Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations between sleeping habits and food consumption patterns among 10–11-year-old children in Finland

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is of special concern. Inverse associations between sleep length and overweight have been found in children. Short sleeping hours result in hormonal changes, which increase perceived hunger and appetite. This could affect food intake, and consequently lead to overweight. The aim is to find out whether there is an association between adequate sleep and food consumption among 10–11-year-old school children in Finland. One thousand two hundred and sixty-five children (response rate 79 %), aged 9–11, from thirty-one schools filled in a questionnaire about their health behaviour. Inadequate sleep was measured as short sleeping hours during school nights and weekend nights, difficulties in waking up in the morning and tiredness during the day. Food consumption patterns were measured by two consumption indices, energy-rich foods and nutrient-dense foods, based on a short FFQ (sixteen items). Inadequate sleep is associated with food consumption patterns. Boys with shorter sleep duration during school nights, and who were felt tired during the day, were more likely to consume energy-rich foods. Girls with shorter sleep duration during school nights consumed more likely energy-rich foods and less likely nutrient-dense foods. Adjusting for physical activity and screen time weakened the explored associations. The associations with energy-rich foods were stronger for boys than for girls. Sleeping habits are associated with food consumption patterns. Shorter sleep duration during school nights in school children is associated with higher consumption of energy-rich foods.
The Nephroprotective Effects of Pioglitazone and Glibenclamide Against Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats: A Comparative Study

Abstract The aim of the current study is to comparatively examine the nephroprotective effects of pioglitazone and glibenclamide in a rat model subjected to gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Six groups of rats were given either normal saline, or gentamicin, or pioglitazone, or gentamicin plus pioglitazone, or glibenclamide, or gentamicin plus gliben-clamide for 11 days. The group administered gentamicin plus glibenclamide had a significant elevation of antioxidant enzyme activity and a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation when compared with the group treated just with gentamicin. The gentamicin plus glibenclamide group also showed mild necrosis according to histopathology when compared with the gentamicin-alone group. In contrast, the gentamicin plus pioglitazone group had a significant reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity and a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation levels when compared with the gentamicin-alone group. Our study showed that only glibenclamide but not pioglitazone has protective effects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
Task-Specific Training in Huntington Disease: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

Background Task-specific training may be a suitable intervention to address mobility limitations in people with Huntington disease (HD). Objective The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of goal-directed, task-specific mobility training for individuals with mid-stage HD. Design This study was a randomized, blinded, feasibility trial; participants were randomly assigned to control (usual care) and intervention groups. Setting This multisite study was conducted in 6 sites in the United Kingdom. Patients Thirty individuals with mid-stage HD (13 men, 17 women; mean age=57.0 years, SD=10.1) were enrolled and randomly assigned to study groups. Intervention Task-specific training was conducted by physical therapists in participants' homes, focusing on walking, sit-to-stand transfers, and standing, twice a week for 8 weeks. Goal attainment scaling was used to individualize the intervention and monitor achievement of personal goals. Measurements Adherence and adverse events were recorded. Adjusted between-group comparisons on standardized outcome measures were conducted at 8 and 16 weeks to determine effect sizes. Results Loss to follow-up was minimal (n=2); adherence in the intervention group was excellent (96.9%). Ninety-two percent of goals were achieved at the end of the intervention; 46% of the participants achieved much better than expected outcomes. Effect sizes on all measures were small. Limitations Measurements of walking endurance were lacking. Conclusions The safety of and excellent adherence to a home-based, task-specific training program, in which most participants exceeded goal expectations, are encouraging given the range of motivational, behavioral, and mobility issues in people with HD. The design of the intervention in terms of frequency (dose), intensity (aerobic versus anaerobic), and specificity (focused training on individual tasks) may not have been sufficient to elicit any systematic effects. Thus, a larger-scale trial of this specific intervention does not seem warranted.
Reduced fibrinolysis and increased fibrin generation can be detected in hypercoagulable patients using the overall hemostatic potential assay

Background: Routinely available coagulation assays are not capable of detecting clinically defined hypercoagulable states. A number of global coagulation assays have been developed with the potential to evaluate hypercoagulability, which predisposes to the common clinical events of arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Objectives: We hypothesized that the overall hemostatic potential (OHP) assay would show abnormal fibrin generation and lysis in patients with clinically defined hypercoagulable states. Methods: We used the OHP assay as described by Blombäck and colleagues [ 1,2 ] in 161 clinically hypercoagulable patients with arterial or VTE, pregnancy complications or autoimmune disease. Eighty patients had associated antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA). Ninety‐eight normal plasma donors were tested for comparison. Results: We derived three new assay parameters for correlation with hypercoagulable states: the maximum optical density, maximum slope, and delay in onset of fibrin generation. We found significantly different assay results for all patients’ parameters examined when compared with controls, indicating both increased fibrin generation and reduced fibrinolysis in hypercoagulable patients. The findings were similar whether samples were collected in association with an acute thrombotic event or not. Estimated assay sensitivity for detection of a clinically defined hypercoagulable state was 96%. Conclusions: The OHP assay is a simple, inexpensive global test that is useful for assessing patients with hypercoagulable states including APLA. OHP results are significantly abnormal in hypercoagulable groups compared with controls, indicating that both increased fibrin generation and reduced fibrinolysis contribute to hypercoagulable states. The assay may ultimately assist in tailoring clinical management to patients’ individual requirements.
In vivo contextual requirements for UAG translation as pyrrolysine

Pyrrolysine and selenocysteine have infiltrated natural genetic codes via the translation of canonical stop codons. UGA translation as selenocysteine is absolutely dependent on message context. Here we describe the first experimental examination of contextual requirements for UAG translation as pyrrolysine. A hexahistidine‐tagged Methanosarcina barkeri mtmB1 gene, encoding monomethylamine methyltransferase MtmB1, was introduced into Methanosarcina acetivorans. Host mtmB expression was minimized by growth on methanol and recombinant mtmB1 products monitored by anti‐MtmB and anti‐hexahistidine immunoblotting. UAG translation was not compromised, as recombinant MtmB1 was 1% of cellular protein with only trace UAG‐terminated mtmB1 product detectable. Untranslated regions flanking mtmB1 were not required for UAG translation, but loss of a downstream pyrrolysine insertion sequence (PYLIS) significantly increased the UAG‐termination product of mtmB1 and decreased the UAG‐translation product, which nonetheless contained pyrrolysine. An in‐frame UAG within a bacterial uidA transcript was translated in the methanogen as pyrrolysine with 20% efficiency, suggesting UAG translation in the absence of evolved context. However, predominant UAG‐directed termination with enhancement of UAG translation by the PYLIS appears analogous to cis‐acting elements for UGA translation as selenocysteine, although different mechanisms may underlie these recoding events.
Novel electrode configuration for highly linear impedance pneumography

Abstract Impedance pneumography (IP) is a non-invasive respiration measurement technique. Emerging applications of IP in respiratory medicine use the measured signal to monitor pulmonary flow and volume parameters related to airway obstruction during tidal breathing (TB). This requires a high impedance change (ΔZ)-to-lung volume change (ΔV) linearity. Four potential electrode configurations were tested on 10 healthy subjects. Only the novel configuration where the electrodes were placed in both the thorax and the arms yielded a highly linear ΔZ/ΔV in all subjects. The presented electrode configuration may expand the clinical use of IP from the conventional tidal volume estimation to flow measurement.
A Systematic Review of Instruments to Measure Sexual Functioning in Patients Using Antipsychotics

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect of antipsychotics, but information is scant regarding the psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of currently existing questionnaires. This systematic review compares the psychometric properties and content of questionnaires for assessment of sexual functioning in patients using antipsychotics. A systematic literature search was performed using three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) with predefined search terms. We identified six validated instruments for assessment of sexual functioning in patients using antipsychotics: the Antipsychotic Non-Neurological Side Effects Rating Scale (ANNSERS), the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), the Antipsychotics and Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (ASFQ), the Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire-14 (CSFQ-14), the Nagoya Sexual Function Questionnaire (NSFQ), and the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (PRSexDQ). The ASFQ, CSFQ-14, and PRSexDQ cover all stages of sexual functioning, which makes these questionnaires preferable to the other three questionnaires described. The ASFQ and PRSexDQ are clinician-administered and ask for a change in sexual functioning related to medication. The ASFQ assesses improvement as well as deterioration of sexual functioning, and includes items about hyperprolactinemia. The CSFQ-14 is useful when self-report is desired but contains more items.
Familial aggregation of delusional depression: Re‐examination in a recent family study

Background: Delusional (D‐MDD) and nondelusional depression (ND‐MDD) differ in clinical presentation, biological abnormalities, course of illness, and treatment response. Family data, however, have been less consistent regarding differential risk both for any major depression (MDD) and specifically D‐MDD in relatives of D‐MDD probands. In an earlier family study, we observed a 1.5‐fold increase in rates of any MDD, specificity of transmission of D‐MDD, and increased rates of bipolar disorders in relatives of D‐MDD compared to relatives of ND‐MDD probands. In a new family study, we attempted to replicate these findings.
Paralogous antirepressors acting on the master regulator for biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis

Matrix production during biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis is governed by a gene control circuit at the heart of which are three dedicated regulatory proteins, the antirepressor SinI, the repressor SinR and the downstream regulator SlrR. Matrix production is triggered by the synthesis of SinI, which binds to and inactivates SinR, thereby derepressing genes for matrix production as well as the gene for SlrR. Recently, two additional regulators of matrix genes were identified: SlrA, which was reported to be an activator of SlrR, and YwcC, a repressor of SlrA synthesis (Kobayashi, 2008). We present evidence indicating that SlrA, which is a paralogue of SinI, is like SinI, an antirepressor that binds to, and inactivates, SinR. We also show that SlrA does not activate SlrR for expression of matrix genes. Instead, SlrR binds to, and inhibits the activity of, SlrA. Thus, the YwcC‐SlrA‐SinR‐SlrR pathway is a negative feedback loop in which SlrA indirectly stimulates the synthesis of SlrR, and SlrR, in turn, inhibits the activity of SlrA. Finally, we report that under standard laboratory conditions SlrA makes only a small contribution to the expression of genes for matrix production. We propose that in response to an unknown signal recognized by the YwcC repressor, SlrA transiently boosts matrix production.
Structure and internal dynamics of the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor in aqueous solution from long‐time molecular dynamics simulations

Structural and dynamic properties of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) in aqueous solution are investigated using two molecular dynamics (MD) simulations: one of 1.4 ns length and one of 0.8 ns length in which atom‐atom distance bounds derived from NMR spectroscopy are included in the potential energy function to make the trajectory satisfy these experimental data more closely. The simulated properties of BPTI are compared with crystal and solution structures of BPTI, and found to be in agreement with the available experimental data. The best agreement with experiment was obtained when atom‐atom distance restraints were applied in a time‐averaged manner in the simulation. The polypeptide segments found to be most flexible in the MD simulations coincide closely with those showing differences between the crystal and solution structures of BPTI. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sirt1 inhibition promotes in vivo arterial thrombosis and tissue factor expression in stimulated cells.

AIMS The mammalian silent information regulator-two 1 (Sirt1) blunts the noxious effects of cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Nevertheless, the role of Sirt1 in regulating the expression of tissue factor (TF), the key trigger of coagulation, and arterial thrombus formation remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Human as well as mouse cell lines were used for in vitro experiments, and C57Bl/6 mice for in vivo procedures. Sirt1 inhibition by splitomicin or sirtinol enhanced cytokine-induced endothelial TF protein expression as well as surface activity, while TF pathway inhibitor protein expression did not change. Sirt1 inhibition further enhanced TF mRNA expression, TF promoter activity, and nuclear translocation as well as DNA binding of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB/p65). Sirt1 siRNA enhanced TF protein and mRNA expression, and this effect was reduced in NFκB/p65(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts reconstituted with non-acetylatable Lys(310)-mutant NFκB/p65. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p38, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, and p44/42 (ERK) remained unaffected. In vivo, mice treated with the Sirt1 inhibitor splitomicin exhibited enhanced TF activity in the arterial vessel wall and accelerated carotid artery thrombus formation in a photochemical injury model. CONCLUSION We provide pharmacological and genetic evidence that Sirt1 inhibition enhances TF expression and activity by increasing NFκB/p65 activation in human endothelial cells. Furthermore, Sirt1 inhibition induces arterial thrombus formation in vivo. Hence, modulation of Sirt1 may offer novel therapeutic options for targeting thrombosis.
Managing pain during mediastinal chest tube removal.

OBJECTIVE To compare four analgesic regimens used in preparing patients for chest tube removal. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled multiple-group comparison. SETTING Mid-atlantic university affiliated tertiary medical center. PATIENTS 80 adult patients who underwent heart surgery and who had two mediastinal chest tubes. OUTCOME MEASURES Subject's pain intensity rating on a 0 to 100 mm visual analog scale and subject's description of sensations blindly rated by six nurses. INTERVENTION Before chest tube removal, subjects were medicated with either: (1) intravenous morphine sulfate (morphine), (2) intravenous morphine and subfascial angiocatheter lidocaine hydrochloride (lidocaine), (3) intravenous morphine and subfascial angiocatheter normal saline solution, or (4) subfascial angiocatheter lidocaine. RESULTS Mean pain rating scores for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 43.7 40.9, 36.4, and 38.1, respectively. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference between scores (p = 0.8948). The percentage of comments rated as "not bad at all" or "not bad" for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 56%, 83%, 47% and 75%, respectively. Chi-square analysis showed a significant difference between ratings (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Blind ratings of subjects' descriptions of sensations suggest subfascial lidocaine may be useful in reducing discomfort during chest tube removal.
Predictive Value of Initial Glasgow Coma Scale Score in Pediatric Trauma Patients

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Glasgow Motor Component (GMC) for overall mortality, death on arrival, and major injury and the relationship between GCS and length of stay (LOS) in the emergency department (ED) and hospital. Methods Records from the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Base from 2007 to 2009 were extracted. Patients 0 to 18 years old transported from a trauma scene with complete initial scene data were included. Statistical analysis, including construction of receiver-operator curves, determined the correlation between GCS, GMC, and the clinical outcomes of interest. Results There were 104,035 records with complete data for analysis, including 3946 deaths. Mean patient age was 12.6 (SD, 5.5) years. Glasgow Coma Scale was predictive of overall mortality, with area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) of 0.946 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.941–0.951); death on arrival, with AUC of 0.958 (95% CI, 0.953–0.963); and risk of major injury, with AUC of 0.720 (0.715–0.724). Lower GCS scores were associated with shorter ED LOS and longer hospital stays (P <0.001, analysis of variance) except GCS 3, associated with shorter hospitalizations. For predicting overall mortality, the AUC for GMC was 0.940 (95% CI, 0.935–0.945), and for predicting major injury, the AUC was 0.681 (95% CI, 0.677–0.686). Conclusions For pediatric trauma victims, the GCS is predictive of mortality and injury outcomes, as well as both ED and hospital LOS, and has excellent prognostic accuracy. The GMC has predictive value for injury and mortality that is nearly equivalent to the full GCS.
Estimating Children’s Soil/Dust Ingestion Rates through Retrospective Analyses of Blood Lead Biomonitoring from the Bunker Hill Superfund Site in Idaho

Background: Soil/dust ingestion rates are important variables in assessing children’s health risks in contaminated environments. Current estimates are based largely on soil tracer methodology, which is limited by analytical uncertainty, small sample size, and short study duration. Objectives: The objective was to estimate site-specific soil/dust ingestion rates through reevaluation of the lead absorption dose–response relationship using new bioavailability data from the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site (BHSS) in Idaho, USA. Methods: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in vitro bioavailability methodology was applied to archived BHSS soil and dust samples. Using age-specific biokinetic slope factors, we related bioavailable lead from these sources to children’s blood lead levels (BLLs) monitored during cleanup from 1988 through 2002. Quantitative regression analyses and exposure assessment guidance were used to develop candidate soil/dust source partition scenarios estimating lead intake, allowing estimation of age-specific soil/dust ingestion rates. These ingestion rate and bioavailability estimates were simultaneously applied to the U.S. EPA Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model for Lead in Children to determine those combinations best approximating observed BLLs. Results: Absolute soil and house dust bioavailability averaged 33% (SD ± 4%) and 28% (SD ± 6%), respectively. Estimated BHSS age-specific soil/dust ingestion rates are 86–94 mg/day for 6-month- to 2-year-old children and 51–67 mg/day for 2- to 9-year-old children. Conclusions: Soil/dust ingestion rate estimates for 1- to 9-year-old children at the BHSS are lower than those commonly used in human health risk assessment. A substantial component of children’s exposure comes from sources beyond the immediate home environment. Citation: von Lindern I, Spalinger S, Stifelman ML, Stanek LW, Bartrem C. 2016. Estimating children’s soil/dust ingestion rates through retrospective analyses of blood lead biomonitoring from the Bunker Hill Superfund Site in Idaho. Environ Health Perspect 124:1462–1470; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1510144
Cj0011c, a Periplasmic Single- and Double-Stranded DNA-Binding Protein, Contributes to Natural Transformation in Campylobacter jejuni

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni is an important bacterial pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans. C. jejuni is capable of natural transformation, which is considered a major mechanism mediating horizontal gene transfer and generating genetic diversity. Despite recent efforts to elucidate the transformation mechanisms of C. jejuni, the process of DNA binding and uptake in this organism is still not well understood. In this study, we report a previously unrecognized DNA-binding protein (Cj0011c) in C. jejuni that contributes to natural transformation. Cj0011c is a small protein (79 amino acids) with a partial sequence homology to the C-terminal region of ComEA in Bacillus subtilis. Cj0011c bound to both single- and double-stranded DNA. The DNA-binding activity of Cj0011c was demonstrated with a variety of DNAs prepared from C. jejuni or Escherichia coli, suggesting that the DNA binding of Cj0011c is not sequence dependent. Deletion of the cj0011c gene from C. jejuni resulted in 10- to 50-fold reductions in the natural transformation frequency. Different from the B. subtilis ComEA, which is an integral membrane protein, Cj0011c is localized in the periplasmic space of C. jejuni. These results indicate that Cj0011c functions as a periplasmic DNA receptor contributing to the natural transformation of C. jejuni.
Reinforcing Voiceless Finals in Taiwanese and Hakka: Laryngoscopic Case Studies

Controversy exists whether the syllable-final voiceless stops of (S)E Asian languages are reinforced with glottalization in all these languages, i.e. -p -t -k. For example, early laryngoscopic observation of finals in Cantonese, Taiwanese (Fukienese), and Thai found that after vocalization ceases, vocal folds and false vocal folds adduct, and, in some cases, there is engagement of the aryepiglottic sphincter. This paper confirms that Taiwanese and Hakka have reinforcement of finals with glottal stop and also the variable engagement of secondary reinforcement, in agreement with these early studies. We did not find final oral stops that lacked reinforcement with the vocal folds, a phenomenon that has been observed in Korean and Vietnamese. The method used in this study is based on transnasal laryngoscopy, which allows observation of many new details of the valve-like engagement of structures in the production of reinforcement.