Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A significant association between intestinal helminth infection and anaemia burden in children in rural communities of Edo state, Nigeria

Background: Anaemia is estimated to affect half the school-age children and adolescents in developing countries. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and evaluate the relationship of intestinal helminth infection on the anaemia status of children in the rural communities of Evbuomore, Isiohor, and Ekosodin. in the Ovia North East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: Faecal samples and blood samples were obtained from 316 children aged 1-15 years. Faecal samples were examined using standard parasitological techniques, and anaemia was defined as blood haemoglobin <11 g/dL. Results: Of the 316 children, 38.6% were anaemic: 75.9% of children in Evbuomore, 42.3% in Isiohor and 26.8% in Ekosodin. The overall parasite prevalence in the three communities were: Ascaris lumbricoides (75.6%), hookworm (16.19%) and Trichuris trichiura (7.3%). Malnutrition was patent; 37.0% of the children were stunted, 19.3% wasted, and 44.0% underweight. There was a statistically significant association between hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides infection and anaemia (P < .001). Serum ferritin levels were more sensitive than haemoglobin in detecting anemia and were correlated with intestinal helminth infection. Conclusion: Intestinal helminth infection in a concomitant state of malnutrition is observed in this population. Intervention programmes should be aimed at control of intestinal helminth infection and iron supplementation.
The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus–Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs1143678 in Integrin αM Cytoplasmic Tail Generates a 14-3-3ζ Binding Site That Is Proinflammatory

The leukocyte integrin αMβ2 (CR3 or Mac-1) has both proinflammatory and immune regulatory functions. Genome-wide association studies have identified several ITGAM (αM subunit) single nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. The single nucleotide polymorphism rs1143678 substitutes Pro1146 for Ser in the integrin αM cytoplasmic tail. A detailed functional characterization of this substitution is lacking. Using transfected human cell lines, reconstituted mouse bone marrow neutrophils, and bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs), we showed that P1146S (PS) substitution promoted integrin αMβ2–mediated adhesion, spreading, and migration of cells on iC3b and fibrinogen. In the presence of LPS together with iC3b or fibrinogen, the expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in integrin αM(PS)β2 BMDMs were significantly higher than those of integrin αM(wild-type)β2 BMDMs, and they showed faster kinetics of Erk1/2 activation through the src family kinase(s)–Syk signaling pathway. Integrin αM(PS)β2 BMDMs also exhibited higher levels of active RhoA and phagocytic activity. Mechanistically, P1146S substitution in the αM cytoplasmic tail generates a noncanonical 14-3-3ζ binding site that modulates integrin αM(PS)β2 outside-in signaling.
Dose response evaluation of adriamycin in human neoplasia

Because patients treated with 60–90 mg/m2 every three to four weeks reach cardiotoxic doses of 550 mg/m2 within 36 weeks, prolonged treatment with Adriamycin is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower doses could be given over longer periods without loss of efficacy. Good risk patients treated with 75, 60, or 45 mg/m2 had remission rates of 25, 27, and 19%; poor risk patients treated with 50 and 25 mg/m2 had remission rates of 16 and 12% respectively. Although a dose response was identified, there were no statistically significant differences in remission rates, durations of remission, or toxicities in the dose schedules studied. Irreversible congestive heart failure occurred in five patients with cumulative doses of 240–390 mg/m2. Unless rapid remission induction is urgent, we recommend 60 mg/m2 X four doses and measurement of myocardial function if treatment is to continue.
Red blood cell rheological alterations in hypertension induced by chronic inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in vascular regulation. Modulation of NO synthesis is known to influence blood pressure. Inhibition of NO synthesis by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 72 mg/kg/day, p.o., 21 days) resulted in 60% increase in blood pressure in rats. Red blood cell (RBC) transit time measured by the cell transit analyzer increased significantly in the L-NAME treated group, in comparison to normotensive rats. RBC aggregation measured in autologous plasma, by a photometric rheoscope also increased significantly in the hypertensive rats. RBC cytosolic free calcium concentration was also significantly higher in the hypertensive animals. Incubation of RBC from hypertensive and control animals with NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10-1000 microM) for 60 minutes resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in RBC aggregation, however aggregation index was significantly higher in hypertensive group at each SNP concentration. Incubation with SNP had no effect on RBC deformability in the control group, while a slight decrease in RBC transit time was observed only at 10 microM SNP in the hypertensive group. These results imply that NO may play a role in the regulation of rheological properties of RBC and the alterations in these properties may at least in part be involved in the development of L-NAME induced hypertension.
Sickness absence due to musculoskeletal diagnoses: association with occupational gender segregation

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders represent a considerable public health problem and the most common diagnoses behind sickness absence and disability pensions. However, little is known about how sickness absence with these diagnoses varies with the strong gender segregation of the labour market. Aims: A study was undertaken to investigate the association between musculoskeletal-related sickness absence and occupational gender segregation. Methods: The study was population based, and included all new sick-leave spells exceeding seven days due to musculoskeletal diagnoses, comprising neck/ shoulder pain, low back pain, and osteoarthritis in Östergötland county, Sweden, which has 393,000 inhabitants (5% of the national population). The participants were all sick-leave insured employed persons in Östergötland (n=182,663) in 1985. Results: Cumulative incidence of musculoskeletal-related sickness absence (>7 days) was higher for women (7.5%, 95% confidence interval [C.I.] 7.3-7.7) than for men, (5.8%, C.I. 5.6-5.9), and the same was true for the mean number of sick-leave days (women 81, C.I. 78-83; men 65, C.I. 63-68). Grouping occupations according to degree of numerical gender segregation revealed the highest incidence and duration of sickness absence for women in male-dominated occupations. For both genders, the lowest cumulative incidence and duration occurred in gender-integrated occupations. Conclusions: Our results indicate a strong association between occupational gender segregation and musculoskeletal-related sickness absence. Further studies are needed to elucidate gender segregation of the labour market in relation to health and rehabilitation measures.
De los Pactos de la Moncloa a la entrada en la Comunidad Económica Europea (1977-1986)

Al igual que ocurriera en otros periodos de su historia, en 1977 la sociedad espanola hubo de enfrentarse, a un tiempo, a la crisis economica que azotaba la economia mundial (agudizada en este caso por la situacion extrema que presentaba nuestro pais en cuanto a niveles de inflacion, de deficit exterior y de perdida de divisas) y a las especiales condiciones derivadas de los cambios politicos que conducirian a la actual democracia. En este contexto, no cabe duda de la importancia que revistieron los Acuerdos de la Moncloa a la hora de crear el consenso politico y social necesario para la aplicacion de las medidas de ajuste que precisaba nuestra economia. Este articulo presenta, en primer lugar, un balance de este periodo, que se completa con un analisis del papel desempenado por los economistas espanoles en las tareas politicas en tres etapas relevantes de la historia economica espanola reciente: el Plan de Estabilizacion de 1959, los programas de ajuste a la crisis economica de los anos 70 (los Pactos de la Moncloa) y el conjunto de decisiones con las que se ha logrado la plena integracion de la economia espanola en las etapas cruciales de la integracion europea (mercado interior, union economica y union monetaria).
Modulation de la conductivité hydraulique foliaire par la lumière chez le Noyer (Juglans regia) : approches écophysiologique et moléculaire

La conductivite hydraulique foliaire (KF) est une composante majeure du transport d’eau dans toute la plante. Dans les feuilles de noyer, la KF est stimulee a la lumiere et est etroitement liee a l’accroissement du taux des transcrits d’aquaporines JrPIP2s. Par ailleurs, la correlation entre la stimulation de la KF et des transcrits d’aquaporines a la lumiere, n’est pas generale et depend de l’espece. Ici, nous etudions cette correlation chez cinq especes forestieres (Juglans regia, Fagus sylvitica, Quercus robur, Salix alba et Populus tremula) differant par leur reponse a la lumiere. Nous demontrons seulement chez le noyer (Juglans regia), la contribution des deux familles d’aquaporines PIP1s et PIP2s. Afin de mieux comprendre le role des JrPIP1s et JrPIP2 dans la reponse a la lumiere, nous avons isole 8 nouvelles isoformes dans les feuilles de noyer et nous avons etudie leurs profils d’expression sur une cinetique lumiere. Toutes les isoformes etudiees sont accumulees a la lumiere et reprimees a l’obscurite. De plus, la KF est dependante de la qualite de lumiere. Elle est reduite de 65% en absence de lumiere bleue. Cette diminution serait liee a l’inhibition des transcrits d’aquaporines. Afin de caracteriser les mecanismes moleculaires precoces impliques dans la modulation de KF par la lumiere, l’approche globale cDNA-AFLP a ete menee sur des feuilles de noyer sous differentes conditions d’eclairement. Nous obtenons 12000 transcrits differentiels derives (TDFs) generes par les 128 couples d’amorces. Parmi les 187 sequences obtenues, 93 d’entre elles ont une fonction putative. Leur classification fonctionnelle montre que les genes relatifs a la regulation cellulaire representent environ 58% des TDFs identifies. Les feuilles exposees a la lumiere, montrent des changements dans les voies de : signalisation calcique, proteolyse, trafic vesiculaire et l’expression de divers facteurs de transcription et proteines de regulation. Pour mieux comprendre le role potentiel de la signalisation calcique dans la modulation de la KF par la lumiere, nous avons etudie l’effet d’un inhibiteur des canaux calciques [LaCl3] et d’un antagoniste de calmoduline [W7] sur la KF et les transcrits des 10 JrPIPs. Comparees aux feuilles temoins, les inhibiteurs calciques provoquent une reduction de la KF et de la majorite des JrPIPs etudiees a la lumiere. Nos resultats confirment l’implication du complexe Ca2+ /calmoduline dans la transduction du signal lumineux responsable de la stimulation de la KF et des transcrits d’aquaporines chez le noyer.
Potential Clinical Significance of a Plasma-Based KRAS Mutation Analysis in Patients with Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS mutation may be resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). This study aims to evaluate a plasma-based KRAS mutation analysis and the clinical significance of plasma KRAS mutation as a predictive marker for tumor resistance to EGFR-TKIs in patients with NSCLC. Experimental Design: DNA extracted from plasma and matched tumor tissues were obtained from 273 patients with advanced stage NSCLC. Patients were followed up prospectively for treatment outcomes. KRAS mutations in codon 12 and 13 were detected using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Mutations in plasma and matched tumors were compared. Associations between KRAS mutation status and patients' clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: KRAS mutation was found in 35 (12.8%) plasma samples and 30 (11.0%) matched tumor tissues. The consistency of KRAS mutations between plasma and tumors is 76.7% (23 of 30; κ = 0.668; P < 0.001). Among 120 patients who received EGFR-TKI treatment, the response rate was only 5.3% (1 of 19) for patients with plasma KRAS mutation compared with 29.7% for patients with no KRAS mutation in plasma DNA (P = 0.024). The median progression-free survival time of patients with plasma KRAS mutation was 2.5 months compared with 8.8 months for patients with wild-type KRAS (P < 0.001). Conclusions: KRAS mutation in plasma DNA correlates with the mutation status in the matched tumor tissues of patients with NSCLC. Plasma KRAS mutation status is associated with a poor tumor response to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC patients and may be used as a predictive marker in selecting patients for such treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 16(4); 1324–30
Automated cardiac phase selection with 64-MDCT coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess three different phase-selection methods for obtaining optimal CT coronary artery image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS ECG-gated CT coronary angiography scans of 40 patients (23 men, 17 women; mean age, 56 years) were retrieved. The patient group was composed of 20 consecutive patients with heart rates < or = 65 beats per minute (bpm) and 20 consecutive patients with heart rates > 65 bpm. Three phase-selection methods were evaluated: fixed phase selection, manual phase selection, and automated phase selection. Two scoring systems were used to evaluate diagnostic quality: scoring of axial images on a 5-point scale and scoring of multiplanar reconstructions (MPRs) on a forced-choice 3-point preference scale. Differences were tested by Wilcoxon's signed rank test for the entire patient group and the two subgroups including patients with heart rates < or = 65 bpm and those with heart rates > 65 bpm. RESULTS Axial image evaluation of the entire patient group showed statistically significant superior image quality for the manual phase-selection method compared with the predefined phase-selection method and no statistically significant differences were found for the other comparisons. Analysis at heart rates < or = 65 bpm showed no significant differences between phase-selection methods. Analysis at heart rates > 65 bpm showed the best results for the automated phase-selection method, and image quality was significantly better for the automated and manual phase-selection methods than for the predefined phase-selection method. CONCLUSION The automated phase-selection method accurately detects the optimal diagnostic phase for CT coronary artery evaluation and has the potential to reduce operator time needed for image reconstruction.
How strong is the evidence that immunotherapy in children prevents the progression of allergy and asthma?

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to describe the scientific evidence that specific immunotherapy can prevent the development of asthma in patients suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis as well as reduce the number of new allergies developing. Recent findingsProposed strategies for the prevention of the development of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma include allergen avoidance, pharmacological treatment (antihistamines and steroids) and specific immunotherapy. Long-term follow-up on immunotherapy studies demonstrates that specific immunotherapy for 3 years shows persistent long-term effects on clinical symptoms after termination of treatment and long-term, preventive effects on later development of asthma in children with seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. It is so far the only treatment for allergic diseases that has been shown to be able to prevent worsening of disease and development of asthma. Also, specific immunotherapy seems to reduce the development of new allergic sensitivities as measured by the skin prick test as well as specific IgE measurements. SummarySpecific immunotherapy is the only treatment that interferes with the basic pathophysiological mechanisms of the allergic disease and thereby carries the potential for changes in the long-term prognosis of respiratory allergy. Specific immunotherapy should be recognized not only as first-line therapeutic treatment for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, but also as secondary preventive treatment for respiratory allergic diseases.
Generalized aggressive periodontitis as a risk factor for dental implant failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Dental implant placement is a widely used treatment that provides functional and esthetic resolution for patients suffering from tooth loss. However, the incidence of peri-implant diseases has been rising recently. Periodontal diseases and peri-implant diseases share many similarities. Hence, it is important to find out whether patients with aggressive periodontal disease possess a higher risk of developing peri-implant diseases. The aim of this study is to study whether generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) has similar survival rates (SRs) and marginal bone loss (MBL) when compared with patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and/or healthy patients (HPs). METHODS An electronic literature search was conducted by one reviewer (AM) in several databases from 2000 to 2013, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register databases, for articles written in English up to November 2013. Human clinical trials, either prospective or retrospective, that compared implant SR and MBL in patients with a history of GAgP versus those with CP or HPs were included. RESULTS A total of six non-randomized prospective clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The results showed SRs of 83.3% to 100% (GAgP), 96.4% to 100% (CP), and 96.9% to 100% (HP) over a mean period of 48.01 ± 71.99 months, with an overall risk ratio of 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91 to 1.01, P = 0.14, GAgP versus HP) and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.87 to 1.01, P = 0.09, GAgP versus CP). However, when the "failure rate" as studied outcome was examined, meta-analysis presented an overall risk ratio of 4.00 for the comparison between patients with AgP and HPs and an overall risk ratio of 3.97 when compared with patients with CP. The MBL weighted mean difference for each subgroup was 0.15 mm (95% CI = 0.04 to 0.26, HP versus CP), -0.28 mm (95% CI = -0.36 to -0.19, HP versus GAgP), and -0.43 mm (95% CI = -0.53 to -0.33, CP versus GAgP) over a mean period of 30 ± 18 months. CONCLUSIONS Implant placement in patients with a history of GAgP might be considered a viable option to restore oral function with survival outcomes similar to those found in both patients with CP and HPs. However, the risk ratio for failure in patients with AgP is significantly higher when compared with HPs (4.0) and those with CP (3.97).
Collagen structure and nonlinear susceptibility: Effects of heat, glycation, and enzymatic cleavage on second harmonic signal intensity

Helical macromolecules such as collagen and DNA are characterized by nonlinear optical properties, including nonlinear susceptibility. Because collagen is the predominant component of most biological tissues, as well as the major source of second harmonic generation (SHG), it is reasonable to assume that changes in harmonic signal can be attributed to structural changes in collagen. The purpose of this study is to determine whether various modifications of collagen structure affect second harmonic intensity.
Method for Estimating Ultraviolet Germicidal Fluence Rates in a Hospital Room

Background. Upper-room air UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an effective environmental control measure for mitigating the transmission of airborne infections. Many factors influence the efficacy of an upper-room air UVGI system, including the levels and distribution of radiation. The radiation levels experienced by airborne microorganisms can be estimated by measuring the fluence rate, which is the irradiance from all angles that is incident on a small region of space. Methods. The fluence rate can be estimated by use of a radiometer coupled to a planar detector. Measurements in 4 directions at a single point are taken and summed to estimate the fluence rate at that point. This measurement process is repeated at different sites in the room at a single height. Results. In the upper air of a test room, the UV fluence rate varied at least 3-fold, with the maximum rate occurring in the immediate vicinity of the fixtures containing lamps emitting UV radiation. In the area that would be occupied by the patient and/or healthcare personnel, no significant variation occurred in the UV fluence rate for a designated height. There was no significant statistical difference between measurements obtained by different individuals, by using a different alignment, or during 5 observation periods. Lamp failures were detected on multiple occasions. Conclusion. This method is simple, requires no specialized training, and permits regular monitoring of the necessary UV fluence rates needed to sustain the targeted airborne microorganisms' inactivation level. Additionally, this method allowed for the detection of changes in UV fluence rates in the upper air of the simulated hospital room.
An approximation of maximal output admissible sets for online application: A case study

This study numerically considers the approximation of a maximal output admissible set by an ellipsoid in terms of a reference value. The significance of the study is its online calculation of the maximal output admissible set, which is required in the tracking control of a constrained system under an unknown but bounded constant reference. A numerical example is used to show a procedure for approximating the admissible set and to investigate its online application in conventional constrained control techniques.
La motivación para las matemáticas en la ESO. Un estudio sobre las diferencias en función del curso y del sexo

Es conocida la importancia de la motivacion en educacion; la presente investigacion analiza este constructo psicoinstruccional en el aula de matematicas de Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). Para tal fin, se han estudiado las variaciones de la motivacion en funcion del curso academico y del sexo. La muestra empleada esta formada por 631 alumnos y alumnas de 2o, 3o y 4o de la ESO. La herramienta de medida esta compuesta por un cuestionario de autoinforme basado en el modelo de expectativa-valor de Eccles et al. (1983) y adaptado para el aprendizaje de las matematicas. Los resultados indican una tendencia moderada a aumentar la motivacion de 2o a 3o curso y un estancamiento de 3o a 4o. En cuanto a las diferencias de sexo, se han encontrado debiles variaciones en autoeficacia a favor de los chicos.