Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local Biological Factors that Influence Amputations in Diabetic Patients

Lower extremity amputation is one of the worst complications of diabetes, as it usually has a life expectancy that is below that of most cancers. Four local biologic factors—ulcer, ischemia, neuropathy, and infection—have been shown to be related to amputation. These factors interact with one another, such that neuropathy has been shown to cause ulcers and ischemia and to prevent the healing of ulcers. In addition, ischemia and neuropathy are independent risk factors for infection. More coordinated efforts are needed to create better grading schemes and therapeutic protocols.
An Analysis of Dual-Band Octagonal Ring Metamaterial Absorber

Simulation of a dual-band octagonal ring metamaterial absorber is presented in this paper. With absorbance characteristics at resonated frequency in C-band and X-band, the proposed structure has polarization insensitive up to 70° and 90° of incident angle. By using CST Microwave Studio, designed and simulated structure shows minimum return loss of 11.31 dB and 16.4 dB with the absorbance of 0.926 and 0.977 at 6.21 GHz and 10.5 GHz respectively. The proposed structure also has been analyzed in terms of the different substrate with different permittivity and thickness which shows the different characteristics. FR-4 substrate shows the higher bandwidth while RO3010 shows the higher absorbance rate for octagonal ring metamaterial absorber. The thickness of the substrate also gives an effect to the absorbance quality, where the thick substrate would have lower absorbance depending on the material permittivity. With the latest technology, octagonal ring metamaterial absorber gives the potential to be applied in stealth applications of surveillance and defence.
Doing Business in Pakistan: Managemental Challenges

As a review of the current political and economic situation in Pakistan, this paper aims to discuss the contextual issues which have affected the human resources management (HRM) practices of Pakistani or- ganizations. Firstly, it outlines some historical backgrounds that have influenced management practices in Pakistan. Secondly, it analyzes the current turbulent political and economic conditions within the country. Thirdly, it discusses specific cultural and social values, in which the management practices in Pakistan are likely to be embedded. Moreover, this study discovers the implication of these contextual factors to HRM among Pakistani organizations. It concludes that Pakistani organizations can only be managed effectively to some extent through the crossbreed management style due to the uncertain domestic environment, as has been exhibited in other developing countries in the context of global business and foreign investment.
The formation of synapses in amphibian striated muscle during development.

1. A study has been made of the formation of synapses in developing reinnervated and cross‐reinnervated amphibian twitch muscles which receive either a focal (iliofibularis) or a distributed (sartorius) innervation from 'en plaque' nerve terminals using histological, ultrastructural and electrophysiological techniques. 2. During the development of the tadpole through metamorphosis to the adult frog, the sartorius myofibres increased in length at about twice the rate of the iliofibularis myofibres, due to a fast rate of growth at their insertions on to the pelvic tendon. 3. The short iliofibularis and sartorius myofibres of young tadpoles (800 mum long) possessed only a single synapse and the iliofibularis myofibres did not receive any further innervation during development. However the sartorius myofibres received further transient innervation on the new muscle laid down during development at the fast growing pelvic insertion, until the distance between the original synapse formed on the myofibres and the synapse at the pelvic end of the muscle was about 12 mm. 4. During development synapses possessed either skewed, multimodal, or unimodal m.e.p.p. amplitude‐frequency distributions; the intervals between m.e.p.p.s. were not distributed randomly according to a Poisson process, as m.e.p.p.s. of similar amplitudes tended to be separated by very short intervals; the unit‐size e.p.p. had a similar amplitude‐frequency distribution as the m.e.p.p.s. if these had a unimodal distribution. 5. Reinnervation or cross‐reinnervation of the sartorius and the iliofibularis muscles in adults or at a late stage of development simply reconstituted the normal focal and distributed innervation patterns of the muscles, as found in the control muscles of the contralateral and unoperated legs. 6. These observations on synapse formation in amphibia are consistent with the hypothesis that during development the axon making the initial synaptic contact on the muscle cells induces a property over a length of muscle membrane adjacent to this site which makes it refractory to synapse formation; thus during reinnervation or cross‐reinnervation of adult muscles this refractory property constrains synapse formation to these sites.
Resetting of FLOWERING LOCUS C expression after epigenetic repression by vernalization

The epigenetic repression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in winter-annual ecotypes of Arabidopsis by prolonged cold ensures that plants flower in spring and not during winter. Resetting of the FLC expression level in progeny is an important step in the life cycle of the plant. We show that both the paternally derived and the maternally derived FLC:GUS genes are reset to activity but that the timing of their first expression differs. The paternal FLC:GUS gene in vernalized plants is expressed in the male reproductive organs, the anthers, in both somatic tissue and in the sporogenous pollen mother cells, but there is no expression in mature pollen. In the progeny generation, the paternally derived FLC:GUS gene is expressed in the single-celled zygote (fertilized egg cell) and through embryo development, but not in the fertilized central cell, which generates the endosperm of the progeny seed. FLC:GUS is not expressed during female gametogenesis, with the maternally derived FLC:GUS being first expressed in the early multicellular embryo. We show that FLC activity during late embryo development is a prerequisite for the repressive action of FLC on flowering.
Prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse and unprotected vaginal intercourse among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in China: a meta-analysis

This study aims at deriving a general description of the prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse among HIV-positive MSM in China using published epidemiological research. Comprehensively searching Wanfang, Weipu, China Biological Medicine (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Pubmed databases in the systematic review. Meta-analysis were conducted over a final set of nineteen studies (n=1603). The pooled prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse among HIV-positive MSM was 75.4% (95%CI: 67.5%∼82.5%) and unprotected vaginal intercourse was 68.0% (95%CI: 46.0%∼86.4%). The prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse differed significantly in sampling method, data collection method, sample size, location, recruitment setting and data collection period. Studies with the following features had a higher prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse: recruiting participants from 2005 to 2007, sample size being below 50, recruiting participants from MSM venues/internet, using convenience sampling, study location being Chongqing city, and using interviewer administered questionnaire. Findings from this meta-analysis indicate that a majority percentage of HIV-positive MSM engage in unprotected sexual behavior. So that place their sex partners at risk for infecting HIV and also place themselves at risk for other sexually transmitted diseases. An effective strategy for prevention and control is required for this specific population in China.
The role of disturbed sleep in the early recognition of bipolar disorder: a systematic review

Ritter PS, Marx C, Bauer M, Lepold K, Pfennig A. The role of disturbed sleep in the early recognition of bipolar disorder: a systematic review. Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 227–237. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Female Caregivers of Stroke Survivors: Coping and Adapting to a Life That Once Was

ABSTRACT Despite the prevalence of women caring for stroke survivors, relatively little research has focused specifically on the experience and needs of informal female caregivers of stroke survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the experience of female caregivers who care for an adult family member who has experienced a stroke within the previous year using a qualitative methodology. A sample of 46 female caregivers of stroke survivors completed a demographic form and responded to open-ended written questions exploring their experiences as caregivers and how they coped with changes in their lives during the first year after the stroke. Four concepts emerged from the data: losing the life that once was, coping with daily burdens, creating a new normal, and interacting with healthcare providers. Findings suggest that female caregivers of stroke survivors grieve the life that they once shared with the stroke survivor and struggle to cope with multiple family and work demands while trying their best to interact with healthcare providers to attain the best possible care for their loved ones. Recognizing the unique challenges of female caregivers of stroke survivors may help nurses provide better support and resources to meet their needs.
Preclinical profiling of the immunogenicity of a two-component subunit malaria vaccine candidate based on virosome technology

Presentation of synthetic peptides on immunopotentiating reconstituted influenza virosomes is a promising technology for subunit vaccine development. An optimized virosomally delivered peptide representing 5 NPNA repeats of P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein is highly immunogenic in mice. Antibodies against this peptide (UK-39) inhibit sporozoite invasion of human hepatocytes. A second peptide (AMA49-C1) based on domain III of apical membrane antigen 1, induces antibodies that inhibit blood-stage parasite growth in vitro. Here we show a detailed pre-clinical profiling of these virosomally formulated peptides alone and in combination in mice and rabbits. Two immunizations with virosomally formulated UK-39 or AMA49-C1 were enough to elicit high titers of parasite cross-reactive antibodies in both species. A low dose of 10 μg UK-39 was enough to induce maximal titers in rabbits. Higher doses of peptide did not increase antibody titers. In contrast, AMA49-C1 induced higher antibody titers with 25 and 50 μg peptide. Combination of UK-39 and AMA49-C1 on separate virosomes did not have any negative effect on anti-peptide antibody titers in mice or rabbits. No MHC restriction was observed in the development of humoral responses in outbred rabbits with different immunogenetic backgrounds. All vaccine formulations were safe in toxicity studies in rabbits and rats. Taken together, low amounts of synthetic peptides delivered on virosomes induced high antibody titers in mice and rabbits. Moreover, different peptides could be combined without interfering with individual anti-peptide responses, augmenting the value of this system for the development of a multivalent malaria vaccine.
Maternal tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 gene variants associated with pre‐eclampsia in Tunisian women

The tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) is expressed in placental tissue and it is involved in immune responses, inflammation, angiogenesis and blood pressure regulation; which makes it an attractive pre‐eclampsia (PE) candidate gene. Furthermore, TNFR2 expression is altered in the first trimester in placentas of women who are destined to develop PE. Therefore, we examined the association between maternal and fetal genetic variants of TNFR2 and PE.
Evaluation of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Activity of Phosphodiesterase 3 Inhibitor - Cilostazol

Background: Cyclic nucleotide Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are ubiquitously distributed in mammalian tissues and play a major role in cell signaling by hydrolyzing cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). Impairments in signal transduction have been implicated as possible mechanism of reduced plasticity and neuronal survival in major depressive disorders. PDE inhibitors possess a potentially powerful means to manipulate secondary messengers involved in learning, memory and mood. Cilostazol is an antiplatelet agent indicated for the treatment of intermittent claudication with peripheral artery occlusion and for the prevention of ischemic stroke worldwide. Various animal studies have reported neuroprotective, anti apoptotic, cognition and cerebral blood flow improvement properties of cilostazol. Materials and Methods: In this study, the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of cilostazol were evaluated in mice using behavioral tests sensitive to clinically effective antidepressant compound. Results: Cilostazol, administered intraperitoneally (20 mg/kg), decreased immobility time of mice when subjected to forced swim test and tail suspension test as compared to standard fluoxetine (20 mg/kg). Cilostazol also produced significant decrease in the number of marbles buried as compared to fluoxetine in marble burying model. Conclusion: The present study suggests that cilostazol possesses potential antidepressant and anxiolytic activity, which could be of therapeutic interest for use in patients with depressive disorders.
Trends in State Government Park and Recreation: Expenditures and Employment – 2000 to 2014

This manuscript is a replication of a 2004 study by Crompton and Kaczynski, providing trend data for state expenditures on parks, recreation, and related services, as well as park and recreation employment at the state government level. Whereas Crompton and Kaczynski examined the final decade of the 20th century, the present analysis covers the period of 2000-2001 to 2013-2014 (2014-2015 for employment data). With the seismic economic upheaval in the United States during this period, the time is ripe for such a replication analysis. While the original study period largely saw consistent growth in the American economy, the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 was the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. Using census data, all figures were adjusted for inflation, and are reported in 2014 dollars unless otherwise noted. While Crompton and Kaczynski (2004) reported growth in both total state spending and expenditures on parks and recreation during the 1990s, data from the current period of analysis reveal a starkly different situation. During the study period, total direct expenditures across all state government service areas increased by approximately 22%; growth was relatively flat in the post-recession period, rising less than 3%. State expenditures on parks and recreation fell by 29% across the study period, including an 18% decrease in the post-recession period. Non-capital expenditures fell by nearly 18% across the study period, and by nearly 13% in the post-recession period; capital expenditures fell approximately 63% across the study period, and 42% in the post-recession period. As a result, park and recreation expenditures fell as a proportion of total state expenditures from . 54% to . 31%. Self-generated revenue fell by 16% across the study period, and by 13% in the post-recession period. As in the original analysis, expenditures and self-generated revenue varied widely on a state-by-state basis. In contrast to the original analysis, the number of full-time employees increased: by 6% across the study period, and 5% post-recession. As in the original analysis part-time employees decreased, by nearly 22% across the study period, and 17% post-recession. In adjusted dollar terms, full-time annual salaries fell from nearly $52,000 in 2000-2001 to approximately $44,000 in 2014-2015, an almost 14% decline. Part-time hourly wages fell from a peak of $17.88 pre-recession to $14.40 post-recession, a decrease of nearly 20%. In light of this information, implications for the public, practitioners, advocates, researchers, and educators are discussed. Subscribe to JPRA
Influences of dietary methionine and cysteine on metabolic responses to immunological stress by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide injection, and mitogenic response in broiler chickens

The present experiments were conducted to investigate influences of dietary methionine and cysteine on metabolic responses to immunological stress induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, and concanavalin A (Con A)-induced mononuclear cell (MNC) proliferation in male broiler chickens. In Expt 1, chicks (12 d of age) were fed on a S amino acid (SAA)-deficient diet (5.6 g SAA/kg diet) or on three kinds of SAA-sufficient diet (9.3 g SAA/kg diet; low-, medium- and high-cysteine diets) which contained 2.8, 4.65 and 6.5 g cysteine/kg diet, respectively. Plasma a-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) concentration and interleukin (IL)-1-like activity in chicks fed on the SAA-deficient diet were lower following a single injection of LPS than those in chicks fed on the SAA-sufficient diets. At 16 h after LPS injection, plasma Fe and Zn concentrations and body weight were reduced, but AGP concentration and IL-1-like activity in plasma were significantly increased. These changes in body weight, plasma Zn and Fe concentrations following injection of LPS were not affected by dietary methionine:cysteine ratios. Plasma AGP concentration and IL-1-like activity in chicks fed on the high-cysteine diet were, however, greater than those in chicks fed on the other diets following a single injection of LPS. In Expt 2, chicks (7 d of age) were fed on the SAA-sufficient diets as in Expt 1 for 10 d. MNC proliferation in spleen induced by Con A in chicks fed on the high-cysteine diet was greater than that in chicks fed on the low- or medium-cysteine diet. The results suggest that dietary cysteine has an impact on the immune and inflammatory responses.
Resting energy expenditure in patients with pancreatitis

ObjectiveTo assess the resting energy-expenditure of hospitalized patients with pancreatitis. DesignProspective, case-referent study. SettingNutrition support service in a university tertiary care hospital. PatientsPatients referred to the Nutrition Support Service with the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Excluded from study entry included those with cancer, obesity (>150% ideal body weight), those measured within 3 postoperative days, or patients requiring ventilator support with an Fio2 of >0.5. Forty-eight patients with either acute pancreatitis (n = 13), chronic pancreatitis (n = 24), acute pancreatitis with sepsis (n = 7), or chronic pancreatitis with sepsis (n = 7) were studied. The two septic groups were combined into a single pancreatitis-with-sepsis group, since no significant differences among measured variables were observed between individual septic groups. InterventionsNone. Measurements and Main ResultsResting energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry and compared with the predicted energy expenditure, as determined by the Harris-Benedict equations. Resting energy expenditure (percent of predicted energy expenditure) was significantly (p < .02) greater for patients with pancreatitis complicated by sepsis (120 ± 11%) compared with the nonseptic chronic pancreatitis group (105 ± 14%). Resting energy expenditure for the nonseptic acute pancreatitis patients (112 ± 17%) was not significantly different from the other groups. The septic pancreatitis group had the largest percentage (82%) of hypermetabolic (resting energy expenditure >110% of predicted energy expenditure) patients, whereas 61% and 33% of the acute and chronic pancreatitis groups were hypermetabolic, respectively (p < .02). ConclusionsResting energy expenditure is variable in patients with pancreatitis (77% to 139% of predicted energy expenditure). The Harris-Benedict equations are an unreliable estimate of caloric expenditure. Septic complications are associated with hypermetabolism and may be the most important factor influencing resting energy expenditure in pancreatitis patients. (Crit Care Med 1991; 19:484)
Investigational treatment for vascular cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment of any severity associated with cerebrovascular damage is defined as vascular cognitive impairment as proposed by O’Brien. This is a heterogeneous syndrome with many subtypes, the most prevalent being vascular cognitive impairment without dementia. Neuropathological studies confirm that cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease frequently coexist. Diagnosis depends on criteria for dementia and vascular pathologies. Brain imaging is an important diagnostic tool. Although there is no approved intervention specifically for vascular cognitive impairment, general treatments (such as antiplatelet and antihypertensives) aimed at the prevention and management of stroke are used. Evidence from randomised, placebo-controlled studies of cholinesterase inhibitors for vascular dementia suggests that there may be beneficial effects for cognitive function, and clinical global impression is more favourable for the cholinesterase inhibitors compared with placebo. The effect of memantine also seems to be modest and similar to the effect that is demonstrated in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The accumulated evidence is not as comprehensive as that which exists for Alzheimer’s disease. The cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine have not been extensively studied in vascular cognitive impairment without dementia. For the purposes of this review, the authors focus on interventions that have been evaluated by randomised controlled trials.
A population-based comparison of immunochemical fecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer screening.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Quantitative fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) identify individuals with colorectal cancer with greater levels of accuracy than guaiac tests. We compared the performances of 2 FITs in a population undergoing screening for colorectal cancer. METHODS We collected fecal samples from 19,797 individuals in France (age, 50-74 y) who participated in a colorectal cancer screening program, from June 2009 through May 2011. Samples were analyzed using the Magstream (Fujirebio Inc, Tokyo, Japan) and OC Sensor (Eiken Chemical Co, Tokyo, Japan) (2 samples each) FITs, as well as the Hemoccult II guaiac test (SKD, Villepinte, France) (3 samples each). Colonoscopies were performed for patients with positive results from all 3 tests. The cut-off values for levels of hemoglobin in buffer and stools were 55 ng/mL and 180 μg/g for the Magstream and 150 ng/mL and 30 μg/g for the OC Sensor, respectively. Results from the FITs were compared with those from the guaiac test for cut-off values for stool samples, positivity rates, and the receiver operating characteristic curve values. The numbers needed to screen and the numbers needed to scope to detect an advanced neoplasia (cancer, adenoma ≥10 mm, or high-grade dysplasia) were calculated. RESULTS A positive test result was found in 1224 participants (6.2%); 1075 (87.8%) underwent a colonoscopy examination. Of these, 334 were found to have advanced neoplasia. Considering the cut-off values associated with the positivity rate of Hemoccult II (1.6%), the numbers needed to screen were 239 for Hemoccult II, 166 for a 1-sample Magstream FIT, and 129 for a 1-sample OC Sensor FIT; the numbers needed to scope were 3.3, 2.3, and 1.8, respectively. For the same false-positive rate as Hemoccult II (0.98%), the true-positive rates for Magstream and OC Sensor FITs were 0.65% and 0.90% respectively, compared with 0.42% for Hemoccult II. The OC Sensor FIT had a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value than the Magstream FIT. CONCLUSIONS Based on results from a large, population-based study, the OC Sensor FIT identifies patients with colorectal cancer with greater accuracy than the Magstream FIT. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01251666.