Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Composition of amino Acids, fatty acids, minerals and dietary fiber in some of the local and import rice varieties of Malaysia

In this study, three popular, regionally grown rice varieties (Bario, brown and white) were compared with three of the most popular and highly marketed imported rice varieties (black, glutinous and basmati rice) in Penang region of Malaysia. Rice samples were evaluated for amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, heavy metals and dietary fiber composition. Overall, amino acids content among all the rice samples were comparable to each other. Results with regard to minerals showed potassium to be high in brown rice (197.41 mg/100g), while magnesium was recorded to be high in black rice (107.21 mg/100g). Heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, mercury and lead, though present, they were in negligible amounts. Among all the rice varieties investigated, the total saturated fatty acid and unsaturated fatty acid content was highest in black rice (5.89%). The soluble dietary fiber was higher in white rice (16.39%), whereas insoluble dietary fiber was high in brown (16.51%) and black rice (14.49%), respectively. Results generated from this study is anticipated to benefit both the health wary consumers (based on their potential nutritional attributes) as well as the local food industries to choose the best rice variety while developing novel rice based food products.
Electroencephalograms in children of alcoholic fathers.

The present study tested the hypothesis that 12-yr-old sons of alcoholic fathers will evidence an excess of fast EEG activity. Such sons have been shown to be at high risk for alcoholism. In this study, EEGs were recorded on a sample of 265 subjects who had been selected to maximize risk for deviant behavior (children of schizophrenics and children of psychopathic or character disordered parents) or selected as controls (children of normal parents). The sample included 27 children of alcoholic fathers and 258 children of non-alcoholic parents. The hypothesis was confirmed, suggesting that the biological risk for alcoholism in sons of alcoholics may relate to biological factors predisposing to alcoholism.
Case‐Control Study of Risk Factors for Incident HIV Infection in Rural Uganda

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with HIV incidence in a rural Ugandan population. Design: Case‐control study. Methods: Men and women who seroconverted between 1990 and 1997 (cases) and seronegative subjects (controls) were drawn from a general population cohort of approximately 5000 adults in rural, southwestern Uganda. Information on risk factors was ascertained through a detailed interview and physical examination by clinicians who were blind to the study subjects' HIV status. All patients were interviewed within 2 years of their estimated date of seroconversion. Results: Data were available on 130 men (37 cases, 93 controls) and 133 women (46 cases, 87 controls). There was a significantly higher risk of infection in men (odds ratio [OR], 6.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06‐39.84) and women (OR, 4.75; 95% CI, 1.26‐17.9) who were unmarried and in a steady relationship, and in men who were divorced, separated, or widowed (OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.32‐14.25) compared with those who were married. There was a significantly higher risk of HIV infection in men (OR, 3.78; 95% CI, 1.20‐11.93) and women (OR, 20.78; 95% CI, 2.94‐141.2) who reported ≥5 lifetime sexual partners compared with those who reported at most 1 partner. For men, there was an increased risk of infection associated with receiving increasing numbers of injections in the 6 months prior to interview (p < .001 for trend). Women reporting sex against their will in the year prior to interview were at higher risk of infection (OR, 7.84; 95% CI, 1.29‐47.86,; p = .020). Conclusions: The strongest risk factor for HIV incidence in this rural Ugandan population is lifetime sexual partners. The increased risks found for women reporting coercive sex and men reporting injections require further investigation.
Glomerular number and size in Milan hypertensive and normotensive rats: their relationship to susceptibility and resistance to hypertension and renal disease

Objective Structural analysis, including morphometric computation of glomerular size and number, was applied to analyse the divergence between propensity to hypertension and renal damage, expressed by rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and Milan normotensive strain (MNS), respectively. Design MHS, MNS rats and progenitor Wistar rats were investigated at age 9 weeks and 9 months. Classical morphometric methods were complemented by the dissector/fractionator technique to count glomeruli. Results At 9 weeks, when nephrogenesis was completed and hypertension established, MHS rats exhibited significantly lower kidney weight, cortical volume, glomerular number and volume compared to coeval MNS rats. In Wistar rats, these parameters were similar to those of MNS rats, except for lower glomerular volume. At 9 months, MHS rats showed significantly lower expansion of glomerular volume compared to MNS and Wistar rats. MNS rats had 10% sclerotic glomeruli, which was associated with reduced renal function and heavy proteinuria; conversely, sclerosis was rare in coeval MHS and Wistar rats. Media thickness was higher, whereas lumen diameter was lower, in intrarenal arteries of MHS versus MNS rats at both time points. Conclusions These data indicate that structural changes other than a tubular defect may play a role in the development of hypertension in MHS rats. The lack of significant glomerular hypertrophy and damage in this strain, despite reduced glomerular number, could be related to their (haemodynamic) protection from hypertensive renal disease, possibly due to the hypertrophy of intrarenal arteries. The larger size of glomeruli of MNS rats may be linked to their susceptibility to glomerulosclerosis.
Treating revolving-door patients who have "hospitalphilia": compassion, coercion, and common sense.

Treatments applicable to the frequently rehospitalized psychiatric patient--the so-called revolving-door patient--have been poorly delineated. One subgroup of these patients includes those for whom recidivism has become a way of life; they may be said to suffer from "hospitalphilia. " Neither refractoriness to treatment nor noncompliance with medications explains their frequent admissions. The author presents ten clinical principles to guide treatment planning for this subgroup of patients. The principles emphasize cooperation between the patient and the treatment agencies in creating a comprehensive, consistent, and enforceable plan to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. Four treatment strategies based on the principles are outlined: unlimited access to hospitalization, a chit or voucher system, a rationing system, and an approach centered on the patient's expressed ability to avoid hospitalization.
Risks of General Anesthesia and Elective Operation in the Hypertensive Patient

To determine the risks of general anesthesia and elective surgical procedures in patients who have histories of hypertension, the authors prospectively studied 676 consecutive operations in a series of patients more than 40 years old. All patients were examined preoperatively, monitored intraoperatively, and closely followed postoperatively. Although patients with higher preoperative blood pressure values had larger absolute intnoperative blood pressure decreases, the mean intraoperative systolic pressure nadirs in patients with tightly-controlled hypertension (100 ± 2 torr) did not differ from those in patients with persistent treated (97 ± 3 torr) or untreated (98 ± 2 torr) mild to moderate hypertension. Similarly, among these three groups of patients, the needs for intraoperative adrenergic agents or fluid challenges (20, 33, and 27 per cent, respectively) and the incidences of perioperative hypertensive events (27, 25, and 20 per cent, respectively) were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis of data for the patients with histories of hypertension showed that neither the preoperative in-hospital diastolic nor preoperative in-hospital systolic blood pressure values independently correlated with any of these three indices of perioperative blood pressure lability, with the development of cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, or failure, or with postoperative renal failure. Effective intraoperative management may be more important than preoperative hypertensive control in terms of decreasing clinically significant blood pressure lability and cardiovascular complications in patients who have mild to moderate hypertension.
- 1-Endocannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

There are numerous reports that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have for many years been self-medicating with illegal street cannabis or more recently medicinal cannabis to alleviate the symptoms associated with MS and also amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These anecdotal reports have been confirmed by data from animal models and more recently clinical trials on the ability of cannabinoids to alleviate limb spasticity, a common feature of progressive MS (and also ALS) and neurodegeneration. Experimental studies into the biology of the endocannabinoid system have revealed that cannabinoids have efficacy, not only in symptom relief but also as neuroprotective agents which may slow disease progression and thus delay the onset of symptoms. This chapter discusses what we now
Root-specific genes from tobacco and Arabidopsis homologous to an evolutionarily conserved gene family of membrane channel proteins.

TobRB7 is a cDNA isolated from a cDNA library constructed of tobacco root mRNA (1). It had been shown to be expressed specifically in roots, to be transcriptionally regulated, and to be encoded by a small gene family (1). The TobRB7-5A (a fulllength TobRB7 cDNA) nucleotide sequence data will appear in EMBL, Genbank, and DDBJ Nucleotide Sequence Databases under the accession number X54855. The deduced TobRB7 amino acid (250 amino acids, Mr=25,233) sequence initiated at the first ATG of the sequence. This putative initiation site agrees with the consensus sequence surrounding eucaryotic initiation sites (Kozac's rules) (2), is preceded by two in-frame termination codons and thus is the likely initiation codon. To examine the amino acid sequence of a TobRB7 homologue from another plant species, a cDNA library constructed of mRNA isolated from Arabidopsis roots was screened at low stringency. A full length counterpart of TobRB7, designated AtRB7, was isolated. The AtRB7 nucleotide sequence data will appear in EMBL, GenBank, and DDBJ Nucleotide Sequence Databases under the accession number X54854. The predicted TobRB7 and AtRB7 proteins exhibit high similarity to a number of protein sequences believed to function as membrane channels, including the mammalian lens fiber major intrinsic protein (MTP26) (3), a soybean peribacteriod membrane nodulin (Nod26) (4, 5), a membrane pore type protein of E. coli, the glycerol facilitator (glpF) (6), the Drosophila neurogenic protein big brain (bib) (7), and a tonoplast protein of soybean seed storage vacuoles (TIP) (8) (Fig. 1). Regions in which at least 3 of the 7 sequences exhibited amino acid identity are shaded.
Src and FAK mediate cell–matrix adhesion‐dependent activation of met during transformation of breast epithelial cells

Cell–matrix adhesion has been shown to promote activation of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, Met, in a ligand‐independent manner. This process has been linked to transformation and tumorigenesis in a variety of cancer types. In the present report, we describe a key role of integrin signaling via the Src/FAK axis in the activation of Met in breast epithelial and carcinoma cells. Expression of an activated Src mutant in non‐neoplastic breast epithelial cells or in carcinoma cells was found to increase phosphorylation of Met at regulatory tyrosines in the auto‐activation loop domain, correlating with increased cell spreading and filopodia extensions. Furthermore, phosphorylated Met is complexed with β1 integrins and is co‐localized with vinculin and FAK at focal adhesions in epithelial cells expressing activated Src. Conversely, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of Src abrogates constitutive Met phosphorylation in carcinoma cells or epithelial cells expressing activated Src, and inhibits filopodia formation. Interestingly, Src‐dependent phosphorylation of Met requires cell–matrix adhesion, as well as actin stress fiber assembly. Phosphorylation of FAK by Src is also required for Src‐induced Met phosphorylation, emphasizing the importance of the Src/FAK signaling pathway. However, stimulation of Met phosphorylation by addition of exogenous HGF in epithelial cells is refractory to inhibition of Src family kinases, indicating that HGF‐dependent and Src/integrin‐dependent Met activation occur via distinct mechanisms. Together these findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the Src/FAK axis links signals from the integrin adhesion complex to promote Met activation in breast epithelial cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 1168–1181, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Desulfurization of Transportation Fuels with Zeolites Under Ambient Conditions

Deep desulfurization of transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels) is being mandated by U.S. and foreign governments and is also needed for future fuel cell applications. However, it is extremely difficult and costly to achieve with current technology, which requires catalytic reactors operated at high pressure and temperature. We show that Cu+ and Ag+ zeolite Y can adsorb sulfur compounds from commercial fuels selectively and with high sulfur capacities (by π complexation) at ambient temperature and pressure. Thus, the sulfur content was reduced from 430 to <0.2 parts per million by weight in a commercial diesel at a sorbent capacity of 34 cubic centimeters of clean diesel produced per gram of sorbent. This sulfur selectivity and capacity are orders of magnitude higher than those obtained by previously known sorbents.
Dissociation of changes in VO2 max, muscle QO2, and performance with training in rats.

Before the start and after 4, 8, and 12 wk of a treadmill training program male rats were randomly selected and tested for running performance, maximum O2 consumption (VO2 max), running economy (VO2 submax), and skeletal muscle oxidative capacity (QO2). Data were compared with values from untrained weight-matched control rats. Maximum running time to exhaustion increased significantly (P less than 0.01) by 4 wk and again at 12 wk (P less than 0.01). Submaximal running endurance increased by 120 (4 wk), 320 (8 wk), and 372% (12 wk) (P less than 0.01). VO2 max was increased only at 12 wk (86.0 +/- 2.7 vs. 75.5 +/- 1.9 ml O2.kg-1.min-1); VO2 submax was decreased at 4 and 8 wk but not at 12 wk. Soleus QO2 was unchanged after 4 wk of training and increased by 50% at 8 wk and by 77% at 12 wk. This study is the first to show a dissociation in both the time course and the magnitude of longitudinal changes in VO2 max, VO2 submax, QO2, and maximal and submaximal running performance. We conclude that factors other than those measured explain the improvement in running performance that resulted from endurance training in these rats.
Effects of Stretching and Strengthening Exercises, With and Without Manual Therapy, on Scapular Kinematics, Function, and Pain in Individuals With Shoulder Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of an exercise protocol, with and without manual therapy, on scapular kinematics, function, pain, and mechanical sensitivity in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. BACKGROUND Stretching and strengthening exercises have been shown to effectively decrease pain and disability in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. There is still conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of adding manual therapy to an exercise therapy regimen. METHODS Forty-six patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups, one of which received a 4-week intervention of stretching and strengthening exercises (exercise alone) and the other the same intervention, supplemented by manual therapy targeting the shoulder and cervical spine (exercise plus manual therapy). All outcomes were measured preintervention and postintervention at 4 weeks. Outcome measures were scapular kinematics in the scapular and sagittal planes during arm elevation, function as determined through the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, pain as assessed with a visual analog scale, and mechanical sensitivity as assessed with pressure pain threshold. RESULTS Independent of the intervention group, small, clinically irrelevant changes in scapular kinematics were observed postintervention. A significant group-by-time interaction effect (P = .001) was found for scapular anterior tilt during elevation in the sagittal plane, with a 3.0° increase (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.5°, 7.5°) relative to baseline in the exercise-plus-manual therapy group compared to a decrease of 0.3° (95% CI: -4.2°, 4.8°) in the exercise-alone group. Pain, mechanical sensitivity, and the DASH score improved similarly for both groups by the end of the intervention period. CONCLUSION Adding manual therapy to an exercise protocol did not enhance improvements in scapular kinematics, function, and pain in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome. The noted improvements in pain and function are not likely explained by changes in scapular kinematics.
Validation of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine status in adults based on self-report

Self-report of polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination is not thought reliable because of the increased risk of adverse events from inadvertent re-vaccination in elderly people. Some studies suggest a high sensitivity of self-report and hence a low risk of adverse events if vaccination is administered when medical records are unavailable. Self-report of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination in a sample of >64-year-olds in the United Kingdom was compared with information in their medical records. Self-report of pneumococcal vaccination, in contrast to some of the other studies had a low sensitivity. The findings here support the need for accurate knowledge of prior vaccine status before offering the polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. The study also confirms that self-report of influenza vaccination could be relied upon if rapid knowledge of uptake is required.
Donor‐Specific Antibodies Are Produced Locally in Ectopic Lymphoid Structures in Cardiac Allografts

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a transplant pathology, limiting graft survival after heart transplantation. CAV arteries are surrounded by ectopic lymphoid structures (ELS) containing B cells and plasma cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the antigenic targets of antibodies produced in ELS. Coronary arteries and surrounding epicardial tissue from 56 transplant recipients were collected during autopsy. Immunofluorescence was used to identify antibody‐producing plasma cells. Immunoglobulin levels in tissue lysates were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed for donor‐specific HLA antibodies by Luminex assay. Cytokine and receptor expression levels were quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasma cells in ELS were polyclonal and produced IgG and/or IgM antibodies. In epicardial tissue, IgG (p < 0.05) and IgM levels were higher in transplant patients with larger ELS than smaller ELS. In 4 of 21 (19%) patients with ELS, donor‐specific HLA type II antibodies were detected locally. Cytokine and receptor expression (CXCR3, interferon γ and TGF‐β) was higher in large ELS in the epicardial tissue than in other vessel wall layers, suggesting active recruitment and proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. ELS exhibited active plasma cells producing locally manufactured antibodies that, in some cases, were directed against the donor HLA, potentially mediating rejection with major consequences for the graft.
Stroke incidence rates among black residents of Harare--a prospective community-based study.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the crude incidence rates of cerebrovascular accidents among the black residents of Harare. DESIGN Prospective community-based study. SETTING Black residents of Harare, Zimbabwe. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred and seventy-three 'first-ever' strokes prospectively identified over a 12-month period. MAIN OUTCOME STUDY FACTORS: Cerebrovascular accident first-week fatality rate; age- and sex-related incidence. RESULTS The crude incidence rate was estimated to be 30.7 per 100000 (95% confidence interval 27.1-34.4) and the standardised rate was 68 per 100000. Fifty-one per cent of stroke victims were below the age of 54 years. Thirty-five per cent of patients died within 1 week of the stroke. Overall, the age-specific rates for both sexes rose with age, with the rates for women being higher at all age strata except for the group 45-54 years. CONCLUSION With a standardised rate of 68 per 100000 and a first-week mortality rate of 35%, stroke must now be considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the population.
False-negative serum protein electrophoresis in a sample with an IgM monoclonal protein by semiautomated gel electrophoresis.

In a recent report, Keren et al. (1) described a case in which the Sebia semiautomated electrophoresis method failed to demonstrate proteinuria in a 50-fold concentrated urine sample despite the presence of >2 g/24 h total protein. The reason for this failure was attributed to the presence of debris associated with cellular elements that interfered with the wicking of the urine into the microporous membrane applicator. The manufacturer is aware of such problems and recommends centrifugation of turbid urine samples. In our laboratory, all urine samples are systematically centrifuged (10 min at 1124 g ), and to date, we have not encountered such a failure of …
Genotype MTBDRplus: a Further Step toward Rapid Identification of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

In a previous publication ([1][1]), we evaluated the Genotype MTBDR (GT-MTBDR; Hain Lifescience, Nehren, Germany) assay as a rapid diagnostic tool for multidrug resistance (MDR) detection in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and clinical specimens. The main limitation of the test was the low
The influential factors on the diffusion of smartwatches in Korea

This study investigates the characteristics of smartwatches and examines the important variables pertaining to the adoption of smartwatches by consumers. Based on previous research and interviews, this study sets emotional design, content quality, and system quality as external factors. In the perception layer with regard to directly influences of the intention to use smartwatches, this study sets performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, social influence, and price value based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2). Based on 273 samples in the Republic of Korea, this study empirically tests the research model using a structural equation model. The findings imply several implications which can be used to bolster the intention to use smartwatches. Moreover, practitioners can establish the future development directions of smartwatches.