Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Soy Bean Products as Cheap Sources of Protein in Child-Nutrition in Akpuoga Nike Community, in Enugu State South East, Nigeria

Protein-energy malnutrition among children is a global problem. It is more devastating in developing countries because of high poverty level among rural dwellers. Akpuoga Nike is a typical rural community where social amenities are lacking, commercial and income generation activities are very low. Majority of the people engage in subsistence farming and petty trading. Consequently they cannot afford animal protein due to its high cost. The aims of the study were to find out the use of soy bean products as source of protein for children under-five by mothers in Akpuoga Nike and also to determine their positive and negative attitudes towards the use in the nutrition of their children nutrition. Descriptive survey research design was used to carry out the study on 100 women of childbearing age attending Akpuoga Nike Health Centre. Researchers' developed interview guide and focus group discussion were instruments used for data collection. Sixty percent of the respondents fed their children with soy bean products while 40% had never used any. In their mean rating, the respondents agreed that soy bean products have positive features such as being cheap, nutritive and a good alternative source of animal protein. While the negative features identified were; not easy to prepare, foul odor/taste and abdominal upset and flatulence. Soy products provide excellent sources of disease busting antioxidants, B. vitamins (including folate) and iron. They remain good alternative sources of animal protein in child nutrition especially in poverty stricken rural communities and mothers should be counseled on their use in the nutrition of their children.
The Relationship between Dietary Factors and Serum Lipids in chinese Urban and Rural Populations of Beijing and Guangzhou

Background. Serum cholesterol (TC) levels and coronary heart disease (CHD) are lower in China than in western countries. This report examines the role of diet in determining TC. Methods. Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study of 10 000 men and women, 35-54 years old, conducted in 1983-1984 in four areas in China. A 10% subsample was surveyed for eating patterns and measurement of blood lipids. Six one-day dietary recalls were collected on each participant. Results. Mean daily intake of energy from fat was less than 30%. Mean Keys scores ranged from 20.4 to 32.6. In multivariable regression analysis controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol, Keys score was statistically associated with serum TC. A 10-unit greater Keys score was associated with 6.3 mg/dl higher TC and 4.0 mg/dl higher low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions. We conclude that in China the relation of dietary factors to serum lipids is similar to that in populations having high serum TC levels.
Dietary protein requirement of female adults >65 years determined by the indicator amino acid oxidation technique is higher than current recommendations.

BACKGROUND Studies on protein requirements in vulnerable groups such as older adults are few, and results are conflicting. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to determine the protein requirements of free-living women >65 y by measuring the oxidation of l-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine to (13)CO2 in response to graded intakes of protein. METHODS Twelve subjects participated in the study, with protein intakes ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 g · kg(-1) · d(-1) for a total of 82 studies. The diets provided energy at 1.5 times each subject's resting energy expenditure and were isocaloric. Protein was given as an amino acid mixture on the basis of the egg protein pattern, except for phenylalanine and tyrosine, which were maintained constant across the protein intake amounts. All subjects were adapted for 2 d before the study day to a protein intake of 1.0 g · kg(-1) · d(-1). The mean protein requirement was determined by applying a mixed-effects change-point regression analysis to F(13)CO2 (label tracer oxidation in (13)CO2 breath), which identified a breakpoint in the F(13)CO2 in response to graded amounts of protein. RESULTS The mean estimated average requirement (EAR) and upper 95% CI (approximating the RDA) protein requirement of women >65 y were 0.96 and 1.29 g · kg(-1) · d(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION These estimates of protein requirements for older women are higher than the current EAR and RDA based on nitrogen balance data, which are 0.66 and 0.80 g · kg(-1) · d(-1), respectively. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01604980.
A multiple robot solution for urban reconnaissance

Coordinating aerial and ground based robotic platforms together with sensor payloads is described and some results are presented on the deployment of these robots in an urban environment for reconnaissance, in particular to find military threats. This work was done with the aim of competing in the UK MOD Grand Challenge competition in August 2008. This paper reviews the structure, control, coordination and integration of the robotic platforms for this event.
Dietary protein structure affects endogenous ileal amino acids but not true ileal amino acid digestibility in growing male rats.

BACKGROUND The amount of endogenous, as opposed to undigested dietary, protein in digesta is a measure of fundamental interest related to gut physiology and function. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether alimentation with proteins having differing amino acid compositions influenced endogenous ileal amino acids (EIAAs) and true ileal amino acid digestibility (TIAAD) values. METHODS Male rats (n = 8) were fed a purified diet containing 100 g/kg of 1 of 5 protein hydrolysates, each derived from a different semipurified intact protein source [gelatin, beef muscle (BM), casein, soy protein isolate (SPI), and lactalbumin] devoid of antinutritional factors or fiber. The rats were fed their respective hydrolysate-based diet for 1 d after receiving the same diet but containing the corresponding intact protein source for 7 d. Titanium dioxide was used as an indigestible marker. Ileal digesta were collected after the rats were killed, and EIAAs were determined (precipitate + retentate) after centrifugation and ultrafiltration of the digesta. The TIAAD values of the intact protein sources were determined using EIAA flows based on each protein hydrolysate. RESULTS Mean EIAA flows differed (P < 0.05) across protein hydrolysates for most amino acids, with the mean ± SEM EIAA flows across amino acids being 262 ± 17, 253 ± 12, 248 ± 18, 226 ± 14, and 191 ± 20 mg/kg dry matter intake for the gelatin, BM, casein, SPI, and lactalbumin hydrolysates, respectively. The only difference (P < 0.05) for the mean EIAA flows across amino acids within each protein hydrolysate was observed between gelatin (262 ± 17 mg/kg) and lactalbumin (191 ± 20 mg/kg) hydrolysates. Except for Trp (P < 0.001) in gelatin and lactalbumin hydrolysates, EIAA flows determined using the casein hydrolysate were not different (P ≥ 0.05) from EIAA flows determined using the other protein hydrolysates. TIAAD values were not generally different (P ≥ 0.05) regardless of the hydrolysate used to determine the EIAA flows. CONCLUSIONS Protein source affected EIAA flows, although the differences had little effect on TIAAD. Enzyme hydrolyzed casein is a suitable model hydrolysate for determining TIAAD with the enzyme-hydrolyzed protein-ultrafiltration technique.
Metabolite profile analysis reveals association of vitamin B-6 with metabolites related to one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not with biomarkers of inflammation in oral contraceptive users and reveals the effects of oral contraceptives on these processes.

BACKGROUND The use of oral contraceptives (OCs) has been associated with low plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The functional consequences are unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine whether functional vitamin B-6 insufficiency occurs in OC users and is attributable to OCs, we investigated the associations of PLP with metabolites of one-carbon metabolism, tryptophan catabolism, and inflammation in OC users, and evaluated the effects of OCs on these metabolites. METHODS Plasma metabolite concentrations were measured in 157 OC users (20-40 y of age). Associations between PLP and the metabolites were analyzed through use of generalized additive models and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Additionally, data from 111 of the 157 OC users were compared to previously reported data from 11 nonusers, at adequate and low vitamin B-6 status, with use of multivariate ANOVA. RESULTS PLP showed significant (P < 0.05) negative nonlinear association with homocysteine, glutathione, and ratios of asymmetric dimethylarginine to arginine, 3-hydroxykynurenine to 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and 3-hydroxykynurenine to kynurenic acid. PLS-DA supported these conclusions and identified 3-hydroxykynurenine and the 3-hydroxykynurenine-to-kynurenine ratio as discriminating biomarkers in women with PLP ≤30 nmol/L. Among the many differences, OC users had significantly higher plasma pyridoxal (157% at adequate and 195% at low vitamin B-6 status), 4-pyridoxic acid (154% at adequate and 300% at low vitamin B-6 status), xanthurenic acid (218% at low vitamin B-6 status), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (176% at adequate and 166% at low vitamin B-6 status), quinolinic acid (127% at low vitamin B-6 status), and nicotinamide (197% at low vitamin B-6 status). Biomarkers of inflammation were not associated with PLP, and no differences were found between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS PLP is associated with biomarkers of one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not with biomarkers of inflammation in OC users. Independent of vitamin B-6 status, OCs have effects on metabolites and ratios of one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan catabolism but not on biomarkers of inflammation. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01128244. The study from which data for nonusers was derived was registered as NCT00877812.
Prim Care Clin Office Pract Nephrolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis is the most common chronic kidney condition, after hypertension, and also is an ancient one: treatments for patients who have stones have been described since the earliest medical texts. Stones are a preventable cause of morbidity, accounting for more than $5 billion in economic costs in the United States each year for hospitalization and procedures to remove symptomatic stones and for time lost from work [1]. 35 (2008) 369–391
Protective Effect of Melatonine Against Radiation Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Purpose: The degree of radiation injury to kidneys which are located within the limits of radiotherapy area is determined by the volume and the dose of radiation to which the organ is exposed. When the tolerance dose of the kidney is exceeded after a latent period of 6 months acute nephritis develops and after 18 months chronic nephritis ensues. Melatonin is known to prevent the oxidative injury of toxins and radiotherapy with its free radical scavenging capacity. Methods and materials: In this study 8 weeks old 24 Sprague –Dawley rats were allocated into 4 groups: Control group; Radiotherapy group (20 Gy bilaterally in 5 fractions); Melatonin group (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and Melatonin+radiotherapy group (20 Gy Radiotherapy in 5 fractions+ melatonin 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally). After a follow-up period of 6 months BUN was determined in all groups. After rats were euthanized the kidneys were removed for histopathological examination under both light and electron microscopes. Results: After 6 months follow-up, both at light and electron microscopy levels, the rats in radiotherapy+melatonin group were significantly protected against the radiation injury comparing to radiotherapy group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was shown in this experimental model that melatonin has protective effects against radiation injury to kidneys.
S-phase Fraction as an Independent Prognostic Factor in Invasive Breast Carcinoma -A Study of Long-term Follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the significance of the S-phase fraction (SPF) and DNA ploidy, determined by DNA flow cytometry, as prognostic markers in invasive breast cancer. Methods: Between October 1986 and June 1999, 143 breast carcinoma patients, treated by surgery, were analyzed. Flow cytometry was performed for the identification of the SPF and DNA ploidy, with immunohistochemistry performed on paraffin embedded material for the hormone receptor. Two SPF classes were defined on the basis of the median value (10) by using a log rank test (high SPF>10, low SPF<10). The correlation between SPF and the clinicopathological factors (tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade and steroid receptor status) and between the SPF and 5 yr disease-free survival (DFS) were investigated. Results: DNA ploidy was not associated with tumor size, lymph node status, histological grade, overall survival and DFS. In a univariate analysis, high SPF values were associated with shorter 5 yr DFS in individual groups. In the node negative group, the 5 yr DFS of the low SPF group was higher than that of the high SPF group, but in the node positive group, the SPF values showed statistical significance with the 5 yr DFS. In a multivariate analysis, the SPF was independently associated with the 5 yr DFS in the node negative group. Conclusion: These results suggested the SPF is an independent prognostic factor in lymph node negative, estrogen receptor positive and progesterone receptor negative breast cancers. (J Breast Cancer 2007;10:36-42)
A proinflammatory diet is associated with systemic inflammation and reduced kidney function in elderly adults.

BACKGROUND Diet can affect kidney health through its effects on inflammation. OBJECTIVE We tested whether the Adapted Dietary Inflammatory Index (ADII) is associated with kidney function and whether effects of diet on chronic low-grade inflammation explain this association. METHODS This was an observational analysis in 1942 elderly community-dwelling participants aged 70-71 y from 2 independent cohorts: the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (n = 1097 men) and the Prospective Investigation of Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (n = 845 men and women). The ADII was calculated from 7-d food records, combining putatively proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of nutrients, vitamins, and trace elements. The ADII was validated against serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed from serum cystatin C (cys) and creatinine (crea). Associations between the ADII and eGFR were investigated, and CRP was considered to be a mediator. RESULTS In adjusted analysis, a 1-SD higher ADII was associated with higher CRP (β: 6%; 95% CI: 1%, 10%; P = 0.01) and lower eGFR [Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)cys: -2.1%; 95% CI: -3.2%, -1.1%; CKD-EPIcys+crea: -1.8%; 95% CI: -2.7%, -0.9%; both P < 0.001]. CRP was also inversely associated with eGFR. Mediation analyses showed that of the total effect of the ADII on kidney function, 15% and 17% (for CKD-EPIcys+crea and CKD-EPIcys equations, respectively) were explained/mediated by serum CRP. Findings were similar when each cohort was analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS A proinflammatory diet was associated with systemic inflammation as well as with reduced kidney function in a combined analysis of 2 community-based cohorts of elderly individuals. Our results also suggest systemic inflammation to be one potential pathway through which this dietary pattern is linked to kidney function.
Non-medical prescription opioid use and violent behaviour among adolescents

Objective A pharmacological explanation for the observed positive association between opioid abuse and violence does not appear to exist. Several explanations have therefore been posited. This study attempted to shed additional light on the latent factors linking opioid abuse and adolescent violence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation to examine this relationship while distinguishing between adolescents who misused their own versus a diverted prescription. A secondary objective was to compare the estimated effects of opioid abuse to those of other substances. Method The 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey data were analysed. A full information maximum likelihood multiple regression was used to account for missing data. Results Diverted- and own-prescription opioid abuse among adolescents were evidenced to be relatively strong predictors of violent thoughts and subsequent violent behaviour. Conclusions These findings, in conjunction with our unique operationalisation of violence, help us draw inferences about the true source of the relationship between opioid abuse and violence. The results also indicate that opioid abuse is a potentially modifiable risk factor for violence. The fact that this negative outcome was observed for youths abusing their own prescription is further cause for concern given the recent surge in opioid prescriptions.
MECIMPLAN: an agent-based methodology for planning

Planning is a human process that we constantly use in our daily life. However, when the planning process exceeds from our mental capacity the use of computers can be a good solution to complement our natural planning capacity. The availability of planning functionalities is essential for information and database systems to show intelligent and adaptive behaviour. In order to build such a functionality in a principled manner, a methodology is required that is flexible enough to be tailored to the specific needs of an information system for a particular application. In this article, we will introduce a methodology that draws upon agent technology so as to incrementally construct models for information systems with planning capabilities. In this methodology, each agent is responsible for carrying out a specific task within the planning process, such as classifying, qualifying, assigning or optimising an intelligent search. The use of agents, as software entities in charge of developing specific reasoning processes, facilitates the dynamic generation and refinement of solutions with desired functionality. We have developed two software prototypes that prove the adequacy of our approach in different real-world domains.
Eccentric and concentric muscle performance following 7 days of simulated weightlessness

Changes in skeletal muscle strength occur in response to chronic disuse or insufficient functional loading. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in muscle performance of the lower extremity and torso prior to and immediately after 7 days of simulated weightlessness (horizontal bed rest). A Biodex was used to determine concentric and eccentric peak torque and angle at peak torque for the back, abdomen, quadriceps, hamstring, soleus, and tibialis anterior. A reference angle of 0 degrees was set at full extension. Data were analyzed by ANOVA.
Neurocognitive considerations when assessing Theory of Mind in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterised by poor social competence; and since Theory of Mind (ToM) is a building block for social-communicative skills and successful social integration, these skills are important to assess when preparing and monitoring educational and therapeutic plans. ToM is a complex skill requiring the ability to form mental concepts, to represent complex constructs verbally, to inhibit some mental states in favour of others, and to consider and compare multiple perspectives. It is critical to consider cognitive influences on the ability to develop and convey ToM skills to ensure that deficits in other cognitive domains do not falsely present as ToM deficits. This consideration is particularly vital in ASD populations with known difficulties not only in ToM, but also in intellectual functioning, language, and executive functioning. This article reviews the influence of intellectual ability, language, working memory, and inhibition skills on the presentation of ToM; with particular focus on ToM in ASD. We discuss practical suggestions based on clinical experience in neuropsychological practice and research in South Africa for the successful assessment of ToM ability.
How Responsive Is Early Intervention to the Priorities and Needs of Families?

This study assessed the type and scope of services provided to families participating in early intervention programs and examined whether early intervention services were responsive to families' concerns. From 63 programs, 357 mothers responded to a printed questionnaire. Results indicated that (a) early intervention programs provided significantly higher levels of family services related to child information, family instructional activities, and systems engagement as compared to personal/family and resource assistance; (b) services were rated more favorably in home-based programs and center-based programs with home-based components than in programs with only center-based services; (c) the services families reported receiving were positively correlated with their ratings of the desirability of services; (d) families' needs for services were significantly higher than the level of services they reported currently receiving; and (e) the types of services families received depended in part on the location in which they resided. No significant relationships were found between characteristics of children and the types of services families received. However, the pattern of relationships between family characteristics and family services suggested that families with optimal patterns of family functioning were more likely to receive services than were families with indicators of risk or dysfunction.
Women, communities, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: Issues and findings from community research in Botswana and Zambia

This paper discusses research in Botswana and Zambia that showed gaps in community knowledge about HIV transmission, particularly from mother to child, and yielded insights into community perspectives about the barriers to using voluntary counseling and testing services; the stigma and fear associated with HIV; traditional norms on breastfeeding; and the role of family and community members in women’s decisions to participate in programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. A separate Population Council publication (“Community involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: Insights and recommendations”) offers recommendations for community involvement strategies that will encourage program planners to include community participation, education, and mobilization as critical program elements. An intervention that addresses mother-to-child transmission of HIV is complex, yet it is one of the few biomedical interventions currently available for reducing the transmission of HIV that is feasible and affordable in resource-constrained settings. Placed within the framework of community involvement, it offers an enormous opportunity to improve HIV prevention and care. Successful interventions can influence how AIDS is perceived by the community, reduce stigma, and have an effect beyond the immediate prevention of perinatal transmission.
POLICY AND SERVICE DELIVERY A generic performance framework for ambulance services: an Australian health services perspective. Article 990132

This review explores a selection of existing methods that measure ambulance service performance and identifies a performance framework that could be useful in a variety of contextual settings. It drew on a selection of well-known performance frameworks currently in use within emergency, health and ambulance systems. It is recommended that ambulance authorities adopt a health services performance framework in preference to the widely used emergency services framework with its heavy emphasis on time intervals such as response times. This suggested framework should be able to accommodate a wide range of validated clinical and non-clinical performance indicators that better reflect the position of ambulance services as part of the health system.