Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coeliac disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a study of growth, glycaemic control, and experiences of families

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether coeliac disease affects growth, glycaemic control, and general well‐being of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Eighteen subjects were found to have coeliac disease by a screening program. Gastrointestinal symptoms, changes in growth and the levels of glycated haemoglobin (GHbA1) were analysed, as well as subjective well‐being before and after diagnosis of coeliac disease. Overt gastrointestinal symptoms and deterioration of growth prior to disclosure of coeliac disease were seen only in one patient who had both of these conditions. Retrospectively, most subjects reported mild gastrointestinal complaints, which resolved on a gluten‐free diet. Introduction of a gluten‐free diet did not have any positive effect on glycaemic control, but was associated with an increase in weight‐for‐height (from 4.3 ± 18.1 to 8.2 ± 15.4% deviation from population median, p= 0.02). This increase in weight‐for‐height was inversely correlated with changes in GHbA1 (r=– 0.574, p= 0.02).
Significance of C-reactive protein in osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty outcomes

Background: The relationship between systemic inflammatory processes to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcomes remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and functional outcomes post-TKA. Methods: A total of 31 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent TKA were enrolled in the study; 15 with hs-CRP ≤1.0 mg/l (low hs-CRP group) and 16 subjects with hs-CRP ≥4.0 mg/l (high hs-CRP group). During surgery, synovium and bone sections were sequestered, formalin-fixed, and paraffin embedded for slide preparation. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed using a light microscope. A total of 12 cytokines were measured in synovial fluid samples from the knee joint at time of surgery and analyzed using the Luminex Multi-Analyte Profiling System. Relationships between cytokines and hs-CRP were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Student’s t-tests were used to compare Short Form health outcomes survey (SF-12) health outcomes between high and low hs-CRP, and presurgical and postsurgical visits. Results: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) baseline and 1-year hs-CRP values for the low hs-CRP group were 0.55 ± 0.23 mg/l and 1.22 ± 1.32 mg/l, respectively (n = 15; p = 0.051) and for the high hs-CRP group were 7.86 ± 5.98 mg/l and 14.11 ± 38.9 mg/l, respectively (n = 13; p = 0.54). Lymphocytes were present in 10 synovium and one bone sample (all but one from high hs-CRP group). Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-10 were significantly correlated with hs-CRP (p = 0.0137 and p = 0.0029, respectively). The low hs-CRP group exhibited significant improvement in the physical component of SF-12 at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline, whereas the high hs-CRP group exhibited significant improvement only at 6 months. Body mass index (BMI) had a significant positive correlation with presurgical hs-CRP. Conclusions: The results of this study provide support for inflammatory mechanisms contributing to the OA progression, with hs-CRP being a possible predictive variable, combined with BMI and other comorbidities, of post-TKA function.
The Association Between Dividends and Accruals Quality

This paper responds to a specific gap identified in the prior literature by examining whether dividend paying status and dividend size are associated with accruals quality, using three accruals‐based earnings quality proxies on a large sample of 2387 firm‐year observations over 17 years in a developing economy, South Africa. Univariate tests are also conducted to identify differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms, and large and small dividend paying firms. The paper finds that dividend paying status is positively associated with accruals quality. This association remains robust over sub‐groups of firms that differ in size, growth, profitability, age, maturity, leverage, capital intensity and propensity to raise new capital. The prior literature is extended by using quintiles of dividend size to further investigate the association between dividend size and accruals quality. The findings include that larger dividend paying firms are associated with better accruals quality, and that this relationship is stronger among firms that pay average‐sized dividends. Additionally, there are significant differences in characteristics between dividend and non‐dividend paying firms and between large and small dividend paying firms. Based on these results, policymakers, regulators, legislators and boards may want to explore the use of dividend policy as a corporate governance mechanism.
Effect of epigenetic modification with trichostatin A and S-adenosylhomocysteine on developmental competence and POU5F1–EGFP expression of interspecies cloned embryos in dog

Summary Adult canine fibroblasts stably transfected with either cytomegalovirus (CMV) or POU5F1 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were used to investigate if pre-treatment of these donor cells with two epigenetic drugs [trichostatin A (TSA), or S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH)] can improve the efficiency of interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), analyses revealed that TSA, but not SAH, treatment of both transgenic and non-transgenic fibroblasts significantly increased acetylation levels compared with untreated relatives. The expression levels of Bcl2 and P53 were significantly affected in TSA-treated cells compared with untreated cells, whereas SAH treatment had no significant effect on cell apoptosis. Irrespective of epigenetic modification, dog/bovine iSCNT embryos had overall similar rates of cleavage and development to 8–16-cell and morula stages in non-transgenic groups. For transgenic reconstructed embryos, however, TSA and SAH could significantly improve development to 8–16-cell and morula stages compared with control. Even though, irrespective of cell transgenesis and epigenetic modification, none of the iSCNT embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. The iSCNT embryos carrying CMV–EGFP expressed EGFP at all developmental stages (2-cell, 4-cell, 8–16-cell, and morula) without mosaicism, while no POU5F1–EGFP signal was observed in any stage of developing iSCNT embryos irrespective of TSA/SAH epigenetic modifications. These results indicated that bovine oocytes partially remodel canine fibroblasts and that TSA and SAH have marginal beneficial effects on this process.
The natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the community remains unknown. We sought to determine survival and liver-related morbidity among community-based NAFLD patients. METHODS Four hundred twenty patients diagnosed with NAFLD in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 1980 and 2000 were identified using the resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Medical records were reviewed to confirm diagnosis and determine outcomes up to 2003. Overall survival was compared with the general Minnesota population of the same age and sex. RESULTS Mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 49 (15) years; 231 (49%) were male. Mean follow-up was 7.6 (4.0) years (range, 0.1-23.5) culminating in 3192 person-years follow-up. Overall, 53 of 420 (12.6%) patients died. Survival was lower than the expected survival for the general population (standardized mortality ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.003-1.76; P = .03). Higher mortality was associated with age (hazard ratio per decade, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7-2.7), impaired fasting glucose (hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.2), and cirrhosis (hazard ratio, 3.1, 95% CI, 1.2-7.8). Liver disease was the third leading cause of death (as compared with the thirteenth leading cause of death in the general Minnesota population), occurring in 7 (1.7%) subjects. Twenty-one (5%) patients were diagnosed with cirrhosis, and 13 (3.1%) developed liver-related complications, including 1 requiring transplantation and 2 developing hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Mortality among community-diagnosed NAFLD patients is higher than the general population and is associated with older age, impaired fasting glucose, and cirrhosis. Liver-related death is a leading cause of mortality, although the absolute risk is low.
In-Depth Proteome Analysis of Arabidopsis Leaf Peroxisomes Combined with in Vivo Subcellular Targeting Verification Indicates Novel Metabolic and Regulatory Functions of Peroxisomes1[W][OA]

Peroxisomes are metabolically diverse organelles with essential roles in plant development. The major protein constituents of plant peroxisomes are well characterized, whereas only a few low-abundance and regulatory proteins have been reported to date. We performed an in-depth proteome analysis of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf peroxisomes using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. We detected 65 established plant peroxisomal proteins, 30 proteins whose association with Arabidopsis peroxisomes had been previously demonstrated only by proteomic data, and 55 putative novel proteins of peroxisomes. We subsequently tested the subcellular targeting of yellow fluorescent protein fusions for selected proteins and confirmed the peroxisomal localization for 12 proteins containing predicted peroxisome targeting signals type 1 or 2 (PTS1/2), three proteins carrying PTS-related peptides, and four proteins that lack conventional targeting signals. We thereby established the tripeptides SLM> and SKV> (where > indicates the stop codon) as new PTS1s and the nonapeptide RVx5HF as a putative new PTS2. The 19 peroxisomal proteins conclusively identified from this study potentially carry out novel metabolic and regulatory functions of peroxisomes. Thus, this study represents an important step toward defining the complete plant peroxisomal proteome.
The effect of crate height on the behavior of female turkeys during commercial pre-slaughter transportation.

Limited information is available on suitable height of transport crates for turkeys. We compared behaviors and physiological indicators of four groups of 10 female turkeys each confined in either conventional (38.5 cm height) or experimental (77 cm height) crates during six commercial pre-slaughter transportations for 86 km (76 ± 4 min) along two tracts with one-lane streets, crossroads, bends, roundabouts (S1 and S2) and a highway tract (H) between S1 and S2. Only 36% of birds in the higher crates maintained a standing position. In conventional versus experimental crates, the frequency of rising attempts was five/bird/hour versus less than one/bird/hour, while wing flapping was seven/bird/hour versus 20/bird/hour, and balance loss was one versus four/bird/hour. The behaviors of both groups differed significantly according to the route tract, with a lower frequency of stress-related behaviors at H. No scratches, fractures or hematomas were detected in any birds after transportation. Crate height had no significant effect on hemato-biochemical markers. These results suggest that crates enabling a standing position may increase potentially dangerous behaviors. Moreover, busy and curvy routes should be avoided, as they may contribute to increasing the frequency of stress-related behaviors.
Green autofluorescence, a double edged monitoring tool for bacterial growth and activity in micro-plates

The intrinsic green autofluorescence of an Escherichia coli culture has long been overlooked and empirically corrected in green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter experiments. We show here, by using complementary methods of fluorescence analysis and HPLC, that this autofluorescence, principally arise from the secreted flavins in the external media. The cells secrete roughly 10 times more than what they keep inside. We show next that the secreted flavin fluorescence can be used as a complementary method in measuring the cell concentration particularly when the classical method, based on optical density measure, starts to fail. We also demonstrate that the same external flavins limit the dynamical range of GFP quantification and can lead to a false interpretation of lower global dynamic range of expression than what really happens. In the end we evaluate different autofluorescence correction methods to extract the real GFP signal.
Selective Requirement for c-Myc at an Early Stage of Vα14i NKT Cell Development 1

Vα14 invariant (Vα14i) NKT cells are a subset of regulatory T cells that utilize a semi-invariant TCR to recognize glycolipids associated with monomorphic CD1d molecules. During development in the thymus, CD4+CD8+ Vα14i NKT precursors recognizing endogenous CD1d-associated glycolipids on other CD4+CD8+ thymocytes are selected to undergo a maturation program involving sequential expression of CD44 and NK-related markers such as NK1.1. The molecular requirements for Vα14i NKT cell maturation, particularly at early developmental stages, remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that CD4-Cre-mediated T cell-specific inactivation of c-Myc, a broadly expressed transcription factor with a wide range of biological activities, selectively impairs Vα14i NKT cell development without perturbing the development of conventional T cells. In the absence of c-Myc, Vα14i NKT cell precursors are blocked at an immature CD44lowNK1.1− stage in a cell autonomous fashion. Residual c-Myc-deficient immature Vα14i NKT cells appear to proliferate normally, cannot be rescued by transgenic expression of BCL-2, and exhibit characteristic features of immature Vα14i NKT cells such as high levels of preformed IL-4 mRNA and the transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger. Collectively our data identify c-Myc as a critical transcription factor that selectively acts early in Vα14i NKT cell development to promote progression beyond the CD44lowNK1.1− precursor stage.
Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation improves endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in endurance-trained athletes

Abstract The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-week n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyloarginine (ADMA), ultrasound indices of endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake () of elite cyclists. The effects of dietary supplementation (n-3 PUFA at a dose of 1.3 g twice daily for 3 weeks) and placebo administration on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), pulse wave velocity, serum markers (NO, ADMA), lipid profile, and were analysed in 13 cyclists both before and after dietary protocols. Significant differences between pre- and post-intervention baseline NO levels were observed after n-3 PUFA dietary protocol (13.9 ± 4.2 vs. 23.5 ± 3.6 µmol·l−1; P < 0.001). Higher post-intervention baseline NO level was observed after n-3 PUFA diet compared with placebo (23.5 ± 3.6 vs. 15.3 ± 3.0 µmol·l −1; P < 0.01, respectively). The n-3 PUFA increased baseline NO concentration (ΔNO) by 6.7 ± 3.8 µmol·l−1 and placebo by 1.6 ± 4.4 µmol·l−1. The positive correlation was observed between baseline post-intervention NO concentration and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.72; P < 0.01) and also between ΔNO and (r = 0.54; P < 0.05) in response to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. There was an association between a 5.25% higher FMD (P < 0.05) and higher (P < 0.001) after n-3 PUFA diet compared with lower values of placebo (r = 0.68; P < 0.05). These findings suggest that an increase in NO release in response to n-3 PUFA supplementation may play a central role in cardiovascular adaptive mechanisms and enhanced exercise performance in cyclists.
Competitive balance in interscholastic basketball: An examination of policy and non-policy factors

ABSTRACT Disproportional state tournament success within interscholastic boys basketball has been the catalyst for competitive balance policies. State athletic associations adopt policies based on a variety of characteristics that often include public/private status. Using the theory of distributive justice as a framework, the purpose of this study was to determine the competitive balance landscape of boys basketball, as well as investigate which school characteristics most impact disproportionate success. Results indicated that private schools in the smallest enrollment classifications had the highest disproportionate success, urban private schools had the highest levels of sustained success, policies beyond enrollment classifications are largely ineffective, and predicting widespread success was not possible due to the nuances among states. The practical application indicates that national or regional competitive balance polices are not pragmatic, but urban private school success in smaller enrollment classifications should be one consideration for individual state policy development.
Product Market Competition and Earnings Management: A Firm‐Level Analysis

In this paper, we employ a firmâ€ level measure of product market competition constructed from the textual analysis of firmsâ€™ 10â€ K filings to examine the relationship between managersâ€™ perceived competition pressure and earnings management. We find that accounting irregularities and accrualâ€ based earnings management are positively related to product market competition. This finding is consistent with the notion that competition pressure increases managerial incentives to manage earnings, due to their career concerns. We also find that real earnings management is negatively related to product market competition. This finding suggests that real earnings management involves actions that decrease firmsâ€™ competitiveness and thus is costly for firms confronted with high competition pressure.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Hyoid: A Revised Surgical Procedure

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome results from a loss of muscular activity of pharyngeal dilators and airway collapse at the hypopharynx–base of tongue or the oropharynx–soft palate. The hyoid arch and its muscle attachments strongly affect hypopharyngeal airway patency and resistance. On the basis of these concepts and previous experience, a modified hyoid suspension procedure is presented. Fifteen consecutively treated surgical patients underwent an isolated modified hyoid suspension procedure to correct hypopharyngeal obstruction. Oropharyngeal-palatal obstruction had previously been corrected or was thought not to be a component of the obstruction. Treatment outcomes were based on objective polysomnographic data and subjective clinical correction of excessive daytime sleepiness. The polysomnographlc data Included analysis of the respiratory disturbance index and lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation. On the basis of these criteria, 12 of 15 patients (75%) had correction of their excessive daytime sleepiness and marked improvement in their sleep disorder breathing. The mean preoperative respiratory disturbance index was 44.7 ± 22.6, and the lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation was 82% ± 6%. The postoperative respiratory disturbance index and lowest oxyhemoglobin desaturation were 12.8 ± 6.9 and 86% ± 5%, respectively. The modified hyoid suspension procedure appears to offer significant adjunctive treatment for hypopharyngeal obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.
How well do children who are internationally adopted acquire language? A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE In this article, the authors present the results of a systematic and meta-analytic examination of the language outcomes of children who are internationally adopted. The study examined the questions of whether the early life experiences of children who are internationally adopted and the language switch that occurs after adoption hinder the acquisition of language skills. METHOD The authors selected available studies on the language acquisition of internationally adopted children using search strategies from both a comprehensive set of databases and manual searching of selected studies. Study eligibility criteria included (a) participants clearly identified as being internationally adopted, (b) measurable language outcomes were reported, (c) a control group or normative measure was used in the design of the study, and (d) effect size was reported, or data were provided to calculate effect size. RESULTS The meta-analysis found that as a group, the children expressed great variability in their language skills. Overall, they were more likely to have poorer language outcomes than comparison children, but several moderating variables were found. CONCLUSIONS The results of the meta-analysis have direct clinical application regarding the assessment and treatment of language skills of internationally adopted children. The study also has implications for future studies of the language development of internationally adopted children.
The tolZ gene of Escherichia coli is identified as the ftsH gene

Escherichia coli tolZ mutants are tolerant to colicins E2, E3, D, Ia, and Ib (Tol-), can grow on glucose but not on succinate or other nonfermentable carbon sources (Nfc-), and show temperature-sensitive growth (Ts). A 1.8-kb DNA fragment that complemented the tolZ mutation was cloned. The DNA fragment was sequenced, and one open reading frame was found. This frame was identical to a part of the E. coli FtsH protein, an ATP-dependent metalloprotease that binds to the cytoplasmic membrane. The tolZ gene was located at 69 min on the E. coli genetic map, and the mutation was complemented by a plasmid carrying the ftsH gene, indicating that the tolZ gene is identical to the ftsH gene. The mutated tolZ21 gene was also cloned and sequenced and was found to have a single base change that caused an amino acid alteration of His-418 to Tyr in the FtsH protein. The tolZ21 mutant showed Hfl- (high frequency of lysogenization) and Std- (stop transfer-defective) pheno-types, both of which are due to a mutation in the ftsH (hflB) gene. However, the ftsH1, ftsH101, and hflB29 mutants did not show Tol- and Nfc phenotypes. The tolZ21 mutant was found to have a suppressor mutation, named sfhC, which allowed cells to survive. The sfhC mutation alone caused no Tol-, Nfc-, Ts, or Hfl- phenotypes in the tolZ21 mutant.
Risk factors of dengue shock syndrome in children.

BACKGROUND Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality, especially in a case of prolonged shock with subsequently massive bleeding. The morbidity and mortality from DSS can be decreased by early diagnosis of shock and adequate replacement of plasma loss. Therefore, determination of risk factors of DSS is crucial for early detection and proper management of shock. OBJECTIVE To determine the risk factors of dengue shock syndrome in children. MATERIAL AND METHOD Medical records of 110 patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 55 with DSS admitted at BMA Medical College and Vajira Hospital between January 2003 and December 2005 were collected by simple random sampling. Clinical data including age, sex, signs and symptoms, and laboratory data (before defervescence) of patients with DHF and DSS were comparatively analyzed. Risk factors of DSS were determined by Mantel-Haenzel test, simple and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 165 children, 110 were in the DHF group (grade I, 72 children; grade II, 38 children) and 55 were in the DSS group (grade III, 53 children; grade IV, 2 children). The age, sex, nutritional status, and duration of fever between both groups were not statistically different. Risk factors of DSS were bleeding, secondary dengue infection, and hemoconcentration of more than 22%from baseline hematocrit (adjusted OR (95% CI): 5.1 (1.5-17.1), 21.8 (5.3-90.8), 15.5 (4.4-54.6), respectively). CONCLUSION Risk factors of DSS are bleeding, secondary dengue infection, and hemoconcentration of more than 22%. Patients with DHF who have one of these risk factors should be closely observed for early signs of shock, as prompt and adequate fluid replacement can prevent the progression of shock.