Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Pattern of Meningococcal Disease in Valencia, Spain. Impact of a Mass Immunization Campaign With Meningococcal C Polysaccharide Vaccine

The objective of this study was to define the epidemiological pattern of meningococcal disease in the autonomous region of Valencia, Spain, and the impact of a mass immunization campaign against serogroup C meningococcus. Data were obtained from a prospective surveillance program for invasive bacterial diseases in children < 15 y of age that began in the Valencia region on 1 December, 1995. During the period 1996? 98, 213 cases of meningococcal disease were detected, representing an annual incidence of 11.3/100,000 children < 15 y. Serogroup C accounted for 31% and 38.5% of cases in 1996 and 1997, respectively (annual incidences of 2.9 and 5.4 cases/100,000 children < 15 y). An immunization campaign with the meningococcal C polysaccharide vaccine, which included all persons between 18 months and 19 y of age, began in late 1997 (vaccination coverage of 86%). In 1998, the annual incidence of meningococcal C disease fell to 1.4 cases per 100,000 children < 15 y of age. These results mirror the increase in the reported incidence of serogroup C meningococcal disease in Spain in the 1990s, a trend that was reversed after the introduction of the mass vaccination campaign. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine seems to be an effective public health tool for the management of this serious communicable disease.
Kinetic parameters and thermal decomposition for Novel 1,1-Malonyl-bis(4-p-Chlorophenylthiosemicarbazide) and Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Sn(II) complexes(H4pClMaTS) synthesized by electrochemical method

Anodic oxidation of Co, Cu, Zn, and Sn metals in an acetone solution of 1,1-malonayl-bis(4-p- Chlorophenylthiosemicarbazide) yields complexes of composition with general formula [Co2(pClMaTS)(H2O)6]·2H2O, [Cu2(pClMaTS)(H2O)6], [Zn2(pClMaTS)(H2O)6] and [Sn2(pClMaTS)(H2O)6]·2H2O. Chelation was investigated based on elemental analysis, conductivity, magnetic moment, spectral (UV-Vis, IR, Raman, 1HNMR, mass), thermal, and ESR studies. The Raman and infrared spectral studies suggests the tridentate behavior of the ligand from each tail. Since the ligand has two thiose- micarbazide groups, it may acts in an SNO tridentate fashion from each side with one of the two metal ions forming a polynuclear complex coordinating through both of the lone pair of electrons the enolic oxygen of the carbonyl group (C=O), the azomethine nitrogen (C=N) and the thioenol form of the thiocarbonyl group (C=S). The differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) curves were used to study the decomposition steps of the isolated complexes using Horowitz-Metzger (HM) and Coats-Redfern (CR) methods. The kinetic thermodynamic parameters such as: E*, ΔH*, ΔS*and ΔG* are calculated from the DTG curves.
A comparative study using Disulfiram and Naltrexone in alcohol-dependent adolescents

Abstract Aims: There are currently three agents approved by US-FDA for the pharmacotherapy of alcohol dependence, namely Naltrexone, Disulfiram and Acamprosate. The present study aimed to clinically compare Disulfiram (DSF) and Naltrexone (NTX) and their efficacy in relapse prevention in adolescents in a routine clinical setting. Design: Fifty-two adolescents with alcohol dependence with supportive family members that would ensure medical compliance and follow up were randomized to 6 months of treatment with DSF or NTX. Weekly group psycho-education was also provided. The psychiatrist, patient and family member were not blind to the treatment prescribed. Measurements: Alcohol consumption, craving and adverse events were recorded weekly for 4 months and then fortnightly. Serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was measured at the start and end of the study. Results: At the end of the study, 46 patients were still in contact. Relapse occurred at a mean of 93 days with DSF compared to 63 days for NTX. 84.61% patients on DSF remained abstinent compared to 53.85% with NTX. Conclusions: DSF was superior to NTX in promoting abstinence in adolescents with alcohol dependence having good family support.
Detection, survival rates and dynamics of a cryptic plant, Asclepias meadii: applications of mark‐recapture models to long‐term monitoring studies

1 Analysis of population trajectories is central to assessing risk in populations of conservation concern. In animal studies, researchers realize that probabilities of detection of individuals are often less than one. Plants can also escape detection due to dormancy, herbivory, or observer error, but such information is rarely incorporated into population studies. 2 We monitored a population of Asclepias meadii, a rare long‐lived prairie perennial. Despite standardized methods, numbers of observed plants fluctuated greatly from 1992 to 2006. Individual plants often had periods of 1–5 years between initial and final sighting when no stems were found. To determine the actual population trajectories, we estimated rates of survival and population growth using mark‐recapture models. We also estimated initial and resighting probabilities of detection. In 2007, we repeated surveys to identify reasons for low detection probabilities. 3 We estimated 95% annual survival and a population growth rate of 1.023. Probabilities of initial detection were low (typically from 0.120 to 0.311 depending on prairie burn treatment), whereas average probability of detection for marked plants was 0.728. 4 Comparisons of survival estimates from 15‐ and 8‐year data sets revealed that survival estimates decline in the final years of a multi‐year period, probably due to heterogeneity in encounter histories. 5 By conducting three different surveys in 2007, we found that both herbivory over a multiple‐week period and observer error contributed substantially to gaps in detection. 6 Synthesis. Probabilities of detection that are less than one complicate interpretation of population dynamics, whether of mobile animals or inconspicuous plants. Our work illustrates three general points that could apply to many plant population studies: (i) mark‐recapture models may provide insights on vital rates and population trajectories despite the extreme variability in count data that can arise because of low detectability, (ii) probabilities of initial detection can be quantified and can be considerably less than probabilities of resighting, and (iii) repeated surveys can help researchers determine the degree to which dormancy, herbivory, or observer error contribute to low probabilities of detection. Consideration of these points can improve the design and analysis of monitoring programs.
Motives of excessive Internet use and its impact on the academic performance of business students in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Aim: Nonavailability of Internet is thought to be a nightmare in this technology fluxed world. The current investigation highlights the effect of excessive Internet usage motives and the effect of this excessive Internet usage on the academic performance of students undergoing business education. Methods: A sample of 350 business students provided evidence in extracting meaningful results. Quantitative, explanatory, cross-sectional design is used for conducting this study. Originality: Little research has been conducted using the “Uses and Gratification” theory for selecting motives of excessive Internet use in Pakistan along with application of SEM by examining a range of factors responsible for excessive internet usage that seems a unique effort for the sample selected from Pakistan. Findings: The results support the view that entertainment, social interaction, information seeking and economic motives play significant role in excessive Internet usage and finally excessive Internet usage negatively impact the academic performance of students.
Screening for anxiety, depressive and somatoform disorders in rehabilitation󒀔validity of HADS and GHQ-12 in patients with musculoskeletal disease

Purpose: The detection of patients with comorbid mental illness is of high clinical importance in orthopaedic rehabilitation. To simplify detection of cases, screening instruments are recommended. The study investigated the discriminant validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to identify patients with comorbid mental disorders, specifically anxiety, depressive and somatoform disorders. Method: Two hundred and six patients with musculoskeletal disease from four orthopaedic rehabilitation clinics participated in a two-stage survey: (1) patients were assessed with the GHQ-12 and HADS; and (2) they were examined for DSM-IV mental disorders by clinical standardized interview (CIDI). Validity of the two instruments regarding the detection of mental disorders was compared using ROC-analysis and CIDI-diagnoses as criteria. Results: The HADS sumscale performed better in all analyses compared to the GHQ-12, specifically in detecting depressive and anxiety disorders. Best results are achieved for depressive disorders with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79, a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 71% (cutoff point = 16). The positive predictive value (PPV) is best for the detection of any mental disorder with a cut-off point of 16 (46%). Conclusions: The HADS can be used as a screening instrument for the detection of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Limitations in performance of screening instruments are due to: (1) different methodological approaches of tests (dimensional approach) and criterion (categorical approach); and (2) difficulties in diagnosing mental disorders in patients with prominent physical illness.
An overview of mycotoxin contamination in foods and its implications for human health

Mycotoxins are natural contaminants of cereals and other food commodities throughout the world and they significantly impact human and animal health. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by species of filamentous fungi growing on grains before harvest and in storage. When ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through skin, mycotoxins may reduce appetite and general performance, and cause sickness or death in humans. Mycotoxins subject to government regulation in most countries include aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and patulin, produced by species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Aflatoxins, fumonisins, and ochratoxins pose the most serious threats to human health worldwide. This review describes the prevalence of mycotoxins in foods and its implications on human health, which may help in establishing and carrying out proper management strategies. Data from detailed investigations of food mycotoxins worldwide help provide safer food for consumption and help prioritize future research programs.
The Ascidians of Australia. I. Stolidobranchiata Lahille and Phlebobranchiata Lahille

An account is given of a collection of 85 species of simple ascidians from all parts of the Australian coast, including descriptions of 23 species new to science. Comprehensive keys for all species already described from the Australasian area accompany the account of each genus. There is a short discussion on the distribution of simple ascidians in Australia; and the Baudinian region, a new zoogeographic marine region in south Western Australia is proposed.
Effects of spacing on the early growth of planted Fraxinus excelsior L.

The recent practice of planting broad-leaved trees at wide spacing ( 3×3m ) in Britain has generated debate concerning the effects of initial spacing on early growth (up to 5 years old) and form. The experiments described in- vestigated the effects of spacing on the early growth of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) using two replicate Nelder experiments at two sites, with spacings in the range 0.77-4.86 m. In both experiments, height, stem diameter, and stem volume decreased with increasing spacing; at one site, shoot and root dry mass also showed the same trend. These re- sults suggest that better growth at closer spacings may be a silvicultural characteristic of ash. Analysis of the data showed that there was no intraspecific competition, and a number of hypotheses were examined that may explain the observed results. Resume : La pratique recente en Grande-Bretagne, qui consiste a planter des especes decidues avec un grand espace- ment (3 × 3 m), a suscite un debat au sujet des effets de l'espacement initial sur la croissance juvenile (jusqu'a l'âge de 5 ans) et la forme. Les experiences rapportees dans cet article visaient a etudier les effets de l'espacement sur la croissance juvenile du frene commun (Fraxinus excelsior L.) en utilisant un plan experimental de Nelder avec deux re- petitions dans deux stations et des espacements variant de 0,77 a 4,86 m. Dans les deux experiences, la hauteur, le dia - metre de la tige et le volume de la tige diminuent avec l'augmentation de l'espacement. Dans une station, la masse sec des pousses et des racines montre egalement la meme tendance. Ces resultats indiquent que la meilleure croissance ob- servee avec des espacements plus faibles pourrait etre une caracteristique sylvicole du frene. L'analyse des donnees montre qu'il n'y a pas de competition intraspecifique. Plusieurs hypotheses ont ete examinees pour expliquer les resul- tats observes. (Traduit par la Redaction) Kerr 1207
A Case of Moraxella Canis-Associated Wound Infection

14. Jelinek T, Nothdurft HD, Rieder N, Loscher T. Cutaneous myiasis: review of 13 cases in travelers returning from tropical countries. Int J Dermatol 1995; 34: 624 ± 6. 15. Brewer TF, Wilson ME, Gonzales E, Felsenstein D. Bacon therapy and furuncular myiasis. JAMA 1993; 270: 2087± 8. 16. Bernhard JD. Bringing on the bacon for myiasis. Lancet 1993; 342: 1377± 8. 17. File TM, Thomson RB, Tan JS. Dermatobia hominis dermal myiasis. Arch Dermatol 1985; 121: 1195± 6. 18. Nunzi E, Rongioletti F, Rebora A. Removal of Dermatobia hominis larvae. Arch Dermatol 1986; 122: 140.
BIODIVERSITY OF FRESHWATER ROTIFERS (ROTIFERA, EUROTATORIA) FROM NORTH-EASTERN INDIA

A study of the rotifer communities of North-Eastern India, a global biodiversity ‘hot-spot’, reveals 188 species, comprising 53.2% of the Indian Rotifera, and reflects the highest species, generic and family richness recorded up till now from any region of this country. Cosmopolitan species (59.6%) show qualitative dominance while pantropical (14.9%) > tropicopolitan (10.6%) species are well represented. Biogeographically interesting elements (14.9%) include four Australasian, seven Oriental, ten Palaeotropical, one Holarctic species and four endemic taxa; the members of the first two categories indicate a unique affinity of the N. -E. Indian Rotifera with the faunas of South-East Asia and Australia. Lecanidae (53 species) > Brachionidae (27 species) = Lepadellidae (27 species) > Trichocercidae (17 species) > Notommatidae (13 species), together comprise a major fraction (72.8%) of the reported species. The collections examined so far from subtropical and tropical localities of N. -E. India broadly show the tropical character of the rotifer taxocoenosis. The most diverse genera, namely Lecane (28.2%) > Lepadella (11.1%) > Trichocerca (9.0%) > Brachionus (7.4%), include 105 species; the first three are predominantly littoral-periphytic taxa. Acidic to slightly acidic biotopes of different parts of N. -E. India are characterized by the occurrence of several acidophilous elements and a relative paucity of Brachionus spp. The floodplain lakes of the Brahmaputra river basin are the richest rotifer habitats known to date from the Indian subcontinent and the rice-fields also exhibit an interesting composition. Planktonic and littoral taxa are relatively abundant while sessile, colonial and bdelloid forms remain poorly examined. Maximum rotifer richness from Assam (170 species), the highest record from any state of India, is followed by reports of 116 and 112 species from Meghalaya and Tripura, respectively. Extensive collections are still needed from different states of the N. E. India region in general, and from temperate localities in particular, to update rotifer biodiversity status and to analyze latitudinal and longitudinal distribution patterns of various taxa. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of Aggressive Therapy on Laryngeal Symptoms and Voice Characteristics in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is associated with a variety of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms. Injury of the laryngopharynx as a result of GER can be refractory to conventional antireflux therapy. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms in patients with documented GER and to assess the response to a high-dose combination antireflux therapy consisting of cisapride and pantoprazole. Twenty-two patients with symptoms of GER were enrolled. After baseline evaluation using a history questionnaire for symptoms, laryngeal endoscopy and vocal acoustic analysis, patients were started on treatment consisting of pantoprazole 40 mg b.d. and cisapride 20 mg twice daily. Repeat history and otolaryngologic evaluation was performed at 4 weeks. Laryngopharyngeal symptoms were frequent in most patients, with throat clearing and globus being the most prevalent symptoms followed by vocal fatigue and excess mucus production. Almost 90% of the patients had abnormal endoscopic laryngeal findings but the acoustic parameters did not show any abnormal results except for mild elevation in the shimmer. After treatment, all symptoms and endoscopic abnormalities improved significantly except for intermittent dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal redness. Acoustic abnormalities did not change significantly following therapy. Laryngeal symptoms and voice abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with GER. Combination antireflux therapy with a proton pump inhibitor and a prokinetic agent results in rapid symptomatic and endoscopic response in the majority of patients.
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoforms by Tris-Malonyl-C60-Fullerene Adducts

Abstract C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene and D3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene derivatives inhibit citrulline and NO formation by all three nitric oxide synthase isoforms in a manner fully reversible by dilution. The inhibition of citrulline formation by C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene occurs with IC50 values of 24, 17, and 123 μM for the neuronal, endothelial, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, respectively. As measured at 100 μM l -arginine, neuronal NOS-catalyzed nitric oxide formation was inhibited 50% at a concentration of 25 μM C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene. This inhibition was a multisite, positively cooperative inhibition with a Hill coefficient of 2.0. C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene inhibited the arginine-independent NADPH-oxidase activity of nNOS with an IC50 value of 22 μM but had no effects on its cytochrome c reductase activity at concentrations as high as 300 μM. The inhibition of nNOS activity by C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene reduced the maximal velocity of product formation but did not alter the EC50 value for activation by calmodulin. C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene reduced the maximal velocity of citrulline formation by inducible NOS without altering the Km for l -arginine substrate or the EC50 value for tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor. As measured by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, fully inhibitory concentrations of C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene did not produce a dissociation of nNOS dimers into monomers. These observations are consistent with the proposal that C3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene inhibits the inter-subunit transfer of electrons, presumably by a reversible distortion of the dimer interface.
Aggregations of Berried Lobsters (Homatus americanus) in Shallow Waters off Grand Manan, Eastern Canada

The relative abundance, size, and sex frequencies of trap-caught lobsters were determined from five areas near the northern end of Grand Manan during August–September 1982 and August 1983. Large numbers of berried (ovigerous) females (90/100 trap hauls) and few male or nonberried female lobsters were caught in shallow (1–22 m) depths close to the shoreline in one area. The sex ratio was near 50% males in deeper areas. In the shallow area SCUBA divers observed mature lobsters excavating bowl-shaped depressions in the sand-clay substrate and confirmed the high density of berried females indicated by the trap catches. Berried females may seek and congregate in areas favourable for egg development and larval dispersal. During summer, shallow areas provide warmer water than deeper areas and therefore allow faster egg development and egg extrusion. Also, the shallow waters with strong tidal currents would allow rapid dispersal of newly hatched larvae.
Balancing conservation and recreational fishery objectives for a threatened fish species, the Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii

Murray cod Maccullochella peelii (Mitchell) is a large, iconic Australian fish species targeted by anglers but also listed as nationally threatened. A consultative process that included conservation and fishery interests helped to develop a population model for this species and agree on management scenarios to be tested. The modelled scenarios illustrated that threats to populations (risk of decline) can be substantially reduced and catch rates increased through harvest slot length limits (HSLL) rather than minimum legal limits (MLL). A 600- to 1000-mm HSLL provided lower risk of decline and greater catch rates than the existing 500-mm MLL, but better results were achieved with a 400- to 600-mm HSLL. Importantly, a range of other impacts (fish kills, stocking, thermal impacts, larval mortalities, habitat changes) were recognised and incorporated. This study provides an example of the utility of a population model to improve management decision-making for both conservation and fishery objectives.
The effect of feeding low-phytate hulless barley- soyabean meal diets differing in protein content to growing pigs on phosphorus and nitrogen excretion

Instituto de Ciencias Agricolas, Universidad Autonoma de Baja CaliforniaMexicali, Mexico 21100(Received 31 July 2006; accepted 2 February 2007)ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted with growing pigs to determine the excretion of P and N in 4 barley-based diets formulated to contain 18 or 15% CP by using a normal hulless barley (HB) or a low-phytate hulless barley (LPHB). The HB contained 0.27% total P and 0.14% phytate P; the LPHB contained 0.24% total P and 0.03% phytate P. The diets were supplemented with lysine, methionine, threonine, and tryptophan to meet their apparent ileal digestible supplies according to the National Research Council (NRC). All diets were supplemented with inorganic P to meet the NRC recommendation for available P (0.23%). Eight barrows, average body weight 20.4 kg, were assigned to the 4 dietary treatments according to a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The diets were fed at a rate of 2.5 the ME requirement for maintenance. The barrows were fed twice daily, at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. , equal amounts each meal. Water was added to the feed at a ratio of 2.5 to 1. Each experimental period consisted of a 7-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d collection of faeces and urine. The substitution of HB with LPHB decreased (P<0.001) the total P excretion by 33.5 and 35% for the 18 and 15% CP diets, respectively. Reducing the CP content from 18 to 15% decreased (P<0.001) the N excretion by 26% for both the HB and LPHB diets. With the reduction in CP content, there was a decrease (P<0.001) in the amount of N retained. The N:P ratio in excreta of pigs fed the LPHB diets was higher (P<0.001) than of pigs fed the HB diets. The digestibility of N was higher (P<0.001) in pigs fed the LPHB compared to the HB diets. The data indicate that P and N excretions can be greatly reduced by substitution of HB by LPHB, and by the reduction of the CP content, respectively in diets for growing pigs.KEY WORDS: pigs, phosphorus, nitrogen, balance, low-phytate barley