Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteofluorosis in the Rabbit: Macroscopic and Radiographic Changes

&NA; When growing rabbits are given drinking water which contains 225 or 500 parts per million sodium fluoride, they develop gross osteofluorosis if treatment is continued for up to 200 days. Long bones initially show narrowing of endochondral cartilage, thinning of the metaphysis and occasional fractures at the metaphyseal‐epiphyseal junction. Then the plate of cartilage becomes wider than normal and later the hypertrophic zone calcifies intermittently, forming a wide dense chalk‐white mass from which a new, slightly thicker metaphysis forms. As animals age, the cartilaginous plate and metaphysis in fluoride‐treated animals become narrower although remaining wider than normal. These changes are seen best in the radius and ulna. There is an associated and rapid thickening of bones at sites of normal appositional growth or an effect which may lead to gross enlargement and increased radio‐opacity of the bones. Both formation and resorption of bone are increased in some bones but not others. The sites of bone change show a consistent pattern for individual bones, the pattern being modified by the dose and duration of fluoride ingestion and by the degree of inhibition of longitudinal growth, as well as being complicated by variations in the rate of remodelling, which seem unrelated to the health of the animals. The changes are better shown with 225 p.p.m. fluoride than with 500 p.p.m. For the higher dose, the sequence of changes may be obscured by inhibition of longitudinal growth and remodelling. It is concluded that the development of osteofluorosis is associated initially with delayed mineralization and increased resorption, followed by rapid proliferation and subsequent remodelling of diaphyseal bone.
Direct Observation of Dynamic Symmetry Breaking above Room Temperature in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite

Lead halide perovskites such as methylammonium lead triiodide (CH3NH3PbI3) have outstanding optical and electronic properties for photovoltaic applications, yet a full understanding of how this solution-processable material works so well is currently missing. Previous research has revealed that CH3NH3PbI3 possesses multiple forms of static disorder regardless of preparation method, which is surprising in light of its excellent performance. Using high energy resolution inelastic X-ray (HERIX) scattering, we measure phonon dispersions in CH3NH3PbI3 and find direct evidence for another form of disorder in single crystals: large-amplitude anharmonic zone edge rotational instabilities of the PbI6 octahedra that persist to room temperature and above, left over from structural phase transitions that take place tens to hundreds of degrees below. Phonon calculations show that the orientations of the methylammonium (CH3NH3+) couple strongly and cooperatively to these modes. The result is a noncentrosymmetric, insta.
Comprehensive analysis of neurotransmitters from regenerating planarian extract using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected reaction monitoring method.

RATIONALE Absolute quantification of neurotransmitters (NTs) from biological systems is imperative to track how changes in concentration of active neurochemicals may affect biological behavior. A sensitive method for the absolute quantification of multiple NTs in a single method is highly needed. METHODS A stable-isotope dilution ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected reaction monitoring (UHPLC/MS/SRM) assay has been developed for a sensitive and quantitative assessment of NTs in planaria. We used this method for the simultaneous quantification of 16 NTs. All analytes showed a linear relationship between concentrations (0.78-50 ng/mL), regression coefficients higher than 0.97, accuracy (91-109%) and low coefficients of variation (CVs). The inter-day CVs for the lowest quality controls (1.56 ng/mL) were in the range between 2-11%. RESULTS The levels of most of the NTs were similar in both sexual and asexual planarians except for glutamic acid, which was about two-fold higher in asexual compared to sexual planarians. We identified high levels of serotonin and failed to detect tryptamine suggesting that the pathway essential for the conversion of tryptophan into tryptamine is absent in planarians. Interestingly, we also found high levels of dopamine and L-DOPA in regenerating planarians suggesting their possible role in regeneration. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, we developed novel methodology based on UHPLC/MS/SRM and quantified 16 NTs with high sensitivity and specificity from sexual and asexual strains of planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. This method will also have great application in quantifying various NTs with great precision in different model systems.
Comparison of isotopic variability in proteinaceous tissues of a domesticated herbivore: a baseline for zooarchaeological investigation.

RATIONALE A variety of metabolic, dietary and climatic influences on isotopic variation have been established in mammalian hair. The relevance of these factors to collagen isotopic composition is unknown, but would be of great interest to zooarchaeological analyses of faunal skeletal tissue. METHODS The relationships between carbon (δ(13)C), nitrogen (δ(15)N), non-exchangeable hydrogen (δ(2)H) and oxygen (δ(18)O) values of defatted, demineralised and gelatinised bone collagen and defatted wool keratin from two sheep flocks (n = 20, 5) in the UK were investigated, including testing for the effects of nutritional plane, sex, pregnancy and season of sample collection. The sulfur composition (δ(34)S values) was also investigated for tissues from the smaller flock. RESULTS Bulk collagen was enriched in (13)C over bulk keratin by 2.0 - 2.7‰ and in (2)H by 29 - 40‰ but depleted in (18)O relative to keratin by 1.8‰. Differences in δ(15)N values were within experimental error. The collagen samples were generally more enriched in (34)S than keratin, but this was very variable. Pregnancy, sex and season, but not nutritional plane, significantly affected isotope values but did not change overall keratin-collagen relationships. CONCLUSIONS This dataset provides a baseline measure of variability and comparability for isotopic investigations into origin and husbandry conditions in archaeological sheep tissues, both collagen and keratin.
A specific method of 34S labelling provides evidence that sulphate assimilation occurs in developing seeds and pod walls of Brassica napus L. subjected to ample or limited S nutrition.

RATIONALE Seeds from different species actively assimilate sulphur (S) from sulphate. This has never been proved for Brassica napus L. , a high S demanding plant, especially with regard to S limitation. The role of pod walls in the assimilation and allocation of S in well-fed and sulphate-limited conditions also needs to be clarified. METHODS Freshly harvested seeds and pod walls from plants well-supplied (HS) or limited with sulphate (LS) from the 'visible buds' stage were subjected to a nutrient solution containing (34)S-sulphate (10 atom% excess) for 24 h. The (34)S labelling of the sulphate and protein fractions was determined with an elemental analyser connected to a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The amino acid profiles of seeds and pod walls were also determined by ion-exchange chromatography. RESULTS The 24 h of (34)S-sulphate feeding treatment leads to an important production of proteins in HS and LS seeds, associated with a decrease in numerous amino acid contents. The treatment also leads to an incorporation of (34)S in seeds and pod walls proteins in both HS and LS conditions. The incorporation of (34)S in proteins was not different between HS and LS seeds, but was lower in LS than in HS pod walls, related to a higher incorporation in the other organic S compounds. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that Brassica napus seeds and pod walls are able to assimilate sulphate in HS and LS conditions, and that the LS condition leads to enhancement of the sulphate assimilation capacity of pod walls, which may be of crucial importance for the allocation of S to developing seeds.
Ten troublesome trends in TV health news

A 2002 Gallup poll showed that many Americans consider television their most important source of news and information on health. It also showed that television is one of the least trusted sources of such news and information. I studied each of the 840 health news stories that appeared between February and May 2003 on four television stations (KARE, KSTP, KMSP, WCCO) in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, where I live. As I watched hours of health news coverage, 10 troublesome trends scrolled across the screen. Too brief to matter —Brevity robs viewers of the chance to grasp the significance of health stories. TV stations often pay lip service to health news by creating segments (“Lifeline Minute” or “Health Headlines”). But as more than two thirds of the stories in this analysis lasted less than a minute, and more than half were 30 seconds or less, this is a shallow commitment. No full time health journalists —In the four months the four stations used 58 different people to report on health news, not one of whom worked full time. …
Validation of the Revised Brief Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT2)

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the revised Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT2). The original test was updated to reflect current diabetes care and education guidelines. The test has 2 components: a 14-item general test and a 9-item insulin use subscale. Methods Two samples were used to evaluate the DKT2. The first came from an online survey company (Qualtrics, LCC) (n = 101) and the second from University of Michigan’s (UofM) Diabetes Registry (n = 89). Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to calculate reliability. To examine validity, comparisons by type of diabetes, insulin use and oral medication use, and educational level were completed. Correlations between diabetes duration and both the general test and insulin subscale were calculated for the UofM sample. Results The two samples differed demographically. While the reliabilities between the samples were disparate, when combined, the coefficient alphas demonstrated reliability for both the general test (.77) and the insulin use subscale (.84). The validation comparisons proved to be similar; different results occurred between samples but when combined demonstrated validity. Conclusions The reliability and validity tests were inconsistent by sample. The different results can, in part, be attributed to the demographic differences between the 2 samples. With the exception of age, the samples differed in every other measured variable. However, when the samples were combined, the analyses supported the reliability and validity of the Diabetes Knowledge Test 2. The DKT2 is a quick and low-cost method of assessing general knowledge of diabetes and diabetes self-care.
Factors Affecting Resilience in Families of Adults With Diabetes

Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of family resilience on families of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Methods A convenience sample of 77 participants was recruited from several diabetes education/support group programs and 1 private medical practice to participate in this descriptive correlational study. Participants completed several instruments measuring family member satisfaction with components of family functioning, family resilience, life orientation (measure of optimism), and diabetes knowledge. Results Family members were predominantly female (71%) and white (97%), and they had a minimum of a college education (79%). A significant positive relationship was found between family functioning and family resilience (r = 0.59, P < .01). Regression analysis revealed that family functioning was the only predictor of family resilience, explaining 46% of the variance. Positive outlook and diabetes knowledge were not significant contributors to the model. A significant low correlation was found between family member’s level of diabetes knowledge and measure of optimism. Additional findings demonstrated that the Family Resilience Assessment tool was a reliable measure, with a Cronbach alpha of 0.91. Conclusion Family functioning was associated with family resilience. Future research should focus on replicating the study in a more heterogeneous population, with further investigation into the needs of family members of adults with diabetes.
On the roles of sulphuric acid and low-volatility organic vapours in the initial steps of atmospheric new particle formation

Abstract. Sulphuric acid and organic vapours have been identified as the key components in the ubiquitous secondary new particle formation in the atmosphere. In order to assess their relative contribution and spatial variability, we analysed altogether 36 new particle formation events observed at four European measurement sites during EUCAARI campaigns in 2007–2009. We tested models of several different nucleation mechanisms coupling the formation rate of neutral particles (J) with the concentration of sulphuric acid ([H2SO4]) or low-volatility organic vapours ([org]) condensing on sub-4 nm particles, or with a combination of both concentrations. Furthermore, we determined the related nucleation coefficients connecting the neutral nucleation rate J with the vapour concentrations in each mechanism. The main goal of the study was to identify the mechanism of new particle formation and subsequent growth that minimizes the difference between the modelled and measured nucleation rates. At three out of four measurement sites – Hyytiala (Finland), Melpitz (Germany) and San Pietro Capofiume (Italy) – the nucleation rate was closely connected to squared sulphuric acid concentration, whereas in Hohenpeissenberg (Germany) the low-volatility organic vapours were observed to be dominant. However, the nucleation rate at the sulphuric acid dominant sites could not be described with sulphuric acid concentration and a single value of the nucleation coefficient, as K in J=K [H2SO4]2, but the median coefficients for different sites varied over an order of magnitude. This inter-site variation was substantially smaller when the heteromolecular homogenous nucleation between H2SO4 and organic vapours was assumed to take place in addition to homogenous nucleation of H2SO4 alone, i.e., J=KSA1[H2SO4]2+KSA2[H2SO4][org]. By adding in this equation a term describing homomolecular organic vapour nucleation, Ks3[org]2, equally good results were achieved. In general, our results suggest that organic vapours do play a role, not only in the condensational growth of the particles, but also in the nucleation process, with a site-specific degree.
A Cross-sectional Study of Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Self-care in African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos With Diabetes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and diabetes self-care in African American and Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes and whether the association, if any, is mediated by diabetes-related self-efficacy. Methods The sample included self-report baseline data of African American and Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes who were aged ≥18 years and enrolled in a diabetes self-management intervention study. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities measured engagement in healthy eating, physical activity, blood glucose checking, foot care, and smoking. The Diabetes Empowerment Scale–Short Form assessed diabetes-related psychosocial self-efficacy. Indirect effects were examined with the Baron and Kenny regression technique and Sobel testing. Results Sample characteristics (n = 250) were as follows: mean age of 53 years, 68% women, 54% African American, and 74% with income <$20 000. Depressive symptoms showed a significant inverse association with the self-care domains of general diet, specific diet, physical activity, and glucose monitoring in the African American group. In Hispanics/Latinos, depression was inversely associated with specific diet. Self-efficacy served a significant mediational role in the relation between depression and foot care among African Americans. Conclusions Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between depression and foot care in the African American group but was not found to be a mediator of any self-care areas within the Hispanic/Latino group. In clinical practice, alleviation of depressive symptoms may improve self-care behavior adherence. Diabetes education may consider inclusion of components to build self-efficacy related to diabetes self-care, especially among African American patients.
Alternate Therapies for Cystic Fibrosis

Although mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene affect many organ systems, the major morbidity and mortality in CF results from lung disease: 95% of CF deaths result from chronic pulmonary disease. The lung disease reflects thickened airway secretions and chronic bacterial infections. The clinical course of the disease is associated with intermittent episodes of respiratory illness, termed "exacerbations. " Recurrent pulmonary exacerbations include increased cough and sputum production, shortness of breath, decreased exercise tolerance, and weight loss. The pathogenesis of airways disease reflects impaction with thick secretions, usually containing Pseudomonas. There is a marked inflammatory cell infiltrate in the airways, for example, neutrophils, and destructive changes of the lung include bronchiectasis, multiple cysts, and subpleural blebs. Antibiotic therapy and mechanical clearance of airways are the current mainstays of therapy, and these improve longevity. Exacerbations characteristically occur with increasing frequency as the disease progresses, and death ultimately results from end-stage lung disease. Newer therapeutic approaches target aspects that are not addressed by conventional therapy and many recent advances have been made in these areas (Table 1). These include alternative therapies against infection, inflammation, and abnormal ion transport that are exhibited by airway epithelium. Another novel approach, gene therapy, is based on the notion that introduction of the normal cDNA for the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene into airway epithelium will correct the basic genetic defect of CF. INFECTION
Prognostic Value of Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: Nephrotic syndrome causes a great morbidity and mortality among the children. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the biochemical and hematological parameters and their prognostic value in steroid resistant (SRNS), frequent relapse and steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS) and infrequent relapse (IFRNS) groups. Methodology: A prospective study of 43 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) selected randomly out of 480 children admitted with the disease at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from January 2003 to January 2005. There were 24 steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and 19 steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), of SSNS group 13 were infrequent relapse (IFRNS) and 11 were frequent relapse steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS). Result: SRNS has low serum total protein (STP), albumin and hemoglobin compared to SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). SRNS also has high cholesterol, creatinine and urinary total protein (UTP) than SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). Higher difference was observed between SRNS and IFRNS (P<0.001). High serum cholesterol, UTP and low hemoglobin were found in FRNS+SDNS compared to IFRNS (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusion: STP, albumin, creatinine were equally low in SRNS and FRNS+SDNS. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2. 20764 J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2013;5(2):95-98
On Positive Psychological Outcomes: What Helps Groups With a History of Conflict to Forgive and Reconcile With Each Other?

Three studies examined the roles of traditional and novel social psychological variables involved in intergroup forgiveness. Study 1 (N = 480) revealed that among the pro-Pinochet and the anti-Pinochet groups in Chile, forgiveness was predicted by ingroup identity (negatively), common ingroup identity (positively), empathy and trust (positively), and competitive victimhood (the subjective sense of having suffered more than the outgroup, negatively). Political ideology (Right vs. Left) moderated the relationship between empathy and forgiveness, trust and forgiveness, and between the latter and competitive victimhood. Study 2 (N = 309), set in the Northern Irish conflict between Protestants and Catholics, provided a replication and extension of Study 1. Finally, Study 3 (N = 155/108) examined the longitudinal relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, revealing that forgiveness predicted reconciliation intentions. The reverse direction of this relationship was also marginally significant. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications.
THE DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIURIA BY BLADDER PUNCTURE IN INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD

Experience with supra‐pubic aspiration of urine in two hundred and thirty infants and children suggests that this is a safe and reliable technique. Bacteriological examination of urine obtained in this manner, contrasted with concurrent specimens obtained by more orthodox techniques, indicates that the latter may give false evidence of infection in over 60% of specimens.
Serum C-reactive Protein and Its Relation to Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Adipocytokines in Japanese Children

Background: C-Reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic coronary heart diseases (ACHD) in adults. To help prevent ACHD, it may be useful to understand risk factors during childhood. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate serum CRP and its relation to other risk factors for ACHD and adipocytokines (adiponectin, IL-6, and TNF-α) in Japanese children. Methods: CRP, conventional risk factors for ACHD, and adipocytokines were determined in 568 children (340 boys and 228 girls, aged 7–10 yr). Serum concentrations of adipocytokines were measured by sandwich ELISA. Results: Children with high CRP concentrations (highest tertile) had higher body mass index (BMI) sd scores, insulin, insulin resistance, uric acid, and adipocytokines and had more atherogenic lipoprotein profiles than other children. However, after being corrected by BMI sd, only high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, IL-6, and TNF-α for boys and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,.
Gender, Intimacy, and Risky Sex: A Terror Management Account

Three studies tested whether mortality salience would lead men to be more sexually risky than women. In Study 1, men reported greater intentions to engage in risky sexual behaviors than did women after a mortality prime, but not after a control prime. In Study 2, men desired more future sexual partners and had a lower need for intimacy than did women, but again, only when mortality was salient. Furthermore, need for romantic intimacy mediated the relationship between mortality salience, gender, and desired number of future partners. Using a behavioral rather than a self-reported dependent measure, Study 3 showed that men primed with mortality were less likely than women to select a package of condoms (versus a pen) as a free gift after the experiment. Implications for gender differences in responses to mortality salience, as well as for how to design effective safe-sex interventions, are discussed.