Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The marital relationship and psychosocial adaptation and glycemic control of individuals with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between marital relationship domains (i.e., intimacy and adjustment) and glycemic control and psychosocial adaptation to diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 78 insulin-treated adults with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes were assessed on a single occasion. They completed two marital quality measures (Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Scale) and four quality-of-life measures (Diabetes Quality of Life Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey, Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale). Glycemic control was assessed by HbA(1c). Demographic data (age, sex, type and duration of diabetes, years married, other medical conditions, family history, disability, and years of education) were gathered from the chart and questionnaires. RESULTS Concerning psychosocial adaptation, both of the marital quality measures were predictors of aspects of adaptation. Better marital satisfaction was related to higher levels of diabetes-related satisfaction and less impact, as well as less diabetes-related distress and better general quality of life. Higher levels of marital intimacy were related to better diabetes-specific and general quality of life. Concerning glycemic control, there was a nonsignificant trend for marital adjustment scores to relate to HbA(1c) (P = 0.0568). CONCLUSIONS For insulin-treated adults with diabetes, quality of marriage is associated with adaptation to diabetes and other aspects of health-related quality of life. The suggestive finding that marital adjustment may relate to glycemic control warrants further study. Future work should also explore the impact of couples-focused interventions on adaptation, adherence, and glycemic control.
Microbial metabolism of pyrazines

Pyrazines are a group of 1,4 dinitrogen substituted benzenes. They have near ubiquitous biological distribution and majority are anthropogenic. The demand for pyrazines in the recent years has increased owing to their vast applications in the field of food, agriculture and medicine. They are widely distributed in plants, animals and microorganisms. Pyrazines are synthesized and degraded by a few bacteria and fungi. Microbial transformation of many pyrazines aided in the synthesis of several novel molecules. This review discusses the microbial metabolism of pyrazines.
Respiration of thermogenic inflorescences of skunk cabbage Symplocarpus renifolius in heliox.

The respiration rate of the thermogenic inflorescences of Japanese skunk cabbage Symplocarpus renifolius can reach 300 nmol s-1 g-1 , which is sufficient to raise spadix temperature (Ts ) up to 15 °C above ambient air temperature (Ta ). Respiration rate is inversely related to Ta , such that the Ts achieves a degree of independence from Ta , an effect known as temperature regulation. Here, we measure oxygen consumption rate (Ṁo2 ) in air (21% O2 in mainly N2 ) and in heliox (21% O2 in He) to investigate the diffusive conductance of the network of gas-filled spaces and the thermoregulatory response. When Ts was clamped at 15 °C, the temperature that produces maximal Ṁo2 in this species, exposure to high diffusivity heliox increased mean Ṁo2 significantly from 137 ± 17 to 202 ± 43 nmol s-1 g-1 FW, indicating that respiration in air is normally limited by diffusion in the gas phase and some mitochondria are unsaturated. When Ta was clamped at 15 °C and Ts was allowed to vary, exposure to heliox reduced Ts 1 °C and increased Ṁo2 significantly from 116 ± 10 to 137 ± 19 nmol s-1 g-1 , indicating that enhanced heat loss by conduction and convection can elicit the thermoregulatory response.
Dietary Supplementation of a Natural Isomer Mixture of Beta-Carotene Inhibits Oxidation of LDL Derived from Patients with Diabetes mellitus

Background: Accelerated atherosclerosis is common in patients with diabetes mellitus which may be linked to increased lipid peroxidation. Therefore, we compared the oxidation of LDL derived from patients with diabetes to normoglycemic controls and followed-up the effect of dietary β-carotene supplementation on LDL oxidation. Methods: Twenty patients with long-standing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were studied in comparison with age- and sex-matched control subjects. Dunaliella bardawil-derived β-carotene was supplemented to the patients for 3 weeks, 60 mg daily dose. LDL oxidation was analyzed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxides (PD), and conjugated dienes (CD) generation in response to CuSO4-induced oxidation. LDL lipid composition and the LDL associated vitamins A, E and carotenoids were also measured. Results: LDL susceptibility to oxidation by CuSO4 was increased in the patients by 40% with a 35% shorter lag time required for the initiation of LDL oxidation, i.e. 56 ± 6 min in patients vs. 85 ± 9 min in controls (p <0.01). Patients showed increased cholesterol/phospholipid and polyunsaturated/saturated ratios, as well as reduced content of LDL associated vitamins. Upon β-carotene supplementation, there was a significant elevation in plasma and in LDL all-trans β-carotene [from 0.296 ± 0.020 to 0.968 ± 0.133 μg/mg LDL protein (p < 0.01)] paralleled by a significant reduction in LDL susceptibility to oxidation, as exhibited by increased lag time up to 115 ± 10 min (p < 0.01) and reduction in MDA and PD generation (by 25 and 40%), respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Increased susceptibility to oxidation of LDL derived from patients with diabetes mellitus is associated with abnormal LDL lipid composition and antioxidant content. Natural β-carotene dietary supplementation normalizes the enhanced LDL oxidation and consequently may be of importance in delaying accelerated development of atherosclerosis in these patients.
The prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in chronic rhinosinusitis

Many studies have reported that olfactory dysfunction frequently occurs in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) populations; however, the prevalence and degree of olfactory loss has not been systematically studied. The aims of this study were to use combined data to report the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction and to calculate weighted averages of olfactory test scores in CRS patients.
Use of the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate safety and preliminary efficacy of the humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody h-R3 in combination with radiotherapy (RT) in unresectable head and neck cancer patients. Secondary end points were the measurement of h-R3 serum levels and the assessment of the potential mechanisms of antitumor effect on patient biopsies. Anti-idiotypic response to h-R3 was assessed. To predict pharmacologic effect, a mathematical model for antibodies recognizing antigens expressed in tumors and normal tissues was built. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four patients with advanced carcinomas of the head and neck received six once-weekly infusions of h-R3 at four dose levels in combination with RT. Pretreatment tumor biopsies were obtained to evaluate epidermal growth factor receptor expression as an enrollment criterion. Second biopsies were taken to evaluate the proliferative activity and angiogenesis in comparison with the pretreatment samples. Patient serum samples were collected to measure h-R3 levels and anti-idiotypic response. RESULTS The combination of h-R3 and RT was well tolerated. Antibody-related adverse events consisted in infusion reactions. No skin or allergic toxicity appeared. Overall survival significantly increased after the use of the higher antibody doses. Immunohistochemistry studies of tumor specimens before and after treatment revealed that antitumor response correlated with antiproliferative and antiangiogenic effect. One patient developed antibodies to h-R3. The mathematical model predicted that the maximum difference between the area under the curve in tumors and normal tissues is reached when the antibody has intermediate affinity. CONCLUSION h-R3 is a well-tolerated drug that may enhance radiocurability of unresectable head and neck neoplasms.
NGX-4010, a high-concentration capsaicin patch, for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study with an open-label extension.

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of NGX-4010, a high-concentration capsaicin dermal patch (capsaicin 640 microg/cm(2), 8%) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS Patients were randomized to receive NGX-4010 or control patch in a 4-week, double-blind study. This was followed by an open-label extension phase (up to 48 weeks total) where patients could receive up to three additional treatments no sooner than 12 weeks after initial treatment. The primary efficacy variable was mean change from baseline in mean morning and evening numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores. RESULTS During days 8-28 after the double-blind treatment, NGX-4010 patients had a mean change in NPRS scores from baseline of -32.7% compared with -4.4% for control patients (P = 0.003). Mean NPRS scores decreased from baseline during week 1 in both treatment groups, remained relatively stable through week 12 in NXG-4010 patients, but returned to near baseline during weeks 2-4 in controls. Mean change in NPRS scores from baseline during weeks 2-12 was -33.8% for NGX-4010 and +4.9% for control recipients. A similar decrease in NPRS scores from baseline was maintained with subsequent NGX-4010 treatments, regardless of the number of treatments received. Transient increases in application site pain were adequately managed with analgesics. No increases in application site reactions or adverse events were observed with repeated treatments. No patients discontinued the study due to an adverse event. CONCLUSION NGX-4010 is a promising topical treatment for PHN patients, which appears to be tolerable, generally safe, and effective.
Fruit and vegetables are similarly categorised by 8–13-year-old children

Abstract Objective This exploratory study assessed how 8–13-year-old children categorised and labelled fruit and vegetables (FaV), and how these were influenced by child characteristics, to specify second-level categories in a hierarchical food search system for a computerised 24 h dietary recall (hdr). Design Two sets of food cards, sixty-seven for fruit (F) and sixty-four for vegetables (V), with pictures and names of FaV from ten professionally defined food categories were sorted, separately, by each child into piles of similar foods. Demographic data, BMI and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status were obtained. Setting Participants attended the Children’s Nutrition Research Center in the summer of 2006. Subjects In all, 152 8–13-year-old children, predominantly English-speaking, of whom sixteen were predominantly Spanish-speaking. Results Children created an average of 8·5 (5·3) piles with 7·9 (11·4) cards per pile for the F, and an average of 10·1 (4·8) piles with 6·2 (7·9) cards per pile for the V. No substantial differences in Robinson clustering were detected across subcategories for each of the demographic characteristics, BMI or PROP sensitivity. Children provided clusters names that were mostly ‘Taxonomic – Professional’ labels, such as salads, berries, peppers, for both F (51·8 %) and V (52·1 %). Conclusions These categories should be tested to assess their ability to facilitate search of FaV items in a computerised 24 hdr for children in this age group.
Risk of interstitial Lung Disease in Children with a Single R 288 K Variant of aBCa 3

characterized subgroups of ILD (3–5), and among these, variants in the ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 3 (ABCA3) are the most frequent cause (6–8). The carrier frequency of heterozygous ABCA3 variants in the population predicts disease prevalence of 1 in ~3,100 of European descent and a total of ~750 homozygous newborns annually in the United States (9). This incidence is in the range of that for cystic fibrosis (about 1 in 2,500 for European descent infants) (10). However, sick patients carrying ABCA3 variants are not as frequently identified as could be expected based on these numbers. The main reason for this is the interstitium (1). The disease spectrum is much broader in childhood, as many diseases primarily manifest during infancy (2). The surfactant dysfunction disorders are the best molecularly intRODUCtiOn Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) encompass a large number of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders involving the lung parenchyma and the alveolar increased Risk of interstitial Lung Disease in Children with a Single R288K Variant of aBCa3
Comparison of opioid-related deaths by work-related injury.

OBJECTIVE To infer whether work-related injuries may impact opioid-related deaths. METHODS Descriptive comparisons were done using data from the Utah Department of Health, the Office of Medical Examiners, and the Labor Commission on all Utah residents who died from opioid-related deaths from 2008 to 2009. RESULTS The majority of decedents (145 of 254, 57%) had at least one prior work-related injury. Demographics were similar regardless of work injury status. However, lack of high school diploma (18% vs. 7%, P < 0.001), prevalence of mental illness (50% vs. 15%, P < 0.001), tobacco (61% vs. 12%, P < 0.001), alcohol (87% vs. 28%, P < 0.001), and illicit drug (50% vs. 4%, P < 0.001) use were all substantially higher than the background population. CONCLUSION A detailed history and screening for mental illness and substance abuse, including tobacco use, among injured workers may be helpful in avoiding potential opioid-related deaths.
On Modelling Variety in Consumption Expenditure on Food

In this paper we compute nutrient-expenditure elasticities for two macro nutrients (calories and protein) and five micro nutrients (calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium and iron) using an all India sample of rural households for 1994. We show that in each case the respective elasticities are positive and significant. This lends support to our hypothesis that an increase in income would increase nutrient intake by varying amounts, contrary to some assertions. We then compute differences in the elasticity of substitution for rich and poor across commodity groups and show that these differences, while significant, are small. This further corroborates our conclusion that increases in income of the poor would lead to greater increases in their nutrient intake as compared to the non-poor, although the magnitudes will be small.
Dynamics of Gamma Interferon, Interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-10, and Transforming Growth Factor β mRNA Expression in Primary Mycobacterium bovis BCG Infection in Guinea Pigs Measured by a Real-Time Fluorogenic Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay

ABSTRACT The guinea pig has been utilized as a model for studying infectious diseases because its reactions closely resemble those of humans biologically and immunologically. However, the cytokine responses in this animal remain to be studied. Initially, we established a quantitative assay using a real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to measure guinea pig gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-10, and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) mRNA. By preparing primer-fluorogenic probe sets for these cytokines and standard RNA templates corresponding to the target sequence of each cytokine, we obtained linear standard curves essential for quantitative determination. In guinea pigs immunized by intradermal (i.d.) vaccination with the Tokyo strain of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (0.1 mg) or else hyperimmunized with the same vaccine (10 mg) given intravenously (i.v.), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at 4 weeks showed an increase in IFN-γ mRNA expression in the latter but not the former animals. However, at week 10, IFN-γ mRNA expression was markedly elevated in PBMCs, spleen cells, and cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in both the i.d. - and the i.v. -immunized animals, the level of expression being 10 times higher in the latter. In contrast, the expression levels of IL-12 mRNA in PBMCs, spleen cells, and BAL cells were not enhanced in either group at 10 weeks postimmunization. The expression of IL-10 and TGF-β increased slightly only in PBMCs. Regardless of differences in the levels of cytokine responses, the magnitudes of the purified protein derivative of tuberculin-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reactions for the two groups did not differ significantly at 8 weeks postvaccination. In this study, we quantitatively measured IL-10, IL-12, TGF-β, and IFN-γ mRNA in BCG-immunized guinea pigs and showed that the level of IFN-γ mRNA expression does not necessarily reflect the magnitude of the DTH response, suggesting that there may be an intricate relationship between protective immunity, the level of IFN-γ, and the DTH response. Thus, our quantitative assay would be of use for the development of vaccines using guinea pig models.
Review of Gross Anatomy

This is another of an increasing number of human gross anatomy books being published in abbreviated form. Throughout the book each left-hand page contains quite accurate written descriptions of structures that are illustrated as line drawings on the opposite right-hand page. Even though the text is written in a telegraphic style and the drawings are small, the book still contains 443 pages. It would have been desirable to have a number of the drawings with many labels larger than they are. One of the authors, Dr. Pansky, made the drawings that the authors state the book was written around. Most of the drawings appear quite familiar to be because they are very similar to illustrations in other popular textbooks. The color added to a few drawings enhance their attractiveness more than their clarity. The authors state that even though the material is simplified, concise, and in outline form, it is, nevertheless, complete. However, the drawings of the bony pelvis are those of a female and no mention is made of the fact that the male pelvis is quite different. The terminology used is with few exceptions, an anglicized form of the revised Paris terminology. The book is exactly what is stated in its title, a review. It is of use to one who has already studied gross anatomy with a standard textbook, and who wants to make a quick check on the essentials of a given structure or region. The book serves this purpose quite well. E. S. CRELIN
Eye and Head Contribution to Gaze at Near through Multifocals: The Usable Field of View

ABSTRACT Presbyopes show that for targets presented within a 28° clear field of view, gaze is accomplished by head and eye movements with head movements making an average contribution of 24%. A clear field of view which incorporates the factor of segment width provides an underestimation because of the factor of head movements. By including the effect of head movements, a fixed segment width provides a much wider clear field of view which we term the usable field of view.
CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274) and Smoking Status Are Associated With Efavirenz Plasma Concentration in a Serbian Cohort of HIV Patients

Background: Genetic factors have been associated with efavirenz (EFV) plasma concentrations in different populations. In this study, we investigated the effects of CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274), CYP2B6 c.485-18C>T (rs4803419), CAR c.540C>T (rs2307424), CAR c.152-1089T>C (rs3003596), and smoking status in a cohort of Serbian patients with HIV. Methods: Patients with HIV positive, all whites, were recruited from the HIV/AIDS Center at the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Hospital, University of Belgrade Teaching Hospital, Belgrade, Serbia. Mid dose (10–14 hours after dose) EFV plasma concentration was determined using a validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method. Genotyping for CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274), CYP2B6 c.485-18C>T (rs4803419), CAR c.540C>T (rs2307424), and CAR c.152-1089T>C (rs3003596) was conducted using allelic discrimination real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. One-way analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney test, Pearson or Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: Minor allele frequencies were similar to frequencies reported in other European populations. The overall mean (95% confidence interval) plasma EFV concentration was 2800 ng/mL (2460–3140). Significant differences between patients based on CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274) genotypes were observed: GG (n = 60), 2320 (range, 2160–2480) ng/mL; GT (n = 30), 3230 (range, 2790–3670) ng/mL; and TT (n = 2), 10,700 (range, 6170–15,300) ng/mL (P = 2.0 × 10−17). In multivariate linear regression analysis, CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274) [&bgr; = 1770 (1230 to 2310) ng/mL, P < 0.0001] and smoking status [&bgr; = −464 (−1250 to −43.3) ng/mL, P = 0.038] were independently associated with plasma EFV concentrations. Conclusions: The effects of CYP2B6 516G>T (rs3745274) and smoking status on EFV plasma concentration in the Serbian population have been established for the first time.
The Accentual Phrase in Singapore English

Abstract This paper reports on a speech production experiment that explores whether the accentual phrase (AP) represents an abstract level of prosodic phrasing in Singapore English. Specifically, it tests whether the right edge of the AP is associated with phrase-final lengthening, the degree of which can be distinguished from lengthening associated with the intonational phrase (IP). Target words were produced in matched sentence contexts in 3 phrasal positions: AP-medial (wordfinal), AP-final, and IP-final. As predicted, target words in AP-final position were longer than those in AP-medial position and shorter than those in IP-final position. Analysis of target duration and f0 together shows that AP boundaries are well discriminated from medial positions. Together, these results strongly support an AP level of phrasing for Singapore English and highlight its role in predicting timing variability.
The benefits of argumentation are cross-culturally robust: The case of Japan

Abstract Thanks to the exchange of arguments, groups outperform individuals on some tasks, such as solving logical problems. However, these results stem from experiments conducted among Westerners and they could be due to cultural particularities such as tolerance of contradiction and approval of public debate. Other cultures, collectivistic cultures in particular, are said to frown on argumentation. Moreover, some influential intellectual movements, such as Confucianism, disapprove of argumentation. In two experiments, the hypothesis that Easterners might not share the benefits of argumentation was tested. In Experiment 1, Japanese participants had to solve a standard logical problem individually and then in groups. They performed significantly better in groups. In Experiment 2, Japanese participants had to estimate the weight of various animals. They did so individually, then after learning of another participant's estimates, then after discussing these estimates with the other participant, and then individually again. While the Japanese participants also benefitted from the discussion, these benefits were only visible when participants provided a final individual estimate. This delay is interpreted as reflecting the pressure to preserve social harmony that would have constrained Japanese participants to yield to their partner even when knowing that this did not improve the accuracy of their answer.