Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of levo-thyroxine replacement on non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypothyroid patients.

CONTEXT Recently, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), a measure of total cholesterol minus HDL-C, has emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of L-T4 replacement on non-HDL-C levels in patients with primary hypothyroidism. METHODS Thirteen patients with overt hypothyroidism and 26 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism participated in the study. The lipid profiles, including non-HDL-C, were measured in patients with hypothyroidism before and 3 months after L-T4 replacement was started. RESULTS After L-T4 replacement, the serum concentrations of all lipoproteins, exclusive of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], were significantly decreased in patients with overt hypothyroidism. In patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, the serum concentrations of total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, remnant-like particle cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were significantly decreased, whereas no significant changes in the serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I, and Lp(a) were observed. In all 39 patients, the reduction in the non-HDL-C levels correlated with the reduction in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, remnant-like particle cholesterol, and Apo B levels. However, the reduction in the non-HDL-C levels did not correlate with the reduction in the HDL-C, Lp(a), and apolipoprotein A-I levels. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to show that L-T4 replacement may reduce serum concentrations of non-HDL-C in patients with hypothyroidism. The study also suggests that such altered serum concentrations of non-HDL-C in hypothyroidism may be related to the disturbed metabolism of low-density lipoprotein, remnant lipoprotein, and Apo B.
Cell‐Mediated Immunity in Human Pregnancy

The function of thymus‐dependent lymphocytes (T lymphocytes) was studied in women during pregnancy and labor and postpartum by evaluating the blastogenesis of peripheral lymphocytes, which were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin‐P (PHA‐P) in both whole‐blood semimicroculture and purified lymphocyte culture. Data from 353 random samples (203 women) and 50 serial specimens from 10 women revealed that PHA‐P induced‐lymphocyte blastogenesis was significantly (p<0.005) reduced during pregnancy and labor but rapidly returned to normal several days after artificial termination in the early stage of pregnancy as well as after full‐term delivery. These results indicate that the T‐lymphocyte function in maternal peripheral blood is depressed by causes related to pregnancy. It seems very likely that depressed T‐lymphocyte function during pregnancy is caused by inhibitory factors in the blood plasma derived from the feto‐placental unit. Questions relating to the inhibitory factors in maternal plasma are discussed.
The first-order asymptotic of waiting times with distortion between stationary processes

Let X and Y be two independent stationary processes on general metric spaces, with distributions P and Q, respectively. The first-order asymptotic of the waiting time W/sub n/(D) between X and Y, allowing distortion, is established in the presence of one-sided /spl psi/-mixing conditions for Y. With probability one, n/sup -1/log W/sub n/(D) has the same limit as -n/sup -1/logQ(B(X/sub 1//sup n/, D)), where Q(B(X/sub 1//sup n/, D)) is the Q-measure of the D-ball around (X/sub 1/,.,X/sub n/), with respect to a given distortion measure. Large deviations techniques are used to get the convergence of -n/sup -1/log Q(B(X/sub 1//sup n/, D)). First, a sequence of functions R/sub n/ in terms of the marginal distributions of X/sub 1//sup n/ and Y/sub 1//sup n/ as well as D are constructed and demonstrated to converge to a function R(P, Q, D). The functions R/sub n/ and R(P, Q, D) are different from rate distortion functions. Then -n/sup -1/logQ(B(X/sub 1//sup n/, D)) is shown to converge to R(P, Q, D) with probability one.
Growth Hormone, Glutamine, and an Optimal Diet Reduces Parenteral Nutrition in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Objective:To determine if growth hormone (GH) and glutamine (Gln) might allow for a reduction in parenteral nutrition (PN) in individuals with short bowel syndrome. Background Data:Following massive intestinal resection, patients frequently sustain severe nutrient malabsorption and are dependent on PN for life. GH treatment with or without Gln might allow for a reduction in PN. Methods:A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial performed in 41 adults dependent on PN. Following screening, patients were admitted to an in-house facility for 6 weeks. After 2 weeks of stabilization and dietary optimization, patients were randomized to one of 3 treatment arms (1:2:2 ratio): oral Gln (30 g/day) + GH placebo (control group, n = 9), Gln placebo + GH (0.1 mg/kg per day, n = 16), or Gln + GH (n = 16). Standard criteria based on clinical and laboratory measurements were followed to determine PN volume and content. After 4 weeks of treatment, patients were discharged and monitored; GH and GH placebo were discontinued, but the diet with Gln or Gln placebo was continued for 3 months. Results:Patients receiving GH + Gln placebo + diet showed greater reductions in PN volume (5.9 ± 3.8 L/wk, mean ± SD), PN calories (4338 ± 1858 calories/wk), and PN infusions (3 ± 2 infusions/wk) than corresponding reductions in the Gln + diet group (3.8 ± 2.4 L/wk; 2633 ± 1341 calories/wk; 2 ± 1 infusions/wk, P < 0.05). Patients who received GH + Gln + diet showed the greatest reductions (7.7 ± 3.2 L/wk; 5751 ± 2082 calories/wk; 4 ± 1 infusions/wk, P < 0.001 versus Gln + diet). At the 3-month follow-up, only patients who had received GH + Gln + diet maintained significant reductions in PN (P < 0.005) compared with the Gln + diet. Conclusions:Treatment with GH + diet or GH + Gln + diet initially permitted significantly more weaning from PN than Gln + diet. Only subjects receiving GH + Gln + diet maintained this effect for at least 3 months.
Localization of A-kinase through anchoring proteins.

The CAMP signaling pathway-it seems so simple. A hormone binds its receptor, the receptor activates adenylate cyclase via an intermediary G protein, and CAMP is liberated from the intracellular face of the plasma membrane. This first part is relatively straightforward, but the next two steps in the process require a more sophisticated level of molecular organization. First of all, CAMP activates the CAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) by binding to the regulatory subunits (R) of the dormant PKA holoenzyme and causes the release of the active catalytic subunit (C). Then comes the mysterious part. Although PKA is a multifunctional enzyme with a broad substrate specificity, hormonal activation of the kinase somehow permits preferential phosphorylation of specific target substrates. Added to this, PKA key substrates are themselves localized in distinct cellular compartments. For example, phosphorylation of membrane-bound neurotransmitter receptorion channels modulates the flow of ions into the cell, while phosphorylation of nuclear transcription factors (e.g. CAMP response element binding protein) alters the activity of certain genes. One hypothesis to account for the selectivity of PKA action is that individual effecters activate particular pools of the kinase which is anchored to subcellular structures. Support for PKA anchoring is provided by evidence that hormonal activation promotes CAMP accumulation in distinct cellular compartments (1) and that PKA subunits are differentially localized (2). Moreover, a family of A-kinase anchor proteins (AKAPs) have been identified which function to tether the type II PKA to specific subcellular structures (3). The scope of this minireview is to focus on recent advances made in several laboratories on discerning the subcellular location of PKA and on the characterization of AKAPs.
Attitudes of the diabetic child and his parents toward his illness.

One of the principal problems of the young diabetic is his family's adjustment to his disease. His response to treatment depends on parental attitude. A study at a camp for diabetic girls showed that control of diabetes was better in those whose parents were overanxious, overindulgent, perfectionist or “normal” than in those whose parents were indifferent. Both children and parents need to be better educated in the course and treatment of the disease.
Isolation and partial characterization of culture-derived soluble Babesia bovis antigens

Immunochemical analyses of soluble antigens derived from microaerophilous stationary phase cultures of Babesia bovis demonstrated that at least three parasite antigens were released in vitro. These antigens have molecular weights within the range of 37,000 to 40,000, fast electrophoretic mobility in the albumin and alpha 1 regions, and are proteinaceous in nature as determined by the sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes trypsin and papain. Purification of these antigens should allow complete characterization of their respective physiochemical and immunogenic properties.
HIV subtype, epidemiological and mutational correlations in patients from Paraná, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE Analyze patients with HIV infection from Curitiba, Paraná, their epidemiological characteristics and HIV RAM. METHODS Patients regularly followed in an ID Clinic had their medical data evaluated and cases of virological failure were analyzed with genotypic report. RESULTS Patients with complete medical charts were selected (n = 191). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared. One hundred thirty two patients presented with subtype B infection (69.1%), 41 subtype C (21.5%), 10 subtype F (5.2%), 7 BF (3.7%) and 1 CF (0.5%). Patients with subtype B infection had been diagnosed earlier than patients with subtype non-B. Also, subtype B infection was more frequent in men who have sex with men, while non-B subtypes occurred more frequently in heterosexuals and women. Patients with previous history of three classes of ARVs (n = 161) intake were selected to evaluate resistance. For RT inhibitors, 41L and 210W were more frequently observed in subtype B than in non-B strains. No differences between subtypes and mutations were observed to NNTRIs. Mutations at 10, 32 and 63 position of protease were more observed in subtype B viruses than non-B, while positions 20 and 36 of showed more amino acid substitutions in subtype non-B viruses. Patients with history of NFV intake were evaluated to resistance pathway. The 90M pathway was more frequent in subtypes B and non-B. Mutations previously reported as common in non-B viruses, such as 65R and 106M, were uncommon in our study. Mutations 63P and 36I, previously reported as common in HIV-1 subtypes B and C from Brazil, respectively, were common. CONCLUSION There is a significant frequency of HIV-1 non-B infections in Paraná state, with isolates classified as subtypes C, F, BF and BC. Patients with subtype C infection were more frequently female, heterosexual and had a longer average time of HIV diagnosis.
Nursing Student Perceptions of Concept Maps: From Theory to Practice

AIM This qualitative study describes the experience of nursing students who construct and use electronic concepts maps in theoretical and clinical settings. BACKGROUND Although concept maps are seen as innovative and effective teaching and learning tools, little qualitative data exists that describes the process by which students learn to master the skill of concept mapping. METHOD A descriptive approach was used to analyze the data collected during 12 semi‐structured interviews. RESULTS Motivated, open‐minded students tend to perceive the usefulness of concept mapping, making the experience positive. Workshops, along with constructive feedback, were deemed essential to helping students master the skill of concept mapping. CONCLUSION The results of this study will contribute to the successful integration of group concepts maps as part of a new competency‐based nursing program. Results could also be beneficial to programs that wish to adopt concept mapping.
Association between expression of stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme and pathological keratinization in human oral mucosa.

Stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE) may function in the degradation of intercellular cohesive structures in the stratum corneum preceding desquamation. Previous results have suggested that SCCE may be specifically expressed in squamous epithelia undergoing terminal differentiation and keratinization. The aim of the present work was to further elucidate the association between SCCE expression and terminal differentiation in squamous epithelia. Using immunohistochemical methods, we have examined the expression of SCCE in two diseases of human oral mucosa, which produce a pathological keratinization of the epithelium at sites which are normally non-keratinized. Affinity-purified polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against recombinant SCCE and monoclonal antibodies against the differentiation-specific keratins nos. 10 and 13 were used on formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsies. Whereas there was essentially no expression of SCCE in normal, non-keratinized buccal mucosa, there was a strong expression in suprabasal cells in orthokeratotic and parakeratotic areas of the lesions of oral lichen planus (an inflammatory disease) and benign oral keratosis (a non-inflammatory disease). There was a close association between the expression of SCCE and keratin no. 10, i.e. a keratin which is specifically expressed in cornifying squamous epithelia. The results suggest that SCCE expression may be a true marker of terminal differentiation in squamous epithelia and give further evidence for a role of SCCE in the formation and/or turnover of the stratum corneum.
Issues and challenges of curriculum reform to competency‐based curricula in Africa: A meta‐synthesis

Although in recent decades reforms to undergraduate nursing and midwifery education have increasingly been guided by the concept of competency-based curriculum in a drive to produce competent graduates in the African context, the topic remains poorly researched in-depth. The related issues and challenges need to be explored in the interest of evidence-based practice. This article stems from a systematic review of qualitative literature on the design and implementation of competency-based curriculum. Data was inductively analyzed using constant comparison. The two categories that emerged were: (i) the need for a paradigm shift to competency-based curriculum; and (ii) the associated issues and challenges, such as a shift from informative to transformative learning, lack or limited of involvement of key stakeholders in curriculum development, focus on hospital-oriented education, lack of preparation of educators, and inappropriate resources. While ongoing reform of nursing and midwifery education continues, much still needs to be done - in particular, extensive financial investment to increase the capacity of educators, mentors and infrastructure, and the development of collaborative frameworks between nursing and midwifery and higher educational councils.
An internalization-competent influenza hemagglutinin mutant causes the redistribution of AP-2 to existing coated pits and is colocalized with AP-2 in clathrin free clusters.

Image correlation spectroscopy and cross correlation spectroscopy were used to demonstrate that approximately 25% of the internalization-competent influenza virus hemagglutinin mutant, HA+8, is colocalized with clathrin and AP-2 at the plasma membrane of intact cells, while wild-type HA (which is excluded from coated pits) does not colocalize with either protein. Clathrin and AP-2 clusters were saturated when HA+8 was overexpressed, and this was accompanied by a redistribution of AP-2 into existing coated pits. However, de novo coated pit formation was not observed. In nontreated cells, the number of clusters of clathrin or AP-2 colocalized with HA+8 was always comparable. Hypertonic treatment which disperses the clathrin lattices resulted in more clusters containing AP-2 and HA+8 than clathrin and HA+8. Less colocalization of HA+8 with clathrin was also observed after cytosol acidification, which causes the formation of deeply invaginated pits, where the HA+8 may be inaccessible to extracellular labeling by antibodies, and blocks coated vesicle budding. However, cytosol acidification elevated the number of clusters containing both HA+8 and AP-2, suggesting an increase in their level of association outside of the deep invaginations. Our results imply that AP-2 and HA+8 can colocalize in clusters devoid of clathrin, at least in cells treated to alter the clathrin lattice structure. Although we cannot ascertain whether this also occurs in untreated cells, we propose that AP-2 binding to membrane proteins carrying internalization signals can occur prior to the binding of AP-2 to clathrin. While such complexes can in principle serve to recruit clathrin for the formation of new coated pits, the higher affinity of the internalization signals for clathrin-associated AP-2 [Rapoport, I. , et al. (1997) EMBO J. 16, 2240-2250] makes it more likely that once the AP-2-membrane protein complexes form, they are quickly recruited into existing coated pits.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci from nosocomial, community, and animal sources in the United States

The presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) was looked for in fecal samples from 104 healthy volunteers (3 with hospital exposure), 100 selected hospitalized patients, and various environmental sources (44 commercial chickens, 5 farm-raised chickens, 3 turkeys, and 2 chicken farm lagoon slurries). Five probiotic preparations were also studied. No VRE with vanA or vanB genes were isolated from the healthy volunteers without hospital exposure, environmental sources, or probiotic preparations. VRE with vanB were found in the stools of 16% of the high-risk hospitalized patients and in one volunteer with hospital contact. All VRE examined could be classified into one of two clones by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. VRE from 11 of the colonized patients were quantified and ranged from 10(3) to 10(6) CFU/g of stool. This study, in contrast to findings in Europe, failed to find evidence of VanA- or VanB-type VRE in the community or environmental sources in Houston, Texas, and suggests that these settings are not a likely source of VRE in hospitals in this geographic area.
Tc1 transposase of Caenorhabditis elegans is an endonuclease with a bipartite DNA binding domain.

The Tc1 transposon of Caenorhabditis elegans is a member of the Tc1/mariner family of mobile elements. These elements have inverted terminal repeats that flank a single transposase gene. Here we show that Tc1 transposase, Tc1A, has a bipartite DNA binding domain related to the paired domain of mammalian and Drosophila genes. Both the DNA binding domain of Tc1A and the DNA binding site in the inverted repeat of Tc1 can be divided into two subdomains. Methylation interference studies demonstrate adjacent minor and major groove contacts at the inner part of the binding site by the N‐terminal 68 amino acids of the DNA binding domain. In addition, Tc1A amino acids 69‐142 are essential for major groove contacts at the outer part of the binding site. Recombinant Tc1A is found to be able to introduce a single strand nick at the 5′ end of the transposon in vitro. Furthermore, Tc1A can mediate a phosphoryl transfer reaction. A mutation in a DDE motif abolishes both endonucleolytic and phosphoryl transfer activities, suggesting that Tc1A carries a catalytic core common to retroviral integrases and IS transposases.
Microbial Demethylation of Immunosuppressant FK-506: Isolation of 31-O-FK-506-Specific Demethylase Showing Cytochrome P-450 Characteristics from Streptomyces rimosus MA187

As a result of an extensive screening program for the microbial modification of the immunosuppressant FK-506, one culture, Streptomyces rimosus MA187, which specifically catalyzed the C-31 demethylation of FK-506 was identified. Treatment of the biotransforming culture with FK-506 increased demethylase activity 2.4-fold and stabilized the cytochrome P-450 protein. The enzyme responsible for this demethylation (31-O-FK-506 demethylase) was isolated and shown to be a soluble cytoplasmic protein which is constitutively expressed in the cells, which requires NADPH, ferredoxin-NADP(sup+)-reductase, and ferredoxin for activity, and which shows a cytochrome P-450 light absorption characteristic. Carbon monoxide saturation of the enzyme preparation and known mammalian cytochrome P-450 inhibitors such as quinidine HCl, ketoconazole, troleandomycin, and sulfaphenazole abolish the demethylating activity extensively. The purified enzyme is a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 42 kDa and shows its maximal activity at a pH of 7.4 and an incubation temperature of 34(deg)C. The first 19 N-terminal amino acids in the sequence of the purified protein have been determined, with no cytochrome P-450 match found in the OWL and Swiss-Prot 23 databases. The isolated demethylase is therefore a cytochrome P-450 protein that can be used as a catalyst for the synthesis of 31-O-desmethylFK-506, an important immunosuppressant and a known metabolite of FK-506 metabolism by human liver microsomes.
Health, wellbeing and body weight: characteristics of overweight and obesity in Australia, 2001 (full publication) (AIHW)

bu lle tin Health, wellbeing and body weight Characteristics of overweight and obesity in Australia, 2001 Highl ights Overweight, and in particular obesity, is known to be associated with numerous adverse health conditions. This report looks at a number of selfreported health-related characteristics recorded in the 2001 National Health Survey and analyses how they vary by weight category. Self-assessed health status and quality of life • Obese people were considerably more likely to report fair or poor health than their healthy weight counterparts (26.4% versus 17.3% for men, 28.4% compared with 15.5% for women). • Compared with women in the healthy weight range, obese women were less likely to report being delighted or pleased with their life (38.0% versus 44.5%). Long-term health conditions A number of long-term health conditions were more prevalent among people who were obese than those who were of healthy weight: • Self-reported diabetes (8.7% compared with 2.2% for women, 7.7% versus 3.8% for men). • Heart and circulatory conditions (30.8% and 38.8% compared with 21.9% and 23.8% for men and women respectively). Clear gradients were seen between the degree of overweight and the prevalence of heart and circulatory conditions. • High blood pressure (28.3% compared with 11.8% for women, 21.6% versus 11.6% for men). • High blood cholesterol (12.9% versus 8.4% for men, 12.1% compared with 7.6% for women).
Application-oriented robustness optimization based on metamodels

Real-life systems should perform within tight limits even when affected by uncontrollable factors such as temperature and power supply variations. This paper outlines a methodology for robustness optimization based on the Design of Experiments and metamodelling concepts. The main idea is to derive metamodels of the mean response and its dispersion depending only on control factors; thus, the optimization can tackle more effectively the tasks of bringing the mean response to within a set range and minimize the response statistical dispersion. The proposed method was used to optimize the sizing of the external circuitry of a low dropout voltage regulator used in automotive applications; several parameters were improved, especially w.r. t. reducing their dispersion with temperature by up to 28.5%. The method makes no assumptions on the uncontrollable factors and can work with a large variety of metamodels employed; also, it can be easily extended to multiple-response optimization.