Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early predictors of early onset neonatal hypocalcaemia in infants of diabetic mother

Background: The objective of this study was the magnitude of hypocalcemia and to assess the predictors for early onset neonatal hypocalcemia in infants of diabetic mother.Methods: Total 100 infants of diabetic mother were followed for development of hypocalcaemia. weight length, gestational age, Apgar score, cord calcium was correlated for serum calcium at 48 hours of life.Results: In present study 91% babies were term and 9% babies were preterm, the incidence of hypocalcemia was high in preterm babies i.e.22% when compared to term babies i.e. 4.3% was not significant and incidence of hypocalcemia was high in babies with Apgar <7 at 1 min (27.27%) was significant statistically. The association of hypocalcemia with cord calcium is not significant statistically.Conclusions: The incidence of hypocalcaemia is more among preterm babies and babies with risk factors, so these babies need close monitoring for hypocalcaemia. No need of regular monitoring of calcium for healthy term babies unless they are symptomatic.
Facial recognition in children after perinatal stroke.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of prenatal or perinatal stroke on the facial recognition skills of children and young adults. It was hypothesized that the nature and extent of facial recognition deficits seen in patients with early-onset lesions would be different from that seen in adults with later-onset neurologic impairment. BACKGROUND Numerous studies with normal and neurologically impaired adults have found a right-hemisphere superiority for facial recognition. In contrast, little is known about facial recognition in children after early focal brain damage. METHOD Forty subjects had single, unilateral brain lesions from pre- or perinatal strokes (20 had left-hemisphere damage, and 20 had right-hemisphere damage), and 40 subjects were controls who were individually matched to the lesion subjects on the basis of age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Each subject was given the Short-Form of Benton's Test of Facial Recognition. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test and multiple regression. RESULTS The lesion subjects performed significantly more poorly than did matched controls. There was no clear-cut lateralization effect, with the left-hemisphere group performing significantly more poorly than matched controls and the right-hemisphere group showing a trend toward poorer performance. Parietal lobe involvement, regardless of lesion side, adversely affected facial recognition performance in the lesion group. Results could not be accounted for by IQ differences between lesion and control groups, nor was lesion severity systematically related to facial recognition performance. CONCLUSIONS Pre- or perinatal unilateral brain damage results in a subtle disturbance in facial recognition ability, independent of the side of the lesion. Parietal lobe involvement, in particular, has an adverse effect on facial recognition skills. These findings suggest that the parietal lobes may be involved in the acquisition of facial recognition ability from a very early point in brain development, but that there is sufficient potential to reorganize or compensate such that the residual deficits, though significant, are subtle.
Efficacy and Toxicity Management of 19-28z CAR T Cell Therapy in B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

CD19 CAR T cell therapy induces complete remissions in 88% of 16 adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CARving Out a Niche for CAR T Cell Immunotherapy Relapsed or refractory B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in adults has a poor prognosis, with an expected median survival of less than 6 months. An emerging therapy for adult B-ALL is through T cells that target tumor cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Davila et al. now report the results of a phase 1 clinical trial of CAR T cells in 16 relapsed or refractory adult patients. The CD19-targeting CAR T cell therapy resulted in an 88% complete response rate, which allowed most of the patients to transition to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation—the current standard of care. Moreover, the authors carefully characterized cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which is a series of toxicities associated with CAR T cell therapy. They found that serum C-reactive protein (CRP) associated with the severity of CRS, which should allow for identification of the subset of patients who will likely require therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids or interleukin-6 receptor blockade to curb the CRS. This is especially important because treatment for CRS may limit the efficacy of the CAR T cell therapy. These data support the need for further multicenter trials for CAR T cell therapy. We report on 16 patients with relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) that we treated with autologous T cells expressing the 19-28z chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to the CD19 antigen. The overall complete response rate was 88%, which allowed us to transition most of these patients to a standard-of-care allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT). This therapy was as effective in high-risk patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive (Ph+) disease as in those with relapsed disease after previous allo-SCT. Through systematic analysis of clinical data and serum cytokine levels over the first 21 days after T cell infusion, we have defined diagnostic criteria for a severe cytokine release syndrome (sCRS), with the goal of better identifying the subset of patients who will likely require therapeutic intervention with corticosteroids or interleukin-6 receptor blockade to curb the sCRS. Additionally, we found that serum C-reactive protein, a readily available laboratory study, can serve as a reliable indicator for the severity of the CRS. Together, our data provide strong support for conducting a multicenter phase 2 study to further evaluate 19-28z CAR T cells in B-ALL and a road map for patient management at centers now contemplating the use of CAR T cell therapy.
Protecting Your Constituents: Congressional Participation at the International Trade Commission

Trade policy often receives considerable attention, whether on the presidential campaign trail, at global economic summits, or during town-hall meetings. Indeed, the recent global economic crisis has intensified debate in the United States on the relative merits of keeping markets open to trade versus imposing protectionist measures in an attempt to safeguard American jobs. Given the wide-ranging scope of trade policy and its many political implications, it is not surprising that elected Members of Congress often take a strong interest in trade policy and seek to be part of the policymaking process. Trade, however, is distinct from other major policy areas because policymaking authority is vested heavily in the executive branch as opposed to the legislative branch. As a result, Congress considers relatively few trade proposals each year and legislators cast only a handful of votes annually on trade. But this does not necessarily mean that Members of Congress are unable to be active on trade policy. Rather, they can choose to be active in important non-legislative venues, such as through participation before the administrative agencies who frequently make trade policy.
Study of skin–fabric interactions of relevance to decubitus: friction and contact‐pressure measurements

Background/purpose: Prolonged pressure as well as friction and shear forces at the skin–textile interface are decisive physical parameters in the development of decubitus. The present article describes the contact phenomena at the skin–textile interface and the development of a purpose‐built textile friction analyser (TFA) for the tribological assessment of skin–fabric interactions, in connection with decubitus prevention.
Inhibitors of catechol‐O‐methyltransferase sensitize mice to pain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors are used in Parkinson's disease in which pain is an important symptom. COMT polymorphisms modulate pain and opioid analgesia in humans. In rats, COMT inhibitors have been shown to be pro‐nociceptive in acute pain models, but also to attenuate allodynia and hyperalgesia in a model of diabetic neuropathy. Here, we have assessed the effects of acute and repeated administrations of COMT inhibitors on mechanical, thermal and carrageenan‐induced nociception in male mice.
Common Polymorphisms That Affect Folate Transport or Metabolism Modify the Effect of the MTHFR 677C > T Polymorphism on Folate Status.

BACKGROUND Although combinations of biologically relevant polymorphic variants affect folate status, most studies have focused on the effects of individual polymorphisms; however, these effects may be altered by interactions between polymorphisms. OBJECTIVE We investigated the individual and combined effects of polymorphisms that affect folate transport or metabolism on folate status. METHODS The associations between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C > T, methionine transferase reductase (MTRR) 66A > G, MTRR 524C > T, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase-10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (MTHFD1) 1958G > A, MTHFD1 -105C > T, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) 19-bp insertion/deletion, and solute carrier family 19A, member 1 (SLC19A1) 80G > A polymorphisms and fasting plasma folate (PF), red cell folate (RCF), and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) were tested by ANCOVA and Cox regression analysis in 781 Spanish adults. RESULTS Folate deficiency (PF <7 nmol/L) was observed in 18.8% of the participants. Geometric mean PF (nmol/L) was lower in MTHFR 677TT (10.0; 95% CI: 9.2, 11.9) compared with 677CC (12.4; 95% CI: 11.6, 13.2; P < 0.001). RCF (nmol/L) was lower in MTHFR 677TT (652; 95% CI: 611, 695) compared with 677CC (889; 95% CI: 851, 929; P < 0.001) and in SLC19A1 80AA (776; 95% CI: 733, 822) compared with 80GG (861; 95% CI: 815, 910; P < 0.01). RCF and tHcy (μmol/L) did not differ in MTHFR + MTRR 677TT/524TT compared with 677CC/524CC: 780 (95% CI: 647, 941) compared with 853 (95% CI: 795, 915; P = 0.99) and 10.2 (95% CI: 8.4, 12.3) compared with 8.9 (95% CI: 8.5, 9.4; P = 0.99), respectively. The RR of lowest-tertile RCF (≤680 nmol/L) was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.0, 4.5) for MTHFR + MTRR 677TT/66GG compared with 677CC/66AA, 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2, 4.1) for MTHFR + MTHFD1 677TT/1958AA compared with 677CC/1958GG, 2.9 (95% CI: 1.4, 6.0) for MTHFR + MTHFD1 677TT/-105TT compared with 677CC/-105CC, and 3.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 8.1) for MTHFR + SLC19A1 677TT/80AA compared with 677CC/80GG. Confining the analysis to the MTHFR 677TT genotype, the risk of lowest-tertile RCF was reduced for MTHFR + MTRR 677TT/66GG compared with 677TT/66AA (RR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.9). CONCLUSIONS Folate status was lower in the MTHFR 677TT and SLC19A1 80AA genotypes compared with corresponding reference genotypes. Low folate status risk associated with the MTHFR 677TT genotype varied depending on its combination with other polymorphisms.
GENE THERAPY FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Lessons from Animal Models , Including Studies on Interleukin-4 , Interleukin-10 , and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist as Potential Disease Modulators

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and animal models of arthritis demonstrate inflammation of the synovial joints leading to the destruction of articular cartilage and eventually loss of function. Although the cause of RA is still not fully understood, it is long recognized that proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)and interleukin (IL)-1 , have an important role in its pathogenesis. In vitro culture studies using recombinant proteins and subsequent in vivo analysis in animals, including mice, rats, and rabbits, have shown that TNF is a potent proinflammatory mediator, whereas IL-1 is a potent cartilage catabolic mediator. The in vivo relevance of both cytokines in experimental arthritis emerged from studies with neutralizing antibodies and soluble receptors of TNF and IL-1 performed in mice and rabbits. The crucial
Consumption-Based Asset Pricing: Empirical Inconsistencies and Extensions

The equilibrium approach to asset pricing is born with the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) of Sharpe ([Sha64]) and Lintner ([Lin65]), based on the works of Markowitz on diversification and portfolio theory ([Mar52], [Mar56]). Since then, most theoretical and empirical developments take place in a well established framework, the consumption-based paradigm. Though an integral part of modern macroeconomics, it has difficulties explaining stylized facts of asset pricing, at least in its canonical form. The most famous example is its inability to explain the high observed equity premia, or the “equity premium puzzle” as coined by Rajnish Mehra and Edward C. Prescott ([MP85]). We survey the empirical inconsistencies of the standard paradigm and the numerous extensions aiming at adressing those empirical shortcomings. The emphasis is on the heterogeneous consumption-based models. They constitute indeed a very promising line of research, both due to the relevance of the results and the theoretical appeal of the underlying assumptions. Moreover, the seminal reviews of the field devote little attention to these developments because, to a large extent, they appeared very recently. This report does not claim to be a comprehensive survey of this literature but an overview of the different approaches, their assumptions and their contributions, in the extended consumption-based paradigm.
D-4F-mediated reduction in metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids in the small intestine is associated with decreased inflammation in low-density lipoprotein receptor-null mice[S]

To test the hypothesis that intestine is a major site of action for D-4F, LDLR−/− mice were fed a Western diet (WD) and administered the peptide subcutaneously (SQ) or orally. Plasma and liver D-4F levels were 298-fold and 96-fold higher, respectively, after SQ administration, whereas peptide levels in small intestine only varied by 1.66 ± 0.33-fold. Levels of metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids known to bind with high affinity to D-4F were significantly reduced in intestine, liver and hepatic bile to a similar degree whether administered SQ or orally. However, levels of 20-HETE, which is known to bind the peptide with low affinity, were unchanged. D-4F treatment reduced plasma serum amyloid A (SAA) and triglyceride levels (P < 0.03) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels (P < 0.04) similarly after SQ or oral administration. Plasma levels of metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids significantly correlated with SAA levels (P < 0.0001). Feeding 15-HETE in chow (without WD) significantly increased plasma SAA and triglyceride levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol and paraoxonase activity (P < 0.05), all of which were significantly ameliorated by SQ D-4F (P < 0.05). We conclude that D-4F administration reduces levels of free metabolites of arachidonic and linoleic acids in the small intestine and this is associated with decreased inflammation in LDL receptor deficient mice.
From Basel to bailouts: forty years of international attempts to bolster bank safety

This article reinterprets the origin and evolution of the Basel Accords. We argue that the Basel I paradigm was very different from the regulatory approaches that had been applied successfully in most European countries since the Second World War. Banking systems relied on a multitude of tools including entry restrictions, liquidity rules, reserve requirements, deposit rate ceilings, lending and investment restrictions, combined with hands-on supervision and discretional interventions. By focusing exclusively on capital adequacy and credit risk, Basel I shifted attention in a very different and somewhat unexpected direction. The Basel regulations are often understood as a reaction to the bank failures of the 1970s and 1980s, but in fact their capital adequacy rules would not have prevented these failures. Indeed, even today, several of these risks are still not addressed by Basel updates, suggesting that the original and current proposals have a rather different raison d’être, placating political constituencies and banking interests.
Assessment of veterinary drugs in plants using pharmacokinetic approaches: The absorption, distribution and elimination of tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole in ephemeral vegetables

The present study was carried out to demonstrate novel use of pharmacokinetic approaches to characterize drug behaviors/movements in the vegetables with implications to food safety. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and most importantly, the elimination of tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in edible plants Brassica rapa chinensis and Ipomoea aquatica grown hydroponically were demonstrated and studied using non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. The results revealed drug-dependent and vegetable-dependent pharmacokinetic differences and indicated that ephemeral vegetables could have high capacity accumulating antibiotics (up to 160 μg g-1 for TC and 38 μg g-1 for SMX) within hours. TC concentration in the root (Cmax) could reach 11 times higher than that in the cultivation fluid and 3–28 times higher than the petioles/stems. Based on the volume of distribution (Vss), SMX was 3–6 times more extensively distributed than TC. Both antibiotics showed evident, albeit slow elimination phase with elimination half-lives ranging from 22 to 88 hours. For the first time drug elimination through the roots of a plant was demonstrated, and by viewing the root as a central compartment and continuous infusion without a loading dose as drug administration mode, it is possible to pharmacokinetically monitor the movement of antibiotics and their fate in the vegetables with more detailed information not previously available. Phyto-pharmacokinetic could be a new area worth developing new models for the assessment of veterinary drugs in edible plants.
Sympathetic Overdrive and Cardiovascular Risk in the Metabolic Syndrome

Sympathetic neural factors are involved in energy balance as well as in blood pressure control. This represents the background for the hypothesis that an adrenergic overdrive may be implicated in the development and/or progression of the metabolic syndrome. Indirect and direct markers of sympathetic drive have confirmed this hypothesis, by showing the occurrence of an adrenergic activation both at the cardiac and peripheral vascular level. It is likely that this sympathetic dysfunction is triggered by reflex mechanisms (arterial baroreceptor impairment), metabolic factors (insulin resistance), and humoral agents (angiotensin II, leptin). The adrenergic overdrive exerts a number of adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, by favoring the genesis of cardiac hypertrophy, vascular hypertrophy, arterial remodeling and endothelial dysfunction and thereby aggravating the already elevated cardiovascular risk profile of the patient. This carries obvious clinical and therapeutic implications, including the suggestion that sympathetic inhibition should be included among the goals of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions employed in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
Differential expression of the PSD‐95 gene family in electrosensory neurons

The PSD‐95 family of membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins are involved in the assembly and organization of neurotransmitter receptors at excitatory synapses in the vertebrate nervous system. We have isolated partial cDNAs for five PSD‐95 family members from Apteronotus leptorhynchus brain RNA using a degenerate PCR method. The amino acid sequences deduced indicate that A. leptorhynchus neurons express homologues of the mammalian PSD‐93, SAP‐97, and SAP‐102 MAGUKs and two homologues of mammalian PSD‐95. In situ hybridization experiments have been carried out to localize the cellular expression of all five MAGUK mRNAs in the central nervous system of A. leptorhynchus. In the cerebellum the expression patterns are highly similar to patterns reported for mammalian cerebellum, suggesting an evolutionary conservation of the functional roles in this gene family. Cellular levels of expression of the PSD‐95 MAGUK mRNAs and the NMDAR‐1 mRNA were highly correlated in neurons of the dorsal forebrain but were not correlated in neurons of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) or the cerebellum . These results suggest that the expression of PSD‐95 MAGUK genes in forebrain neurons may provide mechanisms for synaptic organization that are not shared by neurons in the ELL and cerebellum. J. Comp. Neurol. 426:429–440, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Do the Features of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Contribute to Positive Therapeutic Change? A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Background: The exploration of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy through qualitative investigation is a growing area of interest within current literature, providing valuable understanding of the process of change experienced by those engaging in this therapeutic approach. Aims: This meta-synthesis aims to gain a deeper understanding of how the features of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy contribute to positive therapeutic change. Method: Noblit and Hare's (1988) 7-step meta-ethnography method was conducted in order to synthesize the findings of seven qualitative studies. Results: The process of reciprocal translation identified the following five major themes: i) Taking control through understanding, awareness and acceptance; ii) The impact of the group; (iii) Taking skills into everyday life; (iv) Feelings towards the self; (v) The role of expectations. Conclusion: The synthesis of translation identified the higher order concept of “The Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Journey to Change”, which depicts the complex interaction between the five themes in relation to how they contribute to positive therapeutic change. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research, theory and their implications for clinical practice.
A nested case–control study: personal, social and environmental correlates of vigorous physical activity in adolescents with asthma

Abstract Objective: Physical activity (PA) is associated with health benefits. Children and adolescents with asthma may be limited in their PA, particularly at vigorous intensity due to asthma symptoms or poor psychological adjustment to asthma. We aimed to investigate if self-perceived competence, enjoyment, support from others and social-physical environment were associated with vigorous physical activity (VPA) and secondarily to assess if such associations were modified by asthma and asthma severity. Methods: Data from a nested case–control study at 13 years of age within the birth-cohort Environment and Childhood Asthma Study were compiled from 95 participants with and 79 without asthma. The participants completed a questionnaire designed to capture self-perceived competence, enjoyment, support from others and social-physical environment. VPA, defined as ≥ 6 Metabolic Equivalents, was recorded objectively by SenseWear™ Pro2 Armband. Asthma severity was assessed pragmatically by lung function and use of inhaled glucocorticosteroids and β2-agonists and incidence of exacerbations in the last 14 days. Data were analysed using linear regression analysis. Results: No significant differences between adolescents with and without asthma were identified in terms of VPA, competence-enjoyment, support from others and social-physical environment. Peer support (b = 0.29 (0.05–0.52)) and competence-enjoyment (b = 0.23 (0.01–0.44)) were significantly and positively associated with VPA, and teacher support (b = –0.26 (−0.50 to −0.02)) were inversely associated. The model explained 25% of the variance in VPA. Conclusions: Peer support and competence-enjoyment were positively associated with increased VPN in adolescents irrespectively of asthma and asthma severity.