Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Decreased CD4+CD25+ FoxP3+ T Cells in Nonstimulated Allergic Rhinitis Patients Sensitized to House Dust Mites

Objective. Regulatory (CD4+CD25+) T cells have been shown to play an important role in the development of allergic diseases. This study aims to investigate CD4+CD25+ T cells, Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3+ cells), and T-helper 1/T-helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokines in newly diagnosed allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Methods. Altogether, 10 subjects with AR and 12 age-matched nonallergic healthy subjects were included in this study. CD4+CD25+ T cells, FoxP3+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated by flow cytometry, and the Th1/Th2 cytokine levels were determined by cytometric bead array immunoassay in both PBMC supernatants and nasal lavage fluids. Results. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells were significantly higher, whereas the percentage of FoxP3+ cells were lower in AR patients compared with healthy subjects. In PBMC culture supernatants, interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were significantly lower (p = .012), whereas IL-4, IL-5, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in nasal lavage fluids were higher in AR patients compared with healthy subjects (p = .026, p = .015, p = .03, respectively). Conclusions. Our findings indicate that decrease in CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cell fraction and diminished levels of IL-10 are noteworthy without allergen stimulation in house dust mite AR patients.
International Mindedness and ‘Social Control’

This research project explored effective ways of developing international mindedness. International mindedness is a term that now appears in the mission statement of many international schools yet there is a need for a clearer account of ways in which to develop internationally minded students. Many teachers and researchers leave the development of international mindedness to fate. However, external and internal forces such as planning, school practices and rituals, each teacher’s own actions, attitudes and behaviours, can all work to inhibit or foster the development of international mindedness in students. This paper discusses some of the outcomes from this recent research project focusing in particular on the positive implications inquiry learning can have on the development of international mindedness in an International Baccalaureate school implementing the Primary Years Program. It is argued that through inquiry learning and other processes in the curriculum, assessment and pedagogy, international schools can achieve the goals of their mission statement in a way that allows each student to come to their own realisation of international mindedness.
Effects of nebulized corticosteroids therapy on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in young children with recurrent or persistent wheeze

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are preferred drugs for the long‐term treatment of all severities of asthma in children. However, data about the safety of ICS in infants is lacking. So, it is essential to do further clinical studies to examine the safety and efficacy of ICS in this population. In this study, the effects of nebulized budesonide and nebulized fluticasone propionate suspensions on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is examined in infants with recurrent or persistent wheeze. Thirty‐one children aged 6–24 months admitted to our hospital between January and December 2005 with symptoms of recurrent or persistent wheeze were included in the study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive 0.25 mg BUD or 0.25 mg fluticasone propionate twice daily for 6 wk and half dose for another 6 wk with a jet nebulizer at home. Blood samples for basal cortisol concentration, adrenocarticotropic hormone, glucose, HbA1c and electrolytes were obtained at the beginning and at the end of the study. Adrenal function assessment was based on changes in cosyntropin‐stimulated plasma cortisol levels. The study was completed with 31 patients, 16 of whom received BUD and 15 FP. All patients except one had plasma cortisol concentrations above 500 nmol/l (18 μg/dl) or had an incremental rise in cortisol of >200 nmol/l after stimulation. Although nebulized steroids seem to be safe in infancy, we recommend that adrenal functions should be tested periodically during long‐term treatment with nebulized steroids.
Optimisation of ultrasound-assisted extraction of natural antioxidants from mustard seed cultivars.

BACKGROUND Modified mustard varieties can produce edible oil with reduced amounts of erucic acid and glucosinolates and enhanced antioxidant potential. Therefore, this work focused on the optimisation of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of compounds with high antioxidant capacity from three white mustard seed cultivars using response surface methodology. RESULTS The predicted optimum solvent polarity (57.2, 56.5 and 57.6) and ultrasound power-to-sonication time ratio (4.5, 4.8 and 4.3 W min(-1)) resulted in antioxidant capacities determined by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay [54.37, 65.75 and 68.55 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE) kg(-1)] and the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method (141.65, 175.26 and 185.10 mmol TE kg(-1)) and total phenolics content (23.70, 27.16 and 11.29 mg sinapic acid g(-1)) for extracts obtained from one traditional and two modified mustard seed varieties. The highest FRAP and DPPH values (69.51 and 197.73 mmol TE kg(-1)) revealed 50% methanolic extract prepared from modified mustard seed cultivar without erucic acid and glucosinolates treated with ultrasound for 30 min (ultrasound power/ultrasound time = 4 W min(-1)). CONCLUSION Ultrasound-assisted extraction was found to be a more rapid, convenient and appropriate extraction method with higher yield of antioxidants, shorter time and lower solvent consumption in comparison to conventional extraction.
Factors contributing to inconsistent condom use among heterosexual men in Curaçao

This study explored, from a public health perspective, factors that contribute to inconsistent condom use by men in Curaçao through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 21 heterosexual men. The findings show that there is an important disconnect between what is considered culturally appropriate sexual behaviour for men and women and condom use, that diverging from prescribed notions of masculinity and femininity in order to use condoms consistently is difficult, and that condom use is particularly problematic in the context of concurrent partnerships and sexual economic exchanges. Participants further reported that Caribbean family structures, whereby mothers assume the role as primary caregiver and fathers contribute biologically but, to a much lesser extent socially, also have an impact on condom use. Additionally, consistent condom use was reported to be impeded by a cultural taboo on talking seriously about sex and sexual health. In their totality, findings provide important input from men for the development of sexual health promotion interventions that are cognizant of the cultural context in which inconsistent condom use occurs, and that are geared not only to the individual level but also to the interpersonal and structural levels.
Species differences in susceptibility to ischemic injury and responsiveness to myocardial protection.

Isolated hearts from rabbits, hamsters, ferrets, gerbils, rats, mice and guinea pigs were used to investigate species differences in (i) stability during aerobic perfusion, (ii) susceptibility to ischemic injury and (iii) responsiveness to cardioplegic protection. During 120 minutes of continuous aerobic perfusion, the rate of functional deterioration differed between species. The rabbit was the most stable and the guinea pig the least: the mean +/- SEM of the left ventricular developed pressure falling, after 120 minutes of perfusion, to 82 +/- 4% and 60 +/- 6%, respectively. In studies with 30 minutes of ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion, the developed pressure recovered to 72 +/- 2, 71 +/- 2, 65 +/- 3, 64 +/- 2, 58 +/- 3, 50 +/- 8 and 50 +/- 2% of its pre-ischemic value in the rabbit, hamster, ferret, gerbil, rat, mouse and guinea pig, respectively. With 60 minutes of ischemia, the recovery of developed pressure in the guinea pig, rabbit, rat, mouse, hamster, ferret and gerbil was 5 +/- 1, 19 +/- 2, 22 +/- 3, 30 +/- 5, 55 +/- 4, 60 +/- 2 and 45 +/- 5%, respectively. Creatine kinase leakage and changes in tissue metabolite content generally reflected the degree of functional injury. In further studies, groups of 6 hearts were infused for 2 minutes with St. Thomas' Hospital Cardioplegic Solution, then subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia. Cardioplegia improved the recovery of developed pressure in the rabbit, hamster, gerbil, rat and mouse (from 72 +/- 2, 71 +/- 2, 64 +/- 2, 58 +/- 3 and 50 +/- 8% to 82 +/- 3, 103 +/- 3, 84 +/- 4, 77 +/- 2 and 78 +/- 5%, respectively; p less than 0.05 for each species). However, no protection was observed in the ferret and guinea pig (65 +/- 3 and 50 +/- 2% versus 66 +/- 3 and 47 +/- 6%, respectively; p = NS). With cardioplegia, tissue high-energy phosphates increased significantly in all species except the gerbil. Rat and guinea pig hearts were taken for time-response studies (ischemia for 15, 20, 30, 45, 50 and 60 minutes in the rat and 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes in the guinea pig) with or without cardioplegia. In the rat, cardioplegia improved recovery over an ischemic time-window of 20-45 minutes, but in the guinea pig no improvement was detected. Creatine kinase leakage reflected the patterns of functional recovery. In contrast, high-energy phosphates were preserved better in both species after 30 minutes of ischemia. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Serum‐dependent effects on adult and fetal tendon fibroblast migration and collagen expression

Cell migration and extracellular matrix synthesis play an important role in the wound‐healing response to injury. Several studies have described differences in migratory behavior and collagen biosynthetic activity in adult vs. fetal skin fibroblasts. The objective of this study was to examine the serum‐ and age‐dependent effects on cell migration and collagen expression in tendon fibroblasts. Medial tendon fibroblasts were isolated from pregnant ewes and their fetuses, and cultured with and without serum for up to 7 days. Cell migration was determined by quantitative image analysis, and collagen expression was assessed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. In serum‐containing medium, tendon fibroblasts migrated significantly faster than cells in serum‐free medium. Additionally, fetal tendon fibroblasts migrated significantly faster than adult tendon fibroblasts under both culture conditions. The expression of types I and III collagen mRNA was significantly up‐regulated in tendon cell populations in serum‐free medium compared with those in serum‐containing medium. Quantitative assessment of collagen staining indicated that fetal tenocytes produced more type I collagen than adult tenocytes under both culture conditions. These findings suggest that there is an inherent difference between adult and fetal tendon fibroblasts, which may have implications in the wound‐healing response in tendons.
Effects of Forage Management on Pasture Productivity and Phosphorus Content

Abstract The objectives of the current study were to determine the amounts of above- and below-ground plant biomass production, P uptake by forage, and P concentration of cool-season grass forage as influenced by management and season. Five forage management treatments were evaluated over 3 years in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) pastures. Management practices were: ungrazed (U), hay harvest/fall stockpile grazing (HS), rotational stocking to residual sward heights of 10 (10R) or 5 (5R) cm, and continuous stocking to maintain sward height at 5 cm (5C). Forage samples were hand-clipped within and outside grazing exclosures monthly from April through November of each year and analyzed for mass and P concentration. Root samples were collected at the initiation and completion of the study for determination of root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RSAD). Phosphorus concentrations of forage outside the grazing exclosures did not differ among 5C, 5R, and 10R treatments, which were greater than U paddocks in April and August and less than HS paddocks in June. Mean annual forage productivity was greater in HS, 10R, 5R, and 5C paddocks (6 744 ± 62 kg · ha−1 mean ± SE) than in the U paddocks (1 872 ± 255 kg · ha−1). Mean P concentration of forage outside exclosures was greatest during the spring (0.21 ± 0.01%), and lowest during the fall (0.13 ± 0.01%). Mean annual P uptake by forage followed the same trend as forage production, being greater in the HS, 10R, 5R, and 5C paddocks (13.9 ± 2.0 kg · ha−1) than in the U paddocks (3.7 ± 0.5 kg · ha−1). After 3 years, RLD decreased in the ungrazed paddocks, but was unchanged in the HS, 10R, 5R, and 5C paddocks. Forage production and P uptake by forage is stimulated by forage harvest, either by grazing or hay harvest in smooth bromegrass pastures.
Quantum cosmology and the initial state of the Universe.

Cosmological wave functions are found in a minisuperspace model (1) with ''tunneling'' and (2) with Hartle-Hawking boundary conditions. The probability distributions for the initial states of the Universe corresponding to the two wave functions are calculated and compared. It is shown that the tunneling wave function predicts initial states that lead to inflation, while the Hartle-Hawking wave function does not. Small perturbations about the minisuperspace model are considered and it is argued that both wave functions predict that the Universe nucleates with quantum fields in de Sitter-invariant vacuum states.
Neurogenic sarcoma of the sinonasal tract

Abstract Five cases of a rare malignant sinonasal tumour of neurofibromatous nature are described. The term neurogenic sarcoma (or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour) is advocated instead of malignant schwannoma. The clinicopathological features of this tumour are described, and the differential diagnosis are discussed. The necessity of using immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of sinonasal tumours of fibromatous nature is emphasized. The clinical management consists of radical surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Clinically there seems to be a high-grade and a low-grade type of sinonasal neurogenic sarcoma, however, this could not be distinguished histologically in the present series.
Usefulness and Pitfalls in Sodium Intake Estimation: Comparison of Dietary Assessment and Urinary Excretion in Chilean Children and Adults.

BACKGROUND High sodium intake has been associated with various noncommunicable disease like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or stroke. To estimate accurately sodium intake is challenging in clinical practice. We investigate the usefulness and limitations of assessing sodium intake simultaneously by dietary assessment and urinary samples in both children and adults. METHODS We used a cross-sectional study design inviting 298 Chilean subjects (74 children and 222 adults) aged between 9 and 66 years of both genders. Sodium intake by dietary assessment was obtained from Chilean food composition data, based on FAO tables. Sodium and creatinine excretion were measured in 24-hour urine samples, in all participants. RESULTS Adequate urinary collection was obtained in 81% of children (59/74) and 61% of adults (135/222). The mean sodium intake by dietary assessment was similar to the sodium excretion in 24 hours (3,121±1,153mg/d vs. 3,114±1,353mg/24h, P = nonsignificant) in children but was significantly lower (3,208±1,284mg/d vs. 4,160±1,651mg/24h, P < 0.001) in adults. In both children and adults, sodium intake correlated with urinary sodium excretion (r = 0.456, P < 0.003 and r = 0.390, P < 0.001, respectively). Secondary analyses also suggested that the dietary assessment was more inaccurate in overweight adult subjects. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that average sodium intake was higher than recommended in both children and adults (WHO ≤2,000mg/d). The sodium intake estimated by dietary assessment correlated with urinary excretion in all subjects, but in obese adults was more inaccurate than in children. Future studies to validate the appropriate test to assess sodium intake by age and nutritional status are warranted.
Erythrocyte adhesion is modified by alterations in cellular tonicity and volume

We tested the hypothesis that dehydration‐induced alterations in red blood cell (RBC) membrane organisation or composition contribute to sickle cell adhesion in sickle cell disease (SCD). To examine the role of RBC hydration in adhesion to the subendothelial matrix protein thrombospondin‐1 (TSP), normal and sickle RBCs were incubated in buffers of varying tonicity and tested for adhesion to immobilised TSP under flow conditions. Sickle RBCs exhibited a decrease in TSP binding with increasing cell hydration (P < 0·005), suggesting that cellular dehydration may contribute to TSP adhesion. Consistent with this hypothesis, normal RBCs showed an increase in TSP adhesion with increasing dehydration (P < 0·01). Furthermore, increased TSP adhesion of normal RBCs could also be induced by isotonic dehydration using nystatin‐sucrose buffers. Finally, TSP adhesion of both sickle RBCs and dehydrated normal RBCs was inhibited by the anionic polysaccharides, chondroitin sulphate A and high molecular weight dextran sulphate, but not by competitors of CD47‐, band 3‐, or RBC phosphatidylserine‐mediated adhesion. More importantly, we found increased adhesion of nystatin‐sucrose dehydrated normal mouse RBCs to kidney capillaries following re‐infusion in vivo. In summary, these findings demonstrate that changes in hydration can significantly impact adhesion, causing normal erythrocytes to display adhesive properties similar to those of sickle cells and vice versa.
Integrating Algorithms for Integrable Affine Constraints

This letter presents integrating algorithms for affine constraints defined on a manifold. We first explain definition and geometric representation of affine constraints. Next, we derive integrating algorithms to calculate independent first integrals of affine constraints for the two cases where the they are completely integrable and partially nonintegrable. Moreover, we prove the existence of inverse functions in the algorithms. Some examples are also shown to verify our results.
Zinc induces neurofilament phosphorylation independent of p70 S6 kinase in N2a cells

Hyperphosphorylated neurofilaments are a part of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease brains. Zinc has been shown to be increased in the brain areas heavily affected by Alzheimer pathologies. Zinc could induce tau hyperphosphorylation in SH-SY5Y and N2a cells, and tau phosphorylation may be mediated by p70 S6 kinase activation. Many of the tau kinases can also phosphorylate neurofilaments, and in this study we wanted to see whether neurofilament phosphorylation is regulated by p70 S6 kinase in N2a cells. We found that zinc induces rapamycin-dependent p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation at Thr421/Ser424 and Thr389, and rapamycin-independent phosphorylation of neurofilaments at the SMI34 epitope. Although zinc could induce cell proliferation and cell growth, and increased phosphorylation of neurofilaments, only cell growth appeared to be related to p7056kinase activation.
Impact of prior treatment exposure on response to antidepressant treatment in late life.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe the correlates of prior antidepressant exposure and its association with response to protocolized treatment in older patients with major depression. METHODS Based on their prior antidepressant treatment exposure, 193 elderly patients with a major depressive episode were divided into three groups: those with no prior treatment for their current episode (not treated [TN]), those with antidepressant trials of inadequate dose or duration ("treatment-inadequate" [TI]), and those with at least one adequate trial but persisting depression ("treatment-resistant" [TR]). All patients then received protocolized treatment with interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and paroxetine plus pharmacologic augmentation if needed. The demographic, clinical, and outcome information were compared among these three groups. RESULTS Approximately one-third of the patients referred to the study had been adequately treated (TR), one-third had been inadequately treated (TI), and one-third were not treated for the current episode (TN). Treatment completion rates and reasons for dropping out did not differ statistically among TR, TI, and TN patients. TR patients took longer to respond (13.0 weeks) than either TI or TN patients (7.6 and 8.0 weeks, respectively). TR and TI patients had lower response rates (67% and 71%) than TN patients (86%). CONCLUSIONS Prior treatment exposure is an important correlate of course and outcome in late-life depression. Most TR and TI patients eventually respond, but TR patients may require more intensive and longer courses of treatment than TI and TN patients.
Effects of Specialty Hospitals on the Financial Performance of General Hospitals, 1997–2004

Hospital specialization has become a controversial topic, culminating in a moratorium issued in 2003 by Congress directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cease payments to new physician-owned specialty hospitals for those Medicare and Medicaid patients referred by physicians with a financial interest in the facility. This paper focuses on one important economic question: does the presence of specialty hospitals in a market affect general hospitals' financial performance? We estimate longitudinal fixed-effects models for a national panel of short-term acute care hospitals for the period 1997 though 2004; models are estimated for general hospital patient-care revenue, costs, and operating margins. We find that the presence of one or more new or established specialty hospitals in a market has a negative effect on general hospital costs and a positive effect on general hospital operating margins. Results, which were consistent across several different modeling approaches, imply that the presence of specialty hospitals encourages greater efficiency on the part of incumbent general hospitals, and the existence of profits attracts market entry. Our findings question the contention that competition from specialty hospitals harms general hospitals financially.
Longitudinal Evaluation of the Cognitive-Behavioral Model of ADHD in a Sample of College Students With ADHD

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinal pathways to impairment as outlined in the cognitive-behavioral model of ADHD in a sample of 59 college students diagnosed with ADHD. Method: Serial mediation models were used to test whether underachievement, defined as prior year GPA, would longitudinally predict self-reported impairment at the end of the next school year, through negative self-concept and associated changes in symptoms of anxiety and depression, while controlling for baseline impairment and changes in ADHD symptoms. Results: Findings supported the cognitive-behavioral model of ADHD. The association between prior year GPA and overall impairment at the end of the year was fully mediated through self-concept and symptoms of depression. Conclusion: These results help explain why impairment often persists even when ADHD symptoms remit and suggests that internalizing symptoms may be an important target for intervention in college students with ADHD.