Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insomnia with objective short sleep duration is associated with deficits in neuropsychological performance: a general population study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine the joint effect of insomnia and objective short sleep duration on neuropsychological performance. DESIGN Representative cross-sectional study. SETTING Sleep laboratory. PARTICIPANTS 1,741 men and women randomly selected from central Pennsylvania. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS Insomnia (n = 116) was defined by a complaint of insomnia with a duration > or = 1 year and the absence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), while normal sleep (n = 562) was defined as the absence of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and SDB. Both groups were split according to polysomnographic sleep duration into 2 categories: > or = 6 h of sleep ("normal sleep duration") and < 6 h of sleep ("short sleep duration"). We compared the groups' performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological battery that measured processing speed, attention, visual memory, and verbal fluency, while controlling for age, race, gender, education, body mass index, and physical and mental health. RESULTS No significant differences were detected between insomniacs and controls. However, the insomnia with short sleep duration group compared to the control with normal or short sleep duration groups showed poorer neuropsychological performance in variables such as processing speed, set-switching attention, and number of visual memory errors and omissions. In contrast, the insomnia with normal sleep duration group showed no significant deficits. CONCLUSIONS Insomnia with objective short sleep duration is associated with deficits in set-switching attentional abilities, a key component of the "executive control of attention. " These findings suggest that objective sleep duration may predict the severity of chronic insomnia, including its effect on neurocognitive function.
Promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

The mode of infant feeding can have significant implications for the health of the mother and the child. Breastfeeding and the feeding of human milk provide optimal nutrition; immune protection; and reduced risk of maternal, infant, and child illness and chronic disease. These outcomes are described in detail in the “Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding” published in the March 2015 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.1 Breastfeeding promotion by health care professionals to educate families, employers and policy makers is needed to increase awareness of the important role of breastfeeding in improving health and reducing health care costs. Families need support to reach their breastfeeding goals. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs) are well situated to promote and support breastfeeding.
Primary Epidermoid Tumors of the Cerebellopontine Angle: A Review of 47 Cases

Objective: To analyze disease presentation, treatment, and clinical course of a consecutive series of patients with primary cerebellopontine angle (CPA) epidermoids. Patients: Forty-seven consecutive patients with previously untreated CPA epidermoids. Intervention(s): Observation and microsurgery. Main Outcome Measures: Disease- and treatment-associated morbidity, recurrence. Results: Forty-seven patients (mean age 39 years; 53% women) were analyzed and the average duration of follow-up was 42 months. The most common presenting symptom was headache (27; 57%); 13 (28%) exhibited preoperative asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss, 3 (6%) facial nerve paresis, and 3 (6%) hemifacial spasm. Thirteen patients (28%) were initially observed over a mean interval of 56 months; however, five experienced disease progression requiring operation. Thirty-nine patients (83%) underwent surgical resection; 18 (46%) received gross total, 5 (13%) near total, and 16 (41%) aggressive subtotal resection. Three patients (8%) recurred at a median of 53 months; two after subtotal and one after gross total resection. Ninety-three percent of patients with useful hearing maintained serviceable hearing following treatment and one patient (3%) experienced mild long-term postoperative facial nerve paresis (HB II/VI). All patients with preoperative facial nerve paresis recovered normal function postoperatively. There were no episodes of stroke or death. Conclusions: Surgical intervention is effective in alleviating symptoms of cranial neuropathy and brainstem compression from CPA epidermoids. Gross total resection is preferred; however, aggressive subtotal removal should be considered with adherent or extensive disease as reoperation rates are low, even in the setting of aggressive subtotal resection. Conservative observation with serial imaging is a viable initial strategy in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients.
Most Significant Risk Factors for Head and Neck Cancer

The Head and Neck Cancer is estimated to be one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. In Pakistan, Head and Neck Cancer accounts for 12.82% of all new cancers registered (1994-2004). The purpose of this research was to investigate the most significant risk factors of Head and Neck Cancer. The risk factors were analyzed in a case-control study of 58 Head and Neck Cancer patients and 130 controls. Patients were recruited over an eight months time period from Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Lahore, Pakistan. The Chi-Square test has been used to assess the statistical significant risk factors for the disease of Head and Neck Cancer. The multiple logistic regression model was used to get the most significant risk factors. The study shows that incidence of Head and Neck Cancer is due to five major risk factors: age odds ratio = 1.085 with 95% confidence interval (1.032, 1.140), smoking odds ratio= 99.624 with 95% confidence interval (6.558, 1513.309), chicken odds ratio = 15.997 with 95% confidence interval (1.526, 167.687), beef odds ratio= 13.535 with 95% confidence interval (1.400, 13.840) and soft drinks odds ratio=345.564 with 95% confidence interval (11.870, 10059.919).
Internal entry of ribosomes is directed by the 5' noncoding region of classical swine fever virus and is dependent on the presence of an RNA pseudoknot upstream of the initiation codon

Bicistronic RNAs containing the 373-nucleotide-long 5' nontranslated region (NTR) of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) genome as intercistronic spacer were used to show the presence of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5' end of the CSFV genome. By coexpression of the poliovirus 2A protease it was demonstrated that the CSFV 5' NTR-driven translation is independent of the presence of functional eukaryotic initiation factor eIF-4F. Deletion analysis indicated that the 5' border of the IRES is located between nucleotides 28 and 66. The role of a proposed pseudoknot structure at the 3' end of the CSFV 5' NTR in IRES-mediated translation was investigated by site-directed mutagenesis. Mutant RNAs that had lost the ability to base pair in stem II of the pseudoknot were translationally inactive. Translation to wild-type levels could be restored through the introduction of compensatory complementary base changes that repaired base pairing in stem II. In addition, we showed that the AUG codon, which is located 7 nucleotides upstream of the polyprotein initiation site and is conserved in pestiviruses, could not be used to initiate translation. Also, an AUG codon introduced downstream of the polyprotein initiation site was not recognized as an initiation site by ribosomes. These data suggest that after internal entry on the CSFV 5' NTR, ribosomal scanning for the initiation codon is limited to a small region.
Typology of Cultural Tourists: An Island Study

Who are the tourists that visit cultural attractions or engage in cultural activities, and why? What specific travel behaviours make them distinct from other travelers? How large is the demand for cultural tourism and what elements of culture attract tourists? How can cultural tourism be successfully developed and promoted? The answers to these types of questions may be quite different among destinations due to the different elements that create the culture of each destination. This paper‟s objective is to examine the meaning and significance of cultural tourism on Prince Edward Island. In doing so, the paper attempts to identify cultural tourists and profile trip characteristics of cultural tourists in an island setting.
Increased P-wave dispersion a risk for atrial fibrillation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that a prolonged P-wave dispersion is a risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study was to evaluate P-wave dispersion in adolescents with anorexia nervosa at diagnosis. We evaluated electrocardiographic findings, particularly the P-wave dispersion, at initial assessment in 47 adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Comparison of P-wave dispersion between adolescents with anorexia nervosa and controls showed a statistically significant higher P-wave dispersion in patients with anorexia nervosa (72 ± 16.3 msec) when compared to the control group (43.8 ± 9.5 msec). Percent of body weight lost, lower body mass index, and higher weight loss rate in the patients with anorexia nervosa had no effect on P-wave dispersion. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa has a high mortality rate we believe that cardiac pathologies such as atrial fibrillation must also be considered in the medical evaluation.
Electrical Analysis of Pulsed Positive Multipoint Corona Discharges in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

Positive corona discharges in dry air at atmospheric pressure operating with a pulsed voltage supply are electrically analyzed for a multitip configuration using an increasing number of tips, from one up to six. The peak value of the instantaneous discharge current as a function of the number of tips and the modification of the branching structure are discussed.
Parvovirus Initiator Protein NS1 and RPA Coordinate Replication Fork Progression in a Reconstituted DNA Replication System

ABSTRACT We show here that the DNA helicase activity of the parvoviral initiator protein NS1 is highly directional, binding to the single strand at a recessed 5′ end and displacing the other strand while progressing in a 3′-to-5′ direction on the bound strand. NS1 and a cellular site-specific DNA binding factor, PIF, also known as glucocorticoid modulating element binding protein, bind to the left-end minimal replication origin of minute virus of mice, forming a ternary complex. In this complex, NS1 is activated to nick one DNA strand, becoming covalently attached to the 5′ end of the nick in the process and providing a 3′ OH for priming DNA synthesis. In this situation, the helicase activity of NS1 did not displace the nicked strand, but the origin duplex was distorted by the NS1-PIF complex, as assayed by its sensitivity to KMnO4 oxidation, and a stretch of about 14 nucleotides on both strands of the nicked origin underwent limited unwinding. Addition of Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) did not lead to further unwinding. However, addition of recombinant human single-stranded DNA binding protein (RPA) to the initiation reaction catalyzed extensive unwinding of the nicked origin, suggesting that RPA may be required to form a functional replication fork. Accordingly, the unwinding mediated by NS1 and RPA promoted processive leading-strand synthesis catalyzed by recombinant human DNA polymerase δ, PCNA, and RFC, using the minimal left-end origin cloned in a plasmid as a template. The requirement for RPA, rather than SSB, in the unwinding reaction indicated that specific NS1-RPA protein interactions were formed. NS1 was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for binding to two- or three-subunit RPA complexes expressed from recombinant baculoviruses. NS1 efficiently bound each of the baculovirus-expressed complexes, indicating that the small subunit of RPA is not involved in specific NS1 binding. No NS1 interactions were observed with E. coli SSB or other proteins included as controls.
Effect of self-care ADLs on self-esteem of intact nursing home residents.

This 26-week repeated measures designed study was conducted on two units of a nursing home in a southern U.S. state. Two nursing approaches were compared on their effectiveness to foster self-care activities of daily living (ADLs) and improve self-esteem in dependent residents who, upon admission, were cognitively and physically intact and able to perform ADLs independently (intact residents). Twenty subjects, 10 on each unit, participated in the study. Each unit was randomly assigned to a nursing condition: a combination of the educative-supportive system of care and behavior modification (Condition 1) and routine nursing care (Condition 2). Inservice training was provided to staff in Condition 1 but not in Condition 2. Following a 2-week baseline period, nursing staff encouraged subjects to do their targeted ADLs independently. When the groups were compared on self-care ADLs and self-esteem at the end of the study, subjects in Condition 1 did significantly more self-care and had significantly higher self-esteem than those in Condition 2.
Differential gene expression in proximal and distal nerve segments of rats with sciatic nerve injury during Wallerian degeneration

Wallerian degeneration is a subject of major interest in neuroscience. A large number of genes are differentially regulated during the distinct stages of Wallerian degeneration: transcription factor activation, immune response, myelin cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. Although gene expression responses in the distal segment of the sciatic nerve after peripheral nerve injury are known, differences in gene expression between the proximal and distal segments remain unclear. In the present study in rats, we used microarrays to analyze changes in gene expression, biological processes and signaling pathways in the proximal and distal segments of sciatic nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration. More than 6,000 genes were differentially expressed and 20 types of expression tendencies were identified, mainly between proximal and distal segments at 7–14 days after injury. The differentially expressed genes were those involved in cell differentiation, cytokinesis, neuron differentiation, nerve development and axon regeneration. Furthermore, 11 biological processes were represented, related to responses to stimuli, cell apoptosis, inflammatory response, immune response, signal transduction, protein kinase activity, and cell proliferation. Using real-time quantitative PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, microarray data were verified for four genes: aquaporin-4, interleukin 1 receptor-like 1, matrix metalloproteinase-12 and periaxin. Our study identifies differential gene expression in the proximal and distal segments of a nerve during Wallerian degeneration, analyzes dynamic biological changes of these genes, and provides a useful platform for the detailed study of nerve injury and repair during Wallerian degeneration.
Compactness of the space of embedded minimal surfaces with free boundary in three-manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature and convex boundary

We prove a lower bound for the first Steklov eigenvalue of embedded minimal hypersurfaces with free boundary in a compact $n$-dimensional manifold which has nonnegative Ricci curvature and strictly convex boundary. When $n=3$, this implies apriori area and curvature estimates for these minimal surfaces in terms of the geometry of the ambient manifold and the topology of the minimal surface. An important consequence of the estimate is a smooth compactness result for embedded minimal surfaces with free boundary when the topological type of these minimal surfaces is fixed.
Gene expression profiling in human esophageal cancers using cDNA microarray.

Human esophageal cancer cell lines and human esophageal cancer tissues were profiled on cDNA microarrays. In esophageal cancer cell lines, KYAE and OE-33 (adenocarcinomas) were distinguished from KYSE series (squamous cell carcinomas). Although SK-GT-4 and TE7 were derived from adenocarcinomas, they had a comparatively similar expression profile to the KYSE series. A set of genes whose expression commonly either increased or decreased in cancer cell lines was identified. Genes that were characteristically expressed in KYAE and OE-33 were also identified. The gene expression profiles of cancer tissues (CTs) were remarkably different from those of the cancer cell lines (CCLs). Notable differences between CCLs and CTs were observed in matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen activator, collagens, paxillin, and thrombospondin 2, etc., whose expression was not increased in CCLs but increased in CTs. Twenty-three genes were extracted to categorize patients according to their prognoses, and clustering analyses, using these genes, were performed successfully.
Solving Ramsey Problems with Nonlinear Projection Methods

This paper applies nonlinear projection methods to solve Ramsey problems in a stochastic monetary economy. The presence of nonlinear distortions in the Ramsey problem requires the use of a solution procedure which captures these effects. The nonlinear projection method, even with low-order Chebyshev polynomials as employed in this paper, is able to capture a significant portion of the Jensen's inequality effects. As an example of the usefulness of nonlinear projection methods, we examine Barro's (1987, 1979) conjecture that welfare gains are available from policy smoothing with debt. Increases in the volatility of distortionary monetary policy are more than offset by declines in the volatility of distortionary labor taxes so that introduction of debt is welfare enhancing.
Induction of parturition in a commercial dairy herd: clinical management and treatment

Twenty-six dairy cattle were treated with dexamethasone during medium to late pregnancy to induce premature calving. Thirteen produced calves within an average of 5-6 days of treatment. The remainder were given a subsequent injection of cloprostenol 10 days after the steroid treatment and, with one exception, all calved within the following two days. A high incidence of retained placenta was experienced, in common with other methods of inducing parturition, but this was not generally found to be associated with detrimental effects on health or fertility.
APC derived from donor splenocytes support retinal autoimmune disease in allogeneic recipients

T cell adoptive transfer models of autoimmune disease have been used in conjunction with radiation/bone marrow chimeras to define the minimal requirements for antigen (Ag) recognition. In models with central nervous system Ags, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II compatibility achieved by grafting F1 bone marrow into parental recipients was reported to be necessary and sufficient for transfer of CD4 T cell‐mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Bone marrow‐derived, perivascular microglia are now widely regarded to play a critical role in the expression of experimental autoimmune diseases of the nervous system. Similar results might be expected in the experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis model, as retina is an extension of the brain. Using an allogeneic Ag‐presenting cell (APC) adoptive transfer strategy, it was found that resident APC were not essential and that their replacement with MHC‐compatible cells by bone marrow‐grafting techniques was not necessary. Instead, APC were recruited from the circulation.
Paraoxonase 1 protects against protein N‐homocysteinylation in humans

Genetic or nutritional disorders in homocysteine (Hcy) or folate metabolism elevate plasma Hcy‐thiolactone and lead to vascular and/or brain pathologies. Hcy‐thiolactone has the ability to form isopeptide bonds with protein lysine residues, which generates N‐Hcy‐protein with autoimmunogenic and prothrombotic properties. Paraoxonase (PON1), carried on high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) in the blood, hydrolyzes Hcy‐thiolactone and protects against the accumulation of N‐Hcy‐protein in vitro. To determine its role in vivo, we studied how natural variation in Hcy‐thiolactonase activity of PON1 affects plasma N‐Hcy‐protein levels in cystathionine ß‐synthase‐deficient patients (n=28). We found that plasma N‐Hcy‐protein was negatively correlated with serum Hcy‐thiolactonase activity (r=‐0.43, P=0.01), i.e., the higher the Hcythiolactonase activity, the lower N‐Hcy protein levels. This relation was faithfully replicated in vitro in experiments with radiolabeled Hcy‐thiolactone. We also found that enzymatic activities of the PON1 protein measured with artificial substrates correlated less strongly (r=‐0.36, P=0.025 for paraoxonase activity) or did not correlate at all (phenylacetate hydrolase and TBLase activities) with plasma N‐Hcy protein. These findings provide evidence that the Hcy‐thiolactonase activity of PON1 is a determinant of plasma N‐Hcy‐protein levels and that Hcy‐thiolactonase/PON1 protects proteins against N‐homocysteinylation in vivo, a novel mechanism likely to contribute to atheroprotective roles of HDL in humans. —Perla‐Kaján, J., Jakubowski, H. Paraoxonase 1 protects against protein N‐homocysteinylation in humans. FASEB J. 24, 931–936 (2010). www.fasebj. org
One-third-the-sites transition-state inhibitors for purine nucleoside phosphorylase.

Genetic defects in human purine nucleoside phosphorylase cause T-cell deficiency as the major phenotype. It has been proposed that efficient inhibitors of the enzyme might intervene in disorders of T-cell function. Compounds with features of the transition-state structure of purine nucleoside phosphorylase were synthesized and tested as inhibitors. The transition-state structure for purine nucleoside phosphorylase is characterized by (1) an elevated pKa at N7 of the purine ring for protonation or favorable H-bond interaction with the enzyme and (2) oxocarbenium ion formation in the ribosyl ring (Kline, P. C., and Schramm, V. L. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1153-1162). Both features have been incorporated into the stable transition-state analogues, (1S)-1-(9-deazahypoxanthin-9-yl)-1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-ribitol (immucillin-H) and (1S)-1-(9-deazaguanin-9-yl)-1,4-dideoxy-1, 4-imino-D-ribitol (immucillin-G). Both inhibitors exhibit slow-onset tight-binding inhibition of calf spleen and human erythrocyte purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The inhibitors exhibit equilibrium dissociation constants (Ki) from 23 to 72 pM and are the most powerful inhibitors reported for the enzyme. Complete inhibition of the homotrimeric enzyme occurs at one mole of inhibitor per mole of enzymic trimer. Binding of the transition-state inhibitor at one site per trimer prevents inhibitor binding at the remaining two sites of the homotrimer. A mechanism of sequential catalysis at each subunit, similar to that of F1 ATPase, is supported by these results. Slow inhibitor dissociation (e.g., t1/2 of 4.8 h) suggests that these compounds will have favorable pharmacologic properties. Interaction of transition-state inhibitors with purine nucleoside phosphorylase is different from reactant-state (substrate and product analogue) inhibitors of the enzyme which bind equally to all subunits of the homotrimer.