Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asthma and the immune response to MMR vaccine viruses in Somali immigrant children: a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study

Background: According to the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, an increase in microbial exposure in childhood leads to a T-helper cell 1 (Th1) predominant immune response and protection against asthma and atopic conditions. Aims: To assess the prevalence of asthma and other atopic conditions in Somali immigrants and to determine the humoral immune response to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine viruses in Somali immigrants with asthma. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Study subjects were Somali immigrants who were born and lived in Africa during childhood and immigrated to the USA. The subjects had participated in a previous MMR vaccine study. Asthma was ascertained using predetermined asthma criteria after a thorough medical record review. An atopic condition was determined from physician-diagnosed ICD codes. Virus-specific IgG levels in response to the MMR vaccine viruses were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. Results: Of the 62 eligible subjects, 33 (53%) were female and 29 (47%) were male; 10 (16%) had asthma and 22 (35%) had other atopic conditions. There was no difference in the rubella (p=0.150) and measles (p=0.715) virus-specific IgG levels between the subjects with and without asthma. Mumps virus-specific IgG antibody levels were lower in those with asthma than in those without asthma (mean±SE 2.08±0.28 vs. 3.06±0.14, p=0.005). Conclusions: Our study results may not support the hygiene hypothesis. In addition, the previously reported abnormal T-cell development in Caucasian children with atopy can be considered even in Somali immigrants.
Relationship between irradiation-induced neuro-inflammatory environments and impaired cognitive function in the developing brain of mice

Abstract Purpose: Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is the most common side-effect after cranial radiation therapy (CRT). In the present study, the RIBI mice model was established and the changes in the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) mRNA, and the related signal pathways in the hippocampus of this model were investigated. Materials and methods: 10 Gy CRT or sham-irradiation was given to the three-week old mice. The water maze test was used to test the RIBI model in mice. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in vivo. The changes of microglial activation and neurogensis in the hippocampus were analyzed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The cytoplasm to nuclei translocation of Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and the protein expressions of IkappaB-alpha (IκB-α), NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), p53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD), TNF-α and IL-1β were examined by Western blotting. A RIBI model was established by Morris water maze test 6 weeks after 10 Gy CRT in three-week old C57BL/6J mice. Results: The mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β reached the peak during the early phase after CRT. Increases in cytokine levels also were observed after irradiation of mouse BV-2 microglial cells. Neurogensis was significantly inhibited in the hippocampus with an increase of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells. The total number of microglia was decreased after CRT, but microglial activation was significantly increased. Western blotting revealed, in the RIBI mice, the expression of IκB-α was down-regulated, accompanied by the up-regulated expression of NEMO and regulated auto-proteolysis of PIDD. Also the NF-κB pathway activation was observed in BV-2 cells after irradiation. Conclusions: CRT-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines release in the brain tissues and inhibition of neurogenesis in the hippocampus might be contributed by the microglial activation and play an important role in RIBI.
Rapid progression to human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) correlates with variation in viral tat sequences

Gene sequence diversity plays an important function in determining survival of micro-organisms. Pathogenicity of HIV is correlated to host as well as viral factors. We aimed to identify sequence variations in tat, nef and the membrane-proximal gp41. These genes regulate important viral functions: tat for trans-activation, nef for enhancing infectivity and the membrane-proximal gp41 for fusion which could correlate with HIV disease progression. We studied HIV sequences from ART naive adult Ugandans. Sequence diversity was analysed for 19 rapid progressors and 22 long-term survivors, Rapid progressors were individuals who progressed to a CD4 count of 500 cells/µl after a median time of 8.8 (range 7.5 to 9.3) years, measured from the time of the index HIV sero-positive result to the time of obtaining the study blood sample. Amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent sequencing of tat, nef and membrane-proximal gp41 was performed starting from viral DNA directly obtained from frozen uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A ‘long’ tat protein was only observed in rapid progressors (RPs). The ‘long’ tatappears to predict rapid disease progression and could be relevant for designing an HIV-1 prognostic assay. Key words: HIV-1, progression, tat, nef, gp41.
Hematological aftermath of the radiation accident in Istanbul

Purpose: The effects of radiation exposure are long-lasting. Long-term monitoring is imperative to diagnose late effects and improve our far-sightedness about possible events in the future. A radiation accident occurred in Istanbul in 1998 that resulted in mild to moderate acute radiation syndrome (ARS). In this study we aimed to investigate the changes in hematological parameters at the long-term follow-up of ARS patients. Methods: Ten adults were hospitalized after exposure to a 60Co source. Seven were diagnosed as having ARS and had severe and symptomatic pancytopenia. All of the exposed people recovered following intensive treatment. Treatment was supportive with transfusion, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and anti- infective management covering antifungal agents. Patients were closely monitored. Nine years after the accident, the initial and follow-up complete blood count examinations and peripheral blood smears (PBS) were comparatively evaluated by an experienced hematologist. The hematological laboratory values of the patients on admission, after treatment, and nine years after the accident were documented and compared. Results: Biodosimetric analysis revealed that whole-body doses ranged from 1–1.9 Gy. All subjects have shown complete recovery of the hematological laboratory values after treatment. All but one of the subjects showed complete blood cell recovery. The improvement of the blood cell count of the excepted patient stalled at a mildly reduced level and his bone marrow was still hypocellular nine years after the accident; however, no malignant changes were detected. Values at admission were significantly different compared with post treatment and present values of all patients. Post treatment and follow-up values were similar. One of the patients died of lung cancer. None of the patients developed hematological malignancy. Conclusions: In this study, the recovery from ARS was complete after treatment. The small population, short follow-up period, and the relatively small doses resulted in no long-term adverse effects, as would be predicted.
Age and Visual Impairment Decrease Driving Performance as Measured on a Closed-Road Circuit

In this study the effects of visual impairment and age on driving were investigated and related to visual function. Participants were 139 licensed drivers (young, middle-aged, and older participants with normal vision, and older participants with ocular disease). Driving performance was assessed during the daytime on a closed-road driving circuit. Visual performance was assessed using a vision testing battery. Age and visual impairment had a significant detrimental effect on recognition tasks (detection and recognition of signs and hazards), time to complete driving tasks (overall course time, reversing, and maneuvering), maneuvering ability, divided attention, and an overall driving performance index. All vision measures were significantly affected by group membership. A combination of motion sensitivity, useful field of view (UFOV), Pelli-Robson letter contrast sensitivity, and dynamic acuity could predict 50% of the variance in overall driving scores. These results indicate that older drivers with either normal vision or visual impairment had poorer driving performance compared with younger or middle-aged drivers with normal vision. The inclusion of tests such as motion sensitivity and the UFOV significantly improve the predictive power of vision tests for driving performance. Although such measures may not be practical for widespread screening, their application in selected cases should be considered.
Text Legibility and the Letter Superiority Effect

Effects of font design and electronic display parameters upon text legibility were determined using a threshold size method. Participants' visual acuity (inverse of the minimum detection size, representing the threshold legibility for each condition) was measured using upper- and lowercase letters and lowercase words in combinations of 6 fonts, 3 font-smoothing modes, 4 font sizes, 10 pixel heights, and 4 stroke widths. Individual lowercase letters were 10% to 20% more legible than lowercase words (i.e., lowercase words must be 10%-20% larger to have the same threshold legibility). This letter superiority effect suggests that individual letters play a large role and word shape plays a smaller role, if any, in word identification at threshold. Pixel height, font, stroke width, and font smoothing had significant main effects on threshold legibility. Optimal legibility was attained at 9 pixels (10 points). Verdana and Arial were the most legible fonts; Times New Roman and Franklin were least legible. Subpixel rendering (ClearTypeTM) improved threshold legibility for some fonts and, in combination with Verdana, was the most legible condition. Increased stroke width (bold) improved threshold legibility but only at the thinnest width tested. Potential applications of this research include optimization of font design for legibility and readability.
Multiple Sclerosis: Approaches to Early Diagnosis and New Treatment Options

ultiple sclerosis (MS) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by demyelination and subsequent axonal degeneration. It is the most common nontraumatic cause of disability in young adults, generally striking between the ages of 15 and 50 years. Estimates place the prevalence at 250 000 to 350 000 people in the United States alone, but the true prevalence is believed to be higher as MS can remain undiagnosed for years, even decades. A recent estimate put the annual cost of MS in the United States at $6.8 to $11.9 billion including the cost of lost productivity, pointing to the harsh economic impact of this disease and the need for treatment. Women are twice as likely as men to develop MS, and epidemiologic data also point to people of Northern European ancestry as being particularly vulnerable. However, the ethnic profile of the MS population seen, for instance, in Baltimore shows a much broader-based ethnicity; 11% of our patients are African American. Because the symptoms of MS spontaneously remit, the disease frequently goes undiagnosed for many years. An alert primary care clinician can make a crucial difference by recognizing the symptoms of MS and facilitating prompt diagnosis and treatment.
A review of the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To review the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin (CAN) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DATA SOURCES Studies were identified using PubMed, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, Academic Search Premier, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar from 2011 to August 2013. The following key words were reviewed: canagliflozin, canagliflozin elderly, canagliflozin geriatrics, dapagliflozin, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and SGLT2 receptor inhibitors. DATA EXTRACTION Articles evaluating CAN for diabetes that were published in English and used human subjects were selected. Fifteen clinical trials were identified and evaluated. STUDY SELECTION Of 15 identified articles, 2 articles, 2 published posters, and unpublished information from the manufacturer were chosen based on the mean age of the study subjects. DATA SYNTHESIS Evidence that elderly patients with T2DM have less A1C reduction with CAN is presented; the benefit on A1C is significant. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and body weight reduction in the elderly were consistent with younger patients. Adverse effects such as increased urinary frequency, genital mycotic infections, and urinary tract infections may discourage the use of CAN in the elderly patient. CONCLUSION Treatment with CAN improves A1C levels, reduces SBP and body weight, and is overall well tolerated in older subjects with T2DM. Risks and benefits of treatment with CAN should be assessed in geriatric patients on a case-by-case basis. Safety in elderly patients was consistent with that of other phase 3 trials in the general population. Additional longterm cardiovascular studies are needed.
Efficacy of 300 mW, 830 nm Laser in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain: A Survey in a General Practice Setting

We evaluated the effectiveness of 300 mW, 830 nm laser in the management of patients with chronic neck pain, in general practice, between May 1998 and June 1999. Data was obtained from 78 patients who rated self-assessed improvement of symptoms on a visual analog scale. An average improvement of 67.5 percent was found in 48 patients who reported a positive response to treatment. Number of treatments was the only factor that correlated with a positive response reaching a plateau by 15. Low level laser therapy using this wavelength and power of infrared laser may provide a nondrug, noninvasive option for the management of neck pain. This study lends support for a randomized-controlled trial to further evaluate this therapy.
Intertrial and test-retest reliabilities of Timed Bridge tests among frail older adults

The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of three versions of the Timed Bridge test (TB test) using the generalizability theory. A convenience sample of 30 frail older adults, from 65 to 94 years of age, performed three different TB Tests: 1) hold test (TB-Static); 2) five-repetitions dynamic test (TB-5rep); and 3) 60-second dynamic test (TB-60s). The tests were repeated twice on two occasions separated by a 48-hour interval. For each trial, the height of the bridge, the time of execution or the number of repetitions, the pain, and perceived effort were recorded. The intertrial and test-retest reliability for bridge heights were excellent. For the duration and the number of repetitions, a good intertrial reliability was found (0.83 <Φ< 0.94; SEMs 11.1 s, 2.9 s, and 4.2 rep), and the test-retest reliability was good for the TB-60 s and moderate for TB-Static and for the TB-5rep. The different tests were generally well tolerated by the subjects. The level of exertion perceived by the participants was light for the TB-5rep and moderate for the TB-Static and TB-60 s. The TB tests were simple to execute, showed good clinical applicability, and provided reliable measurements in a geriatric population.
Skeletal muscle fibre types in teenagers: relationship to physical performance and activity

Human skeletal muscle consists mainly of 2 types of fibres denoted type I (slow twitch) and type II (fast twitch). The aim of this investigation was to study skeletal muscle fibre characteristics together with physical performance, physical activity and interest in different physical activities, and the relationships between these variables among students in grade I in high school. Sixty‐nine boys and 47 girls at the age of 16 were studied. The relative proportion of type I fibres (type 1%) in vastus lateralis was approximately 50% for both boys and girls and the interindividual variation was large, more so for boys than for girls. The muscle fibre areas for all fibre types were larger in boys than girls and the relationships between the sizes of the areas of type I, type IIA and type IIB differed between the sexes. The muscle enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA‐dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase were all on average higher in boys than girls; the only significant difference was in succinate dehydrogenase. There was a positive correlation between performance in a 9‐min run and type 1%. for boys but not for girls. Multiple correlation analysis indicated that factors determining the performance in the 9‐min run were maximal oxygen uptake and type I% for boys, and maximal oxygen uptake but not fibre types for girls. The attitude to cross‐country running was positively correlated with the type I% for boys but not for girls. There was a stronger positive correlation between degree of physical activity and type I% for boys than girls. In conclusion, stronger correlations between muscle fibre characteristics and physical performance, physical activity and interest in physical activity were found for boys than for girls.
Intrasession and interrater reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging measures of the deep neck flexors: A pilot study

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the intrasession and interrater reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) to measure the deep neck flexors (DNF). Two investigators traced the DNF muscle borders in eight female subjects aged 33 ± 11.2 years. Of the eight subjects, five subjects reported a greater than 6-month history of neck pain, and three subjects were asymptomatic healthy controls. Cross-sectional area (CSA) (cm2) of right and left muscle groups were calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for CSA measures were 0.67 (95% CI: 0.27–0.87) for rater 1 with a standard error of measurement (SEM) of 0.06 cm2; 0.87 (95% CI: 0.65–0.96) for rater 2 with an SEM of 0.09 cm2; and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.44–0.87) for interrater reliability between rater 1 and rater 2 with an SEM of 0.11 cm2. The mean difference between CSA (cm2) measures were 0.00 ± 0.10 cm2 for rater 1 and 0.09 ± 0.13 cm2 for rater 2. The mean differences for CSA were 0.04 ± 0.12 cm2. This pilot investigation suggests that RUSI could be used to reliably assess the size of the deep neck flexors.
The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a modified “severity scale for assessment of plagiocephaly” among physical therapists

Infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) are at risk of developing skull asymmetry. The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a modified “severity scale for assessment of plagiocephaly” among physical therapists (PT). Thirty-nine members of a network of PTs working with infants with CMT participated in the study. Photos of infants were used in this study. They were taken from above (superior view) to estimate posterior flattening and forehead asymmetry, and from the front (anterior view) to estimate neck involvement and facial asymmetry. The photos were coded and sent to the PTs together with instructions and a protocol for estimation. A second estimate was carried out with the same photos in a different order. The PTs also answered questions concerning their experience of CMT and the scale used. The participants had worked as PTs for an average of 20 years, and with CMT for an average of 7 years. The inter-rater reliability kappa was 0.71, and the intra-rater reliability was mean 0.68. Intra-rater reliability was significantly higher for years of experience and for years working with CMT. There was no significant impact on reliability in relation to how many infants the PTs usually examine yearly, whether they found the scale easy to use, or how much experience they had using it. In conclusion, the modified “severity scale for assessment of plagiocephaly” has satisfying statistical agreement. Reliability is affected by the number of years of experience of the PTs.
N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a Diagnostic Test for Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Coronary Disease

Background: N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) testing is useful for diagnosing acute decompensated heart failure. Whether NT-proBNP can be used to detect ventricular dysfunction in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) and no history of heart failure is unknown. Methods: We measured NT-proBNP levels and performed transthoracic echocardiography in 815 participants from the Heart and Soul Study, who had stable CHD and no history of heart failure. We hypothesized that NTproBNP concentrations lower than 100 pg/mL would rule out ventricular dysfunction and concentrations higher than 500 pg/mL would identify ventricular dysfunction. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, likelihood ratios, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for NT-proBNP as a case-finding instrument for systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Results: Of the 815 participants with no history of heart failure, 68 (8%) had systolic dysfunction defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% or lower. Of the 730 participants for whom the presence or absence of diastolic dysfunction could be determined, 78 (11%) had diastolic dysfunction defined as a pseudonormal or restrictive filling pattern. The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting systolic or diastolic dysfunction was 0.78 (95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.82). Likelihood ratios were 0.28 for NTproBNP concentrations lower than 100 pg/mL, 0.95 for concentrations between 100 and 500 pg/mL, and 4.1 for concentrations higher than 500 pg/mL. A test result lower than 100 pg/mL reduced the probability of ventricular dysfunction from a pretest probability of 18% to a posttest probability of 6%. A test result higher than 500 pg/mL increased the probability of ventricular dysfunction from a pretest probability of 18% to a posttest probability of 47%. A test result between 100 and 500 pg/mL did not change the probability of ventricular dysfunction. Conclusion: In patients with stable CHD and no history of heart failure, NT-proBNP levels lower than 100 pg/mL effectively rule out ventricular dysfunction, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.28. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:483-489
Physical therapy management of entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve in the lower leg: A case report

This case report describes a 40-year-old male who presented with complaints of pain in the left lower lateral one-third of the leg. Tenderness was elicited 9.7 cm above the lateral malleoli with a positive Tinel's sign at the same site causing radiating pain into the foot (visual analog scale (VAS) score of 6.3 cm). Physical diagnosis for entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve at the site of the peroneal tunnel was entertained based on clinical examination and three positive provocation tests. Conventionally, treatment for this type of entrapment has been surgical decompression by splitting the crural fascia, with successful outcomes. This is potentially a first-time report describing physical therapy management of entrapment mechanical interface with pain modalities, soft tissue mobilization, and neural mobilization. Reduction of pain was noted in this patient (VAS score of 0 cm by the sixth session) with complete pain resolution maintained at a six-month follow-up.