Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of developmental disabilities after open heart surgery in young children with congenital heart defects.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of persistent developmental impairments in children with congenital heart defects and to identify factors that enhance risk for an adverse outcome. STUDY DESIGN Eligible infants (n = 131) <2 years of age requiring open heart surgery were recruited prospectively. Subjects were assessed during surgery and again 12 to 18 months later with standardized developmental assessments and formal neurologic examinations. RESULTS Mean age at follow-up testing was 19.1 +/- 6.6 months. Assessments indicated that 41% had abnormal neurologic examinations. Gross and/or fine motor delays were documented in 42%, and 23% demonstrated global developmental delay. Univariate and multiple regression models identified the following factors increasing the risk for persistent developmental deficits: preoperative and acute postoperative neurodevelopmental status and microcephaly, type of heart lesion, length of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, age at surgery, and days in the intensive care unit (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS Children with congenital heart defects commonly have ongoing neurologic, motor, and developmental deficits well after surgical correction. The cause is multifactorial and includes brain injury before, during, and after heart surgery.
Effect of expansion media containing fibroblast growth factor‐2 and dexamethasone on the chondrogenic potential of human adipose‐derived stromal cells

hASCs [human ASCs (adipose derived stromal cells)] proliferate more rapidly in the presence of basic FGF‐2 (fibroblast growth factor‐2) and Dex (dexamethasone). We have examined the effects of expanding hASCs in media containing these two factors on their chondrogenic differentiation potential. Results show that the addition of FGF‐2 and Dex to the expansion medium does not remarkably alter the chondrogenic potential of the cells induced by BMP‐6 (bone morphogenetic protein‐6), based on chondrogenic gene expression, sGAG (sulfated glycosaminoglycan) accumulation and immunohistochemical observation. This is in direct contrast to previously reported promotion of the osteogenic and adipogenic potential of hASCs by these two factors. Therefore, an expansion medium containing FGF‐2, with or without Dex, is appropriate for the fast expansion of hASCs without compromising chondrogenic potential.
Impact of HIV-1 pol diversity on drug resistance and its clinical implications

Purpose of review HIV knowledge is based on subtype B, common in resource-rich settings, whereas globally non-B subtypes predominate. Inter-subtype pol diversity encompasses multiple genotypic differences among HIV variants, the consequence of which is unknown. This review summarizes publications from the past year relevant to the impact of HIV diversity on drug resistance evolution and its potential clinical implications. Recent findings The benefit of antiretroviral therapy in non-B infected patients is ongoing, though subtype heterogeneity in rates of disease progression is observed. Pol inter-subtype diversity is high, and known subtype B drug resistance mutations occur in non-B subtypes. New mutations and subtype-specific mutation rates are identified, however, unexplained drug susceptibilities are seen, and additional insight is offered on structural pathogenic mechanisms of resistance in non-B subtypes. These differences may affect genotypic interpretation and our ability to apply drug resistance to patient care. Summary Current evidence suggests good treatment response and comparable drug resistance evolution in HIV-1 B and non-B infected patients, with increasingly emerging differences. Impact of inter-subtype diversity on drug susceptibility and on evolution of drug resistance should continue to be a major research focus to increase our understanding and ability to improve global patient care.
Multiple cis-Elements Mediate the Transcriptional Activation of Human fra-1 by 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in Bronchial Epithelial Cells*

Recent studies indicate a potential role for Fra-1, a heterodimeric partner of activator protein 1 (AP1), in toxicant-induced epithelial injury, repair, and cellular transformation. Here, we have investigated the transcriptional regulation of fra-1 by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, which are the direct targets of inhaled toxins/carcinogens. In contrast to a transient induction by H2O2, TPA persistently activated fra-1 transcription, principally at the transcriptional level. A deletion analysis of the fra-1 promoter revealed that several cis-elements located between –105/+32 and –283/–105 bp mediate minimal and basal promoter activities, respectively. A region between –379 and –283 bp, which harbors a putative TPA response element, a GC box, and an Ets-like binding site, was required for high level TPA-inducible expression. Mutations in any of these cis-elements markedly reduced both basal and TPA-inducible expression. Thus, cooperative interactions between factors binding to multiple cis-elements of the –379/–283 promoter region appear to regulate TPA-induced fra-1 transcription in HBE cells. Consistent with this finding, electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated the formation of multiple complexes consisting of the AP1-, Sp-, and ETS-specific family of transcription factors with the –379/–283 fragment. Members of the AP1 family distinctly regulated the fra-1 promoter. In particular, coexpression of c-Jun, Jun-D, and Fra-2 up-regulated fra-1 transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed an enhanced recruitment of c-Jun, Jun-D, and Fra-2 to the endogenous fra-1 promoter upon TPA stimulation. These results underscore the regulatory role of c-Jun, Jun-D, and Fra-2 in TPA-inducible fra-1 expression in HBE cells in vivo.
Benefits of oral protein supplementation in elderly patients with fracture of the proximal femur.

Malnutrition has been often suggested as contributing to both the high incidence of hip fracture in elderly people and its complications. In a recent prospective controlled randomized study, the clinical outcome of elderly patients with osteoporotic fracture of the proximal femur (hip fracture) improved by giving a simple oral dietary supplement. This study, however, did not prove that protein was responsible for the clinical improvement since the supplement also contained vitamins and minerals. We addressed this question by comparing the clinical outcome and bone mineral density (BMD) changes in elderly patients with hip fracture, receiving two different dietary supplements with different protein contents. Sixty-two patients (mean age 82) admitted into the orthopedic ward for fracture of the proximal femur were randomized into two groups. One group (n = 33) received 250 ml/day of an oral nutritional supplement containing protein (20.4 g), mineral salts (Ca: 0.525 g) and vitamins A = 750 IU; D3 = 25 IU) for a mean of 38 days. A control group (n = 29) received the same supplement dose, but with no protein, for the same period of time. The clinical course was significantly better in the group receiving protein, with 79% having a favorable course as compared to 36% (p less than 0.02) in the control group during the stay in the recovery hospital. The rate of complications and deaths was also significantly lower in the protein-supplemented vs the control group (52 vs 80%, p less than 0.05) 7 months after hip fracture. The median hospital stay was significantly lower in the protein-supplemented group (69 vs 102 days, p less than 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Problems and Challenges of Policy Implementation for National Development

As policies and programmes continue to fail in Nigeria, public confidence in government ability to achieve national development erodes. Analysis in public policy implementation continually assumes a greater significance. Public policy is not a bed of roses; it is often challenging and creative, many proposals faced obstacles on their way to implementation. Most proposals do not survive and those that do, emerged mutilated or distorted, so that they no longer serves their intended purposes. The objectives of the paper are to examine the problems and challenges of policy implementation in Nigeria. The paper relies on secondary data for its presentation and analysis. It is of the view that effective policy implementation can only be achieved not only through a continuous political commitment and clear definition of responsibilities and coordination, but also through genuine commitment to eradication of corruption at all levels of government.
Penile cancer: Importance of circumcision, human papillomavirus and smoking in in situ and invasive disease

Few population‐based case‐control studies have assessed etiologic factors for penile cancer. Past infection with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known risk factor for penile cancer; however, few previous studies have related the HPV DNA status of the tumor to potential demographic and behavioral risk factors for the disease or evaluated whether in situ and invasive penile cancer share risk factors. Little information is available on the role and timing of circumcision in the etiology of penile cancer. We conducted a population‐based case‐control study in western Washington state that included 137 men diagnosed with in situ (n = 75) or invasive (n = 62) penile cancer between January 1, 1979, and December 31, 1998, and 671 control men identified through random digit dialing. Cases and controls were interviewed in person and provided peripheral blood samples. Case and control blood samples were tested for antibodies to HPV16 and HSV‐2, and tumor specimens from cases were tested for HPV DNA. Men not circumcised during childhood were at increased risk of invasive (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.1) but not in situ (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–1.8) penile cancer. Approximately 35% of men with penile cancer who had not been circumcised in childhood reported a history of phimosis compared to 7.6% of controls (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 3.7–15.0). Penile conditions such as tear, rash and injury were associated with increased risk of disease. Among men not circumcised in childhood, phimosis was strongly associated with development of invasive penile cancer (OR = 11.4, 95% CI 5.0–25.9). When we restricted our analysis to men who did not have phimosis, the risk of invasive penile cancer associated with not having been circumcised in childhood was not elevated (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.1–2.5). Cigarette smoking was associated with a 4.5‐fold risk (95% CI 2.0–10.1) of invasive penile cancer. HPV DNA was detected in 79.8% of tumor specimens, and 69.1% of tumors were HPV16‐positive. The proportion of HPV DNA‐positive tumors did not vary by any risk factors evaluated. Many risk factors were common for both in situ and invasive disease. However, 3 factors that did not increase the risk for in situ cancer proved significant risk factors for invasive penile cancer: lack of circumcision during childhood, phimosis and cigarette smoking. The high percentage of HPV DNA‐positive tumors in our study is consistent with a strong association between HPV infection and the development of penile cancer regardless of circumcision status. Circumcision in early childhood may help prevent penile cancer by eliminating phimosis, a significant risk factor for the disease. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patients' Experiences of Palliative Care in the Home: A Phenomenological Study of a Swedish Sample

In recent times the rapid expansion of interest in palliative care has become a significant feature of health care development. Caring in the palliative way means simultaneous attention to the medical, nursing, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of the patient. The main purpose of the present study has been to obtain an understanding of patients' experiences of palliative care at home with service from district nurses. The research design is influenced by Giorgi's phenomenology. Six patients diagnosed with cancer and receiving palliative care at home were interviewed and the transcribed interviews were analyzed. Interviews were conducted in the patients' homes. The findings show that the essential meaning of the patients' experiences of palliative home care can be described as “uncertain safety. ” This meaning of essence is explicated by 4 themes, which are labeled “Safe but unsafe at home,” “A sense of powerlessness,” “Change of everyday life,” and “Hope and belief in the future. ” The findings of the study point out the importance of well functioning teamwork and resources to facilitate patient's experiences of safety in their own homes. It should be noted that the patient and their next of kin are members of the team.
High prevalence of apical periodontitis amongst type 2 diabetic patients.

AIM To study the prevalence of AP in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY In a retrospective cohort study, the records of 38 subjects with diabetes and 32 control subjects were examined. All participants underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey incorporating 14 periapical radiographs. The periapical region of all teeth, excluding third molars, was examined. Periapical status was assessed using the periapical index score. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Cohen's kappa test, analysis of variance and logistic regression. RESULTS Apical periodontitis in at least one tooth was found in 81.3% of diabetic patients and in 58% of control subjects (P = 0.040; OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.1-9.4). Amongst diabetic patients 7% of the teeth had AP, whereas in the control subjects 4% of teeth were affected (P = 0.007; OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.8). CONCLUSIONS Type 2 diabetes mellitus is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of AP.
Attenuated influenza produced by experimental intranasal inoculation

To assess the relative effect of natural versus experimental influenza illness on pulmonary function, we compared 43 normal adults with documented nonpneumonic influenza A infection during three outbreaks, 1974 (A/Port Chalmers/74), 1975 (A/Port Chalmers/74), and 1976 (A/Victoria/75) to 24 normal volunteers following nasal inoculation with wild‐type influenza A/England/42/72, A/Scotland/74 or A/Victoria/75. In naturally acquired illness, abnormalities in small airway function and transiently increased airway reactivity were observed. In contrast, no such dysfunction was observed in experimentally induced illness. This group manifested milder illness and significantly shorter duration of cough.
Characterization of Fiore Sardo cheese manufactured with the addition of autochthonous cultures

This work evaluated the effect of adjunct autochthonous cultures on the chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of Fiore Sardo cheese during ripening. A total of twelve batches of cheeses were manufactured according to the technical Disciplinary of Fiore Sardo cheese, with and without different combinations of autochthonous strains isolated from the native microflora of artisanal Fiore Sardo. There were no significant differences in the cheese compositional parameters between experimental and control cheeses, but the addition of cultures led to a statistically significant decrease in pH values in experimental cheeses. The evolution of total mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms and lactic acid bacteria were significantly influenced by the addition of autochthonous cultures in most of the experimental cheeses. As for sensory characteristics, all the experimental cheeses reported significantly higher scores especially for shape, texture, interior openings, taste and aftertaste. This study demonstrated the beneficial effect of the addition of selected autochthonous cultures in accelerating the disappearance of undesirable flora and improving the typical sensory characteristics of the cheese, and confirmed the importance of ewes' milk as a source of technologically interesting strains that could be used to ensure a higher quality of artisanal cheese productions.
The PX domain as a novel phosphoinositide- binding module.

The phox (phagocyte oxidase) homology (PX) domain occurs in the mammalian phox proteins p40(phox) and p47(phox), the polarity establishment protein Bem1p in budding yeast, and a variety of proteins involved in membrane trafficking. Here we show that the PX domains of p40(phox) and p47(phox) directly bind to phosphoinositides: p40(phox) prefers Ptdlns(3)P, while p47(phox) does Ptdlns(4)P and Ptdlns(3,4)P(2). In addition, the Bem1p PX domain also interacts with Ptdlns(4)P. When the p40(phox) PX domain is expressed as a fusion to green fluorescent protein in HeLa cells, it exists at early endosomes where Ptdlns(3)P is enriched. Furthermore, a mutant p40(phox) PX carrying the substitution of Lys for Arg105 only weakly binds to phosphoinositides in vitro, and fails to locate to early endosomes. Thus the PX domain functions as a novel phosphoinositide-binding module and likely participates in targeting of proteins to membranes.
Relationship between premature ejaculation and depression in Korean males.

INTRODUCTION The psychological impacts of premature ejaculation (PE), which include guilt, anxiety, and distress, have been well established in Western countries. However, in Asia, although a substantial number of epidemiological studies have surveyed the prevalence of PE, researchers have not thoroughly investigated the relationship between PE and depression, or have defined PE properly. AIM We studied the association between PE and depression and other psychological disturbances, in a Korean cohort by applying an appropriate definition for PE and validated outcome measures of depression. METHODS. A total of 956 males (≥20 years) were initially approached via an Internet survey company. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire requesting detailed medical and sexual histories, which included questions from the Erectile Function Domain score in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The prevalence of PE was evaluated using two different definitions-self-assessed PE and presumed PE. Presumed PE was defined as a short ejaculation time (an estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time ≤5 minutes), an inability to control ejaculation, and the presence of distress resulting from PE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Ejaculation-related questionnaire, the IIEF-EF, and BDI. RESULTS A total of 334 men were evaluated. The prevalence of PE was 10.5% according to the Presumed PE definition, whereas by self-assessment, it was 25.4%. Self-assessed PE patients suffered from various psychological problems, such as depression, low self-esteem, bother, and low sexual satisfaction. Even after excluding erectile dysfunction (ED) subjects, a significant relationship was found between self-assessed PE and depression. Moreover, after further classification of the Self-assessed PE group, we found that subjects included in this group, but not in the Presumed PE group, suffered more from psychological burden than any other members of the cohort. CONCLUSION Korean men with subjective perceptions of PE are prone to various psychological problems, which include depression.
Piglet Model of Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

None of the animal models have been able to reproduce all aspects of CTEPH because of the rapid resolution of the thrombi in the pulmonary vasculature. The aim of this study was to develop an easily reproducible large-animal model of chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH) related to the development of a postobstructive and overflow vasculopathy. Chronic PH was induced in 5 piglets by ligation of the left pulmonary artery (PA) through a midline sternotomy followed by weekly transcatheter embolization of the right lower-lobe arteries. Sham-operated piglets (n = 5) served as controls. Hemodynamics, RV function, lung morphometry, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) pathway gene expression (ET-1 and its receptors ETA and ETB) were assessed after 5 weeks in the obstructed (left lung and right lower lobe) and unobstructed (right upper lobe) territories. All animals developed chronic PH within 5 weeks. Compared to controls, chronic-PH animals had higher mean PA pressure (28.5 ± 1.7 vs. 11.6 ± 1.8 mmHg, P = 0.0001) and total pulmonary resistance (784 ± 160 vs. 378 ± 51 dyn s−1 cm−5, P = 0.05). Echocardiography showed RV enlargement, RV wall thickening (56 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 4 mm, P = 0.0003), decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (11.3 ± 0.9 vs. 14.4 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.01), and paradoxical septal motion. In obstructed territories, morphometry demonstrated increases in the number of bronchial arteries per bronchus (8.7 ± 0.9 vs. 2 ± 0.17, P < 0.0001) and in distal PA media thickness (60% ± 2.8% vs. 29% ± 0.9%, P < 0.0001), consistent with postobstructive vasculopathy. Distal PA media thickness was increased in unobstructed territories (70% ± 2.4% vs. 29% ± 0.9%, P < 0.0001). ET-1 was overexpressed in unobstructed territories, compared to controls and obstructed territories. In conclusion, the large-animal model described here is reproducible and led to the development of PH in a relatively short time frame.
Inhibition of In Vitro Leukotriene B4 Biosynthesis in Human Neutrophil Granulocytes and Docking Studies of Natural Quinones

Quinones are compounds frequently contained in medicinal plants used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the impact of plant-derived quinones on the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway is worthy of investigation. In this study, twenty-three quinone compounds of plant origin were tested in vitro for their potential to inhibit leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis in activated human neutrophil granulocytes with 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activity. The benzoquinones primin (3) and thymohydroquinone (4) (IC50 = 4.0 and 4.1 μM, respectively) showed activity comparable with the reference inhibitor zileuton (IC50 = 4.1 μM). Moderate activity was observed for the benzoquinone thymoquinone (2) (IC50 = 18.2 μM) and the naphthoquinone shikonin (1) (IC50 = 24.3 μM). The anthraquinone emodin and the naphthoquinone plumbagin (5) displayed only weak activities (IC50 > 50 μM). The binding modes of the active compounds were further evaluated in silico by molecular docking to the human 5-LOX crystal structure. This process supports the biological data and suggested that, although the redox potential is responsible for the quinone's activity on multiple targets, in the case of 5-LOX the molecular structure plays a vital role in the inhibition. The obtained results suggest primin as a promising compound for the development of dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors.