Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal recall error of child vaccination status in a developing nation.

In the absence of vaccination card data, Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) managers sometimes ask mothers for their children's vaccination histories. The magnitude of maternal recall error and its potential impact on public health policy has not been investigated. In this study of 1171 Costa Rican mothers, we compare mothers' recall with vaccination card data for their children younger than 3 years. Analyses of vaccination coverage distributions constructed with recall and vaccination-card data show that recall can be used to estimate population coverage. Although the two data sources are correlated (r = .71), the magnitude of their difference can affect the identification of the vaccination status of an individual child. Maternal recall error was greater than two doses 14% of the time. This error is negatively correlated with the number of doses recorded on the vaccination card (r = -.61) and is weakly correlated with the child's age (r = -.35). Mothers tended to remember accurately the vaccination status of children younger than 6 months, but with older children, the larger the number of doses actually received, the more the mother underestimated the number of doses. No other variables explained recall error. Therefore, reliance on maternal recall could lead to revaccinating children who are already protected, leaving a risk those most vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Calvo Wages Vs. Search Frictions: a Horse Race in a DSGE Model of a Small Open Economy

Most existing DSGE models used for monetary policy analysis and forecasting assume that the labor market always clears at a sticky nominal wage (`a la Calvo) through variations along the intensive margin of labor supply (i.e. hours), with no role for the extensive margin (i.e. employment). The latter contrasts with research on the macroeconomics of labor markets that has emphasized the relevance of the extensive margin and employment fluctuations using search and matching theory. Against this background, in this paper we conduct a horse race of a labor market specification with Calvo wages versus a search and matching specification with endogenous separations in an otherwise standard New Keynesian small open economy model, estimated with Chilean data. We conclude that the search and matching specification “wins” by a wide margin as it significantly improves the model’s ability to explain and predict both labor market data and other macroeconomic variables
Influence of different radioprotective compounds on radiotolerance and cell cycle distribution of human progenitor cells of granulocytopoiesis in vitro

Summary. Ficoll‐separated mononuclear cells (MNC) of cryopreserved human bone marrow were incubated with isotoxic doses of diltiazem, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), glycopolysaccharide extract of spirulina platensis (SPE), tempol, thiopental, WR2721 and WR1065. After irradiation with a single dose of 0·73 Gy, survival of granulocyte/macrophage colony‐forming cells (GM‐CFC) was determined at d 10–14, using an agar culture system. Diltiazem, NAC, tempol and WR1065 significantly improved radiotolerance with protection factors (PF) between 1·21 and 1·36 (n = 5, P < 0·05) at 0·73 Gy (PF‐0·73 Gy). The survival curves of diltiazem (D0 = 0·88 Gy, n = 1·00), NAC (D0 = 0·92 Gy, n = 1·10), tempol (D0 = 0·99 Gy, n = 1·10), WR1065 (D0 = 0·89 Gy, n = 1·16) and control (D0 = 0·78 Gy, n = 1·00) over 0·36–2·91 Gy showed a significant radioprotective effect for D0 only for tempol (P = 0·018) and for the extrapolation number ‘n’ only in the case of NAC (P = 0·023). Cell cycle analysis of the CD34+ cell subpopulation (control‐0 h: G1 = 82·7%, S = 13·7%, G2/M = 3·6%) revealed that all compounds with a significant PF‐0·73 Gy also caused a significant increase in CD34+ cells in S phase up to 48 h. Within the first 24 h, only NAC (26·7 ± 4·1%), tempol (14·3 ± 1·0%) and possibly WR1065 (15·5 ± 1·6%) had higher fractions of CD34+ S‐phase cells compared with controls. This observation and the improvement of GM‐CFC cloning efficiency indicated that only NAC was able to recruit progenitor cells in the cell cycle, whereas tempol and WR1065 possibly inhibited cell cycle progression by S and G2/M arrest. Of the radioprotectors tested, NAC, tempol and WR1065 may be suitable to support, alone or combined with cytokine therapy, accelerated haematopoietic recovery after irradiation.
Search for Antiprotozoal Activity in Herbal Medicinal Preparations; New Natural Leads against Neglected Tropical Diseases

Sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, Leishmaniasis, and Malaria are infectious diseases caused by unicellular eukaryotic parasites (“protozoans”). The three first mentioned are classified as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by the World Health Organization and together threaten more than one billion lives worldwide. Due to the lack of research interest and the high increase of resistance against the existing treatments, the search for effective and safe new therapies is urgently required. In view of the large tradition of natural products as sources against infectious diseases [1,2], the aim of the present study is to investigate the potential of legally approved and marketed herbal medicinal products (HMPs) as antiprotozoal agents. Fifty-eight extracts from 53 HMPs on the German market were tested by a Multiple-Target-Screening (MTS) against parasites of the genera Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Plasmodium. Sixteen HMPs showed in vitro activity against at least one of the pathogens (IC50 < 10 µg/mL). Six extracts from preparations of Salvia, Valeriana, Hypericum, Silybum, Arnica, and Curcuma exhibited high activity (IC50 < 2.5 µg/mL). They were analytically characterized by UHPLC/ESI-QqTOF-MSMS and the activity-guided fractionation of the extracts with the aim to isolate and identify the active compounds is in progress.
Foods with added fiber lower serum creatinine levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of foods with added fiber on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). DESIGN Participants were enrolled in a 6-week single-blind crossover study. SETTING Free living with partial dietary intervention. PATIENTS Thirteen CKD patients with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤50 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) at the time of screening (5 men, 8 women; mean age, 67.0 ± 14.8 years) completed the study. INTERVENTION Patients consumed control foods (cereal, cookies, and bars) providing 1.6 g/day fiber daily for 2 weeks, followed by similar foods providing 23 g/day fiber daily for 4 weeks, incorporated into their usual diets. MAIN OUTCOME The main outcome of the study was the determination of the impact of foods with added fiber on BUN and serum creatinine levels. RESULTS Consuming foods with added fiber resulted in a 10.6% decrease in mean BUN concentration (13.8 ± 2.0 to 12.1 ± 1.8 mmol/L or 38.5 ± 5.6 to 34.0 ± 5.1 mg/dL; P < .05). Serum creatinine level decreased from a baseline value of 216 ± 26 to 201 ± 23 mmol/L (2.44 ± 0.30 to 2.27 ± 0.26 mg/dL; P < .05) after 2 weeks of fiber-containing food consumption, and remained significantly lower at 195 ± 23 mmol/L (2.21 ± 0.26 mg/dL) after 4 weeks of the intervention (P < .05). Calculated eGFR increased from a baseline value of 29.6 ± 3.5 to 31.4 ± 3.8 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) at the end of 2 weeks, and remained higher at 32.5 ± 3.6 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) after 4 weeks of fiber intervention (P < .05). CONCLUSION We conclude that increasing fiber intake in CKD patients through the consumption of foods with added fiber may reduce serum creatinine levels and improve eGFR. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to determine whether the changes are due to direct effects on kidney function.
Significance of DNA Ploidy and Cell Proliferation in Juvenile Respiratory Papillomatosis

The clinical course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in children is variable and unpredictable. At present there is no way to identify patients at risk for aggressive disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether DNA ploidy and cell proliferation analyses can predict the clinical course in children with RRP. Two different methods of estimating proliferation activity were compared. Nonembedded papilloma biopsy specimens from 18 pediatric patients were analyzed by flow cytometry providing DNA content with cell cycle analysis. The expression of the proliferative marker Ki-67 in papilloma tissue was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The patients were prospectively observed for 12 to 18 months. DNA content analysis and Ki-67 expression were compared to clinical information regarding number of disease sites, distal tracheobronchial spread, number of recurrences, need for tracheostomy, and disease remission. High S-phase fraction, proliferative index, and Ki-67 expression correlated with an aggressive clinical course. DNA ploidy analysis and immunodetection of proliferative markers may assist in predicting prognosis in children with RRP.
The somatotopic organization of primary afferent terminals in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord

Transganglionic transport of wheatgerm agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) was used to reveal the central distribution of terminals of primary afferent fibers from peripheral nerves innervating the hind leg of the rat. In separate experiments the sizes and locations of cutaneous peripheral receptive fields were determined by electrophysiological recording techniques for each of the nerves that had been labeled with WGA‐HRP. By using digital image analysis, the sizes and positions of the peripheral receptive fields were correlated with the areas of superficial dorsal horn occupied by terminals of primary afferents from each of these receptive fields.
Prison to Society: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Coping With Reentry

This research investigates how individuals who reenter society from prison use coping strategies. Participants are incarcerated individuals who recidivated following a previous release from prison (n = 20). Participants examine their most recent reentry experience via an interview. The research question under investigation is, “What themes describe how individuals cope with reentry from prison to society? ” Data and results combine qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. The predominant coping strategy for dealing with reentry barriers is avoidance. There is a defined process experienced by participants, which is initial optimism about release, followed by craving substances, facing practical barriers, and/or feeling overwhelmed. This eventually results in avoidance of managing problems and emotions and substance abuse relapse, which culminates in recidivism.
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome did not increase in Mexico City between 1990-1992 and 1997-1999 despite more central obesity.

OBJECTIVE Trends in the metabolic syndrome might follow trends in obesity. We examined this hypothesis in the Mexico City Diabetes Study (MCDS), a study that showed rising trends in obesity, and the effect of the metabolic syndrome on the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Designed as a population-based study, the MCDS enrolled subjects in 1990-1992 (n = 2,282). Follow-up visits were held in 1993-1995 (n = 1,764) and 1997-1999 (n = 1,754). We used the revised metabolic syndrome definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program and the Framingham equations to estimate the 10-year CHD risk. RESULTS In men, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 38.9% in 1990-1992, 43.4% in 1993-1995, and 39.9% in 1997-1999; in women, the prevalences were 65.4, 65.7, and 59.9%, respectively. The prevalence did not change in men (P = 0.349) between 1990-1992 and 1997-1999, but decreased in women (P < 0.001). A prevalence increase was demonstrated for elevated waist circumference (men, P < 0.001; women, P < 0.050), elevated fasting glucose value (men and women, P < 0.001), and low HDL cholesterol level (men, P < 0.050; women, P < 0.010); a prevalence decrease was seen for high blood pressure (men and women, P < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (men, P < 0.001; women, P < 0.010). CHD risk decreased marginally in men (P < 0.050) but did not change in women (P = 0.943). CONCLUSIONS Neither the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome nor CHD risk has increased in Mexico City. Lower blood pressure and triglyceride values appear to have counteracted increases in central obesity and fasting glucose.
Study of Aggregate Dividends, Aggregate Earnings among Indian Companies: A Case of Emerging Market

This study examines the behavior of aggregate dividends and earnings for 781 sample firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Indian capital market for a period from 1995 to 2013. Although the number of dividend paying firms decreased, the aggregate dividends have increased manifold over the last two decades. Further, we notice a significant variation in the level of aggregate dividends and earnings between the standalone and business group affiliated firms. This implies the relevance of corporate relationship of firms in explaining their dividend behavior. We find evidence for dividend and earnings concentration for entire sample firms and within a sample of Indian firms identifiable with organizational forms reflecting these corporate relationships, with fewer firms paying most dividends. The dividend paying firms exhibit two groups between which one group, with small number of firms having high earnings contributes major proportion of total earnings collectively and influences the aggregate dividend supply. Our analysis exhibits strong correlation between a firm’s earnings and its dividend payout, where, the firms with high level of earnings are more likely to pay dividends while the firms suffering from losses are most likely to cut or omit the dividends. Finally, we do not find any evidence in support of reduced propensity to pay dividends in Indian capital market unlike the declining propensity to pay in global trends. JEL classification: G35; G30
Warm Tub Bath During Delivery

In a prospective study, 88 women bathed in a warm tub bath for 1/2–2 hours during fist stage labor after a strictly normal pregnancy, ending with spontaneous onset of labor at term. A control group consisted of 72 women fulfilling the same criteria of normality during pregnancy and labor, but who did not want to take a warm tub bath during labor. Apart from the bath, the two groups followed the usual obstetric procedures of the Department. The cervical dilatation in the “bath group” was 2 1/2 cm/h compared with 1 1/4 cm/h in the “control group”. Mean pain score in the bath group was higher at the start of the study, before the bath, and they experienced a pain relief during bath which was not observed in the control group. This difference may be due to bias. The use of morfica and the need for stimulation of labor contractions were both twice as high in the control group, but this difference was not significant. No differences were observed with regard to operative delivery, vaginal or perineal laceration or in bleeding during labor or post‐partum. The total duration of labor was the same in the two groups and no differences in neonatal condition were observed. The bacterial contamination of the bath water was insignificant and there were no significant febrile episodes post partum.
Exercise physiology in chronic mechanical circulatory support patients: vascular function and beyond

Purpose of review The majority of patients currently implanted with left ventricular assist devices have the expectation of support for more than 2 years. As a result, survival alone is no longer a sufficient distinctive for this technology, and there have been many studies within the last few years examining functional capacity and exercise outcomes. Recent findings Despite strong evidence for functional class improvements and increases in simple measures of walking distance, there remains incomplete normalization of exercise capacity, even in the presence of markedly improved resting hemodynamics. Reasons for this remain unclear. Despite current pumps being run at a fixed speed, it is widely recognized that pump outputs significantly increase with exercise. The mechanism of this increase involves the interaction between preload, afterload, and the intrinsic pump function curves. The role of the residual heart function is also important in determining total cardiac output, as well as whether the aortic valve opens with exercise. Interactions with the vasculature, with skeletal muscle blood flow and the state of the autonomic nervous system are also likely to be important contributors to exercise performance. Summary Further studies examining optimization of pump function with active pump speed modulation and options for optimization of the overall patient condition are likely to be needed to allow left ventricular assist devices to be used with the hope of full functional physiological recovery.
Venous Collateral Blood Flow Assessed by Doppler Ultrasound after Unilateral Radical Neck Dissection

Removal of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in unilateral radical neck dissection (rND) necessitates redirection of cerebrovenous blood to collateral pathways. If adaptation is insufficient, neurologic sequelae develop that are due to impaired venous drainage and increased intracranial pressure. The authors studied venous hemodynamic effects of unilateral rND using Doppler and duplex ultrasound in 17 patients. Blood flow velocities (BFVs) were recorded from the distal IJV (dIJV) and the vertebral vein (VV) before and 9 to 88 days after surgery. A preoperative compression test of the dIJV was performed to identify the side of dominant drainage. The BFV increased in the contralateral dIJV after right-sided rND (n = 10) by 111% (range, 50% to 320%), and after left-sided rND (n = 7) by 34% (range, 5% to 105%). In the contralateral VV, a rise of BFV by 75% was found. Our results confirm the role of the contralateral dIJV as the predominant collateral pathway. The VVs serve as an important additional major outflow. Doppler ultrasound may help to identify patients at risk of insufficient cerebrovenous drainage after rND.
Binding of Sindbis Virus to Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate

ABSTRACT Alphaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses with wide species ranges and diverse tissue tropisms. The cell surface receptors which allow infection of so many different species and cell types are still incompletely characterized. We show here that the widely expressed glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate can participate in the binding of Sindbis virus to cells. Enzymatic removal of heparan sulfate or the use of heparan sulfate-deficient cells led to a large reduction in virus binding. Sindbis virus bound to immobilized heparin, and this interaction was blocked by neutralizing antibodies against the viral E2 glycoprotein. Further experiments showed that a high degree of sulfation was critical for the ability of heparin to bind Sindbis virus. However, Sindbis virus was still able to infect and replicate on cells which were completely deficient in heparan sulfate, indicating that additional receptors must be involved. Cell surface binding of another alphavirus, Ross River virus, was found to be independent of heparan sulfate.
RHYTHMS OF SERUM MELATONIN IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL LESIONS AT THE CERVICAL, THORACIC OR LUMBAR REGION

The neural pathway essential for the diurnal rhythm of serum melatonin was studied in humans. Blood samples from 17 patients with chronic lesions of cervical (n= 8), low thoracic or lumbar (n= 9) spinal cord were collected at 0200, 0400,1000 and 1400 h of their normal light‐dark cycle. Blood samples were also collected from eight control subjects at 0200 and 1400 h. No special treatment of food, drug or photoperiod was implemented. Serum melatonin was extracted by dichloromethane and determined by radioimmunoassay. In patients with cervical spinal lesions (C3‐C7), it was found that serum melatonin levels were low and no diurnal rhythm was observed. Conversely, diurnal rhythm of circulating melatonin with significantly higher levels (P< 0.01) in the dark period were observed in individuals with injuries at the low thoracic or lumbar regions (T9‐L2). In the second experiment, blood samples from two other patients were collected for three consecutive days during acute period of spinal injuries (cervical or upper thoracic region) and serum melatonin concentrations were determined. Again, there were low levels of serum melatonin with no observable diurnal rhythm in the patient with cervical lesion (C4–5). However, diurnal rhythms were maintained with high levels in the dark period in the patient with upper thoracic spinal (T2–3) transection. Our data suggest that the cervical region of the spinal cord is part of the neural pathway essential for the diurnal rhythm of pineal melatonin secretion in human beings.
Grafting of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Into Spinal Cord Injury: A Comparison of Delivery Methods

Study Design. Three groups of 6 rats received subtotal cervical spinal cord hemisections followed with marrow stromal cell (MSC) transplants by lumbar puncture (LP), intravenous delivery (IV), or direct injection into the injury (control). Animals survived for 4 or 21 days. Objective. Cell therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). The mode of cell delivery is crucial for the translation to the clinic. Injections directly into the parenchyma may further damage already compromised tissue; therefore, less invasive methods like LP or IV delivery are preferable. Summary of Background Data. Human MSC are multipotent mesenchymal adult stem cells that have a potential for autologous transplantation, obviating the need for immune suppression. Although previous studies have established that MSC can be delivered to the injured spinal cord by both LP and IV, the efficacy of cell delivery has not been directly compared with respect to efficacy of delivery and effects on the host. Methods. Purified MSC from a human donor were transplanted into the CSF at the lumbar region (LP), into the femoral vein (IV), or directly into the injury (control). After sacrifice, spinal cord sections were analyzed for MSC graft size, tissue sparing, host immune response, and glial scar formation, using specific antibodies and Nissl-myelin staining. Results. LP delivery of MSC to the injured spinal cord is superior to IV delivery. Cell engraftment and tissue sparing were significantly better after LP delivery, and host immune response after LP delivery was reduced compared with IV delivery. Conclusion. LP is an ideal minimally invasive technique to deliver cellular transplants to the injured spinal cord. It is superior to IV delivery and, together with the potential for autologous transplantation, lends itself for clinical application.
Expression of axin2 Is Regulated by the Alternative 5′-Untranslated Regions of Its mRNA*

Axin2 is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with roles in early development and tumor suppression. We find that axin2 expression is regulated at both transcriptional and translational levels. The gene allows transcription of mRNAs with three alternative 5′-untranslated regions, and these are differentially expressed in various human cell types. These untranslated regions can differentially determine protein expression from messages by influencing mRNA stability and translational efficiency. We identify short upstream reading frames and structural motifs that are responsible for modulation of mRNA translational efficiencies. We show that the proportions of axin2 message expressing each 5′-untranslated region influence the amount of Axin2 protein expressed within cells. We discuss this complex regulation in the context of the function of Axin2 as a tumor suppressor.