Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body composition changes among lactating mothers In Abia State ,

The study was carried out to evaluate body composition changes among nursing mothers in relation to their breastfeeding pattern. This prospective study was carried out at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of 213 mothers were recruited consecutively during BCG immunization of their babies aged 0-7 days. At recruitment, the mothers were classified into exclusive and nonexclusive breastfeeding (EBF and NEBF) groups. Maternal body weight, height, arm circumference and skinfold measurements were taken. Body fat (kg and %) and lean body mass (LBM) were calculated from predicted equations. These measurements were repeated during follow up visits at 6, 14 and 24 weeks. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 13. There was no significant difference in anthropometric and body composition parameters between mothers in the EBF and NEBF groups throughout the period (p>0.05). Significant changes occurred in arm circumference, triceps, percentage of body fat and lean body mass among the EBF group over the period (P< 0.05). The mothers in both groups were overweight (BMI>25kg/m 2 ) throughout the study period. Initial weight and body fat (kg) loss occurred in both groups at 6 weeks, thereafter, there was progressive weight and body fat gain up to the 14 th week, after which a slight decline occurred. LBM loss was higher in EBF (0.43kg/month) compared to the NEBF group (0.16kg/month) over the study period. Irrespective of the breastfeeding pattern, this study revealed that there was no significant difference in body composition changes between EBF and NEBF mothers.
Retrolabyrinthine approach for surgical placement of auditory brainstem implants in children

Abstract Conclusion: The extended retrolabyrinthine approach (RLA) is a safe and reliable approach for auditory brainstem placement in children. The surgical landmarks to reach cochlear nucleus are adequately exposed by this approach. Objective: To describe a new approach option for auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) in children, highlighting the anatomical landmarks to appropriately expose the foramen of Luschka. Methods: Three prelingually deafened children consecutively operated for ABIs via the RLA. Results: ABI placement via the RLA was successfully performed in all children without any further complications except multidirectional nystagmus in one child. The RLA we employed differed from that used for vestibular schwannoma only in the removal of the posterior semicircular canal. The lateral and superior semicircular canals and the vestibule remained intact, and there was no need to expose the dura of the internal auditory meatus. The jugular bulb was completely exposed to allow adequate visualization of the ninth cranial nerve and cerebellar flocculus.
Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaque Enhancement in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation of an atherosclerotic plaque is a well-known risk factor in the development of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. MR imaging is capable of characterizing inflammation by assessing plaque enhancement in both extracranial carotid arteries and coronary arteries. Our goal was to determine whether enhancing intracranial atherosclerotic plaque was present in the vessel supplying the territory of infarction by using high-resolution vessel wall MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution vessel wall 3T MR imaging studies performed in 29 patients with ischemic stroke and intracranial vascular stenoses were reviewed for presence and strength of plaque enhancement. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were studied during the acute phase (<4 weeks from acute stroke), 5 patients in the subacute phase (4–12 weeks), and 8 patients in the chronic phase (>12 weeks) of the ischemic injury. In all of the acute phase patients, atherosclerotic plaque in the vessel supplying the stroke territory demonstrated strong enhancement. There was a trend of decreasing enhancement as the time of imaging relative to the ischemic event increased. CONCLUSIONS: Strong pathologic enhancement of intracranial atherosclerotic plaque was seen in all patients imaged within 4 weeks of ischemic stroke in the vessel supplying the stroke territory. The strength and presence of enhancement of the atherosclerotic plaque decreased with increasing time after the ischemic event. These findings suggest a relationship between enhancing intracranial atherosclerotic plaque and acute ischemic stroke.
Validation of the IHC4 Breast Cancer Prognostic Algorithm Using Multiple Approaches on the Multinational TEAM Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT Hormone receptors HER2/neu and Ki-67 are markers of residual risk in early breast cancer. An algorithm (IHC4) combining these markers may provide additional information on residual risk of recurrence in patients treated with hormone therapy. OBJECTIVE To independently validate the IHC4 algorithm in the multinational Tamoxifen Versus Exemestane Adjuvant Multicenter Trial (TEAM) cohort, originally developed on the trans-ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination Trial) cohort, by comparing 2 methodologies. DESIGN The IHC4 biomarker expression was quantified on TEAM cohort samples (n = 2919) by using 2 independent methodologies (conventional 3,3'-diaminobezidine [DAB] immunohistochemistry with image analysis and standardized quantitative immunofluorescence [QIF] by AQUA technology). The IHC4 scores were calculated by using the same previously established coefficients and then compared with recurrence-free and distant recurrence-free survival, using multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS The QIF model was highly significant for prediction of residual risk (P < .001), with continuous model scores showing a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.012 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.010-1.014), which was significantly higher than that for the DAB model (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.006-1.009); P < . 001). Each model added significant prognostic value in addition to recognized clinical prognostic factors, including nodal status, in multivariate analyses. Quantitative immunofluorescence, however, showed more accuracy with respect to overall residual risk assessment than the DAB model. CONCLUSIONS The use of the IHC4 algorithm was validated on the TEAM trial for predicting residual risk in patients with breast cancer. These data support the use of the IHC4 algorithm clinically, but quantitative and standardized approaches need to be used.
Development of an energy efficient, robust and modular multicore wireless sensor network. (Développement d'un capteur multicoeur sans fil à énergie efficient, robuste et modulaire)

Development of an Energy Efficient, Robust and Modular Multicore Wireless Sensor Network The wireless sensor network is a key technology in the 21 st century because it has multitude applications and it becomes the new way of interaction between physical environment and computer system. Moreover, the wireless sensor network is a high resource constraint system. Consequently, the techniques used for the development of traditional embedded systems cannot be directly applied. Today wireless sensor nodes were implemented by using only one single processor architecture. This approach does not achieve a robust and efficient energy wireless sensor network for applications such as precision agriculture (outdoor) and telemedicine. The aim of this thesis is to develop a new approach for the realization of a wireless sensor network node using multicore architecture to enable to increase both its robustness and lifetime (reduce energy consumption).
Targeted disruption of the mouse gene encoding the V-ATPase accessory subunit Ac45

Acidification of organelles of the eukaryotic vacuolar system is important for multiple intracellular processes including receptormediated endocytosis, proteolytic activity in lysosomes, and prohormone sorting and processing in secretory granules. Responsible for the generation of a proton gradient across a membrane is vacuolar H + -ATPase (V-ATPase). How the activity of this multisubunit enzyme is regulated remains tobe established. Accessory subunits of the V-ATPase may be involved in the organelle-specific regulation, one candidate being the chromaffin granular V-ATPase-associated protein Ac45. To assess the function ofAc45, wedisrupted its gene by gene targeting in male mouse embryonic stem cells. We have successfully generated Ac45 null mutant (- /Y) embryonic stem cells and injected them into C57BL/6 recipient blastocysts. The blastocysts were replaced into pseudopregnant foster mothers, giving rise to 16 littermates. One of these appeared to be a low-chimeric female mouse that died 6 weeks after birth. No signs of late abortion were detected in the foster mothers. The results suggest that the injected Ac45 null mutant embryonic stem cells affectthe normal development of the blastocyst and are in line with knockout studies on other V-ATPase subunits that point to an essential role for the V-ATPase in early embryonic development.
Development of a Web Exercise Video for Patients With Shoulder Problems

The purpose of this study was to develop a Web video designed to promote regular shoulder joint exercise on a continuous basis among patients with shoulder joint disease. This is a methodological research. A shoulder joint exercise video was developed through the five stages of the ADDIE model: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The video demonstrates exercises that stretch and strengthen the joints and muscles of the shoulders. Stretching exercises include the pendulum, forward elevation, outer rotation, crossover arm stretch, inner rotation, and the sleeper; strengthening exercises include dumbbell exercises, a chair exercise, wall push-ups, and rowing. This Web exercise video can be used as an educational resource for preventing shoulder joint diseases by middle-aged and elderly people and those seeking to restore shoulder joint function damaged by shoulder joint diseases.
Factors related to fatigue after paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI)

Abstract Objective: To assess the degree of fatigue in children and youth after traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury (TBI and NTBI) and related factors. Method: Follow-up study including patients with a hospital-based diagnosis of acquired brain injury (ABI), aged 4–20 years at onset and their parents. Parents and children (dependent on age) completed the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL™ MFS), which measures general fatigue (GF), sleep/rest fatigue (SRF) and cognitive fatigue (CF). Additional assessments included the Child & Family Follow-up Survey (CFFS) and PedsQL™ 4.0 General Core Scales and sociodemographic and disease characteristics. Results: Eighty-eight parents completed the PedsQL™ MFS 24–30 months after diagnosis, with 49/88 patients (56%) completing the child version. The median age of the patients was 11 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 7). There were 69 patients with TBI (16% moderate/severe TBI) and 19 patients with NTBI (16% moderate/severe NTBI). The median parent-reported and child-reported PedsQL™ MFS Total Scale Scores were 76.5 (SD = 16.4) and 78.5 (12.9), respectively (Spearman r = 0.450, p = 0.001). Apart from NTBI, increasing age and a single-parent household were significantly associated with more fatigue according to the parent-reported PedsQL™ MFS Total Score (and/or one or more sub-scale scores). Conclusion: Two years after onset, in particular, the parent-reported fatigue after NTBI was considerable. Moreover, older children and children from a single-parent household were found to have higher fatigue levels.
Postexercise red cell aggregation is negatively correlated with blood lactate rate of disappearance.

In three separate studies, we have observed that the rise in blood lactate during exercise is correlated to blood viscosity and red cell aggregation. Whether these results were related to an effect of blood rheology on lactate production by muscles or on lactate disappearance remains unknown. The modelling of postexercise lactate kinetics allows a fair evaluation of lactate production by muscles (gamma1) and lactate disappearance (gamma2), the latter being easily measurable with simplified protocols. We thus investigated the relationships between pre- and postexercise blood rheology and gamma2. Ten subjects (2 female and 8 males; age 16-45 yr, weight 62-106.5 kg) exhibiting a wide range of gamma2 (from 2 to 7.7x10(-2) min(-1)) underwent a maximal exercise-test with postexercise calculation of gamma2 with the simplified formula gamma2=0.0724+0.755(Lac8-Lac20)/(Lac8.Deltat)-0.00684Lac20 where Lac8 and Lac20 are lactate concentrations 8 and 10 min after exercise stop at the level of VO2max, as previously reported. During exercise whole blood viscosity eta(b) increased (+15%, p<0.01) due to a rise in hematocrit (p<0.05) and plasma viscosity (+0.08+/-0.03 mPa.s, p<0.05), while red cell rigidity was unchanged. Red cell aggregation (Myrenne M1) increased by 11% (p<0.05). Postexercise M1 (measured at VO2max) was the only hemorheologic parameter correlated to gamma2 (r=-0.697, p=0.037). We find once again a statistical relationship between lactate at exercise and red cell aggregation. Microcirculatory adaptations influenced by red cell aggregation may influence lactate disposal (as reflected by gamma2), adding its effect to that of the balance between carbohydrates and fat oxidation which is the major determinant of blood lactate concentrations at exercise in physiological conditions.
Security Validation of Continuous-Time Chaotic Communication Systems by Error Function Attack

This paper proposes a statistical testing for the security analysis of a secure communication scheme based on continuous-time chaotic systems. First, we define an instantaneous EFA function that does not include the average operation. Secondly, we propose a statistical testing for cryptanalysis, which calculates a kurtosis and a skewness of the EFA function obtained by random trial keys. Finally, simulation results for the proposed security test are presented
Habitat fragmentation and the species–area relationship: a focus on total species richness obscures the impact of habitat loss on habitat specialists

The species–area relationship (SAR) is widely used in conservation science to predict the number of species likely to go extinct as a result of habitat loss. Often, studies employing the SAR use total species richness as the dependent variable. However, this overlooks the fact that habitat specialists and generalists differ in their susceptibility to habitat loss. We undertook a synthetic review of 23 habitat island datasets for birds to determine the impact of habitat generalists on the SAR.
[Teratogenic effects of arsenic on rats].

OBJECTIVE To further clarify the effects of arsenic on pregnant rats, fetuses, fetal cells and to verify the experimental results in vitro, and to study the developmental toxicity and its mechanisms of arsenic in depth. METHODS Teratogenic methods in vivo combined with scanning electron microscopy and histochemical techniques were used in rats. RESULTS No apparently toxic symptoms or deaths were observed in rats exposed to various doses of arsenic trioxide of 0, 1, 4 and 10 mg/kg. Fetal death rates in rats were 10.2%, 17.4%, 24.8% and 61.1%, proportions of skeletal deformity were 1.89%, 3.12%, 17.28% and 78.57%, and embryo deformity rates were 3.16%, 5.32%, 13.79% and 40.48% 48 hours after exposure, respectively for those exposed to various doses of arsenic. Damage in fetal epidermal cells and cavities of different size between cell surface and cell junction in multiple sites could be seen under scanning microscope. Dysrhaphia, body anomalies and small limb bud, etc. were main manifestation of embryo deformity. There was a close relationship between nitric oxide and anomalies in fetal development, with a dose-response pattern, showed by inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) histochemical examinations. In vivo staining showed that excessive apoptosis could be induced by arsenic. And, teratogenic mechanisms of arsenic was analyzed in various ways. CONCLUSION Arsenic has certain teratogenic effects on rats in vivo.
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Bone Health in Women

C O N T E N T S I N T R O D U C T I O N . N U T R I T I O N A L NEEDS O F T H E A T H L E T E . E N E R G Y E X P E N D I T U R E . T H E P R O B L E M S O F N U T R I T I O N A L ASSESSMENT. E N E R G Y I N T A K E I N FEMALE A T H L E T E S . Sports in which low weight is of no direct benejit . Sports in which low weight may improve performance . Sports which are judged on aesthetic appeal. Sports in which the athlete competes in a weight category . T H E RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A M E N O R R H O E A A N D LOW E N E R G Y I N T A K E . E N E R G Y I N T A K E O F A M E N O R R H O E I C A T H L E T E S C O M P A R E D T O E U M E N O R R H O E I C S U B J E C T S . C O N S T I T U E N T S O F T H E D I E T . V E G E T A R I A N I S M . V I T A M I N S A N D T R A C E M I N E R A L S . E A T I N G DISORDERS . E A T I N G D I S O R D E R S I N T H E G E N E R A L P O P U L A T I O N . E A T I N G D I S O R D E R S I N A T H L E T E S . P R E V A L E N C E O F E A T I N G D I S O R D E R S I N D I F F E R E N T A T H L E T I C G R O U P S . Sports in which low weight is not an advantage Sports in which low weight may improve performance . Sports which are judged on aesthetic appeal. Sports in which the athlete competes in a weight category .
MTHFR C677T and colorectal cancer risk: A meta‐analysis of 25 populations

The common functional methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism may influence the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but data from published studies with individually low statistical power are conflicting. To clarify the role of MTHFR C677T genotype in CRC, we considered all available studies in a meta‐analysis. Studies reporting on MTHFR C677T genotype and CRC were searched in PubMed up to April 2006. The principle prior hypothesis was that homozygosity for MTHFR 677TT would be associated with reduced risk of CRC. Data were available for 29,931 subjects, including 12,243 with CRC, from 25 independent populations. Compared to the homozygous CC genotype, the MTHFR 677TT genotype was associated with a reduced risk of CRC (odds ratio (OR): 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–0.93; p = 0.001). There was some heterogeneity among the results of individual studies, but this was not statistically significant (heterogeneity p = 0.12; I2 = 25.8%). Heterozygosity for MTHFR 677 did not influence CRC risk (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.94–1.04). These findings indicate that individuals homozygous for the MTHFR 677TT genotype are at moderately reduced risk of CRC, and support the proposal that common genetic variation in the MTHFR gene contributes to CRC susceptibility, probably accounting for at least 9% of the total incidence. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limited value of patient history and physical examination in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis in primary care.

Ruud Oudega and colleagues are to be lauded for their paper 1 on the effectiveness of the history and physical findings in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Contrary to previous work they have recruited a sufficient number of consecutive patients at the primary care level to examine the diagnostic performance of 17 different predictors. They conclude, that these do not differentiate to an acceptable degree between patients who have DVT and those who have not. However, I would like to take issue with this conclusion. I would even suggest that their data show how well the history and physical signs predict the occurrence of DVT. The overall prevalence of DVT in their sample was 29% which is well in the range of secondary or tertiary care samples. Given that the study was conducted in general practice this is an very high proportion. I can imagine that the diagnosis was—however remotely—considered in a much larger number of patients. The participating GPs have succeeded in raising the prevalence of DVT from below 1% (my guess for the prevalence of DVT among all practice attenders) to 29% by selecting patients for inclusion in the study. Of course the only criteria available to them were the history and physical findings. It should not come as a surprise, that in the sample thus generated the discrimination by historical and physical items was poor. One could say, that these had done their job already. In fact, participating GPs have produced a sample in which the traditional diagnostic means had been exhausted and further tests, such as D-dimer, were indicated. Rather than specifying “suspected DVT” as the entry criterion, which seems to represent the end rather than the start of GPs’ reasoning process, patients should had been selected on the basis of a specific symptom, e.g. pain in one leg or swelling (or both), irrespective of the probability of DVT assumed by the GP. 2 I agree with the authors that the history and physical findings will not give a definite answer in a large proportion of patients. However, to define the population in need of further testing there is only one means—the history and physical findings.
Effects of the CYP2B6*6 Allele on Catalytic Properties and Inhibition of CYP2B6 In Vitro: Implication for the Mechanism of Reduced Efavirenz Metabolism and Other CYP2B6 Substrates In Vivo

The mechanism by which CYP2B6*6 allele alters drug metabolism in vitro and in vivo is not fully understood. To test the hypothesis that altered substrate binding and/or catalytic properties contribute to its functional consequences, efavirenz 8-hydroxylation and bupropion 4-hydroxylation were determined in CYP2B6.1 and CYP2B6.6 proteins expressed without and with cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) and in human liver microsomes (HLMs) obtained from liver tissues genotyped for the CYP2B6*6 allele. The susceptibility of the variant protein to inhibition was also tested in HLMs. Significantly higher Vmax and Km values for 8-hydroxyefavirenz formation and ∼2-fold lower intrinsic clearance (Clint) were noted in expressed CYP2B6.6 protein (−b5) compared with that of CYP2B6.1 protein (−b5); this effect was abolished by Cyt b5. The Vmax and Clint values for 4-hydroxybupropion formation were significantly higher in CYP2B6.6 than in CYP2B6.1 protein, with no difference in Km, whereas coexpression with Cyt b5 reversed the genetic effect on these kinetic parameters. In HLMs, CYP2B6*6/*6 genotype was associated with markedly lower Vmax (and moderate increase in Km) and thus lower Clint values for efavirenz and bupropion metabolism, but no difference in catalytic properties was noted between CYP2B6*1/*1 and CYP2B6*1/*6 genotypes. Inhibition of efavirenz 8-hydroxylation by voriconazole was significantly greater in HLMs with the CYP2B6*6 allele (Ki = 1.6 ± 0.8 μM) than HLMs with CYP2B6*1/*1 genotype (Ki = 3.0 ± 1.1 μM). In conclusion, our data suggest the CYP2B6*6 allele influences metabolic activity by altering substrate binding and catalytic activity in a substrate- and Cyt b5-dependent manner. It may also confer susceptibility to inhibition.