Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Female Pediatric Patients Diagnosed With Genital Tract Rhabdomyosarcoma Based on Analysis of Cases Registered in SEER Database Between 1973 and 2006

Objectives:We analyzed outcomes of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the female genitourinary (GU) tract using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result database. Materials and Methods:Females (0 to 19 years of age) diagnosed with RMS of GU sites between 1973 and 2006 were included in the analysis as 2 groups, 0 to 9 and 10 to 19-year-olds. They were compared for primary site distribution, stage, histology, and therapy. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis by histology, stage, and primary sites. Results:Sixty-seven cases were identified. Twenty-six cases (38.8%) had localized disease, 11 (16.2%) had regional disease, 15 (28.4%) had distant spread, and 15 (28.4%) were unstaged. The majority (85%) had embryonal RMS. Twenty-eight tumors originated in the vagina, 26 in the cervix/uterus, and 13 in other sites including vulva, labia, ovaries. Age groups did not differ with respect to race, cancer stage, histologic type, percent of cases treated surgically, and the proportion receiving radiotherapy. Vaginal RMS was predominant in the younger age group (68.4%). In the older age group, 65.5% had RMS of the cervix or uterus. This age-related prevalence of tumor sites was statistically significant (P<0.001). Survival of patients with embryonal and early-stage tumor was superior. There was no significant difference in survival by age or primary tumor site. Conclusions:This population-based study confirmed the significance of tumor histology and stage for female GU RMS patients. Tumor sites are strongly associated with age at diagnosis.
Factors associated with optimal antenatal care use in Northern region, Ghana

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the optimal use of antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy. A facility-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and August 2014 among nursing mothers (n = 578) attending postnatal and child welfare clinics in three districts in Northern Ghana, representing urban, peri-urban, and rural zones. The developed questionnaire aided the collection of information on maternal demographic characteristics, health status, household assets, and ANC attendance. Binary logistic regression was modeled to estimate the association between optimal ANC use and mothers’ characteristics. Approximately 81% of the respondents had ≥4 ANC visits during pregnancy, and coverage was over 99%. Mothers who had any formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0–2.8, P = 0.040) lived in middle class socioeconomic households (AOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.4–4.8, P = 0.003) and resided in urban areas (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.2–3.3, P = 0.006) were significantly more likely to report the optimal ANC use. Mothers’ education, socioeconomic status, and proximity to a health facility were positively associated with the optimal ANC use. Education of females and policy initiatives aimed at improving the rural–urban divide are essential to optimize the use of ANC.
Isolation and propagation of neural stem cells in caprine (Capra hircus)

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can self‐renew and give rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes; they are found in the nervous system of mammalian organisms, representing a promising resource for both fundamental research and therapeutics. There have been few investigations on NSCs in the livestock species. Therefore, we have successfully isolated and characterised NSCs from the foetal brain of a small domestic animal, the goat (called GNSCs). These cells from the foetal brain showed self‐renewal, rapid proliferation with a population doubling time of 88 h, were morphologically homogeneous and maintained normal chromosome throughout the culture period. The cells expressed NSC‐specific markers (Sox2, Pax6 and Mushashi), but were negative for CD34 and CD45. They were capable of multi‐differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, as well as adipocytes and osteocytes. The availability of such cells may hold great interest for basic and applied neuroscience.
Obesity in Mediterranean region (1997–2007): a systematic review

The objective of this review is to determine the distribution of obesity by geographical location, income, age and sex in the Mediterranean region during the last decade. A meta‐analysis was conducted for 102 articles cited during the period (1997–2007) in Medline database (for 17 Mediterranean countries) searched during the summer of 2007 using the word ‘obesity’ and its related keywords. The study showed that adults were more obese than children in all Mediterranean continents and in different levels of income. The prevalence of obesity among European children was higher than among Asians. Also, European adults were more obese than European children. The total female adults were found to be more obese (median: 25.3%) than male adults (median: 20.0%). The regression model analysis indicated that male adults were more likely to be obese in the Euro‐Med region. Taking different factors into consideration, it was noticed that Mediterranean adults, especially those in the European region, are at higher risk of obesity. Awareness programmes addressing the importance of adopting healthy dietary habits combined with physical activity should target the whole community in general and adults in particular. The findings could guide health planners for better management of obesity.
Immune and Neural Status of Thalassemic Patients Receiving Deferiprone or Combined Deferiprone and Deferoxamine Chelation Treatment

Deferiprone (L1), has previously been reported to be associated with immunological abnormalities in iron loaded thalassemia patients. However, other factors may also have similar effects such as the level of iron overload, chronic immuno-stimulation due to transfusions, splenectomy and deferoxamine (DFO). During chelation therapy with DFO, several complications have been reported, which were due to pharmacological activity and high dose toxicity with regard to both acoustic and visual effects, as well as peripheral nerve disorders that were measured by nerve conduction velocities. The immune and neural status of 44 β-thalassemic patients, aged 10–30 years (mean 19.4 ± 4.9), receiving L1 as a monotherapy (n = 21), or in combination with DFO (n = 23), has been followed for 2 years by monitoring the level of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), the level of T and B lymphocytes (CD4/CD8), the auto antibodies: anti nuclear (ANA), anti-double-stranded (anti-ds DNA), anti reticulin (anti-R1), anti-extra nuclear (anti-ENA), anti histone (anti-AHA), anti liver-kidney-muscle (anti-LKM), anti-smooth muscle (anti-SMA), anti-thyroid (anti-ATA), anti-mitochondrial (anti-AMA) antibodies and the C-reactive protein. The percentage of patients with disorders of the immune and nervous system concerned very few cases. None of our patients with pathological findings in their immunological or neurophysiological examinations presented any signs or symptoms of involvement of the immune or nervous system. Further advantages have been identified for the oral use of L1 and its combination with DFO, including synergistic efficacy and lower dosing with limited toxicity.
Long Term Comparative Studies in Thalassemia Patients Treated with Deferoxamine or a Deferoxamine/Deferiprone Combination. Identification of Effective Chelation Therapy Protocols

For the past 2–6 years, two groups of thalassemia patients, one of 16 patients on deferoxamine (DFO) monotherapy (35–80 mg/kg, 2–5 days/week) and the other group comprising 19 patients on a deferiprone (L1) and DFO combination therapy (L1 75–100 mg/kg/day and DFO 30–60 mg/kg, 1–5 days/week), have been studied and compared before and after the introduction of the combination therapy. The patients on the combination therapy were mainly those not complying or experiencing toxicity with DFO. The effects of chelation therapy on iron load was monitored using regular serum ferritin measurements and also magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* relaxation time measurements at the end of the study. In both groups, cardiac MRI T2* levels were within the normal range (>19 ms) in more than 75% of the patients. There was a substantial improvement in serum ferritin levels and normalization of the MRI T2* levels of the liver in many cases treated with the combination therapy at effective doses by comparison to the DFO group, where the serum ferritin and MRI T2* levels were largely unchanged. It would appear that the major overall determining factor in the rapid clearance of excess iron in thalassemia patients and the maintenance of normal iron stores is the selection and implementation of effective chelation dose protocols. The International Committee on Chelation (ICOC) combination protocol L1 (80–110 mg/kg/day)/DFO (40–60 mg/kg at least 3 days per week) and to a lesser extent, DFO monotherapy at about 50 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week, appears to achieve this goal.
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of low‐carbohydrate vs. low‐fat/low‐calorie diets in the management of obesity and its comorbidities

There are few studies comparing the effects of low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diets with low‐fat/high‐carbohydrate diets for obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. This systematic review focuses on randomized controlled trials of low‐carbohydrate diets compared with low‐fat/low‐calorie diets. Studies conducted in adult populations with mean or median body mass index of ≥28 kg m−2 were included. Thirteen electronic databases were searched and randomized controlled trials from January 2000 to March 2007 were evaluated. Trials were included if they lasted at least 6 months and assessed the weight‐loss effects of low‐carbohydrate diets against low‐fat/low‐calorie diets. For each study, data were abstracted and checked by two researchers prior to electronic data entry. The computer program Review Manager 4.2. 2 was used for the data analysis. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. There were significant differences between the groups for weight, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerols and systolic blood pressure, favouring the low‐carbohydrate diet. There was a higher attrition rate in the low‐fat compared with the low‐carbohydrate groups suggesting a patient preference for a low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein approach as opposed to the Public Health preference of a low‐fat/high‐carbohydrate diet. Evidence from this systematic review demonstrates that low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diets are more effective at 6 months and are as effective, if not more, as low‐fat diets in reducing weight and cardiovascular disease risk up to 1 year. More evidence and longer‐term studies are needed to assess the long‐term cardiovascular benefits from the weight loss achieved using these diets.
Sucrose and dental caries: a review of the evidence

The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the literature to assess the relationship between quantity and pattern of sucrose use and dental caries. Using hand and electronic methods (MEDLINE, EMBASE) the literature was searched for epidemiological papers concerning any relationship of sugars and dental caries published since 1856. Superficial hand searching was carried out between 1856 and 1940, detailed hand searching 1940–1966 and electronic 1966–2007. Selection criteria were set based on, but not confined to, Cochran style standards. Investigations were categorized as A, fulfilling all criteria; B1, relevant fulfilling 19 of 23 criteria; B2, relevant but fulfilling only between 12 and 18 of the selection criteria; and C, all other papers. There were 95 papers meeting most (more than 12) or all of the selected criteria. Only 1 paper was graded A; 31 as B1. There were in addition some 65 as B2 and all the rest as C, which were discarded. There were a wide variety of study designs and those graded A or B1 comprised 23 ecological cross‐sectional, 7 cohort and 2 case control studies. Summary results showed that 6 papers found a positive, significant relationship of sugar quantity to dental caries, 19 of 31 studies reported a significant relationship of sugar frequency of use to dental caries. The balance of studies does not demonstrate a relationship between sugar quantity, but a moderately significant relationship of sugar frequency to dental caries.
BH3‐only protein Bim is upregulated and mediates the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes under glucose and oxygen‐deprivation conditions

Bim is a potent pro‐apoptotic BH3‐only Bcl‐2 member. However, the expression of Bim and its role in cardiac injury induced by ischemia remain unclear. H9c2 cells were subjected to a glucose and oxygen‐deprived (GOD) condition in vitro, mimicking ischemia environment in vivo. GOD treatment augmented the expression of Bim and induced the apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Silencing of Bim by RNAi significantly attenuated GOD‐induced cytotoxicity, suppressed mitochondrial membrane potential △Ψm loss, inhibited caspase 3 activation and reduced apoptosis. The data demonstrate that Bim is upregulated by GOD in a time‐dependent manner in H9c2 cells, and enhances mitochondrial apoptosis dependent on the activation of caspase 3. Silencing of Bim may be a promising therapeutic strategy in ischemia related heart diseases.
Establishment of a novel Chinese metastatic melanoma cell line showing the new cytogenetic and biological properties

Malignant melanoma remains the most life‐threatening skin cancer to date. What makes it worse is the incidence keeps increasing worldwide, including in China. Notably, clinical studies revealed the distinct features in the Chinese population differing from those in Caucasians, which give hints to variant mechanisms underlying. Therefore, it is of great importance to generate a cell line with similar background for melanoma research in Chinese even Asian patients. However, most melanoma cell lines in use are derived from Caucasians, thus, we established one novel metastatic melanoma cell line, FLFMM‐34, derived from a Han Chinese woman. The cell line showed positive for S100, HMB45, vimentin and melan‐A. Chromosome analysis revealed multiple structural aberrations. Gene‐mutation analysis identified that FLFMM‐34 cells had BRAFV600E mutation and deletions of exon 2 and 3 in p16/CDKN2A. Importantly, two novel mutations including TP53P33R and TP53R142H have been detected. RT‐PCR results showed that FLFMM‐34 cells expressed a higher mRNA level of cyclinD1 than three other melanoma cell lines, WM793B, 1205Lu and A2058. In addition, in vivo mice model demonstrated that the cells could be transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced tumors associated with lymphoid node metastases. In conclusion, these data indicate that FLFMM‐34 cell line can be employed as a suitable model for melanoma research in Chinese Han population.
Assessment of seasonal flu immunization status among adult patients visiting al-Sharaee Primary Health Care Center in Makkah al-Mokarramah -

Background: On the basis of epidemiologic data and worldwide experiences on influenza vaccination, both seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations are recommended for anyone 6 months of age or older who is at risk of becoming ill or of transmitting the viruses to others. Overall, the rates and seriousness of a possible complication of influenza vaccination are much smaller than the risk of serious complications and mortality from influenza infection. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of seasonal flu immunization status as well as factors associated with its acceptance among adult Saudi patients visiting the general clinic at al-Sharaee Primary Health Care Center in Makkah. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytic study conducted among 200 adult Saudi patients visiting the general clinic at al-Sharaee Primary Health Care Center in Makkah in June 2013. Data were collected from participants themselves in the presence of the researcher using a predesigned questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of dependent variable (seasonal flu immunization status) and independent variables (age, gender, educational level, marital status, job status, home/living, barriers hindering factors (fear of injection, side effects, being busy, fear of infection, desire to avoid medication, belief the vaccine was not effective, safety issue, inadequate policies, and because there was no obligation from Ministry of Health). Results: A total of 200 adult Saudi patients (100 men and 100 women) visiting the general clinic at al-Sharaee Primary Health Care Center in Makkah were recruited to explore their seasonal flu immunization status. Overall, the age of the participants ranged between 18 and 66 with a mean of 33.96±10.88 years. Only 18.5% of the participants had a history of receiving seasonal influenza vaccine. The majority of the participants claimed that they were at risk of getting flu infection (72.5%). Main sources of information were Ministry of Health (54.0%) and mass media (53.0%). Of the participants, 23% men and 14% women gave information about the history of seasonal flu vaccination with no statistically significant difference. Regarding reasons for seasonal flu vaccine refusal, concern about the vaccine’s side effects was the most reported response from both genders (76.6% men and 57.0%women), and overall it was 66.3%. Believing that the vaccine is not safe was the second reported response from both genders (45.5% men and 33.7% of women), and overall it was 39.3%. The difference between men and women was statistically significant (p o 0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, seasonal flu vaccination rate was low although majority of participants claimed that they were at risk of flu infection. Most of the participants believed that the vaccine was not safe. However, it was determined that reasons to refuse were mostly the vaccine’s side effects and not believing in the vaccine’s protectiveness.
The effects of WW2/WW3 domains of Smurf2 molecule on TGF‐β signaling and arginase I gene expression

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2) consists of multiple WW domains which can interact with Smad7 molecule and inhibit signaling of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) cytokine. Arginase I (ArgI) is one of the main products of TGF‐β signaling that plays important roles in tumor escape and airway tissue fibrosis and remodeling in asthma. In this study, the effects of TAT fused to WW2/WW3 (TAT‐WW2/WW3) recombinant protein on TGF‐β signaling and ArgI gene expression were evaluated on J774A.1 cell culture. For this purpose, interaction of TAT‐WW2/WW3 with Smad7, mRNA expression of ArgI, and phosphorylated Smad3 (P‐Smad3) were analyzed in TAT‐WW2/WW3‐treated J774A.1 cell. The results showed interaction of TAT‐WW2/WW3 with Smad7, downregulation of ArgI gene expression (P < 0.05), and higher amount of P‐Smad3 in the TAT‐WW2/WW3‐treated cells. In conclusion, we suggest that TAT‐WW2/WW3 could interfere with TGF‐β signaling and reduce ArgI gene expression. Since, ArgI has important effects on tissue remodeling in asthma and cancer progression, so these findings could be used to develop a new approach in the treatment of asthma and cancers.
Centrosome nucleates numerous ephemeral microtubules and only few of them participate in the radial array

It is generally accepted that long microtubules (MTs) grow from the centrosome with their minus ends anchored there and plus ends directed towards cell membrane. However, recent findings show this scheme to be an oversimplification. To further analyze the relationship between the centrosome and the MT array we undertook a detailed study on the MTs growing from the centrosome after microinjection of Cy3 labeled tubulin and transfection of cells with EB1‐GFP. To evaluate MTs around the centrosome two approaches were used: path photobleaching across the centrosome area (Komarova et al., ) and sequential image subtraction analysis (Vorobjev et al., ). We show that about 50% of MTs had been nucleated at the centrosome are short‐living: their mean length was 1.8 ± 0.8 μm and their life span − 7 ± 2 s. MTs initiated from the centrosome also rarely reach cell margin, since their elongation was limited and growth after shortening (rescue) was rare. After initial growth all MTs associated with the centrosome converted to pause or shortening. After pause MTs associated with the centrosome mainly depolymerized via the plus end shortening. Stability of the minus ends of cytoplasmic MTs was the same as for centrosomal ones. We conclude that in fibroblasts (1) the default behavior of free MTs in the cell interior is biased dynamic instability (i.e., random walk of the plus ends with significant positive drift); (2) MTs born at the centrosome show “dynamic instability” type behavior with no boundary; and (3) that the extended radial array is formed predominantly by MTs not associated with the centrosome.
The perilipin‐2 (adipophilin) coat of cytosolic lipid droplets is regulated by an Arf1‐dependent mechanism in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells

The cytosolic lipid droplets (cLDs) store excess intracellular lipids, and perilipin‐2 is believed to protect cLDs from degradation. Here, we investigated the role of the small G‐protein Arf1 and the proteasome in the fates of perilipin‐2 and cLDs. In oleate‐loaded cells, upon brefeldin A (BFA) treatment, perilipin‐2 remained associated with cLDs for at least 30 min before significant release, and proteasomal degradation‐mediated decrease was observed. Interestingly, the cLD population did not mimic the decline in perilipin‐2. We tested several chemical modulators of regulators of Arf1 activity on the association of perilipin‐2 with cLDs. QS11 and Exo2 accelerated the reduction in perilipin‐2, although less than BFA. In contrast, Exo1 unexpectedly slowed down its degradation. Correlatively, BFA, QS11, and Exo2 enhanced the dissociation of perilipin‐2 from cLDs, whereas Exo1 inhibited it. There was a synergistic effect of BFA with Exo2 and QS11, and of Exo2 with QS11, whereas Exo1 antagonized the effect of BFA without affecting that of Exo2 or QS11. We concluded that the Arf1 complex regulates the association of perilipin‐2 with cLDs. Additionally, MG132 and BFA modified the number of cLDs over a relatively short period.
Development of porcine tetraploid somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos is influenced by oocyte nuclei

Cloning efficiency in mammalian systems remains low because reprogramming of donor cells is frequently incomplete. Nuclear factors in the oocyte are removed by enucleation, and this removal may adversely affect reprogramming efficiency. Here, we investigated the role of porcine oocyte nuclear factors during reprogramming. We introduced somatic cell nuclei into intact MII oocytes to establish tetraploid somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos containing both somatic nuclei and oocyte nuclei. We then examined the influence of the oocyte nucleus on tetraploid SCNT embryo development by assessing characteristics including pronucleus formation, cleavage rate, and blastocyst formation. Overall, tetraploid SCNT embryos have a higher developmental competence than do standard diploid SCNT embryos. Therefore, we have established an embryonic model in which a fetal fibroblast nucleus and an oocyte metaphase II plate coexist. Tetraploid SCNT represents a new research platform that is potentially useful for examining interactions between donor nuclei and oocyte nuclei. This platform should facilitate further understanding of the roles played by nuclear factors during reprogramming.