Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiology of Diabetes in the Elderly

In the past, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes [1]. Although, unfortunately, elderly patients were systematically excluded from these studies, we have more recently started to study, in systematic fashion, the pathophysiological alterations that occur in elderly patients with diabetes. These studies, the details of which will be reviewed in the following sections, suggest that there are many ways in which diabetes in the elderly is unique. Some of the factors that contribute to the high prevalence diabetes in the elderly are shown schematically in Figure 1.1.
Engineering an APRIL-specific B Cell Maturation Antigen*

B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member whose physiological role remains unclear. BCMA has been implicated as a receptor for both a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B cell-activating factor (BAFF), tumor necrosis factor ligands that bind to multiple tumor necrosis factor receptor and have been reported to play a role in autoimmune disease and cancer. The results presented herein provide a dual perspective analysis of BCMA binding to both APRIL and BAFF. First, we characterized the binding affinity of monomeric BCMA for its ligands; BAFF binding affinity (IC50 = 8 ± 5 μm) is about 1000-fold reduced compared with the high affinity interaction of APRIL (IC50 = 11 ± 3 nm). Second, shotgun alanine scanning of BCMA was used to map critical residues for either APRIL or BAFF binding. In addition to a previously described “DXL” motif (Gordon, N. C., Pan, B., Hymowitz, S. G., Yin, J., Kelley, R. F., Cochran, A. G., Yan, M., Dixit, V. M., Fairbrother, W. J., and Starovasnik, M. A. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 5977-5983), the alanine scanning results predicted four amino acid positions in BCMA (Tyr13, Ile22, Gln25, and Arg27) that could impart ligand specificity. Substitution of Tyr13 was tolerated for BAFF binding but not APRIL binding. Arg27 was required for high affinity binding to APRIL, whereas substitutions of this residue had minimal effect on affinity for BAFF. Further phage display experiments suggested the single mutations of I22K, Q25D, and R27Y as providing the greatest difference in APRIL versus BAFF binding affinity. Incorporation of the Q25D and R27Y substitutions into BCMA produced a dual specificity variant, since it has comparable binding affinity for both APRIL and BAFF, IC50 = 350 and 700 nm, respectively. Binding of the I22K mutant of monomeric BCMA to BAFF was undetectable (IC50 > 100 μm), but affinity for binding to APRIL was similar to wild-type BCMA. Based on these results, a BCMA-Fc fusion with the single I22K mutation was produced that binds APRIL, IC50 = 12 nm, and has no measurable affinity for BAFF. These results suggest that APRIL is the preferred ligand for BCMA and show that specificity can be further modified through amino acid substitutions.
Effect of Lower Extremity Stretching Exercises on Balance in Geriatric Population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to find "Effect of lower extremity stretching exercises on balance in the geriatric population. METHOD 60 subjects (30 male and 30 female) participated in the study. The subjects underwent 10 weeks of lower limb stretching exercise program. Pre and post 10 weeks stretching exercise program, the subjects were assessed for balance, using single limb stance time in seconds and berg balance score. These outcome measures were analyzed. RESULTS Pre and post lower extremity stretching on balance was analyzed using paired t test. Of 60 subjects 50 subjects completed the stretching exercise program. Paired sample t test analysis showed a significant improvement in single limb stance time (eyes open and eyes closed) (p<0.001) and berg balance score (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Lower extremity stretching exercises enhances balance in the geriatric population and thereby reduction in the number of falls.
Bedside therapeutic experiences with horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (cupulolithiasis)

Conclusions. After forced prolonged position type one (FPP-one) and the appropriate repositioning maneuvers, or FPP-two, 95.45% of patients with cupulolithiasis of the horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV). were symptom-free. Objectives. To treat patients with cupulolithiasis of the HSC-BPPV. Subjects and methods. This was a prospective study including 22 subjects with HSC-BPPV (cupulolithiasis) based on apogeotropic direction-changing positional nystagmus (apo-DCPN). Patients adopted FPP-one, which means lying down on the side of the weaker nystagmus during nightly rest for 2 weeks. If apo-DCPN persisted, subjects adopted type two FPP (FPP-two), which means lying on the strongest nystagmus side during nightly rest for 2 weeks. Results. No vertigo or nystagmus was observed in 15 subjects after FPP-one. One subject experienced geotropic DCPN (geo-DCPN), two subjects had posterior BPPV, and another had superior BPPV. Three subjects had persistent apo-DCPN and they were subjected to FPP-two. After that, no vertigo or nystagmus was detected in two subjects. Apo-DCPN persisted in the other remaining subject after FPP-two.
Pandangan Islam terhadap tradisi dan kemodenan

Umat Islam hari ini, tidak terkecuali para intelektualnya, mengalami dilema dalam menyikapi tradisi. Golongan modenis dan pascamodenis beranggapan bahawa tradisi adalah beban yang harus dilupakan untuk maju ke hadapan. Pada ekstrim yang berlawanan, golongan tradisionalis pula cenderung mengkuduskan tradisi sehingga menganggap segala yang diperturunkan tidak boleh diganggu gugat dan harus diterima sebagaimana adanya tanpa apa-apa perubahan. Ada juga yang menyerukan agar kita mengambil jalan tengah dengan menerima apa yang benar dan baik dan menolak apa yang salah dan buruk, tanpa suatu penjelasan ilmiah yang mencukupi. Makalah ini akan cuba menjelaskan nilai dan tempat yang wajar bagi tradisi atau turath mengingat bahawa ketidakjelasan dalam hal ini telah menyebabkan berlakunya banyak kekeliruan dan perpecahan di kalangan umat Islam, sehingga saling menyesatkan dalam perkara-perkara yang remeh, kecil atau furE‘. Makalah ini juga mengkritik pendekatan liberal dalam berhadapan dengan turath yang dapat mengakibatkan keruntuhan autoriti keagamaan (religious authority). Di samping itu makalah ini juga membahas bagaimanakah sikap yang sewajarnya ada pada umat Islam dalam menghadapi modeniti (modernity) Barat, juga mengkritik pendekatan golongan modenissekular yang cenderung meniru dan menerima secara a priori modeniti Barat.Ia berusaha memberikan perspektif yang jelas terhadap modeniti Barat, dan konsep pembangunan dan kemajuan berdasarkan kepada pandangan alam (worldview) Islam.
Morphological studies on the epididymal duct of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedaries).

The present work was carried out on 20 epididymes of sexually mature one humped camel to elucidate the gross anatomical, scanning electron microscopical and light microscopical features of the epididymal duct. Anatomically, the epididymal duct of camel consists of three parts i.e. head, body and tail. Histomorphologically, the epididymal duct is subdivided into initial, middle and terminal segments, of which the middle segment is further subdivided into proximal, intermediate and distal parts. The epithelium lining the epididymal duct is ciliated pseudostratified columnar comprising mainly five cell types, namely principal, basal, apical, dark and halo cells. It displays numerous intraepithelial glands in the middle segment. In general, there is a gradual increase in the total diameter and decrease in the epithelial height of the epididymal duct from the initial to the terminal segments; that may, mechanically, facilities passage of the sperms toward the terminal segment. The lamina propria of the epididymal duct contains a layer of interlacing elastic fibers which may allow adequate elasticity of the duct that could help in its expansion. Moreover it is surrounded by numerous layers of circularly and obliquely arranged smooth muscle fibers which always increase in thickness toward the terminal segment.
Corroborating the ages of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

Fish ageing researchers have long recognised the importance of validating age-reading methodologies. The strongest age validations require the acquisition of ageing structures from fish of known-ages, or specimens whose ages are appropriate for bomb carbon validation. Often such specimens are extremely difficult or impossible to acquire so researchers have sought alternatives to validation. The alternative to age validation is age corroboration. Corroboration of a fish ageing method occurs when fish ages are found to be consistent with some ancillary information when comparisons are made in an unbiased manner. The question pursued in this study is how desirable are such comparisons from a scientific viewpoint. Information is presented that corroborates otolith ages for walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), one of the largest groundfish fisheries in the world. Walleye pollock ages were corroborated using marginal increment analysis, ages following the strong 1978 year class in the eastern Bering Sea, and a comparison of ages read from otoliths with ages read from vertebrae. A new statistical method is suggested for comparing otolith and vertebra age readings. The walleye pollock example demonstrated that corroborating evidence can improve confidence in fish ages and ageing techniques.
Relationship between urinary tract infection and self-retaining Double-J catheter colonization.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Long-term ureteral stenting is associated with bacterial colonization of both catheter surface and urine. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the type of bacteria cultured from the Double-J catheter, removed from urinary tract, and cultured from urine. Relationship of the Double-J catheter and urine culture with the duration of Double-J stenting, gender, the presence of diabetes mellitus, as well as the reason for stenting and manner of catheter insertion was also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Urine specimens were cultured before stent insertion and removal. The stent was sent immediately for culture. Data such as age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, reason for stenting, and manner of catheterization were recorded. RESULTS Urine cultures were positive in 17 cases, while catheter cultures were positive in 64 cases. In 10 cases, the same bacterial species were colonized from urine and stent surface, while in one case, both cultures were negative. In seven patients, both cultures showed different bacterial species, and in 47 cases, urine cultures were negative while the catheters were colonized. CONCLUSIONS The only significant correlation was noted between urine culture and stenting duration (P < 0.05). Double-J catheter retention in the urinary tract is associated with a high risk of bacterial colonization, while the risk of urine infection is about fourfold lower. There is a great discrepancy between urine and catheter cultures.
Schistosomiasis in two Nile delta villages: an anthropological perspective

In the rapidly changing Nile delta villages, applied research for schistosomiasis control requires a holistic view of the social and environmental setting of the disease. An interdisciplinary, participatory study of two delta villages studied human behaviour in relation to disease transmission, knowledge and treatment using the insights and methods of social science, especially anthropology. Through primarily qualitative techniques such as focus group discussions and participant observation, we found that most people who used the canals for domestic, recreational or agricultural activities thought that they had little alternative but to do so, even though they knew of the risk of exposure to schistosomiasis. The knowledge and behaviour of villagers with regard to schistosomiasis affected their utilization of the local provisions for schistosomiasis diagnosis and treatment. Our monitoring of diagnosis and testing for schistosomiasis at a local health centre identified areas which could be upgraded, and we trained health staff to improve their knowledge of schistosomiasis. Our findings reinforce the need for integrated research and implementation strategies, taking into account the knowledge and capabilities of all those involved in schistosomiasis control at the village level, and the fostering of effective communication between villagers, both women and men, and the local staff in rural health centres.
Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in apparently healthy professionals in Asaba, South South Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Hypercholesterolaemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) especially in industrialized societies. Coronary heart disease is becoming an increasing cause of death even in the developing world. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in apparently healthy professionals in a developing economy. METHOD One hundred apparently healthy professionals were recruited from several professions by stratified random sampling. This population was believed to be at higher risk of dyslipidaemia considering their more likely "western diet" lifestyle. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and Triglycerides were determined using standard cholesterol LDL precipitating reagents/kits. RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 41.59 +/- 8.22 years (range 29 to 58 years) with male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Mean total cholesterol was 180.69 +/- 36.248 mg/dl (4.67 +/- 0.94 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol 122.68 +/- 44.42 mg/dl (3.17 +/- 1.15 mmol/L), HDL-cholesterol 37.47 +/- 9.91 mg/dl (0.96 +/- 0.26 mmol/L) and Triglyceride 83.139 +/- 66.888 mg/dl (0.94 +/- 0.76 mmol/L). Using the Third Report of the NCEP Expert Panel on Detection. Evaluation and Treatment of high blood cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) definition and risk classification, 5% of the study population had hypercholesterolaemia, 23% elevated total serum cholesterol, 51% elevated LDL-cholesterol and 60% low HDL-cholesterol, with females recording better overall lipid profile. CONCLUSION Dyslipidaemia was highly prevalent in the population studied, with low HDL-cholesterol being the most frequent lipid abnormality. Dyslipidaemia is becoming a serious health problem in the developing world also, even among the apparently healthy, and necessitates periodic lipid profile screening.
Expression of Interferon-inducible RNA Adenosine Deaminase ADAR1 during Pathogen Infection and Mouse Embryo Development Involves Tissue-selective Promoter Utilization and Alternative Splicing*

ADAR1 (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) is widely expressed in adult mammals and has a critical role during embryogenesis. Two size forms of ADAR1 are known that possess adenosine-to-inosine editing activity: an interferon (IFN)-inducible ∼150-kDa protein and a constitutively expressed N-terminally truncated ∼110-kDa protein. We defined the structure of the 5′-flanking region of the mouse Adar1 gene, and we show here that mouse Adar1 transcripts possess alternative exon 1 structures (1A, 1B, and 1C) that initiate from unique promoters and are spliced to a common exon 2 junction. Exon 1A-containing transcripts encoding p150 were expressed in all tissues examined from adult mice (brain, cecum, heart, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and Peyer's patches) and were elevated most significantly in liver but remained lowest in brain following oral infection with Salmonella. Exon 1B-containing RNA was most abundant in brain and was not increased in any tissue examined following infection. Exon 1C-containing RNA was very scarce. Exon 1A, but not exon 1B or 1C, expression was increased in fibroblast L cells treated with IFN, and a consensus ISRE element was present in the promoter driving exon 1A expression. Exon 1B, but not 1A, was detectable in embryonic day 10.5 embryos and was abundantly expressed in embryonic day 15 embryos. Furthermore, the ADAR1 p110 protein isoform was detected in embryonic tissue, whereas both p110 and the inducible p150 proteins were found in IFN-treated L cells. Finally, the presence of alternative exon 7a correlated with exon 1B-containing RNA, and alternative exon 7b correlated with exon 1A-containing RNA. These results establish that multiple promoters drive the expression of the Adar1 gene in adult mice, that the IFN inducible promoter and exon 1A-containing RNA are primarily responsible for the increased ADAR1 observed in Salmonella-infected mice, and that the constitutive exon 1B-containing transcript and encoded p110 protein product are abundantly expressed both in adult brain and during embryogenesis.
Beta‐adrenergic receptors predict heart rate reactivity to a psychosocial stressor.

&NA; We examined the ability of baseline measures of receptors (lymphocyte beta‐adrenergic) and nonreceptors (plasma catecholamines, heart rate, and blood pressure) to predict cardiovascular responses to a mental arithmetic task. Twenty‐five male volunteers served as subjects. Nonreceptor measures predicted the heart rate response to stress poorly (p = 0.67). However, beta receptor density and sensitivity explained 48.4% of the variance in heart rate response (p = 0.007). When both receptor and nonreceptor measures were used together, they predicted 76.6% of the variance (p = 0.005), which was more than was explained by either receptor or nonreceptor baseline measurements alone (p = 0.001). Receptor measures may thus greatly improve the prediction of reactivity.
Retrospective comparison of an endoscopic assisted versus a purely endoscopic approach to sellar tumour resection.

INTRODUCTION The purely endoscopic approach to sellar tumors is thought to offer improved visualization and decreased complications compared to the endoscopic assisted approach. METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the Research Ethics Board (REB) of McMaster University. Seventy-one consecutive patients who underwent sellar surgery at our institution from January 2003 to October 2005 were reviewed. 40 patients underwent an endoscopic assisted (microscope) approach, while 31 underwent a purely endoscopic approach. Populations were compared for differences in demographics, OR times, outcome measures, and complication rates. RESULTS The groups were demographically equivalent. The pathology was similar across both groups. Both groups had a reduction of volume and invasion post operatively. There was a trend toward greater reduction in tumour volume and a significant decrease in tumour invasion in the purely endoscopic group. Both groups demonstrated similar improvements in visual fields. The purely endoscopic group had an improvement of 0.33 axes (p<0.05) in pituitary function. Overall, complications were reduced in the purely endoscopic group. A trend toward shorter operative times (128 minutes vs 135 minutes) and length of hospital stay (3.6 days (p<0.05) vs 5.4 days) in the purely endoscopic group. CONCLUSION Our purely endoscopic group demonstrated a trend, as skill and confidence increased so did the size and invasiveness of the tumours being resected. Overall, the purely endoscopic technique showed improved total tumour resection, improved pituitary function, similar visual field outcomes, less post operative complications, decreased operative times and reduced hospital stay when compared to the endoscopic assisted technique.
Reliability and Validity of Cervical Range of Motion and Muscle Strength Testing

Abstract Kubas, C, Chen, Y-W, Echeverri, S, McCann, S, Denhoed, M, Walker, C, Kennedy, C, and Reid, WD. Reliability and validity of cervical range of motion and muscle strength testing. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 1087–1096, 2017—Cervical range of motion (ROM) and strength are fundamental measures to assess treatment effectiveness. The JTECH wireless devices provide versatile means of quantifying these measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine intrarater and interrater reliabilities and concurrent validity of the JTECH wireless dual inclinometer and handheld dynamometer. This study included 20 healthy subjects (mean age = 28.7 ± 7.8 years). The directions of ROM movement measured were cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Isometric strength was measured for flexion, extension, and lateral flexion. Two testers measured cervical ROM and isometric strength for each subject using the JTECH devices during 2 or 3 sessions to determine reliability. The same ROM and muscle strength movements were measured using the CROM3 and MicroFET2, respectively, to assess concurrent validity. Reliability and validity were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), along with SEM and minimal detectable change. The results of this study showed that the intrarater reliability of the JTECH inclinometer and dynamometer was moderate to excellent (ICCs (3,1) = 0.53–0.90 and 0.74–0.91, respectively). The interrater reliability of the JTECH inclinometer was moderate to excellent (ICCs (2,3) = 0.69–0.89), whereas the JTECH dynamometer showed excellent interrater reliability (ICCs (2,3) = 0.84–0.88). The JTECH inclinometer and dynamometer showed moderate to excellent concurrent validity (ICCs (3,2) = 0.65–0.91 and 0.91–0.96, respectively). With the ease of use, portability, and ability to record multiple measurements without stopping, these devices can be applied to clinical and research settings.
Dynamical Mass Estimates for Five Young Massive Stellar Clusters

We have obtained high-dispersion spectra for four massive star clusters in the dwarf irregular galaxies NGC 4214 and NGC 4449, using the HIRES spectrograph on the Keck I telescope. Combining the velocity dispersions of the clusters with structural parameters and photometry from images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, we estimate mass-to-light (M/L) ratios and compare these with simple stellar population models in order to constrain the stellar mass functions (MFs) of the clusters. For all clusters we find M/L values that are similar to or slightly higher than for a Kroupa MF and thereby rule out any MF that is deficient in low-mass stars compared with a Kroupa-type MF. The four clusters have virial masses ranging between 2.1 × 105 and 1.5 × 106 M⊙, half-light radii between 3.0 and 5.2 pc, estimated core densities in the range 2 × 103 to 2 × 105 M⊙ pc-3, and ages between 200 and 800 Myr. We also present new high-dispersion near-infrared spectroscopy for a luminous young (∼15 Myr) cluster in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 6946, which we have previously observed with HIRES. The new measurements in the infrared agree well with previous estimates of the velocity dispersion for this cluster, yielding a mass of about 1.7 × 106 M⊙. Including an improved estimate of the reddening toward this cluster, the new data yield an M/L in excellent agreement with a Kroupa-type MF also for this cluster. The properties of the clusters studied here are all consistent with the clusters being young versions of the old globular clusters found around all major galaxies.