Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and etiological profile of neonatal seizures: a tertiary care hospital based study -

Background: The most vulnerable period of life to develop seizures is the neonatal period. These events very often signify serious damage or malfunction of the immature developing central nervous system. Neonatal seizures may arise as a result of diverse etiologies and can have varied presentations. Objective: Our study was aimed at finding the incidence, etiological factors, and time of onset, clinical types and various biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures. Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study was undertaken in a tertiary care paediatric hospital of Government Medical College Srinagar. A total of 100 consecutive neonates presenting with seizures from September 2013 to August 2014 were enrolled in the study. Detailed antenatal history and baseline characteristics of convulsing neonate were recorded at admission. Clinical details of each seizure episode reported by the mother and subsequently observed by the resident doctors on duty were recorded. Venous blood was collected as soon as possible and blood glucose, total serum calcium levels, Na+, K+, Mg and P-levels were done immediately after baby had seizures and before instituting any treatment. Data was described as mean ± SE and %age. SPSS 16.0 and MS Excel software were used for data analysis. Results: Cumulative frequency of 3.9% was recorded in neonatal seizures in our setup. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was the commonest etiology of neonatal seizures. Intracranial haemorrhage followed by Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was the commonest seizure etiology in preterm neonates. Majority of Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy patients presented with seizures in the first 72 hrs. of life. Focal clonic and subtle seizures were the commonest seizure types encountered. 17 neonates (31%) had primary metabolic seizures. Hypocalcaemia was the commonest biochemical abnormality in primary metabolic seizures and was present in 70% neonates in this group. Hypoglycaemia was the next commonest abnormality and was present in 41% neonates within this group. Conclusions: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy was the commonest etiology with focal clonic and subtle seizures being the commonest clinical types encountered. Hypocalcaemia was the most frequent biochemical abnormality found.
CryoAblation of Atrial Fibrillation: New Technique / New expectations

A 53-year-old gentleman with frequent episodes of idiopathic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who had failed rhythm control with two antiarrhythmic drugs was initially submitted to an ablation procedure during which pulmonary vein (PV) isolation was performed with use of a cryothermic balloon in September 2012. After a 3-month blanking period, he remained free of symptoms for over a year. However, over the last one month he has had frequent arrhythmia recurrences with almost weekly episodes. He returned for a repeat ablation procedure. (excerpt)
Structure‐Guided Design and Synthesis of a Mitochondria‐Targeting Near‐Infrared Fluorophore with Multimodal Therapeutic Activities

An urgent challenge for imaging‐guided disease‐targeted multimodal therapy is to develop the appropriate multifunctional agents to meet the requirements for potential applications. Here, a rigid cyclohexenyl substitution in the middle of a polymethine linker and two asymmetrical amphipathic N‐alkyl side chains to indocyanine green (ICG) (the only FDA‐approved NIR contrast agent) are introduced, and a new analog, IR‐DBI, is developed with simultaneous cancer‐cell mitochondrial targeting, NIR imaging, and chemo‐/PDT/PTT/multimodal therapeutic activities. The asymmetrical and amphipathic structural modification renders IR‐DBI a close binding to albumin protein site II to form a drug–protein complex and primarily facilitates its preferential accumulation at tumor sites via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The released IR‐DBI dye is further actively taken up by cancer cells through organic‐anion‐transporting polypeptide transporters, and the lipophilic cationic property leads to its selective accumulation in the mitochondria of cancer cells. Finally, based on the high albumin‐binding affinity, IR‐DBI is modified into human serum albumin (HSA) via self‐assembly to produce a nanosized complex, which exhibits significant improvement in the cancer targeting and multimodal cancer treatment with better biocompatibility. This finding may present a practicable strategy to develop small‐molecule‐based cancer theranostic agents for simultaneous cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Extraversion, neuroticism and secondary trauma in Internet child abuse investigators.

BACKGROUND Working with victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse has been shown to cause secondary traumatic stress (STS) in child protection professionals. AIMS To examine the role of gender and personality on the development of secondary trauma responses. METHODS A study of Internet child abuse investigators (ICAIs) from two UK police forces. Participants completed a personality test together with tests for anxiety, depression, burnout, STS and post-traumatic stress disorder to assess secondary trauma. The data were normally distributed and the results were analysed using an independent t-test, Pearson correlation and linear regression. RESULTS Among 126 study subjects (50 females and 75 males), there was a higher incidence of STS in investigators who were female, introverted and neurotic. However, there were lower levels of STS in the participants in this study than those found in other studies. CONCLUSIONS Psychological screening and surveillance of ICAI teams can help to identify risk factors for the development of STS and identify where additional support may be required.
Excessive CD4+ T cells co‐expressing interleukin‐17 and interferon‐γ in patients with Behçet's disease

Excessive T helper type 1 (Th1) cell activity has been reported in Behçet's disease (BD). Recently, association of Th17 cells with certain autoimmune diseases was reported, and we thus investigated circulating Th17 cells in BD. CD4+CD45RO– (naive) T cells were cultured with Th0‐, Th1‐, Th2‐ and Th17‐related cytokines and antibodies, and their mRNA was studied by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When naive CD4+ T cells were cultured with Th1‐ and Th17‐related cytokines, interferon (IFN)‐γ mRNA and interleukin (IL)‐17 mRNA were up‐regulated, respectively, in BD patients. Naive CD4+ T cells cultured in a Th17 cell‐inducing condition expressed IL‐23 receptor (IL‐23R) mRNA excessively. IL‐17 mRNA expression was induced only when naive CD4+T cells were cultured in the presence of IL‐23. CD4+ T cells cultured with Th17 cytokines expressed excessive RAR‐related orphan receptor C (RORC) mRNA. Using intracellular cytokine staining, we found that CD45RO+(memory) CD4+ T cells producing IL‐17 and IFN‐γ simultaneously were increased significantly. Memory CD4+ T cells producing IFN‐γ but not IL‐17 decreased profoundly in BD patients. CD4+ T cells producing IL‐17 and IFN‐γ simultaneously were found in BD skin lesions. Collectively, we found excessive CD4+ T cells producing IL‐17 and IFN‐γ (Th1/Th17) cells in patients with BD, and possible involvement of IL‐23/IL‐23R pathway for the appearance of excessive Th1/Th17 cells.
Up‐regulation of fas and fasL pro‐apoptotic genes expression in type 1 diabetes patients after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by T cell‐mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycaemia. Recent studies have described that apoptosis impairment during central and peripheral tolerance is involved in T1D pathogenesis. In this study, the apoptosis‐related gene expression in T1D patients was evaluated before and after treatment with high‐dose immunosuppression followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HDI‐AHSCT). We also correlated gene expression results with clinical response to HDI‐AHSCT. We observed a decreased expression of bad, bax and fasL pro‐apoptotic genes and an increased expression of a1, bcl‐xL and cIAP‐2 anti‐apoptotic genes in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared to controls. After HDI‐AHSCT, we found an up‐regulation of fas and fasL and a down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic bcl‐xL genes expression in post‐HDI‐AHSCT periods compared to pre‐transplantation. Additionally, the levels of bad, bax, bok, fasL, bcl‐xL and cIAP‐1 genes expression were found similar to controls 2 years after HDI‐AHSCT. Furthermore, over‐expression of pro‐apoptotic noxa at 540 days post‐HDI‐AHSCT correlated positively with insulin‐free patients and conversely with glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GAD65) autoantibody levels. Taken together, the results suggest that apoptosis‐related genes deregulation in patients' PBMCs might be involved in breakdown of immune tolerance and consequently contribute to T1D pathogenesis. Furthermore, HDI‐AHSCT modulated the expression of some apoptotic genes towards the levels similar to controls. Possibly, the expression of these apoptotic molecules could be applied as biomarkers of clinical remission of T1D patients treated with HDI‐AHSCT therapy.
Recombinant human TSH associated with radioiodine does not have further effects on thyroid volume and function after 2 years

© 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Clinical Endocrinology , 69 , 342–346 results by using a stenosis of at least 50% in the coronary segments as the criterion for CAD (data not shown). To investigate whether there is an association between the –420C > G polymorphism and fasting resistin plasma levels (ng/ml) we measured resistin in 1162 randomly chosen probands. 4 There was no significant difference between the three RETN genotypes (CC 4·02 ± 2·04, CG 4·09 ± 2·15, and GG 4·10 ± 1·85, means ± SD), even after adjustment for age, gender, cardiovascular status or type 2 diabetes ( P = 0·778). To examine the relationship of the RETN polymorphism with total mortality and mortality from cardiovascular causes, we calculated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using the Cox proportional hazards model. Regardless of whether or not we adjusted for age, sex and conventional risk factors, the RETN polymorphism showed no association with mortality from all causes (adjusted HR 0·99, 95% CI 0·85–1·15; P = 0·891) nor with cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·20; P = 0·920). The present study is the second one to investigate the association between the RETN –420C > G promoter polymorphism and angiographic CAD. In contrast to Tang et al . 2 who included 225 controls and 225 cases and recommended larger studies for confirmation of his results, we could not find that this polymorphism is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, at least in Caucasians (698 control subjects and 2553 CAD patients). This is supported by the observation that we were not able to detect any relationship of this polymorphism with total and cardiovascular mortality, in our cohort, which is at an intermediate risk of death. Underlying differences in the study populations may account for the inconsistent results of our study and the one from Tang et al . 2 but in many instances it has been shown that positive associations in smaller studies have been disproven in subsequent studies of larger cohorts. Furthermore, our findings are in line with results from Norata et al . 5 who found no association of the RETN –420C > G promoter polymorphism, neither with MI (300 controls and 300 cases) nor with carotid intima-media thickness, supporting our final conclusion, that this polymorphism is not associated with CAD.
INVESTIGATION OF TEMPORAL PATTERN OF SCORPION STING AND SNAKEBITE INCIDENCE IN PATIENTS REFERRED TO MASJEDSOLEIMAN’S MAIN HOSPITAL, DURING 24 MONTHS FROM 21 MARCH 2008 TO 20 MARCH 2009

Background and Objective: Scorpion sting and snakebite are the important problems in some area such as Iran that must be addressed. This study was to investigate temporal pattern of scorpion sting and snakebite incidence in patients referred to Masjedsoleiman's main hospital, during 24 months from 21 March 2008 to 20 March 2009. Materials and Methods: It was an analytical study to scrutiny of monthly and seasonal procedure of scorpion sting and snakebite. Data were analyzed by SPSS and Minitab. To identify the goodness of fit model for monthly and seasonal incidence of scorpion sting and snakebite, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were used to explore time series analysis. Results: Of all 9457scorpion sting and snake-bite cases in patients referring to hospital, 45% (n=4253) were men. Mean age of them was 28.26±0.36 years. Significant numbers (27%) of these patients had 21-30 years old, and were bitted in urban (93%), at their home (99.7%). The auto regression suggested that monthly average incidents model have a moving average. The analyses through Anderson- Darling test provide evidence that the distribution of residuals was normal (P= 0.125). Conclusion: Weather variables can be as the predictors of scorpion sting and snake-bite incidence for Masjedsoleiman. Language: en
RNA editing of SLC22A3 drives early tumor invasion and metastasis in familial esophageal cancer

Significance Familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) often shows early onset and worse prognosis. Little is known about the genetic basis underlying the pathogenesis of familial ESCC. To identify the genetic alterations associated with familial ESCC susceptibility, we compared the gene-expression profiles of familial and sporadic ESCCs. We found that A-to-I RNA editing–mediated downregulation of SLC22A3 is almost exclusively present in familial ESCC and may serve as a potential biomarker for familial ESCC patients. Molecular mechanism study further revealed that a single mutation at the RNA level could change the protein structure of SLC22A3, leading to a loss of inhibitory capability for the metastasis-promoting protein ACTN4. Our findings provide insights that may lead to more effective clinical management of individuals at high risk of familial ESCC with SLC22A3 deregulation. Like many complex human diseases, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is known to cluster in families. Familial ESCC cases often show early onset and worse prognosis than the sporadic cases. However, the molecular genetic basis underlying the development of familial ESCC is mostly unknown. We reported that SLC22A3 is significantly down-regulated in nontumor esophageal tissues from patients with familial ESCC compared with tissues from patients with sporadic ESCCs. A-to-I RNA editing of the SLC22A3 gene results in its reduced expression in the nontumor esophageal tissues of familial ESCCs and is significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis. The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR2, a familial ESCC susceptibility gene identified by our post hoc genome-wide association study, is positively correlated with the editing level of SLC22A3. Moreover, functional studies showed that SLC22A3 is a metastasis suppressor in ESCC, and deregulation of SLC22A3 facilitates cell invasion and filopodia formation by reducing its direct association with α-actinin-4 (ACTN4), leading to the increased actin-binding activity of ACTN4 in normal esophageal cells. Collectively, we now show that A-to-I RNA editing of SLC22A3 contributes to the early development and progression of familial esophageal cancer in high-risk individuals.
Thyroglobulin measurement before rhTSH‐aided 131I ablation in detecting metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Aim Thyroidectomy followed by administration of large activities of 131‐iodine (131I) is the treatment of choice for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement during hypothyroidism (offT4‐Tg), just before radioiodine thyroid ablation, has proved to be effective for predicting persistent/recurrent disease. However, the Tg measurement cannot be used as a corresponding value for pre‐ablative offT4‐Tg when recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) is used as stimulus before treatment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate if post‐thyroidectomy Tg values, measured before rhTSH‐stimulated radioiodine ablation is of prognostic value in patients affected by DTC.
Acylated ghrelin decreases during acute exercise in the lean and obese state

Ghrelin, the GH-secretagogue receptor ligand, is chiefly acknowledged as a central modulator of energy homeostasis. 1 In addition to promoting the drive to eat and governing long-term energy accumulation, ghrelin has been shown to influence fuel oxidation, increase the respiratory exchange ratio (RER), decrease spontaneous physical activity and enhance cardiac function. 1 In the bloodstream, ghrelin circulates both as an acylated and desacylated peptide. Ghrelin concentrations are acutely suppressed after food ingestion or glucose infusion, while fat accumulation is a long-term negative regulator. 2,3 Recent studies in lean individuals prompted debated evidence that acute exercise decreases total and acylated ghrelin levels in relation to GH concentrations and perceived appetite ratings. 4–6
Integrin extension enables ultrasensitive regulation by cytoskeletal force

Significance There are competing conceptual models of integrin activation. Recent measurements of conformational equilibria and intrinsic affinities of integrins on the cell surface enable quantitative evaluation of these models. We show that among these models, only the combination of adaptor binding and cytoskeletal force provides ultrasensitive regulation of integrin activation and occurs in a range of force experienced by most ligand-bound integrins. Switch-like activation by force relies on the large change in length in integrin extension and explains why integrins extend and why their domain organization is so conserved. Integrins undergo large-scale conformational changes upon activation. Signaling events driving integrin activation have previously been discussed conceptually, but not quantitatively. Here, recent measurements of the intrinsic ligand-binding affinity and free energy of each integrin conformational state on the cell surface, together with the length scales of conformational change, are used to quantitatively compare models of activation. We examine whether binding of cytoskeletal adaptors to integrin cytoplasmic domains is sufficient for activation or whether exertion of tensile force by the actin cytoskeleton across the integrin–ligand complex is also required. We find that only the combination of adaptor binding and cytoskeletal force provides ultrasensitive regulation. Moreover, switch-like activation by force depends on the large, >130 Å length-scale change in integrin extension, which is well tailored to match the free-energy difference between the inactive (bent-closed) and active (extended-open) conformations. The length scale and energy cost in integrin extension enable activation by force in the low pN range and appear to be the key specializations that enable cell adhesion through integrins to be coordinated with cytoskeletal dynamics.
Optical and luminescence properties of complex lead oxides

Reflectivity, luminescence and excitation spectra as well as nanosecond luminescence decay kinetics were measured for PbSO/sub 4/ and PbCO/sub 3/ (as well as CaCO/sub 3/:Pb) by photon excitation between 4 and 35 eV. These measurements were compared to those of PbWO/sub 4/ in order to establish the role of lead states in these compounds, which are potentially interesting as scintillators. New luminescence bands were observed in PbSO/sub 4/ at 340 nm and in PbCO/sub 3/ at 320 nm. Luminescence properties are discussed assuming the lead parentage of electronic states in the vicinity of the forbidden energy bandgap.
Primary School Teachers: The Twists and Turns of Everyday Practice

The paper examines the role played by of classroom environment in the development of a teacher. The paper studies the concept of 'teacher development' in India. URL:[http://www.eruindia. org/files/Teacher%20booklet%20edited%20final%2028%20Oct%2008.pdf].
Individuals with greater science literacy and education have more polarized beliefs on controversial science topics

Significance Public opinion toward some science and technology issues is polarized along religious and political lines. We investigate whether people with more education and greater science knowledge tend to express beliefs that are more (or less) polarized. Using data from the nationally representative General Social Survey, we find that more knowledgeable individuals are more likely to express beliefs consistent with their religious or political identities for issues that have become polarized along those lines (e.g., stem cell research, human evolution), but not for issues that are controversial on other grounds (e.g., genetically modified foods). These patterns suggest that scientific knowledge may facilitate defending positions motivated by nonscientific concerns. Although Americans generally hold science in high regard and respect its findings, for some contested issues, such as the existence of anthropogenic climate change, public opinion is polarized along religious and political lines. We ask whether individuals with more general education and greater science knowledge, measured in terms of science education and science literacy, display more (or less) polarized beliefs on several such issues. We report secondary analyses of a nationally representative dataset (the General Social Survey), examining the predictors of beliefs regarding six potentially controversial issues. We find that beliefs are correlated with both political and religious identity for stem cell research, the Big Bang, and human evolution, and with political identity alone on climate change. Individuals with greater education, science education, and science literacy display more polarized beliefs on these issues. We find little evidence of political or religious polarization regarding nanotechnology and genetically modified foods. On all six topics, people who trust the scientific enterprise more are also more likely to accept its findings. We discuss the causal mechanisms that might underlie the correlation between education and identity-based polarization.