Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV/AIDS, poverty and risky sexual behaviour in South Africa

This paper employs data from the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey in exploring the nature of socio-economic inequalities in and determinants of risky sexual behaviour. Risky sexual behaviour was associated with poverty only in the case of multiple partnerships. Affluent women that have engaged in risky sexual behaviour were shown to be more likely to have cited negative perceptions about condom use as main reason for not using a condom at last sex. Poor women in turn were more likely to cite lack of knowledge about condoms and abstinence from condom use as main reason. Poverty plays little part in explaining differences in risky sexual behaviour, although higher education in some cases was associated positively with risky sexual behaviour. Risky sexual behaviour was associated with differences in age, urban residence and marital status. Coloured, Asian and White women were less likely than African women to have engaged in risky sexual behaviour. Violence and coercion were also associated with risky sexual behaviour. Women in affluent households that had engaged in risky sexual behaviour were more likely to have been mistreated by a husband or partner compared to poor women. There is no evidence of a definitive one-way causal relationship between poverty, gender and sexual behaviour and further research is required to elucidate this complex relationship.
Transforming growth factor-beta 2 significantly enhances the ability to flatten the rim of subretinal fluid surrounding macular holes. Preliminary anatomic results of a multicenter prospective randomized study.

Previous studies of treatment of full-thickness macular holes have effected resolution of the surrounding subretinal fluid cuff in 58%-71% of cases. An initial report has found 330 ng and 1,330 ng transforming growth factor-beta 2 to be successful in effecting resolution of the surrounding subretinal fluid cuff in 100% of cases. A randomized, masked, controlled, prospective, multicenter study of 90 patients with full-thickness macular holes was performed to assess the efficacy of the local application of TGF-beta 2 at the time of vitrectomy surgery. Eligibility criteria included: (1) best corrected visual acuity of 20/80 or worse; (2) duration of macular hole for less than 1 year; and (3) absence of other ocular disorders that might interfere with vision. Patients were evenly randomized to receive placebo, 660 ng transforming growth factor-beta 2, or 1,330 ng transforming growth factor-beta 2. The treatment assignment was unmasked at the examination 3 months after treatment only if the macular hole failed to close. If the initial treatment had been placebo, patients were offered crossover to 1,330 ng transforming growth factor-beta 2 during a reoperation. It can be deduced that resolution of the subretinal fluid cuff occurred in 16 of 30 placebo-treated eyes, 53 of 58 eyes treated with transforming growth factor-beta 2, and in 9 of 13 cases (69%) initially treated with placebo that subsequently underwent repeat surgery under the crossover option. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The role of cyclic AMP in gonadal steroidogenesis.

There has been a great deal of work done, by many investigators, over the past 10 years which implicates cyclic AMP in several gonadal functions, but a complete understanding of its role in any one of these functions is still lacking. The possible mediatory role of cyclic AMP in the gonadotropic stimulation of steroidogenesis in ovaries and testis has been studied the longest and probably the most thoroughly, but even this action is far from being completely elucidated. The first indication that cyclic AMP was involved with the control of steroidogenesis came from the studies of Haynes and co-workers who in a series of experiments (Haynes and Berthet, 1957; Haynes et aL, 1959; Haynes et al., 1960) showed that ACTH increased the endogenous level of cyclic AMP in the adrenal cortex, and that exogenous cyclic AMP mimicked the effect of ACTH on steroidogenesis. Guided by this work, other investigators began to study the role of cyclic AMP in the gonadotropic stimulation of steroidogenesis in the testis (Hall and Eik-Nes, 1962) and the ovary (Marsh and Savard, 1964a; Marsh and Savard, 1964b). From these early studies on gonadal steroidogenesis the field has expanded to where cyclic AMP has been implicated to some extent in nearly all actions of luteinizing hormone (LH) and some actions of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the ovary and the testis. I will attempt to review the studies on the role of this cyclic nucleotide in the process of steroidogenesis in the corpus luteum and the testis, since these two gonadal tissues seem to reflect contrasting situations. I will also discuss the possible modes of action of cyclic AMP on the steroidogenic pathway.
Emergence of a multiresistant serotype 19A pneumococcal strain not included in the 7-valent conjugate vaccine as an otopathogen in children.

CONTEXT Concern has been raised about the possible emergence of a bacterial strain that is untreatable by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antibiotics and that causes acute otitis media (AOM) in children. OBJECTIVE To monitor continuing shifts in the strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that cause AOM, with particular attention to capsular serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility, following the introduction of a pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV7). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Prospective cohort study using tympanocentesis to identify S pneumoniae strains that caused AOM in children receiving PCV7 between September 2003 and June 2006. All children were from a Rochester, New York, pediatric practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Determination of serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility of S pneumoniae causing AOM. RESULTS Among 1816 children in whom AOM was diagnosed, tympanocentesis was performed in 212, yielding 59 cases of S pneumoniae infection. One strain of S pneumoniae belonging to serotype 19A was a new genotype and was resistant to all antibiotics approved by the FDA for use in children with AOM. This strain was identified in 9 cases (2 in 2003-2004, 2 in 2004-2005, and 5 in 2005-2006). Four children infected with this strain had been unsuccessfully treated with 2 or more antibiotics, including high-dose amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate and 3 injections of ceftriaxone; 3 had recurrent AOM; and for 2 others, the infection was their first in life. The first 4 cases required tympanostomy tube insertion after additional unsuccessful antibiotic therapies. Levofloxacin was used in the subsequent 5 cases, with resolution of infection without surgery. CONCLUSION In the years following introduction of PCV7, a strain of S pneumoniae has emerged in the United States as an otopathogen that is resistant to all FDA-approved antibiotics for treatment of AOM in children.
Axonal Degeneration during Aging and Its Functional Role in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Aging constitutes the main risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This represents a major health issue worldwide that is only expected to escalate due to the ever-increasing life expectancy of the population. Interestingly, axonal degeneration, which occurs at early stages of neurodegenerative disorders (ND) such as Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, also takes place as a consequence of normal aging. Moreover, the alteration of several cellular processes such as proteostasis, response to cellular stress and mitochondrial homeostasis, which have been described to occur in the aging brain, can also contribute to axonal pathology. Compelling evidence indicate that the degeneration of axons precedes clinical symptoms in NDs and occurs before cell body loss, constituting an early event in the pathological process and providing a potential therapeutic target to treat neurodegeneration before neuronal cell death. Although, normal aging and the development of neurodegeneration are two processes that are closely linked, the molecular basis of the switch that triggers the transition from healthy aging to neurodegeneration remains unrevealed. In this review we discuss the potential role of axonal degeneration in this transition and provide a detailed overview of the literature and current advances in the molecular understanding of the cellular changes that occur during aging that promote axonal degeneration and then discuss this in the context of ND.
Cigarette smoke enhances initiation and progression of lung cancer by mutating Notch1/2 and dysregulating downstream signaling molecules

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer related deaths in the western world and smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Smoking enhances lung cancer initiation and progression. The effects of cigarette smoke on lung cancer are mediated by the presence of highly mutagenic substances, including nicotine, leading to mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. An emerging pathway in cancer is the Notch signaling pathway which is essential for embryonic lung development and tissue homeostasis. The role of Notch signaling in lung cancer remains controversial and no studies have directly linked cigarette exposure to mutations in Notch. Therefore, we investigated the direct effect of Notch signaling pathways on cigarette-induced lung tumors and the correlation between smoking and mutations in Notch leading to altered downstream signaling. Human cell lines, mouse models and clinical lung cancer samples were utilized in this study. Cigarette-induced in vitro human lung cancer models and in vivo mouse models demonstrated strong effects of cigarette exposure on the Notch signaling pathway. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 50 clinical samples collected from smokers and non-smokers with and without lung cancer also demonstrated a link between smoking and changes in Notch signaling. Finally, 34 lung cancer samples analyzed through direct sequencing indicated smoking significantly increased small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Notch 1 and 2 and specific SNPs significantly modulated expression levels of downstream signaling pathway molecules. Taken together, these results demonstrate a direct effect of smoking on the Notch signaling pathway leading to lung cancer initiation and progression.
A Comparison of the Reading Motivation and Reading Attitude of Students with Dyslexia and Students without Dyslexia in the Elementary Schools in Ilam, Iran

The purpose of this research is to compare reading motivation and reading attitude of students with dyslexia and students without dyslexia. The population of the study included 138 students with dyslexia studying in elementary schools in Ilam, Iran. Within this population, the researcher randomly selected 30 students for the pilot study. The remaining 108 dyslexic students were selected as the sample size but only 80 students with dyslexia participated in this study as the parents of the other and 28 parents’ of students with dyslexia did not allowed their children to participate. The researcher also selected 80 normal students who had been homogenized and compared using the attitude and motivation scales. The reliability of the reading motivation and reading attitude scales was confirmed. The content validity of the scales was investigated using the judgment of 10 psychology experts. The analysis of the findings through independent t-test showed a significant difference between the students with dyslexia and the students without dyslexia at ρ<0.000.
The Iron Age Remains at Tel Nagila

The paper presents the preliminary results of the analysis of the Iron Age finds from Tel Nagila. The excavations, which took place in the early 1960s under the direction of R. Amiran and A. Eitan, revealed three Iron Age strata. Through the lens of these finds, we reflect on Tel Nagila as an Iron Age settlement on the border between Judah and Philistia, on the ethnic and political affiliations of its population, and how these affiliations may have changed over time.
Evaluation of Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Relationship Between Legendary Vechur Cattle and Crossbred Cattle of Kerala State, India

ABSTRACT The legendary Vechur cattle of Kerala, described as a very short breed, and the crossbred (CB) Sunandini cattle population exhibited great phenotypic variation; hence, the present study attempted to analyze the genetic diversity existing between them. A set of 14 polymorphic microsatellites were chosen from FAO-ISAG panel and amplified from genomic DNA isolated from blood samples of 30 Vechur and 64 unrelated crossbred cattle, using fluorescent labeled primers. Both populations revealed high genetic diversity as evidenced from high observed number of alleles, Polymorphic Information Content and expected heterozygosity. Observed heterozygosity was lesser (0.699) than expected (0.752) in Vechur population which was further supported by positive FIS value of 0.1149, indicating slight level of inbreeding in Vechur population. Overall, FST value was 0.065, which means genetic differentiation between crossbred and Vechur population was 6.5%, indicating that the crossbred cattle must have differentiated into a definite population that is different from the indigenous Vechur cows. Structure analysis indicated that the two populations showed distinct differences, with two underlying clusters. The present study supports the separation between Taurine and Zebu cattle and throws light onto the genetic diversity and relationship between native Vechur and crossbred cattle populations in Kerala state.
Simultaneous Velocity and Concentration Measurements in a Turbulent Jet Flow by Using PIV-PLIF Combined System

A method for the simultaneous measurements of velocity and passive scalar concentration fields by means of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Planar Laser Induced Florescence (PLIF) techniques will be described in the present paper. Details of the implementation of the PIV-PLIF combined system are given and the system is applied to do simultaneous measurements of velocity and concentration in the near field of a turbulent jet flow. The ensemble averaged velocity and concentration, turbulent velocity fluctuation, concentration standard deviation and the correlation terms between the fluctuating velocities and concentrations in the turbulent jet flow will be analyzed based on the simultaneous measurement results in the downstream of the turbulent jet flow.
Pharmacists' interventions on clinical asthma outcomes: a systematic review

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of pharmacists' interventions on clinical asthma outcomes on adult patients and to identify the outcome indicators used. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo were searched. Studies addressing pharmacists' interventions on adult asthma patients reporting clinical asthma outcomes were incorporated. 11 clinical outcomes were identified in 21 studies. 10 studies measured the impact of the intervention on asthma control. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and non-RCTs found positive results in percentages of controlled patients and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) scores. Discordant results were found for Asthma Control Test results. Asthma severity was assessed in four studies. One RCT found a significant decrease in the percentage of severe patients; two non-RCTs found significant improvements in severity scores. 11 studies reported pulmonary function indicators, showing inconsistent results. Eight studies measured asthma symptoms; three RCTs and four non-RCTs showed significant improvements. RCTs and non-RCTs generated similar results for most outcomes. Based on the evidence generated by RCTs, pharmacists' have a positive impact on the percentage of controlled patients, ACQ scores, severity and symptoms. Future research should report using the core outcome set of indicators established for asthma (PROSPERO CRD42014007019). This systematic review finds that pharmacists have a positive impact on various clinical asthma outcomes http://ow.ly/UCjin
Characterization of Transport of Chlorhexidine-Loaded Nanocapsules through Hairless and Wistar Rat Skin

Nanocapsules appear a promising approach as a drug system for topical application. However, the transport mechanism of nanocapsule-associated drug through the skin is still being questioned. In the present study, the transport of chlorhexidine-loaded poly(Ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules through full-thickness and stripped hairless rat skin was investigated in static-diffusion cell. The chlorhexidine permeation profiles fitting the Fickian diffusion model showed that the drug encapsulation reduced the percutaneous drug absorption through stripped skin. Possible nanocapsule transport within skin conducts was suggested from the analysis of permeation parameters and confirmed by confocal laser microscopy studies. Furthermore, the chlorhexidine permeation and drug release data were highly correlated, suggesting that the magnitude of percutaneous absorption was controlled by the diffusion across the polymeric carrier. The behavior of nanocapsules at the skin interface was investigated by contact angle and surface tension measurements. The small ‘wetting’ of the nanocapsule on the stratum corneum surface preserved the mechanical integrity of the carrier characterized by a high specific surface at the skin interface. The flexibility of the nanocapsules assured a satisfying bioadhesion to the skin, whereas the rigidity of the carrier limited the molecular ‘spill’ into the skin and controlled the drug delivery to the skin.
Fibroids During Pregnancy: Effects on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of fibroids on pregnancy and neonatal parameters. STUDY DESIGN A total of 12,855 consecutive pregnant women admitted to a tertiary care university hospital between January 2002 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Of those, 267 patients with fibroids and 267 age- and parity-matched controls were included. The Clavien-Dindo classification was used to grade postoperative complications. RESULTS Mean gestational age at delivery (p<0.001) and mean neonatal birthweight (p=0.034) were significantly different between the 2 groups. We recorded a higher rate of pain-related hospitalization in the large fibroid group (38.2% and 7.8%, p <0.001). Myomectomy was performed in 124 of 267 patients during cesarean section (C/S). The myomectomy group was associated with lower postoperative hemoglobin levels (p=0.01) and higher need for transfusion (p=0.009). When postpartum hemoglobin levels of the control group and fibroid group without myomectomy were compared, hemoglobin levels were higher in favor of the control group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Beyond lower gestational age and mean birthweight, perinatal complications did not increase with fibroids during pregnancy. Performing myomectomy increases the need for transfusion (Grade 2) without an increase in the risk of hysterectomy (Grade 3) and other life-threatening complications (Grade 4-5). Leaving fibroids in situ during C/S did not prevent a fall in post-partum hemoglobin levels.
Chronic Ethanol-Induced Impairment of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling is Attenuated by PPAR-δ Agonist.

BACKGROUND The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates liver growth, repair, and regeneration. Chronic ethanol (EtOH) exposure blunts normal liver regenerative responses, in part by inhibiting insulin/IGF signaling, and correspondingly, previous studies showed that EtOH-impaired liver regeneration could be restored by insulin sensitizer (proliferator-activated receptor [PPAR]-δ agonist) treatment. As Wnt/β-catenin functions overlap and cross talk with insulin/IGF pathways, we investigated the effects of EtOH exposure and PPAR-δ agonist treatment on Wnt pathway gene expression in relation to liver regeneration. METHODS Adult male Long Evans rats were fed with isocaloric liquid diets containing 0 or 37% EtOH for 8 weeks and also treated with vehicle or a PPAR-δ agonist during the last 3 weeks of the feeding regimen. The rats were then subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and livers harvested at various post-PH time points were used to quantitate expression of 19 Wnt pathway genes using Quantigene 2.0 Multiplex Assay. RESULTS EtOH broadly inhibited expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-related genes, including down-regulation of Wnt1, Fzd3, Lef1, and Bcl9 throughout the post-PH time course (0 to 72 hours), and suppression of Wnt7a, Ccnd1, Fgf4, Wif1, Sfrp2, and Sfrp5 at 18- and 24-hour post-PH time points. PPAR-δ agonist treatments rescued the EtOH-induced suppression of Wnt1, Wnt7a, Fzd3, Lef1, Bcl9, Ccnd1, and Sfrp2 gene expression in liver, corresponding with the improvements in DNA synthesis and restoration of hepatic architecture. CONCLUSIONS Chronic high-dose EtOH exposures inhibit Wnt signaling, which likely contributes to the impairments in liver regeneration. Therapeutic effects of PPAR-δ agonists extend beyond restoration of insulin/IGF signaling mechanisms and are mediated in part by enhancement of Wnt pathway signaling. Future studies will determine the degree to which targeted restoration of Wnt signaling is sufficient to improve liver regeneration and remodeling in the context of chronic EtOH exposure.
Mutations of SCN4A gene cause different diseases: 2 case reports and literature review

SCN4A encodes the Nav1.4 channel and mutations in SCN4A lead to different ionic channelopathies. In this study, one sporadic individual of periodic paralysis, one paramyotonia family and 200 normal healthy controls are enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, followed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing of candidate genes, including SCN4A and CACNA1S. As a result, heterozygous mutations c.2024G>A (R675Q) and c.1333G>A (V445M) of gene SCN4A were identified in the hypokalemic periodic paralysis patient and the paramyotonia congenita family respectively. Both mutations were not detected in healthy controls. Compared with reported cases, patients with mutation R675Q usually do not present hypokalemic periodic paralysis but hyperkalemic or normokalemic periodic paralysis. The mutation V445M was first reported in Chinese patients with nondystrophic myotonias. In addition, we carried out literature review by summarizing clinical features of the 2 mutations and establish the genotype–phenotype correlations to provide guidance for diagnosis.
Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché fruit acts as an insulin secretagogue in RINm5F cells

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important global public health problem. Despite the availability of drug therapy, patients have continued using plants with anti-diabetic properties as alternative treatments for diabetes. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché (C. ficifolia) is a plant cultivated in Mexico for its edible fruit that is medicinally used to control type 2 DM (T2D). The hypoglycemic effect of C. ficifolia has been demonstrated in different experimental models and in T2D patients. However, no studies have determined the mechanism of action of this hypoglycemic effect. The aim of the present investigation was to determine if the hypoglycemic action of C. ficifolia and D-chiro-Inositol (DCI; a compound found in the fruit of C. ficifolia) occurs through an increase in the production of insulin. An aqueous extract of this fruit was obtained and standardized by its content of DCI, the principal hypoglycemic compound of the fruit. To study the mechanism of hypoglycemic activity of this extract and DCI alone, RINmF5 cells were exposed to different concentrations of both the extract and DCI, and the production of insulin and Kir6.2 channels were measured. The mRNA expression levels of insulin and Kir6.2 were found to be increased in cells that were treated with DCI and the C. ficifolia aqueous extract. This effect suggests a mechanism of action that involves both the expression and secretion of insulin. This research maintains the interest in developing new nutraceutics from C. ficifolia fruits for use in the treatment of T2D. Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché fruit acts as an insulin secretagogue in RINm5F cells