Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Airborne Birch Pollen Levels on Clinical Symptoms of Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

Background: Most panel studies focusing on rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms and birch pollen have been performed on a linear basis and have not included air pollution and meteorological variables as potential confounders. The objective of this panel study was to assess the relationship between symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and daily airborne birch pollen concentrations, checking with adequate statistical tools the shapes of concentration-response curves and controlling for confounders. Methods: The severity of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchial symptoms was recorded daily in March and April 2010 (3,311 person-days) in 61 seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients sensitized to birch. Data were analyzed with generalized additive and generalized estimating equation models to quantify the effects of birch pollens. Results: The relationship between birch pollen and the percentage of patients with nasal, ocular and bronchial symptoms was linear until birch daily average concentrations of, respectively, 110, 70, and 70 grains/m3; it reached a plateau thereafter. For an increase of 10 grains/m3, the OR (95% CI) for nasal, ocular, and bronchial symptoms were, respectively, 1.07 (1.03-1.12), 1.17 (1.08-1.27), and 1.12 (1.03-1.21). At the beginning of the season, no nasal or ocular symptoms were observed below a threshold of 30 grains/m3. Conclusions: Adequate modeling regression shows that the clinical response to natural exposure to birch pollen in sensitized patients varies during Betula pollen season, with a threshold at the beginning of the season, while over the whole season the relationship is linear for nasal, ocular, and bronchial symptoms up to a saturation point, followed by a plateau.
Gênero, morbidade, acesso e utilização de serviços de saúde no Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho e analisar o perfil de morbidade referida, acesso e uso de servicos de saude em homens e mulheres no Brasil, segundo idade e regiao urbana e rural. Os dados da PNAD/98 mostram que as diferencas de genero na morbidade variam com a idade: desfavoraveis aos meninos ate os 10 anos e desfavoraveis as mulheres a partir dos 15 anos, aumentando ate os 64 anos e reduzindo apos esta idade. A alta prevalencia de atendimento indica que as barreiras de acesso dos que procuram servicos de saude sao pequenas. No entanto, o elevado percentual de nao procura face as necessidades percebidas sugere que as barreiras de acesso sao anteriores e dependem da oferta. A cobertura por planos de saude e bem maior na regiao urbana, mas nao ha diferencas de genero significantes nas regioes. As diferencas entre homens e mulheres nas taxas de uso curativo sao pequenas, se comparadas com as de uso preventivo, maiores para as mulheres, assim como as taxas de internacao, mesmo excluindo os partos. O financiamento das internacoes nao foi diferente entre homens e mulheres, ao contrario do financiamento de outros tipos de atendimento: maior cobertura por planos para mulheres na regiao urbana; na regiao rural, maior uso do SUS para as mulheres e maior desembolso de recursos proprios para os homens.
Adolescent smoking and parenting : Associations between smoking related parental behaviors and adoslescent smoking

The main aim of this dissertation is to address the link between parenting and adolescent smoking. We address this question since the role of parents has been traditionally neglected in smoking research as well as prevention programs. Recent research has shown that the prevention of adult smoking in the long term can only be achieved by preventing smoking initiation in adolescence. The first mechanism by which parents affect their children’s smoking is through their own behavior. Parents function as important role models and parental smoking is considered to be a consistent predictor of adolescent smoking. How parents deal with adolescent smoking, however, not only depends on their own smoking but also on other characteristics such as, having control, having knowledge about whether their child is smoking or feeling confident to deal with the problem. Also parental communication skills are essential with regard to adolescent smoking. A high quality of communication has a preventive effect while raising the subject of smoking too often might do more harm than good.
Illness Perceptions of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

viii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Statement of Need 2 Theoretical Framework 3 Purpose of the Dissertation 5 Specific Aims and Research Questions 6 Significance of the Dissertation 7 Definition of Key Terms 8 Chapter 2: Review of the Literature 10 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) 11 Pathophysiology 11 Definition 12 Prevalence 13 Manifestations of PCOS 14 Dermatologic Manifestations 16 Reproductive Manifestations 17 Psychological Manifestations 18 Metabolic Manifestations 19 Management 20 Economic Burden 23 PCOS: Research & Practice 24 Women’s Health & American Medicine: Historical Context 24 Contemporary Approaches to PCOS Practice in the U.S 29 Contemporary Approaches to PCOS Research 31 Call to Action 32 Theoretical Framework 33 The Common-Sense Model (CSM) 34 Basic Assumptions of the CSM 34 Illness Perceptions 35 Assessing Illness Perceptions 36 Coping Strategies 36
Challenges and Solutions in the Implementation of the School-Based Pathway to Care Model

Most mental disorders often onset during the adolescent years, providing opportunities for educators, health care providers, and related stakeholders to work collaboratively in addressing adolescent mental health care needs. This report describes early implementations of various components of the School-Based Pathway to Care Model currently applied in Canada, identifies lessons learned, and suggests future directions. The School-Based Pathway to Care Model engages students, teachers, student service providers, parents/families, health care providers, and the wider community through various training programs and both formal and informal linkages between the school, community, and health providers. Preliminary evaluation of the model in whole and in part shows promising outcomes for its application in secondary schools within the wider framework of enhancing system capacity for addressing mental health needs of students. Future focus should be directed towards more rigorous research on the model and its various components.
The state of anorectal zone as a marker of functional and organic gastrointestinal disorders.

Aims: This research was aimed at investigating both sensory and motor function of the rectum and anal canal in the patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and organic bowel disease. Methodology: There were examined 45 children with age of 11-13 years suffering from IBS and organic bowel disease. 20 healthy children of same age were examined as a control. All patients were examined with the use of general clinical blood and urine tests, biochemical blood tests including direct and indirect bilirubin, alanin aminotransferase, aspartame aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, urea, creatinine. Coprogram and fecal dysbiosis were also analysed. Digital rectal examination, ultrasonography of the abdomen, multiphase duodenal intubation, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy or irigography (by the indications) was also performed. Results: The average basal pressure was 6.5±0.6 mm Hg in the rectum and 44.5±1.5 mm Hg in the anal canal (mean ± s.e.m.). These indices were not dependent on the general health conditions and the clinical manifestations of IBS. However the threshold of reflective sensitivity was significantly greater (28.4±2.2 ml) in patients with chronic
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Deficiency in Children with Rheumatologic Disorders and Controls

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, as well as factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, in children attending a pediatric rheumatology clinic, and to determine whether there was a difference in serum 25(OH)D levels and in vitamin D deficiency between children with autoimmune disorders and nonautoimmune conditions. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of serum 25(OH)D levels of patients between the ages of 2 and 19 years, seen between November 2008 and October 2009. Results. A total of 254 patients were studied (169 autoimmune disorders, 85 nonautoimmune conditions). The mean age of study patients was 12.3 years; 67% were female and 80% were white. In the autoimmune disorders group, 23% had vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml], and in the nonautoimmune conditions group 14% were vitamin D deficient. The average level of serum 25(OH)D was 28.6 (± 11) ng/ml (range 2 to 59). Age, ethnicity, body mass index, use of supplements, and season were significantly associated with serum levels of 25(OH)D (all p ≤ 0.02). The OR of patients with autoimmune disorders being vitamin D deficient was 2.3, in relation to patients with nonautoimmune conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusion. Twenty percent of patients attending a pediatric rheumatology clinic were vitamin D deficient. Patients with autoimmune disorders were more likely to be vitamin D deficient than patients with nonautoimmune conditions. Screening of serum 25(OH)D levels should be performed for patients with autoimmune disorders.
Adverse effects of khat: a review

Catha edulis (khat) is a plant grown in the countries around the Red Sea and on the eastern coast of Africa. Its leaves are chewed by the local people for their stimulant action. Its principal active constituents are cathinone and cathine, which have sympathomimetic actions. Migration of Africans from these countries has spread the habit of khat chewing to the West. Chewing khat has a number of important psychological and physical sequelae. ‘Khat-related’ psychosis is very similar to that seen following use of amphetamines.
Students' Perceptions of the Preparatory Academy, A Dropout Prevention Program

The Preparatory Academy was established in September, 1999 to improve academic achievement and reduce the dropout rate of at-risk high school students in a mid-Atlantic state. The study looks at the Preparatory Academy as a dropout prevention program for high school students. Students attending the Preparatory Academy are one or more years behind grade level and have not been successful in a general education setting. In addition, the students are identified by the school division as being at-risk of not graduating from high school. The Preparatory Academy was designed to address the increasing drop out rate and to advance students one or two grade levels in one school year, whereby giving them an opportunity to reach their age appropriate grade. A qualitative design methodology was chosen to evaluate the Preparatory Academy effectiveness from the eyes of the students who were successful in the program. Eight participants who successfully completed the Academy during the 2004-2005 academic year were selected from each participating high school. Students participated in focus groups and answered questions about their experiences, their beliefs, and their perceptions while in the Preparatory Academy. Seven staff members, three administrators, two teachers, and two guidance counselors, were interviewed to clarify Academy procedures and policies. The results of this study show that the Preparatory Academy is perceived by students to be an effective dropout prevention program. Students reported an increased commitment to graduation from high school and reported an increase in grade point average. In addition, data revealed students having a positive change in their attitude toward themselves and their education. When asked about the reason, the students gave credit to the Preparatory Academy.
Prevalence and Correlates of Prescription Stimulant Use, Misuse, Use Disorders, and Motivations for Misuse Among Adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVE The authors sought to simultaneously examine the prevalence and correlates of prescription stimulant use, misuse, use disorders, and motivations for misuse in the U.S. adult population. METHOD This was a nationally representative household population study of adults age 18 or older from the 2015 and 2016 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (N=102,000). Measurements included prescription stimulant use, use without misuse, misuse without use disorders, and misuse with use disorders, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and mental health factors. RESULTS Among U.S. adults, 6.6% (annual average) used prescription stimulants overall; 4.5% used without misuse, 1.9% misused without use disorders, and 0.2% had use disorders. Adults with past-year prescription stimulant use disorders did not differ from those with misuse without use disorders in any of the examined sociodemographic characteristics and in many of the examined substance use problems. The most commonly reported motivations for misuse were to help be alert or concentrate (56.3%). The most likely source of misused prescription stimulants was by obtaining them free from friends or relatives (56.9%). More frequent prescription stimulant misuse and use disorder were associated with an increased likelihood of obtaining medications from physicians or from drug dealers or strangers and less likelihood of obtaining them from friends or relatives. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 16.0 million U.S. adults used prescription stimulants in the preceding year (annual average), 5.0 million misused prescription stimulants, and 0.4 million had use disorders. Cognitive enhancement was the most commonly reported reason for misusing prescription stimulants. Patients who are using their medication for cognitive enhancement or diverting their medication to others present a high risk.
Dovitinib Induces Apoptosis and Overcomes Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through SHP-1–Mediated Inhibition of STAT3

The multiple kinase inhibitor dovitinib is currently under clinical investigation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we investigated the mechanistic basis for the effects of dovitinib in HCCs. Dovitinib showed significant antitumor activity in HCC cell lines PLC5, Hep3B, Sk-Hep1, and Huh-7. Dovitinib downregulated phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3) at tyrosine 705 and subsequently reduced the levels of expression of STAT3-related proteins Mcl-1, survivin, and cyclin D1 in a time-dependent manner. Ectopic expression of STAT3 abolished the apoptotic effect of dovitinib, indicating that STAT3 is indispensable in mediating the effect of dovitinib in HCC. SHP-1 inhibitor reversed downregulation of p-STAT3 and apoptosis induced by dovitinib, and silencing of SHP-1 by RNA interference abolished the effects of dovitinib on p-STAT3, indicating that SHP-1, a protein tyrosine phosphatase, mediates the effects of dovitinib. Notably, dovitinib increased SHP-1 activity in HCC cells. Incubation of dovitinib with pure SHP-1 protein enhanced its phosphatase activity, indicating that dovitinib upregulates the activity of SHP-1 via direct interactions. In addition, dovitinib induced apoptosis in two sorafenib-resistant cell lines through inhibition of STAT3, and sorafenib-resistant cells showed significant activation of STAT3, suggesting that targeting STAT3 may be a useful approach to overcome drug resistance in HCC. Finally, in vivo, dovitinib significantly suppressed growth of both Huh-7 and PLC5 xenograft tumors and downregulated p-STAT3 by increasing SHP-1 activity. In conclusion, dovitinib induces significant apoptosis in HCC cells and sorafenib-resistant cells via SHP-1–mediated inhibition of STAT3. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(2); 452–63. ©2011 AACR.
Business-IT alignment: A current-state evaluation of strategic alignment within the hospital organization

More than thirty years of research has shown that the practical value of business-IT alignment is significant and that its importance derives from strategic impact on business outcomes. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify the current-state of business-IT alignment maturity within the hospital organization. Data for this study was obtained through evaluation of nine hospital organizations located throughout the United States and was collected through a previously established and accepted instrument, the Strategic Alignment Maturity (SAM) survey. The SAM instrument consists of five levels of maturity, each evaluated on six maturity criteria (communications, competency & value, governance, partnership, scope & architecture, and human resource skills). The study found that all practice-level maturity means were between 2.7 and 2.9 and the overall maturity level for the hospital industry was 2.8 (LevelII maturity). Future studies should consider exploring the relationship between alignment maturity levels and hospital success matrices. Investigations into the impact strategic alignment maturity has on patient satisfaction, financial metrics, and inpatient stay days may provide additional insight.
Study of aerobic metabolism parameters and heart rate variability and their correlations in elite athletes: a modulatory effect of amaranth oil

Abstract Oxidative stress (OS) and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) are known to be associated with overtraining in athletes. Therefore it is extremely important to estimate profoundness of OS and efficiency of its correction with easy-to-use noninvasive methods. The impact of oil derived from the amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) seeds (AmO) on some parameters of aerobic metabolism and HRV was studied in elite athletes. Possible mechanisms explaining the relationship between HRV and aerobic metabolism were estimated with correlation analysis. The effects of AmO administration (1 ml of concentrated oil per day for 21 days) were studied in 36 competitive male athletes. Short time ECG records were performed in supine and orthostatic position before and after AmO administration, time and frequency domain HRV parameters were calculated. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, oxidative modification proteins (OMP), medium mass molecules, hemoglobi.
Influence of Vascular Oxidative Stress and Inflammation on the Development and Progression of Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity increase production of vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in a reduction of bioavailable nitric oxide and ultimately endothelial dysfunction and endothelial cell activation. ROS appears to mediate the inflammatory pathways that participate in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. There are numerous markers of oxidative stress and inflammation available for assessing the therapeutic response to interventions, but few are currently recommended for clinical use. Exercise training improves endothelial function via several mechanisms, including increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase—nitric oxide (eNOS-NO)— mediated production, increased activity and amount of antioxidants, attenuated ROS production, and an apparent reduction in systemic inflammation, possibly related to an increase in myokines resulting from skeletal muscle activation. Dietary antioxidant supplementation may improve endothelial function, oxidative stress, and inflammation, but much controversy exists regarding the use of antioxidant supplementation in primary and secondary CVD prevention. The purpose of this article is to review the contribution of vascular oxidative stress and activation of the inflammatory pathways in the pathogenesis of CVD and to review common methods used in clinical research to assess vascular oxidative stress and inflammation in response to therapeutic lifestyle interventions.
Security Regional Division of Farmland Soil Heavy Metal Elements in North of the North China Plain

A total of 94 soil samples from different soil depths (0∼25 cm, 25∼50 cm) were collected of farmland soil around the plain of Beijing, and the concentrations of five heavy metal elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, As, and Hg) were measured using standard methods. The safety utilization evaluation method of heavy metals was based on three different evaluation methods. Then, the governance principles and specific management control strategy were determined in detail according to the core pollution source analysis of each safety grade zone. The results show that there are four different comprehensive safe utilization areas: safe, low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk utilization. Among them, the study area was dominated by low-risk utilization areas, and the risk trend was gradually weakening from the center of the city to the periphery. Based on the characteristics of different security zones, this study puts on the governance principles of priority protection, long-term monitoring and moderate optimization, strengthens early warning, and cooperates with effective repair and priority governance. And then it puts forward practical control strategies according to the core pollution sources of each safety utilization zone. Our findings may provide a clear direction for rational utilization of land resources and renovation in the future.
Mechanistic Contribution of Ubiquitous 15-Lipoxygenase-1 Expression Loss in Cancer Cells to Terminal Cell Differentiation Evasion

Loss of terminal cell differentiation promotes tumorigenesis. 15-Lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) contributes to terminal cell differentiation in normal cells. The mechanistic significance of 15-LOX-1 expression loss in human cancers to terminal cell differentiation suppression is unknown. In a screen of 128 cancer cell lines representing more than 20 types of human cancer, we found that 15-LOX-1 mRNA expression levels were markedly lower than levels in terminally differentiated cells. Relative expression levels of 15-LOX-1 (relative to the level in terminally differentiated primary normal human–derived bronchial epithelial cells) were lower in 79% of the screened cancer cell lines than relative expression levels of p16 (INK4A), which promotes terminal cell differentiation and is considered one of the most commonly lost tumor suppressor genes in cancer cells. 15-LOX-1 was expressed during terminal differentiation in three-dimensional air–liquid interface cultures, and 15-LOX-1 expression and terminal differentiation occurred in immortalized nontransformed bronchial epithelial but not in lung cancer cell lines. 15-LOX-1 expression levels were lower in human tumors than in paired normal lung epithelia. Short hairpin RNA–mediated downregulation of 15-LOX-1 in Caco-2 cells blocked enterocyte-like differentiation, disrupted tight junction formation, and blocked E-cadherin and ZO-1 localization to the cell wall membrane. 15-LOX-1 episomal expression in Caco-2 and HT-29 colon cancer cells induced differentiation. Our findings indicate that 15-LOX-1 downregulation in cancer cells is an important mechanism for terminal cell differentiation dysregulation and support the potential therapeutic utility of 15-LOX-1 reexpression to inhibit tumorigenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 4(12); 1961–72. ©2011 AACR.