Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A STUDY OF MATERNAL FACTORS AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN A BORDER DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH

Background: Low birth weight is defined as the live births with less than 2.5 kg weight. LBW is one of the serious challenges in maternal and child health in both developed and developing countries. Objective: (1) To study the proportion of low birth weight neonates among hospital based deliveries. (2) To evaluate selected maternal factors associated with low birth weight in institutionally delivered newborn. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in S.N. Hospital, Agra from 1st September, 2007 to 31st August, 2009 from medical record section of Obstetrics & Gynaecology department. Mode of delivery, birth weight and sex of baby, age of mother, parity, gestational period were taken as variables. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was applied to observe the significance of association. Results: Proportion of LBW was found to be 38% and was higher in teenage pregnancy, in Muslim females, in high parity and among newborn females. Conclusion: Relationship of birth weight with sex of new born, birth order of new born, mode of delivery, gestational period and with parity of mother was found to be significant.
Overweight/obesity and socioeconomic status in children from Aden governorate, Yemen, 2009

Introduction : Overweight and obesity are escalating health problems in both developed and developing countries. Objective: To verify whether overweight/obesity is related to socioeconomic status among primary school children in Aden Governorate, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1885 students, 6-16 years old, during 2009, selected by using multistage stratified random sampling technique. Body weight and height were measured directly; percentiles were identified for body mass index, based on the new World Health Organization growth reference standards, 2007. A survey to the parents was applied to establish the socioeconomic status through the variables: type of school, family income per capita and educational level of parents. Results : The prevalence of wasted was 10.1%, normal-weight 69.2%, overweight 12.7%, and obese 8.0%. There were statistically significant relationships between overweight/obesity and private school and high family income per capita. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in children with high educational level of parents. Conclusions: Overweight/obesity in primary school children from Aden Governorate, Yemen is related to private school, high family income per capita and probably also to high educational level of parents. More research is needed on the influence of socioeconomic factors in children obesity in the country, which is essential to set up effective prevention policies.
Scientific Art Therapy: An Integrative and Research-based Approach

AbstractThe thesis of this paper is that principles of art and science can be successfully integrated to form a firmer and more socially responsible foundation for art therapy. Recent literature from a variety of research disciplines, the work of a number of art therapists, and the author's training in both art and science aid in developing this thesis. Preliminary guidelines for systematically incorporating a scientific perspective with art therapy are presented, and the important role research plays in constructing a combined knowledge base is emphasized. Finally, some implications for current art therapy practice are discussed, leading to fresh support for the art-as-therapy approach.
ANTIOXIDATIVE ACTIVITY OF UGANDAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Plant drugs used in African traditional medicine are important source of compounds with various biological activities [1]. For the specific situation of Uganda, there is little information on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Karamoja region (north-east Uganda). Moreover, even though there are some reports on pharmacology of Ugandan medicinal plants [2], their antioxidative activities are still poorly documented. Thus we decided to investigate antioxidative activity of seven Ugandan tree species selected according to their use in traditional medicine as evidenced by ethnobotanical research. The crude ethanolic extracts of seven barks traditionally used by Karamojong healers, namely Capparis tomentosa (Capparaceae), Dregea rubicunda (Asclepiadaceae), Fagaropsis angolensis (Rutaceae), Trichilia prieuriana (Meliaceae), Turraea floribunda (Meliaceae), Warburgia ugandensis (Canellaeceae), and Zanthoxylum chalybeum (Rutaceae) was tested for antioxidative activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The most promising results showed extract of W. ugandensis, which exhibited DPPH scavenging activity with IC50 value (7 µg/ml) very closed to the effect achieved by reference compounds Trolox (IC50= 4 µg/ml) and ascorbate (IC50= 2 µg/ml). Among the other plants tested, Z. chalybeum, F. angolensis and T. prieuriana exhibited certain antioxidative potential with IC50 values of 23 µg/ml, 175 µg/ml and 377 µg/ml, respectively. C. tomentosa, D. rubicunda and T. floribunda showed no free radical scavenging activity in the assay. Acknowledgements: Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Project No. 6046070901 and ME08070). References: 1.Katerere, D.R. et al. (2003) Phytochemistry 63:81-88. 2. Katuura, E. et al. (2007) Afr J Ecol 45:48-51.
Rising Challenge of Multiple Morbidities Among the Rural Poor in India — A Case of the Sundarbans in West Bengal

Background: Multimorbidity or multiple chronic conditions increase with age and imply complicated clinical management and lower quality of life that is compounded by poverty. Yet, there is a serious dearth of evidence on this issue. Objective: To explore the burden and predictors of multiple morbidities in the Sundarbans of West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of respondents aged older than 40 years was carried out in the remote islands of Sundarbans in India. A clinical algorithm was used to assess the burden of six chronic conditions, along with the risk factors. Partial proportional odds regression was used to analyze the differentials of multimorbidity. Result: The crude prevalence of multimorbidity was 44.05%, and it was higher among women. The adjusted odds of showing multimorbidity increased with age and BMI in both the genders. Increase in education (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.27–0.85), employment (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.16–0.67), and sufficient vegetable intake (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.28–1.00) were significant predictors among the rural male population. Conclusion: The study provides evidence on an often ignored aspect of noncommunicable diseases in India. The evidence underlines the immediate need for attention to the issue of multiple morbidities in a fast aging population of the country’s rural poor.
The Effect of Age and Time to Death on Health Care Expenditures: The Italian Experience

A large body of literature, mainly based on hospital costs, shows that time to death (TTD) is by far a better predictor of health spending than age. In this paper, we investigate if this finding holds true also in presence of outpatient costs (drugs, diagnostic tests and specialist visits). Our analysis is based on data obtained from the Health Search-SiSSI database, which contains patient-level data collected routinely by General Practitioners in Italy since 2002. We study individuals aged 19 and older, during years 2006-2009. By means of a two-part model, which accounts for the presence of zero expenditure, we find that TTD is a good predictor of outpatient costs in Italy, but age remains a strong driver. These results suggest that age and TTD can have different role in shaping health care costs according to the component of health expenditure examined. Therefore, our advice to policy makers is to use disaggregated models to better disentangle these contributions in order to produce more reliable health spending forecasts.
Learning Provably Useful Representations, with Applications to Fairness

Representation learning involves transforming data so that it is useful for solving a particular supervised learning problem. The aim is to learn a representation function which maps inputs to some representation space, and an hypothesis which maps the representation space to targets. It is possible to learn a representation function using unlabeled data or data from a probability distribution other than that of the main problem of interest, which is helpful if labeled data is scarce. This approach has been successfully applied in practice, for example through pre-trained neural networks in computer vision and word embeddings in natural language processing. This thesis explores when it is possible to learn representations that are provably useful. We consider learning a representation function from unlabeled data, and propose an approach to identifying conditions where this technique will be useful for a subsequent supervised learning task. The approach requires shared structure in the labeled and unlabeled distributions, as well as a compatible representation function class and hypothesis class. We provide an example where representation learning can exploit cluster structure present in the data. We also consider learning a representation function from a source task distribution and re-using it on a target task of interest, and again propose conditions where this approach will be successful. In this case the conditions depend on shared structure between source and target task distributions. We provide an example involving the transfer of weights in a two-layer feedforward neural network. Representation learning can be applied to another topic of interest: fairness in machine learning. The issue of fairness arises when machine learning systems make or provide advice on decisions about people. A common approach to defining fairness is measuring differences in decisions made by an algorithm for one demographic group compared to another. One approach to preventing discrimination against particular groups is to learn a representation of the data from which it is not possible for an adversary to determine an individual’s group membership, but which preserves other useful information. We quantify the costs and benefits of such an approach with respect to several possible fairness definitions. We also examine the relationships between different definitions of fairness and show cases where they cannot simultaneously be satisfied. We explore the use of representation learning for fairness through two case studies: predicting domestic violence recidivism while avoiding discrimination on the basis of race, and predicting student outcomes at university while avoiding discrimination on the basis of gender. Our case studies reveal both the utility of fair representation learning and the trade-offs between accuracy and the definitions of fairness considered.
Stem cells and cardiac regeneration

Despite many advances in cardiovascular medicine, heart failure (HF) remains the leading cause of death in developed countries affecting at least 10 million people in Western Europe alone. The poor long‐term prognosis of HF patients, and immense public health implications has fuelled interest in finding new therapeutic modalities. Recent observations of the beneficial effect of stem cells on the damaged heart in animal experiments have generated tremendous excitement and stimulated clinical studies suggesting that this approach is feasible, safe, and potentially effective in humans. Cell‐based myocardial regeneration is currently explored for a wide range of cardiac disease states, including acute and chronic ischemic myocardial damage, cardiomyopathy and as biological heart pacemakers. The aim of the present manuscript is to review the work that has been done to establish the role of stem cells in cardiac repair, give an update on the clinical trials performed so far, as well as to discuss critically the controversies, challenges and future surrounding this novel therapeutic concept.
COMPARISON BETWEEN SOME PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS AND GENETIC PARAMETERS IN THE FIRST THREE LACTATIONS IN EGYPTIAN BUFFALOES.

The objectives of the present study were to estimate mean, heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations and genetic trend. Data of 1776 records of Egyptian buffaloes, kept at Mehallet Mousa farm, Ministry of Agriculture, during the period from 1972 to 2002 were used to estimate the genetic parameters for productive traits, total milk yield (TMY), 305-day milk yield (305-DMY), lactation period (LP) and dry period (DP) and the reproductive traits were calving interval (CI) and days open (DO). Data were analysed using the software package VCE-6 Groeneveld et al (2010). Averages of TMY, 305-DMY, LP, DP, CI and DO were recorded to be 1057, 1000 kg, 226, 372, 538 and 224 days, respectively. In the first lactation and the corresponding numbers in the second lactation were 1446, 1364 kg, 253, 288, 503 and 188 days but in the third lactation were 1586, 1523 kg, 253, 241, 477 and 160 days. The heritability values estimated for the productive traits in the first three parities were generally low and ranged between 0.03 to 0.19 and the values for reproductive traits were usually close to zero in the second lactation 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations in the first parity among all traits studied were positive except the genetic and phenotypic correlation between DP and (TMY, 305- DMY, LP) was negative. Genetic correlation between LP and, (TMY, 305-MY, CI and DO) and between DP and (TMY, 305-MY, CI) were negative in the second parity, also genetic correlation between DP and (TMY, 305-MY, LP) and between 305-MY and (CI, DO), and between TMY and CI were negative in the third parity. Annual genetic trend for milk traits in the first three lactations were negative for TMY, LP, 305-MY, CI and DO and ranged between -3.681 to -22.57 but it was positive for DP and ranged between 1.04 to 1.738.
Comparison of endurance ability of spinal extensors using the arc support among physically active and inactive physical therapy collegiate students

Background: Spinal extensors endurance is essential for the general endurance. Good endurance helps in injury prevention, and improves efficiency in all physical activities across different ages. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the endurance ability of the spinal extensors between physically active and inactive students. Method Materials: Twenty physical therapy students, aged between 19 and 22 years, were recruited from college of medical rehabilitation to participate in the study. The investigator demonstrated the activity to the participants. Every participant had to lie down over the wooden arc support and arch the spine backwards as long as tolerated. Results: The mean score, in minutes, for physically active participants was 2.19 (SD=1.17), and the mean score for physically inactive participants was 2.50 (SD=1.18). No significant difference was found between the mean score of both groups [ t (18)= -0.586, p >0.05]. The mean score of spinal muscles endurance in both groups was less than the mean norm . Conclusions: There was no association between being physically active and the endurance capacity of the spinal muscles extensors. The endurance capacity was poor in both groups .
A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial of Valaciclovir Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus Disease in Patients with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a common complication of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Administration of oral valaciclovir, a valine ester of acyclovir, achieves sufficient plasma acyclovir levels to inhibit many clinical isolates. Acyclovir has been associated with enhanced survival in AIDS but not with CMV disease prevention. CMV-seropositive patients (1227) with CD4 cell counts <100/mm3 were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind trial. Valaciclovir, 8 g/day, was compared with acyclovir, 3.2 or 0.8 g/day, for CMV prevention; all three arms were compared for survival. The confirmed CMV disease rate was 11.7% among valaciclovir recipients and 17.5% in the pooled acyclovir arms, a 33% reduction in risk. Time to confirmed CMV disease was significantly longer for the valaciclovir group (P = .03). A trend toward earlier mortality for valaciclovir recipients was seen (P = .06). Toxicity and earlier medication discontinuation were more common in this group. Valaciclovir significantly reduces the risk of CMV disease. Further exploration of a better-tolerated dose is warranted.
Intragraft Cytokine mRNA Expression After Clinical Organ Transplantation

textabstractAs the knowledge of the cytokine network in experimental transplant models grows, we need to understand how and to what extent cytokines mediate the various donordirected immune events in clinical situations. This overview on clinical cytokine measurements shows that specific intragraft cytokine messengerRNA (mRNA) expression profiles can be associated with acute rejection, may reflect the efficacy of immunosuppression, and can trace patients at risk for the development of early chronic rejection. Moreover, the literature also showed that acute rejection and immunological quiescence in man are not restricted to the cytokine patterns according to the type 1/type 2 paradigm. This apparent lack of association may be caused by the immunosuppression used in the clinic but may also be the result of the infinite diversity of donor and recipient factors of which polymorphisms in cytokines and cytokine receptor genes may playa central role.
Determinants and Consequences of Health Behaviour: New Evidence from German Micro Data

The economic costs of chronic health conditions and severe illnesses like diabetes, coronary heart disease or cancer are immense. Several clinical trials give information about the importance of individual behaviour for the prevalence of these illnesses. Changes in health relevant behaviour may therefore lead to a decline of avoidable illnesses and related health care costs. In this context, we use German micro data to identify determinants of smoking, drinking and obesity. Our empirical approach allows for the simultaneity between adverse health behaviour and self-reported health as a measure of the individual health capital stock. We can show that health behaviour is related to the socioeconomic status of an individual. Furthermore, we find gender-specific differences in behaviour as well as differences in the determinants of drinking, smoking and heavy body weight in particular.
Evaluating the role of NF-kappaB suppression in ameliorating mammalian disease: An examination of inflammatory bowel disease and diseases associated with aging

NF-eB is a family of transcription factors that play a pivotal role in inflammation, cell proliferation, cell survival, and apoptosis in response to endogenous and exogenous stress stimuli. NF-eB is implicated in numerous chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases. In this thesis, the consequences of NF-eB suppression on pathologies associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and age-associated degeneration are explored. To test the hypothesis that NF-eB plays a causal role in driving the degenerative changes associated with the diseases we evaluated the efficacy of a pharmacologic peptide IKK/NF-eB activation inhibitor in the IL-10-/- model of colitis and genetic depletion and pharmacologic inhibition of NF-eB in a mouse model of accelerated aging (Ercc1-/∆ mice). Pathologic and immunologic markers of IBD were reduced in the presence of systemic pharmacologic NF-eB suppression. Furthermore, this study provides evidence of the efficacy of the NBD inhibitory peptide in vitro and in vivo experiments, and importantly provided possible therapeutic avenues for the treatment of IBD. Like naturally aged mice, NF-eB is activated in Ercc1-/∆ mice compared to wild type littermates. Ercc1-/∆ mice haploinsufficient for the p65/RelA subunit of NF-eB had a modest delay in the onset of age-related symptoms. This was recapitulated in mice chronically treated with the peptide inhibitor of NF-eB, which exhibited a significant delay in overall aging score and improved histopathological alterations. These implicate NF-eB as a major driver of degenerative changes associated with aging and set a precedent for therapeutic intervention. As activated macrophages are mediators of inflammatory and age-associated degenerative changes, we futher evaluated the role of NF-eB suppression in this cell type. Macropahges and monocyte derived DC cells underwent programmed cell death (PCD) in the presence of pharmacologic NF-eB inhibition. Unlike previous studies which implicated TNFa signaling in this pathway, the mechanisms behind this PCD is induction is induction of ROS formation. This observed macrophage NF-eB induced PCD may be one of the mechanisms by which inflammatory and age-associated disease pathologies are reduced in response to NF-eB suppression.
Aerobic fitness and prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in non-African Americans and African Americans in Premier: A randomized controlled trial

Title of Thesis: AEROBIC FITNESS AND PREVALENCE OF THE METABOLIC SYNDROME IN NON-AFRICAN AMERICANS AND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN PREMIER: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL Laura Ann Levin, Master of Arts, 2008 Directed By: Professor Deborah R. Young, PhD Department of Kinesiology Background: The Metabolic Syndrome is the clustering of several cardiovascular risk factors for coronary heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This syndrome is of public health importance due to its high prevalence and high correlation to all-cause, CHD, and CVD mortality. The purpose of the current study was to determine if a change in aerobic fitness in the treatment group significantly decreased the odds of Metabolic Syndrome at 6 and 18 months. Methods: There were 810 adult participants in this trial with above-optimal blood pressure and up to stage I hypertension. Participants were part of an advice-only control group or a treatment group where physical activity increases were the main component. Results: A change in aerobic fitness, independent of treatment status, was significantly associated with a decrease in prevalent Metabolic Syndrome at both 6 and 18 months (OR: 0.96, CI: 0.94 – 0.98 & OR: 0.96; CI: 0.94 – 0.98, respectively).
Studies on clinical variants in naturally occurring cases of canine ehrlichiosis

The present study was conducted on 131 naturally occurring cases of Ehrlichiosis in dogs at Referral Veterinary Polyclinic of the institute in a comprehensive manner to study clinical variants. Diagnosis of ehrlichiosis in these dogs was confirmed by cytological examination of peripheral blood and/or buffy coat smears. The disease was detected in as many as 12 breeds of dogs with more predisposition in Pomeranians (34.35%) and German shepherds (25.95%), and more severity in German shepherds. The naturally occurring cases of ehrlichiosis were manifested by wide variety of clinical signs (anorexia, vomiting, erratic pyrexia, weight loss, melena, arrhythmia, tachypnoea, haemorrhages, pale mucus membrane, nervous deficit, lymphadenopathy, ascitis to uveitis) with a mean clinical score of 8.59±0.24 (range 3 to 16) and case fatality rate of 22.14%. There was no specific difference in clinical signs of dogs having ehrlichiosis with or without concurrent infections. Nevertheless, pale mucosa, ascites, hepatomegaly were more marked in dogs having concurrent infection of B. gibsoni and E. canis. Various haemorrhages (epistaxis, haemophysis, skin petechiae, ocular haemorrhages) were observed in 51.15% dogs with mixed infection of babesia and ehrlichia.