Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) for menopausal women: current state of knowledge

ObjectiveRed clover (Trifolium pratense) extracts are becoming increasingly popular, primarily for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Although promoted as a phytoestrogen source similar to soybeans, red clover is a medicinal herb, not a food, and traditionally has not been used long-term. We sought to review the scientific literature for this newer use. DesignMedline was searched for controlled trials of red clover (Trifolium pratense), and other sources were searched for other studies and abstracts. ResultsTwo double-blind placebo-controlled trials found no beneficial effects of red clover extracts on hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms. Three of four trials examining the effect of red clover on lipids found no benefit; the fourth trial contains too little data to interpret. One study examining the effect of red clover on arterial compliance found a significant beneficial effect on arterial compliance. ConclusionRed clover extracts have as yet no clear demonstrable benefit for menopausal symptoms. Potential estrogenic effects on breast and endometrium have not been adequately assessed. The presence of coumarins in some clover species makes it imperative to include tests of clotting factors in future trials.
Rapid morphological and genetic change in Chicago‐area Peromyscus

We report rapid change of morphology and mitochondrial genes in white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in the Chicago (Illinois, USA) region. We sequenced mitochondrial DNA COX2 from 55 museum skins of white‐footed mice caught in the Chicago area since 1855 and from 44 mice recently trapped in the same locations. We found consistent directional genotype replacement at five separate collection locations. We later focused on a single one of these locations (Volo Bog State Natural Area) and sequenced mitochondrial D‐loop control region from 58 museum skins of mice collected in 1903–1976 and 32 mice recently trapped there. We found complete and more recent replacement of D‐loop haplotypes, apparently occurring between 1976 and 2001. We tested whether these genetic changes were mirrored by changes in morphology by comparing 15 external and cranial traits. We found no significant morphological differences between mice collected in 1903–1976; however, mice collected in 2001–2003 showed 9 of 15 measurements to be significantly changed relative to the earlier samples. Recent mice were longer in total length, with broader, longer noses, and longer but shallower skulls 1 . Discriminant function analysis allowed for 100% correct classification using these traits. Principal components analysis shows variance over time is well distributed across both external and cranial measures. The sequential replacements of haplotypes and the rapid change of morphology can best be explained by replacement of the regional population with immigrants from genetically distinct neighbouring populations, likely facilitated by the large environmental changes occurring over the time period. Replacement with genotypes from external populations may be a common mechanism of evolution of newly adaptive local forms in an increasingly human‐impacted world.
A comparison of prescribing and non-prescribing nurses in the management of people with diabetes.

AIM The aim of this study were to compare nurse prescribers and non-prescribers managing people with diabetes in general practice regarding: (a) patient characteristics; (b) activities and processes of care; (c) patient outcomes (self-management, clinical indicators, satisfaction) and (d) resource implications and costs. BACKGROUND Over 28,000 nurses in the UK can prescribe the same medicines as doctors provided that it is in their level of experience and competence. Over 30%, mostly in general practice, prescribe medicines for patients with diabetes. DESIGN A comparative case study. METHOD Nurses managing care of people with Type 2 diabetes were recruited in twelve general practices in England; six could prescribe, six could not. Patients, recruited by nurses, were followed up for 6 months (2011-2012). RESULTS The patient sample comprised 131 in prescriber sites, 83 in non-prescriber sites. Patients of prescribers had been diagnosed and cared for by the nurse longer than those of non-prescribers. There were no differences in reported self-care activities or HbA1c test results between the patients of prescribers and non-prescribers. Mean HbA1c decreased significantly in both groups over 6 months. Patients of prescribers were more satisfied. Consultation duration was longer for prescribers (by average of 7·7 minutes). Non-prescribing nurses sought support from other healthcare professionals more frequently. Most prescribing nurses were on a higher salary band than non-prescribers. CONCLUSION Clinical outcomes of patients managed by prescribing and non-prescribing diabetes nurses are similar. Prescribing nurses had longer relationships with their patients and longer consultations, possibly contributing to higher satisfaction with care. Employment costs of prescribing nurses are potentially higher.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Patients of Coronary Artery Disease: Differences over a Decade

Introduction: Studies evaluating temporal trends of Coronary artery disease (CAD) in young patients, from the India, are still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate temporal differences in risk factors of young patients of CAD over a decade. Methods: This is a single centre retrospective study performed in a tertiary care teaching institution in North India. Case records of young patients (≤40 years) with acute coronary syndrome between January 2000 to December 2001 and January 2009 to December 2010 were obtained. Records were sought for active smoking, family history, waist size, blood pressure, hypertension, fasting and postprandial blood sugar and lipid profile for both groups and analyzed using SPSS v.17. For the purpose of the study, p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Medical records of a total of 79 and 83 patients with young CAD (≤40 years) were obtained for 2000-01 and 2009-10 period respectively. An increase in proportion of female patients, hypertension (p=0.004), dysglycemia (p<0.001), family history (p=0.01), metabolic syndrome (p<0.001), low high density lipoprotein (HDL) (p=0.07) and mean waist size (0.03) was noted over the years. Among males, increase in number of dysglycemics (p=0.0002), positive family history (p<0.0001) and mean waist size (0.032) was statistically significant. Conclusion: Over a decade the patients with young CAD in our study, there was an increase in proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome, dysglycemia and low HDL.
Implementing Boissonnat's method for generating surface models of craniofacial cartilages

Surface modeling of embryonic craniofacial morphology typically is accomplished using data derived from planar contours. Methods currently available for reconstructing embryonic craniofacial anatomy from contour data rely on shortest‐path algorithms in order to interpolate surfaces. However, these techniques either fail or require a considerable amount of user interaction when complex surfaces are modeled since foramina and structural divisions cannot be interpolated properly. Recently, a new approach has been described by Boissonnat that constructs a polyhedral volume between sets of planar contours. Surfaces are interpolated by identifying the planes formed when the contours intersect the polyhedron. The purpose of this study is to determine whether craniofacial cartilages from embryonic mice can be reconstructed in an accurate and reliable fashion using this method. Embryonic mice were collected and processed for routine histological sectioning. Serial sections of the anterior cranial base and nasal capsule were obtained, subjected to videomicroscopy, and modeled. Reconstructions of the anterior cranial base and nasal capsule from embryonic mice were compared to the same structures in age‐matched specimens that were processed with whole‐mount staining procedures. The models compared well with the whole‐mount preparations. In addition, the reconstruction technique accurately rendered complex surface features of the embryonic anterior cranial base and nasal capsule including foramina and structural branches.
Atypical lipoma, atypical intramuscular lipoma, and well differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma. A reappraisal of 30 cases formerly classified as well differentiated liposarcoma

Thirty cases formerly diagnosed as Grade I lipogenic liposarcoma (well differentiated liposarcoma) were reviewed. The basic histologic pattern in all was that of adult fat modified by the presence of cells with enlarged, hyperchromatic nuclei; in most cases there was also a component of myxoid and/or fibrous tissue. The length of follow‐up ranged from two to 30 years. Nine of the tumors were located in the subcutaneous layer. None of these recurred after excision, not even those which were simply “shelled out,” and none metastasized. The term “atypical lipoma” is proposed for this group. Thirteen were located within or between muscles of the limbs, limb girdles, and head and neck. Nine of these recurred at least once, but there were no metastases and no deaths due to tumor. These were designated “atypical intramuscular lipoma. ” The remaining eight originated in the retroperitoneum. Although none of these patients developed metastases, five suffered inoperable recurrence and three died as a result of the neoplasm. It is suggested that the term “well differentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma” be retained for cases of this type. Cancer 43:574–584, 1979.
Open and arthroscopic surgical management of primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip.

BACKGROUND Primary synovial chondromatosis commonly involves large joints such as the knee and hip. The optimal approaches for successful surgical management of symptomatic primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip joint are controversial. METHODS The current study reviewed 9 patients with primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip who underwent surgical treatment between 2000 and 2005. By identification of the surgical indications, we chose the optimal surgical approach, open arthrotomy or arthroscopic surgery, for a definite treatment. RESULTS Of the 9 patients, 4 underwent open arthrotomy and 5 underwent hip arthroscopic surgery. The mean follow-up duration was 24.9 months (range, 12-50). There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. There was 1 recurrence 2 years after the first arthroscopic surgery. All hips remained in stationary condition on radiological follow-up except for 1 hip, the recurrence case. The mean Harris Hip Score at the 12-month follow-up was 93.7 (range, 90-99). CONCLUSIONS Surgical treatment for primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip proved beneficial for these patients. By means of identified indications, selecting an appropriate surgical approach provides a rapid recovery and low incidence of recurrence.
The Low Level Laser Therapy Effect on the Remodeling of Bone Extracellular Matrix

The low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used as an option to accelerate the regeneration of bone tissue. In this study, both femurs of male Wistar rats (30 animals) were injured with a drill and the effect of LLLT using a laser diode (100 mW at 660 nm) in the bone matrix on the left paw measured. LLLT effect on the healing bone tissue matrix was evaluated by a combination of immunohistochemical histomorphometry, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and isolation and characterization of glycosaminoglycans. Histomorphometric analysis showed that LLLT increased bone matrix and showing more organized. Alcian Blue and PAS staining seems to suggest differential glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins. The data showed increased expression of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid, after reduction as the LLLT and mature bone, resembling the expression of osteonectin and biglycan. The difference in expression of siblings (DMP‐1, OPN and BSP) is in accordance with the repair accelerated bone formation after the application of LLLT as compared with control. The expression of osteonectin and osteocalcin supports their role in bone mineralization protein, indicating that LLLT accelerates this process. The overall data show that LLLT bone changes dynamic array, shortening the time period involved in the bone repair.
A prospective study of sodium-lithium countertransport and hypertension in Utah.

A 7-year prospective study of a cohort of 1,458 normotensive adults from Utah pedigrees, screened from 1980 to 1985, was done to determine whether baseline levels of sodium-lithium countertransport were associated with an increased risk of future hypertension. Subsequent new hypertension (n = 39) was ascertained in 1989 from detailed follow-up medical questionnaires (67% response). Previous segregation analyses on a subset of these pedigree members who responded (n = 342) using family relationships in addition to countertransport levels have shown statistically inferred major gene segregation of sodium-lithium countertransport levels. In the normotensive adults inferred by segregation analysis to carry the recessive major gene for high sodium-lithium countertransport, new-onset hypertension occurred in 18.8% (3 of 16) compared with 3.7% (12 of 326) in the low sodium-lithium countertransport genotype group (relative risk, 4.6 [1.6, 13.9]; p = 0.03). However, an elevated baseline sodium-lithium countertransport level without genotype information from segregation analysis did not increase the risk of future hypertension in the complete cohort of adult pedigree members (relative risk, 1.02 [0.85, 1.22]). Adjustment for other risk factors reduced the relative risk to 0.90 (0.72, 1.11). We conclude that the presence of a major gene for sodium-lithium countertransport or another closely linked gene, rather than the actual level of sodium-lithium countertransport, may increase the risk of hypertension onset. High sodium-lithium countertransport levels do not increase the risk of future hypertension for individuals in whom only polygenic and environmental effects determine sodium-lithium countertransport level. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Approaches to the Rehabilitation of Dysphagia in Acute Poststroke Patients

Abstract Dysphagia occurs frequently following stroke and may result in serious health consequences including pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, and mortality. Prevention of these negative health outcomes requires early identification and treatment of dysphagia. The speech-language pathologist, as part of a multidisciplinary team, holds the primary responsibility for selection of an effective dysphagia rehabilitation program for these patients. Because much research has focused on patients with chronic dysphagia, this review will focus on treatment of patients within the acute phase of recovery poststroke. Although some acute patients may experience transient dysphagia that resolves spontaneously, many will go on to develop chronic dysphagia that may be prevented with provision of early and intensive treatment. An overview of dysphagia following stroke will be provided with information regarding incidence, complications, evaluation, and causes of dysphagia. A thorough discussion of evidence supporting varying approaches to dysphagia rehabilitation will follow with inclusion of several current, novel, and experimental techniques. The importance of the multidisciplinary team and regular reevaluation will be emphasized as well.
Perinatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is associated with changes in DNA methylation that precede the adult onset of lung disease in a mouse model

Abstract Prenatal and early-life environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure can induce epigenetic alterations associated with inflammation and respiratory disease. The objective of this study was to address the long-term epigenetic consequences of perinatal ETS exposure on latent respiratory disease risk, which are still largely unknown. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to prenatal and early-life ETS; offspring lung pathology, global DNA, and gene-specific methylation were measured at two adult ages. Significant alterations in global DNA methylation and promoter methylation of IFN-γ and Thy-1 were found in ETS-exposed offspring at 10–12 and 20 weeks of age. These sustained epigenetic alterations preceded the onset of significant pulmonary pathologies observed at 20 weeks of age. This study suggests that perinatal ETS exposure induces persistent epigenetic alterations in global DNA, as well as IFN-γ and Thy-1 promoter methylation that precede the adult onset of fibrotic lung pathology. These epigenetic findings could represent potential biomarkers of latent respiratory disease risk.
Development of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Neuropathogenic Strains of Equine Herpesvirus-1

This communication reports the development and performance assessment of a rapid diagnostic test for identifying horses actively infected with the neurovirulent pathotype of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The test is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that uses EHV-1 pathotype-specific TaqMan® reporter probes for discrimination between neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 in equine blood or nasal swabs. The diagnostic performance of the new technique was evaluated by testing specimens collected from 234 horses involved in recent outbreaks of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy at three separate thoroughbred racetracks and one large riding/boarding stable. Side-by-side comparison of the EHV-1 pathotyping results yielded by the new single-step, PCR-based allelic discrimination technique (24-hour turn-around-time) with those generated by a multi-step, conventional nested PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing of the amplified DNA (4-day turn-around-time) revealed complete agreement between the 2 test methods. The ability to rapidly identify horses infected with neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 using a single-step, PCR-based method has significant implications for future diagnostic evaluation of suspect animals.
The Psychometrics of the European Portuguese Version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised

Cloninger’s psychobiological model of personality integrates contributions from behavioral genetics, neurobiology, and psychology in the description of the human personality. The temperament and character inventory (TCI) is its assessment instrument. The Brazilian Portuguese version of the TCI has shown good psychometric properties. However, Portuguese spoken in Brazil presents marked and substantial differences to that spoken in Portugal, and no study has yet described the psychometrics of the European Portuguese version. The objective of this study was thus to describe the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese adult version of the TCI (the temperament and character inventory-revised (TCI-R)). This study involved 1400 Portuguese adult participants. The factorial structure of the European Portuguese version was tested using four methods: exploratory factor analysis, orthogonal procrustes rotation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and exploratory structural equation modeling. The integration of data coming from these methods suggested that the Portuguese version of the TCI-R presented good structural validity (as revealed by the emergence of the temperament and character structures predicted by theory) and high levels of congruence between the American and the Portuguese versions. An improvement in the goodness of fit of the models for the Portuguese population was achieved by using exploratory structural equation modeling over confirmatory factor analysis. Although some facets registered questionable consistency, all dimensions had acceptable to good consistency (all ≥ .79). These results confirm the validity of the Portuguese TCI-R and its adequacy for use in European Portuguese samples.
An integrated physical, genetic and cytogenetic map around the sunn locus of Medicago truncatula.

The sunn mutation of Medicago truncatula is a single-gene mutation that confers a novel supernodulation phenotype in response to inoculation with Sinorhizobium meliloti. We took advantage of the publicly available codominant PCR markers, the high-density genetic map, and a linked cytogenetic map to define the physical and genetic region containing sunn. We determined that sunn is located at the bottom of linkage group 4, where a fine-structure genetic map was used to place the locus within a approximately 400-kb contig of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones. Genetic analyses of the sunn contig, as well as of a second, closely linked BAC contig designated NUM1, indicate that the physical to genetic distance within this chromosome region is in the range of 1000 -1100 kb.cM-1. The ratio of genetic to cytogenetic distance determined across the entire region is 0.3 cM.microm(-1). These estimates are in good agreement with the empirically determined value of approximately 300 kb.microm(-1) measured for the NUM1 contig. The assignment of sunn to a defined physical interval should provide a basis for sequencing and ultimately cloning the responsible gene.
Identification of a Sec4p GTPase-activating Protein (GAP) as a Novel Member of a Rab GAP Family*

A yeast open reading frame sharing homology with the two known yeast Rab GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), Gyp6p and Gyp7p, was found in a data base search. We have named the gene containing this open reading frame GYP1. Recombinant Gyp1p showed GAP activity on Sec4p, increasing both its steady-state rate and single turnover GTPase activity. Gyp1p also stimulated the GTPase activity of several other yeast Rab proteins including Ypt1p, Ypt7p, and Ypt51p but showed no GAP activity on Ypt6p and Ypt32p. Deletion of the GYP1 gene or overexpression of Gyp1p did not alter the growth rate of yeast. However, overexpression of Gyp1p was inhibitory in combination with a subset of secretory mutants includingsec4-8 and several ypt1 mutants. This effect is probably due to the increase in GAP activity, which can be observed in a lysate from cells overexpressing Gyp1p. The finding that yeast Rab GAPs share homology with proteins in other species, such asCaenorhabditis elegans and human, suggests the existence of a conserved Rab GAP family.