Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Micronutrient Status and Immune Function in Tuberculosis a

Both macro- and micronutrients have been shown to affect resistance to tuberculosis, which is mediated by macrophages activated by T lymphocytes. Others have demonstrated inhibition of mycobacterial replication in macrophage cultures treated with vitamin D or retinoic acid. We examined the influence of dietary zinc and vitamin D on resistance to tuberculosis. Guinea pigs were fed diets containing varying levels of zinc or vitamin D, and infected 6 weeks later by the respiratory route with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Zinc-deficient guinea pigs had fewer circulating T cells and reduced tuberculin (PPD) hypersensitivity. The response of peritoneal exudate macrophages to the lymphokine MIF was impaired. Zinc deprivation did not influence disease resistance in BCG-vaccinated or nonvaccinated animals. Vitamin D deficiency adversely affected the tuberculin reaction and ability to control the infection. Lymphocytes from vitamin D-deprived animals did not proliferate normally when cultured with PPD. A diet supplemented with vitamin D enhanced T cell responses to PPD in vivo. These results suggest that zinc and vitamin D status affect immunity to tuberculosis.
Retinopathy in older persons without diabetes and its relationship to hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and relationship of retinopathy lesions in older subjects without diabetes to systemic hypertension. METHODS Three thousand six hundred fifty-four people aged 49 years or older attending the Blue Mountains Eye Study underwent a detailed eye examination, including medical history, blood pressure measurement, and fasting blood collection. Retinopathy lesions (hemorrhages and microaneurysms) were assessed from masked grading of stereoretinal photographs. Subjects with a history of diabetes or an elevated blood glucose level were excluded. Hypertension was defined as the current use of antihypertensive medications or an elevated blood pressure measurement on examination. RESULTS Retinopathy was present in 325 subjects without diabetes, a prevalence of 9.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9%-10.9%), which increased with age. An increased age-adjusted relative risk (RR) for retinopathy was found for women (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.26-2.21) and men (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.07-2.00) with hypertension. In people using antihypertensive medications, retinopathy prevalence was higher for uncontrolled compared with controlled blood pressure but was not related to hypertension duration. Significant (P=.02 to P=.001) trends were found between increasing blood pressure quartiles and age-adjusted retinopathy prevalence, a relationship that was maintained after adjusting for fasting plasma glucose level at 3 diagnostic cut points for diabetes. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the Beaver Dam Eye Study findings that retinal hemorrhages and microaneurysms are relatively frequent lesions in older people without diabetes and are significantly related to the presence and severity of hypertension.
Transfer of Fusarium mycotoxins and ‘masked’ deoxynivalenol (deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside) from field barley through malt to beer

The fate of five Fusarium toxins — deoxynivalenol (DON), sum of 15- and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (ADONs), HT-2 toxin (HT-2) representing the main trichothecenes and zearalenone (ZON) during the malting and brewing processes — was investigated. In addition to these ‘free’ mycotoxins, the occurrence of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-Glc) was monitored for the first time in a beer production chain (currently, only DON and ZON are regulated). Two batches of barley, naturally infected and artificially inoculated with Fusarium spp. during the time of flowering, were used as a raw material for processing experiments. A highly sensitive procedure employing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was validated for the analysis of ‘free’ Fusarium mycotoxins and DON-conjugate in all types of matrices. The method was also able to detect nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon-X (FUS-X) and T-2 toxin (T-2); nevertheless, none of these toxins was found in any of the samples. While steeping of barley grains (the first step in the malting process) apparently reduced Fusarium mycotoxin levels to below their quantification limits (5–10 µg kg−1), their successive accumulation occurred during germination. In malt, the content of monitored mycotoxins was higher compared with the original barley. The most significant increase was found for DON-3-Glc. During the brewing process, significant further increases in levels occurred. Concentrations of this ‘masked’ DON in final beers exceeded ‘free’ DON, while in malt grists this trichothecene was the most abundant, with the DON/DON-3-Glc ratio being approximately 5:1 in both sample series. When calculating mass balance, no significant changes were observed during brewing for ADONs. The content of DON and ZON slightly decreased by a maximum of 30%. Only traces of HT-2 were detected in some processing intermediates (wort after trub removal and green beer).
Microorganism Associated with Cassava Fermentation for Abacha Product Sold in Owerri, Imo State

The microorganism associated with cassava fermentation for Abacha product was investigated using four different Farms in Owerri (Obinze, Umugwuma, Urata and Orji) as sample collection area. Four of the cassava tubers harvested, washed, cooked and soaked with water after cutting to produce Abacha then was fermented using standard microbiological methods. The waste water was sampled and all the samples A, B, C, and D showed significant bacteria growth using NA, MRS, PDA. In the study, six bacteria and fungi isolates identified were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus spp, Candida spp. , Aspergillus spp. and Bacillus spp. Results showed that the total heterotrophic bacteria count of the sample varies within 8.0×10 10 to 2.5×10 12 and total fungi count (TFC) ranges from 6.6×10 9 to 9.6×10 9 . The study also showed that Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli had the highest occurrence of 75.00% (P < 0.05) prevalence occurrence while Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces spp. , Bacillus spp. and Candida spp. had a percentage occurrence of 50.00% respectively. There is therefore urgent need for public enlightenment on public health implications, need for proper hygiene as well as strategies for preventing and controlling the microorganism which do not play a role in the fermentation of cassava for Abacha production.
Effect of Sample Storage Temperature and Time Delay on Blood Gases, Bicarbonate and pH in Human Arterial Blood Samples

Background: Results of arterial blood gas analysis can be biased by pre-analytical factors, such as time interval before analysis, temperature during storage and syringe type. Objectives: To investigate the effects of samples storage temperature and time delay on blood gases, bicarbonate and PH results in human arterial blood samples. Patients and Methods: 2.5 mL arterial blood samples were drawn from 45 patients via an indwelling Intraarterial catheter. Each sample was divided into five equal samples and stored in multipurpose tuberculin plastic syringes. Blood gas analysis was performed on one of five samples as soon as possible. Four other samples were divided into two groups stored at 22°C and 0°C. Blood gas analyses were repeated at 30 and 60 minutes after sampling. Results: PaO2 of the samples stored at 0°C was increased significantly after 60 minutes (P = 0.007). The PaCO2 of the samples kept for 30 and 60 minutes at 22°C was significantly higher than primary result (P = 0.04, P < 0.001). In samples stored at 22°C, pH decreased significantly after 30 and 60 minutes (P = 0.017, P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in other results of samples stored at 0°C or 22°C after 30 or 60 minutes. Conclusions: In samples stored in plastic syringes, overestimation of PaO2 levels should be noted if samples cooled before analysis. In samples stored in plastic syringes, it is not necessary to store samples in iced water when analysis delayed up to one hour.
Enzymatic removal of polysialic acid from neural cell adhesion molecule perturbs the migration route of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone neurons in the developing chick forebrain

During development in the chick embryo, luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons migrate along the olfactory nerve from the olfactory epithelium to the forebrain. At embryonic day 5.5 (E5.5) to E6.0, the majority of LHRH neurons begin to enter the medial forebrain and then course dorsocaudally along the forebrain substance just beneath the pia matter in association with the somatostatin (SST)‐positive fibers, which branch medially from the SST‐positive olfactory nerve. By E6.5, the neurons and SST‐positive medial branch of the olfactory nerve have proceeded toward the septal area. Intense immunoreactivity for the polysialylated form of neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) on both the LHRH neurons and the SST‐positive fibers during this period suggests that this less adhesive form of NCAM is involved in the migratory process. This possibility was examined by using a polysialic acid (PSA)‐specific endoneuraminidase. PSA removal did not alter the behavior or appearance of the SST‐positive olfactory fibers within the migration pathway. However, it induced a significant deviation of migrating LHRH neurons from the regular path in the forebrain. The effect of PSA removal is more likely to involve changes in the interaction of the migrating neurons with a subset of the SST‐positive olfactory fibers and/or other elements in the forebrain rather than an alteration in the pattern of their axonal substrate. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that PSA contributes to the specific pattern of LHRH neuronal migration in the forebrain by limiting interaction of these LHRH neurons with their surrounding environment. J. Comp. Neurol. 420:171–181, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Ipsilateral Comparison of Acceleromyography and Electromyography During Recovery from Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Block Under General Anesthesia in Humans

BACKGROUND: Residual neuromuscular block is defined as a mechanomyography (MMG) or electromyography (EMG) train-of-four (TOF) ratio <0.90, and is common in patients receiving neuromuscular blocking drugs. Objective neuromuscular monitoring is the only reliable way to detect and exclude residual neuromuscular block. Acceleromyography (AMG) is commercially available and easy to use in the clinical setting. However, AMG is not interchangeable with MMG or EMG. Currently, it is unclear what value must be reached by AMG TOF ratio to reliably exclude residual neuromuscular block. METHODS: During spontaneous recovery from neuromuscular block, we monitored TOF ratio on the same arm using AMG at the adductor pollicis and EMG at the first dorsal interosseus. AMG and EMG TOF ratios were compared by the Bland–Altman analysis for repeated measurements. The precision of each device was assessed by the repeatability coefficient. A small repeatability coefficient indicates high precision of the device. The agreement between the devices was assessed by the bias and the 95% limits of agreement. Small bias and narrow limits of agreement indicate strong agreement. We defined clinically acceptable agreement between AMG and EMG as a bias <0.025 and limits of agreement within −0.050 to 0.050, provided that the control comparison between EMG and itself can fulfill these criteria. RESULTS: In 26 patients, 261 comparisons between AMG and EMG were made. The repeatability coefficient of AMG and EMG were 0.094 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.088–0.100) and 0.051 (95% CI, 0.048–0.055), respectively. The bias between AMG and EMG TOF ratio was 0.176 (95% CI, 0.162–0.190), with limits of agreement −0.045 to 0.396 (95% CI, −0.067 to 0.419). CONCLUSIONS: AMG is less precise than EMG and overestimates EMG TOF ratio by at least 0.15. The lack of agreement cannot be attributed to instrumental imprecision or the baseline difference between successive measurements during spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular function. Residual neuromuscular block cannot be excluded on reaching an AMG TOF ratio of 1.00.
The performance of portfolios of REITS + stocks

T he purpose of this paper is to demonstrate historically that some equity Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) stocks during the last decade would have produced a more efficient set when combined with common stocks. A second purpose is to identify those REIT stocks that would have been good selections in the past and could warrant closer investigation by investors in the future. We tested two null hypotheses. First, the mixed-asset efficient frontier containing REIT stock and common stock is equal to single-asset frontiers. Second, efficient frontiers during the 1970-74 and 1975-79 periods would show mixed-asset portfolios equal to single-asset portfolios. If both hypotheses are rejected, the investor and portfolio manager have historical confirmation that REIT stock could have entered into a portfolio to accomplish risk-return objectives and specific REIT stocks that warrant observation in the future have been identified. The results of this study are in contrast to a recent article by Smith and Shulman' that compared the performance of 16 equity REITs with a selected sample of 15 regular closed-end investment companies that invested solely in common stocks. Their 11-year study between 1963 and 1974 suggested that the sample of equity REITs fared about the same as the sample of closed-end companies, and institutional portfolio managers would not have improved their overall portfolio returns by investing in real estate equities.
Accelerated longitudinal comparisons of aggressive versus delinquent syndromes

Accelerated longitudinal analyses revealed both similarities and differences between the developmental trajectories of empirically based aggressive versus delinquent syndromes in childhood and adolescence. Syndromes were scored from standardized ratings obtained from parents five times at 2-year intervals for seven birth cohorts of Dutch children initially assessed at ages 4 to 10 years. Scores for both the aggressive and delinquent syndromes declined from ages 4 to 10. After about age 10 years, scores for the aggressive syndrome continued to decline, but scores for the delinquent syndrome increased until about age 17. The aggressive syndrome was significantly more stable than the delinquent syndrome. Long-term predictive correlations between matched subjects from different cohorts were as high as predictive correlations between scores obtained by the same subjects, thus supporting the validity of accelerated longitudinal analyses. The results highlight important developmental distinctions between aggressive versus delinquent conduct problems. Failure to distinguish between aggressive and delinquent conduct problems could generate misleading conclusions about their respective developmental courses and limit the generalizability of results.
An Invariant Sliding Window Detection Process

Recent advances in the development of sliding window detection processes have shown that a transformation approach is a very effective means of producing decision rules. This approach begins with the classical detectors, designed for operation in exponentially distributed intensity clutter, and adapts them for operation in any desired clutter environment. The approach preserves the original probability of false alarm and threshold multiplier relationship. A consequence of this approach is that the resultant detector often inherits clutter parameter dependence. As an example, in the Pareto clutter case, the modified decision rule is dependent on the Pareto scale parameter, while providing a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector with respect to the Pareto shape parameter. Recently, it has been shown that this dependence on the Pareto scale parameter can be eliminated by replacing it with a complete sufficient statistic, resulting in a new detector that achieves the full CFAR property. It will be shown that this result is due to the fact that the decision rule is based upon an invariant statistic. In particular, a general class of clutter models is identified, and it is shown that a generic transformed decision rule can be proposed, which is invariant with respect to a group of transformations, thus allowing the determination of sliding window CFAR detectors. This provides one with an effective means of producing such detectors for operation in many of the clutter environments of interest in radar signal processing.
Effect of setting, monitoring intensity and patient experience on anticoagulation control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship between time spent in the recommended target International Normalised Ratio (INR) range and the setting and intensity of anti coagulant monitoring, in both treatment-experienced and treatment-naive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy for the prevention of ischaemic stroke. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Systematic review of published studies on participants with atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation therapy. We compared frequent monitoring (well-controlled, according to a strict protocol) versus infrequent monitoring (frequency representative of routine clinical practice), specialised care versus usual care, and naive versus prior anticoagulant use. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. RESULTS 36 studies were included, 22 (primary data) of AF patients managed in line with the consensus guidelines target INR range of 2.0-3.0, and 14 studies (secondary data) of mixed patient groups, including AF, with an INR target of 2.0-3.5. Both data sets were combined for sensitivity analysis. Pooled mean time in INR range was 59.1% (95% CI: 55.5, 62.8%) and 64.3% (95% CI: 60.5, 68.0%) for infrequent monitoring and frequent monitoring, respectively. Significantly more time was spent in range in specialist care settings compared to usual care: +11.3% (95% CI: 0.1-21.7%). Naive OAC users spent less time in range 56.5% (95% CI: 45.5-67.5%) than existing users 61.2% (95% CI: 57.2-65.2%). All of these differences were found to be significant in the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS INR control is variable and dependent on monitoring intensity and duration of anticoagulant therapy.
Electro-thermal and quantum analysis of CNT-based interconnections

Due to the rapid increases in current densities, wires, planar conductors and ground lines, become more and more vulnerable to electromigration. Future RF advanced packaging applications require new materials endowed of low electrical resistance, high reliability, chip-to-package interconnects, and improved thermal management. In this contribution, we introduce a multi-physics full-wave investigation of a CNT based interconnection bridging microstrips placed on different planar surface. The model include coupled i) electromagnetic, ii) quantum and iii) thermal analysis.
Is Real-Time PCR Better than Conventional PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Detection in Clinical Samples?

ABSTRACT Cobas Amplicor MTB and later Cobas TaqMan MTB were used to test a very large series of consecutive specimens received for tuberculosis diagnosis. Performance parameters were estimated and compared overall and for separate specimen categories. Both systems showed excellent specificity, and that of TaqMan was the higher. The sensitivities were similar but satisfactory only with respiratory specimens and smear-positive samples.
National Identity and Public Support for Political and Economic Reform in Ukraine

This article investigates the impact conceptions of national identity have on mass support for political and economic reform in Ukraine. After laying out the theoretical linkage between national identity and models of political and economic development, it uses a 2001 mass public opinion survey to assess the influence of two competing versions of national identity—Eastern Slavic and Ethnic Ukrainian—on reformist attitudes in Ukraine. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis demonstrate that an Ethnic Ukrainian national identity is associated with pro-democratic and pro-market orientations, while the Eastern Slavic national identity is associated with antidemocratic and antimarket orientations. Furthermore, the apparent effect of national identity is stronger than that of other factors that scholars have typically argued promote backing for democracy and capitalism in the postcommunist region, including education, age, urban residence, and economic well-being.
The Political Economy of Public Reform Adoption: Patterns in Twenty Indonesian Districts

ABSTRACT New Public Management (NPM) reforms are often perceived as technical, with little attention to political and institutional factors. Comparing choices in 20 Indonesian districts, we explore which of four political economic factors influence uptake of NPM-based service delivery reforms. We find that democratic political competition laid the groundwork for political alliances, patterns of patronage, and party provision of benefits that condition reform choices. State-led policy entrepreneurship was evident from education agency technocrats. Public sector modernization may have increased orientation towards performance, with education reforms adopted by districts already achieving relatively good sectoral results. Health reforms were more common in districts providing greater opportunities for citizen participation. The complex interactions among the factors argue for working within these realities, rather than seeing them as impediments to be avoided in a drive for reforms. Education technocrats’ dominance, bolstered by central policy priorities, argues for more nuanced mechanisms for meeting national goals to avoid crowding out responsiveness to local citizens.
Enhancement of the glutamate response by cAMP-dependent protein kinase in hippocampal neurons

Receptor channels activated by glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain, are involved in processes such as long-term potentiation and excitotoxicity. Studies of glutamate receptor channels expressed in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons reveal that these channels are subject to neuromodulatory regulation through the adenylate cyclase cascade. The whole-cell current response to glutamate and kainate [a non-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor agonist] was enhanced by forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. Single-channel analysis revealed that an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (PKA) increases the opening frequency and the mean open time of the non-NMDA-type glutamate receptor channels. Analysis of synaptic events indicated that forskolin, acting through PKA, increased the amplitude and decay time of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents.