Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical sequelae and self‐perceived attachment in adult survivors of childhood cancer

The association between the physical sequelae of childhood cancer and self‐reported attachment behavior was investigated in 97 adult survivors. Attachment was assessed using standardized self‐report questionnaires. Functional disability and cosmetic sequelae of the cancer and its treatment were evaluated by the attending oncologist using a standardized rating scale. Results suggest that attachment is not significantly associated with physician‐rated physical sequelae, but may be related to the time of onset of the functional deficits, independent of the current age or age at diagnosis. Further, survivors with functional sequelae in adulthood describe themselves as more insecure in their relationships in general and more ambivalent in their relationship with their parents. These findings, if replicated, suggest that the duration of the functional deficits as well as the developmental stage of the individual when they began may be important variables which affect the survivor's capacity to develop and maintain intimate relationships that are secure and satisfying. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Oxytocin Treatment in Early Life on Body Weight and Corticosterone in Adult Offspring from ad libitum-Fed and Food-Restricted Rats

The aims of this study were: (1) to assess the effects of maternal undernutrition during pregnancy on adult offspring with regard to growth, body composition and plasma levels of glucose, insulin and corticosterone, and (2) to investigate whether oxytocin treatment early in life could ameliorate the adverse effects of food restriction in utero. Pups from ad libitum-fed and food-restricted (60% of ad libitum intake during pregnancy) rats were injected subcutaneously once a day with oxytocin or saline on days 1–14 after birth. At adult age (62 days), male offspring from food-restricted dams had lower body weight, less adipose tissue, lower plasma glucose but higher corticosterone levels, compared to offspring from ad libitum-fed dams. However, oxytocin-treated food-restricted males had higher body weight, higher glucose and lower corticosterone levels compared to their saline-treated counterparts. In conclusion, oxytocin treatment early in life seems to ameliorate some of the adverse effects of food restriction in utero.
Mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been extensively exploited as a therapeutic and research modality and has revolutionized current patient care. At present, more and more medical centers use peripheral blood progenitor cells for transplantation by mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood because of potential advantages of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation over bone-marrow transplantation. Different effective mobilization regimens have been developed recently with chemotherapeutic agents, hematopoietic growth factors or their combination. This article reviews current developments related to hematopoietic stem cell mobilization including the biology of hematopoietic stem cells, strategies for mobilization, management for mobilization failure, mechanisms of mobilization, and side effects during mobilization. Finally, the Initiation-Amplification-Emigration-Adaptation Model is proposed to help aid understanding of the mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and to stimulate development of novel and optimal mobilization strategies for patient care.
Single-parent, female-headed families in Western Europe: social change and response.

Trends in single-parent, female-headed families in Western Europe are analyzed and compared. The authors "explore the 'single-parent family' phenomenon in Western Europe, the factors that account for the growth in the numbers of these families, how these families are perceived and the policy responses in the different countries; we also note some patterns. " Data are from a variety of sources. Some comparisons are made with the situation in the United States.
A Simple Method for Purification of Adult Pig Pancreatic Endocrine Cells

Adult pig pancreatic endocrine cells were harvested by autodigestion without added enzymes. The isolated, crude cells were purified by mono-poly resolving medium (MPRM). The purity of the harvested cells was determined by dithizone staining and the number of pancreatic endocrine cells was counted. A large number of the cells were stained red with dithizone and showed a high viability and a good insulin secretory response to glucose stimulation. The average number of cells purified by MPRM was 3.40 ± 1.32 X 105 cells/g pancreas and the number of dithizone-stained cells was 2.81 ± 1.09 X 105 cells/g pancreas. The insulin secretion from the pancreatic endocrine cells was maintained throughout a 40-day observation period and high glucose stimulation induced an increase in insulin secretion from the cultured cells. In the cells purified by MPRM, light and electron microscopic studies showed the cells to be typical pancreatic endocrine cells. The present purification method using MPRM allowed us quickly to obtain a large amount of adult pig pancreatic endocrine cells from the unpurified preparations. It is thought to be useful for transplantation and biochemical or biological studies of adult pig pancreatic endocrine cells.
A Prospective Cohort Study of the Effect of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Detection of Plasma and Cervical HIV-1 in Women Initiating and Continuing Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract:Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use among HIV-1–infected women may increase transmission by increasing plasma and genital HIV-1 RNA shedding. We investigated associations between DMPA use and HIV-1 RNA in plasma and cervical secretions. One hundred two women initiated antiretroviral therapy, contributing 925 follow-up visits over a median of 34 months. Compared with visits with no hormonal contraception exposure, DMPA exposure did not increase detection of plasma (adjusted odds ratio: 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.47 to 1.39) or cervical HIV-1 RNA (adjusted odds ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.54 to 3.67). Our results suggest that DMPA is unlikely to increase infectivity in HIV-positive women who are adherent to effective antiretroviral therapy.
Measuring Intention To Use And Satisfaction With Electronic District System: Validation Of A Combined Model Of IS Success

The purpose of this paper is to examine the intentions to use and satisfaction with electronic District system from the perspective of largely computer and Internet literate citizens from the state of Bihar in India. Measuring success of the system becomes significant also because this system was at the pilottesting phase at the time of gathering data for it. The study used a combined IS success model to measure the success of this system. The proposed model contains constructs including information quality, system quality, perceived usefulness, intention to use, and user satisfaction. The empirical outcomes positive and significant relationships between all seven hypotheses formulated between five constructs. The empirical findings and discussion presented in this research might help the state government of Bihar to fully utilise the potential of the e-District system as an efficient tool to curb corruption and help government toward minimising it.
Umbilical Cord Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Cortisol Levels in Preterm Infants Born to Pre‐Eclamptic Mothers

ABSTRACT. The influence of early‐onset pre‐eclampsia upon the umbilical cord serum levels of Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was studied in fifty‐one preterm infants not exposed prenatally to corticosteroids. Preterm infants born to pre‐eclamptic mothers (group A) presented lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels than preterm infants born to non‐pre‐eclamptic mothers (group B). The umbilical cord serum levels of Cortisol were similar between both groups. It is suggested that the decrease in the cord serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in preterm infants of pre‐eclamptic mothers plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the subnormal maternal urinary estriol excretion, and that the accelerated pulmonary and cerebral maturation of preterm infants born to pre‐eclamptic mothers is not explained by an increased fetal serum Cortisol concentration.
Mobile technology to increase parent engagement

The untapped potential of mobile applications to increase opportunities for parent engagement is enormous. Parent engagement is widely recognized as critical for children with disabilities, and optimal for children who are considered at risk for delayed development. However, there are many barriers to parent engagement. Mobile technology provides a platform to overcome many of these barriers. An iterative design-based research project was conducted to develop an application for increasing parent engagement. The design process, feasibility testing, and results are presented. Next steps and future opportunities are discussed.
The Effects of New Franchisor Partnering Strategies on Franchise System Size

Many young firms use strategic actions to attract partners who help them increase the size of their operations quickly. This article examines the use of strategic actions to attract partners and increase system size in the context of franchising. We build on research in entrepreneurship, marketing, organization theory, strategic management, and finance to develop specific hypotheses about the influences of franchisor pricing policy and strategic control decisions on system size. We test these hypotheses empirically, using panel data on a sample of 1,292 business format franchise systems from 152 industries that were established in the United States between 1979 and 1996 and followed from their inception forward in time. Our model accounts for the endogeneity of strategic decisions, controls for unobserved firm and industry factors, and accounts for selection effects due to system failure. The results show that franchisors that grow larger (1) lower royalty rates as the systems age, (2) have low up-front franchise fees that rise over time, (3) own a small proportion of outlets and lower that percentage over time, (4) keep franchisees initial investment low, and (5) finance their franchisees.
Tree swallow reproductive investment, stress, and parasites

We reduced or increased tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808), clutch sizes by three eggs (50% of modal clutch size) to test experimentally for relationships between stress and parasite loads. In the first year of the study (1996), we enumerated two measures of stress (granulocyte to non-granulocyte ratios and heterophil to lympho- cyte ratios), blood parasites, and ectoparasites living on birds (and not in nesting material). Stress indices increased for parents, but not for nestlings, associated with larger broods. Only one blood parasite (a trypanosome) was detected in blood smears from 221 different individuals. On individual birds, we found a median of 0 fleas, 0 lice, and 7 feather mites. In the second study (1998), we focused on parasites living in nesting material. Here, we found a median of 106 fleas and, of the parasites we observed, these probably had the greatest potential impact on the birds. Per capita flea loads were higher in nests that contained more young. However, despite higher stress to parents and higher per capita flea loads in enlarged broods, flea numbers were not associated with smaller nestlings or with reduced fledging suc - cess. Resume : Nous avons reduit ou augmente la taille des couvees de l'hirondelle bicolore, Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808), de trois oeufs (50 % du nombre modal d'oeufs dans une couvee) afin de verifier experimentalement s'i lyau ne relation entre le stress et la charge parasitaire. Durant la premiere annee de l'etude (1996), nous avons mesure le stress de deux facons, par le rapport des granulocytes sur les non-granulocytes et par le rapport des heterophiles sur les lym- phocytes, ainsi que denombre les parasites sanguins et les ectoparasites trouves sur les oiseaux, mais non sur les mate- riaux des nids. Dans les plus grandes couvees, les indices de stress sont plus eleves chez les parents, mais pas chez les oisillons. Un seul parasite sanguin, un trypanosome, a ete observe dans les frottis sanguins provenant de 221 individus differents. Le nombre median de parasites par oiseau est de 0 puce, 0 pou et de 7 acariens des plumes. Dans une se- conde etude (1998), nous nous sommes interesses aux parasites presents dans les materiaux du nid. Le nombre median de puces est alors de 106 et, de tous les parasites observes, ce sont elles qui risquent d'avoir le plus grand impact sur les oiseaux. La charge individuelle de puces est plus grande dans les nids qui contiennent plus d'oisillons. Cependant, malgre le stress accru pour les parents et la charge de puces plus importante chez les oisillons dans les couvees plus grandes, le nombre de puces ne semble pas entrainer une reduction de la taille des oisillons, ni une baisse du succes de l'envol.
Severe anaemia in children living in a malaria endemic area of Kenya

Severe anaemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in African children, but the causes, particularly falciparum malaria, are difficult to determine. We assessed the contribution of falciparum malaria to anaemia in Kenyan children by clinical examination and measurement of parasitaemia and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in 559 children in the community and in 2412 children admitted to Kilifi district hospital during a 2‐year period. We also attempted to characterize severe malarial anaemia by examining the causes and pathophysiology of anaemia in 101 children admitted with Hb concentration 50 g/l during a 1‐year period. Plasmodium falciparum infection was associated with reduced Hb concentration in children in the community and in those admitted to hospital irrespective of diagnosis. Falciparum malaria was the primary cause in 46 cases (46%) of severe anaemia admitted to hospital. There was no difference in the frequency of haemolysis or dyserythropoiesis in the children with malarial anaemia and those with anaemia from other causes, such as iron deficiency or sickle cell disease. The mortality rate in the children with severe malarial anaemia was 8.6% compared with 3.6% in children with severe anaemia due to other causes. Falciparum malaria does not present with a characteristic clinical or haematological picture, but is a major cause of the morbidity and mortality in children with severe anaemia who live on the Kenyan coast, a malaria endemic area.
Exercise as a screening test for growth hormone deficiency in children.

Lacey, (1973). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 48,508. Exercise as a screening test for growth hormone deficiency in children. The serum growth hormone response to exercise has been evaluated in 98 children with short stature. In 65 children growth hormone deficiency was excluded by a single postexercise level of more than 20 mIU/ml. The test is simple and can be carried out as part of an outpatient consultation. It is recommended as an initial screening test for growth hormone deficiency in short children.
Factors affecting the severity of cow's milk anaphylaxis.

1 Immunology, Asthma and Allergy Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 Department of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 3 Pediatric Infections Research Center (PIRC), Mofid Children’s Hospital, Shaheed Beheshti University of Sciences, Tehran, Iran 4 Department of Pediatric, Bahrami Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 5 Department of Biostatistics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Low-molecular-weight heparin prevents high glucose- and phorbol ester-induced TGF-beta 1 gene activation.

BACKGROUND Hyperglycemia-induced overexpression of prosclerotic transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Since previous in vivo studies demonstrated a renoprotective effect of low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparin in experimental animals, and recent in vitro data showed an interaction of this drug with the overactivated TGF-beta 1 cascade in high glucose- and phorbol ester-stimulated mesangial cells, we studied the molecular mechanism of these effects on TGF-beta 1 gene expression. METHODS Mesangial cells were stimulated with 30 mmol/L glucose or with 0.5 micromol/L phorbol ester [phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)] in the absence or presence of LMW heparin. TGF-beta 1 promoter activity was determined in promoter-reporter luciferase assays. The effect of LMW heparin on the binding of nuclear proteins to a regulatory activator protein-1 (AP-1) site, which mediates the high glucose and PMA responsiveness of the TGF-beta 1 promoter, was studied by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. RESULTS The presence of LMW heparin completely prevented TGF-beta 1 gene activation in both high glucose- and PMA-stimulated cells. Preincubation of the cells with LMW heparin and subsequent stimulation of the cells with both stimuli yielded the same result. Furthermore, treatment with LMW heparin prevented the enhanced binding of nuclear proteins to the regulatory AP-1 site, while binding to a Sp1 site was unaffected. Basal promoter activity and basal AP-1 binding also was reduced by LMW heparin. The LMW heparin effect on basal promoter activity was abolished by mutation of the regulatory AP-1 box B and by deletion of this AP-1 binding site. CONCLUSIONS LMW heparin prevents high glucose- and PMA-mediated TGF-beta 1 expression by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-beta 1 promoter and by preventing the enhanced binding of nuclear proteins to the regulatory AP-1 site.
Solution to the Continuous Time Dynamic Yield Management Model

We formulate the yield management problem as a continuous time, stochastic, dynamic programming model. We derive an expression for the expected revenue in terms of the stochastic booking processes and the control policies. The solution to the problem is found by maximizing the expected revenue over the possible control decisions. The solution is for an arbitrary number of fare classes and arbitrary booking curves. In particular, it requires no assumptions on the order of arrivals from different fare classes. The solution can be expressed in terms of a double recursion complex. At each node of the complex, the upper limit of a one-dimensional integral is solved to find a critical time for each fare class and for each value of remaining capacity. The critical times are the only values that need to be stored in the reservation control system to achieve optimal real-time control. This simple result is somewhat surprising given the complexity of even the static programming versions of the problem. We derive simple expressions of expected revenues and bid prices, which provide useful information to the user of a yield management system.
Carbon isotope effects associated with aceticlastic methanogenesis

The carbon isotope effects associated with synthesis of methane from acetate have been determined for Methanosarcina barkeri 227 and for methanogenic archaea in sediments of Wintergreen Lake, Michigan. At 37 degrees C, the 13C isotope effect for the reaction acetate (methyl carbon) --> methane, as measured in replicate experiments with M. barkeri, was - 21.3% +/- 0.3%. The isotope effect at the carboxyl portion of acetate was essentially equal, indicating participation of both positions in the rate-determining step, as expected for reactions catalyzed by carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. A similar isotope effect, - 19.2% +/- 0.3% was found for this reaction in the natural community (temperature = 20 degrees C). Given these observations, it has been possible to model the flow of carbon to methane within lake sediment communities and to account for carbon isotope compositions of evolving methane. Extension of the model allows interpretation of seasonal fluctuations in 13C contents of methane in other systems.
Biological Basis for the Co-morbidity Between Smoking and Mood Disorders

Nicotine dependence is still the major preventable cause of death in the developed world, and it has strong co-morbidity with mood disorders including major depression. Depressed patients are more likely to smoke cigarettes, and quitting can precipitate an episode of depression in some individuals. Interestingly, antidepressants, particularly the atypical antidepressant bupropion, are therapeutics that can help smokers quit. Despite these observations, the underlying biological factors of the relationship between smoking and depression remain unclear. Results from clinical and preclinical studies have seemed somewhat paradoxical because heightened cholinergic activity can induce depression, while both nicotine and nicotinic antagonists can be antidepressant-like. These observations can be reconciled by considering that high-affinity nicotinic receptors in the brain can be desensitized by chronic nicotine use, leading to blunted cholinergic activity. Based on this hypothesis, nicotinic antagonists have recently been tested as treatments for depression in humans, particularly as adjunct therapy along with classical antidepressants. These data suggest that the relationship between smoking and depression may be partially explained by the fact that depressed patients smoke in an effort to self-medicate depressive symptoms by desensitizing their nicotinic receptors. This possibility suggests new avenues for treatment of both nicotine dependence and depressive disorders.
The RsbRST Stress Module in Bacteria: A Signalling System That May Interact with Different Output Modules

In the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the activity of the alternative sigma factor σB is triggered upon exposure of the bacteria to environmental stress conditions or to nutrient limitation. σB activity is controlled by protein-phosphorylation-dependent interactions of anti-sigma with anti-anti-sigma factors. Under stress conditions, the phosphatase RsbU triggers release of σB and thus induces the expression of stress genes. RsbU activity is controlled by three proteins, RsbR, RsbS and RsbT which form a supramolecular complex called the stressosome. Here we review the occurrence of the genes encoding the stressosome proteins (called the RsbRST module) in a wide variety of bacteria. While this module is linked to the gene encoding σB and its direct regulators in B. subtilis and its close relatives, genes encoding two-component regulatory systems and more complex phosphorelays are clustered with the RsbRST module in bacteria as diverse as cyanobacteria, bacteroidetes, proteobacteria, and deinococci. The conservation of the RsbRST module and its clustering with different types of regulatory systems suggest that the stressosome proteins form a signal sensing and transduction unit that relays information to very different output modules.
Be tween Bioceramic Putty Ready-To-Use Repair Cement and White MTA

putty ready-to-use repair cement comparing to white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA). After root canal instrumentation, the apical 3 mm of maxillary incisors were resected and root-end cavities with depth of 3 mm were prepared with ultrasound and filled with the tested materials (15 roots per group). All roots were mounted in a double chamber system to assess glucose penetration using 15 psi pressure application. After 1 h, glucose concentrations in the lower chamber were measured following an enzymatic reaction. Four roots were used as controls. The Mann-Whitney test verified differences in glucose leakage between groups and the Tukey's test was used for multiple comparisons. Significance level was set at 5%. There was no significant difference in glucose leakage between iRoot BP Plus and White MTA groups. iRoot BP Plus had a similar ability to that of white MTA in preventing glucose leakage as a root-end filling material. S imi l a r Sea l ab i l i t y Be tween Bioceramic Putty Ready-To-Use Repair Cement and White MTA