Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Epidemiological Study of the Morbidity Pattern among the Elderly in Six Countries

The elderly are one of the most vulnerable and high risk groups in terms of morbidity and health status. For this study Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) survey data (2007-2010) have been used. Results show, that prevalen ce of morbidities is significantly higher (58 %) in Russia Federation followed by India and Gh ana (53.8& 40.7 %). Furthermore, the prevalence of Vision problem is remarkab le higher in India and Russia Federation (31.2 & 20.4 %) than in other selected countrie s. The elderly were 12.6 % having hearing problem in Russia Federation while lees contr ibution of Ghana about 3.3 %. Wealth of the respondent are statically associated with morbidity across selected countries. Regression results depicts higher educated elderl y are less likely (0.451, p>0.001) to have morbidity than their counterpart. Furthe rmore, urban respondent have significantly high morbidity as compare to their counterpar t. The intergenerational support has been drastically changed due to the new econo mic scenario.
Evaluation of the reagent test strips and microscopic examination of urine in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in sows 1

Mazutti K. , Locatelli-Dittrich R. , Lunardon I. , Kuchiishi S.S. , Lara A.C. , Zotti E. & Alberton G.C. 2013. Evaluation of the reagent test strips and microscopic examination of urine in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in sows. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 33(9):1103-1108. Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Medicina Veterinária, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Campus Curitiba, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, PR 80215-901, Brazil. E-mail: kelly.mazutti@pucpr.br The diagnosis of the urinary tract infection (UTI) in sows is usually performed by using reagent test strips, since it is a fast and practical method, and capable of being done at the farm. The microscopic examination of the urine is rarely used at the farm since it is a more time consuming and difficult technique. However, there are no studies on the accuracy of those two techniques for the UTI diagnosis on this species. This study aims to assess the accuracy of the reagent test strip and the urine microscopic examination in the diagnosis of ITU in sows, comparing them with the bacteriological examination of urine. In order to select the sows for this study, a chemical reagent test strip was carried out previously and a total of 139 sows were selected, 66 sows of which showed positivity to nitrite in the reagent test strip and 73 without nitrituria. Then, the next day, a new sample collection for performing a complete urinalysis was carried out from those 139 sows, which included physical, chemical, microscopic and microbiological examination of these urine samples. The results revealed that the nitrite test of the reagent strip showed 100% of specificity and 93% of sensitivity. The specificity of the microscopic examination for bacteriuria was 82% and the sensitivity was 100%. The UTI diagnosis by using reagent strips and/or the urine sediment test is reliable if compared to the urine bacteriological examination, which makes possible the rapid diagnosis of UTI in sows at the farm.
Validity and reliability of the twenty-eight-joint count for the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity of the 28-joint count for assessment of joint involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Joint involvement as determined by the 28- and the 66/68-joint count was compared using data from 735 prospectively studied RA patients. RESULTS The joints included in the 28-joint count were more commonly involved than other joints, and findings from the 28-joint count correlated highly with those from the 66/68-joint count in all analyses. CONCLUSION The 28-joint count is a reliable and valid measure for joint assessment. It is easier to perform than the 66/68-joint count, and it addresses the joints that are critically involved.
The unidirectional flagellar motor of Rhodobacter sphaeroides WS8 can rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise: characterization of the flagellum under both conditions by antibody decoration

A variant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides WS8 has been isolated which when tethered has a cell body that rotates counterclockwise instead of clockwise. Antibody decoration in vivo has shown that the filament on the variant has handedness opposite to that of the normal form. In both cases the cell body is pushed by the rotating flagellum.
Effects of local and systemic immunization on serum antibody titres in splenectomized chickens

The role of spleen in local (per anum) and systemic (intravenous = i.v.) immunization was studied by splenectomizing chickens and immunizing them twice with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Brucella abortus. The number of germinal centers in spleen and the splenic weight were also recorded. Splenectomy had no effect on the serum titres evoked by the per anum immunization but it affected the anti‐SRBC and, to a lesser extent, anti‐Brucella titres in serum after i.v. immunization. The effect of splenectomy was less obvious both in the secondary response and when the chickens were younger at operation and the time between splenectomy and immunization was increased. The i.v. immunizations induced germinal centre formation in the spleen whereas immunization per anum did not significantly do so. Also the splenic weight in the i.v. immunized chickens was higher than that in the per anum immunized birds. The present study shows that the spleen is the major site of antibody production against i.v. administered antigens in chickens. Antibody production to antigens applied per anum occurs mainly in other lymphatic organs, most probably in the gut‐associated lymphoid tissues.
Shear stress abnormalities contribute to endothelial dysfunction in hypertension but not in type II diabetes

Background The relative contribution of the various hemodynamic and metabolic mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction may be different in specific vascular diseases. Since shear stress is one of the main mechanical stimuli of endothelial cells, the aim of this study was to investigate its contribution to endothelial dysfunction in two distinct vascular diseases, hypertension and type II diabetes. Subjects and methods We measured the radial artery diameter at baseline, after ischemic vasodilation and after nitroglycerin vasodilation in 16 untreated patients with high blood pressure, in 15 type II normotensive diabetic patients and in 17 healthy controls. Wall shear stress was evaluated by simultaneous measurements of whole blood viscosity and blood flow velocity. Results In diabetic patients, whole blood viscosity was significantly higher whereas wall shear stress was similar compared to controls. In hypertensive patients, whole blood viscosity was higher and wall shear stress was lower than in controls. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was impaired in both hypertensive and diabetic patients (P < 0.01) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index and postnitroglycerin vasodilation. When adjustments were made for maximal systolic shear stress, endothelium-dependent vasodilation remained lower in the diabetic patients (P < 0.01), but not in those with high blood pressure compared to controls. Conclusions In hypertension, endothelium-dependent vasodilation is mainly due to a chronic decrease in shear stress (the most important physiological stimulus of the endothelial cells) with no major intrinsic endothelial cell dysfunction. In contrast, in diabetics, the lower endothelium-dependent vasodilation was not the result of an altered shear stress.
Systems biology for cancer

Purpose of review Significant insight can be gained into complex biologic mechanisms of cancer via a combined computational and experimental systems biology approach. This review highlights some of the major systems biology efforts that were applied to cancer in the past year. Recent findings Two main approaches to computational systems biology are discussed: mechanistic dynamical simulations and inferential data mining. Significant developments have occurred in both areas. For example, mechanistic simulations of the EGFR pathway are promoting understanding of cancer, and Bayesian inference approaches allow for the reconstruction of regulatory networks. In addition, the article reports on advancements in experimental systems biology for determining protein-protein interactions and quantifying protein expression to generate the necessary data for computational modeling and inferential data mining. Emerging approaches will further improve the ability to bridge the gap between in vitro systems and in vivo human biology. Technologies paving the way include in vitro models that better reflect in vivo tumors, microfabricated devices of human physiology, and improved animal models. Summary An important challenge facing the field is how better to translate in vitro discoveries to the clinic. Computational systems biology approaches that use omic data to predict biology along with novel experimental systems that better represent human in vivo biology will prove useful in bridging this gap. Although still early, the potential application of systems biology and the future evolution of the field will significantly affect understanding of cancer disease mechanisms and the ability to devise effective therapeutics.
Evolution of Endogenous Sequences of Banana Streak Virus: What Can We Learn from Banana (Musa sp.) Evolution?

ABSTRACT Endogenous plant pararetroviruses (EPRVs) are viral sequences of the family Caulimoviridae integrated into the nuclear genome of numerous plant species. The ability of some endogenous sequences of Banana streak viruses (eBSVs) in the genome of banana (Musa sp.) to induce infections just like the virus itself was recently demonstrated (P. Gayral et al., J. Virol. 83:6697-6710, 2008). Although eBSVs probably arose from accidental events, infectious eBSVs constitute an extreme case of parasitism, as well as a newly described strategy for vertical virus transmission in plants. We investigated the early evolutionary stages of infectious eBSV for two distinct BSV species—GF (BSGFV) and Imové (BSImV)—through the study of their distribution, insertion polymorphism, and structure evolution among selected banana genotypes representative of the diversity of 60 wild Musa species and genotypes. To do so, the historical frame of host evolution was analyzed by inferring banana phylogeny from two chloroplast regions—matK and trnL-trnF—as well as from the nuclear genome, using 19 microsatellite loci. We demonstrated that both BSV species integrated recently in banana evolution, circa 640,000 years ago. The two infectious eBSVs were subjected to different selective pressures and showed distinct levels of rearrangement within their final structure. In addition, the molecular phylogenies of integrated and nonintegrated BSVs enabled us to establish the phylogenetic origins of eBSGFV and eBSImV.
Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: Importance of Inadequate Initial Antimicrobial Treatment

ABSTRACT Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms markedly increase the rates of treatment failure and death. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to identify risk factors for mortality in adult in-patients with BSI caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-BSI). Particular attention was focused on defining the impact on the mortality of inadequate initial antimicrobial therapy (defined as the initiation of treatment with active antimicrobial agents >72 h after collection of the first positive blood culture). A total of 186 patients with ESBL-BSI caused by Escherichia coli (n = 104), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 58), or Proteus mirabilis (n = 24) were identified by our microbiology laboratory from 1 January 1999 through 31 December 2004. The overall 21-day mortality rate was 38.2% (71 of 186). In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of mortality were inadequate initial antimicrobial therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 6.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 12.42; P < 0.001) and unidentified primary infection site (OR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.38 to 5.27; P = 0.004). The inadequately treated patients (89 of 186 [47.8%]) had a threefold increase in mortality compared to the adequately treated group (59.5% versus 18.5%; OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.76 to 3.22; P < 0.001). The regimens most commonly classified as inadequate were based on oxyimino cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone therapy. Prompt initiation of effective antimicrobial treatment is essential in patients with ESBL-BSI, and empirical decisions must be based on a sound knowledge of the local distribution of pathogens and their susceptibility patterns.
Excitatory responses to serotonin (5‐HT) in neurons of the rat piriform cortex: Evidence for mediation by 5‐HT1C receptors in pyramidal cells and 5‐HT2 receptors in interneurons

As a prerequisite to pharmacological analysis of the excitatory effects of serotoinin (5‐HT) on piriform pyramidal cells and interneurons, this study first examined the physiological characteristics of these two cell types. Intracellular recordings confirmed that the subpopulation of 5‐HT‐activated cells located at the border of layers II and III and indeed interneurons. Voltage clamp recordings in pyramidal cells showed that the increase in excitability produced by 5‐HT in these cells was the result of voltage‐ and Ca2+‐dependent outward currents with the characteristics of IM and IAHP.
The Influence of Enrollment in Agriscience Courses on the Science Achievement of High School Students.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if agriscience courses impact the science achievement of high school students. Objectives included describing students on selected demographics, measuring students’ science achievement as measured by the Louisiana exit examination, and comparing science achievement of agriscience students with nonagriscience students. The population for this study was 11 th grade students enrolled in public schools in Louisiana who completed the state mandated exit examination in 1998. The subjects for this study were a census of the defined population. The findings of the study indicated that agriscience students earned higher scores than non-agriscience students on the science portion of the exit examination. Agriscience students scored as high or higher on four of five science domain sub-scales. It was also found that agriscience students were more likely to pass the examination than non-agriscience students. It was concluded that participation in agriscience courses was beneficial to high school students. Recommendations were made that students be encouraged to enroll in agriscience courses, also recommended is further research to determine the impact of agriscience programs on science achievement of special education students as well as a longitudinal study to determine the impact of specific agriscience courses.
El sistema de indicadores educativos de México: Hacia la elaboración de un índice de educación

Entendiendo el desarrollo humano como un proceso de ampliacion de las capacidades de los individuos, y considerando la educacion como un elemento del mismo, en este trabajo se estudia el sistema educativo de Mexico. Para ello, se analiza el Sistema de Indicadores Educativos del Instituto Nacional para la Evaluacion de la Educacion de Mexico (INEE), caso particular del sistema en el que la Organizacion para la Cooperacion y el Desarrollo Economico (OCDE) recoge anualmente los indicadores de sus paises miembros, profundizando en el contexto educativo, los costes, los recursos y procesos escolares y los resultados de la educacion.
Chromosome analysis of nine osteosarcomas

Although recurrent chromosome abnormalities have been identified in several histologic subtypes of sarcomas, no consistent rearrangement has yet been found in osteosarcomas. Cytogenetic analyses of nine cases of osteosarcoma are reported, including seven newly diagnosed tumors and two recurrent tumors. There were seven high‐grade osteosarcomas, one periosteal osteosarcoma, and one well‐differentiated sarcoma. All tumors were studied in short‐term primary culture. Modal number ranged from near diploid to near triploid. Seven tumors had complex karyotypes with multiple structural abnormalities; two had only normal karyotypes. The retinoblastoma gene on chromosome 13 and the TP53 gene on chromosome 17 have been involved in osteosarcoma. Five tumors had loss of a whole copy of chromosome 13, and three of these also had a loss of a whole copy of chromosome 17. However, these losses were observed in the setting of numerous other chromosome loses. Numerous structural abnormalities were observed, many involving additions of unidentified material, unbalanced translocations, or deletions. Structural abnormalities with similar breakpoints involving 6q, 8q, 9q, and 14p were seen in two or three tumors each. When the tumors in this series were added to the 18 published cases, the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes 1, 3, and 14, and segments 6q 15‐21, 8q24, 9q34, 12p 13, 17p 13, and 19q 13, were found to be involved in five or more structural rearrangements. Molecular analyses of these chromosome regions may yield genes important in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. Genes Chrom Cancer 9:88‐92 (1994). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Anthocyanins Isolated from Black Bean Canning Wastewater by Macroporous Resin Using Optimized Conditions

Anthocyanins from black bean canning wastewater were isolated and purified on a laboratory scale by column chromatography, and then identified by high performance liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Dynamic adsorption and desorption were performed in glass columns packed with Sepabead Sp700 to optimize the purification process. Different temperatures during adsorption and desorption (25℃and 35℃) did not significantly affect the adsorption and desorption ratio. The adsorption ratio was significantly reduced when the flow rate increased from 1.5 mL/min to 2.5 mL/min. However, desorption ratio was not affected by flow rate (from 1.5 mL/min to 0.3 mL/min). Ethanol concentration (from 30% to 60%) was not a significant factor for desorption ratio. Four kinds of anthocyanins were identified in black bean canning wastewater. The major anthocyanins were delphinidin 3-glucoside, petunidin 3glucoside and maldvidin 3-glucoside, with a small amount of petunidin 3, 5-diglucoside also present.
Decreased renal function is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular death after renal transplantation1,2

Background. Chronic kidney disease is thought to be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular death. In renal-allograft recipients, cardiovascular disease is the most significant cause of death. The purpose of this study was to investigate if renal function has a significant role in determining the risk for cardiovascular death in renal-allograft recipients. Methods. We analyzed 58,900 adult patients registered in the United States Renal Data System who received a primary renal transplant between 1988 and 1998 and who had at least 1 year of graft survival. The primary study endpoint was death from a cardiovascular event beyond 1 year of transplantation. Secondary endpoints were death caused by infections and malignancy-related deaths. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to estimate the effect of renal function on cardiovascular death, infectious death, and malignancy-related death while correcting for potential confounding variables, such as donor and recipient age, gender, race, cause of end-stage renal disease, length of dialysis before transplantation, year of transplantation, donor source and age, delayed graft function, and immunosuppressive regimen. Results. Serum creatinine values at 1 year after transplantation were strongly associated with the risk for cardiovascular death. Above a serum creatinine value of 1.5 mg/dL, there was a significant and progressive increase in the risk for cardiovascular death. The risk of cardiovascular death was significantly higher when patients who lost allograft function were included in the analysis. There was an association between worsening renal function and infectious death, but there was no association between renal function and malignancy-related death. Conclusion. Serum creatinine at 1 year is strongly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular death independent of known risk factors.
[Do we successfully treat anemia and calcium-phosphate disorders in children with chronic kidney disease at the beginning of the twenty-first century?].

UNLABELLED In children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) anemia and calcium-phosphate disturbances are already present at early stages of the disease and require a comprehensive treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of biochemical disturbances, depending on the severity of CKD in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 71 children (44 boys, 27 girls) with CKD stage 1-5. Mean age was 11 ± 5 years, mean height: 135.7 ± 28 cm and mean eGFR 32 ml/min/1.73 m2. The serum hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, cystatin C, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured. eGFR was calculated according to Schwartz and Filler formulas, employing creatinine and cystatin C as markers. Patients were divided into groups depending on the stage of CKD [group 1: CKD stage 1+2 (GFR > 60), group 2: CKD stage 3 (GFR = 30-59) Group 3: CKD stage 4 (GFR = 15-29 ml/min/1.73 m2), group 4 - dialyzed children]. RESULTS The concentration of he- moglobin depending on the stage of CKD (group 1 vs. group 2 vs. group 3 vs group 4) was 12.95 vs. 12.68 vs. 12.47 vs. 11.3 g/dI, respectively. The concentration of total and ionized calcium was significantly lower in children on dialysis compared to patients treated conservatively. With the progression of CKD the concentration of phosphorus (1.39 vs. 1.4 vs. 1.49 vs. 1.82 mmolI) and PTH (21.7 vs 48.6 vs 99.9 vs. 219 pg/ml) significantly increased. Treatment with erythropoietin was used in 48% of children, calcium carbonate in 55% and alphacalcidol in 56% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite the use of regular treatment, with the progression of CKD a progression of anemia, increased serum phosphate and parathyroid hormone and a decrease in calcium levels in studied children was observed. The severity of metabolic disorders in dialyzed children indicates the need for administration of new and more effective drugs, to prevent early enough complications of CKD in the form of mineral bone disease and cardiovascular complications.
The first decade of continuous progress in retinal transplantation

In recent months, neural fetal retina has been transplanted into blind human patients affected by Retinitis Pigmentosa. Initial success, as documented by improved visual activity, has been reported (del Cerro et al., Neuroscience Abstract, 1996). With the rapid progress in human patients, additional questions are arising concerning transplantation issues. Additional answers and further success in treating clinical disease will necessarily come from new laboratory research in animal models as well as in vitro systems. This increases the need for evaluation of the data already gathered over the first decade of retinal transplantation. The extensive experimental background work that preceded the current wave of human retinal transplants is reviewed in this paper, with particular emphasis given to the work dealing with the transplantation of neural retina. Microsc Res Tech 36:130–141, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.