Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A program to prevent functional decline in physically frail, elderly persons who live at home.

BACKGROUND Functional decline in physically frail, elderly persons is associated with substantial morbidity. It is uncertain whether such functional decline can be prevented. METHODS We randomly assigned 188 persons 75 years of age or older who were physically frail and living at home to undergo a six-month, home-based intervention program that included physical therapy and that focused primarily on improving underlying impairments in physical abilities, including balance, muscle strength, ability to transfer from one position to another, and mobility, or to undergo an educational program (as a control). The primary outcome was the change between base line and 3, 7, and 12 months in the score on a disability scale based on eight activities of daily living: walking, bathing, upper- and lower-body dressing, transferring from a chair, using the toilet, eating, and grooming. Scores on the scale ranged from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating more severe disability. RESULTS Participants in the intervention group had less functional decline over time, according to their disability scores, than participants in the control group. The disability scores in the intervention and control groups were 2.3 and 2.8, respectively, at base line; 2.0 and 3.6 at 7 months (P=0.008 for the comparison between the groups in the change from base line); and 2.7 and 4.2 at 12 months (P=0.02). The benefit of the intervention was observed among participants with moderate frailty but not those with severe frailty. The frequency of admission to a nursing home did not differ significantly between the intervention group and the control group (14 percent and 19 percent, respectively; P=0.37). CONCLUSIONS A home-based program targeting underlying impairments in physical abilities can reduce the progression of functional decline among physically frail, elderly persons who live at home.
The effects of timing jitter in sampling systems

Waveform estimates that are based on samples taken with timing jitter tend to be biased. The authors derive expressions for the bias that results from using the sample mean for the bias that results from using the sample mean as an estimator, and they show that it can be approximated in the frequency domain by a simple filter function. The Markov estimator used in the sampling voltage tracker is also studied and shown to converge asymptotically to the population median. It is therefore an unbiased estimator for monotonic waveforms sampled with jitter distributions having a median of zero. <<ETX>>
Evidence‐Based Evaluation and Management of Chronic Urticaria in Children

Abstract: Urticaria affects nearly 25% of the population at some time in their lives. In a subset of children, urticaria will develop into a chronic condition that can greatly affect quality of life. Although numerous causes and triggers are proposed for chronic urticaria (CU) in children, ranging from infections, allergens, and medications to physical factors and autoimmune disease, the exact etiology is not always identifiable. Accordingly, a large subset of cases are designated “chronic idiopathic urticaria. ” Because of the clinical complexities of CU, as well as the confusing literature on this topic, we have developed a conceptual framework based on the cumulative evidence to assist with the categorization, clinical evaluation, and treatment of CU in children.
Tools for analyzing and predicting N‐terminal protein modifications

The vast majority of the proteins encoded in any genome naturally undergo a large number of different N‐terminal modifications, hindering their characterization by routine proteomic approaches. These modifications are often irreversible, usually cotranslational and are crucial, as their occurrence may reflect or affect the status, fate and function of the protein. For example, large signal peptide cleavages and N‐blocking mechanisms reflect targeting to various cell compartments, whereas N‐ligation events tend to be related to protein half‐life. N‐terminal positional proteomic strategies hold promise as a new generation of approaches to the fine analysis of such modifications. However, further biological investigation is required to resolve problems associated with particular low‐abundance or challenging N‐terminal modifications. Recent progress in genomics and bioinformatics has provided us with a means of assessing the impact of these modifications in proteomes. This review focuses on methods for characterizing the occurrence and diversity of N‐terminal modifications and for assessing their contribution to function in complete proteomes. Progress is being made towards the annotation of databases containing information for complete proteomes, and should facilitate research into all areas of proteomics.
The proline‐rich homeodomain protein, PRH, is a tissue‐specific inhibitor of eIF4E‐dependent cyclin D1 mRNA transport and growth

The translation initiation factor eIF4E is involved in the modulation of cellular growth. In the nucleus, where eIF4E is associated with PML nuclear bodies, eIF4E mediates nucleocytoplasmic transport of specific transcripts, and this contributes to its transformation activity. Surprisingly, we found that a trans cription factor, the proline‐rich homeodomain protein PRH, is a negative regulator of eIF4E in myeloid cells, interacting with eIF4E through a conserved binding site typically found in translational regulators. Through this interaction, PRH inhibits eIF4E‐dependent mRNA transport and subsequent transformation. These activities of PRH are independent of its transcriptional functions. Further, we found that 199 homeodomain proteins contain potential eIF4E‐binding sites. Thus, there could be many tissue‐specific regulators of eIF4E. These findings provide a model for regulation of a general factor, eIF4E, in tissue‐ specific contexts, and suggest that its regulation is important in differentiation and development.
Hepatic Overexpression of Steroid Sulfatase Ameliorates Mouse Models of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes through Sex-specific Mechanisms*

Background: Steroid sulfatase (STS)-mediated desulfation regulates the chemical and functional homeostasis of estrogens. Results: Overexpression of STS in the liver improved metabolic functions in mouse models of obesity and type 2 diabetes through sex-specific mechanisms. Conclusion: STS-mediated estrogen reactivation is beneficial in energy and glucose metabolism. Significance: Liver-specific activation of estrogen signaling may represent a novel approach to manage metabolic syndrome. The steroid sulfatase (STS)-mediated desulfation is a critical metabolic mechanism that regulates the chemical and functional homeostasis of endogenous and exogenous molecules. In this report, we first showed that the liver expression of Sts was induced in both the high fat diet (HFD) and ob/ob models of obesity and type 2 diabetes and during the fed to fasting transition. In defining the functional relevance of STS induction in metabolic disease, we showed that overexpression of STS in the liver of transgenic mice alleviated HFD and ob/ob models of obesity and type 2 diabetes, including reduced body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Interestingly, STS exerted its metabolic benefit through sex-specific mechanisms. In female mice, STS may have increased hepatic estrogen activity by converting biologically inactive estrogen sulfates to active estrogens and consequently improved the metabolic functions, whereas ovariectomy abolished this protective effect. In contrast, the metabolic benefit of STS in males may have been accounted for by the male-specific decrease of inflammation in white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle as well as a pattern of skeletal muscle gene expression that favors energy expenditure. The metabolic benefit in male STS transgenic mice was retained after castration. Treatment with the STS substrate estrone sulfate also improved metabolic functions in both the HFD and ob/ob models. Our results have uncovered a novel function of STS in energy metabolism and type 2 diabetes. Liver-specific STS induction or estrogen/estrogen sulfate delivery may represent a novel approach to manage metabolic syndrome.
Essential oil analysis and antibacterial activity of Ferula assa-foetida L. aerial parts from Neishabour mountains

Background and objectives: Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) is a native Iranian species which grows in different regions and climates in Iran. The plant is well known in Iranian Traditional Medicine as well as folk medicine for treatment of diseases. Several studies have been carried out on the essential oil of this species collected from different areas of Iran. This study is the first report about the essential oil of the plant collected from Neishabour mountains that is a potent area for growing this valuable plant species. Methods: Essential oil of the aerial part of Ferula assa-foetida which was collected from Neishabour, Iran, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the essential oil was investigated against both Gram- positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia) bacteria using microdilution method. Results: Twenty three components representing 97.06% of the total oil were identified. (E)- 1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (53.77%), (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (35.6%) and α-pinene (3.4%) were identified as major components. The MIC of the essential oil ranged from 12-24 mg/mL against all tested bacteria. Conclusion: The results indicated that among various compounds identified in the essential oil of F. assa-foetida L. from Neishabour mountains, disulphide compounds were the major constituents of the oil. In comparison to other reports of this plant around the country, disulphide compounds could be the reason of its moderate antibacterial effect.
Parameters Associated with Risk of Cirrhosis at Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Children

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a serious chronic and progressive disease characterized by histological interface hepatitis, hypergammaglobulinemia, circulating autoantibodies and a favorable response to immunosuppressive drugs [1,2]. Timely diagnosis and early immunosuppressive therapy is life-saving to hamper progressive destruction of the liver parenchyma and limit the development of progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis [3]. AIH has a female predominance. It occurs in children and adults of all ages and affects several ethnic groups [4]. In general, the clinical spectrum of AIH ranges from asymptomatic to severe, with variable symptoms of liver affection [5,6]. The presence of specific antibodies to particular liver autoantigens is one of the core diagnostic criteria of AIH and its subtypes. AIH type 1 has been characterized by the presence of anti-nuclear (ANA) and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), whereas liver/kidney microsomal antibodiy type 1 (LKM-1) have been considered as the hallmark of AIH type 2 [7].
Lethal cutis laxa with contractural arachnodactyly, overgrowth and soft tissue bleeding due to a novel homozygous fibulin‐4 gene mutation

Cutis laxa is characterised by redundant, inelastic skin with deep wrinkling and additional variable systemic involvement. Mutations in fibulin‐4 (EFEMP2) and fibulin‐5 (FBLN5) were described to be causative for autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1 in a few families each. The female patient was born to healthy consanguineous parents. Pregnancy was remarkable for fetal overgrowth and oligohydramnios. The newborn girl showed extreme bradycardia and died perinatally. Apart from overgrowth, cutis laxa, arachnodactyly of hands and feet with contractures of the third to fifth finger, medial rotation of feet, spina bifida of the os sacrum, microcephaly and facial dysmorphism were noted. Autopsy showed collapsed lungs with hypoplastic diaphragm and signs of cervical soft tissue bleedings due to fragility of vessels. Histologic examination showed fragmentation of elastic fibres with formation of cystic cavities in the medial layer of the aorta and central lung vessels. Sequencing of the elastin, fibulin‐4 and fibulin‐5 genes revealed a homozygous missense mutation (p.Cys267Tyr) in the fibulin‐4 gene in the patient. Our observation increases the number of cases with fibulin‐4 mutations to three and extends the phenotypic spectrum of fibulin‐4 mutations by microcephaly, overgrowth and arachnodactyly.
Bloodmeal digestion and Leishmania major infections in Phlebotomus duboscqi: effect of carbohydrates inhibiting midgut lectin activity

Abstract. The carbohydrates galactosamine and heparin, previously shown to inhibit phlebotomine lectin activity in vitro, were fed to the sandfly Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu‐Lemaire (Diptera: Psychodidae) with blood, and the effects on mortality, fecundity, protease activity and susceptibility to Leishmania major Yakimoff & Schokhor (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) were studied. Previous study revealed that galactosamine considerably enhanced the establishment of L. major infection in P. duboscqi and significantly increased parasite loads in late infections. This work demonstrates a similar but less pronounced effect of heparin. Heparin increased infection rates and parasite loads 3 and 9 days post‐feeding but did not affect the location of Leishmania promastigotes and their anterior migration. Galactosamine supplement caused pronounced changes in bloodmeal digestion. It abolished the activity of alkaline proteases and trypsin, caused premature defecation of bloodmeal, increased mortality of female sandflies in days 1–4 post‐feeding and decreased their fecundity. Heparin had a less pronounced effect on sandfly physiology. It lowered trypsin activity 12 and 72 h post‐bloodmeal but did not alter defecation, mortality and oviposition. The data suggest that the enhancing effect of these carbohydrates on Leishmania infections in sandfly midgut could be explained by their interference with midgut proteases. The study supports the hypothesis that proteolytic activities of midgut proteases strongly influence the vector competence of sandflies.
Analysis of sterigmatocystin in cereals, animal feed, seeds, beer and cheese by immunoaffinity column clean-up and HPLC and LC-MS/MS quantification

A method is reported for the analysis of sterigmatocystin in various food and feed matrices using a commercial sterigmatocystin immunoaffinity column (IAC) for sample clean-up prior to HPLC analysis by UV with mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS). Cereals (wheat, oats, rye, maize and rice), sunflower seeds and animal feed were spiked with sterigmatocystin at levels from 0.75 to 50 µg kg−1 to establish method performance. Using acetonitrile/water extraction followed by IAC clean-up, and analysis by HPLC with detection at 325 nm, recoveries ranged from 68% to 106%, with repeatability from 4.2% to 17.5%. The limit of quantification with UV detection in these matrices was 1.5 µg kg−1. For the analysis of beer and cheese the sample preparation prior to IAC clean-up was changed to accommodate the different properties of the matrix, prior to analysis by LC-MS/MS. For beer and cheese spiked at 5.0 µg kg−1 the recoveries were 94% and 104%, and precision (RSDs) were 1.9% and 2.9% respectively. The limits of quantification by LC-MS/MS in beer and cheese were 0.02 and 0.6 µg kg−1 respectively. The sterigmatocystin IAC was demonstrated to provide an efficient clean-up of various matrices to enable this mycotoxin to be determined by either HPLC with UV detection or LC-MS/MS.
School-based health center-based treatment for obese adolescents: feasibility and body mass index effects.

BACKGROUND School-based health centers (SBHCs) may be an ideal setting to address obesity in adolescents because they provide increased access to a traditionally difficult-to-reach population. The study evaluated the feasibility of adding a health educator (HE) to SBHC teams to provide support and increase the delivery of preventive services for overweight or obese adolescents. METHODS Adolescents with BMI ≥85% recruited from two SBHCs were randomized to a control group (CG) or an intervention group (IG). Both groups received preventive services, including physical examinations and laboratory screening in the SBHC. The educator met with the IG during the academic year, utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to set lifestyle goals. Text messaging was used to reinforce goals between visits. RESULTS Eighty-two students (15.7±1.5 years of age; BMI, 31.9±6.2 kg/m(2)) were enrolled in the IG and 83 in the control group (16.0±1.5 years of age; BMI, 31.6±6.5 kg/m(2)). Retention was 94% in the IG and 87% in the CG. A total of 54.5% of the IG and 72.2% of the CG decreased or maintained BMI z-score (less than 0.05 increase; p=0.025). Sports participation was higher in the CG (47% vs. 28% in the IG; p=0.02). Mean BMI z-score change was -0.05±0.2 for students participating in sports vs. 0.01±0.2 for those not (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS This SBHC intervention showed successful recruitment and retention of participants and delivery of preventive services in both groups. Meeting with an HE did not improve BMI outcomes in the IG. Confounding factors, including sports participation and SBHC utilization, likely contributed to BMI outcomes.
Sarcoma of bone and soft tissue following treatment of Hodgkin's disease

Intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy of Hodgkin's Disease has resulted in improved survival rates. With long‐term follow‐up, however, a risk of secondary malignancy in these individuals is now appreciated. The authors of this report have encountered five patients who developed bone or soft tissue sarcomata more than 5 years after treatment of Hodgkin's Disease. The four males and one female ranged in age from 14 to 74 years at the time of diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. Two had received radiotherapy alone for treatment of Hodgkin's disease, two were treated with radiation and chemotherapy, and one received only chemotherapy. The latent period prior to diagnosis of sarcoma ranged from 6 to 11 years. There was one case each of neurofibrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Four patients died within 1 year of the diagnosis of sarcoma. One is alive with no evidence of disease 2 years following diagnosis and surgical excision of the sarcoma. On the basis of the Massachusetts General Hospital experience in the treatment of Hodgkin's Disease, the authors calculate a risk of 0.9% of sarcoma occurring in five year survivors of Hodgkin's disease. Previously reported cases of sarcoma following treatment of Hodgkin's disease are summarized. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
Molecular epidemiology of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung cancers in Indian population.

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality world-wide and amongst males in India. The discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors holds a ray of hope for a subset of lung cancer patients, which have activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Much of the preliminary data on frequency of EGFR mutations emanated from Western studies, which reported EGFR mutation rates of 10-15%. However, studies from Asian countries report a much higher frequency of EGFR mutations, not only in the male population, but also in females. AIM The object of this study was to share the author's experience of EGFR mutation testing in 402 lung cancer patients as no large-scale study addressing the issue has been published from India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues were analyzed for EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 point mutation by length analysis of fluorescently labeled polymerase chain reaction products on Applied Biosystems Inc. 310 genetic analyzer. RESULTS Out of 402 samples, 35 samples could not be analyzed because of poor deoxyribonucleic acid material. Thus of the remaining 367 cases analyzed, EGFR mutations were found in 118 patients (32%). Mutations were equally distributed between males (50%) and females (50%). Majority of the mutations were seen in adenocarcinoma subtype (90%). Exon 19 mutations accounted for 76% while exon 21 mutations accounted for 24% of the mutations. SUMMARY EGFR mutation frequency is higher in Indian population vis-à-vis Caucasian population, but lower than that reported in the East Asian population. A significantly higher number of males also harbor EGFR mutations.
The Effect of Local Injections in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

Lakse E, Gunduz B, Erhan B, Celik EC: The effect of local injections in hemiplegic shoulder pain: a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of corticosteroid injections on hemiplegic shoulder pain and range of motion. Design:Fifty-two stroke patients with shoulder pain were evaluated. Thirty-eight patients who fulfilled the criteria were assigned randomly into either injection or control groups. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and therapeutic exercise program were applied to both groups for 15 sessions. The patients in the injection group were administered either intra-articular or subacromial injections of corticosteroid and local anesthetic according to their pathology. The evaluations were performed before treatment and at the first and fourth weeks of treatment. Primary follow-up parameters were passive shoulder range of motion and verbal analog scale for shoulder pain; secondary follow-up parameters were modified Barthel index, Brunnstrom upper-extremity score, and modified Ashworth scale. Results:In both groups, shoulder range of motion and shoulder pain scores showed significant improvement. When the two groups were compared, the improvement was more significant in the injection group. Barthel scores improved in both groups, and no difference was found between the groups. Brunnstrom upper-extremity and modified Ashworth scores revealed nonsignificant changes in both groups. Conclusions:Adding corticosteroid injection to conventional treatment in hemiplegic shoulder pain improved shoulder range of motion and decreased pain scores before treatment to the first and fourth weeks of treatment. Injection in hemiplegic shoulder pain is recommended in appropriate patients.
Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser treatment for labial lentigines associated with Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome

Labial lentigines associated with Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome are cosmetically disfiguring and distressful. Although multiple treatment modalities including Q‐switched ruby laser and Q‐switched alexandrite laser have been proposed, experience with Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser has been lacking. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) for labial lentigines in Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome.
Challenges for Environmental Science and Engineering

Perspectives on the challenge posed by potential future climate change are presented including a discussion of prospects for carbon capture followed either by sequestration or reuse including opportunities for alternatives to the use of oil in the transportation sector. The potential for wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuel energy as a source of electricity are outlined including the related opportunities for cost effective curtailment of future growth in emissions of CO2.