Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Adolescent Fertility and Its Consequences for Maternal Health, with Special Reference to Rural Bangladesh a

The second section of this paper set forth a theoretical model relating adolescent growth and development to family formation patterns and their implications for maternal and child health. Subsequent sections of the paper examine the evidence to support specific relationships hypothesized in the model, focusing on longitudinal data from Matlab, Bangladesh. Despite the emphasis on developing country populations, literature from developed countries was also reviewed. The weight of the evidence suggests that in the developed countries, while there is a positive relationship between reproductive maturation and subsequent reproductive behavior, the negative effects of young maternal age on pregnancy outcome is confounded with socioeconomic factors. Teenage pregnancy, or at least teenage birth, occurs disproportionately among the socially and economically disadvantaged. Moreover, teenage childbearing in the U.S., especially when it occurs outside of marriage, violates social norms, at least in the white population. Poor diet may be a problem in the U.S. but it does not appear to result in notable delays in physical growth and development, delayed or compromised adolescent growth, or late age at menarche. Limited evidence suggests that early menarche may be associated with more rapid onset of mature menstrual cycle activity but these findings have not been replicated elsewhere. In developing countries the situation is quite different. First, early marriage and childbearing are desired and common across most segments of society. Second, malnutrition is widespread, and is sufficiently severe to delay the adolescent growth spurt and raise average age at menarche by two to three years compared with developed country populations. This is certainly the case in Bangladesh. In this setting, several observations regarding the relationship of nutritional status, adolescent development and reproduction have been made. First, undernutrition delays growth and reproductive maturation, and women who mature early (i.e., women with young age at menarche) marry at younger ages than later maturers. In addition, body weight appears to have an independent effect on age at marriage, net of age at menarche, such that relatively heavy women marry at younger ages than their lighter counterparts. Explanations for this finding include correlation between body weight and development of secondary sex characteristics, and perhaps a cultural perception that heavier (i.e., normal body weight) women are more attractive, or healthier, mates. The effect of menarche and nutritional status on marriage gives rise to concern that an improvement in nutritional status, and an increase in the age at menarche, would lead to younger marriage and first birth, and higher lifetime fertility. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Bilateral complete duplication of the ureters, with calculi simultaneously obstructing the four ureters

Bilateral complete duplication of the ureters is a rare condition. We report a case of an adult male patient with bilateral complete duplication of the ureters, with a single stone simultaneously obstructing each of the four ureteral limbs. Multiple bilateral renal stones were awlso demonstrated in the imaging studies. The ureteral stones ranged from 7 to 23 mm in length and 5–11 mm in width. Ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy for the ureteral stones were done sequentially in the four ureteral limbs, in a single session. Four double-J stents were inserted after removal of all ureteric stones, one in each ureter. The patient passed uneventful postoperative course. The patient has received extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy sessions for the bilateral renal stones. The double-J stents were removed under local anesthesia after clearance of all stones. To the best of our knowledge, there are no data in the literature representing an identical case.
Factors Predicting Hospital Stay, Operative Time, Blood Loss, and Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Revision Posterior Lumbar Spine Decompression, Fusion, and Segmental Instrumentation

Study Design. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 112 patients who underwent revision posterior lumbar spine decompression, fusion, and segmental instrumentation. Objective. To ascertain factors predicting hospital stay, operative time, blood loss, and transfusion in patients undergoing revision posterior lumbar spine decompression, fusion, and segmental instrumentation. Summary of Background Data. Posterior lumbar spine decompression and fusion with segmental instrumentation is a common procedure in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disorders. Many patients undergoing this procedure have had previous lumbar spine surgery, yet little is known about the factors predicting hospital stay, operative time, blood loss, and transfusion. Methods. The charts of 112 patients (53 men and 59 women) with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent revision surgery from March 1992 to June 1999 were reviewed. Their average age was 54 years (range, 27–84 years). All the surgeries included decompression and fusion with segmental instrumentation. The patients’ demographics, comorbid conditions, factors related to previous lumbar spine surgery, diagnosis, number of levels fused, and preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit were collected and used as the independent variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to ascertain factors predicting length of hospital stay, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and transfusion. Results. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 ± 2.4 days, the operative time 280 ± 62 minutes, the estimated intraoperative blood loss 1073 ± 716 mL, and the total volume of blood transfused 1.04 ± 1.17 U. For 63% of the patients, a blood transfusion was needed. Increasing age was the significant predictor for hospital stay (P < 0.001). The factors predicting operative time were number of levels fused (P < 0.001), diagnosis of degenerative scoliosis (P < 0.05), and excessive body weight (P < 0.01). The factors predicting intraoperative blood loss were number of levels fused (P < 0.01), body weight (P < 0.001), and high preoperative hemoglobin (P < 0.001). Both logistic and linear regression analysis showed that the factors predicting blood transfusion were number of levels fused (P < 0.01), age (P < 0.05), and low preoperative hemoglobin (P < 0.001). Other factors associated with hospital stay and blood transfusion were unemployment associated with three or more comorbid conditions and compli-cations. The women had less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.01), but received more transfused blood than the men (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Number of levels fused and age seem to be the most significant factors predicting hospital stay, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and transfusion in patients undergoing revision posterior lumbar spine decompression, fusion, and segmental instrumentation.
Increasing Benzodiazepine Prescriptions and Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1996-2013.

OBJECTIVES To describe trends in benzodiazepine prescriptions and overdose mortality involving benzodiazepines among US adults. METHODS We examined data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and multiple-cause-of-death data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS Between 1996 and 2013, the percentage of adults filling a benzodiazepine prescription increased from 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8%, 4.5%) to 5.6% (95% CI = 5.2%, 6.1%), with an annual percent change of 2.5% (95% CI = 2.1%, 3.0%). The quantity of benzodiazepines filled increased from 1.1 (95% CI = 0.9, 1.2) to 3.6 (95% CI = 3.0, 4.2) kilogram lorazepam equivalents per 100 000 adults (annual percent change = 9.0%; 95% CI = 7.6%, 10.3%). The overdose death rate increased from 0.58 (95% CI = 0.55, 0.62) to 3.07 (95% CI = 2.99, 3.14) per 100 000 adults, with a plateau seen after 2010. CONCLUSIONS Benzodiazepine prescriptions and overdose mortality have increased considerably. Fatal overdoses involving benzodiazepines have plateaued overall; however, no evidence of decreases was found in any group. Interventions to reduce the use of benzodiazepines or improve their safety are needed.
Comparison of specific and cross-reactive antigens of alphaviruses on virions and infected cells

Rabbit hyperimmune antisera against Sindbis (SIN) or Semliki Forest (SF) virus were absorbed with purified SIN virus or SIN virus-infected cells, or with SF virus or SF virus-infected cells. Residual antibody titers were determined by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and antibody-dependent, complement-mediated cytolysis (ADCMC) assays. It appeared that absorption with virus-infected cells removed ADCMC-detectable cross-reactive antibody much more efficiently than did absorption with either virus. HAI assays with the same absorbed antisera indicated that both virus and virus-infected cells removed HAI-detectable cross-reactive antibody. On the basis of these and other data, there appeared to be a cross-reactive antigen present on virus-infected cells which was detectable by ADCMC and was distinct from the cross-reactive antigen assayed by HAI.
Why patients after acute coronary syndromes do not participate in an early outpatient rehabilitation programme?

BACKGROUND The value of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease has been well established. The main problem is a low attendance of patients qualified for rehabilitation. AIM To assess differences between subjects attending outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (OutCR) after completing an early inpatient programme (InCR), and patients refusing participation in OutCR; to investigate factors determining patients' decisions. METHODS Seventy-two patients (mean age 57 +/- 9.4 years; 53 men) 2-3 weeks after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with primary PCI were enrolled. On admission to the cardiac rehabilitation ward, the following parameters were assessed: quality of life (EuroQol-5D questionnaire), psychological status (Beck's, SOPER and STAI questionnaires), marital status, education, economic status, employment, place of living, smoking status, and comorbidities (a questionnaire prepared by the authors). Additionally, patients' opinions on outpatient and inpatient cardiac rehabilitation were noted. The inpatient programme lasted 2-3 weeks. At discharge, the assessment was repeated, and patients were proposed to enrol in a 12-week outpatient programme. In the case of refusal, patients were asked to give the reason. RESULTS Two men failed to complete the inpatient program. Of the remaining 70 subjects, 16 attended and completed the outpatient programme. In the group participating in OutCR, there were fewer patients with depression before InCR (12 vs. 39% in the group without OutCR, p = 0.0484). Subjects in the OutCR group had a higher score for mood after InCR (7.7 +/- 1.25 vs. 6.7 +/- 1.69, p = 0.0365), lower score for emotional stress before and after InCR (before InCR: 4.4 +/- 1.09 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.34, p = 0.0188; after InCR: 3.8 +/- 1.51 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.4, p = 0.0262), and lower score for anxiety before InCR (3.1 +/- 1.75 vs. 4.4 +/- 2.12, p = 0.0426). Patients in the two groups differed with regard to employment (p = 0.0256) and smoking status (p = 0.0517). In both groups, most patients (ł 80%) preferred inpatient rehabilitation. Continuous medical care, lack of commuting problems, and convenience were the most frequently given advantages of inpatient rehabilitation, while commuting problems and conflict with job were the most frequently perceived barriers to outpatient rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS Only a small proportion of patients after an ACS decides to participate in outpatient rehabilitation after completing a short-term inpatient programme. Psychological status, employment and smoking status are among the factors that differentiate OutCR attenders and non-attenders. Continuous medical care, lack of commuting problems, and convenience were the most frequently given advantages of inpatient rehabilitation, while commuting problems and conflict with job were the most frequently perceived barriers to outpatient rehabilitation.
Chlamydia psittaci exposure in pet birds.

Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen with a wide range of avian hosts and may be transmitted to humans and cause severe disease. To assess the risk of psittacosis posed by pet birds, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia psittaci antibodies in 360 Eurasian siskins (Carduelis spinus), 289 oriental skylarks (Alauda arvensis) and 36 black-tailed grosbeaks (Coccothraustes migratorius) in Gansu province, north-western China was detected by an indirect haemagglutination assay. Twenty-seven out of 289 (9.34 %) Alauda arvensis, 45 out of 360 (12.50 %) Carduelis spinus and 2 out of 36 (5.56 %) Coccothraustes migratorius were positive for Chlamydia psittaci infection at a cut-off dilution of 1 : 16. The prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci was higher in Carduelis spinus (12.5 %) than in Alauda arvensis (9.34 %) and Coccothraustes migratorius (5.56 %); however, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Statistical analysis indicated that Chlamydia psittaci seroprevalence in adult pet birds (12.4 %, 67/540) was significantly higher than that in juvenile pet birds (4.83 %, 7/145) (P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in Chlamydia psittaci seroprevalence between male (12.4 %) and female (8.27 %) birds. To our knowledge, this is the first report indicating the seroprevalence of Chlamydia psittaci exposure in pet birds in China. Our results indicate that close contact with pet birds poses the risk of zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia psittaci.
Exploiting the Computational Power of Ternary Content Addressable Memory

Ternary Content Addressable Memory or in short TCAM is a special type of memory that can execute a certain set of operations in parallel on all of its words. Because of power consumption and relatively small storage capacity, it has only been used in special environments. Over the past few years its cost has been reduced and its storage capacity has increased significantly and these exponential trends are continuing. Hence it can be used in more general environments for larger problems. In this research we study how to exploit its computational power in order to speed up fundamental problems and needless to say that we barely scratched the surface. The main problems that has been addressed in our research are namely boolean matrix multiplication, approximate subset queries using bloom filters, Fixed universe priority queues and network flow classification. For boolean matrix multiplication our simple algorithm has a run time of O (dN/w) where N is the size of the square matrices, w is the number of bits in each word of TCAM and d is the maximum number of ones in a row of one of the matrices. For the fixed universe priority queue problems we propose two data structures one with constant time complexity and space of O ( 1 nU ) and the other one in linear space and amortized time complexity of O( lg lgU lg lg lgU ) which beats the best possible data structure in the RAM model namely Y-fast trees. Considering each word of TCAM as a bloom filter, we modify the hash functions of the bloom filter and propose a data structure which can use the information capacity of each word of TCAM more efficiently by using the co-occurrence probability of possible members. And finally in the last chapter we propose a novel technique for network flow classification using TCAM.
Beyond mere pill taking: SMS reminders for HIV treatment adherence delivered to mobile phones of clients in a community support network in Australia.

SMS reminders sent to personal mobiles are increasingly used by clinical services to promote patient engagement, including adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV. From August to September 2015, a 6-week, randomised SMS reminder for ART adherence intervention was implemented among 98 HIV-positive clients of Australian's largest HIV charitable organisation located in Sydney. This was followed by a mixed-method evaluation, comprising a self-completed online survey and a one-to-one interview. Of the 62 survey participants, all being men, the majority were gay (85.5%) and living long-term with HIV (median year of HIV diagnosis = 1998). While everyone was on ART, a substantial proportion (n = 27, 43.5%) had interrupted treatment in the past. At the end of the intervention, based on the standard SMAQ measure, 82% had consistently adhered to ART in the previous week. While there was no statistically significant intervention effect, perceiving less stigma were independently associated with better ART adherence (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.89; P = .026). Of the 11 interviewees, despite limited add-on effects on individual ART adherence, the campaign was well-received as a unique community support service. This study underscores the essential role of empowerment through enhancing disease self-management, increasing social support and reducing stigma, particularly for long-term HIV survivors. SMS messaging, part of mHealth, delivered by community services could have broader impacts on reducing health and social inequity.
Key Clinical Factors Predicting Adipokine and Oxidative Stress Marker Concentrations among Normal, Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women Using Artificial Neural Networks

Maternal obesity has been related to adverse neonatal outcomes and fetal programming. Oxidative stress and adipokines are potential biomarkers in such pregnancies; thus, the measurement of these molecules has been considered critical. Therefore, we developed artificial neural network (ANN) models based on maternal weight status and clinical data to predict reliable maternal blood concentrations of these biomarkers at the end of pregnancy. Adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, and resistin), and DNA, lipid and protein oxidative markers (8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde and carbonylated proteins, respectively) were assessed in blood of normal weight, overweight and obese women in the third trimester of pregnancy. A Back-propagation algorithm was used to train ANN models with four input variables (age, pre-gestational body mass index (p-BMI), weight status and gestational age). ANN models were able to accurately predict all biomarkers with regression coefficients greater than R2 = 0.945. P-BMI was the most significant variable for estimating adiponectin and carbonylated proteins concentrations (37%), while gestational age was the most relevant variable to predict resistin and malondialdehyde (34%). Age, gestational age and p-BMI had the same significance for leptin values. Finally, for 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine prediction, the most significant variable was age (37%). These models become relevant to improve clinical and nutrition interventions in prenatal care.
EU STRUCTURING EFFECTS ON CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS: LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE, LEARNING FROM COMPARISON

This article proposes an analytical framework designed to permit a comparison of EU impact on voluntary organizations based in different national and regional settings, including the European Union. The empirical part of this paper applies the proposed framework of analysis to civil society organizations based in France, the UK and Spain. According to the data collected, the EU has significant structuring effects on its western member states. The EU has not only contributed to the transformation of the voluntary sector’s landscape in some member states, it has also supported significant organizational and normative changes among voluntary organizations. This article argues that many of the dynamics at work in Europe may be of some relevance for current developments in candidate and third countries (and formulates some hypotheses in this direction). Comparative studies in this field including third countries would also contribute significantly to a refinement of the proposed analytical framework.
Functional MRI‐compatible laparoscopic surgery training simulator

During the past few years, laparoscopy has become the gold standard for some surgical procedures and its applications continue to expand. Because of multiple factors such as loss of tactile perception, two‐dimensional visualization of the three‐dimensional surgical field, and demanding bimanual hand–eye coordination, special training is required to achieve proficiency with laparoscopy. In this study, as the first step toward evidence‐based development of strategies to improve the quality of laparoscopy training from brain activity and behavior relationships, a laparoscopy training simulator was developed for use in functional MRI. Experiments confirmed the functional MRI compatibility of the device. Representative behavioral and functional MRI results for two subjects showed the feasibility of using this simulator to investigate the brain activation associated with components of laparoscopic task performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study that directly looks at the functional MRI brain activation during complex surgical training tasks. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Rare Are Subgroups of Index 2?

Summary Using elementary combinatorics and linear algebra, we compute the number of subgroups of index 2 in any finite group. This leads to necessary and sufficient conditions for groups to have no subgroups of index 2, or to have a unique subgroup of index 2. Illustrative examples are provided, along with a class of counterexamples to the converse of Lagrange's Theorem.
Effect of tritiated thymidine on the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor in vivo.

When multiple injections of tritiated thymidine are given to mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor, and l00% of thetumor cells become labeled, the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor is markedly decreased when compared with control animals, the percentage decrease being proportional to the amount of tritiated thymidine given. However, even at the highest dose level the percentage decrease does not exceed 43%. These findings confirm the possibility of radiation damage from tritiated thymidine and suggest its use in the investigation of the direct effects of radiation on cells. (auth)
Elevated endothelial microparticles in Fabry children decreased after enzyme replacement therapy.

To the Editor: Fabry disease (FD), an X-linked metabolic disorder, is caused by insufficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha galactosidase A (α-gal A). This results in impaired catabolism of globotriaosylceramide ([Gb3] also called ceramidetrihexoside) and its subsequent accumulation leading to endothelial dysfunction and other anomalies.1 At present, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the only available therapeutic approach for patients with Fabry disease. However, in adult patients with advanced FD, ERT has its limitations.2 Therefore, studies have been initiated to analyze the efficacy of ERT started at an earlier stage of FD.3,4 In general, the identification of markers that could serve as indicators of disease severity, prognosis, and possible effects of specific therapies is highly desirable in genetic disorders. Because it has been documented that elevated counts of endothelial cell derived membrane microparticles can be present in the circulation of patients with a variety of diseases with a vascular injury component, we explored whether microparticles (MPs) could serve as a potential marker.5 We investigated the …