Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The good initial response to therapy with a combination of traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is sustained over time: the eleven-year results of the Finnish rheumatoid arthritis combination therapy trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the evolution of functional and clinical outcomes over 11 years in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially treated with a combination of 3 disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or with a single DMARD. METHODS A cohort of 199 patients with early active RA were initially randomized to receive treatment with a combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine with prednisolone or treatment with a single DMARD (initially, sulfasalazine) with or without prednisolone. After 2 years, the drug treatment strategy became unrestricted, but still targeted remission. At 11 years, function was assessed with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and clinical outcomes were assessed with the modified Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) measure and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for remission. RESULTS At 11 years, 138 patients were assessed (68 in the combination-DMARD group and 70 in the single-DMARD group). The mean+/-SD HAQ scores were 0.34+/-0.54 in the combination-DMARD group and 0.38+/-0.58 in the single-DMARD group (P=0.88). Modified MDA was achieved by 63% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 51, 77) and by 43% (95% CI 32, 55) (P=0.016) of the combination-DMARD group and the single-DMARD group, respectively, and ACR remission by 37% (95% CI 26, 49) and by 19% (95% CI 11, 29) (P=0.017), respectively. CONCLUSION Initial therapy with a combination of DMARDs in early RA results in higher rates of patients achieving modified MDA and strict ACR remission even over the long term than initial single-DMARD therapy. Targeting remission with tight clinical controls results in good functional and clinical outcomes in most RA patients.
Direct regulation of BCL‐2 by FLI‐1 is involved in the survival of FLI‐1‐transformed erythroblasts

Rearrangement of the FLI‐1 locus with ensuing overexpression of FLI‐1 is an early event in Friend murine leukemia virus‐induced disease. When overexpressed in primary erythroblasts, FLI‐1 blocks erythropoeitin (Epo)‐induced terminal differentiation and inhibits apoptosis normally induced in response to Epo withdrawal. We show here that the survival‐inducing property of FLI‐1 is associated with increased transcription of BCL‐2. We further show that FLI‐1 binds BCL‐2 promoter sequences in transformed erythroblasts, and in vitro studies identify specific FLI‐1‐binding sites essential for the transactivation of the BCL‐2 promoter by FLI‐1. Analysis of FLI‐1 mutants showed a correlation between the ability of FLI‐1 to transactivate BCL‐2 promoter sequences and their ability to inhibit apoptosis in the absence of Epo. Moreover, inhibitor studies confirmed the essential role of BCL‐2 for FLI‐1‐transformed erythroblast survival. Finally, enforced expression of BCL‐2 was sufficient to promote survival and terminal differentiation of erythroblasts in the absence of Epo. These results show that BCL‐2 is an in vivo target of FLI‐1 in FLI‐1‐transformed erythroblasts and that its deregulated expression is instrumental in the survival of these cells.
Who's for dinner? High‐throughput sequencing reveals bat dietary differentiation in a biodiversity hotspot where prey taxonomy is largely undescribed

Effective management and conservation of biodiversity requires understanding of predator–prey relationships to ensure the continued existence of both predator and prey populations. Gathering dietary data from predatory species, such as insectivorous bats, often presents logistical challenges, further exacerbated in biodiversity hot spots because prey items are highly speciose, yet their taxonomy is largely undescribed. We used high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatic analyses to phylogenetically group DNA sequences into molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) to examine predator–prey dynamics of three sympatric insectivorous bat species in the biodiversity hotspot of south‐western Australia. We could only assign between 4% and 20% of MOTUs to known genera or species, depending on the method used, underscoring the importance of examining dietary diversity irrespective of taxonomic knowledge in areas lacking a comprehensive genetic reference database. MOTU analysis confirmed that resource partitioning occurred, with dietary divergence positively related to the ecomorphological divergence of the three bat species. We predicted that bat species' diets would converge during times of high energetic requirements, that is, the maternity season for females and the mating season for males. There was an interactive effect of season on female, but not male, bat species' diets, although small sample sizes may have limited our findings. Contrary to our predictions, females of two ecomorphologically similar species showed dietary convergence during the mating season rather than the maternity season. HTS‐based approaches can help elucidate complex predator–prey relationships in highly speciose regions, which should facilitate the conservation of biodiversity in genetically uncharacterized areas, such as biodiversity hotspots.
The effect of acupressure at third liver point on the anxiety level in patients with primary dysmenorrhea

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea may lead to severe anxiety and pain relief during menstruation may reduce the anxiety levels. This study was aimed to determine the effect of acupressure at third liver and placebo points on the anxiety level in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted in parallel in the control and treatment groups for three menstrual periods at the dormitory of Kashan University of Medical Sciences between March and June 2012. Students with pain score equal to or greater than 4 were selected and divided into groups based on severity of pain using a randomized block design with the allocation ratio of 1:1. Acupressure was applied in two acupoints including third Liver point (Liv3) and placebo points. Spielberg (STAI) anxiety questionnaire was completed before and after intervention. Randomization, subjects, and data analyzer were blinded to the analysis. Chi-square tests, t-test, Mann-Whitney, paired sample t-test, and univariate analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean [standard deviation (SD)] values of apparent anxiety levels before and after intervention for liv3 were 45.100 (9.769) and 38.100 (10.608), respectively. For the control group, they were 41.200 (9.795) and 38.900(10.140), respectively. Difference was significant only in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Hidden anxiety did not show a significant change before and after intervention. There was no difference between groups in apparent or hidden anxiety after intervention. Conclusions: Pressure on liv3 point reduces anxiety. As there are no previous studies on this topic, further studies with more samples are recommended.
Characterisation and evaluation of soft elastomeric actuators for hand assistive and rehabilitation applications

Abstract Various hand exoskeletons have been proposed for the purposes of providing assistance in activities of daily living and rehabilitation exercises. However, traditional exoskeletons are made of rigid components that impede the natural movement of joints and cause discomfort to the user. This paper evaluated a soft wearable exoskeleton using soft elastomeric actuators. The actuators could generate the desired actuation of the finger joints with a simple design. The actuators were characterised in terms of their radius of curvature and force output during actuation. Additionally, the device was evaluated on five healthy subjects in terms of its assisted finger joint range of motion. Results demonstrated that the subjects were able to perform the grasping actions with the assistance of the device and the range of motion of individual finger joints varied from subject to subject. This work evaluated the performance of a soft wearable exoskeleton and highlighted the importance of customisability of the device. It demonstrated the possibility of replacing traditional rigid exoskeletons with soft exoskeletons that are more wearable and customisable.
Activity Stain for Rapid Characterization of Pectic Enzymes in Isoelectric Focusing and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gels

A system was developed for the rapid characterization of microbial pectic enzyme complexes and then tested on Erwinia chrysanthemi and Sclerotium rolfsii. Pectic enzymes in minute samples of crude culture filtrates were resolved by ultrathin-layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then assayed with an ultrathin pectate-agarose overlay stained with ruthenium red. The simple procedure can be completed within 30 min after isoelectric focusing, can detect extremely low levels of pectate lyase (6.4 × 10−6 μmol of product per min), and is sufficiently sensitive to determine the pectate lyase isozyme profile of a single bacterial colony with a diameter of 4 mm. Pectate lyases and polygalacturonases can be distinguished by altering buffer conditions in the overlays. The assay system revealed additional isozymes not resolved by classical techniques and generally corroborated the previously published isoelectric points and molecular weights of the pectate lyase isozymes and exo-poly-α-d-galacturonosidase produced by E. chrysanthemi and the endopolygalacturonase and exopolygalacturonase produced by S. rolfsii.
Chaperones That SNARE Neurotransmitter Release

A new model for neurotransmitter release may be relevant for membrane fusion reactions in general. [Also see Research Article by Ma et al.] The cellular machinery of neurotransmitter release is well known, but the precise molecular mechanism has long been elusive (1). Its basic features are clear enough: Neuron firing causes the intracellular Ca2+ concentration to rise, triggering the fusion of synaptic vesicles carrying neurotransmitter molecules with the plasma membrane. Fusion is mediated by SNARE [soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptor] proteins and a Ca2+ sensor (synaptotagmin) in a process that has been reproduced in vitro using artificial membrane vesicles (liposomes) and purified proteins. A conundrum has, however, remained: In vitro fusion does not depend critically on two additional proteins—Munc13 and Munc18—that are essential for synaptic vesicle fusion in vivo. On page 421 of this issue, Ma et al. (2) report a modified in vitro fusion assay that depends not only on SNAREs and synaptotagmin-Ca2+, but also on both Munc13 and Munc18. The results identify a mechanistic role for Munc13 and Munc18 and force reconsideration of the fundamental model for SNARE assembly.
Demographic and economic correlates of health in old age

In this paper we examine disparities in the ability to function among older Americans. We place special emphasis on two goals: (I) understanding the quantitatively large socioeconomic status-health gradient, and (2) the persistence in health outcomes over long periods. We find that there exist strong contemporaneous and long-run feedbacks from health to economic status. In light of these feedbacks, it is important to distinguish among alternative sources of income and the recipient of income in the household. This research also demonstrates that health outcomes at old age are influenced by health attributes of past, concurrent, and future generations of relatives. Finally, we find that the demographic and economic differences that exist among them explain functional health disparities by race and ethnicity, but not by gender.
Botulinum toxin in the treatment of writer's cramp

We treated 20 patients with writer's cramp in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Each patient received two treatments in tandem, one with botulinum-A toxin (BTX-A) injections and another with normal saline, separated by 3 months. Treatment order was randomized and unknown to the patient and physician. Patients were assessed before each treatment and 2 and 6 weeks after each treatment by objective measurements of pen control. Twelve patients had improvement in pen control after treatment with BTX-A, but only four had significant improvement in writing. BTX-A injections are effective in relieving symptoms in selected cases of writer's cramp, particularly in those with significant wrist-joint deviation.
Changes in dissolved nutrients in the lower Ebro river: Causes and consequences

Changes in dissolved nutrients in the lower Ebro River: Causes and consequences Water quality time series data regarding nutrient concentration and chlorophyll in the lower Ebro River and its estuary were analyzed over an 18 year period (1987-2004). Causes and consequences of changes in nutrient concentration are discussed and some hypotheses about it are established. A very significant decrease in the concentration of the dissolved nutrients, especially phosphorus, was observed after the mid 90s. This decrease coincides with the improvement of urban sewage treatment in the most important cities of the Ebro basin. There was also a significant positive correlation between the concentration of dissolved phosphorus and the concentration of total chlorophyll. Data suggest that low flow conditions together with the lower dissolved phosphorous and, therefore, less phytoplankton were likely the main factors causing the increase of water transparency. These conditions propitiated the spread of macrophytes and the massive appearance of the black fly. In the lower river and its estuary, the water undewent a decrease in phytoplankton, which improved its eutrophy condition. Results of this study suggest that the decrease in phosphorus is the main cause of the recent changes in the lower Ebro ecosystem, but other factors can also play a role by causing a further increase in water transparency and macrophyte spreading (positive feed-back).
Identification and characterization of neuronal precursors and their progeny from human fetal tissue

We have examined primary human neuronal precursors (HNPs) from 18–22‐week‐old fetuses. We showed that E‐NCAM/MAP2/β‐III tubulin‐immunoreactive neuronal precursors divide in vitro and could be induced to differentiate into mature neurons in 2 weeks. HNPs did not express nestin and differentiated slowly compared to rodent neuronal restricted precursors (NRPs, 5 days). Immunocytochemical and physiological analyses showed that HNPs could generate a heterogeneous population of neurons that expressed neurofilament‐associated protein and various neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes, voltage‐gated ion channels, and ligand‐gated neurotransmitter receptors and could fire action potentials. Undifferentiated and differentiated HNPs did not coexpress glial markers. Only a subset of cells that expressed GFP under the control of the Tα1 tubulin promoter was E‐NCAM/β‐III tubulin‐immunoreactive, indicating nonexclusive overlap between these two HNP cell populations. Overall, HNPs resemble NRPs isolated from rodent tissue and appear to be a neuronal precursor population. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:356–368, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis During Repetitive Cortical Spreading Depression

Abstract: The effect of cortical spreading depression (CSD) on cerebral protein synthesis (CPS) was examined. CSD was evoked in normal rats with KCI, and CPS was measured autoradiographically with [1‐14C]leucine. Average rates (mean ± SD) of CPS in layers I‐IV of cortex decreased significantly from 10.7 ± 0.6 (sham‐operated controls; n = 4) to 6.7 ± 0.7 nmol/g/min (n = 4; p < 0.01) and in layers V‐VI from 10.9 ± 0.5 to 9.4 ± 0.4 nmol/g/min (p < 0.05) during 60 min of repetitive CSD. Spreading depression did not affect CPS rates in other subcortical brain regions. These results indicate that KCl‐evoked CSD induces inhibition but not suppression of cortical protein synthesis.
On the Study of the Near-Fields of Electric and Magnetic Small Antennas in Lossy Media

In this communication, the near-field radiation characteristics of electric and magnetic antennas when surrounded by a lossy dielectric medium are described. This study is relevant for cases such as implanted antennas, submarine or underground communications where the antenna's near field consists of lossy dielectric media such as human tissues, minerals or saline water. Theoretical results for both types of small antennas are presented and expressions to show the differences in stored energy and radiated power in the radian sphere around the antenna are formulated. It is found that magnetic antennas give much better performance when surrounded by a lossy dielectric.
Behavioural patterns of protective and risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Brazil

Abstract Objective To identify behavioural patterns of protective and risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and to explore the association between these patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. Design Principal component analysis was used to identify behavioural patterns from a list of twelve protective and risk factors for NCD. Linear regression was used to explore the association between the patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. Setting Participants from the Brazilian Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for NCD through Telephone Interviews (VIGITEL) from the years 2009 and 2010 were included. Subjects A sample of 108 706 adults was included in the analysis. Results Two behavioural patterns were identified in the analysis, a ‘prudent pattern’ and a ‘risky pattern’. The first involved mostly protective behaviours, while the second one involved essentially the risky ones. Both the less prudent and the more risky behaviour patterns were concentrated in younger men, with lower education, from the more developed region. Conclusions Public policies to decrease NCD should be aware of the possible tendency towards behavioural patterns in order to be more effective.
Influence of Perceived University Support, Perceived Effective Entrepreneurship Education, Perceived Creativity Disposition, Entrepreneurial Passion for Inventing and Founding on Entrepreneurial Intention

We modeled the relationship between entrepreneurship intention and five other variables, including two as formative second-order constructs. We therefore, employed the use of SmartPLS (2.0) to analyze the influence of perceived effective entrepreneurship education, perceived University support, perceived creativity disposition, entrepreneurial passion for inventing and entrepreneurial passion for founding on entrepreneurial intention. The PLS was readily employed in this study for its ability to estimate a formative measured variable. The first-order reflective and second-order formative variables model parameters were estimated by employing the two-stage approach. Using a sample of 595 students from three Federal Universities in Northern Nigeria, the study found a significant positive relationship between perception of University support, perceived creativity disposition, entrepreneurial passion for inventing, entrepreneurial passion for founding and entrepreneurial intention. However, an unexpectedly significant negative relationship was found between perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Implications for the findings are provided. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n3p88
Accidents at Work from Exposure to Biological Material Contamination of Viral Hepatitis “B” and “C” in a Brazilian Capital*

Background: Occupational exposure to biological materials is a serious risk to the health of workers in their workplaces, due to the possibility of transmitting pathogens such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The aim of this study was to analyze the accidents of exposure to biological material which resulted in contamination of Hepatitis B and C in the municipal health Belo Horizonte. Methods: Epidemiological study with cross-sectional design performed by querying the data on accidents at work involving exposure to biological materials and notification data of Viral Hepatitis in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) for the period of 2007 to June 2011, filed with the municipal government of Belo Horizonte. A descriptive analysis was performed using frequency distribution and percentages. Results: The 45 research records were arranged in professional categories, with 57.77% of incidents being ignored, followed by 24.44% nursing technicians, 6.66% nursing assistants, and 2.22% marketers, housekeeping, administrators, janitors, and builders. The average age was 39 years and 64.44% of the professionals were female. At the notification of the accident, 75.55% of professionals were not registered at CAT, and 92.85% of exposures occurred in the hospital; 64.29% in contact with blood; 35.71% of the causative agent was without needle lumen, 28.57% during administration of intravenous medication, and 57.14% from percutaneous exposure. In the distribution of occupation, 57.78% were contaminated with viral Hepatitis B and C. With vaccination regimens for Hepatitis B, 66.67% of the cases went to nursing assistants and 42.22% were “ignored”. Conclusion: These data confirm the need for reorientation of working practices during daily activities of health workers and guidance for notification of occupational accidents involving biological material and viral Hepatitis B and C in order to improve the quality of the records.
The Effect of House Dust Mite Immunotherapy, Probiotic and Nigella sativa in The Number of Th17 Cell and Asthma Control Test Score

The Role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of asthma and immunotherapy is being a new concept and paradigm. Immunotherapy on asthma requires long periods of time, so administration of an adjuvant had been considered to improve its efficacy. The aims of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy combined with probiotics and Nigella sativa in the number of Th17 cells and the improvement of clinical symptoms of asthma. A total of 31 children with mild asthma were evaluated and then randomized to receive immunotherapy or immunotherapy plus Nigella sativa or immunotherapy plus probiotic or immunotherapy plus Nigella sativa plus probiotic openly for 14 weeks. Statistical analysis found no significant difference in the mean number of Th17 cells pre and post test in all four treatment groups, however we found a significant differences asthma control test (ACT) score before and after the immunotherapy + Nigella sativa treatment (p = 0.001), before and after immunotherapy + probiotic treatment (p = 0.004), as well as before and after immunotherapy plus Nigella sativa plus probiotic treatment (p = 0.000). Correlation test found a significant association between the number of Th17 cells and ACT score in all groups. The combination immunotherapy with Nigella sativa and probiotics did not reduce the number of peripheral blood Th17 cells mild asthmatic children, but can improve the clinical symptom. Keywords - Immunotherapy, House dust mite, Probiotics, Nigella sativa, Th17 cell, Asthma Control test
Laparoscopic treatment of colovesical fistulas: technique and review of the literature

Abstract Colovesical fistula is an uncommon complication of diverticulitis. We present our technique of a laparoscopic approach for treatment of vesicosigmoid fistulas and review the available published literature. We believe that a laparoscopic approach is a feasible and advantageous alternative for the treatment of colovesical fistulas, with low morbidity and short hospital stay.