Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Study of Serotonin Transporter Gene (SLC6A4) in Systemic Sclerosis in European Caucasian Populations

Objective. Serotonin is a key contributing factor in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by inducing pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PA-SMC) proliferation. This relates specifically to the internalization process in PA-SMC of the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4 or 5-HTT). A long (L)/short (S) (44 base pair insertion) functional polymorphism within the promoter of the transporter SLC6A4 gene has been reported to be associated with familial and idiopathic PAH. Our objective was to determine whether polymorphisms of SLC6A4 confer susceptibility to SSc and its vascular phenotype. Methods. Three Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs2066713, rs1042173, rs6354) chosen using Hapmap and linkage disequilibrium data were genotyped in a total cohort of 667 SSc patients (56 with PAH, 207 with digital ulcerations) and 447 controls. All individuals were of French Caucasian origin. L/S polymorphism genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction in a random subgroup of 364 SSc patients (34 with PAH, 138 with digital ulcerations) and 218 controls. Results. Three polymorphisms (L/S, rs2066713, rs1042173) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control population, but rs6354 deviated. Allelic and genotypic frequencies for these 3 polymorphisms were similar in SSc patients and controls. Subphenotype analyses of subsets with PAH and digital ulceration did not detect any difference between SSc patients compared to controls. Conclusion. These results from a large cohort of European Caucasian SSc patients do not support the implication of SLC6A4 in the pathogenesis of SSc and its vascular subphenotypes. However, serotonin pathways remain good candidates to contribute to the vasculopathy of SSc.
Carnosine Prevents Apoptosis of Glomerular Cells and Podocyte Loss in STZ Diabetic Rats

Background/Aims: We identified carnosinase-1 (CN-1) as risk-factor for diabetic nephropathy (DN). Carnosine, the substrate for CN-1, supposedly is a protective factor regarding diabetic complications. In this study, we hypothesized that carnosine administration to diabetic rats might protect the kidneys from glomerular apoptosis and podocyte loss. Methods: We examined the effect of oral L-carnosine administration (1g/kg BW per day) on apoptosis, podocyte loss, oxidative stress, AGEs and hexosamine pathway in kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats after 3 months of diabetes and treatment. Results: Hyperglycemia significantly reduced endogenous kidney carnosine levels. In parallel, podocyte numbers significantly decreased (-21% compared to non-diabetics, p<0.05), apoptotic glomerular cells numbers increased (32%, compared to non-diabetic, p<0.05) and protein levels of bax and cytochrome c increased (175% and 117%). Carnosine treatment restored carnosine kidney levels, prevented podocytes loss (+23% compared to diabetic, p<0.05), restrained glomerular apoptosis (-34% compared to diabetic; p<0.05) and reduced expression of bax and cytochrome c (-63% and -54% compared to diabetics, both p<0.05). In kidneys of all diabetic animals, levels of ROS, AGEs and GlcNAc-modified proteins were increased. Conclusion: By inhibition of pro-apoptotic signaling and independent of biochemical abnormalities, carnosine protects diabetic rat kidneys from apoptosis and podocyte loss.
Modeling and Image Processing for Visualization of Volcanic Mapping

In countries such as Italy, Japan, and Mexico, where active volcanoes are located in highly populated areas, the problem of risk reduction is very important. Actual knowledge about volcanic behavior does not allow deterministic event prediction or the forecasting of eruptions. However, areas exposed to eruptions can be analyzed if eruption characteristics can be inferred or assumed. Models to simulate volcanic eruptions and identify hazardous areas have been developed by collaboration between the IBM Italy Pisa Scientific Center and the Earth Science Department of Pisa University (supported by the Italian National Group of Volcanology of the Italian National Research Council). The input to the models is the set of assumed eruption characteristics: the typology of the phenomenon (ash fall, pyroclastic flow, etc.), vent position, total eruptible mass, wind profile, etc. The output of the models shows volcanic product distribution at ground level. These models are reviewed and their use in hazard estimation (compared with the more traditional techniques currently in use) is outlined. Effective use of these models, by public administrators and planners in preparing plans for the evacuation of hazardous zones, requires the clear and effective display of model results. Techniques to display and visualize such data have been developed by the authors. In particular, a computer program has been implemented on the IBM 7350 Image Processing System to display model outputs, representing both volume (in two dimensions) and distribution of ejected material, and to superimpose the displays upon satellite images that show 3D oblique views of terrain. This form of presentation, realized for various sets of initial conditions and eruption times, represents a very effective visual tool for volcanic hazard zoning and evacuation planning.
Prevalence and Determinants of Under-nutrition among School-aged Children in an Urban Slum in India

School-aged children constitute as much as 20% of the Indian population. The age group of 5 – 14 years is often regarded as school-age. The foundation of good health and sound mind is laid during this period. It is widely known that under-nutrition is rampant amongst children of this age group. However, even large scale surveys such as National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted throughout India have not generated any information on prevalence of under-nutrition among school-aged children. While NFHS 1 covered nutritional status of children under 4 years of age, both NFHS 2 and 3 covered the same for children under 3 years of age. There is a genuine dearth of community-based studies regarding prevalence of and factors influencing under-nutrition among school-aged children. This paucity of studies is even more pronounced when it comes to children residing in urban slums of India. The objectives were to study the prevalence of and factors influencing under-nutrition among urban slum-dwelling children. This Cross sectional Study was done in an urban slum area in Meerut city over a period of Five months (February 2011-June 2011) among children in the age group of 5-14 years. Sample Size was Four hundred and Sampling Technique used was Simple Random Sampling. Data was collected by conducting house to house visits, measuring height and weight of children and also through interview using a structured questionnaire. The prevalence of underweight in children was found to be 48.0% (95% CI 43.00-52.99). 56% of the undernourished children were boys. Significantly higher prevalence rates were observed among children having unpiped water supply to the house {(P<0.01), OR=4.64 (95% CI 1.52-14.13)}, having suffered from diarrhoea in last 1 year {(P<0.001), OR=4.93 (95% CI 3.22-7.55)}, having history of passing worms in last 6 months {(P<0.01), OR=2.00 (95% CI 1.25-3.20)}, and among those children who had never taken deworming {(P<0.001), OR=2.95 (95% CI 1.83-4.76)}. The study concluded that, to combat under-nutrition among children in its entirety, good living conditions, along with adequate and good quality food, should be provided to each child. Keywords: BMI for age, School-Aged Children, Under-Nutrition, Underweight
A novel toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist antibody ameliorates inflammation but impairs mucosal healing in murine colitis Running Title: Dual effect of anti-TLR4 antibody in murine colitis

Dysregulated innate immune responses to commensal bacteria contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). TLR4 is over-expressed in the intestinal mucosa of IBD patients and may contribute to uncontrolled inflammation. However, TLR4 is also an important mediator of intestinal repair. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a TLR4 antagonist on inflammation and intestinal repair in two murine models of IBD. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6J mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or by transferring CD45Rb T cells into RAG1-/mice. An antibody (Ab) against the TLR4/MD-2 complex or isotype control Ab was administered intraperitoneally during DSS treatment, recovery from DSS colitis, or induction of colitis in RAG1-/mice. Colitis severity was assessed by disease activity index (DAI) and histology. The effect of the Ab on the inflammatory infiltrate was determined by cell isolation and immunohistochemistry. Mucosal expression of inflammatory mediators was analyzed by real-time PCR and ELISA. Blocking TLR4 at the beginning of DSS administration delayed the development of colitis with significantly lower DAI scores. Anti-TLR4 Ab treatment decreased macrophage and dendritic cell infiltrate and reduced mucosal expression of CCL2, CCL20, TNF-α, and IL-6. Anti-TLR4 Ab treatment during recovery from DSS colitis resulted in defective mucosal healing with lower expression of Cox-2, PGE2, and amphiregulin. In contrast, TLR4 blockade had minimal efficacy in ameliorating inflammation in the adoptive transfer model of chronic colitis. Our findings suggest that anti-TLR4
Identification of key genes implicated in the suppressive function of human FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells through the analysis of time-series data

Human forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+ cluster of differentiation (CD)25+CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a type of T cell that express CD4, CD25 and FOXP3, which are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis. The present study aimed to determine the mechanisms underlying Treg function. The GSE11292 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, which included data from Treg cells at 19 time points (0–360 min) with an equal interval of 20 min, and corresponding repeated samples. However, data for Treg cells at time point 120 min were missing. Using the Mfuzz package, the key genes were identified by clustering analysis. Subsequently, regulatory networks and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and merged into integrated networks using Cytoscape software. Using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discover software, enrichment analyses were performed for the genes involved in the PPI networks. Cluster 1 (including 292 genes), cluster 2 (including 111 genes), cluster 3 (including 194 genes) and cluster 4 (including 103 genes) were obtained from the clustering analysis. GAPDH (degree, 40) in cluster 1, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) (degree, 10) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5A) (degree, 9) in cluster 3, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (degree, 26) and interleukin 2 (IL2) (degree, 22) in cluster 4 had higher degrees in the PPI networks. In addition, it was indicated that several genes may have a role in Treg function by targeting other genes [e.g. microRNA (miR)-146b-3p→TNF, miR-146b-5p→TNF, miR-142-5p→TNF and tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28)→GAPDH]. Enrichment analyses indicated that IL2 and TNF were enriched in the immune response and T cell receptor signaling pathway. In conclusion, GAPDH targeted by TRIM28, TNF targeted by miR-146b-3p, miR-146b-5p and miR-142-5p, in addition to JAK2, IL2, and STAT5A may serve important roles in Treg function.
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Cardiovascular Journals from 1997-2007 : Analysis of 5-Year Citation Rates

Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT; Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia; Section of General Internal Medicine, Dept of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Dept of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Division of Cardiology, Dept of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; University of Missouri–Kansas City, School of Medicine, Biomedical & Health Informatics, Kansas City, MO; Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Kansas City, MO; Dept of Internal Medicine and Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dept of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Dietary habits of pregnant women in Ogun-East Senatorial Zone, Ogun State, Nigeria: A comparative study

Poor maternal nutrition in pregnancy leads to increased morbidity and negative pregnancy outcomes including low birth weight and peri-natal mortality. Pregnancy places extra demands on the body systems of pregnant women, necessitating optimal intake of essential nutrients. Rural and urban disparities in nutritional status have been documented in literature. A cross-sectional comparative assessment of the dietary intake of 720 pregnant women accessing antenatal care at selected rural and urban primary health centers, in Ogun State, was carried out using multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires and 24 h dietary recall forms. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 15.00 and total intake assessment software. Relevant inferential statistics were calculated. The mean intake of most nutrients was significantly higher (p 0.05) in the types of vegetables consumed by rural and urban respondents. The types of snacks consumed were significantly different (p = 0.032), but there was no difference (p = 0.652) in frequency of snack consumption between both groups. The rural women had higher nutrient consumption compared to their urban counterparts. Continuous nutrition education will go a long way in ensuring adequate nutrient intake among pregnant women. Key words: Diet, intake, pregnant, Ogun.
Acute cholecystitis: preoperative CT can help the surgeon consider conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE To establish whether preoperative computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with acute cholecystitis were associated with conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in patients with calculous acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study protocol was approved by the local institutional review board, and written informed consent was provided by all patients at enrollment. From 2008 to 2010, all patients admitted to a university medical center with acute calculous cholecystitis and for whom a preoperative contrast material-enhanced CT study was available were prospectively included. Cholecystectomy was always initiated laparoscopically. To identify risk factors for conversion specifically related to acute cholecystitis, CT studies were analyzed according to predefined criteria by two radiologists who were blinded to the patient's conversion status. Associations between conversion and radiologic findings were assessed by using univariate and multivariate logistic models. RESULTS A total of 108 patients were analyzed (61 men, 47 women; median age, 58 years; age range, 17-88 years). Conversion occurred in 24 (22%) cases. On preoperative CT images, the absence of gallbladder wall enhancement was associated with the presence of gangrenous acute cholecystitis (sensitivity, 73%). The absence of gallbladder wall enhancement (58% and 40% for conversion and nonconversion, respectively; P = .02) and the presence of a gallstone in the gallbladder infundibulum (78% and 22% for conversion and nonconversion, respectively; P = .04) were associated with acute cholecystitis-related conversion in a multivariate analysis. Interobserver agreement for CT study interpretation was very good (median k value, 0.92; range, 0.76-1.00). CONCLUSION The absence of gallbladder wall enhancement (associated with the presence of gangrenous acute cholecystitis) and the presence of a gallstone in the gallbladder infundibulum are associated with conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.
Riesgos y daños a la salud derivados del uso de videoterminal

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relacion de danos a la salud con el uso de videoterminal, riesgos laborales y factores psicosociales en trabajadores de un diario informativo. MATERIAL Y METODOS: En 1998 se estudio una muestra representativa (n=68) de una poblacion de 218 trabajadores de un diario informativo de la Ciudad de Mexico. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos a partir de una encuesta de autoaplicacion, los cuales fueron comparados posteriormente con datos de examenes clinicos. La hipotesis de esta investigacion sustenta que, tanto el uso actual como la exposicion acumulada de videoterminal, se asocian con mayor riesgo de presentar padecimientos visuales, musculo-esqueleticos y dermatologicos; trastornos mentales y psicosomaticos, y fatiga general. Los resultados fueron analizados en funcion de diferentes riesgos laborales: (riesgo visual, trabajo sedentario, uso de mouse, riesgo postural, calor excesivo y hacinamiento) y factores psicosociales derivados de la organizacion del trabajo (demandas psicologicas, control sobre el trabajo y apoyo social). Para valorar su relacion con los danos derivados del uso de videoterminal, se estimaron razones de prevalencias ajustadas por confusores potenciales (edad, sexo y escolaridad). RESULTADOS: Las mujeres presentaron prevalencias mas elevadas de trastornos musculo-esqueleticos en la mayoria de los danos investigados, y las diferencias fueron significativas entre ambos sexos para dermatitis y eczema seborreico. El uso de videoterminal se asocio con mayor riesgo de fatiga neurovisual, trastornos musculo-esqueleticos en manos y extremidades superiores, dermatitis y eczema seborreico. De los riesgos laborales, los mas asociados con trastornos fueron el uso de mouse y el riesgo postural. Los factores psicosociales se relacionaron principalmente con los padecimientos de naturaleza psicologica (trastornos mentales, psicosomaticos y fatiga general). CONCLUSIONES: Con el uso intensivo de videoterminal los padecimientos investigados son frecuentes, en especial, los trastornos musculo-esqueleticos en manos. Ademas, el enriquecimiento de las tareas y el propio control del proceso laboral tuvieron efecto protector contra los trastornos psicosomaticos y la fatiga patologica.
Diabetes and Depression in the Hispanic/Latino Community

N early 12% of all Hispanics have diabetes, compared to 7.1% of non-Hispanic whites. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is not homogenous within subgroups of the Hispanic population, but instead ranges from as low as 7.6% for Cubans to as high as 13.3 and 13.8% for Puerto Rican and Mexican Americans, respectively.1 Disparities in some diabetes-related complications are also higher among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic whites.2,3 The prevalence rates for depression are significantly higher among adults with diabetes than among those without diabetes.4 People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression.4 Comorbid depression affects 15–30% of all adults with diabetes and is associated with more diabetes-related symptoms, worse glycemic control, poorer self-management (worse adherence to dietary and medication recommendations, less physical activity, and less frequent glucose monitoring and foot care),5 higher prevalence of complications, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality.6–10 Despite that, fewer than 25% of people with diabetes and depression are adequately treated.6,11,12 Limited data exist about the prevalence of comorbid depression among Hispanics. Current research shows that Hispanics with diabetes are less likely to be diagnosed with comorbid depression,13 despite prevalence rates equal to or higher than rates among non-Hispanic whites,14 and they are half as likely to receive treatment.15 This article briefly describes depression in the Hispanic community; the relationship between diabetes, depression, and culture; and how advocacy can play a role in addressing this problem. Studies of Hispanic culture and health often describe Hispanics as having a set of health beliefs and behaviors and definitions of health and illness, including perceived causes of illnesses. Hispanics also stress the role of the family, religion, and other traditional practices depending on their …
Motion Pattern Extraction and Event Detection for Automatic Visual Surveillance

Efficient analysis of human behavior in video surveillance scenes is a very challenging problem. Most traditional approaches fail when applied in real conditions and contexts like amounts of persons, appearance ambiguity, and occlusion. In this work, we propose to deal with this problem by modeling the global motion information obtained from optical flow vectors. The obtained direction and magnitude models learn the dominant motion orientations and magnitudes at each spatial location of the scene and are used to detect the major motion patterns. The applied region-based segmentation algorithm groups local blocks that share the same motion direction and speed and allows a subregion of the scene to appear in different patterns. The second part of the approach consists in the detection of events related to groups of people which are merge, split, walk, run, local dispersion, and evacuation by analyzing the instantaneous optical flow vectors and comparing the learned models. The approach is validated and experimented on standard datasets of the computer vision community. The qualitative and quantitative results are discussed.
Effects of music relaxation video on pain and anxiety for women with gynaecological cancer receiving intracavitary brachytherapy: a randomised controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of music relaxation video on pain severity, opioid utilisation, and anxiety experienced by women with gynaecological cancer undergoing intracavitary brachytherapy. A two-group randomised controlled trial was conducted in an academic comprehensive cancer centre. Sixty women were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 31) that watched a 30-minute music relaxation video four times (total 120 minutes) or a control group (n = 29) that received standard nursing care during the first 44 hours of the intracavitary brachytherapy. Data were collected to evaluate the effects on pain severity, opioid utilisation and anxiety between groups. Pain scores were measured before and after patients watched the 30-minute music relaxation video and anxiety scores were measured following the video. The amount of opioid consumption was recorded during the 44-hour treatment. Data were tested using ANOVA and t-test. Perceived pain reduction was statistically significant in the experimental group (p = 0.027), but this did not translate into lower total consumption of opioids between the two study groups. Anxiety level reduction was statistically significant in the experimental group (p = 0.001). Music relaxation videos hold promise to be used in conjunction with standard pharmacologic therapy to reduce perceived pain and anxiety levels during the treatments.