Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skin Cancer Concerns in People of Color: Risk Factors and Prevention

Background: Though people of color (POC) are less likely to become afflicted with skin cancer, they are much more likely to die from it due to delay in detection or presentation. Very often, skin cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage in POC, making treatment difficult. The purpose of this research was to improve awareness regarding skin cancers in people of color by providing recommendations to clinicians and the general public for early detection and photo protection preventive measures. Methods: Data on different types of skin cancers were presented to POC. Due to limited research, there are few resources providing insights for evaluating darkly pigmented lesions in POC. Diagnostic features for different types of skin cancers were recorded and various possible risk factors were considered. Results: This study provided directions for the prevention and early detection of skin cancer in POC based on a comprehensive review of available data. Conclusions: The increased morbidity and mortality rate associated with skin cancer in POC is due to lack of awareness, diagnosis at a more advanced stage and socioeconomic barriers hindering access to care. Raising public health concerns for skin cancer prevention strategies for all people, regardless of ethnic background and socioeconomic status, is the key to timely diagnosis and treatment.
A dynamical model to study the effect of landscape agricultural management on the conservation of native ecological networks

ABSTRACT Food production and biodiversity conservation are commonly seen as separate pursuits with contradicting implications. This view is based on a conception of agriculture as a necessarily destructive activity for the ecosystems, failing to recognize the qualitative differences among diverse types of agricultural management. We built a dynamical and spatially explicit model to test the way in which virtual ecological networks decrease in diversity as the type of agricultural activities that surround them become less and less permeable to wild species. We find that biodiversity exhibits a robust pattern of slow decrease as the agricultural activities diminish in permeability or quality.
Thrombin receptor peptide inhibits thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability by receptor desensitization

Thrombin, a potent activator of cellular responses, proteolytically cleaves, and thereby activates its receptor. In the present study, we compared the effects of the thrombin receptor 14-amino acid peptide (TRP-14; SFLLRNPNDKYEPF), which comprises the NH2 terminus after cleavage of the thrombin receptor, and of the native alpha-thrombin on endothelial monolayer permeability. Addition of TRP-14 (1-200 microM) to bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells increased [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. The peak increase in [Ca2+]i in response to 100 microM TRP-14 or 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin was similar (i.e., 931 +/- 74 nM and 1032 +/- 80 nM, respectively), which was followed by a slow decrease with t1/2 values of 0.73 and 0.61 min, respectively. Extracellular Ca2+ chelation with 5 mM EGTA abolished the sustained increases in [Ca2+]i induced by either TRP-14 or alpha-thrombin. alpha- thrombin (0.1 microM) increased transendothelial [125I]albumin permeability, whereas TRP-14 (1-100 microM) had no effect. Coincubation of 100 microM TRP-14 with 1 microM DIP-alpha-thrombin also did not increase permeability over control values. Stimulation of BPAEC with 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosol to the plasma membrane indicative of PKC activation, whereas TRP-14 had no effect at any concentration. TRP-14 at 100 microM desensitized BPAEC to thrombin-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and transendothelial permeability. The Ca2+ desensitization was reversed after approximately 60 min, and this recovery paralleled the recovery of the permeability response. These findings indicate that the TRP-14-induced Ca2+ mobilization in the absence of PKC activation is insufficient to increase endothelial permeability. In contrast, the increase in endothelial permeability after alpha-thrombin occurred in conjunction with Ca2+ mobilization as well as PKC activation. TRP-14 pretreatment prevented the alpha-thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability secondary to desensitization of the Ca2+ signal. The results suggest that combined cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization mediated by TRP-14 and PKC activation mediated by a TRP-14-independent pathway are dual signals responsible for the thrombin-induced increase in vascular endothelial permeability.
Evaluation of the mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on serum iron parameters in rats.

BACKGROUND Electromagnetic fields (EMF) created by mobile phones during communication have harmful effects on different organs. OBJECTIVES It was aimed to investigate the effects of an EMF created by a mobile phone on serum iron level, ferritin, unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron binding capacity within a rat experiment model. METHODS A total of 32 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into the control, sham, mobile phone speech (2h/day) and stand by (12 h/day) groups. The speech and stand by groups were subjected to the EMF for a total of 10 weeks. RESULTS No statistically significant difference was observed between the serum iron and ferritin values of the rats in the speech and stand by groups than the control and sham groups (p>0.05). The unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron capacity values of the rats in the speech and stand by groups were significantly lower in comparison to the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION It was found that exposure to EMF created by mobile phones affected unsaturated iron binding capacity and total iron binding capacity negatively.
Understanding large scale public political conversation online in austerity Britain through an iterative, quali-quanti investigation.

This study investigated online public political conversation in the UK. Drawing on theories of deliberative democracy, it emphasised the importance of inter-ideological discussion between citizens in the formation of informed opinion and preferences, focussing on the potential of the internet to facilitate this through large scale, ideologically diverse conversations. A multivariate analysis investigated the roles of interface design, institutional linkage and participant community dynamics in the formation of online political conversation. The investigation of conversation from across the internet required a very large scale approach, situating the study within the big data paradigm. However, it also required deeper understanding of human communication, gained through more qualitative analysis. Therefore the study utilised a novel, iterative, quali-quanti approach featuring initial, large scale quantitative analysis – involving bespoke software to automate the collection and analysis of conversation data – that was used to direct further iterations of increasingly smaller scale and qualitative analysis. Reflections on the successful application of the methodology are significant in themselves, but the study also generated novel observations of online public political conversation. The findings illustrated participatory spaces as unique online niches, each with specific communities and goals, and described how participant agency allows citizens to contribute according to various democratic models. For example, an action-oriented approach existed in policy related spaces, in which participants sought only to express a preference, rather than engage in discussion. In more discursive spaces, non-political social bonds between participants were seen to be particularly important in the facilitation of civil, productive, inter-ideological debate and certain participatory roles were important in facilitating these bonds. The design of spaces exerted a significant, but not determining effect on conversation, being used to present conversation in particular ways. However, certain features, notably active facilitation, helped to shape conversation through enabling some of the important community roles to be performed.
Tumor suppressor TSC1 is critical for T-cell anergy

T-cell anergy is a state of T cells that is hyporesponsive to stimulation via the T-cell receptor and costimulatory molecules and is thought to be important for self-tolerance. How T-cell anergy is regulated is still poorly understood. We report here that tuberous sclerosis (TSC)1 is critical for T-cell anergy. Deficiency of TSC1 resulted in enhanced T-cell proliferation and cytokine production in the absence of cluster of differentiation (CD)28-mediated costimulation, accompanied by enhanced T-cell metabolism. Resistance of TSC1-deficient T cells to anergy is correlated with increased signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)1 and can be reverted by treatment of these cells with mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin. Expression of the inducible costimulator (ICOS) is increased in TSC1-deficient T cells, which can be inhibited by rapamycin. Simultaneous blockade of both CD28 and ICOS costimulation partially restored sensitivity of TSC1-deficient T cells to anergy induction. Together, our data indicate that TSC1 is crucial for T-cell anergy by inhibiting mTORC1 signaling through both ICOS-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Correction of protein kinase C activity and macrophage migration in peripheral nerve by pioglitazone, peroxisome proliferator activated‐γ‐ligand, in insulin‐deficient diabetic rats

Pioglitazone, one of thiazolidinediones, a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ ligand, is known to have beneficial effects on macrovascular complications in diabetes, but the effect on diabetic neuropathy is not well addressed. We demonstrated the expression of PPAR‐γ in Schwann cells and vascular walls in peripheral nerve and then evaluated the effect of pioglitazone treatment for 12 weeks (10 mg/kg/day, orally) on neuropathy in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats. At end, pioglitazone treatment improved nerve conduction delay in diabetic rats without affecting the expression of PPAR‐γ. Diabetic rats showed suppressed protein kinase C (PKC) activity of endoneurial membrane fraction with decreased expression of PKC‐α. These alterations were normalized in the treated group. Enhanced expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase detected in diabetic rats was inhibited by the treatment. Increased numbers of macrophages positive for ED‐1 and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine‐positive Schwann cells in diabetic rats were also corrected by the treatment. Pioglitazone lowered blood lipid levels of diabetic rats, but blood glucose and nerve sorbitol levels were not affected by the treatment. In conclusion, our study showed that pioglitazone was beneficial for experimental diabetic neuropathy via correction of impaired PKC pathway and proinflammatory process, independent of polyol pathway.
Emotional outcomes after stroke: factors associated with poor outcome

OBJECTIVES The impact of stroke on the emotional outcome of patients is large. The aim was to describe the emotional outcomes among a cohort of patients which was of sufficient size to provide a precise estimate of their frequency and help identify those factors which are associated with poor outcomes after an acute stroke. METHODS 372 surviving patients, who had been referred to a hospital and entered into a randomised trial to evaluate a stroke family care worker, were asked to complete questionnaires at a 6 month follow up. These included measures of emotional distress (general health questionnaire 30 item, hospital anxiety and depression scale) and physical functioning (modified Rankin, Barthel index). A regression analysis was used to identify factors which were independently associated with poor outcomes. RESULTS 184 (60%) surviving patients scored more than 4 on the GHQ-30, 55 (22%) more than 8 on the HAD anxiety subscale, and 49 (20%) more than 8 on the HAD depression subscale. Patients with severe strokes resulting in physical disability were more likely to be depressed whereas there was a less strong relation between disability and anxiety. Patients with posterior circulation strokes had consistently better emotional outcomes than those with anterior circulation strokes. CONCLUSIONS These data may help identify those patients at greatest risk of poor emotional outcomes and thus help in planning trials and delivering appropriate interventions.
Comparison between aspirin combined with dipyridamole versus aspirin alone within 48 hours after ischemic stroke event for prevention of recurrent stroke and improvement of neurological function: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES To determine efficacy and tolerability of aspirin plus dipyridamole (combination) versus aspirin alone in acute intervention treatment after acute ischemic stoke among Thai patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD This pilot study enrolled ischemic stroke patients within 48 hours and randomized to aspirin 300 mg/d or combination (aspirin 300 mg/d+ standard release dipyridamole 75 mg thrice a day) and followed up for 6 months. Endpoints were recurrent ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack and vascular death. Side effects were recorded. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was assessed at entry and at 6 months period for determining neurological functions. RESULTS Of 38 patients, mean age was 64.3 years. Male and female were 52.6% and 47.4% respectively. There were 18 patients in the aspirin group and 20 patients in the combination group. No patient developed end point events or no significant adverse event in both groups. The combination group showed more improvement in neurological function than the aspirin group (p-value 0.009). CONCLUSION This pilot study showed equal efficacy and tolerability of the combination group and aspirin alone in acute intervention treatment for prevention of recurrent stroke or vascular death within 6 months.
Comparison of technetium-99m-MIBI, technetium-99m-tetrofosmin, ultrasound and MRI for localization of abnormal parathyroid glands.

UNLABELLED Abnormal parathyroid tissue can be identified by radionuclide imaging with either 99mTc-MIBI or 99mTc-tetrofosmin. This study compared the relative sensitivity of these two agents to localize parathyroid hyperplasia and adenoma. METHODS Twenty patients with primary (n = 9) or secondary (n = 11) hyperparathyroidism were studied with 99mTc-MIBI and 99mTc-tetrofosmin parathyroid imaging, ultrasonography and MRI. Radionuclide images of the neck were acquired 10 min and 2-3 hr after radiopharmaceutical injection. The images were visually evaluated for abnormal focal areas of increased tracer localization in the neck and mediastinum. A parathyroid gland/normal thyroid tissue activity ratio (referred to as the P/T uptake ratio) was calculated for each positive scan. RESULTS Of the 46 parathyroid glands surgically explored, the overall sensitivity and specificity of MIBI imaging were 83% and 83% (38/46); tetrofosmin imaging 87% and 83% (40/46); ultrasonography 78% and 40% (36/46); and MRI 80% and 60% (37/46), respectively. Both radiopharmaceuticals performed well in the nine patients found to have adenoma. The sensitivity and specificity of MIBI imaging were 100% and 100% (9/9); tetrofosmin imaging 100% and 100% (9/9); ultrasonography 78% and 67% (7/9); and MRI 100% and 100% (9/9), respectively. In the 37 glands with hyperplasia, MIBI imaging had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 75%; tetrofosmin imaging 84% and 75%; ultrasonography 78% and 43%; and MRI 73% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION All imaging techniques localized abnormal parathyroid glands. The radiotracers have equal sensitivity for the localization of abnormal parathyroid glands. The sensitivity of these tracers was high as compared to ultrasonography or MRI.
In vivo and in vitro evidence that intrinsic upper‐ and lower‐limb skeletal muscle function is unaffected by ageing and disuse in oldest‐old humans

To parse out the impact of advanced ageing and disuse on skeletal muscle function, we utilized both in vivo and in vitro techniques to comprehensively assess upper‐ and lower‐limb muscle contractile properties in 8 young (YG; 25 ± 6 years) and 8 oldest‐old mobile (OM; 87 ± 5 years) and 8 immobile (OI; 88 ± 4 years) women.
Feasibility of Machine-Based Prompting to Assist Persons With Dementia

ABSTRACT Nearly 14% of people over age 71 have some form of dementia, with prevalence increasing to nearly 40% of those over age 90. As dimentia progresses, it impacts a person's independent functions and can increase the burden on caregivers. The use of assistive devices can help individuals with dementia live more independently. However, older individuals with cognitive impairment have difficulties using assistive technology devices because the devices are not designed to address their needs. The development of “smart devices” has potential in assisting older adults with cognitive impairment. Eleven community-dwelling seniors with moderate cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination scores ranging from 12–20) participated in this study. The Functional Independence Measure scores of participants were also collected to determine participants' current level of independence on selected tasks. Three tasks were selected to represent three levels of complexity: drinking water, brushing teeth, and upper body dressing. Participants were prompted through these tasks with simulated smart machine–based prompting. The need for prompts was highly individual, but given appropriate machine-delivered messages, participants completed the tasks an average of 86% of the time across the three self-care tasks. Machine-based prompting devices could aid caregivers as well as increase independence in some tasks.
THE RELIABILITY OF DIVIDEND DISCOUNT MODEL IN VALUATION OF BANK STOCKS AT THE BOMBAY STOCK EXCHANGE

The study was conducted to explore what the best of IT and ITES organizations in India were doing to ensure people stability in the IT and ITES sectors in India in the post globalized era. The study followed the grounded theory and the case study methodology wherein the raw qualitative data was chunked under the one critical antecedent dimension i.e the individual factors. The sampled organizations; Genpact, Infosys and Google were finalized through incidental sampling within theoretical sampling. The qualitative data was collected through 95 long interviews, participant observation and secondary data . The software, Atlas. ti was used to content analyze the data . The main findings of the qualitative study showed that creating people stable organizations was an interesting juxtaposition of individual factors and organizational people practices in the backdrop of overall organizational strategic factors. However in the present study only individual factors contributing to people stability have been explored and discussed in detail. These are 1) Initiator & Contributor 2) We person 3) Long Term Perspective 4) Innovative 5) Analytical & Technical Skills 6) Learning Orientation 7) Positive Demeanor. Thus it has been recommended that people stability can be ensured through enhancing employability and providing seamless growth opportunities, hiring people with Initiator Contributor and We persons profile, mentoring supervisors, preventing negativity, giving opportunities to solve real problems and last but not the least building a rigorous and vigorous HR department. JEL CODES M51,M52, M53.
Clinical Overview of Algal-Docosahexaenoic Acid: Effects on Triglyceride Levels and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors

The cardiovascular benefits of fish-derived long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid are well established. Less studied are specific effects of individual long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on data from 16 published clinical trials, this review examines effects of DHA triglyceride (TG) oil derived from algae (algal-DHA) on serum TG levels and related parameters. Study populations included subjects with both normal and elevated TG levels including those with persistent hypertriglyceridemia treated with concomitant 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy. At doses of 1-2 g/d, algal-DHA significantly lowered plasma TG levels (up to 26%) either administered alone or in combination with statins. The reduction in TG levels was markedly greater in hypertriglyceridemic than in normal subjects. Algal-DHA modestly increased plasma levels of both high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The increased plasma level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a shift of lipoprotein particle size toward larger, less atherogenic subfractions. In some subjects, blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced. Algal-DHA was safe and well tolerated. Unlike fish oil, algal-DHA seldom caused gastrointestinal complaints such as fishy taste and eructation, attributes of importance for patient compliance in high-dose therapy. Regression analysis that showed a linear relationship between baseline TG and magnitude of TG reduction suggests that a study of patients with very high TG levels (>500 mg/dL) is warranted. Future pharmacologic therapies for treating hypertriglyceridemia may include algal-DHA.
Model selection error rates in nonparametric and parametric model comparisons

Since the introduction of Akaike’s information criteria (AIC) in 1973, many information criteria have been developed and widely used in model selection. Many papers concerning the justification of criteria followed, particularly with respect to model selection error rates (the probability of selecting a wrong model). A model selection criterion is called consistent if the model selection error rate decreases to zero as the sample size increases to infinity. Otherwise, it is inconsistent. In this paper, we explore the consistency conditions of information criteria in nonparametric (logspline) vs. parametric model comparisons, and discuss model selection error rates when the sample size is finite.
Phenotypical and functional characteristics of in vitro expanded bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from patients with systemic sclerosis

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a potential immunomodulatory role in autoimmune disease; however, the qualitative properties and haematopoietic support capacity of MSCs derived from patients with autoimmune disease is unclear. Objectives: To further characterise phenotypically and functionally bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Key parameters of BM-derived MSC function and phenotype were assessed in 12 patients with SSc and compared with 13 healthy normal controls. The parameters included the ability to: form colony-forming unit fibroblasts (CFU-F), differentiate along the adipogenic and osteogenic lineages, express cell surface antigens defining the MSCs population, support normal haematopoiesis and suppress in vitro lymphocyte proliferation induced by either anti-CD3∊ plus anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies or the mixed lymphocyte reaction. Results: SSc MSCs were shown to have a similar characteristic phenotype, capacities to form CFU-F and to differentiate along adipogenic and osteogenic lineages as those of healthy donor MSCs. The ability of SSc MSCs to support long-term haematopoiesis was also identical to that of controls. Both healthy donor and SSc BM MSCs reduced the proliferation of autologous and allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a cell number dependent fashion. Conclusions: These results show that BM-derived MSCs from patients with SSc under the described culture conditions exhibit the same phenotypic, proliferative, differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties as their healthy counterparts and could therefore be considered in an autologous setting. Further studies are needed to ensure the quality and safety of large-scale expansion of patient MSCs prior to their potential use in clinical trials.