring intervention were all higher in obese recipients. Deep venous thrombosis occurred more commonly in patients with Class III obesity. Patients with Class II obesity had lower patient (HR 1.82, CI 1.09–3.01, p = 0.02) and allograft survival (HR 1.62, CI 1.02–2.65, p = 0.04). Obesity class did not reach statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Despite increased technical operative challenges and medical complexities associated with increasing recipient BMI, morbid obesity in and of itself should not be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation as these patients have reasonable long‐term outcomes.
Cytochromes P450 and experimental models of drug metabolism

For the development of new drugs, evaluation of drug‐drug interactions with already known compounds, as well as for better understanding of metabolism pathways of various toxicants and pollutants, we studied the drug metabolism mediated by cytochromes P450. The experimental approach is based on animal drug‐metabolising systems. From the ethical as well as rational reasons, the selection of an appropriate system is crucial. Here, it is necessary to decide on the basis of expected CYP system involved. For CYP1A‐mediated pathways, all the commonly used experimental models are appropriate except probably the dog. On the contrary, the dog seems to be suitable for modelling of processes depending on the CYP2D. With CYP2C, which is possibly the most large and complicated subfamily, the systems based on monkey (Maccacus rhesus) may be a good representative. The CYP3A seems to be well modelled by pig or minipig CYP3A29. Detailed studies on activities with individual isolated CYP forms are needed to understand in full all aspects of inter‐species differences and variations.
Technical efficiency in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector: a comparison study of Italian and Spanish firms

Introduction. Agricultural cooperatives play an important socio-economic role in European (EU) countries, especially in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. For this reason, in an economic perspective, the measurement of their efficiency has become an area of investi- gation which attracts great interest. Given that Spain and Italy are the biggest producers of fresh fruits and vegetables, the aim of this paper was to recognize the evolution of their technical effi- ciency. Materials and methods. Performance analysis in the economic field is rather contro- versial. Following Parkan (2002), it is possible to classify three main approaches to measure performance: index numbers; frontier methods and the non-parametric approaches. In this paper, efficiency was evaluated by applying the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique considering two separate frontiers. Through the AIDA database for Italian agricultural coope- ratives and the SABI database for Spanish cooperatives, two different sets of 81 and 106 firms, respectively belonging to the fruit and vegetable sector, were selected over a five-year period (2001-2005). Results. The analysis of the DEA results underlines the higher ability of Italian coo- peratives to calibrate and optimize the inputs, and to maximize the results (technical efficiency), as well as the ability of Spanish cooperatives to exploit scale economies. Conclusions. Over the period taken into consideration, the average value of global technical efficiency decreased for Spanish as well as Italian cooperatives. In the case of Spanish cooperatives, this situation is due to the loss of ability to calibrate and optimize the inputs, even if the considered firms reveal ability to develop scale economies. In the case of Italian cooperatives, the results reveal the subs- tantial firm technical efficiency, even if scale inefficiency undermines the global efficiency. Spain / Italy / fruits / vegetables / cooperatives / economic analysis / efficiency Efficacite technique du secteur des fruits et legumes frais : une etude comparee des societes italiennes et espagnoles.
Kinetics of minichromosome replication in Escherichia coli B/r

Replication control of the minichromosome pAL2 was found to differ from that of the chromosome in synchronously dividing populations of Escherichia coli B/r. Initiation of minichromosome replication took place at an increasing rate throughout synchronous growth. No coupling to initiation of chromosome replication was detected. Minichromosome replication was further examined in a dnaA5(Ts) temperature-sensitive initiation mutant. When cultures held at nonpermissive temperature (41 degrees C) for 60 min were shifted to permissive temperature (25 degrees C), initiation of both pAL2 and chromosome replication ensued in two waves spaced 25 to 35 min apart. Evidence is presented that minichromosomes terminate replication by passing slowly through a series of dimeric intermediate forms before reaching the closed circular monomeric form. The consequence of this slow passage as a rate-limiting step in the initiation reaction is discussed.
Securing Fatherhood Through Kin Work

In this article, the authors examine how low-income Black men in South Africa and the United States work with their kin to secure fathering and ensure the well-being of children. They use ethnographic and life history data on men who fathered children from 1992 to 2005 to demonstrate how fathers’ roles as kin workers enable them to meet culturally defined criteria for responsible fatherhood in two contexts marked by legacies of racism, increasing rates of incarceration and HIV/AIDS, and a web of interlocking inequalities that effectively precludes them from accessing employment with good wages. Using a comparative framework based on kin work, the authors identify three common processes in both contexts—negotiation between maternal and paternal kin, pedifocal approach, and flexible fathering—that enable men and their kin networks to secure father involvement in economically marginalized communities. The article concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of the findings.
Hanging Deaths: A Retrospective Study Regarding 260 Cases

AbstractHanging is a form of asphyxia caused by external pressure on the upper airways deriving from a band tightened by the gravitational weight of the body. During a 33-year period from 1983 to 2015, there were 260 hanging deaths examined at the Brescia Institute of Forensic Medicine (Northern Italy), which represented approximately 40% of all the asphyxial deaths recorded during this period. Almost all of the cases were represented by suicidal events, 1 case was a homicide event and there also was a case of sexual asphyxia. Eighty-two percent of the victims were men; 18% were women. There was an increasing tendency in the ages between 20 and 60 years, and the highest number of cases was observed in the 41- to 50-year age group (23% of the cases). The most common place chosen by the victim was the home setting followed by isolated outdoor places. The most common ligature material was a rope. The pathological findings were evaluated in all cases.