Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of blood pressure measurements using an automated blood pressure device in community pharmacies and family physicians' offices: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Accurate measurement of blood pressure is the foundation of appropriate diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of hypertension. The use of automated blood pressure devices in community settings such as pharmacies provide opportunities for additional blood pressure measurement; however, it is important to ensure that these measurements are comparable to those taken in physicians' offices using the same devices. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess whether blood pressure readings assessed by use of an automated device differed according to the setting, specifically in community pharmacies and family physicians' offices. METHODS We included adults aged 65 years and older who did not live in long-term care facilities or in hospital. The trial was administered by volunteer peer health educators, family physicians and pharmacists in 2 midsized communities in Ontario from April to September 2010. The 5 participating family physicians mailed invitations to their eligible patients. Those who gave informed consent were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 assessment sequences: group A had their blood pressure measured at their physician's office, then at a pharmacy, then again at their physician's office; those in group B had their blood pressure measured at a pharmacy, then at their physician's office, then again at a pharmacy. An automated blood pressure device (BpTRU) was used in both settings. We calculated the differences in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and we compared the readings at both settings and by sequence of assessment. RESULTS In total, 275 adults completed the trial (mean age 75.9 yr, 49.5% male, 46.9% with a self-reported diagnosis of hypertension). There were no statistically significant differences in systolic or diastolic blood pressure measurements associated with the sequence of assessment or the setting. There was a significant difference in the overall mean systolic blood pressure between the 2 assessment sequences (group A 122.0 v. group B 127.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION Automated devices used in pharmacies to measure blood pressure provide accurate and valid information that can be used in the diagnosis and management of hypertension among older adults in the community. TRIAL REGISTRATION www.controlled-trials.com, no. ISRCTN91799042.
Mutation spoT of Escherichia coli increases expression of the histidine operon deleted for the attenuator

F'-episomes carrying the Salmonella typhimurium wild-type or attenuator-deleted histidine (his) operons were introduced into Escherichia coli strains containing relA or spoT single and double mutations known to affect guanosine 3'-diphosphate 5'-diphosphate (ppGpp) and guanosine 3'-triphosphate 5'-diphosphate (pppGpp) levels. Expression of the his operon and expression of the gene for 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (gnd) were measured during balanced growth in amino acid-rich and minimal media. The data were consistent with the interpretation that ppGpp is a positive effector of his operon expression, whereas pppGpp is not an essential effector. The conclusion that his operon expression is maximally stimulated at a lower than maximum intracellular ppGpp concentration was further confirmed. Neither ppGpp nor pppGpp appeared to influence gnd gene expression. The metabolic regulation of the E. coli his operon was found to be similar to the ppGpp-meidated metabolic regulation of the S. typhimurium his operon.
Fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine fertility and pregnancy outcome in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) who had disease onset before age 45 years. METHODS All living women with scleroderma who had first been evaluated at the University of Pittsburgh Scleroderma Clinic after January 1, 1972 were sent a detailed self-administered questionnaire in 1986 specifically concerning pregnancy outcomes and infertility. This group was compared with 2 race- and age-matched control groups, one comprising women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and one comprising healthy neighborhood women identified by random-digit dialing. We determined the number, history, treatment, and outcome of women who either had never been pregnant or had attempted to become pregnant unsuccessfully for more than 1 year. We also obtained data regarding pregnancy outcomes, including the frequency of miscarriage, premature births, small full-term infants, perinatal deaths, and births of live healthy infants. RESULTS The study group comprised 214 women with SSc, 167 with RA, and 105 neighborhood controls. There were no significant differences in the overall rates of miscarriage, premature births, small full-term births, or neonatal deaths between the 3 groups. Women with SSc were more likely than those without SSc to have adverse outcomes of pregnancy after the onset of their rheumatic disease, particularly premature births (also seen in RA women after disease onset) and small full-term infants. Although a significantly greater number of women with SSc had never been pregnant, there were no significant differences in the frequency of never having been pregnant or of infertility in the 3 groups after adjustment for contributing factors. CONCLUSION This study indicates that women with SSc have acceptable pregnancy outcomes compared with those of women with other rheumatic disease and healthy neighborhood controls. Infertility was not a frequent problem. We believe that there are no excessive pregnancy risks to women with SSc or their infants. However, a well-timed pregnancy with careful obstetric monitoring will maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Molecular conservation of marsupial and eutherian placentation and lactation

Eutherians are often mistakenly termed ‘placental mammals’, but marsupials also have a placenta to mediate early embryonic development. Lactation is necessary for both infant and fetal development in eutherians and marsupials, although marsupials have a far more complex milk repertoire that facilitates morphogenesis of developmentally immature young. In this study, we demonstrate that the anatomically simple tammar placenta expresses a dynamic molecular program that is reminiscent of eutherian placentation, including both fetal and maternal signals. Further, we provide evidence that genes facilitating fetal development and nutrient transport display convergent co-option by placental and mammary gland cell types to optimize offspring success. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.27450. 001
A Novel Mutation in the Switch 3 Region of Gsα in a Patient with Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy Impairs GDP Binding and Receptor Activation*

Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO), a disorder characterized by skeletal abnormalities and obesity, is associated with heterozygous inactivating mutations in the gene for Gsα. A novel Gsα mutation encoding the substitution of tryptophan for a nonconserved arginine within the switch 3 region (Gsα R258W) was identified in an AHO patient. Although reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction studies demonstrated that mRNA expression from wild type and mutant alleles was similar, Gsα expression in erythrocyte membranes from the affected patient was reduced by 50%. A Gsα R258W cDNA, as well as one with arginine replaced by alanine (Gsα R258A), was generated, and the biochemical properties of in vitrotranscription/translation products were examined. When reconstituted with cyc− membranes, both mutant proteins were able to stimulate adenylyl cyclase normally in the presence of guanosine- 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) but had decreased ability in the presence of isoproterenol or AlF4 − (a mixture of 10 μmAlCl3 and 10 mm NaF). The ability of each mutant to bind and be activated by GTPγS or AlF4 − was assessed by trypsin protection assays. Both mutants were protected normally by GTPγS but showed reduced protection in the presence of AlF4 −. The addition of excess GDP (2 mm) was able to rescue the ability of AlF4 − to protect the mutants, suggesting that they might have reduced affinity for GDP. A Gsα R258A mutant purified from Escherichia coli had decreased affinity for GDP and an apparent rate of GDP release that was 10-fold greater than that of wild type Gsα. Sucrose density gradient analysis demonstrated that both Gsα R258W and Gsα R258A were thermolabile at higher temperatures and that denaturation of both mutants was prevented by the presence of 0.1 mm GTPγS or 2 mm GDP. The crystal structure of Gsα demonstrates that Arg258 interacts with a conserved residue in the helical domain (Gln170). Arg258 substitutions would be predicted to open the cleft between the GTPase and helical domains, allowing for increased GDP release in the inactive state, resulting in enhanced thermolability and reduced AlF4 −-induced adenylyl cyclase stimulation and trypsin protection, since activation by AlF4 − requires bound GDP.
Identity, Stigma Management, and Well-Being

SUMMARY This study investigated and compared predictors of well-being in lesbians/bisexual women and gay/bisexual men. Well-being was assessed using measures of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression. Predictor variables included involvement in lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB) culture, rejection of negative stereotypes of LGBs, positivity of gay/lesbian identity, and perceived acceptance by family, heterosexual friends, and work/school associates. A survey instrument was developed and distributed in the Greater Buffalo area in Spring and Summer of 1994, to which 168 lesbians and bisexual women and 152 gay and bisexual men responded. Overall, results were very similar for lesbian/bisexual women and gay/bisexual men. Having a positive LGB identity was the most robust predictor of psychological well-being in both women and men who participated in the study. In addition, rejection of negative stereotypes predicted positive LGB identity. Results are discussed within the context of lesbian/bisexual women's mental health and suggestions for research and practice are described.
Response of glandular versus basal rat ventral prostatic epithelial cells to androgen withdrawal and replacement

Light microscope autoradiography was utilized to investigate the separate proliferative activities of the basal and glandular cell types during androgen‐mediated restoration of the ventral prostatic epithelium in castrated rats. Our objective was to determine whether the proliferative population of the prostatic epithelium is restricted to the basal cell subtype under these experimental conditions. In the intact animal, substantial numbers of basal as well as glandular cells were found to be proliferating. The basal cell labeling index (LI) was 3.75%±0.3% or 1.85±0.4 × 105 labeled cells per prostate. For the glandular cells the comparable figures were 0.38% and 3.32±1.5 × 105. Seven days after surgical castration, both subtypes persisted. However, only the numbers of glandular cells were found to be significantly reduced (66% decrease). When androgens were replaced by daily subcutaneous injection (testosterone propionate, 2 mg/0.2 ml sesame oil), both cell types responded with significantly increased proliferation. The temporal pattern of response displayed by each cell type was very similar. A greater proportion of basal than glandular cells responded, ie, 28% vs 11% LI. However, in terms of approximate numbers of cells labeled during the peak response, the value for the glandular cells was larger, ie, 2.4 vs 1.1 × 106 labeled cells. These data clearly indicate that under normal conditions as well as during testosterone stimulation, basal cells are not the sole population of proliferating cells in the prostatic epithelium. Thus, basal cells, as a distinct morphologic population, are not homogeneously undifferentiated stem cells which give rise to differentiated and nonproliferating glandular epithelial cells. Aspects of these data can nevertheless be interpreted to support the idea that the prostatic epithelium is maintained by a single cell lineage system in which the stem cells comprise a subpopulation of the basal cells. Alternatively, the two populations may be separate and distinct as no data are presented which unequivocally links the two cell types in a precursor‐progeny relationship.
Pharmacogenetics of aldo-keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) enzymes

ABSTRACT Introduction: Genetic variation in metabolizing enzymes contributes to variable drug response and disease risk. Aldo-keto reductase type 1C (AKR1C) comprises a sub-family of reductase enzymes that play critical roles in the biotransformation of various drug substrates and endogenous compounds such as steroids. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been reported among AKR1C encoding genes, which may affect the functional expression of the enzymes. Areas covered: This review highlights and comprehensively discusses previous pharmacogenetic reports that have examined genetic variations in AKR1C and their association with disease development, drug disposition, and therapeutic outcomes. The article also provides information about the effect of AKR1C genetic variants on enzyme function in vitro. Expert opinion: The current evidence that links the effect of AKR1C gene polymorphisms to disease progression and development is inconsistent and needs further validation, despite of the tremendous knowledge available. Information about association of AKR1C genetic variants and drug efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics is limited, thus, future studies that advance our understanding about these relationships and their clinical relevance are needed. It is imperative to achieve consistent findings before the potential translation and adoption of AKR1C genetic variants in clinical practice.
Regulation of Oestrogen Receptor Gene Expression: New Insights and Novel Mechanisms

17β‐oestradiol is a pleiotropic hormone with organisational, activational and protective actions in both male and female mammals. It is responsible for numerous aspects of brain development, including sexual differentiation of the brain. The organisational effects of early oestrogen exposure are essential for long‐lasting cognitive and behavioural functions. Oestradiol mediates its effects through several intracellular or membrane‐associated receptor proteins. In the rodent cerebral cortex, oestrogen receptor (ER) expression, as demonstrated by hormone binding studies, is high early in postnatal life and declines precipitously as the animal approaches puberty. This decline is caused by a decreased expression of ERα mRNA. An understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of ERα gene expression is critical for understanding the developmental as well as postpubertal expression of the ER. Despite recent data indicating the current hormone replacement therapies can be detrimental in older women, numerous animal studies have shown that the endogenous oestrogen, 17β‐oestradiol, is neuroprotective. Specifically, low levels of oestradiol protect the cortex from cell death caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The attenuation of cell death by oestradiol in this model is mediated through an ERα‐dependent mechanism. To this end, ERα expression is rapidly increased after MCAO, suggesting a return to the developmental programme of gene expression within neurones. One mechanism of suppressing gene expression is by the epigenetic modification of the promoter regions, which results in gene silencing. Of the epigenetic modifications utilised by cells, DNA methylation has been intensively studied as a mechanism by which genes are both permanently and reversibly silenced. Little is known about the mechanisms of ER gene regulation in the brain; however, in breast cancer cells, both ERα and ERβ are down‐regulated by promoter methylation, and subsequent binding of the methyl‐CpG‐binding protein, MeCP2. Data from our laboratory demonstrate that the promoters of the ERα gene are also methylated during development and after neuronal injury, suggesting a role of DNA methylation in regulating ER expression in the brain.
Marital Duration and Sexual Frequency among the Muslim and Santal Couples in Rural Bangladesh: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Age and sex are biological terms that are socioculturally constructed for marriage and marital sexual behavior in every society. Marriage is a universal norm that makes legitimate sexual behavior between a man and a woman in marital life cycle to gain bio-social purposes. Cross-cultural studies reveal that marital sexual frequency as a part of marital sexual behavior not only varies within the couple’s life cycle, but also varies between and among couples in diverse cultures. The purpose of the study was to compare marital sexual frequency in association with age status and length of marital relationship between Muslim and Santal couples in rural Bangladesh. For this we assumed that (1) Santal culture compared to Muslim culture preferred earlier age at marriage for meeting marital sexual purposes in rural Bangladesh; (2) Marital duration among the Muslim couples was higher than that among the Santal couples; (3) Sexual frequency among the younger couples in both the ethnic communities was higher than the older couples; (4) Sexual frequency across the Muslim couples’ marital life cycle was higher than that the Santal couples’ marital life cycle. In so doing, 288 active couples (145 for Muslim and 143 for Santal) selected by cluster random sampling were interviewed with questionnaire method. The findings of Independent Samples T Test on age at marriage, current age, marital duration and sexual frequency independently reveal that there were significant differences in sexual frequency not only across the couples’ life cycle but also vary between the Muslim and Santal couples in relation to marital duration. The results of Pearson’s InterCorrelation Coefficients reveal that although age at marriage, current age and marital duration for husband and wife were significantly positive correlated with each other between the communities, there were significantly negative correlation between the age at marriage, current age, marital duration and sexual frequency among the selected couples between the communities. Keywords—Bangladesh, Cross-Cultural Perspective, Marital Duration, Muslim, Santal, Marital Sexual Frequency.
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Initiates Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

ABSTRACT Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is a leading cause of otitis media infections, which are often chronic and/or recurrent in nature. NTHI and other bacterial species persist in vivo within biofilms during otitis media and other persistent infections. These biofilms have a significant host component that includes neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These NETs do not mediate clearance of NTHI, which survives within NET structures by means of specific subpopulations of lipooligosaccharides on the bacterial surface that are determinants of biofilm formation in vitro. In this study, the ability of NTHI and NTHI components to initiate NET formation was examined using an in vitro model system. Both viable and nonviable NTHI strains were shown to promote NET formation, as did preparations of bacterial DNA, outer membrane proteins, and lipooligosaccharide (endotoxin). However, only endotoxin from a parental strain of NTHI exhibited equivalent potency in NET formation to that of NTHI. Additional studies showed that NTHI entrapped within NET structures is resistant to both extracellular killing within NETs and phagocytic killing by incoming neutrophils, due to oligosaccharide moieties within the lipooligosaccharides. Thus, we concluded that NTHI elicits NET formation by means of multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns (most notably endotoxin) and is highly resistant to killing within NET structures. These data support the conclusion that, for NTHI, formation of NET structures may be a persistence determinant by providing a niche within the middle-ear chamber.
National vs. international journals: views of medical professionals in Croatia

Scholarly journals, especially in non‐English‐speaking countries, may perform very different functions depending on whether they are published for national or international audiences. Four hundred and sixty‐six academic physicians and non‐academic general practitioners in Croatia were surveyed on their knowledge about two Croatian medical journals: Liječnički vjesnik (published in Croatian) and Croatian Medical Journal (published in English). The physicians were also surveyed about the importance of all national and international journals published in Croatia, and the types of articles they thought should be published in these journals. More respondents rated national (n = 329, 72.6%) than international journals (n = 275, 63.5%, P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test) as very important for the medical profession. On the other hand, publishing in international journals was more often rated as important than publishing in national journals (n = 184, 42.5% vs. n = 125, 27.8%; P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Guidelines for clinical practice were rated as the most important publication item in national journals, and original scientific articles in international journals.
Further pharmacological validation of the BALB/c neophobia in the free exploratory paradigm as an animal model of trait anxiety

The present experiments were aimed at investigating the ability of established or putative anxiolytics to reduce the neophobia exhibited by BALB/c mice in the free exploratory paradigm. Results confirm the anxiolytic effects of the benzodiazepine receptor full agonist chlordiazepoxide (2.5-7.5 mg/kg), of meprobamate (15-60 mg/kg) and of ethanol (0.5-1.5 g/kg) and extend the pharmacological action of these compounds to a test situation devoid of anxiogenic components, that is to trait anxiety. The non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK 801 (0.04-0.16 mg/kg) elicited very similar behavioural effects. However, the α2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine (0.5-2 mg/kg) and idazoxan (0.3-2.7 mg/kg), the barbiturate pentobarbital (3.75-30 mg/kg), the mixed 5HT2 receptor antagonist ritanserin (0.25-4 mg/kg) and the D2 dopaminergic antagonist sulpiride (8-32 mg/kg) failed to decrease neophobia in BALB/c mice. The discussion focuses on the adequacy of this animal model of human pathology. The BALB/c neophobia may not model panic attacks because of the absence of worsening by the panic-provoking agent yohimbine and the lack of attenuation by CCK-B receptor antagonists. Because of its chronicity, this paradigm may model generalized anxiety, a pathology that has been suggested to overlap trait anxiety.
Reinterpreting the Kernel

The reduced game relevant for the consistency of the prekernel is used to reinterpret this solution concept in a way that makes it independent of interpersonal utility comparisons. Based on this reinterpretation, a non-cooperative model is presented that yields in stationary equilibria the prekernel (kernel) for the class of monotonic transferable utility games. Next, we apply the same non-cooperative model to more general coalitional games. For pure bargaining problems, the model yields the Nash solution. For general non-transferable utility games, a natural extension of the prekernel arises. Thus, the prekernel is obtained as the set of payoffs where the relevant bargaining range between every pair of players is split in half.Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: C71, C72, C78.