Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pooled safety analysis of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel for the treatment of psoriasis on the body and scalp

The fixed combination calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel is a first‐line treatment for psoriasis vulgaris. The objective was to perform a large‐scale assessment of tolerability of fixed combination gel (Cal/BD). Analysis was performed on pooled 8‐week safety data from nine clinical trials evaluating once‐daily Cal/BD treatment of scalp (n = 6) and body (n = 3) psoriasis. Pharmacovigilance data were also assessed. Patients were treated with Cal/BD [n = 1953 (scalp), n = 824 (body)], betamethasone dipropionate gel (BD; n = 1214, n = 562), calcipotriol gel (Cal; n = 979, n = 175), gel vehicle (VEH; n = 173, n = 226), calcipotriol scalp solution [n = 104 (scalp only)] and tacalcitol ointment [TAC; n = 184 (body only)]. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild–moderate severity. The proportion of scalp psoriasis patients with ≥1 AE was lowest with Cal/BD (35% versus 38–57%). A similar proportion was found with Cal/BD for body psoriasis (32%), however, lower proportions were reported with BD (24%) and Cal (29%). The most common AEs with Cal/BD included nasopharyngitis, pruritus and upper respiratory tract infection (2–5% of patients). Overall, only 5% of patients treated with Cal/BD reported ≥1 lesional/perilesional AEs: the lowest incidence versus scalp comparators (6–19%) and second lowest to BD (3%) for body psoriasis. Similarly, Cal/BD treatment resulted in the lowest incidence of ≥1 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in scalp psoriasis patients (8% versus 9–27%) and second lowest to BD (6% versus 4%) for body psoriasis. Overall, incidence of serious AEs (SAEs) was low (0–1%). Data received postmarketing through spontaneous reporting revealed that SAEs reported more than once with Cal/BD treatment were psoriasis (n = 5); and alopecia, erythrodermic psoriasis, pruritus, skin atrophy and urticaria (n = 2 each). In this large subset of patients treated with Cal/BD, incidence of AEs and ADRs is consistently low. This analysis provides further evidence of the good tolerability of the fixed combination gel as treatment for psoriasis vulgaris.
PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT BY COFFEE HUSK ASH FOR C-25 CONCRETE PRODUCTION

Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and binders. From concrete ingredients, the binder and the costliest and environmental-unfriendly element is cement, which is an ecological unsociable process due to the discharge of CO2 gas into the atmosphere and ecological degradation. Coffee husk (CH) has been considered as a category of agriculture by-product; as its quantity rises, the disposal of it is becoming an environmental problem. Hence, this study investigated the suitability of coffee husk ash (CHA) as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in conventional concrete production. Initially, CH samples were collected from different coffee treatment centres. The CHA was then ground and its chemical and physical properties were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method. After that, the pastes containing OPC and CHA at different levels of replacement were investigated. For this purpose, six different concrete mixes with CHA replacement 0, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 15% of the OPC were prepared for 25MPa conventional concrete with water to cement ratio of 0.5 and 360 kg/m3 cement content. The results of the study show that, up to 10% replacement of OPC by CHA achieved advanced compressive strength at all test ages, i.e. 7, 14, and 28 days of age using compressive test machine.
Preschool speech intelligibility and vocabulary skills predict long-term speech and language outcomes following cochlear implantation in early childhood

Abstract Speech and language measures during grade school predict adolescent speech-language outcomes in children who receive cochlear implants (CIs), but no research has examined whether speech and language functioning at even younger ages is predictive of long-term outcomes in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine whether early preschool measures of speech and language performance predict speech-language functioning in long-term users of CIs. Early measures of speech intelligibility and receptive vocabulary (obtained during preschool ages of 3–6 years) in a sample of 35 prelingually deaf, early-implanted children predicted speech perception, language, and verbal working memory skills up to 18 years later. Age of onset of deafness and age at implantation added additional variance to preschool speech intelligibility in predicting some long-term outcome scores, but the relationship between preschool speech-language skills and later speech-language outcomes was not significantly attenuated by the addition of these hearing history variables. These findings suggest that speech and language development during the preschool years is predictive of long-term speech and language functioning in early-implanted, prelingually deaf children. As a result, measures of speech-language functioning at preschool ages can be used to identify and adjust interventions for very young CI users who may be at long-term risk for suboptimal speech and language outcomes.
Cell kinetics in flat (avillous) mucosa of the human small intestine

A new method for the analysis of small-intestinal crypt-cell kinetics using routine peroral diagnostic biopsies is described. Untreated patients with childhood and adult coeliac disease and adults with the gluten-sensitive enteropathy of dermatitis herpetiformis were studied, together with groups of adult and childhood controls. In the classical flat avillous mucosae the increase in crypt size was found to be three-dimensional. The number of proliferating cells per crypt was shown to be markedly increased, and an even greater rise in the crypt-cell production rate was demonstrated. A significant increase in the mitotic index was also confirmed in the avillous mucosae. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that the characteristic crypt morphology in glutensensitive enteropathy can be explained as an adjustment to accommodate the expanded mass of proliferating and maturing cells necessary to support the augmented cell production rate. We may speculate that this in turn is a response to a pathologically rapid loss of cells from the mucosal surface.
An In-vitro Evaluation of Retention, Colonization and Penetration of Commonly Used Denture Lining Materials By Candida albicans.

INTRODUCTION Colonization of the surface by Candida albicans and related Candida species is one of the major concerns of denture lining materials. AIM We evaluated retention, colonization and penetration of the four denture lining materials namely Molloplast B, Permaflex, GC Soft Liner and Ufi Gel Hard C by Candida albicans. MATERIAL AND METHODS a) Evaluation of retention: Five test discs of each material with smooth surface on one side and rough on the other were prepared and surface roughness (Ra) was measured with profilometer. Retention of C. albicans to discs was monitored after one hour of incubation (37°C) with standardized (2.8 x 106 cfu/ml) washed cell suspension. Discs were stained with acridine orange and attached cells were counted using inverted microscope; b) Evaluation of colonization and penetration: Eight test discs of each material in sterile artificial saliva, were inoculated with C. albicans and incubated for six weeks. Two sections were cut across each test disc to provide three replicate samples. Candida cells on cut disc sections were fixed, dehydrated, air dried and viewed via fluorescence microscope; c) Evaluation of antifungal action: Two test discs of each material were placed onto diagnostic sensitivity testing the agar plate. After incubation at 37°C for 24 hours, the zone of inhibition formed around the samples were measured at four places, and the mean calculated. RESULTS a) All rough surfaces showed higher retention of C. albicans than smooth surfaces. Among the smooth surfaces, Molloplast B and GC Soft Liner showed highest and lowest retention of C. albicans respectively (p=0.0090). Among the rough surfaces, the variation in the retention of C. albicans was not statistically significant; b) Penetration of C. albicans was observed through all three sections of the test discs of each material. There was no statistically significant difference among the test materials; c) Molloplast B and Permaflex produced a mean zone of inhibition of 16.9±4.8mm and 14.80±3.8mm respectively. CONCLUSION a) Smoother surfaces retain fewer cells than rough surfaces; b) Denture lining materials permit infiltration of Candida through their structure; c) Denture lining materials have insignificant anti-fungal properties.
Two classes of low‐copy repeats comediate a new recurrent rearrangement consisting of duplication at 8p23.1 and triplication at 8p23.2

We describe a new type of rearrangement consisting of the duplication of 8p23.1 and the triplication of 8p23.2 [dup trp(8p)] in two patients affected by mental retardation and minor facial dysmorphisms. Array–comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and genotyping of polymorphic loci allowed us to demonstrate that this rearrangement is mediated by the combined effects of two unrelated low‐copy repeats (LCRs). The first set of LCRs consists of the two clusters of olfactory receptor genes (OR‐REPs) lying at 8p23.1. The second type of LCRs consists of a 15‐kb segmental duplication, lying in inverted orientation at 8p23.2 and enclosing a nonrepeated sequence of approximately 130 kb, named MYOM2‐REP because of its proximity to the MYOM2 gene. The molecular characterization of a third case with a dicentric chromosome 8 demonstrated that the rearrangement had been generated by nonallelic homologous recombination between the two MYOM2‐REPs. Based on our findings, we propose a model showing that a second recombination event at the level of the OR‐REPs leads to the formation of the dup trp(8p) chromosome. This rearrangement can only arise during meiosis in heterozygous carriers of the polymorphic 8p23.1 inversion, whereas in subjects with noninverted chromosomes 8 or homozygous for the inversion only the dicentric chromosome can be formed. Our study demonstrates that nonallelic homologous recombination involving multiple LCRs can generate more complex rearrangements and cause a greater variety of genomic diseases. Hum Mutat 28(5), 459–468, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiation of rat oval cells after activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha43.

Peroxisome proliferators (PPs) act as nongenotoxic tumor promoters in rodents. Their hepatocarcinogenicity requires the presence of the PP-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha); however, the exact role played by this transcription factor in the liver, more precisely in liver cell growth and differentiation, is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PPARalpha in oval cells, which are considered to be closely related to liver stem cells, act as bipotential progenitors for the two main hepatic lineages, and have been implicated as playing a role in several models of liver carcinogenesis. We studied the PPARalpha-mediated response of primary oval cells isolated from rats fed a choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented diet (CDE diet, a regimen commonly used for the induction of oval cell proliferation in rodents) with or without cotreatment with WY14,643, a prototype PPARalpha-activator. PPARalpha was expressed at relatively low levels in primary oval cells from rats fed the CDE diet alone. In vivo treatment with WY14,643 for 2-6 weeks induced, in the oval cells, the expression of PPARalpha as well as that of the PPARalpha-responsive genes encoding fatty acyl-CoA oxidase and cytochrome P450 4A1. Moreover, the oval cell response to WY14,643 was accompanied by an overall phenotypic modulation toward the hepatocyte lineage. In addition, the PPARalpha activator induced, among the oval cells, a subpopulation of transitional cells showing features of maturing hepatocytes expressing the oncofetal marker, alpha-fetoprotein. These results show that oval cells are responsive to PPs and strongly argue for a role of PPARalpha in the differentiation/maturation of rat oval cells. In the absence of the CDE diet regimen, 9-week treatment with WY14,643 lead to the appearance of a population of large-sized cells somewhat similar to the transitional cells. However, these cells showed little expression of markers of mature hepatocytes, consistent with a block during their maturation process, i.e., they are resistant to PPARalpha-mediated differentiation. Interestingly, the phenotype of these cells resembled that of the cells usually found in neoplastic foci induced by PPs. Our results, together with previous reports, suggest the involvement of oval cells in the hepatocarcinogenicity of PPs.
Sexual relationships, risk behaviour, and condom use in the spread of sexually transmitted infections to heterosexual men.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of patient defined non-regular sexual relationships and other risk behaviours on the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in heterosexual men and the role of condom use in the prevention of their spread. DESIGN: A prospective cross sectional study of sexual behaviour reported by a standardised self administered questionnaire in new patients who presented for screening and diagnosis. SETTING: A genitourinary medicine clinic in west London. SUBJECTS: 957 consecutive newly attending heterosexual men who completed a sexual behaviour questionnaire in 1993/94. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables relating to sociodemographic status, sexual behaviour, condom use, sexually transmitted infections and testing for HIV infection, stratified by the reporting of non-regular partners. RESULTS: We found that the 65% of men who reported non-regular sexual partners were more likely to be white collar class (d = 7.5%, 95% CI = 1.3, 13.7) and to have had sexual intercourse with non-United Kingdom born women (d = 7.8%, 95% CI = 3.5, 12.2). They also reported coitarche before 16 years of age (d = 13.4%, 95% CI = 8.0, 18.8) and many more sexual partners both in the last year (d = 13.1%, 95% CI = 10.2, 16.0) and in their lifetime (d = 27.9%, 95% CI = 21.6, 34.2). They were significantly more likely to practise anal intercourse (d = 8.7%, 95% CI = 3.3, 14.1), to smoke (d = 16.3%, 95% CI = 9.8, 22.6), to drink alcohol (d = 4.9%, 95% CI = 1.2, 8.6), and to have chlamydial infection (d = 5.7%, 95% CI = 2.2, 9.2), of which 30% was subclinical. Increasing condom use with regular partners correlated with decreasing incidence of urethral infection (gonorrhoeal and/or chlamydial infection) (p < 0.03) and candidal balanitis (p < 0.03) and a greater likelihood of no infection being detected (p = 0.0002). Use of condoms with non-regular partners was much more frequent than with regular partners (d = 21.4%, 95% CI = 16.7, 26.1). However, we found evidence of oral transmission of urethral gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection among men who reported always using condoms. HIV infection was found in only two men (0.2%), both of whom reported intercourse with non-United Kingdom born women. CONCLUSIONS: Heterosexual men who reported non-regular sexual relationships compensated for their increased risk lifestyle by using condoms more frequently and showed only an increased incidence of chlamydial infection. More consistent condom use with regular partners was significantly associated with the absence of sexually transmitted infection. These findings suggest that transmission between regular partners has been underestimated.
The Media Welfare State: Nordic Media in the Digital Era

The approach of this book holds great promise, but delivers a short, idealized general description of Nordic media and brief identification of some fundamental policy commonalities across the region. Nordic nations have long intervened in media markets, first in broadcasting, through the establishment of public service broadcasting monopolies in the 1920s and 30s, and then in newspapers, through establishment of the most significant subsidy systems in the world during the last part of the twentieth century. The decisions to do so were driven by the unique geographies, small populations, political systems and cultures of the nations. This book contends that Nordic media systems thus differ from those in other parts of the world and are unique cases, but it makes no comparisons to demonstrate that. The book provides a brief discussion of concepts of the welfare state and how they apply in the Nordic region. It considers the extent of media use in the region, providing brief overviews of the press and state subsidies for it, of public service broadcasters and the rationales for them, and major private media companies and their performance. The brief historical and developmental descriptions, statistical information, and descriptions of how they are adjusting to the digital age are useful for those unacquainted with Nordic media. The book fails to live up to the promise of its main title, however. The title would lead one to expect a serious discussion of the Nordic media welfare state, the effects of neoliberal policies on the media systems over the past 25 years, the significant domestic debates over the extent to which welfare policy apparatuses should continue, and the declining effectiveness of the existing policies. Such in-depth discussion and debate
CONTEMPORARY ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This paper analyzes and compares the curricula within and across the eight Eastern Orthodox Christian seminaries in the United States of America. This paper aims to address this deficiency in the literature on religious higher education in the United States of America. This comparison of Orthodox seminary curricula is guided by three questions: 1. What are the curricula in use at the eight Orthodox Christian seminaries in the United States of America? 2. What distinctions or anomalies arise from an analysis of these seminaries’ course descriptions and curricula? 3. How do these curricula achieve the Assembly of Bishops’ goals for unity? I employed an emergent design methodology to code, analyze, and compare over 400 course descriptions obtained from bulletins and course catalogs of the eight Orthodox Christian seminaries. The course descriptions were compared with other courses of the same institution, other courses offered by comparable institutions, and other courses I designated as similar based upon coding outcomes. I found that the seminaries exhibited one of two innate foci: Theological orientation or Pastoral orientation. To bolster this hypothesis, I compared the seeming orientations with the schools’ mission statements. I then selected up to eight course syllabi to explore in more depth todetermine whether the course descriptions were accurate reflections of what was taught in the courses. I surveyed seminary administrators and professors about the Theological or Pastoral orientation of their school, and the preparedness of their seminary’s graduates to fulfill priestly duties. This allowed triangulation of data with the syllabi and course descriptions. This paper engages the field of comparative and international education, providing a comparative analysis of internationally and ethnically affiliated schools. It aims to explore in more detail the variations in how future religious leaders are educated within one faith group. This paper also explores the international and historic diversity of Orthodox Christian groups in the United States of America. These analyses will enrich the field of religious higher education studies by revealing the inner workings of an entire religious sub-group in the United States of America; a sub-group little studied and little understood.
From Fundamental Research to the Design of a Software Solution to Help Poor Readers

Fundamental research has indicated that (a) difficulties in reading are linked to a deficit in phonemic awareness and word reading and (b) in French, decoding and word reading are based on the syllable as a functional unit. A software program involving two tasks, namely, phonemic discrimination and grapho-syllabic segmentation, was proposed to poor readers aged from 7 to 12 years in order to stimulate their reading skills. Two experiments were set up during which the children were trained for a total of 10 hours. In Experiment 1, conducted at home, we observed meaningful progress in phonemic awareness and decoding after training only in the poorest readers. In Experiment 2, which was conducted at school, we observed significant short- and medium-term effects on phonemic awareness, decoding, and word reading. These encouraging results support the use of evidence-based practices based on tools validated by means of experimental research in ecological situations.
Variable effects of social support by race, economic status, and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Health status and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other chronic diseases are strongly associated with social support, which suggests that enhanced social support in medical care might improve SLE outcome. There has been little or no study on identifying patients for whom social support would be most beneficial. It would allow practitioners to enable social support more effectively as a complement to disease management. METHODS A retrospective cohort (200 patients with SLE from 5 centers), balanced by race and insurance status, was studied in a cross sectional design. Demographic, clinical, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors and disease outcomes [Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR), SF-36] were measured. Using multivariate linear regression and ANOVA (outcome = SF-36 physical function, mental health), we examined the interaction between social support and patients' characteristics, including race, age, income, occupation, insurance, employment, education, and social network, and characteristics of the disease itself such as disease activity (SLAM) at diagnosis, damage (SLICC/ACR) at diagnosis, and comorbidity. RESULTS In multivariate models, higher social support was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with better physical function when respondents were white, had income above poverty level, had Medicare or private insurance (vs Medicaid or no insurance), and had low disease activity at diagnosis. Social support was associated with better mental health, although there was no significant interaction between social support and other predictors of mental health. CONCLUSION The data suggest that social support is beneficial for mental health for all groups, but has the greatest opportunity for influence among those already possessing social, economic, and health advantages.