Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of gene polymorphisms of pattern‐recognition receptor signaling pathway with the risk and severity of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71 in Chinese Han population

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) presents with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Host immune response is a factor that influences disease susceptibility and severity. We investigated the potential association of gene polymorphisms in the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) pathway with the risk and severity of EV71 infection. A total of 180 EV71 HFMD cases (108 severe case; 72 mild cases) were enrolled. A group of 201 sex‐ and age‐matched children was included as a control. All subjects were genotyped for the most common single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PRR and the PRR signaling pathway using the SNPscan multiple SNP typing method. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant differences in polymorphism of RIG‐1 between patients and controls (rs3739674 G vs C: OR = 1.502, 95%CI: 1.120‐2.014; rs9695310 G vs C: OR = 1.782, 95%CI: 1.312‐2.419). Polymorphisms of RIG‐1 rs3739674 (G vs C: OR = 2.047, 95%CI: 1.307‐3.205) and TLR3 rs5743305 (A vs T: OR = 0.346, 95%CI: 0.212‐0.566) were found to be associated with disease severity. The results indicated that RIG‐1 (rs3739674 and rs9695310) polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of EV71‐induced HFMD in Chinese children, whereas RIG‐1 rs3739674 and TLR3 rs5743305 polymorphisms are associated with disease severity. These findings support an important role of innate immune mechanism in EV71 infection.
Syndromal structure of psychopathology in children of Thailand and the United States.

Are the syndromes of child psychopathology similar across cultures? Yes, in most comparisons of Western cultures. Here the authors compared Thailand and the United States, Eastern and Western cultures differing markedly in racial/ethnic composition, religious-philosophical traditions, and beliefs and practices regarding children. Exploratory factor analysis and a useful kappa approach were used to compare Child Behavior Checklist factor structure in Thai and American children aged 6 to 11. A few syndromes (e.g., somatic problems) showed strong cross-cultural agreement; most did not. Among the narrowband syndromes (e.g., aggression, anxiety), more than half the cross-cultural comparisons showed concordance kappas at or below . 40. Such differences in syndromal structure have implications for child classification, assessment, psychopathology, and treatment research, both across and within cultures.
Transformation of Verapamil by Cunninghamella blakesleeana

ABSTRACT A filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella blakesleeana AS 3.153, was used as a microbial model of mammalian metabolism to transform verapamil, a calcium channel antagonist. The metabolites of verapamil were separated and assayed by the liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry method. After 96 h of incubation, nearly 93% of the original drug was metabolized to 23 metabolites. Five major metabolites were isolated by semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography and were identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray mass spectrometry. Other metabolites were characterized according to their chromatographic behavior and mass spectral data. The major metabolic pathways of verapamil transformation by the fungus were N dealkylation, O demethylation, and sulfate conjugation. The phase I metabolites of verapamil (introduction of a functional group) by C. blakesleeana paralleled those in mammals; therefore, C. blakesleeana could be a useful tool for generating the mammalian phase I metabolites of verapamil.
Dual ACE and NEP inhibitor MDL-100,240 prevents and regresses severe angiotensin II-dependent hypertension partially through bradykinin type 2 receptor

Objective To investigate the effects of the dual angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) + neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor, MDL-100,240 (MDL), on hypertension and cardiovascular damage in male heterozygous transgenic Ren2 rats. Methods Blood-pressure-matched 5-week-old transgenic rats were allocated to receive a placebo, MDL (40 mg/kg body weight) or ramipril (5 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks. During the last 4 weeks, the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, icatibant (0.5 mg/kg body weight), was also administered subcutaneously via osmotic minipumps to 50% of the transgenic rats receiving MDL or ramipril. We measured blood pressure, heart weight, structural changes in the aorta and small resistance mesenteric arteries, and the plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide and cGMP. To verify if MDL could regress long-standing hypertension and full-blown cardiovascular damage, 3-month-old transgenic rats received MDL subcutaneously (3 and 10 mg/kg body weight, osmotic minipumps) for 4 weeks. Results Compared with placebo, MDL decreased blood pressure (P < 0.001) and prevented left ventricular hypertrophy (P < 0.001), being as effective as ramipril. Hypertrophy and dilatation of the aorta and hypertrophy of the resistance arterioles were all prevented by MDL. Plasma aldosterone was decreased by MDL (P < 0.001), but not by ramipril. Icatibant blunted the decrease in blood pressure (P < 0.001), decreased cGMP concentrations and blunted the decrease in cross-sectional area of the resistance arteries in MDL-treated, but not in ramipril-treated, transgenic rats. In 3-month-old transgenic rats, MDL normalized blood pressure, regressed left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased adrenomedullin concentrations. Conclusions The dual ACE+NEP inhibitor MDL prevented and regressed severe hypertension and cardiovascular damage, even in this model of severe angiotensin II-dependent hypertension with pronounced cardiovascular damage. Enhancement of the effects of bradykinin has a role in such favourable outcomes.
Efficacy of tadalafil in secondary Raynaud's phenomenon resistant to vasodilator therapy: a double-blind randomized cross-over trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of tadalafil as add-on therapy in secondary RP resistant to vasodilators. METHODS Patients with scleroderma and MCTD having four or more RP attacks per week despite being on vasodilators were randomized to receive either placebo or tadalafil (20 mg) on alternate days as add-on therapy to their current vasodilators for 6 weeks. After a 7-day washout, patients were crossed over to the other arm. Primary endpoints were improvement in the daily frequency and duration of RP episodes and RP condition score (RCS). Secondary outcome measures were healing of existing and appearance of new digital ulcers (DUs) and improvement in scleroderma-specific HAQ (SHAQ), quality of life (QoL), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), patient and physician global assessment. RESULTS Twenty-four of 25 recruited patients completed the study. All the patients were receiving calcium channel blockers and in addition 18 were receiving other vasodilators. During tadalafil therapy significant improvement in mean daily frequency, mean daily duration of RP and mean daily RCS were observed as compared with baseline and placebo. All the 24 digital lesions healed during tadalafil therapy as compared with 3/13 during the placebo treatment (P<0.0001). One new DU was reported during tadalafil therapy vs 13 during placebo therapy (P=0.0005). QoL, SHAQ, FMD, patient and physician global assessment significantly improved while on tadalafil. No serious adverse event was observed. CONCLUSION Tadalafil as add-on therapy improves symptoms of RP, heals and prevents new DUs and improves QoL in patients with resistant secondary RP. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT00626665.
Process Evaluation of Making HEPA Policy Practice

This study examines the link between implementation of Strategies to Enhance Practice (STEPs) and outcomes. Twenty after-school programs (ASPs) participated in an intervention to increase children’s accumulation of 30 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and quality of snacks served during program time. Outcomes were measured via accelerometer (MVPA) and direct observation (snacks). STEPs implementation data were collected via document review and direct observation. Based on implementation data, ASPs were divided into high/low implementers. Differences between high/low implementers’ change in percentage of boys accumulating 30 minutes/day of MVPA were observed. There was no difference between high/low implementers for girls. Days fruits and/or vegetables and water were served increased in the high/low implementation groups, while desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages decreased. Effect sizes (ES) for the difference in changes between the high and low group ranged from low (ES = 0.16) to high (ES = 0.97). Higher levels of implementation led to increased MVPA for boys, whereas girls MVPA benefited from the intervention regardless of high/low implementation. ESs of the difference between high/low implementers indicate that increased implementation of STEPs increases days healthier snacks are served. Programs in the high-implementation group implemented a variety of STEPs strategies, suggesting local adoption/adaptation is key to implementation.
The Power of 'Slut': The Construction of 'Slut' and 'Slut-Shaming' in Contemporary Youth Culture

My thesis employs a feminist poststructural framework to understand the meaning and use of the term ‘slut’ and its connection to ‘slut-shaming’ in contemporary youth culture, specifically in relation to the Niagara region. I argue that the term slut is used as a way to police women’s sexuality, and its use and meaning vary depending on gender, ‘race’ and class. The importance of this study is in connection to sexual violence against women, and the complex ways that derogatory language shapes how people view women in relation to sexual violence. Women and men help maintain and perpetuate the term’s harmful meaning, however, the literature suggests the term may have empowering aspects for women and it may be resignified or changed to have more positive meaning. This resignification differs based on a person’s gender, ‘race’, class, etc. and the intersections between them, with women from different cultures noting that the term cannot always be reclaimed based on historical and cultural associations (Armstrong et al., 2014; Mowatt et al., 2013). Findings from my interviews suggest conflicting notions over what the definition of a slut is and its connection to ‘shame’. Most participants felt it was primarily young, white women who used the term against each other, and while some used the term in a playful manner, they did not believe it could be reclaimed as something empowering. 1 ‘Women’ is being used as a more broad scope rather than to say girls, young women and then women, as adults and youth may, at times, refer to youth as young adults or young women and men.
Effect of Acetabular Cup Position and Orientation in Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty

Long-term clinical results of total hip arthroplasty for patients with developmental acetabular dysplasia of the hip have been reported, but placement of the femoral head center or cup orientation remains controversial, especially with a severe anterolateral shallow acetabulum or dislocated femoral head. Results of 41 Müller and 34 Harris Design 2 cemented total hip arthroplasties were evaluated for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The femoral head center and acetabular cup inclination angle were measured from the interteardrop line. Linear wear and wear direction were measured using the Livermore technique. The best position of the femoral head center was less than 35 mm vertically from the interteardrop line and 25 mm laterally from the teardrop. Femoral head center analysis showed that hips with the cup in a lateral and superior cup position all were revised, but a superior and medial position combined with a cup inclination angle less than 40° did not require revision. Hips with a cup inclination angle more than 45° had superior and lateral penetration patterns of the polyethylene. However, hips with an inclination angle less than 35° and medial placement had medial head penetration patterns. With these all-polyethylene monolithic cemented cups, regardless of the femoral head diameter or cup thickness, better long-term results occurred with a cup inclination angle of 40° or less and medial position of the cup.
Assessment of Magical Beliefs about Food and Health

The Magical Beliefs About Food and Health scale (MFH) was developed to assess individual differences in the tendency to adopt eating and health instructions that many magazines, health care books and food ideologies regard as valid but which obey universal laws of similarity and contagion. In a study of 216 individuals, the total MFH score showed good internal consistency and it was associated with various validity criteria as hypothesized (e.g. vegetarianism and other ideological commitments to food choice, female gender, increased neuroticism, experiential thinking, positive attitudes towards alternative medicine, low sensation seeking and endorsement of universalism values). Factor analysis yielded two factors: General Magical Beliefs and Animal Products as Food Contaminants. In addition, three other items (the Animal Products as Personality Contaminants scale) cross-loaded on the two factors. The factor structure and test–retest reliability were confirmed with separate samples. The results showed that the total MFH score is a reliable and valid measure of magical food and health beliefs, and that the subscales may prove useful when a multidimensional assessment of magical beliefs is needed.
PTCH germline mutations in Chinese nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVES PTCH, the human homologue of the Drosophila segment polarity gene, patched, has been identified as the gene responsible for nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate PTCH gene mutation in Chinese patients with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS DNA was isolated from both odontogenic keratocyst tissue and peripheral blood of five patients with syndrome and one patient with only multiple odontogenic keratocysts, and mutational analysis of the PTCH gene performed by direct sequencing after amplification of all 23 exons by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS A previously reported germline mutation (c.2619C>A) was identified in two familial cases involving the mother and the daughter, with the mother also carrying a novel somatic mutation (c.361_362insGAGC). Three novel germline PTCH mutations (c.1338_1339insGCG, c.331delG and c.1939A>T) were detected in three unrelated patients with syndrome. The patient with multiple odontogenic keratocysts who failed to fulfill the diagnostic criteria of the syndrome also carried a novel germline mutation (c.317T>G). CONCLUSION The frequent germline PTCH mutations detected in our series provide further evidence for the crucial role of PTCH in the pathogenesis of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome in Chinese.
Temporal effects of dialysis on cognitive functioning in patients with ESRD.

BACKGROUND Although dialysis has been shown to improve cognitive deficits resulting from uremia, little is known about potential temporal variations in cognitive measures between hemodialysis treatments. METHODS We studied dialysis patients for possible fluctuations in attention and memory by using repeatable neuropsychological measures. Twenty patients undergoing hemodialysis on a thrice-weekly dialysis schedule were assessed at intervals of 1, 24, and 67 hours after the last weekly hemodialysis session. For purposes of comparison, we also studied 10 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy at similar intervals. RESULTS CAPD patients showed overall stable performance on measures of attention and memory. However, hemodialysis patients showed significant changes (P < 0.05) in auditory memory for both immediate and delayed recall, with the greatest impairment occurring 67 hours postdialysis. Hemodialysis patients also showed a significant change (P < 0.05) in attention between the second and third test periods, ie, 24 to 67 hours postdialysis, with the greatest impairment seen at the 67-hour assessment time. No relationship was found between performance on measures of cognition and levels of postdialysis fatigue in hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION CAPD patients showed cognitive stability, whereas hemodialysis patients showed temporal fluctuations in cognitive performance.
Trust-Based Work Time and Innovation: Evidence from Firm-Level Data

The authors explore whether the introduction of trust-based working hours is related to the subsequent innovation performance of firms. Based on a panel data set of German establishments, the study uses a propensity score matching approach that considers only firms that did not use trust-based work contracts initially. Results show that firms that adopt such contracts tend to be 12 to 15% more likely to improve products and 6 to 7% more likely to undertake process innovation. These results hold when controlling for another form of flexible working-time arrangement, namely working-time accounts. Thus, the positive relationship between the adoption of trust-based working hours and innovation seems to be driven by the degree of employee control and self-management over working time, rather than by merely allowing working-time flexibility.
Early morphologic and functional changes of atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Cardiopulmonary manifestations have an important impact on the life expectancy of SSc patients. Functional and morphological macrovascular changes may appear early before the development of ischaemic symptoms. Several non-invasive methods are used in cardiovascular risk assessment. Heterogeneous data are available regarding these in SSc. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the importance of atherosclerosis in SSc. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed to identify controlled studies on carotid intima-media thickness, flow- or nitrate-induced vasodilatation (flow-mediated dilatation, nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation), pulse wave velocity, augmentation index and ankle-brachial pressure index. Outcomes were pooled with the random-effects model. RESULTS Thirty-five studies comprising a total of 1292 SSc patients qualified. Intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and ankle-augmentation index were higher and flow-mediated dilatation lower in SSc patients [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.65 (95% CI: 0.29, 1.01), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.88), 0.96 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.47) and -0.68 (95% CI: -1.39, -0.34), respectively, P < 0.01 for each]. Nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation and ankle-brachial pressure index were lower, but not significantly [SMD: -0.16 (95% CI: -0.50, 0.18) and -0.39 (95% CI: -0.91, 0.13), respectively]. Data showed high to moderate inconsistency and significant heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis of the SMD and the disease duration found a regression coefficient of 0.086, P = 0.014, confirming that parameters of the included SSc population may have contributed to the heterogeneity. CONCLUSION Meta-analysis of the published observational studies confirms that abnormalities attributable to macrovascular involvement are significantly more prevalent in SSc patients compared with controls. Considering the increasing importance of cardiovascular disease in SSc, a more widespread use of cardiovascular risk assessment is warranted.
The relationship between head and neck posture and VDT screen height in keyboard operators.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of change in video display terminal (VDT) height from desktop height (96.5 cm [38 in]) to an elevated position (109.2 cm [43 in]) on postural angles of the head and neck and the effect on cervical spine flexion moments. SUBJECTS Twenty-seven persons (3 male, 24 female) who spent at least 3 hours per day using a computer while seated were the subjects. The subjects had a mean age of 36.7 years (SD=6.0, range=25-47). METHODS Subjects were photographed over two 10-minute periods while seated using a computer with the VDT at two different heights. Later, a goniometer was used over images to record angles. RESULTS There was no difference in cervical flexion moment between the two screen positions. Several postural angles of the head and neck showed changes, but the clinical relevance of these changes is questionable. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION Changing the VDT height from 96.5 to 109.2 cm (floor to midscreen) has no effect on flexion moment on the cervical spine during short periods of VDT operation. If flexion moment is considered a biomechanical indicator of postural stress, it does not appear that the elevated screen position reduces postural stress on the cervical spine during short periods of VDT operation.
MRI techniques to monitor MS evolution: The present and the future

Abstract—Conventional MRI (cMRI) is limited in its ability to provide specific information about pathology in MS. Measures commonly derived from cMRI include T2 lesions, T1-enhanced lesions, atrophy, and possibly T1-hypointense lesions, which have been extensively investigated in many clinical trials. Better MRI measures are needed to advance our understanding of MS and design ideal clinical trials. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the major MRI-based methods used to monitor MS evolution and submits that 1) metrics derived from magnetization transfer MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI, and proton MRS should be implemented to achieve reliable specific in vivo quantification of MS pathology; 2) targeted multiparametric MRI protocols rather than generic application of cMRI should be used in all possible clinical circumstances and trials; and 3) reproducible quantitative MR measures should ideally be used for the assessment of patients but are essential for clinical trials.
[Higher perinatal mortality in The Netherlands than in other European countries: the Peristat-II study].

OBJECTIVE Comparison of perinatal mortality in The Netherlands with that in other European countries (Peristat-II), and with data collected 5 years previously (Peristat-I). DESIGN Descriptive study. METHOD Indicators ofperinatal mortality which were developed for Peristat-I were used again in Peristat-II. Data on perinatal mortality in 2004 were delivered by 26 European countries. The Dutch data originated from national registers of midwives and gynaecologists and the National Neonatology Register. RESULTS In Peristat-I, from 22 weeks gestation, The Netherlands had the highest fetal mortality rate (7.4 per 1,000 total number of births). Furthermore, after Greece, The Netherlands had the highest early neonatal mortality rate (3.5 per 1,000 live births). In Peristat-II from 22 weeks gestation, after France, The Netherlands had the highest fetal mortality rate (7.0 per 1,000 total number of births). Of all western European countries, The Netherlands had the highest early neonatal mortality rate (3.0 per 1,000 live births). Over the past 5 years the perinatal mortality rate in The Netherlands has dropped from 10.9 to 10.0 per 1,000 total births but this drop has been faster in other countries. CONCLUSION The Netherlands has a relatively high number of older mothers and multiple pregnancies, but this only partly explains the high Dutch perinatal mortality rate which still ranks unfavourably in the European tables. More research is necessary to gain insight into the prevalence of risk factors for perinatal mortality compared with other European countries. In addition, perinatal health and the quality ofperinatal healthcare deserve a more prominent position in Dutch research programmes.