Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breastfeeding practice, oral contraceptive use and risk of rheumatoid arthritis among Chinese women: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE Hormonal and reproductive factors are implicated in the aetiology of RA, but results of previous studies have been mixed. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the relationships between RA, use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and history of breastfeeding in a population of older women from South China. METHODS We used baseline data from 7349 women ≥ 50 years of age in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort. Questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic, lifestyle and obstetric history data, including parity, OC use and breastfeeding practices. The main outcome was RA. Women were asked about history of RA and were examined to assess joint swelling. RF levels were measured. The presence of RA was defined in two ways: (i) as reporting physician-diagnosed RA or pain and swelling in at least three joints (including the wrist), and (ii) also having at least one of the following: positive RF, morning stiffness or objective swelling of the small joints of the hands. RESULTS Compared with those who had never breastfed, breastfeeding was associated with half the risk of RA. The risk was lower with increasing duration of breastfeeding [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.54 (95% CI 0.29, 1.01) for breastfeeding at least 36 months; P for trend = 0.04]. OC use had no relationship with RA. CONCLUSION Breastfeeding (especially longer duration) but not OC use is associated with a lower risk of RA. This has potentially important implications for future RA disease burden, given the declining rates of breastfeeding and the one-child policy in China. Further research is needed to explain the biological mechanism.
Role of radiology in psychiatry: a review.

OBJECTIVE To assess the contributions of radiological studies to current level of understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie psychiatric symptoms/ disorders and their treatment. DATA SOURCES Published articles in indexed journals. STUDY SELECTION Radiological studies of psychiatric populations with emphasis on neuroimaging techniques. DATA EXTRACTION Information concerning aetiological factors, pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment of psychiatric disorders were scrutinized. DATA SYNTHESIS Structural changes on CT, in schizophrenia include enlargement of the ventricles, cerebral sulci and fissure. MRI studies in these patients confirm significant differences in ventricular volume and medial temporal structures. Functional changes on PET, SPECT and fMRI in depressed patients include altered cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the pre-frontal cortex, anterior cingulate, caudate nucleus, amygdala and thalamus, suggesting abnormal interactions in several brain regions. Drug distribution can be imaged by MRS and this has shown brain lithium level to be about half the plasma level. PET and SPET studies have demonstrated that unlike the classical antipsychotics (e.g. chlorpromazine), atypical antipsychotic drugs such as risperidone and clozapine have high cortical serotonin (5HT2) receptor occupancy (80-90%), thus challenging the theory of a simple relationship between dopamine (D2) receptor occupancy (blocked by classical antipsychotics) and clinical efficacy. CONCLUSION Radiological studies of psychiatric populations add to available knowledge on the biological aspects of psychiatry. It is therefore essential to provide and update radiological facilities in mental health institutions in developing countries.
Periodontal conditions in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to compare the periodontal conditions in a group of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients with those in a control group of healthy subjects (CTR). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-two patients with JIA and 24 controls were selected. The measurements used to diagnose periodontal disease included plaque and bleeding scores, probing depths (PDs) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Laboratory indicators of JIA activity included the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and capsule-reactive protein (CRP). The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the data (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS The mean ages were 15.9 (+/- 2.7) years and 14.7 (+/- 2.3) years for groups JIA and CTR, respectively. The median ESR was 42 mm/h 13 mm/h in the CTR group (p = 0.032) and the median CRP was 1.9 and 0.4 mg/l, respectively (p = 0.001). The prevalence of patients with a proximal attachment loss of 2mm or more in the JIA group was 25% and in controls it was 4.2%. The mean percentages of visible plaque and marginal bleeding were similar in the JIA (54 +/- 22 and 30 +/- 16, respectively) and CTR groups (44 +/- 18 and 29 +/- 11, respectively). The mean percentages of sites with PD > or = 4 mm were significantly higher in the JIA group (3 +/- 4.7) than in the CTR group (0.4 +/- 1.7) (p = 0.012). The mean percentages of sites with proximal CAL > or = 2 mm were 0.7 (+/- 1.4) in the JIA group and 0.001 (+/- 0.2) in the CTR group (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION Adolescents with JIA present more periodontal attachment loss than healthy controls, in spite of similar plaque and marginal bleeding levels.
Infective Endocarditis in Swedish Children

ABSTRACT. 66 cases of infective endocarditis (IK) during 1971‐1980 were studied. The infection was in most cases located to the mitral or aortic valve. Major complications were found in 43 children. In 17 children there was a long history of infection for which medical consultation had previously been sought prior to correct diagnosis. Antibiotics were administered to 60 children, in 58 intravenously while 2 received oral therapy only. Acute surgical intervention was necessary in six children and three of these children died. In all, 15 (23%) children died as a consequence of the infection.
Implications of the behavioural immune system for social behaviour and human health in the modern world

The ‘behavioural immune system’ is composed of mechanisms that evolved as a means of facilitating behaviours that minimized infection risk and enhanced fitness. Recent empirical research on human populations suggests that these mechanisms have unique consequences for many aspects of human sociality—including sexual attitudes, gregariousness, xenophobia, conformity to majority opinion and conservative sociopolitical attitudes. Throughout much of human evolutionary history, these consequences may have had beneficial health implications; but health implications in modern human societies remain unclear. This article summarizes pertinent ways in which modern human societies are similar to and different from the ecologies within which the behavioural immune system evolved. By attending to these similarities and differences, we identify a set of plausible implications—both positive and negative—that the behavioural immune system may have on health outcomes in contemporary human contexts. We discuss both individual-level infection risk and population-level epidemiological outcomes. We also discuss a variety of additional implications, including compliance with public health policies, the adoption of novel therapeutic interventions and actual immunological functioning. Research on the behavioural immune system, and its implications in contemporary human societies, can provide unique insights into relationships between fitness, sociality and health.
Protective effect of N‐acetylcysteine against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat urinary bladders

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury represents an important cause of bladder contractile dysfunction. One of the major causes leading to this dysfunction is thought to be reactive oxygen species formation. In this study, we investigated the potential benefit of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, in a rat model of urinary bladder injury. NAC treatment rescues the reduction of contractile response to I/R injury in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, all levels of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and NADPH‐stimulated superoxide production in the I/R operation + NAC (I/R + NAC) group also decreased compared with a marked increase in the I/R operation + saline (I/R + S) group. Moreover, an in situ fluorohistological approach also showed that NAC reduces the generation of intracellular superoxides enlarged by I/R injury. Together, our findings suggest that NAC has a protective effect against the I/R‐induced bladder contractile dysfunction via radical scavenging property. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complications after treatment with external-beam irradiation in early-stage prostate cancer patients: a prospective multiinstitutional outcomes study.

PURPOSE To use data from a prospective quality-of-life study to assess differences in disease-specific and general health-related quality-of-life changes after treatment with different external-beam irradiation techniques for prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were divided into three groups based on their pretreatment field size and planning technique: whole pelvis, small field, or conformal. Measures of bowel, urinary, and sexual function and of global health-related quality-of-life parameters (from the Health Survey Short Form [SF-36] and the Profile of Mood States [POMS]) were obtained from self-report questionnaires completed before initiation of therapy and at 3 and 12 months after therapy. RESULTS Irritative gastrointestinal and genitourinary side effects were frequent 3 months after treatment, but were substantially improved at 12 months. Sexual dysfunction increased steadily over the study period. The POMS and the SF-36 did not demonstrate significant changes over time. Despite small patient numbers, we found trends in favor of conformal therapy across several symptom measures, including sexual function. In the fatigue, energy, and vigor subscales, patients who received whole-pelvis treatment fared significantly worse than those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION Prospective, detailed data from a feasibility study allowed us to assess the effect of technique on quality of life following external-beam irradiation. Although limited by the small planned sample size, these results suggest that smaller radiation fields limit treatment-related complications, including, unexpectedly, sexual dysfunction. However, confirmation in a larger study is necessary.
Clinical Outcome and Fusion Rate Following Simultaneous Subtalar Fusion and Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Background: Patients with arthritis or severe dysfunction involving both the ankle and subtalar joints can benefit from tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis or total ankle replacement and subtalar fusion. TTC fusion is considered by many as a salvage operation resulting in a stiff ankle and hindfoot, considerably limiting global foot function. With the evolution of prosthetic design and operative techniques, total ankle replacement (TAR) has become a reasonable alternative to arthrodesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the fusion rate of the subtalar joint in patients simultaneously treated with total ankle replacement (TAR) and subtalar joint fusion. Methods: This study included 25 patients who underwent primary TAR and simultaneous subtalar fusion between May 2011 and November 2014. Sixteen males (64%) and 9 females (36%) were enrolled with a mean age of 58 years (25-82). Patients were clinically assessed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Total follow-up time was 24.2 ± 11.6 months. Radiographic examination included a postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan obtained 12 months after surgery. Three surgeons independently reviewed the CT scans and interobserver reliability was calculated. Functional scores were also assessed. Results: At 12 months postoperatively, the subtalar fusion rate in patients treated with TAR and simultaneous subtalar fusion was 92%. There was a statistically significant increase in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle/hindfoot score from 27.9 to 75.1. Ankle range of motion significantly increased from 12 to 32.8 degrees. Additionally, there was a statistically significant decrease in visual analog scale pain score from 8.6 to 2.1. Conclusions: TAR and simultaneous subtalar joint fusion were reliable procedures for the treatment of ankle and subtalar joint arthritis. Furthermore, CT scans showed an excellent reliability among orthopedic surgeons in determining the degree of successful fusion of subtalar arthrodesis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Comparison of laparoscopic-guided abomasopexy versus omentopexy via right flank laparotomy for the treatment of left abomasal displacement in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE To compare results obtained by use of laparoscopyassisted abomasopexy versus omentopexy via right flank laparotomy for the treatment of dairy cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA). ANIMALS 120 dairy cows with an LDA. PROCEDURE In a prospective clinical trial, cows were randomly allocated to the abomasopexy group (laparoscopy-assisted abomasopexy) or to the control group (omentopexy via right flank). Data were obtained during the first 5 days after surgery and 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS 59 of 60 cows in the abomasopexy group and all 60 cows in the control group were treated successfully. Median duration was shorter for the laparoscopic procedure (27.5 minutes), compared with that for the control group (38 minutes). Five cows in the abomasopexy group had wound complications and 2 had LDA relapses, compared with 2 wound complications and no relapses in the control group. During the 5 days after surgery, the abomasopexy group had a significantly higher increase in rate of energy intake and milk yield and a more rapid return to reference range for serum glutamic dehydrogenase activity and total bilirubin concentration, compared with results for the control group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Success rates were almost equal for both methods. Advantages of the laparoscopic abomasopexy procedure include practicality, low risk of complications, and rapid postoperative recovery. Contraindications are cardiopulmonary diseases. Other disadvantages include the cost of the instruments and inability to perform the procedure in cows with abomasal adhesions.
Evaluation of Electrical Impedance as a Biomarker of Myostatin Inhibition in Wild Type and Muscular Dystrophy Mice

Objectives Non-invasive and effort independent biomarkers are needed to better assess the effects of drug therapy on healthy muscle and that affected by muscular dystrophy (mdx). Here we evaluated the use of multi-frequency electrical impedance for this purpose with comparison to force and histological parameters. Methods Eight wild-type (wt) and 10 mdx mice were treated weekly with RAP-031 activin type IIB receptor at a dose of 10 mg kg−1 twice weekly for 16 weeks; the investigators were blinded to treatment and disease status. At the completion of treatment, impedance measurements, in situ force measurements, and histology analyses were performed. Results As compared to untreated animals, RAP-031 wt and mdx treated mice had greater body mass (18% and 17%, p < 0.001 respectively) and muscle mass (25% p < 0.05 and 22% p < 0.001, respectively). The Cole impedance parameters in treated wt mice, showed a 24% lower central frequency (p < 0.05) and 19% higher resistance ratio (p < 0.05); no significant differences were observed in the mdx mice. These differences were consistent with those seen in maximum isometric force, which was greater in the wt animals (p < 0.05 at > 70 Hz), but not in the mdx animals. In contrast, maximum force normalized by muscle mass was unchanged in the wt animals and lower in the mdx animals by 21% (p < 0.01). Similarly, myofiber size was only non-significantly higher in treated versus untreated animals (8% p = 0.44 and 12% p = 0.31 for wt and mdx animals, respectively). Conclusions Our findings demonstrate electrical impedance of muscle reproduce the functional and histological changes associated with myostatin pathway inhibition and do not reflect differences in muscle size or volume. This technique deserves further study in both animal and human therapeutic trials.
Probing Interactions between the U2 Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein and the DEAD-box Protein, Prp5*

Pre-mRNA binding to the yeast U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) during prespliceosome formation requires ATP hydrolysis, the highly conserved UACUAAC box of the branch point region of the pre-mRNA, and several factors. Here we analyzed the binding of a radiolabeled 2′-O-methyl oligonucleotide complementary to U2 small nuclear RNA to study interactions between the UACUAAC box, U2 snRNP, and Prp5p, a DEAD box protein necessary for prespliceosome formation. Binding of the 2′-O-methyl oligonucleotide to the U2 snRNP in yeast cell extract was assayed by gel electrophoresis. Binding was rapid, enhanced by ATP, and dependent on the integrity and conformation of the U2 snRNP. It was also stimulated by Prp5p that was found to associate physically with U2 snRNP. In vitro heat inactivation of the temperature-sensitive prp5-1 mutant extract decreased oligonucleotide binding to U2 and the ATP enhancement of binding by 3-fold. Furthermore, the temperature-sensitive prp5-1mutation maps to the ATP-binding motif I within the helicase-like domain. Thus the catalytic activity of Prp5p likely promotes a conformational change in the U2 snRNP.
Bilateral maculopathy following electrical burn: case report

CONTEXT: Electrical burns are an important etiology in dealing with patients suffering from burns. In situations of extensive deep lesions of multiple organs and systems affecting young and economically active people, there is a need for expensive multidisciplinary treatment, with a high socioeconomic cost for the community. Among the permanent injuries that explain this high cost, eye injuries stand out, since they are widely disabling. Although rare, lesions of the posterior segment of the eye are associated with higher incidence of major sequelae, and thus deserve special attention for dissemination and discussion of the few cases observed. CASE REPORT: The authors report the case of a patient who suffered high-voltage electrical burns and presented bilateral maculopathy, which evolved with a need for a surgical approach to repair retinal detachment and permanent low visual acuity. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the rarity of the etiology of maculopathy and the need for campaigns for prevention not only of burns in general, but also especially of electrical burns.
A survey of dermatology residency program directors' views on mentorship.

BACKGROUND It is increasingly recognized that mentoring is important in the career development of resident physicians. The purpose of the study was to determine the views of residency Program Directors on mentorship through a cross sectional survey. METHODS Respondents included program directors of academic dermatology departments in the United States. RESULTS Fifty-three of 108 program directors completed an on-line survey (response rate 49%). Eighty-one percent of respondents indicated that mentorship played a 'somewhat' or 'very important' role in their own career development and a similar proportion considered it important for residents to have mentors. Fifty percent of program directors identified a need for more structured mentorship within the residency program. Compared to male program directors, a greater proportion of female program directors stated that mentorship played a very important role in their career development (89% vs. 36%, p=0.007) and a lesser proportion stated that it was important for female dermatology residents to specifically have access to female mentors (11.1% vs. 67.4%, p=0.003). CONCLUSION Program Directors viewed mentoring as an important resource for their residents' professional development. A need was identified for additional strategies to help residents find mentors.
REPORT on the Fifth International Workshop on Chromosome 9 held at Eynsham, Oxfordshire, UK, September 4–6, 1996

The Fifth International workshop on chromosome 9 comprised a gathering of 36 scientists from seven countries and included a fairly even distribution of interests along chromosome 9 as well as a strong input from more global activities and from comparative mapping. At least eight groups had participated in the goal set at the previous workshop which was to improve the fine genetic mapping in different regions of chromosome 9 by meiotic breakpoint mapping in allocated regions and this has resulted in some greatly improved order information. Excellent computing facilities were available and all contributed maps were entered not only into SIGMA (and thence submitted to GDB) but also into a dedicated version of ACEDB which can be accessed on the Web in the form of one of 28 slices into which the chromosome has been arbitrarily divided. It was generally agreed that the amount of data is now overwhelming and that the integration and validation of all data is not only unrealistic in a short meeting but probably impossible until the whole chromosome has been sequenced and fully annotated. Sequence‐ready contigs presented at the meeting totalled about 3 MB which is about one fiftieth of the estimated length. The single biggest barrier to integration of maps is the problem of non‐standard nomenclature of loci. In the past 2 workshops efforts have been made to compare traditional ‘consensus’ maps made by human insight (still probably best for small specific regions) with those generated with some computer assistance (such as SIGMA) and those generated objectively by defined computer algorithms such as ldb. Since no single form of map or representation is entirely satisfactory for all purposes the maps reproduced in the published version of the report are confined to one of the genetic maps, in which Genethon and older markers have been incorporated, a Sigma map of the genes as symbols together with a listing of known ‘disease’ genes on chromosome 9, and a revised assessment of the mouse map together with a list of mouse loci predicted to be on human chromosome 9. One of the 28 ACEDB slices is also shown to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of this approach. Workshop files include not only all maps available at the time but also details of loci and details of the meiotic breakpoints in the CEPH families (http://www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/scw9db.shtml).
Structural and Functional Insights into the Regulation of Arabidopsis AGC VIIIa Kinases*

The AGCVIIIa kinases of Arabidopsis are members of the eukaryotic PKA, PKG, and PKC group of regulatory kinases. One AGCVIIIa kinase, PINOID (PID), plays a fundamental role in the asymmetrical localization of membrane proteins during polar auxin transport. The remaining 16 AGCVIIIa genes have not been associated with single mutant phenotypes, suggesting that the corresponding kinases function redundantly. Consistent with this idea, we find that the genes encoding the Arabidopsis AGCVIIIa kinases have spatially distinct, but overlapping, expression domains. Here we show that the majority of Arabidopsis AGCVIIIa kinases are substrates for the 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and that trans-phosphorylation by PDK1 correlates with activation of substrate AGCVIIIa kinases. Mutational analysis of two conserved regulatory domains was used to demonstrate that sequences located outside of the C-terminal PDK1 interaction (PIF) domain and the activation loop are required for functional interactions between PDK1 and its substrates. A subset of GFP-tagged AGCVIIIa kinases expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and tobacco BY-2 cells were preferentially localized to the cytoplasm (AGC1-7), nucleus (WAG1 and KIPK), and the cell periphery (PID). We present evidence that PID insertion domain sequences are sufficient to direct the observed peripheral localization. We find that PID specifically but non-selectively binds to phosphoinositides and phosphatidic acid, suggesting that PID might directly interact with the plasma membrane through protein-lipid interactions. The initial characterization of the AGCVIIIa kinases presented here provides a framework for elucidating the physiological roles of these kinases in planta.