Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dry mouth upon awakening in obstructive sleep apnea

The aim was to assess the significance of dry mouth upon awakening as a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The participants were 668 consecutive adults referred for polysomnographic evaluation (PSG) because of snoring and suspected OSA, and 582 adults who were attending a general health check‐up. Data were obtained from self‐administered questionnaires and PSG evaluation. The participants were asked to answer the following question: ‘During the last month, did you experience waking up in the morning with a dry mouth? ’. The response scale consisted of five categories: ‘never’, ‘rarely’, ‘sometimes’, often’, or ‘almost always’. We classified patients as having dry mouth upon awakening complaint only if they reported experiencing the symptom ‘almost always’. The prevalence of dry mouth upon awakening was twofold higher in patients with OSA (31.4%) than in primary snorers (16.4%, P < 0.001), and increased linearly from 22.4%, to 34.5%, and 40.7% in mild, moderate, and severe OSA respectively (P < 0.001). The prevalence of dry mouth upon awakening in the control group was 3.2%. Logistic regression results indicated that this symptom significantly differentiated OSA patients from primary snorers after adjusting for age, BMI, gender, hypertension, and other classical OSA symptoms (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.34–4.07). Dry mouth upon awakening appears as a significant symptom of OSA. We suggest that increased sleep time spent with an open mouth is a likely explanation for these findings.
Directed Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Functional Dendritic Cells through the Myeloid Pathway1

We have established a system for directed differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). As a first step, we induced hemopoietic differentiation by coculture of hES cells with OP9 stromal cells, and then, expanded myeloid cells with GM-CSF using a feeder-free culture system. Myeloid cells had a CD4+CD11b+CD11c+CD16+CD123lowHLA-DR− phenotype, expressed myeloperoxidase, and included a population of M-CSFR+ monocyte-lineage committed cells. Further culture of myeloid cells in serum-free medium with GM-CSF and IL-4 generated cells that had typical dendritic morphology; expressed high levels of MHC class I and II molecules, CD1a, CD11c, CD80, CD86, DC-SIGN, and CD40; and were capable of Ag processing, triggering naive T cells in MLR, and presenting Ags to specific T cell clones through the MHC class I pathway. Incubation of DCs with A23187 calcium ionophore for 48 h induced an expression of mature DC markers CD83 and fascin. The combination of GM-CSF with IL-4 provided the best conditions for DC differentiation. DCs obtained with GM-CSF and TNF-α coexpressed a high level of CD14, and had low stimulatory capacity in MLR. These data clearly demonstrate that hES cells can be used as a novel and unique source of hemopoietic and DC precursors as well as DCs at different stages of maturation to address essential questions of DC development and biology. In addition, because ES cells can be expanded without limit, they can be seen as a potential scalable source of cells for DC vaccines or DC-mediated induction of immune tolerance.
Computerized ST Depression Analysis Improves Prediction of All‐Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality: The Strong Heart Study

Background: Nonspecific ST depression assessed by standard visual Minnesota coding (MC) has been demonstrated to predict risk. Although computer analysis has been applied to digital ECGs for MC, the prognostic value of computerized MC and computerized ST depression analyses have not been examined in relation to standard visual MC.
Incidence and Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Northern California Managed Care Organization, 1996–2002

OBJECTIVE:There are few estimates of the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in North American communities. We sought to estimate the incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC), among 3.2 million members of Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, for the period 1996–2002.METHODS:All health plan members who had one or more diagnoses of CD (ICD-9 code 555) or UC (ICD-9 code 556) on computerized records during the period 1996–2002 and with at least 12 months of membership were identified as possible IBD cases (N = 12,059). We randomly sampled 24% of these for chart review to confirm the diagnosis and obtain the initial diagnosis date. Incidence rates and the point prevalence on December 31, 2002 were standardized to the 2000 U. S. Census.RESULTS:The annual incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 6.3 for CD (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6–7.0) and 12.0 for UC (CI, 11.0–13.0). The point prevalence per 100,000 on December 31, 2002 was 96.3 for CD (95% CI, 89.6–103.0) and 155.8 for UC (95% CI, 146.6–164.9), increasing to 100.3 and 205.8 per 100,000, respectively, when hospital discharge data from 1985 to 1995 were included. The age-specific incidence of CD was bimodal, while UC incidence rose in early adulthood and remained elevated with advancing age.CONCLUSIONS:The incidence we estimated for CD was similar to the previous U. S. estimate. Our incidence estimate for UC was much higher than the previous U.S. estimate, but similar to that of recent Canadian and European studies. The prevalence we estimated for CD was somewhat lower than previous estimates.
Thermotoga maritima MazG Protein Has Both Nucleoside Triphosphate Pyrophosphohydrolase and Pyrophosphatase Activities*

MazG proteins form a widely conserved family among bacteria, but their cellular function is still unknown. Here we report that Thermotoga maritima MazG protein (Tm-MazG), the product of the TM0913 gene, has both nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPase) and pyrophosphatase activities. Tm-MazG catalyzes the hydrolysis of all eight canonical ribo- and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates to their corresponding nucleoside monophosphates and PPi and subsequently hydrolyzes the resultant PPi to Pi. The NTPase activity with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates as substrate is higher than corresponding ribonucleoside triphosphates. dGTP is the best substrate among the deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, and GTP is the best among the ribonucleoside triphosphates. Both NTPase and pyrophosphatase activities were enhanced at higher temperatures and blocked by the α,β-methyleneadenosine triphosphate, which cannot be hydrolyzed by Tm-MazG. Furthermore, PPi is an inhibitor for the Tm-MazG NTPase activity. Significant decreases in the NTPase activity and concomitant increases in the pyrophosphatase activity were observed when mutations were introduced at the highly conserved amino acid residues in Tm-MazG N-terminal region (E41Q/E42Q, E45Q, E61Q, R97A/R98A, and K118A). These results demonstrated that Tm-MazG has dual enzymatic functions, NTPase and pyrophosphatase, and that these two enzymatic activities are coordinated.
Voluntary activation of human elbow flexor muscles during maximal concentric contractions

1 To measure voluntary activation of human elbow flexor muscles during maximal concentric contractions, the twitch interpolation method was modified to enable detection of torque increments evoked by single stimuli during contractions of up to 300 deg s−1. Subjects flexed the elbow to rotate a loaded beam ‘as fast as possible’ (load typically 23–58 N m) from 70 deg below to 70 deg above the horizontal. Electrical stimuli were delivered to biceps brachii when the beam passed through the horizontal. Voluntary activation was estimated from the amplitude of the interpolated twitch, which was expressed as a percentage of the twitch produced by relaxed muscles shortening at the same velocity. 2 In eleven subjects, the level of voluntary activation during repeated maximal concentric contractions (median 99.4 %) did not differ significantly from that during maximal isometric contractions (98.0 %). Voluntary activation during maximal contractions did not depend on shortening velocity and was the same when tested at two angles 30 deg apart. 3 To induce fatigue, five subjects repeatedly lifted and lowered a heavy load at about 30 deg s−1, and continued for ten to twelve contractions after they needed assistance to continue lifting. All maintained the capacity to attain maximal levels of activation. 4 It is concluded that voluntary drive to elbow flexor muscles during maximal concentric contractions is usually maximal or near‐maximal, and that this level of drive can be maintained during development of peripheral fatigue.
Doping dose of salbutamol and exercise: deleterious effect on cancellous and cortical bones in adult rats.

Animal studies suggest that bone remodeling is under beta-adrenergic control via the sympathetic nervous system. To our knowledge, the impact of beta-agonist substances, at doping doses, has not been studied in adult rats. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of salbutamol injections with or without treadmill exercise on trabecular and cortical bone in adult rats. Adult (36 wk of age) female Wistar rats (n = 56) were treated with salbutamol (3 mg.kg(-1). day(-1) sc, 5 days/wk) or vehicle (sham) with or without subsequent treadmill exercise (13 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 10 wk. Tibial and femoral bone mineral density was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Metaphysic trabecular bone structure was analyzed by micro-CT at the time of the animals' death. Bone cell activities were assessed histomorphometrically. After 10 wk, the increase in bone mineral density was less in salbutamol-treated than in sham rats (+3.3% vs. +12.4%, P < 0.05), and trabecular parameters were altered and bone resorption was increased in salbutamol-treated rats compared with controls. The negative effect on bone architecture in salbutamol-treated rats persisted, even with treadmill exercise. These results confirm the deleterious effect of beta(2)-agonists on bone mass during chronic treatment and describe its effects on bone mechanical properties in adult rats. Bone loss occurred independently of a salbutamol-induced anabolic effect on muscle mass and was equally severe in sedentary and exercising rats, despite a beneficial effect of exercise on the extrinsic and intrinsic energy to ultimate strain. These bone effects may have important consequences in athletes who use salbutamol as a doping substance.
Experimental Model of Renal Tumors in Polycystic Kidneys: Effects of Long-Term 2-Amino-4,5-Diphenylthiazole Administration in Rats Treated with N-Ethyl-N-Hydroxyethylnitrosamine

We previously reported that treatment of Fischer-344 rats with 2-amino-4,5-diphenylthiazole (DPT) results in renal cystic changes. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of long-term DPT treatment after initiation of kidney carcinogenesis with N-ethyl-N-hydroxyethylnitrosoamine (EHEN) in Wistar rats. One hundred forty-four 6-wk-old male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal receiving groups: 1000 ppm EHEN or normal tap water for 2 wk followed by 1.06% DPT or basal diet for the subsequent 14 or 30 wk. Controls were maintained without treatment throughout. Subgroups of 6 animals from each group were sacrificed after 8, 16, 24, and 32 wk for histopathological assessment of lesion development in the kidneys and liver. Animals treated with DPT first developed cystic changes of the kidneys (primarily at the corticomedullary border) after 8 wk of treatment, and these changes progressed with time thereafter. In the groups in which DPT treatment was discontinued after 14 wk, cysts then gradually decreased in size. All tumors detected in the kidneys were histopathologically diagnosed as renal cell adenomas. The tumor multiplicity after 32 wk of treatment was significantly higher in Group I, receiving EHEN + DPT for 30 wk (6.33 ± 4.46), and Group III, receiving EHEN + DPT for 14 wk (3.83 ± 1.57), than in Group V, EHEN alone (1.00 ± 0.58) (p < 0.05). Renal cell tumors within cysts were only seen in Groups I and III. The general bromodeoxyuridine labeling indices for the kidneys at week 32 were significantly higher in Group I (55.94 ± 21.08 cells/mm2) and Group III (53.75 ± 12.38 cells/mm2) than in Group V (22.38 ± 6.98 cells/mm2) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, DPT caused cystic changes in rat kidneys, which, however, gradually decreased in size after the treatment was discontinued, suggesting a reversible nature. DPT clearly also promotes renal tumor development after EHEN initiation, and this effect persists, to a certain extent, even after the insult is removed.
Powered Instrumentation in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery II: A Comparative Study

The present paper compares the use of the microdebrider as a form of powered instrumentation for endoscopic sinus surgery with traditional endoscopic surgical techniques. A group of 250 patients undergoing surgery with the microdebrider was compared with a group of 225 patients undergoing traditional procedures in order to evaluate their postoperative recovery, healing, and incidence of complications. The use of the microdebrider demonstrated faster healing with less crusting than standard techniques, as well as decreased bleeding, synechia formation, lateralization of the middle turbinate, and ostial reocclusion. The microdebrider offers excellent surgical results with fewer complications and faster healing than traditional techniques in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
Maternal preoccupation and parenting as predictors of emotional and behavioral problems in children of women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that differences between sicker and not-so-sick women in their preoccupation with their illness and parenting behavior can explain why some investigators find that children of breast cancer patients fare better than controls and other investigators find the reverse. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-two women with metastasized breast cancer (sicker mothers) and 45 women with a first occurrence of nonmetastasized breast cancer (not-so-sick mothers) rated the degree of their preoccupation with the disease, their parenting behavior, mood, and social supports and the emotional and behavioral symptoms in one of their children. Their 12- to 18-year-old children rated their mothers' parenting behavior, their own emotional and behavioral symptoms, and their self-esteem. RESULTS Sicker mothers reported relatively less preoccupation. They, and their children, reported less poor parenting and fewer externalizing symptoms in the children. Regression analyses revealed further differences between the groups. CONCLUSION Less preoccupation with their illness and less poor parenting behavior by sicker mothers may explain why their children seem to fare better then those of not-so-sick mothers. Formulations concerning families of breast cancer patients should include consideration of the effect of the mothers' perception of the severity of their illness.
THE GREEN TEA POLYPHENOL EPIGALLOCATECHIN-3-GALLATE IMPROVES SYSTEMIC HEMODYNAMICS AND SURVIVAL IN RODENT MODELS OF POLYMICROBIAL SEPSIS

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenolic flavonoid found in green tea. Recent in vitro studies have suggested that EGCG inhibits activation of the nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B) pathway. The NF-&kgr;B is a transcriptional factor required for gene expression of many inflammatory mediators, including the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2). Excessive NO production by NOS2 is directly linked to the vasoplegia, shock, and mortality associated with sepsis. Accordingly, we hypothesized that EGCG administration would inhibit NOS2 gene expression and thereby improve survival in a rodent model of polymicrobial sepsis. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (hemodynamic study) and C57BL6 mice (mortality study) via cecal ligation and double puncture (CL2P). Rodents were treated with either EGCG (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle at 1 and 6 h after CL2P and every 12 h thereafter. In the hemodynamic study, mean arterial blood pressure was monitored for 18 h, and rats were killed at 3, 6, and 18 h after CL2P. In the mortality study, survival was monitored for 72 h after CL2P in mice. In vehicle-treated rodents, CL2P was associated with profound hypotension and greater than 80% mortality rate. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate treatment significantly improved both the hypotension and survival. In vitro experiments further showed that EGCG inhibited activation of NF-&kgr;B and subsequent NOS2 gene expression in a primary culture of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate may therefore represent a potential nutritional supplement or pharmacologic agent in patients with sepsis.
Establishment of Lymphotoxin β Receptor Signaling-Dependent Cell Lines with Follicular Dendritic Cell Phenotypes from Mouse Lymph Nodes1

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) have been shown to play a crucial role in the positive selection of high-affinity B cells that are generated by somatic hypermutation in germinal center (GC). Because of technical difficulties in preparing and maintaining pure FDCs, a role for FDCs in this complicated process has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we established a cell line designated as pFL that retained major FDC phenotypes from a three-dimensional culture of mouse lymph node cells. pFL cells proliferated slowly in response to an agonistic anti-lymphotoxin β receptor mAb and TNF-α. A more rapidly growing clone, named FL-Y, with similar requirements for growth was isolated from a long-term culture of pFL. Analysis of surface markers in these two cell lines by immunostaining, flow cytometry, and DNA microarray revealed the expression of genes, including those of CD21, FcγRIIB, lymphotoxin β receptor, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IL-6, and C4, which have been shown to be characteristic of FDCs. In addition, B cell-activating factor was expressed in these two cell lines. At the pFL or FL-Y:B cell ratio of 1:100, the cell lines markedly sustained B cell survival and Ab production during 2 wk of culture, while most B cells collapsed within 1 wk in the absence of the FDC-like cells. Interestingly, expression of typical GC markers, Fas and GL-7, was notably augmented in B cells that were cocultured with Th cells on these two cell lines. Thus, pFL and FL-Y cells may be useful for providing insight into the functional role for FDCs in GC.
Care staff perspective on use of texture modified food in care home residents with dysphagia and dementia.

BACKGROUND Dysphagia and dementia are conditions, which combined, can lead to complications for the person and require good nutritional care. There is very little evidence-based literature regarding nutritional care for people with dysphagia and dementia. It is clear that care staff plays a vital role, and that communication and informed decision-making are critical to the process, yet little is known regarding the use of available interventions such as texture modified food (TMF), and their acceptability and feasibility for care staff and residents. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of care staff when providing nutritional care for people with dysphagia and dementia, and their impressions and experience of using TMF as a new intervention for nutrition. METHODS This was a qualitative study with an inductive approach, which aimed to explore the experience of care staff using TMF in a care home setting. Data were collected using focus group interviews, an approach which is validated as a means of supporting and developing the understanding of a phenomenon, through interactions and discussions in the group. Participants were care staff working in a care home setting in Norway. RESULTS Twelve participants were recruited to this study across two focus groups. The cohort included four nurses, six practical nurses, one nurse assistants and one student nurse. Four main categories emerged from the focus group discussions regarding the use of TMF. These were: (I) emotional strain; (II) deficient nutritional care; (III) increased self-efficacy with use of TMF; (IV) better nutritional care with TMF. CONCLUSIONS Use of TMF to improve nutritional care for people with dysphagia appears to have merit for both residents and care staff, and should be considered as a means of improving nutritional care for people with dementia in care homes. Minimizing feeding difficulties and increasing nutritional intake is an important goal when caring for this vulnerable group of people, and there is a need to provide better training and support for care staff to ensure they feel confident and empowered to provide high quality nutritional care. The existing Norwegian Directorate of Health checklist for nutritional care may provide a helpful basis for improvements to guidance that accounts for the needs of staff and institutions. Further research and evaluation of an intervention for tailored nutritional care is warranted to improve this critical aspect of dementia care.
Personal and job-related factors as determinants of incidence of back injuries among nursing personnel.

The purpose of this multicenter prospective cohort study was to assess personal and job-related factors as determinants of incidence of reported back injuries among nurses. The study population included 5,649 nurses who were surveyed by questionnaire and then observed for a 12-month study period. An annual injury rate of 4.9% was observed. Four factors were found to be significant (P less than .01) predictors of back injury. All four factors--service area, lifting, job category, and previously reported back injury--maintain significance when a forward stepping model of logistic regression is applied. The adjusted odds ratios observed are 4.26 for service areas where lifting occurs most as compared with areas where lifting occurs least; 2.19 for daily lifters v light, occasional, and nonlifters; 1.77 for nursing aides v registered nurses and supervisory personnel; and 1.73 for individuals who have previously reported back injury v those who have not reported previous injury. These findings strongly suggest that job-related rather than personal characteristics are the major predictors of back injury in nurses.
Ultrasonographic examination of the caecum and the proximal and spiral ansa of the colon of cattle

The large intestine of 10 cows was examined from the right abdominal wall with a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. The cows were then slaughtered, and the organs were re-examined in a water bath. The caecum was visualised from the middle region of the abdominal wall. It ran caudo-cranially, varied in diameter from 5.2 to 18-0 cm and was situated immediately adjacent to the abdominal wall. The lateral wall of the caecum appeared as a thick, echogenic, crescent-shaped line. It could be visualised as far cranially as the 12th intercostal space. Although its junction could not be identified, the proximal ansa of the colon was recognised on the basis of its anatomical position and its diameter, which was smaller than that of the caecum. The spiral ansa of the colon and the descending colon were situated dorsal to the caecum and could be identified by moving the transducer horizontally along the abdominal wall to the last rib. The spiral ansa of the colon was situated ventral to the descending colon, and its walls appeared as thick echogenic lines. In a contracted state, the spiral colon had the appearance of a garland.