Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between parental perceptions of diabetes and glycaemic control

Aim: To measure the relationship between perceived child competence, parental self-efficacy, and children’s glycaemic control. Methods: Cross-sectional outpatient based questionnaire survey of 78 parents of children aged 6–12 years with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, diagnosed for at least one year. Parental perceptions of their child’s competence were assessed, together with parental perceptions of their own self-efficacy in managing their child’s diabetes. Glycaemic control was assessed by the average annual HbA1C level. Results: The response rate was 64.5% (51 parents); 82% were mothers and the socioeconomic class and ethnicity spread was representative of the general population. The mean age of the children was 10 years and duration of diabetes 4.4 years. Poorer glycaemic control was associated with higher perceived child competence, together with lower perceived age of responsibility, lower perceived seriousness, and less frequent blood tests. Higher parental self-efficacy and higher perceived child competence predicted a higher level of normalisation, as did lower perceived seriousness, a lower perceived parental responsibility for management, and a less protective style of parenting. Conclusion: Parents’ perceptions of their children’s diabetes are significantly related to glycaemic control; however, those who appear more competent at managing diabetes may overestimate their child’s capabilities, leading to poorer glycaemic control.
A dual-VCO-based quantizer with highly improved linearity and enlarged dynamic range

In this paper, a novel structure of dual-VCO-based quantizer is introduced to significantly improve the VCO linearity. Compared with the precedent methods, the proposed structure can accomplish the linearity without sacrificing the intrinsic DEM function of the VCO-based quantizer, which greatly simplifies the structure of the circuit implementation. Moreover, a passive adder is introduced in this paper, instead normal active adder; the power consumption can be optimized. Besides, due to the dual-VCO structure, the dynamic range of the modulator can be greatly enlarged. A first order continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta (ΣΔ) modulator with the proposal quantizer is designed and simulated in 65 nm CMOS process. The performance of the modulator can reach 83.7/83 dB SNR/SNDR with 10MHz bandwidth and 1V supply voltage.
Myristylation is required for Tyr-527 dephosphorylation and activation of pp60c-src in mitosis

The chicken proto-oncoprotein c-Src is phosphorylated by p34cdc2 during mitosis concomitant with increased c-Src tyrosine kinase activity. On the basis of indirect evidence, we previously suggested that this is caused by partial dephosphorylation at Tyr-527, the phosphorylation of which suppresses c-Src kinase activity. In support of this hypothesis, we now show that treatment of cells with a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium vanadate, blocks the mitotic increase in Src kinase activity. Also, we show that an amino-terminal mutation that prevents myristylation (and membrane localization) of c-Src does not interfere with the p34cdc2-mediated phosphorylations but blocks both mitotic dephosphorylation of Tyr-527 (in kinase-defective Src) and stimulation of c-Src kinase activity. Furthermore, in unsynchronized cells, the kinase activity of nonmyristylated c-Src is suppressed by 60% relative to wild-type c-Src, presumably because of increased Tyr-527 phosphorylation. Consistent with this, the Tyr-527 dephosphorylation rate measured in cell homogenates is much higher for wild-type, myristylated c-Src than for nonmyristylated c-Src. Tyr-527 phosphatase activity was primarily associated with the nonsoluble subcellular fraction. These findings suggest that the phosphatase(s) that acts on Tyr-527 is membrane bound and indicate that membrane localization of c-Src is necessary for its mitotic activation by dephosphorylation of Tyr-527.
Esophageal cancer: 5-year survival rate at south-east of Caspian sea of northern Iran.

BACKGROUND Locating at southern margin of Caspian sea and Asian esophagus cancer cordon Golestan state is one of the most common sites of this cancer. OBJECTIVE This study designed to evaluate the 5-years survival rate of esophagus cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS 55 patients with esophagus cancer diagnosed by pathologic examination, age, gender, type of tumor, clinical manifestation on the time of tumor metastases, treatment and patient survival time studied. The collecting data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5, and life table and Kaplan Meier methods were applied. RESULTS 55 patients studied included 11 females and 44 males respectively with average survival life time of 12.8 months for the 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at early stage was 0.025, patients with systemic symptoms such as weight loss was 0.00. Far metastases adverse effect on highest survivals was observed among patients who underwent surgery; the survival rate for such patients was about 0.014. CONCLUSIONS Esophageal cancer is high in southern margin of Caspian Sea, it is suggested to design studies to find the probable risk factors and the screening tests for on-time diagnosis.
MicroRNA‐125b induces tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, but no clear disease‐initiating mechanism is known. Aβ deposits and neuronal tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau are characteristic for AD. Here, we analyze the contribution of microRNA‐125b (miR‐125b), which is elevated in AD. In primary neurons, overexpression of miR‐125b causes tau hyperphosphorylation and an upregulation of p35, cdk5, and p44/42‐MAPK signaling. In parallel, the phosphatases DUSP6 and PPP1CA and the anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl‐W are downregulated as direct targets of miR‐125b. Knockdown of these phosphatases induces tau hyperphosphorylation, and overexpression of PPP1CA and Bcl‐W prevents miR‐125b‐induced tau phosphorylation, suggesting that they mediate the effects of miR‐125b on tau. Conversely, suppression of miR‐125b in neurons by tough decoys reduces tau phosphorylation and kinase expression/activity. Injecting miR‐125b into the hippocampus of mice impairs associative learning and is accompanied by downregulation of Bcl‐W, DUSP6, and PPP1CA, resulting in increased tau phosphorylation in vivo. Importantly, DUSP6 and PPP1CA are also reduced in AD brains. These data implicate miR‐125b in the pathogenesis of AD by promoting pathological tau phosphorylation.
Correlates of preferences for autonomy in long-term care: results of a population-based survey among older individuals in Germany

Purpose Thus far, there is little evidence concerning the factors associated with preferences for autonomy in long-term care. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlates of preferences for autonomy in long-term care among older individuals in Germany. Methods Data were gathered from a population-based survey of the German population aged ≥65 years in 2015 (N=1,006). Results Multiple logistic regressions revealed that preferences for freedom of choice for foods were positively associated with living with partner or spouse (OR: 1.5 [1.0–2.2]), being born in Germany (OR: 1.9 [1.1–3.3]), and lower self-rated health (OR: 1.3 [1.1–1.6]). Preferences for freedom in choosing bedtime and sleep duration were positively associated with lower age (OR: 1.1 [1.0–1.1]) and having children (OR: 2.2 [1.0–4.9]). Preferences for customized living space were positively associated with being female (OR: 2.5 [1.4–4.5]) and being born in Germany (OR: 3.7 [1.9–7.1]). Neither preferences for decent and sanitary housing nor preferences for shared decision-making were associated with any of the independent variables. Conclusion Various independent variables were associated with preferences for autonomy in long-term care. This suggests that preferences for care-related autonomy are complex. Knowing these might help refine long-term care health services.
Epidemiological and quantitative study of GBV‐C infection in french polytransfused children

From 1999 to 2002, 246 serum samples taken from polytransfused children were tested for the presence of GB virus C (GBV‐C) RNA using a real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay. This assay was based on the TaqMan technology and allowed viral load determination in infected children with a dynamic range from 103 to 107 genome equivalent (gEq) copies/ml. The limit of detection was estimated to 619 gEq copies/ml with a ≥95% probability of a positive result. Thirty five sera were found to be GBV‐C RNA positive, corresponding to a prevalence of GBV‐C of 14.2%. The mean viral load was high, i.e., 6 ± 1.4 log (range 3.22–7.42) gEq copies/ml, but low viral loads were also detected. Sequencing of the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) identified a majority of genotype 2 strains (82%) distributed into two subtypes, 88.5% genotype 2a and 11.5% genotype 2b. In conclusion, GBV‐C active infection is very frequent in exposed populations such as polytransfused children. GBV‐C RNA quantitation using real‐time assay may be useful for diagnosis and follow‐up of the natural history of GBV‐C infection. J. Med. Virol. 73:596–600, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical site infection rates at the Pontiac Health Care Centre, a rural community hospital.

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) at the Pontiac Health Care Centre, a rural hospital, was compared with rates obtained by large multicentre studies. Postoperative nosocomial infection (NI) rates were also calculated. METHODS A review of all surgical interventions involving an incision, excluding ophthalmological procedures, performed between October 2001 and March 2003 (n = 831) was undertaken. Various clinical parameters were recorded. Infection rates were calculated. Data were analyzed using either the chi2 or Student's t test. RESULTS The overall SSI rate was 5.54%: 3.50% in clean cases (C), 6.77% in clean-contaminated cases (CC), and 14.58% in contaminated or dirty cases (D). The postoperative NI rate was 6.62% (C, 3.68%; CC, 9.90%; D, 16.67%). The mean duration of surgery was significantly higher among patients with SSIs and with NIs than those without infections for CC (133 +/- 95 v. 78 +/- 60 min, p < 0.05, and 129 +/- 82 v. 77 +/- 60 min, p < 0.001 respectively) and D (130 +/- 96 v. 82 +/- 62 min, p < 0.001, and 136 +/- 92 v. 80 +/- 60 min, p < 0.001 respectively). There were significantly higher SSI and NI rates among patients with combined American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores II and III than those with ASA score I in D (chi2 = 5.06 and chi2 = 6.34 respectively). There was also significantly higher SSI and NI rates among patients with combined Comorbidity Scale score 1-6 than those with no comorbid factors in CC (chi2 = 4.14 and chi2 = 4.42 repectively) and D (not significant and chi2 = 4.04 respectively). CONCLUSION SSI rates at the Pontiac Health Care Centre were comparable to multicentre rates. Wound contamination category, type of surgery, duration of surgery, ASA score and Comorbidity Scale score were associated with SSI and NI rates. Studies have shown that examining NI rates decreases these rates by raising awareness; thus, we suggest that rural hospitals implement protocols to survey their postoperative NI rates.
NF‐κB mediated miR‐26a regulation in cardiac fibrosis

Micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non‐coding RNAs, recently emerged as a post‐transcriptional regulator having a key role in various cardiac pathologies. Among them, cardiac fibrosis that occurs as a result from an imbalance of extracellular matrix proteins turnover and is a highly debilitating process that eventually lead to organ dysfunction. An emerging theme on is that miRNAs participate in feedback loop with transcription factors that regulate their transcription. NF‐κB, a key transcription factor regulator controls a series of gene program in various cardiac diseases through positive and negative feedback mechanism. But, NF‐κB mediated miRNA regulation in cardiac fibrosis remains obscure. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR‐26a has targets collagen I and CTGF and possesses putative NF‐κB binding element in its promoter region. Here, we show that inhibition of NF‐κB in cardiac fibroblast restores miR‐26a expression, attenuating collagen I, and CTGF gene expression in the presence of Ang II, conferring a feedback regulatory mechanism in cardiac fibrosis. The target genes for miR‐26a were confirmed using 3′‐UTR luciferase reporter assays for collagen I and CTGF genes. Using NF‐κB reporter assays, we determine that miR‐26a overexpression inhibits NF‐κB activity. Finally, we show that miR‐26a expression is restored along with the attenuation of collagen I and CTGF genes in cardiac specific IkBa triple mutant transgenic mice (preventing NF‐κB activation) subjected to 4 weeks transverse aortic banding (TAC), compared to wild type (WT) mice. The data indicate a potential role of miR‐26a in cardiac fibrosis and, offer novel therapeutic intervention. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1433–1442, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gold‐ and silver‐induced murine autoimmunity – requirement for cytokines and CD28 in murine heavy metal‐induced autoimmunity

Treatment with gold in the form of aurothiomaleate, silver or mercury (Hg) in genetically susceptible mouse strains (H‐2s) induces a systemic autoimmune condition characterized by anti‐nuclear antibodies targeting the 34‐kDa nucleolar protein fibrillarin, as well as lymphoproliferation and systemic immune‐complex (IC) deposits. In this study we have examined the effect of single‐gene deletions for interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐6 or CD28 in B10.S (H‐2s) mice on heavy metal‐induced autoimmunity. Targeting of the genes for IFN‐γ, IL‐6 or CD28 abrogated the development of both anti‐fibrillarin antibodies (AFA) and IC deposits using a modest dose of Hg (130 µg Hg/kg body weight/day). Deletion of IL‐4 severely reduced the IgG1 AFA induced by all three metals, left the total IgG AFA response intact, but abrogated the Hg‐induced systemic IC deposits. In conclusion, intact IFN‐γ and CD28 genes are necessary for induction of AFA with all three metals and systemic IC deposits using Hg, while lack of IL‐4 distinctly skews the metal‐induced AFA response towards T helper type 1. In a previous study using a higher dose of Hg (415 µg Hg/kg body weight/day), IC deposits were preserved in IL‐4−/− and IL‐6−/− mice, and also AFA in the latter mice. Therefore, the attenuated autoimmunity following loss of IL‐4 and IL‐6 is dose‐dependent, as higher doses of Hg are able to override the attenuation observed using lower doses.
Access to Justice for Victims/Survivors of Elder Abuse: A Qualitative Study

Elder abuse can be conceptualised as a social problem, a crime problem and a human rights issue. This article presents the findings from an evaluation of the ‘Access to Justice’ Pilot Project for victims/survivors1 of elder abuse, which was launched in 2010 as part of the Welsh Government's six-year integrated strategy for tackling domestic abuse. It was designed to address the needs of older people in domestic settings and facilitate their access to criminal and civil justice options. Between April and July 2012, case study data were obtained for 131 individuals. A total of thirty-three interviews and a focus group were conducted with service providers, potential service users and practitioners drawn from relevant statutory and third sector groups. The article explores multi-agency responses to elder abuse and addresses the victim‒perpetrator dynamic. Reactive and proactive types of perpetrator2 behaviour are identified and interdependence is described as a feature of the victim‒perpetrator relationship.
Bad for Me or Bad for Us? Interpersonal Orientations and the Impact of Losses on Unethical Behavior

The present research examines the role of allocations of losses versus gains on the emergence of unethical behavior as a function of people’s social value orientation. The authors demonstrate that (a) proselfs regard unethical behavior to prevent losses as more justified than prosocials (Study 1) and (b) proselfs engage in more unethical behavior to prevent losses than prosocials (Study 2). These differences are explained by prosocials’ greater concern for harm to interdependent others in the domain of losses. A third study further substantiates these findings by revealing that unethical behavior to prevent losses increases among prosocials as harm to others is reduced. In sum, these results reveal that depending on whether people attend only to their self-interest or also consider the outcomes of others, losses either may increase or curtail unethical conduct. Considering social value orientations thus may reconcile conflicting theoretical perspectives on the impact of losses on social decisions.
A novel career success evaluation model of Chinese managers

As Chinese managers concentrate on career success, one issue with the most concern is how their career success is prepared, realized, and evaluated. However, recent research neglects career success evaluation model of Chinese managers. Based on career theory with the theory applied in recent career success research, the paper aims at establishing a novel career success evaluation model of Chinese Managers. After collecting 466 questionnaires from Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai and other cities, the author has analyzed and managed to establish career success evaluation model of Chinese managers. The model consists of 3 dimensions, 6 factors and 29 indexes. 29 indexes belong to six factors that is “self satisfaction”, “surrounding approval”, “personal wealth”, ” post influence”, “maintain and development ability” and “promotion capacity”. These factors that belongs to “career satisfaction”, “career objective results” and “professional core competitiveness” in three dimensions. The result of the studies indicates that the model has high reliability, the study on career success of the Chinese cultural context has an important theoretical and practical significance.
Effects of Calcium and Resistance Exercise on Body Composition in Overweight Premenopausal Women

Objective: To examine the combined treatment effect of a mild energy restriction, high dairy calcium intake, and resistance exercise on promoting favorable body composition changes in overweight women with a low dairy intake. Combined treatment strategies may produce synergistic effects on increasing fat loss and preserving bone in a population at risk for obesity and osteoporosis. Methods: Overweight, sedentary women consuming a diet low in dairy calcium (≤1 serving of dairy per day) were randomized either (1) to maintain a low-calcium diet (LOW; ≤ 500 mg; n = 15) or (2) to increase dairy calcium (HIGH; ≥1200 mg; n = 14) for 16 weeks. Both groups began resistance training 3 days per week and received dietary counseling to reduce energy intake by 250 kcal per day. Body composition was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Two 24-hour dietary recalls were measured at baseline, midpoint, and end of study with Nutrition Data System for Research software. Results: Participants were 36.8 ± 4.8 years of age, with an average body mass index of 29.1 ± 2.1 kg/m2. Fat mass decreased significantly over time (LOW = 3.8 ± 4.1 kg and HIGH = 1.8 ± 2.1 kg) but was not significantly different by group. Mean energy reduction from baseline was 382 kcal (LOW) and 214 kcal (HIGH; p = 0.14). When change in energy intake was included as a covariate, there was still no significant difference in fat loss between groups. Change in lumbar spine bone mineral density (LOW = −1.5% and HIGH = 0.8%) was significant between groups (p = 0.02). The prescribed mean calcium intake was achieved for each study group (LOW = 454 ± 143 mg and HIGH = 1312 ± 183 mg), with no significant changes in protein intake over time (LOW = 0.9 g/kg and HIGH = 1.0 g/kg, p = 0.08). Conclusion: These results suggest that increasing dairy calcium offers no added benefit in reducing body fat when combined with resistance training and energy restriction. However, increasing dairy calcium improves bone mineral density in premenopausal overweight women.
Pharmacokinetic model of target-mediated disposition of thrombopoietin

Thrombopoietin, TPO, a 353 amino acid cytokine, is a primary regulator of platelet production that was cloned recently. A target-mediated (platelet receptors) pharmacokinetic model was developed to characterize the disposition of TPO. Receptor-mediated endocytosis was assigned as the major elimination pathway in the model. A nonspecific binding compartment was also incorporated into the model. TPO concentration vs time profiles from a published phase 1 and 2 clinical trial were used to apply this model. Noncompartmental analysis demonstrated that TPO exhibits nonlinear kinetics. The proposed model captured the concentration-time profiles relatively well. The first-order internalization rate constant was estimated as 0.1 h−1. The endogenous binding capacity was estimated as 164.0 pM. The second-order binding association constant (kon) was 0.055 h−1·pM−1 and the first-order dissociation constant (koff) was estimated as 2.5 h−1, rendering the equilibrium dissociation constant Kd as 45.5 pM. This model may be relevant to other therapeutic agents with receptor-mediated endocytotic disposition.
Effective estimation of the desired-signal subspace and its application to robust adaptive beamforming

An effective method is proposed to estimate the desired-signal (S) subspace by the intersection between the signal-plus-interference (SI) subspace and a reference space covering the angular region where the desired signal is located. The estimated S subspace is robust to steering vector mismatch and overestimation of the SI subspace, capable of detecting the relative strength of the desired signal. And even the basis of the estimated S subspace can serve as an effective estimation of the steering vector of the desired signal. With these properties, the estimated S subspace can help to select a more accurate narrow area for searching for the steering vector of the desired signal in mismatch cases. The proposed method is applied for robust adaptive beamforming with an improved performance, as demonstrated by simulation results.
The voltage‐sensitive motor protein and the Ca2+‐sensitive cytoskeleton in developing rat cochlear outer hair cells

Cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) possess a unique fast voltage‐driven motility associated with a voltage‐sensitive motor protein embedded in the basolateral membrane. This mechanism is believed to underlie the cochlear amplification in mammals. OHCs also have a Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent mechanical pathway which involves a submembranous circumferential cytoskeleton. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional appearance of the voltage‐sensitive motor proteins with that involving the Ca2+‐sensitive cytoskeleton during postnatal development of rat OHCs. We demonstrate that whole‐cell electromotility and Ca2+‐voked mechanical responses, by ionomycin, develop concomitantly after postnatal day 5 (P5). These two mechanical properties also develop simultaneously in OHCs isolated from two‐week‐old cultures of P0‐P1 organs of Corti. This excludes the participation of neural innervation in the postnatal maturation of the OHCs' motile properties. In addition, we show that the expression of the membranous voltage‐sensitive motor protein precedes, by several days, the appearance of whole‐cell electromotility. The concomitant development of whole‐cell electromotility and Ca2+‐sensitive motility, both in vivo and in vitro, underlines the cytoskeleton as an important factor in the functional organization of the voltage‐sensitive motor proteins within the plasma membrane.