Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of unconditional cash transfers during a nutritional emergency in Maradi region, Niger: a pre–post intervention observational study

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of an unconditional cash transfer (CT) implemented as part of an emergency response to food insecurity during a declared state of emergency. Design Pre–post intervention observational study involving two rounds of data collection, i.e. baseline (April 2012) and final survey (September 2012), on the same cohort of ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ households enrolled by Save the Children in an unconditional CT programme. Setting Aguié district, Maradi, Niger. Subjects Households with a non-acutely malnourished child aged 6–36 months (n 412). Results The study showed that the living standards of ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ households improved, as indicated by a reduction in poverty-related indicators and an improvement in household food security. Anthropometric outcomes for children aged 6–36 months improved significantly, despite a decline in child health and women’s well-being and autonomy. Risk factors for becoming acutely malnourished post-intervention were being from a very poor household at baseline, starting the lean season with low weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ <−1) and the presence of co-morbidity. Conclusions The results of the study are consistent with the published evidence regarding the general impact of CT and suggest it is plausible that giving cash during an emergency can help safeguard living standards of the very poor and poor. While improvements in childhood nutrition status were seen it is not possible to attribute these to the CT programme. However, knowledge of the risk factors for acute malnutrition in a particular setting can be used to influence the design of future CT interventions for which a controlled trial would be recommended if feasible.
Geographic variation and disparity in stimulant treatment of adults and children in the United States in 2008.

OBJECTIVE This study estimated the prevalence of stimulant treatment among both adults and children at national, state, and county levels during 2008 and explored explanations for wide variations in treatment prevalence. METHODS Records of 24.1 million stimulant prescriptions dispensed to insured and uninsured patients were obtained from approximately 76% of U.S. retail pharmacies. Data were weighted to estimate treatment prevalence on March 15, 2008, for all U.S. states and counties. Regression models were used to estimate the associations among the counties' treatment rates and the characteristics of the counties and their resident populations. RESULTS An estimated 2.5% of children ≤ 17 years of age (3.5% of males and 1.5% of females) and . 6% of persons >17 years of age were being treated with stimulants in March 2008. Treatment prevalence among states varied widely, and variation among counties was even wider. Two-thirds of the variation among counties in treatment prevalence was associated with supply of physicians, socioeconomic composition of the population, and, among children, funding for special education. Rates of children and adults in treatment were highly correlated. CONCLUSIONS Wide variations in treatment prevalence signal disparities between established clinical practice guidelines and actual practice, especially for primary care, where most patients prescribed stimulants are managed. Better education and training for physicians may improve identification and treatment, thereby reducing disparities in care for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and other disabling conditions.
Excipient selection can significantly affect solid-state phase transformation in formulation during wet granulation

Phase transformations in formulations can lead to instability in physicochemical, biopharmaceutical, and processing properties of products. The influences of formulation design on the optimal dosage forms should be specified. The aim here was to investigate whether excipients with different water sorption behavior affect hydrate formation of nitrofurantoin in wet masses. Nitrofurantoin anhydrate was used as a hydrate-forming model drug, and 4 excipients with different water-absorbing potential (amorphous low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, modified maize starch, partially amorphous silicified microcrystalline cellulose, and crystalline α-lactose monohydrate) were granulated with varying amounts of purified water. Off-line evaluation of wet masses containing nitrofurantoin anhydrate and excipient (1∶1) was performed using an X-ray powder diffractometer (XRPD) and near-infrared spectroscopy, and drying phase was evaluated by variable temperature XRPD. Only amorphous excipient in the formulation retarded hydrate formation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at high water contents. Hygroscopic partially crystalline excipient hindered hydrate formation of API at low water contents. Crystalline excipient was unable to control hydrate formation of API. The character of excipient affects the stability of formulation. Thus, correct selection of excipients for the formulation can control processing-induced phase transitions and improve the storage stability of the final dosage form.
Political skills and career success of R&D personnel: a comparative mediation analysis between perceived supervisor support and perceived organisational support

ABSTRACT A successful design of HRM relies on the identification of a new indicator as it can generate a noble research model to elucidate the unknown mechanisms crucial for strengthening organisational innovation competence. This study proposes and tests a research model that examines the direct influence of political skills on R&D personnel’s career success and comparatively analyses the effect of two mediators: perceived supervisor support (PSS) and perceived organisational support (POS). Based on a survey data of 252 R&D personnel in 60 large firms in Korea, this study shows the significance of political skills for advancing personal careers, confirms the mediation effect of PSS and POS, and suggests a greater impact of POS over PSS. To promote R&D personnel’s career success, the research results highlight the significance of political skills at the individual level and the importance of developmental HRM at the organisational level.
A MODIFIED PROTOCOL FOR SEX IDENTIFICATION OF IN OVO AVIAN EMBRYOS AND ITS APPLICATION AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Abstract A simple, reliable, and safe protocol was developed for the collection of small amounts of blood from avian eggs of variable size and at early stages of development. Fifty eggs were used in the study; 40 were common chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs, six were homing pigeon (Columba livia domestica) eggs, and four were burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) eggs. Collection was attempted approximately halfway through incubation. The success rate for collection of blood or blood-tinged fluid from eggs was high, averaging 68% in the chicken eggs, 100% in the homing pigeon eggs, and 75% in the burrowing owl eggs. Collection did not affect subsequent hatchability. This blood could then be used to determine the sex of the embryo by utilizing a DNA probe or restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Sex identification in ovo allowed the demographic management of small populations of birds within our institution.
High Levels of CXCL10 Are Produced by Intestinal Epithelial Cells in AIDS Patients with Active Cryptosporidiosis but Not after Reconstitution of Immunity

ABSTRACT Chemokines play key roles in attracting immune cells to sites of infections. However, few data on chemokine expression in the gut during human infections are available. We examined expression of chemokines in intestinal tissues of AIDS patients during active Cryptosporidium infection and during resolution of such an infection. The chemokines and cytokines in cell lysates from jejunal biopsy tissues were assayed by a 22-multiplex bead immunoassay. CXCL10 (IP-10) and its receptor, CXCR3, in sections were studied by immunohistochemistry. In biopsies from AIDS patients with active cryptosporidiosis, four chemokines (CXCL10, CCL11 [eotaxin], CCL5 [RANTES], and CCL2 [monocyte chemoattractant protein 1]) and three cytokines (interleukin-1α [IL-1α], IL-10, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) were detected. The level of CXCL10 was significantly increased in AIDS patients with cryptosporidiosis compared to the level in AIDS patients without cryptosporidiosis or in normal volunteers (median in AIDS patients with cryptosporidiosis, 508 pg/mg protein, compared to 111 pg/mg and 72 pg/mg protein in AIDS patients without cryptosporidiosis and in normal volunteers, respectively [P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively, as determined by a Mann-Whitney test]). The level of CXCL10 correlated with the parasite burden (as measured by the number of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the stools) and also with the IL-1α concentration (Pearson correlation values, 0.961 [P < 0.01] and 0.737 [P < 0.05]). As determined by immunohistochemistry, CXCL10 localized to epithelial cells at the site of infection. Following effective antiparasite and antiretroviral therapy, Cryptosporidium infections resolved, and the levels of CXCL10 decreased to normal levels. We hypothesized that CXCL10 plays an important role in the resolution of cryptosporidiosis by attracting immune effector cells to the site of infection. By contrast, in AIDS patients lacking effector cells, CXCL10 may contribute to the immunopathogenesis by recruiting inflammatory cells.
A 12-year prospective study of postinjury multiple organ failure: has anything changed?

HYPOTHESIS The incidence and severity of postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF) has decreased over the last decade. DESIGN A prospective 12-year inception cohort study ending December 31, 2003. SETTING Regional academic level I trauma center. PATIENTS One thousand three hundred forty-four trauma patients at risk for postinjury MOF. Inclusion criteria were aged older than 15 years, admission to the trauma intensive care unit, an Injury Severity Score higher than 15, and survival for more than 48 hours after injury. Isolated head injuries were excluded from this study. Previously identified risk factors for postinjury MOF were age, Injury Severity Score, and receiving a blood transfusion within 12 hours of injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Multiple organ failure was defined by a Denver MOF score of 4 or more for longer than 48 hours after injury. Multiple organ failure severity was defined by the maximum daily MOF score and the number of MOF free days within the first 28 postinjury days. RESULTS Multiple organ failure was diagnosed in 339 (25%) of 1244 patients. The mean age and Injury Severity Scores increased and the use of blood transfusion during resuscitation decreased over the 12-year study period. After adjusting for age, injury severity, and amount of blood transfused during resuscitation, there was a decreased incidence of MOF over the study period. Of the patients who developed MOF, there was a decrease in disease severity and duration as measured by the maximum daily MOF score and the MOF free days. Although the overall mortality rate remained constant, the MOF-specific mortality decreased. CONCLUSIONS The incidence, severity, and attendant mortality of postinjury MOF decreased over the last 12 years despite an increased MOF risk. Improvements in MOF outcomes can be attributed to improvements in trauma and critical care and are associated with decreased use of blood transfusion during resuscitation.
Structures of synthetic O-antigen fragments from serotype 2a Shigella flexneri in complex with a protective monoclonal antibody

The anti-LPS IgG mAb F22-4, raised against Shigella flexneri serotype 2a bacteria, protects against homologous, but not heterologous, challenge in an experimental animal model. We report the crystal structures of complexes formed between Fab F22-4 and two synthetic oligosaccharides, a decasaccharide and a pentadecasaccharide that were previously shown to be both immunogenic and antigenic mimics of the S. flexneri serotype 2a O-antigen. F22-4 binds to an epitope contained within two consecutive 2a serotype pentasaccharide repeat units (RU). Six sugar residues from a contiguous nine-residue segment make direct contacts with the antibody, including the nonreducing rhamnose and both branching glucosyl residues from the two RUs. The glucosyl residue, whose position of attachment to the tetrasaccharide backbone of the RU defines the serotype 2a O-antigen, is critical for recognition by F22-4. Although the complete decasaccharide is visible in the electron density maps, the last four pentadecasaccharide residues from the reducing end, which do not contact the antibody, could not be traced. Although considerable mobility in the free oligosaccharides can thus be expected, the conformational similarity between the individual RUs, both within and between the two complexes, suggests that short-range transient ordering to a helical conformation might occur in solution. Although the observed epitope includes the terminal nonreducing residue, binding to internal epitopes within the polysaccharide chain is not precluded. Our results have implications for vaccine development because they suggest that a minimum of two RUs of synthetic serotype 2a oligosaccharide is required for optimal mimicry of O-Ag epitopes.
Assessment and Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Sediment and Molluscs from the Mediterranean Coast

Heavy metal contamination in both sediments and molluscs from the Egyptian Mediterranean coast was investigated. Seawater, sediments, and mollusc samples were collected from representative locations along the coastal area. Different representations of the data set, including, statistical methods (correlation matrix and cluster analyses), various sediment quality assessment methods, and bioaccumulation factor calculation, were combined to investigate the trends of heavy metals, identify pollution sources, and assess sediment quality from a toxicological point of view. The measurements of dissolved oxygen (DO) revealed to relatively well oxygenate surface water in all locations. There is a distinct change in the contents of heavy metals (Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Hg) among the sampling sediments. The statistical interpretations showed that the bio‐availability of the studied heavy metals is controlled by different factors, including the geochemistry of sediments, the hydrology of the system, the uptake of metals from sediments, as well as human anthropogenic activities. Although, there are still certain points of the Egyptian Mediterranean coast with a relatively high concentration of toxic metals, the toxicological approach suggests that the risk for living organisms is not high, but, in the long run, toxicological implications can appear. These results can provide useful information for the local managers and decision makers.
Peri-operative immunoadsorption in sensitized renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND Re-transplanted kidney allograft recipients with high levels of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) are at increased risk of early immunologic graft loss. In these patients, prophylactic peri-operative antibody depletion by immunoadsorption (IA) could prevent humoral graft injury and thus, in combination with anti-cellular rejection therapy, improve graft survival. METHODS Twenty re-transplanted and broadly immunized cadaver kidney recipients (median PRA reactivity 87%, range 55-100%) were treated with IA (protein A) immediately before transplantation and during the early post-transplantation period (median number of IA sessions 11, range 1-24). Patients received additional prophylactic anti-lymphocyte antibody therapy. Nineteen patients had a negative pre-transplant cross-match. In one patient, a positive cross-match was rendered negative by the pre-transplant IA session. RESULTS One-year graft survival was 80% and patient survival 95%. Median (range) serum creatinine in functioning grafts was 1.6 (0.8-2.7) mg/dl at discharge and 1.5 (1.0-5.8) mg/dl at 1 year. Two grafts were lost due to acute vascular rejection, whereby one rejection occurred after withdrawal of immunosuppression due to septicaemia. One patient had acute cellular rejection, which was reversed by a second course of anti-lymphocyte antibody therapy. Thrombotic microangiopathy and surgical complications were the causes for one graft loss each. Retrospective immunohistochemistry revealed peritubular C4d staining, a presumed marker for humoral alloreactivity, in 12 out of 15 biopsies. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that prophylactic peri-operative IA and anti-lymphocyte antibody therapy might be an effective therapeutic strategy for the prevention of early graft failure in sensitized re-transplant recipients.
Tuberculosis in the newborn: an emerging disease.

BACKGROUND In spite of the global increase in tuberculosis, which is in part fueled by the HIV pandemic, tuberculosis in the perinatal period is rare, and to date it has not been directly associated with maternal or neonatal HIV infection. OBJECTIVES To detect tuberculosis in newborns from a province with epidemics of both tuberculosis and HIV infection and to analyze the profile of tuberculosis in their mothers. METHODS At King Edward VIII Hospital, in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, during a 1-year period all neonates at the neonatal unit in whom a differential diagnosis of tuberculosis was considered were investigated. The clinical profiles, short term outcome and relationship to maternal tuberculosis and HIV infection were determined for those neonates in whom the diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed. RESULTS From the investigation of 77 neonates 11 with culture confirmed perinatal tuberculosis were identified. Six of these infants were born to mothers who had HIV and tuberculosis coinfection. Six of the 11 neonates could be classified as congenital tuberculosis. The predominant clinical findings were progressive pneumonia (9 of 11), pyrexia (9 of 11), growth retardation (7 of 11), hepatomegaly (6 of 11), splenomegaly (4 of 11) and meningitis (2 of 11). Seven of their mothers had evidence of current or past tuberculosis or had close contact with a tuberculosis case. One neonate and two mothers died within the first 3 months. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of perinatal tuberculosis in association with maternal HIV and tuberculosis coinfection.
Mechanisms of hypertension associated with BAY 43-9006.

PURPOSE BAY 43-9006 (sorafenib) is an inhibitor of Raf kinase, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2, and angiogenesis in tumor xenografts. The current study investigated the incidence, severity, and mechanism of blood pressure (BP) elevation in patients treated with BAY 43-9006. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty patients received BAY 43-9006 400 mg orally twice daily. BP and heart rate were measured at baseline and then every 3 weeks for 18 weeks. VEGF, catecholamines, endothelin I, urotensin II, renin, and aldosterone were measured at baseline and after 3 weeks of therapy. We assessed vascular stiffness at baseline, after 3 to 6 weeks of therapy, and again after 9 to 10 months of therapy. RESULTS Fifteen (75%) of 20 patients experienced an increase of > or = 10 mmHg in systolic BP (SBP), and 12 (60%) of 20 patients experienced an increase of > or = 20 mmHg in SBP compared with their baseline value, with a mean change of 20.6 mmHg (P < .0001) after 3 weeks of therapy. There were no statistically significant changes in humoral factors, although there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between decreases in catecholamines and increases in SBP, suggesting a secondary response to BP elevation. Measures of vascular stiffness increased significantly during the period of observation. CONCLUSION Treatment with BAY 43-9006 is associated with a significant and sustained increase in BP. The lack of significant change in circulating factors suggests that these humoral factors had little role in the increase in BP.
Mitomycin C stimulates production of a toxin in Shigella species that causes morphological changes in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Shigella dysenteriae produced a toxin that caused morphological changes in Chinese hamster ovary cells which was different from the neurotoxin (Y. Takeda, K. Okamoto, and T. Miwatani, Infect. Immun. 18:546--548, 1977). It was found that the toxin was produced not only by S. dysenteriae but also by S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. sonnei. The production of the toxin was stimulated by the addition of 1 microgram of mitomycin C per ml to the culture in the early logarithmic growth phase.
Correlation of Random Urinary Protein to Creatinine Ratio in 24-Hour Urine Samples of Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia

Objective To determine the value of random urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) for diagnosis of proteinuria in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is the most common complication of pregnancy and one of the main causes of maternal mortality. So, early diagnosis of preeclampsia is very important. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study 66 pregnant women suspected preeclampsia at ≥24 week of gestational age and BP ≥ 140/90 mm/Hg were checked by two urine samples of 10am and 4pm to determine random UPCR, as well as a 24-hour urine sample to evaluate 24-hour protein excretion. Results The result revealed that 74.2% of the studied population had significant proteinuria. There was a correlation between UPCR and 24-hour urine protein excretion. Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.502 at 10am and 0.428 at 4pm. The best cutoff for the random urine protein to creatinine ratio at 10am was 0.470 with sensitivity and specificity equal to 87.5% and 84.2%, respectively. The best cutoff for the random UPCR at 4pm was 0.595 with sensitivity and specificity equal to 91.7% and 94.7%, respectively. Conclusion Result of 24-hour urine collection showing random UPCR is considered as an appropriate situated method for emergency time.
Protein Kinase C Promotes Apoptosis in LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells through Activation of p38 MAPK and Inhibition of the Akt Survival Pathway*

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol esters or diacylglycerol mimetics induces apoptosis in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells, an effect that involves both the activation of the classic PKCα and the novel PKCδ isozymes (Fujii, T., García-Bermejo, M. L., Bernabó, J. L., Caamaño, J., Ohba, M., Kuroki, T., Li, L., Yuspa, S. H., and Kazanietz, M. G. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 7574–7582 and Garcia-Bermejo, M. L. , Leskow, F. C. , Fujii, T. , Wang, Q. , Blumberg, P. M. , Ohba, M. , Kuroki, T. , Han, K. C. , Lee, J., Marquez, V. E. , and Kazanietz, M. G. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 645–655). In the present study we explored the signaling events involved in this PKC-mediated effect, using the androgen-dependent LNCaP cell line as a model. Stimulation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) leads to the activation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK in LNCaP cells. Here we present evidence that p38 MAPK, but not JNK, mediates PKC-induced apoptosis. Because LNCaP cells have hyperactivated Akt function due to PTEN inactivation, we examined whether this survival pathway could be affected by PKC activation. Interestingly, activation of PKC leads to a rapid and reversible dephosphorylation of Akt, an effect that was prevented by the pan-PKC inhibitor GF109302X and the cPKC inhibitor Gö6976. In addition, the diacylglycerol mimetic agent HK654, which selectively stimulates PKCα in LNCaP cells, also induced the dephosphorylation of Akt in LNCaP cells. Inactivation of Akt function by PKC does not involve the inhibition of PI3K, and it is prevented by okadaic acid, suggesting the involvement of a phosphatase 2A in PMA-induced Akt dephosphorylation. Finally, we show that, when an activated form of Akt is delivered into LNCaP cells by either transient transfection or adenoviral infection, the apoptotic effect of PMA is significantly reduced. Our results highlight a complex array of signaling pathways regulated by PKC isozymes in LNCaP prostate cancer cells and suggest that both p38 MAPK and Akt play critical roles as downstream effectors of PKC isozymes in this cellular model.