Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality Assessment of 25(OH)D, Insulin, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and Potassium in 40-Year-Old Frozen Serum

Background. Many longitudinal epidemiological studies collect specimens into biobanks to investigate how biomarkers predict future disease. In 1968-1969, the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg (PSWG) established a biobank of serum samples. Objective. To examine the validity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and potassium after 40 years of storage at −20°C in terms of relative and absolute agreement. The quality of these markers under such condition has not been previously investigated. Methods. Baseline and remeasured levels were compared in selected samples through percentage change, correlation, and regression. 25(OH)D levels, not assessed at baseline, were compared by season, by BMI, and longitudinally over six years. Results. Despite some lack of absolute agreement, Spearman correlations were >0.7 and statistically significant for all biomarkers. The 1968-1969 25(OH)D correlated with BMI and with levels six years later . Summer 25(OH)D was higher than winter 25(OH)D . Conclusion. For all markers, baseline and remeasured levels exhibited high relative agreement. 25(OH)D was comparable with expected levels on fresh blood and varied with season. In future studies, PSWG individuals will be ranked according to these markers in order to predict incidence of disease.
The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib synergizes with irinotecan to promote colorectal cancer cell death under hypoxia

ABSTRACT Hypoxia is an inherent impediment to cancer therapy. Palbociclib, a highly selective inhibitor for CDK4/6, has been tested in numerous clinical trials and has been approved by the FDA. We previously reported that CDK inhibitors can destabilize HIF1α regardless of the presence of hypoxia and can sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL through dual blockade of CDK1 and GSK-3β. To translate this knowledge into a cancer therapeutic strategy, we investigated the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of CDK inhibition against colon cancer cells under normoxia and hypoxia. We found that palbociclib sensitizes colon cancer cells to hypoxia-induced apoptotic resistance via deregulation of HIF-1α accumulation. In addition to inhibition of cell proliferation, we observed that palbociclib promotes colon cancer cell death regardless of the presence of hypoxia at a comparatively high concentration via regulating ERK/GSK-3β signaling and GSK-3β expression. Furthermore, palbociclib synergized with irinotecan in a variety of colon cancer cell lines with various molecular subtypes via deregulating irinotecan-induced Rb phosphorylation and reducing HIF-1α accumulation under normoxia or hypoxia. Collectively, our findings provide a novel combination therapy strategy against hypoxic colon cancer cells that may be further translated in the clinic.
Clinical Characteristics of Depressed Patients With a History of Suicide Attempts: Results From the CRESCEND Study in South Korea

South Korea is a country with one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and the suicide rate is still on the rise. The purpose of this study was to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of suicide attempts and risk factors related to suicide attempts among depressed patients in South Korea. Among the 1183 participants, 21.4% had a history of a suicide attempt. When the severity of depression was controlled, the risk factors for patients who attempted suicide included younger age, experienced significant life events before 12 years of age, psychotic symptoms, and previous depressive episodes. The characteristics of attempted suicide in depressed patients in South Korea can be summarized as a high suicide attempt rate with no difference in the number of suicide attempts and lethality between males and females. This unique tendency is probably related to the sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of South Korea.
A Comparison-study of the Effects of Conventional and Video Laryngoscopic Intubation on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

GlidescopeⓇ is a video-assisted intubation device.It offers a clear view and is easy to use, giving it several advantages over conventional intubation devises.This study was designed to compare the hemodynamic effects and POGO scores between conventional and video laryngoscopic intubation. Methods:Sixty adult patients with ASA 1 or 2 were randomly allocated into two groups; GlidescopeⓇ (group G) or Macintosh (group M). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil.Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded just prior to intubation and 1, 3, and 5 minutes after intubation.POGO scores, intubation time and the severity of sore throat were also recorded. Results:There were no significant differences in SBP, MBP, DBP, HR, POGO score, intubation time and the severity of sore throat between two groups. Conclusions:The POGO scores and hemodynamic changes associated with tracheal intubation using the GlidescopeⓇ were almost the same as that of the Macintosh group.
Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of honeys produced by Apis mellifera in Thailand

Honey samples produced by Apis mellifera, both unifloral and multifloral (i.e. longan, sabsua, lychee, rambutan, sunflower, kapok, sesame, para rubber and wild flowers) from different sources in Thailand were examined for their antibacterial and antifungal activities as well as antioxidant properties. An agar incorporation technique was used to assess the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of honey against fourteen species of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella typhimurium and Propionibacterium acnes) and two species of yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The Folin-Ciocalteu assay was used to measure phenol content and the 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to determine the scavenging activity of the honey samples. The honey samples were found to inhibit all of the tested bacteria but not the two species of yeasts. Antioxidant properties, determined by average phenol content was in the range of 493.79 ± 34.78 -1,160.39 ± 348.66 mg GAE/kg. The DPPH radical scavenging assay was found to have an IC50 in the range of 5.8 ± 1.55-19.76 ± 6.09 mg/mL.
Complications and. Treatment of Acquired Aplastic Anaemia

The clinical and haematological findings in 43 cases of aplastic anaemia are reviewed. Approximately two‐thirds of the cases were considered to be secondary to toxic agents, the commonest of which were chloramphenicol and phenylbutazone, and one‐third were idiopathic. Severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were a feature of the series, a neutrophil count of less than 500/cu.mm. and a platelet count of less than 20,000/cu.mm. being found initially in over one‐half of cases. There was an unexplained and marked elevation of the ESR in over 90 per cent of cases. Fifty‐two episodes of infection occurred in 29 patients (67 per cent); 36 of these episodes were serious. Infection was more frequent in young patients and serious infection was more likely in the presence of severe neutropenia. The occurrence of infection, especially serious infection, was usually followed by a fall in neutrophil and platelet counts, and frequently by the onset of serious bleeding. Bleeding phenomena occurred at some stage in all but one patient and in two‐thirds of cases the bleeding was serious. Thrombocytopenia was marked in patients with serious bleeding but equally low platelet counts were found in patients in whom bleeding was not serious. The onset of serious bleeding was more likely in the presence of infection.
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human amnion in chemically defined conditions

ABSTRACT Fetal stem cells are a unique type of adult stem cells that have been suggested to be broadly multipotent with some features of pluripotency. Their clinical potential has been documented but their upgrade to full pluripotency could open up a wide range of cell-based therapies particularly suited for pediatric tissue engineering, longitudinal studies or disease modeling. Here we describe episomal reprogramming of mesenchymal stem cells from the human amnion to pluripotency (AM-iPSC) in chemically defined conditions. The AM-iPSC expressed markers of embryonic stem cells, readily formed teratomas with tissues of all three germ layers present and had a normal karyotype after around 40 passages in culture. We employed novel computational methods to determine the degree of pluripotency from microarray and RNA sequencing data in these novel lines alongside an iPSC and ESC control and found that all lines were deemed pluripotent, however, with variable scores. Differential expression analysis then identified several groups of genes that potentially regulate this variability in lines within the boundaries of pluripotency, including metallothionein proteins. By further studying this variability, characteristics relevant to cell-based therapies, like differentiation propensity, could be uncovered and predicted in the pluripotent stage.
Neuronal growth‐inhibitory factor (metallothionein‐3): structure–function relationships

Neuronal growth‐inhibitory factor (GIF), also named metallothionein‐3, inhibits the outgrowth of neuronal cells. Recent studies on the structure of human GIF, carried out using NMR and molecular dynamics simulation techniques, have been summarized. By studying a series of protein‐engineered mutants of GIF, we showed that the bioactivity of GIF is modulated by multiple factors, including the unique TCPCP motif‐induced characteristic conformation, the solvent accessibility and dynamics of the metal–thiolate cluster, and the domain–domain interactions.
Zinc finger transcription factor 191, directly binding to β‐catenin promoter, promotes cell proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Activation of β‐catenin, the central effector of the canonical wingless‐type (Wnt) pathway, has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the transcription regulation mechanism of the β‐catenin gene in HCC remains unknown. Here we report that human zinc finger protein 191 (ZNF191) is a potential regulator of β‐catenin transcription. ZNF191, a Krüppel‐like protein, specifically interacts with the TCAT motif, which constitutes the HUMTH01 microsatellite in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene ex vivo. We demonstrate that ZNF191 is significantly overexpressed in human HCC specimens and is associated with growth of human HCC cells. Global profiling of gene expression in ZNF191 knockdown human hepatic L02 cells revealed that the important Wnt signal pathway genes β‐catenin and cyclin D1 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are significantly down‐regulated. In agreement with transcription level, β‐catenin and cyclin D1 proteins are also down‐regulated in transient and stable ZNF191 knockdown L02 and hepatoma Hep3B cell lines. Moreover, significant correlation between ZNF191 and β‐catenin mRNA expression was detected in human HCCs. Promoter luciferase assay indicated that ZNF191 can increase transcription activity of the full‐length β‐catenin (CTNNB1) promoter, and nucleotide (nt)‐1407/‐907 of the CTNNB1 promoter exhibited the maximum transcriptional activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that purified ZNF191 protein can directly bind to the CTNNB1 promoter, and the binding region is located at nt‐1254/‐1224. Finally, we demonstrate that the key binding sequence of ZNF191 in vivo is ATTAATT. Conclusion: ZNF191 can directly bind to the CTNNB1 promoter and activate the expression of β‐catenin and its downstream target genes such as cyclin D1 in hepatoma cell lines. This study uncovers a new molecular mechanism of transcription regulation of the β‐catenin gene in HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;55:1830–1839)
A Bidimensional Solution for Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Although depressive symptoms have been consistently associated with lower quality of life and increased disability in bipolar disorder, their relation to manic symptoms is not as clear cut. A great overlap between these outcomes complicates the understanding of how they cluster together. We used exploratory factor analysis to clarify the relation between these constructs. We consecutively recruited 320 patients with bipolar disorder, and interviewers rated the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales, the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). The self-rated Sheehan Disability Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaires were also collected. Two distinct and large dimensions emerged. Depression and anxiety, along with the self-rated scales, loaded in the first factor, whereas the YMRS, the GAF, and the CGI loaded in the second. These findings imply that evaluating self- and observer-rated outcomes may make up for a more thorough evaluation because each conveys unique illness information.
Substance-Involved Driving: Predicting Driving after Using Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drugs

Objectives: Substantial research has examined the influence of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs on driving performance; however, which psychosocial characteristics of individuals who drive while under the influence of alcohol (DUIA), marijuana (DUIM), and other drugs (DUID), how these characteristics interrelate with each other, and how they differ across degrees of substance-involved driving (SID) have not been thoroughly investigated. This article identified psychosocial predictors of SID while accounting for driving behavior and the type and level of substance use and examined the associations of psychosocial characteristics and SID with citations for traffic offenses. Methods: Telephone survey data and state driver history records for a sample of 5,244 young adults were analyzed using t-tests and logistic and multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the correlates and predictors of substance-involved driving. Results: Psychosocial characteristics predicted DUIA, DUIM, and DUID when tested in separate models and adjusting for driving behavior. When the substance in question was added to each model, a unique association between psychosocial characteristics and DUIA remained, but the associations between psychosocial characteristics and DUIM and DUID were completely mediated by the frequency of marijuana use and level of other drug use in their respective models. Multinomial logistic regression predicting the degree of SID, which was based on the types and combinations of SID behaviors, showed that after controlling for the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, psychosocial characteristics maintained a unique association with the degree of SID. Finally, when adjusting for driving behavior and psychosocial characteristics, the degree of SID predicted having a traffic offense. Conclusions: These results indicate that reducing substance use is not the only means of targeting substance-involved driving. Interventions could have enhanced effectiveness if they also targeted individual psychosocial and behavioral characteristics, either to alter these behaviors or by tailoring the intervention or program for these characteristics.
Earliest Gait Deviations During Slips: Implications For Recovery

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This study identified that deviations in vertical force and knee angle/angular velocity of the slipping leg occur earlier in stance and with greater magnitude than other lower-body motions when a person experiences an unexpected slip. Deviations in the ankle angle/angular velocity and hip angular velocity occurred soon after the knee angle and with smaller magnitudes. These results suggest that foot somatosensation and ankle/knee proprioception may play a role in sensing a slip. Therefore, workers with sensation loss in their foot, ankle, and/or knee may have an impaired ability to respond to slipping. Exposure to simulated slip perturbations may also be part of slip-and-fall prevention programs. To ensure biofidelity of such training perturbations, foot forces should initially be reduced, followed by extension deviations of the knee, and then plantarflexion deviations of the ankle. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Rationale: Slip-and-fall accidents are a serious occupational and public health concern. The biomechanical deviations due to a slip occurring prior to the postural response onset are still not well understood. Understanding this period of the slip would provide insight into the sensory cues for slipping and may provide guidance in developing slip-training protocols. Purpose: This study examined the timing and magnitude of deviations in vertical force and lower-body joint angles and angular velocities of slips compared to unperturbed walking. Methods: Twenty-nine younger and 29 middle-aged participants walked under normal unperturbed conditions and during an unexpected slip. Joint angle and angular velocity trajectories and ground reaction forces were evaluated. Deviations occurring during the slipping trial that exceeded ±2.58 standard deviations (99% confidence interval) were identified as the onset of deviation from normal walking. Results: Deviation timing (and peak magnitude in the first 200 ms) of vertical force, knee angle, knee angular velocity, ankle angle, ankle angular velocity, and hip angular velocity of the slipping leg occurred at 58 ms (0.17 BW reduction), 116 ms (6.7° extension), 111 ms (87°/s extension), 156 ms (4.4° plantarflexion), 122 ms (86°/s plantarflexion), and 149 ms (18.9°/s flexion), respectively. Deviations normalized to baseline stride-to-stride standard deviation revealed largest deviations in vertical force and knee angle and then knee angular velocity and ankle angle and angular velocity. No age effects were found. Conclusions: These results suggest that foot somatosensation as well as ankle and knee proprioception from the slipping leg may be among the first sensory cues to slipping. Exposure to simulated slip perturbations may be part of slip-and-fall prevention programs. To ensure biofidelity of such perturbations, foot forces should initially be reduced, followed by extension deviations of the knee, and then plantarflexion deviations of the ankle.
Traffic Risk Behaviors at Nightlife: Drinking, Taking Drugs, Driving, and Use of Public Transport by Young People

Road traffic crashes associated with nightlife alcohol and recreational drug use are a major health problem for young people. Objectives: This study explores use of different forms of transport to and from nightlife environments and the relationships between traffic risk behaviors, drunkenness, and drug consumption. Methods: 1363 regular nightlife users from nine European cities in 2006 completed a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire. Sampling utilized a variation of respondent-driven sampling. Results: Private car was the most frequent form of transport used when going out, especially by males and older individuals. Drug use was related to crashes and traffic risk behaviors, including having a lift from someone drunk or driving drunk or driving having taken drugs; drunkenness was related to risk behaviors but not to crashes (possibly because drunk people tend to use the private car less). Males showed higher levels of drunkenness and drug consumption, traffic risk behaviors, and traffic crashes. Age is not related to the traffic risk behaviors, but older individuals had less crashes. Conclusions: There are serious health problems related to transport and recreational nightlife activities. It is necessary to improve later public transport services, complemented by actions that deter the use of private cars. The relationships of both drunkenness and cannabis/cocaine use with traffic risk behaviors should be addressed and programs implemented to change risk perceptions on the effects of illegal drugs on driving.
Road Traffic Injuries among Middle School Students in a Rural Area of China

Objective: Injuries resulting from road traffic crashes are a major and growing public health problem worldwide, disproportionately affecting vulnerable road users in developing countries. However, research on road traffic injuries in developing countries has been limited. We studied road traffic injuries among middle school students in a rural area of China. Methods: We surveyed 1551 students in Hunan province using a hard-copy survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted at two middle schools with the cooperation of teachers and school officials. The questionnaire gathered data including sociodemographics, school activities, and sleep patterns along with road traffic injuries among middle students during a 3-month recall period in 2006. Road traffic injuries were defined as injuries incurred as a result of a road traffic collision involving at least one vehicle in motion on a public or private road that resulted in at least one person being injured. Results: There were 56 road traffic injuries reported by the surveyed students yielding a rate of 3.6 percent over the 3-month period. The greatest percentage of those injuries involved a motorcycle (80%). Nearly two fifths of injuries resulted in a period of activity restriction lasting one day or more (39%). The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that there were statistically significant associations between the assignment of extra homework by parents (odds ratio [OR] = 3.78, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.49–9.60, p-value < 0.01) and parents' treatment for poor academic performance (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.18–4.02, p-value < 0.05) with road traffic injuries and difficulty falling asleep was a marginally a significant risk factor (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 0.78–5.28, p-value = 0.06). Conclusion: School-related stress and sleep disturbance were identified as possible risk factors for road traffic injuries among students in a rural area of China. Further research is warranted in order to develop prevention strategies to address these preventable injuries.
Efficient suppression of murine intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 using ultrasound‐responsive and mannose‐modified lipoplexes inhibits acute hepatic inflammation

Hepatitis is often associated with the overexpression of various adhesion molecules. In particular, intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), which is expressed on hepatic endothelial cells (HECs) in the early stage of inflammation, is involved in serious illnesses. Therefore, ICAM‐1 suppression in HECs enables the suppression of inflammatory responses. Here, we developed an ICAM‐1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfer method using ultrasound (US)‐responsive and mannose‐modified liposome/ICAM‐1 siRNA complexes (Man‐PEG2000 bubble lipoplexes [Man‐PEG2000 BLs]), and achieved efficient HEC‐selective ICAM‐1 siRNA delivery in combination with US exposure. Moreover, the sufficient ICAM‐1 suppression effects were obtained via this ICAM‐1 siRNA transfer in vitro and in vivo, and potent anti‐inflammatory effects were observed in various types of inflammation, such as lipopolysaccharide, dimethylnitrosamine, carbon tetrachloride, and ischemia/reperfusion‐induced inflammatory mouse models. Conclusion: HEC‐selective and efficient ICAM‐1 siRNA delivery using Man‐PEG2000 BLs and US exposure enables suppression of various types of acute hepatic inflammation. This novel siRNA delivery method may offer a valuable system for medical treatment where the targeted cells are HECs. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;56:259–269)