Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking during pregnancy among immigrants to Sweden, 1992-2008: the effects of secular trends and time since migration.

BACKGROUND Smoking during pregnancy has been declining in the past decades in high-income countries, including Sweden. Paradoxically, increasing trends associated with duration of residence have been reported among immigrants. We aimed to clarify how these two contrasting trends have shaped smoking patterns among immigrants. METHODS We conducted a population-based study of 1 598 433 pregnancies in Sweden in the period 1992-2008. We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate the odds of mild and heavy smoking relative to no smoking associated with year of delivery, years since migration, maternal region of birth and their interaction, after controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS The prevalence of smoking decreased for the Swedish-born and for immigrants during the study period. Among immigrants, duration of residence was independently associated with increases in smoking and varied according to maternal region of birth (P-value for interaction <0.001). The odds ratio associated with a 10-year increase in duration of residence was weakest for mild smoking among former Yugoslav women (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 1.10; 1.04-1.17) and those from other Nordic countries (1.22; 1.17-1.26) and strongest for heavy smoking among East African (4.46; 3.23-6.16) and sub-Saharan African (3.56; 2.68-4.72) women. The association between duration of residence and smoking was attenuated after stratifying by cohorts of arrival among European but not among non-European immigrants. CONCLUSIONS Declines in smoking during pregnancy among immigrants from various regions of the world were differentially affected by opposite increasing trends throughout their residence in Sweden.
Lethal Toxoplasmosis in an Aviary of Kakarikis (Cyanoramphus Spp.) in Australia

Abstract A small outbreak of fatal toxoplasmosis is described in 6 kakariki (Cyanoramphus spp.) in an aviary in Australia. Toxoplasma gondii-like tachyzoites were found associated with necrosis in intestine, spleen, liver, and lungs. Tachyzoites reacted positively with T. gondii-specific polyclonal antibodies. This is the first report of toxoplasmosis in kakariki.
Individually tailored internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with anxiety and depression: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Mixed anxiety and depression is common among older adults. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of an eight-week-long tailored internet-supported cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT) programme and to compare against the provision of weekly general support. A second aim was to investigate if pre-treatment cognitive flexibility and self-reported cognitive problems would predict outcome. We included 66 older adults (aged over 60 years) with mixed anxiety/depression following media recruitment and randomised them into treatment and control groups. We also included a one-year follow-up. As a measure of executive function, we used the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (perseverative errors) and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire during the pre-treatment phase. Results showed a moderate between-group effect on the main outcome measure, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (d= .50), favouring the treatment group. Nearly half (45.5%) of that group were classified as responders. One person (3%) in the treatment group deteriorated. There were significant correlations between perseverative errors and outcome (on the BAI r = −.45), but not among self-reported cognitive function. We conclude that guided, tailored ICBT may be effective for some older adults and that the role of cognitive function needs to be investigated further.
Transverse Spectral Stability of Small Periodic Traveling Waves for the KP Equation

The Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation possesses a four‐parameter family of one‐dimensional periodic traveling waves. We study the spectral stability of the waves with small amplitude with respect to two‐dimensional perturbations which are either periodic in the direction of propagation, with the same period as the one‐dimensional traveling wave, or nonperiodic (localized or bounded). We focus on the so‐called KP‐I equation (positive dispersion case), for which we show that these periodic waves are unstable with respect to both types of perturbations. Finally, we briefly discuss the KP‐II equation, for which we show that these periodic waves are spectrally stable with respect to perturbations that are periodic in the direction of propagation, and have long wavelengths in the transverse direction.
cGMP-Mediated Inhibition of TNF-α Production by the Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Murine Macrophages1

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is suggested to regulate inflammatory response by alteration of macrophage functions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ANP influences production of TNF-α. TNF-α production in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages was induced by LPS, and TNF-α secretion (±ANP) was determined by L929 bioassay. ANP dose dependently (10−8–10−6 M) inhibited TNF-α release by up to 95%. The effect was mediated via the guanylate cyclase-coupled A receptor, as was shown by employing dibutyryl-cGMP, the cGMP-inhibitory compound Ly-83583, and the A receptor antagonist HS-142-1. A specific ligand of the natriuretic peptide “clearance” receptor inhibited TNF-α production only at 10−7 and 10−8 M, but not at 10−6 M. The B receptor ligand C-type natriuretic peptide showed no TNF-α-inhibitory effect. To investigate the underlying mechanism of ANP-mediated TNF-α inhibition, Northern blot was performed. ANP-treated macrophages displayed decreased TNF-α-mRNA levels. Besides the known inhibition of NF-κB activation, in this study we demonstrated that ANP also attenuates the activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor AP-1 (gel shift assay). ANP did not alter subunit composition of AP-1 complexes, as was shown by supershift assays applying anti-c-jun and anti-c-fos Abs. To get information on the ANP effect for human inflammatory processes, we investigated cytokine production in human LPS-activated blood. ANP significantly attenuated production of TNF-α and IL-1β without affecting production of IL-10 and IL-1ra. In summary, ANP was shown to attenuate TNF-α production of LPS-activated macrophages via cGMP. The inhibition is suggested to involve transcriptional processes that are the result of reduced activation of responsible transcription factors.
Fibromodulin is expressed by both chondrocytes and osteoblasts during fetal bone development

Fibromodulin, a keratan‐sulfate proteoglycan, was first isolated in articular cartilage and tendons. We have identified fibromodulin as a gene regulated during BMP‐2‐induced differentiation of a mouse prechondroblastic cell line. Because expression of fibromodulin during endochondral bone formation has not been studied, we examined whether selected cells of the chondrocytic and osteoblastic lineage expressed fibromodulin. Fibromodulin mRNA was detected in conditionally immortalized murine bone marrow stromal cells, osteoblasts, and growth plate chondrocytes, as well as in primary murine calvarial osteoblasts. We, therefore, investigated the temporo‐spatial expression of fibromodulin in vivo during endochondral bone formation by in situ hybridization. Fibromodulin was first detected at 15.5 days post coitus (dpc) in the perichondrium and proliferating chondrocytes. Fibromodulin mRNA was also detected at 15.5 dpc in the bone collar and periosteum. At later time points fibromodulin was expressed in the primary spongiosa and the endosteum. To determine whether fibromodulin was expressed during intramembranous bone formation as well, in situ hybridization was performed on calvariae. Fibromodulin mRNA was present in calvarial osteoblasts from 15.5 dpc. These results demonstrate that fibromodulin is developmentally expressed in cartilage and bone cells during endochondral and intramembranous ossification. These findings suggest that this extracellular matrix protein plays a role in both endochondral and intramembranous bone formation. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 46–57, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Child Health in Peru: Importance of Regional Variation and Community Effects on Children's Height and Weight∗

In developing countries, height and weight are good indicators of children's health and nutritional status. Maternal education has been accepted as one of the most important influences on child health. Using the 2000 Demographic and Health Survey of Peru, however, I find that the effect of maternal education varies as a function of region. In the most prosperous urban region, maternal education is less important for child health than in poor rural areas, and a higher level of education has a greater effect in rural areas. Multilevel analysis shows that a significant part of the observed correlation between maternal education and child health is moderated by regional differences and community characteristics. The finding suggests that Peruvian public policy should emphasize resource redistribution as well as women's education, and that investment in maternal education should be considered within regional contexts to enhance child health in rural areas.
Evidence for spatial structure and directional gene flow in a population of an aquatic plant, Potamogeton coloratus

Six hundred and forty-seven samples of Potamogeton coloratus from 60 ditches in the Gordano Valley, Somerset were analysed for variation at two polymorphic PGM isozyme loci using starch gel electrophoresis. A total of eight genotypes was detected, and a high level of partitioning of genetic variability between ditches was observed with FST=0.575. Genetic variability was shown to increase with distance from the head of the valley. The genetic subdivision of the population and pattern of increasing diversity downstream and downwind were attributed to genetic bottlenecks, associated with ditch cleaning events, and subsequent directional gene flow mediated by the prevailing wind and water currents.
Gender differences in baroreflex response and heart rate variability in anaesthetized humans.

BACKGROUND In conscious humans, men have a greater cardiovagal baroreflex gain than women. We studied gender-related differences in baroreflex function during general anaesthesia. METHODS Sixty healthy patients (30 male and 30 female) were anaesthetized with sevoflurane 2% end-tidal in air and oxygen, and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. We recorded the ECG and invasive arterial pressure. Baroreflex gain was measured as the linear relationship of R-R interval with systolic arterial pressure changes caused by doses of phenylephrine i.v. , and also the spontaneous changes in R-R interval and arterial pressure. In addition, consecutive R-R intervals were analysed using a fast Fourier transformation. RESULTS Baroreflex gains (mean (sd)) assessed by the pharmacological method in men (7.98 (5.12) ms x mm x Hg(-1)) was significantly greater than that in women (4.89 (3.87) ms x mm x Hg(-1)). Similarly, spontaneous baroreflex gains were significantly greater in men than in women, and correlated well with high-frequency power, but not with low-frequency power or low/high ratio, of heart rate variability in both genders. CONCLUSIONS Our results extend findings in conscious humans to sevoflurane anaesthesia. Men have greater cardiovagal reflex gains than women, which may reflect differences in parasympathetic action on heart rate.
Experimental african trypanosomiasis : effects on plasma melatonin concentration and pineal gland histology in rodents

Trypanosomiasis remains a major public health problem to man over much of tropical Africa. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma and is fatal if untreated. The effects of T.b. brucei infection on plasma melatonin concentration and pineal gland histopathology was investigated in male albino rats. Twelve rats were each infected intraperitoneally with 0.2ml of infected blood containing approximately 1.0 x 104 live T.b. brucei parasites. Twelve other rats served as uninfected controls. Trypanosomes were detected in the blood of infected rats 5-8 days post-infection. There was a significant difference (P=0.0382) in plasma melatonin concentration between control and experimental rats. Histopathological changes in the pineal gland of experimental rats included tissue degeneration and pinealocytes with pyknotic nuclei. These histopathological changes were responsible for the decrease in plasma melatonin concentration in the experimental rats.
1918 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin (HA) and the Viral RNA Polymerase Complex Enhance Viral Pathogenicity, but Only HA Induces Aberrant Host Responses in Mice

ABSTRACT The 1918 pandemic influenza virus was the most devastating infectious agent in human history, causing fatal pneumonia and an estimated 20 to 50 million deaths worldwide. Previous studies indicated a prominent role of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene in efficient replication and high virulence of the 1918 virus in mice. It is, however, still unclear whether the high replication ability or the 1918 influenza virus HA gene is required for 1918 virus to exhibit high virulence in mice. Here, we examined the biological properties of reassortant viruses between the 1918 virus and a contemporary human H1N1 virus (A/Kawasaki/173/2001 [K173]) in a mouse model. In addition to the 1918 influenza virus HA, we demonstrated the role of the viral RNA replication complex in efficient replication of viruses in mouse lungs, whereas only the HA gene is responsible for lethality in mice. Global gene expression profiling of infected mouse lungs revealed that the 1918 influenza virus HA was sufficient to induce transcriptional changes similar to those induced by the 1918 virus, despite difference in lymphocyte gene expression. Increased expression of genes associated with the acute-phase response and the protein ubiquitination pathway were enriched during infections with the 1918 and 1918HA/K173 viruses, whereas reassortant viruses bearing the 1918 viral RNA polymerase complex induced transcriptional changes similar to those seen with the K173 virus. Taken together, these data suggest that HA and the viral RNA polymerase complex are critical determinants of Spanish influenza pathogenesis, but only HA, and not the viral RNA polymerase complex and NP, is responsible for extreme host responses observed in mice infected with the 1918 influenza virus.
Exploring Indigenous Landscape Classification across Different Dimensions: A Case Study from the Bolivian Amazon

Abstract Decisions on landscape management are often dictated by government officials based on their own understandings of how landscape should be used and managed, but rarely considering local peoples’ understandings of the landscape they inhabit. We use data collected through free listings, field transects and interviews to describe how an Amazonian group of hunter-horticulturalists, the Tsimane’, classify and perceive the importance of different elements of the landscape across the ecological, socioeconomic, and spiritual dimensions. The Tsimane’ recognise nine folk ecotopes (i.e. culturally recognised landscape units) and use a variety of criteria (including geomorphological features and landscape uses) to differentiate ecotopes from one another. The Tsimane’ rank different folk ecotopes in accordance with their perceived ecological, socioeconomic, and spiritual importance. Understanding how local people perceive their landscape contributes towards a landscape management planning paradigm that acknowledges the continuing contributions to management of landscape by its inhabitants, as well as their cultural and land use rights.
Living with HIV/AIDS: Exploring Latino Women's Narratives

According to the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), limited progress made across the globe in preventing and treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) has resulted in a decrease, albeit small, in both annual rates of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths (UNAIDS, 2008). Concurrently, however, annual HIV/AIDS prevalence rates have risen, and HIVrelated illnesses are expected to continue to result in premature disability and remain among the leading causes of premature death (UNAIDS) worldwide. In no population are these effects more evident than in women of color of all races and nationalities, including those in the United States.
Preferences of pollinators and herbivores in gynodioecious Geranium sylvaticum.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS For the maintenance of gynodioecy (i.e. the coexistence of female and hermaphroditic plants), females need to compensate for the lack of pollen production through higher seed production or better progeny quality compared to hermaphrodites. In Geranium sylvaticum, females produce more seeds per flower than hermaphrodites. This difference in seed production might be modified by biological interactions with pollinators and herbivores that may favour one sex and thus affect the maintenance of gynodioecy. METHODS Sexual dimorphism in flower size and flowering phenology, and in attractiveness to pollinators, pre-dispersal seed predators and floral herbivores were examined in natural populations of G. sylvaticum. KEY RESULTS Pollinators preferred hermaphrodites 25 % more often than females in two of the three study populations, and floral herbivores attacked hermaphrodites 15 % more often than females in two of the six study populations. These preferences might be explained by the larger flower size of hermaphrodites. In contrast, seed predators did not prefer either sex. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that pollinator preference does not benefit females, whereas the higher floral herbivory of hermaphrodites might enhance the maintenance of females in G. sylvaticum. Thus, although the data support the view that ecological factors may contribute to the maintenance of gynodioecy, they also suggest that these contributions may vary across populations and that they may function in opposite directions.
SPLENIC MARGINAL ZONE LYMPHOMA IN AN ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTER (AONYX CINEREA)

Abstract: Severe splenomegaly was found during routine examination of a clinically normal 7-yr-old male Asian small clawed otter. The spleen and three enlarged splenic lymph nodes were immediately removed. The spleen weighed 310 g (approximately 8% of body weight). The spleen and resected lymph nodes were diffusely infiltrated by coalescing sheets of neoplastic lymphocytes that occasionally surrounded remnants of preexisting lymphoid follicles. Immunohistochemical confirmation of B lymphocyte origin and microscopic pattern were consistent with primary splenic marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) with metastasis to the splenic lymph nodes. The otter received no additional treatment and survived for 16 mo following splenectomy. Necropsy confirmed metastasis to multiple abdominal and extra-abdominal lymph nodes, liver, and kidney, and renal failure related to glomerulosclerosis. The prolonged survival in this otter is typical for MZL, an indolent form of B-cell lymphosarcoma that spreads slowly to the abdominal and extra-abdominal lymph nodes.
Prevalence and determinants of anti‐lytic and anti‐latent antibodies to human herpesvirus‐8 among Italian individuals at risk of sexually and parenterally transmitted infections

Three hundred seventy‐nine individuals [137 non‐injecting drug using (non‐IDU) heterosexuals, 130 homosexual men and 112 IDU] attending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing program of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Rome were studied to estimate the prevalence and to identify the modalities of transmission of human herpesvirus‐8 (HHV‐8) infection. Serological analysis was performed by using an immunofluorescence assay able to detect anti‐latent and anti‐lytic HHV‐8 antibodies. Twelve acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)‐Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients and 94 blood donors were tested as reference population groups. Anti‐lytic antibodies were detected in 185 (48.8%) individuals; 52 of them (13.7%) also had anti‐latent antibodies. Both anti‐lytic and anti‐latent antibody prevalence were higher among homosexual men (66.9% and 27.7%, respectively) than among IDU (49.1% and 8.0%, respectively) and non‐IDU heterosexuals (31.4% and 5.1%, respectively), and tended to increase with age. Anti‐lytic HHV‐8 antibodies were associated with syphilis [odds ratio (OR) = 3.81] but not with hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity. HIV‐infected homosexual men were more likely to have HHV‐8 antibodies than those who were HIV‐negative. When using anti‐latent antibodies the direction of the OR remained the same, although the associations did not often reach statistical significance. Among AIDS‐KS patients, 83.3% had anti‐lytic and 66.6% had anti‐latent antibodies. Among blood donors, 28% had anti‐lytic antibodies and 2 of them (2.1%) also had anti‐latent antibodies. Our data indicate that HHV‐8 seroprevalence increases with age and is higher among homosexual men, particularly those infected with HIV. This is consistent with sexual transmission of HHV‐8 infection. In addition, the presence of HHV‐8 antibodies in HIV‐negative non‐IDU heterosexual contacts and in healthy blood donors is consistent with the high incidence of classic KS in Italy. Int. J. Cancer. 77:361–365, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The distribution of blood flow to the reproductive organs of rats near term.

The rate of ovarian and utero-placental blood flow through vessels of less than 25 mum diameter was examined with radioactive microspheres in 5 non-pregnant rats and 19 rats at Day 22 of pregnancy. Total blood flow to the reproductive organs was 0-559 ml/min in the non-pregnant animals and 13-2 ml/min in those near term, a 23-fold difference. The mean ovarian blood flow was high and increased from 0-202 ml/min to 0-845 ml/min. Myometrial and endometrial blood flow increased from 0-156 to 2-24 ml/min. The mean maternal placental blood flow at Day 22 of pregnancy was 0-76 ml/min or 121 ml. ,min-1 . 100 g-1. Litter size was negatively correlated with mean fetal weight but showed little relationship to mean placental weight or to mean maternal placental blood flow.
The Boom in Unnecessary Caesarean Surgeries Is Jeopardizing Women's Health

High caesarean birth rates present an issue of international public health concern. We explore the prevalence and sociodemographic maternal factors associated with cesarean-section births among 272 mothers with children under 5 years old in an urban community of central India. In this population-based, cross-sectional study, we learned that the prevalence of cesarean section was unacceptably high and significantly higher in those deliveries that were either preterm/ post-term, amongst mothers who had delivered at a private hospital, and among mothers with higher socioeconomic status. A third of the mothers reported lumbar back pain and almost 90% felt that the expenditure for cesarean sections is not reasonable.