Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eating Vegetables First at Start of Meal and Food Intake among Preschool Children in Japan

Eating behavior is an important aspect for dietary quality and long-term health. This study examined associations between eating vegetables first at a meal and food intakes among preschool children in Tokyo, Japan. We used cross-sectional data of 135 preschool children from seven nursery schools in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan. Caregivers completed a survey on child’s eating behaviors and a diet questionnaire. Linear regression was used to examine frequency of eating vegetables first at a meal and food intakes; percent difference and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were presented. Overall, 25.2% of children reported eating vegetables first at a meal every time, 52.6% sometimes, and 22.2% not often or never. In the multivariate analysis, higher vegetable intake remained significant after adjusting for other covariates (compared with the group of eating vegetables first not often or never, the group reported sometimes: 27%, 95% CI: 0–63%; the group reported every time: 93%, 95% CI: 43–159%). No significant difference in intake by frequency categories of eating vegetables first was observed for other food groups, including fruits, meat, fish, cereals, and sweets. Children eating vegetables first at a meal more was associated with higher total intake of vegetables compared with children who did not eat vegetables first, among Japanese preschool children.
Cardiopathie métabolique : un modèle de sénescence prématurée ?

Contexte : Le lien entre insuffisance cardiaque et obesite n’est pas clairement etabli, et les mecanismes mis en jeu le sont encore moins.Objectif : Confirmer l’existence de la cardiopathie metabolique et explorer ses mecanismes physiopathologiques par mise au point de modeles de souris associes a des techniques de modulations.Methode : Etablissement d’un modele de souris sauvages (WT, C57/BL6J, mâle) soumises a un regime riche en graisse (60% de graisse, HFD), associe a des techniques de modulation comme l’exercice (natation) et l’ablation de la graisse viscerale. Utilisation de souris deficientes pour le gene de l’osteopontine (voie de la senescence). Analyse des effets du regime HFD sur le tissu adipeux et ses fonctions metaboliques, et sur le myocarde et sa contractilite. Analyse en parallele des effets du vieillissement physiologique chez les souris WT et deficientes sur ces memes parametres. Recherche d’un lien entre dysfonction du tissu adipeux et dysfonction cardiaque au travers de l’exploration des voies de la senescence, notamment celle de l’osteopontine.Resultats : Nous avons tout d’abord confirme l’existence d’une cardiopathie metabolique induite par le regime HFD. Cette cardiopathie se manifestait par un remodelage avec fibrose myocardique associe a une dysfonction systolique visible uniquement en strain rate (FEVG normale) et en hemodynamique invasive. Chez ces souris obeses, nous avons retrouve une augmentation du taux plasmatique de marqueurs pro-fibrotiques (TGF, leptine) et une baisse des marqueurs protecteurs (adiponectine), le tout secondaire a une dysfonction du tissu adipeux qui predominait au niveau visceral. En parallele, nous avons observe une fibrose myocardique avec dysfonction systolique au cours du vieillissement physiologique, elle-meme associee a une augmentation de la production d’osteopontine par le tissu adipeux visceral. D’ailleurs, les souris deficientes pour le gene de l’osteopontine etaient protegees de la senescence cardiaque. L’ablation de la graisse viscerale et l’utilisation de drogues inhibant l’osteopontine chez les souris WT protegeaient egalement de la senescence cardiaque ce qui confirmait le role du tissu adipeux dans ce processus via la production d’osteopontine. Enfin, des resultats preliminaires chez les souris HFD montraient egalement un effet protecteur de l’ablation de la graisse viscerale vis-a-vis de la dysfonction cardiaque.Conclusion : La cardiopathie metabolique secondaire a l’obesite est donc une entite bien reelle. Nous avons etabli la preuve de concept du role de la senescence du tissu adipeux visceral dans les alterations cardiaques qui sont assimilables a un vieillissement cardiaque premature. L’osteopontine est une cible therapeutique potentielle a explorer.
Using a physics-based reflection model to study the reddening effect observed in spectrometric measurements of artificial space objects

Almost all remote spectrometric measurements obtained of artificial space objects in the last decade contained an unexpected and unexplained reddening of reflectance spectra when compared to either modelled predictions or ground truth measurements of sample spacecraft material. During the spectrometric characterization experiment of an engineering model (EM) of the CanX-1 nanosatellite, an increase of the slope of the overall reflectance curve was observed in various illumination and sensor geometries. Observation of the reddening effect such as was seen during the CanX-1 EM experiment has not been reported to have been observed in a laboratory environment before. With this in mind, a study was initiated to assess how the specular component of the spectral reflectance, from metallic surfaces and photovoltaic cells, varied as a function of changing illumination and sensor geometry. This paper presents the preliminary results of a new approach aimed at explaining the reddening effect commonly observed in remote spectrometric measurements of artificial space objects.
PDGF‐B signaling is important for murine cardiac development: Its role in developing atrioventricular valves, coronaries, and cardiac innervation

We hypothesized that PDGF‐B/PDGFR‐β‐signaling is important in the cardiac contribution of epicardium‐derived cells and cardiac neural crest, cell lineages crucial for heart development. We analyzed hearts of different embryonic stages of both Pdgf‐b−/− and Pdgfr‐β−/− mouse embryos for structural aberrations with an established causal relation to defective contribution of these cell lineages. Immunohistochemical staining for αSMA, periostin, ephrinB2, EphB4, VEGFR‐2, Dll1, and NCAM was performed on wild‐type and knockout embryos. We observed that knockout embryos showed perimembranous and muscular ventricular septal defects, maldevelopment of the atrioventricular cushions and valves, impaired coronary arteriogenesis, and hypoplasia of the myocardium and cardiac nerves. The abnormalities correspond with models in which epicardial development is impaired and with neuronal neural crest–related innervation deficits. This implies a role for PDGF‐B/PDGFR‐β‐signaling specifically in the contribution of these cell lineages to cardiac development. Developmental Dynamics 237:494–503, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of patient concerns in choosing surgery and preference for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery and assessment of satisfaction with postoperative cosmesis.

UNLABELLED background and purpose: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery offers potential improvements in cosmesis and recovery over standard laparoscopy (SL). We report the factors with which patients are most concerned in choosing surgery and how these affect preference for LESS. In addition, we rate the satisfaction of scars after laparoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients followed after a laparoscopic procedure completed two surveys. First, patients rated, on a 5-point Likert scale, the importance of pain, recovery time, cost, treatment success, scars, and complications in choosing surgery. In addition, they were asked their preference for LESS. In the second survey, the impact of scars on body image and cosmesis was assessed. RESULTS Seventy-nine patients (median age 54.8 years, 65% male and 35% female) were treated for malignancy (53), donation (15), and benign indications (9). Treatment success (4.71 ± 0.81) and complications (4.22 ± 1.16) were most important, followed by pain (3.43 ± 1.21) and convalescence (3.65 ± 1.11), P<0.05. Cost was rated 2.68 ± 1.38, and cosmesis was 2.22 ± 1.13 (P<0.005). Cosmesis score increased in females (2.59 ± 1.08 vs 2.02 ± 1.12), patients <50 years (2.59 ± 1.09 vs 2.02 ± 1.12), and benign surgical indication (3.33 ± 1.12 vs 2.07 ± 1.06), P<0.05. LESS was preferred in 30.4%, SL in 39.2%. Concern for cosmesis was associated with LESS preference (48.5% vs 17.8%, P=0.004). Sex, age, and surgical indication also influenced this. On the body image scale, patients scored a mean 18.8 ± 1.5 of 20. Patients rated scar appearance 8.31 ± 1.80 of 10. CONCLUSION Patients who were treated with laparoscopy were most concerned with success and complication. Preference for LESS was influenced by concerns for cosmesis, sex, age, and surgical indication.
The Neotropical Leishmania species : a brief historical review of their discovery , ecology and taxonomy

This paper is a review of the major historical events leading to our present classification of the Neotropical Leishmania species, and apart from indicating the basic type of disease these different parasites may cause in humans, it does not discuss the clinical or epidemiological features of the leishmaniases. For each of these species, information is given on the known geographical distribution, recorded phlebotomine sand fly host(s) and the secondary, wild or domestic mammalian hosts. Reasons are given for regarding the parasite referred to as Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi, the causative agent of American visceral leishmaniasis, as most probably indigenous to the Neotropics rather than imported during the Iberian colonisation.
Physical Therapy for Patellofemoral Pain

Background Although physical therapy forms the mainstay of nonoperative management for patellofemoral pain, its efficacy has not been established. Hypothesis Significantly more pain relief will be achieved from a 6-week regimen of physical therapy than from placebo treatment. Study Design Multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods Seventy-one subjects, 40 years of age or younger with patellofemoral pain of 1 month or longer, were randomly allocated to a physical therapy or placebo group. A standardized treatment program consisted of six treatment sessions, once weekly. Physical therapy included quadriceps muscle retraining, patellofemoral joint mobilization, and patellar taping, and daily home exercises. The placebo treatment consisted of sham ultrasound, light application of a nontherapeutic gel, and placebo taping. Results Sixty-seven participants completed the trial. The physical therapy group (N = 33) demonstrated significantly greater reduction in the scores for average pain, worst pain, and disability than did the placebo group (N = 34). Conclusions A six-treatment, 6-week physical therapy regimen is efficacious for alleviation of patellofemoral pain.
Application of Walnut Shells-Derived Biopolyol in the Synthesis of Rigid Polyurethane Foams

This study aimed to examine rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam properties that were synthesized from walnut shells (WS)-based polyol. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed that the liquefaction of walnut shells was successfully performed. The three types of polyurethane (PUR) foams were synthesized by replacement of 10, 20, and 30 wt% of a petrochemical polyol with WS-based polyol. The impact of WS-based polyol on the cellular morphology, mechanical, thermal, and insulating characteristics of PUR foams was examined. The produced PUR foams had apparent densities from 37 to 39 kg m−3, depending on the weight ratio of WS-based polyol. PUR foams that were obtained from WS-based polyol exhibited improved mechanical characteristics when compared with PUR foams that were derived from the petrochemical polyol. PUR foams produced from WS-based polyol showed compressive strength from 255 to 310 kPa, flexural strength from 420 to 458 kPa, and impact strength from 340 to 368 kPa. The foams that were produced from WS-based polyol exhibited less uniform cell structure than foams derived from the petrochemical polyol. The thermal conductivity of the PUR foams ranged between 0.026 and 0.032 W m−1K−1, depending on the concentration of WS-based polyol. The addition of WS-based polyol had no significant influence on the thermal degradation characteristics of PUR foams. The maximum temperature of thermal decomposition was observed for PUR foams with the highest loading of WS-based polyol.
Vaginal Misoprostol Versus Concentrated Oxytocin and Vaginal PGE2 for Second-Trimester Labor Induction

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, side effects, and complications of high-dose vaginal misoprostol with concentrated intravenous oxytocin plus low-dose vaginal prostaglandin (PGE2) for second-trimester labor induction. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six consenting women with maternal or fetal indications for pregnancy termination and no prior cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to receive either vaginal misoprostol 600 μg 1×, 400 μg every 4 hours 5× (misoprostol group, n = 60) or escalating-dose concentrated oxytocin infusions (277–1,667 mU/min) plus vaginal PGE2 10 mg every 6 hours 4× (oxytocin group, n = 66). Both groups received concurrent extra-amniotic saline infusion for cervical ripening. Women who failed their assigned regimen received 20 mg of PGE2 suppositories every 4 hours until delivery. Analysis was by intent to treat. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were similar between study groups. Median induction-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (12 hours) than in the oxytocin group (17 hours; P < .001). There was a higher induction success rate at 24 hours in the misoprostol group (95%) than in the oxytocin group (85%; P = .06), although this difference did not reach statistical significance. The incidence of live birth (25% versus 17%), chorioamnionitis (5% versus 2%), and postpartum hemorrhage greater than 500 mL (3% versus 3%) were similar between the misoprostol and oxytocin groups, respectively. Diarrhea (2% versus 11%; P = .04), nausea/emesis (25% versus 42%; P = .04), and retained placenta requiring curettage (2% versus 15%; P = .008) were significantly less common in the misoprostol group when compared with the oxytocin group, respectively. Isolated intrapartum fever, however, was more frequent in the misoprostol group (67%) than in the oxytocin group (21%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Compared with concentrated oxytocin plus low-dose vaginal PGE2, high-dose vaginal misoprostol is associated with significantly shorter induction-to-delivery intervals, fewer side effects, a lower incidence of retained placenta, and comparable incidence of live birth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I
Elevation of blood triglyceride levels secondary to administration of vitamin A.

To the Editor. — Increased blood triglyceride levels have been reported in rats being given isotretinoin ( cis -retinoic acid) 1,2 and have also been reported in patients receiving isotretinoin. 3 Increased blood triglyceride levels were induced by daily treatment with 1,000,000 IU of vitamin A for ten days. Report of a Case. — A 78-year-old woman noted the onset of an eruption on the hands, feet, upper and lower extremities, face, neck, and buttocks and in the intermammary area in February 1980. In April 1980, she was examined elsewhere, and pityriasis rubra pilaris was diagnosed. She was treated with 200,000 IU/day of vitamin A for three weeks, but she noted no improvement. The extensive eruption persisted. When she was examined initially at the Mayo Clinic on May 30, 1980, she had keratoderma of the palms and soles and confluent reddish-orange plaques on the extremities, face, and neck. More discrete salmon-colored papules were
Novel differences in the expression of inflammation‐associated genes between mid‐ and late‐gestational dermal fibroblasts

While cutaneous wounds of late‐gestational fetuses and on through adulthood result in scar formation, wounds incurred early in gestation have been shown to heal scarlessly. Unique properties of fetal fibroblasts are believed to mediate this scarless healing process. In this study, microarray analysis was used to identify differences in the gene expression profiles of cultured fibroblasts from embryonic day 15 (E15; midgestation) and embryonic day 18 (E18; late‐gestation) skin. Sixty‐two genes were differentially expressed and 12 of those genes are associated with inflammation, a process that correlates with scar formation in fetal wounds. One of the differentially expressed inflammatory genes was cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1). COX‐1 was more highly expressed in E18 fibroblasts than in E15 fibroblasts, and these differences were confirmed at the gene and protein level. Differences in COX‐1 protein expression were also observed in fetal skin by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. The baseline differences in gene expression found in mid‐ and late‐gestational fetal fibroblasts suggest that developmental alterations in fibroblasts could be involved in the transition from scarless to fibrotic fetal wound healing. Furthermore, baseline differences in the expression of inflammatory genes by fibroblasts in E15 and E18 skin may contribute to inflammation and scar formation late in gestation.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Schiff Base Metal Complexes and their Application in Determination of Iron in Different Types of Natural Water

A novel, simple approach to the synthesis of macrocyclic Schiff base ligand resulted from the condensation of bisaldehyde and ethylenediamine was prepared (7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18-hexahydrodibenzo (a, g) (14) annulene) (L) and its complexes were synthesized and characterized using different physicochemical studies as elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, conductivity, magnetic properties, thermal analysis, and their biological activities. The spectroscopic data of the complexes suggest their 1:1 complexe structures which are investigated by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, conductivity, magnetic properties, thermal analysis, and their biological activities. The spectroscopic studies suggested the octahedral structure for the all complexes. The spectroscopic data of the complexes suggest their structure in which (N2O2) group act as a tetradentate ligand and two chlorides as monodentate ligands. Also electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate octahedral structure of these complexes. The synthesized Schiff base and its metal complexes also were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. Here we report the effect of a neutral chelating ligand on the complexation with iron to determine it in different types of natural water using recovery test. The activity data show that the metal complexes to be more potent/ antibacterial than the parent Schiff base ligand against one or more bacterial species.
Sex Differences in Factors Affecting Depressive Symptoms in Older People in the Prefrailty Phase

Depressive symptoms experienced late in life have considerable effects on the prevalence of comorbidity with physical and cognitive disabilities. By identifying and intervening on modifiable indicators for depression in prefrail older individuals, progression to the frailty phase can be delayed, and physical, psychosocial, and cognitive health problems of older people can be reduced and prevented. This study assessed sex differences in factors affecting depressive symptoms in older people in the prefrailty phase in Korea. Data from the 2014 National Survey of Older Koreans revealed 1706 women and 662 men in the early stages of old age. Regression analysis showed that economic status, number of medications, social support, nutritional status, and fear of falling collectively accounted for 39.0% of the variance among older men. Using the same analysis method, economic status, number of chronic diseases, number of medications, chewing discomfort, regular exercise, social support, mobility, nutritional status, and fear of falling collectively accounted for 37.5% of the variance among older women. Based on differences in characteristics with respect to the sex of older people in the prefrailty phase, public health workers in the community should consider sex differences when planning a frailty management program.
Comparison of range of motion tests with throwing kinematics in elite team handball players

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare the active and passive range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral external rotation with the maximal external rotation and throwing performance during different throws with different wind-up techniques in elite team handball players. Twenty-two elite team handball players participated in the study in which the maximal ball release velocity and maximal external rotation during standing, with run-up and jump throws with two types of wind-ups were measured together with the maximal active and passive glenohumeral ROM of the external rotation, lying supine on a bench. Higher maximal external rotation was found during the throws with the whip-like wind-up in comparison to circular-like wind-up throws together with a lower external rotation during the active ROM test. No correlations were found between the ROM of the external rotation with the maximal ball release velocity and the maximal external rotation measured during the throws. It was concluded that ROM of the external rotation measured on the bench does not give any information about the maximal throwing performance or the external rotation angle during throwing and therefore cannot be used to identify potential fast throwers or injuries in elite team handball players.
Does abnormal branching of inputs to motor neurones explain abnormal muscle cocontraction in cerebral palsy?

The common synaptic drive shared between two groups of motor neurones synchronizes the timing of discharges between the motor‐neurone groups. Recordings were made of motor‐unit discharges during cocontraction of ipsilateral pairs of thumb muscles in eight subjects with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 4 to 13 years and eight neurologically healthy subjects aged 4 to 12 years, and in pairs of lower‐limb muscles in 21 subjects with CP and 21 control subjects, both aged 3 to 15 years. Common synaptic drive, likely to be derived at least partly from activity in branched corticospinal‐tract neurones, produced motor‐unit synchronization between pairs of thumb muscles in control subjects but was absent in all subjects with CP. Motor unit synchronization was not found between lower‐limb antagonist muscles that cocontract abnormally in CP, nor was synchronization present in more widely separated muscle pairs. Therefore, abnormal patterns of muscle activation and more widespread muscle reflex responses do not result from an abnormal distribution of common synaptic drive in CP.
The birth, life and death of an Iron Age house at Tel ‘Eton, Israel

Using a biographic-like approach, this article presents the initial results of the study of an elite Iron Age house at Tel ‘Eton, from its conception, through its birth and life, to its death and decomposition. Massive preparations preceded the construction of the house, and the latter incorporated continuous foundations, and quality building materials, including ashlar stones. The building was pre-planned, and some of the original rooms had two doorways leading to them, in order to enable easy future sub-division, without endangering the structure's physical integrity. The house evolved over the years, and its inner division changed overtime, reflecting the changes in the life-cycle of the extended family that lived in it. The house was destroyed in heavy conflagration in the late 8th century BC; hundreds of artifacts and complete vessels were unearthed below and within the debris, allowing for a detailed reconstruction of the use of space within the building on the eve of its destruction and the processes that accompanied its destruction (perhaps even ‘execution’), and subsequent collapse.