Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The risk status, screening history and health concerns of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Primary health-care services need to maximise prevention activities to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This study determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's risk status and screening history for cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer, and identified opportunities for prevention based on patient's health concerns. DESIGN AND METHODS Consenting adult patients attending an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service completed interview surveys. Outcome measures were: patient's self-reported rates of smoking, at-risk alcohol consumption, body mass index and screening rates for cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, cervical and breast cancer, the proportion of patients with multiple risk factors and health information patients prioritise to receive from their doctor. RESULTS We surveyed 587 patients giving a consent rate of 77%. Patient's self-reported being at risk due to smoking (51%), harmful alcohol consumption in both short term (10%) and long term (10%), and overweight (28%) and obese (49%) body mass index. The proportion of patients who had not been screened within the recommended guidelines was 27% for cholesterol, 24% for diabetes, 40% for blood pressure, 47% for cervical cancer and 54% for breast cancer. The majority (73%) of patients had multiple risk factors. Patients prioritised receiving health information on diabetes (45%), weight (43%) and heart disease (43%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Many patients were at high risk, and were concerned about the health risks they experience. Strategies are needed to help clinic staff identify risks, and maximise prevention activities according to best-practice guidelines, particularly to patients who experience multiple risk factors.
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as a marker of alcohol abuse: relationship to alcohol consumption, severity of liver disease, and fibrogenesis.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) measurements have been widely examined as a marker of excessive alcohol consumption, yet the information on the sensitivity of this method has remained controversial. In addition, little is known of the relationship of this marker and the severity of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). To clarify these issues, we analyzed serum samples from 373 alcohol abusers, including 200 problem drinkers with no apparent liver pathology, 173 patients with clinical or morphological evidence of ALD, and 42 healthy controls. CDT was analyzed by anion-exchange chromatography followed by radioimmunoassay. At a specificity of 100%, the sensitivity of CDT was 36% in problem drinkers reporting a mean of 710 +/- 80 (mean +/- 2SE) g of ethanol/week, as compared with the sensitivities of 44% and 35% for gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), respectively. In a subgroup of problem drinkers (n = 51) with the highest ethanol intakes (1160 +/- 180 g of ethanol/week) and severe dependence, the sensitivity of CDT increased to 64%, compared with 55% for GGT and 39% for MCV. In ALD, the CDT values were significantly higher than in the alcoholics with nonliver pathology. However, when such patients were classified according to the clinical, laboratory, and morphological severity of liver disease, CDT was found to be primarily elevated in those with the early stage of ALD, such that there was a significant negative correlation between CDT and the combined morphological index of disease severity (rs = -0.315, p < 0.05). ALD markers of fibrogenesis were elevated more frequently than CDT, showing significant positive correlations with the indices of disease severity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Twelve‐week posttreatment follow‐up predicts a sustained virological response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy

The team of Liu et al. generated endoderm-derived human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from primary hepatocytes. However, they generated human iPS cells by using viral transgenes. Clinical applications of human iPS cells require avoiding viral transgenes. On the other hand, the reprogramming of human cells with only small molecules has yet to be reported. Therefore, we tried to reprogram human liver progenitor cells with only two small molecules. First, octamer3/4-positive human liver progenitor cells were treated with 20O-methyl-microRNA-145 as microRNA-145 inhibitor (100 nmol/L for 96 hours; after that, 50 nmol/L for 72 hours) and transforming growth factor-beta ligand (100 pM for 48 hours) in human embryonic stem (hES) cell medium. As a result, we could generate human iPS cells from human liver progenitor cells only by use of small molecules. The human iPS cells were similar to hES cells in morphology, proliferation, surface antigens, gene expression, and epigenetic status of pluripotent cell-specific genes. Furthermore, these cells could differentiate into cell types of the three germ layers in vitro and in teratomas. Therefore, we designated the human iPS cells as chemicals-human induced pluripotent stem (ChiPS) cells. On the other hand, although Liu et al. did not show the risk evaluation of malignant transformations for the human iPS cells lines that they generated, we performed the risk evaluation. It was reported that cancer risk for patients with Down syndrome was less than healthy individuals, and the microvessel density (MVD) within severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice in which human iPS cells derived from patients with Down syndrome were transplanted was also less than the MVD in SCID mice in which human iPS cells derived from healthy people were transplanted. Therefore, according to the method of Baek et al., by using MVD within SCID mice in which ChiPS cell lines as human iPS cell lines were transplanted, we performed the risk evaluation of malignant transformations for the cell lines. As a result, the MVD in our study was equal to the case of patients with Down syndrome. Furthermore, we tried to differentiate human normal hepatocytes from ChiPS cells as human iPS cells, according to the method of Liu et al. As a result, we could generate mature hepatocytes 21 days after the initiation of differentiation (Fig. 1). Moreover, according to the method of Liu et al., although we evaluated cytochrome P450 (CYP450) metabolism in ChiPS cell–derived mature hepatocytes, the CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 activity appeared to be the same as in the case of the ihH10 cell line that Liu et al. generated. In conclusion, human iPS cells that Liu et al. or we generated would be useful for the study of liver disease pathogenesis. However, our ChiPS cells would have an advantage in clinical applications of human iPS cells.
An Examination of the Expected Symptoms of Postconcussion Syndrome in a Nonclinical Sample

Objectives:This study examined the robustness of the postconcussion syndrome (PCS) expectation-as-etiology hypothesis using a variation on the typical study design and different symptom assessment methods. Methods:Participants were 51 university students with no history of brain injury or neurological disease. Participants reported expected PCS symptoms after being exposed to an established vignette in which they were asked to imagine that they had had a car accident (expectation condition). One week later, they reported their current symptoms (control condition). Symptoms were elicited in both test sessions using each of 3 methods administered in the following fixed order: an open-ended question (eg, how have you been feeling over the past couple of weeks? ), prompted interview questions (eg, have you experienced any troubling physical symptoms over the past few weeks? ), and checklist (the British Columbia Postconcussion Symptom Inventory). All 3 methods were administered in a paper-and-pencil format. Results:Findings revealed that (a) when responding to structured interview questions or the checklist, participants expected more PCS symptoms from an imagined mild traumatic brain injury when compared with their baseline, (b) the expectation effect was not present when symptoms were elicited by an open-ended question, and (c) almost all participants (approximately 98% of those reporting expected symptoms) met a caseness criterion when symptoms were assessed using a checklist or structured interview. Contrary to predictions, personal knowledge of someone with mild traumatic brain injury did not alter PCS expectancies. Conclusions:The expectation-as-etiology hypothesis, which is one of several factors that has been associated with PCS, may be partly dependent on method of symptom assessment.
ERK 1 / 2 MAPK signaling in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus contributes to sympathetic excitation in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction

Yu Y, Wei SG, Zhang ZH, Weiss RM, Felder RB. ERK1/2 MAPK signaling in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus contributes to sympathetic excitation in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 310: H732–H739, 2016. First published January 22, 2016; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00703. 2015. —Brain MAPK signaling pathways are activated in heart failure (HF) induced by myocardial infarction and contribute to augmented sympathetic nerve activity. We tested whether decreasing ERK1/2 (also known as p44/42 MAPK) signaling in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a forebrain source of presympathetic neurons, would reduce the upregulation of sympathoexcitatory mediators in the PVN and augmented sympathetic nerve activity in rats with HF. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation to induce HF, with left ventricular dysfunction confirmed by echocardiography. One week after coronary artery ligation or sham operation, small interfering (si)RNAs targeting ERK1/2 or a nontargeting control siRNA was microinjected bilaterally into the PVN. Experiments were conducted 5–7 days later. Confocal images revealed reduced phosphorylated ERK1/2 immunofluorescence in the PVN of HF rats treated with ERK1/2 siRNAs compared with HF rats treated with control siRNA. Western blot analysis confirmed significant reductions in both total and phosphorylated ERK1/2 in the PVN of HF rats treated with ERK1/2 siRNAs along with reduced expression of renin-angiotensin system components and inflammatory mediators. HF rats treated with ERK1/2 siRNAs also had reduced PVN neuronal excitation (fewer Fos-related antigen-like-immunoreactive neurons), lower plasma norepinephrine levels, and improved peripheral manifestations of HF compared with HF rats treated with control siRNAs. These results demonstrate that ERK1/2 signaling in the PVN plays a pivotal role in mediating sympathetic drive in HF induced by myocardial infarction and may be a novel target for therapeutic intervention.
Real-Time FFT Analysis for Interferometric Sensors Multiplexing

In this paper, a theoretical and experimental study of two interferometric sensor multiplexing schemes has been carried out by means of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis. This study addresses one of the main drawbacks of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensors, that is, its multiplexing capability. Using a commercial optical interrogator combined with a simple FFT measurement technique, the simultaneous real-time monitoring of several PCF sensors is achieved. A theoretical analysis has been performed where simulations matched with the experimental results. For the experimental verification, highly birefringent (HiBi) fiber sections that operated as sensing elements were multiplexed and tested in two configurations. Due to the FFT analysis, both multiplexing schemes can be properly interrogated by monitoring the FFT phase change at the characteristic spatial-frequency of each sensor. For this purpose, a commercial interrogator and a custom Matlab program were used for computing the FFT and for monitoring the FFT phase change in real time (1 Hz).
Common mechanisms of target cell recognition and immunity for class II bacteriocins

The mechanisms of target cell recognition and producer cell self-protection (immunity) are both important yet poorly understood issues in the biology of peptide bacteriocins. In this report, we provide genetic and biochemical evidence that lactococcin A, a permeabilizing peptide–bacteriocin from Lactococcus lactis, uses components of the mannose phosphotransferase system (man-PTS) of susceptible cells as target/receptor. We present experimental evidence that the immunity protein LciA forms a strong complex with the receptor proteins and the bacteriocin, thereby preventing cells from being killed. Importantly, the complex between LciA and the man-PTS components (IIAB, IIC, and IID) appears to involve an on–off type mechanism that allows complex formation only in the presence of bacteriocin; otherwise no complexes were observed between LciA and the receptor proteins. Deletion of the man-PTS operon combined with biochemical studies revealed that the presence of the membrane-located components IIC and IID was sufficient for sensitivity to lactococcin A as well as complex formation with LciA. The cytoplasmic component of the man-PTS, IIAB, was not required for the biological sensitivity or for complex formation. Furthermore, heterologous expression of the lactococcal man-PTS operon rendered the insensitive Lactobacillus sakei susceptible to lactococcin A. We also provide evidence that, not only lactococcin A, but other class II peptide-bacteriocins including lactococcin B and some Listeria-active pediocin-like bacteriocins also target the man-PTS components IIC and IID on susceptible cells and that their immunity proteins involve a mechanism in producer cell self-protection similar to that observed for LciA.
Nuclear Ca2+ and the cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein Family Mediate a Late Phase of Activity-Dependent Neuroprotection

The mechanism by which physiological synaptic NMDA receptor activity promotes neuronal survival is not well understood. Here, we show that that an episode of synaptic activity can promote neuroprotection for a long time after that activity has ceased. This long-lasting or “late phase” of neuroprotection is dependent on nuclear calcium signaling and cAMP response element (CRE)-mediated gene expression. In contrast, neuroprotection evoked acutely by ongoing synaptic activity relies solely on the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. This “acute phase” does not require nuclear calcium signaling and is independent of activation of the CRE-binding protein (CREB) family of transcription factors. Thus, activity-dependent neuroprotection comprises two mechanistically distinct phases that differ in their spatial requirements for calcium and in their reliance on the CREB family.
Effects of inversion asymmetry on electron energy band structures in GaSb/InAs/GaSb quantum wells.

We report experimental evidence that indicated the lifting of the spin degeneracy of the two-dimensional (2D) electron ground subband due to the lack of inversion symmetry in narrow InAs/GaSb quantum wells. Through detailed analysis of the beating patterns in 2D electron Shubnikov\char21{}de Haas (SdH) oscillations, we conclude that the finite spin splitting at B=0 is dominated by the lack of inversion symmetry in the confining potential well. The effects of the inversion asymmetry connected with the InAs bulk structure, although they exist, are of minor importance in the samples studied. The 2D energy band structure in such asymmetric wells can be described by including the Rashba term, ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathrm{s}. \mathrm{o}. }$=${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(\ensuremath{\sigma}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}k)\ensuremath{\cdot}z, into the electron Hamiltonian; the spin-orbit coupling constant ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{s}}$=0.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}9}$ eV cm is determined for a 75-\AA{} well by simulating the measured SdH oscillations. We also studied the magnetic field dependence of the spin splitting by rotating the sample in constant magnetic fields as high as 15 teslas. The results indicate that the spin splitting increases nonlinearly with the external magnetic field. Finally, the electron scattering times of the two spin states of the ground electron subband are not always the same; their difference is found to increase with the spin splitting. The possibility of spin-dependent scattering mechanisms is also discussed.
Healthcare and guidelines: A population-based survey of recorded medical problems and health surveillance for people with Down syndrome

Abstract Background Medical problems are described in a population of persons with Down syndrome. Health surveillance is compared to the recommendations of national guidelines. Method Case records from the specialised and primary healthcare and disability services were analysed. Results A wide spectrum of age-specific medical and surgical problems was described. Congenital heart defects and middle ear infections were mostly experienced by younger people, while thyroid disease, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease were frequent among older people. Psychiatric disorders and behavioural problems were frequent in all age groups. Conclusions Health surveillance remained insufficient, despite the guidelines available. A joint effort by healthcare and disability service providers is required to ensure that the medical needs of people with Down syndrome are adequately met across their entire lifespan. An active provision of healthcare and monitoring for this vulnerable group is needed.
The Health Toll of Import Competition

This paper assesses the effect of import competition on the labour market and health outcomes of US workers. We first show that import shocks affect employment and income, but only in areas where jobs are more intense in routine tasks. Exploiting over 40 million individual observations on health and mortality, we find that import had a detrimental effect on physical and mental health that is concentrated in those areas and exhibits strong persistence. It decreased healthcare utilisation and increased hospitalisation for a large set of conditions, more difficult to treat. The mortality hazard of workers in manufacturing increased by up to 6% per billion-dollar import increase.
Adult Scoliosis in Patients Over Sixty-Five Years of Age: Outcomes of Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment at a Minimum Two-Year Follow-up

Study Design. Retrospective case-control study. Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported outcomes between operatively and nonoperatively treated patients over the age of 65 with adult scoliosis, using 4 distinct self-assessment questionnaires (SRS-22, SF-12, EQ5D, and Oswestry disability index [ODI]) and standard radiographic measurement parameters. Summary of Background Data. The current spine literature contains no studies that directly compare the self-reported and radiographic outcomes of operatively and nonoperatively treated patients over the age of 65 years with adult scoliosis. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the self-reported outcomes of 83 adult scoliosis in patients over the age of 65 years. A total of 34 patients were treated operatively, whereas 49 patients were managed nonoperatively. For each of these patients, standard radiographic measurements were recorded both before and after treatment, and each patient received 4 questionnaires (SRS-22, SF-12, EQ5D, and ODI) that were completed with a minimum of 2-year follow-up from the time the treatment was initiated. The outcomes of both groups were then statistically compared. Results. As compared to the nonoperative group, the operative group reported significantly better self-assessment scores for the EQ5D index, EQ5D Visual Analogue Score, and SRS-22 questionnaires. However, no statistically significant difference between the groups was detected for the ODI, SF-12 Mental Health Component Summary, and SF-12 PCS. Furthermore, the operative group also had a significant improvement in radiographic measurements. Conclusion. Adult scoliosis patients over the age of 65 years treated operatively had significantly less pain, a better health-related quality of life, self image, mental health, and were more satisfied with their treatment than patients treated conservatively. However, we found no statistically significant differences in their degree of disability as measured by the ODI as well as physical and mental health by the SF-12 instrument. Preoperative radiographic deformity was not determined to be a significant factor for predicting whether an operative or nonoperative treatment course was chosen.
Salivary mucin: a factor in the lower prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in African-Americans?

OBJECTIVES:Organic and inorganic constituents of saliva have been implicated as protective components in the esophagus, and deficiencies in one or more of these factors in different races may be an important element in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To determine whether there are differences in the concentration of salivary mucins between different racial groups, we measured the concentration of mucous glycoprotein MG1 and mucous glycoprotein MG2 in whole saliva of African-Americans and Caucasians.METHODS:Whole saliva was collected from 19 African-American (four male, 15 female; mean age 34 yr, range 19–53 yr,) and 25 Caucasian (11 male, 14 female; mean age 31 yr, range 20–51 yr,) volunteers under masticatory stimulation (1 g Parafilm, 60 strokes/min) between 11:00 AM and 12:00 noon. Total salivary carbohydrate was measured with a periodic acid-Schiff assay and total protein by absorbance at 215 nm. Immunological reagents were employed to quantify MG2 in a combined enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay/enzyme linked lectin assay (ELISA/ELLA) and to quantify MG1 in a capture ELISA.RESULTS:The total carbohydrate, protein, MG1 and MG2 values were 24.4 ± 11.9, 243.5 ± 62.7, 21.8 ± 13.4, and 11.6 ± 9.5 mg% for African-Americans, and the corresponding values were 23.3 ± 9.3, 221.7 ± 39.7, 25.7 ± 16.2, and 10.9 ± 8.7 mg% for Caucasians. There was no statistical difference for any of the parameters measured between the two groups. Furthermore, it was shown that no correlation existed between salivary flow rate and the concentration of carbohydrate, protein, or salivary mucins in African-Americans and in Caucasians. These results show that flow rate did not influence the measured values for salivary parameters in the two groups.CONCLUSIONS:No differences were found in the concentration of salivary mucins MG1 and MG2 in whole saliva of African-Americans and Caucasians, and it seems unlikely that variations in mucin levels influence the prevalence of GERD in these groups.