Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Race and Sex Effects on the Association Between Muscle Strength, Soft Tissue, and Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Elders: The Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study

Two factors generally reported to influence bone density are body composition and muscle strength. However, it is unclear if these relationships are consistent across race and sex, especially in older persons. If differences do exist by race and/or sex, then strategies to maintain bone mass or minimize bone loss in older adults may need to be modified accordingly. Therefore, we examined the independent effects of bone mineral‐free lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), and muscle strength on regional and whole body bone mineral density (BMD) in a cohort of 2619 well‐functioning older adults participating in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study with complete measures. Participants included 738 white women, 599 black women, 827 white men, and 455 black men aged 70‐79 years. BMD (g/cm2) of the femoral neck, whole body, upper and lower limb, and whole body and upper limb bone mineral‐free LM and FM was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Handgrip strength and knee extensor torque were determined by dynamometry. In analyses stratified by race and sex and adjusted for a number of confounders, LM was a significant (p < 0.001) determinant of BMD, except in white women for the lower limb and whole body. In women, FM also was an independent contributor to BMD at the femoral neck, and both FM and muscle strength contributed to limb BMD. The following were the respective β‐weights (regression coefficients for standardized data, Std β) and percent difference in BMD per unit (7.5 kg) LM: femoral neck, 0.202‐0.386 and 4.7‐5.9%; lower limb, 0.209‐0.357 and 2.9‐3.5%; whole body, 0.239‐0.484 and 3.0‐4.7%; and upper limb (unit = 0.5 kg), 0.231‐0.407 and 3.1‐3.4%. Adjusting for bone size (bone mineral apparent density [BMAD]) or body size BMD/height) diminished the importance of LM, and the contributory effect of FM became more pronounced. These results indicate that LM and FM were associated with bone mineral depending on the bone site and bone index used. Where differences did occur, they were primarily by sex not race. To preserve BMD, maintaining or increasing LM in the elderly would appear to be an appropriate strategy, regardless of race or sex.
Patients’ self‐perceived burden, caregivers’ burden and quality of life for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a cross‐sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study surveys the quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and the factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and their caregivers' burden. BACKGROUND Burdens of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers in Chinese population are largely unknown. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted among 81 pairs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and their caregivers. METHODS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and caregivers' burden were assessed by the Self-Perceived Burden Scale and Zarit-Burden Interview, respectively. Quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised questionnaire was used to estimate patients' physical function. RESULTS Both patients and caregivers reported a mild to moderate burden. The World Health Organization quality of life-Bref scores were decreased in respondents with lower amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised, higher Self-Perceived Burden Scale and higher Zarit-Burden Interview scores. Self-Perceived Burden Scale scores were associated with patients' knowledge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respiratory function and female sex. Zarit-Burden Interview scores were associated with caregivers' age, patients' motor function and out-of-pocket payment. CONCLUSION With increase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients' self-perceived burden and caregivers' burden, quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients decreased. Female patients, who had known more about the disease, and those with severe respiratory dysfunction were subject to higher self-perceived burden. Older caregivers and caregivers of patients with severe motor dysfunction and more out-of-pocket payment experienced more care burdens. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Our study suggests that paying more attention to female amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients might benefit patients in China or other South-East Asian countries under the Confucian concept of ethics. There is an urgent demand to expand medical insurance coverage to cover amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China and other developing countries. Long and adequate supports are needed for relieving caregiver's burden. To improve the quality of life of patients, relieving the patients' SBP and caregivers' burden is likely to be not only required, but also essential.
Expression of estrogen, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors in recent striae distensae

Background Stretch marks or striae distensae (SD) can be considered a common skin disorder, but their physiopathogenic mechanisms have not been totally clarified. Although it is considered an esthetic complaint, it may have serious psychosocial consequences besides the local and systemic alterations of the conjunctive tissue. This study aims at assessing and quantifying the estrogen, androgen and glucocorticoid receptors in skin samples with striae and comparing with normal skin.
[Autoantibodies Against beta(1)-Adrenoreceptors in Patients With Cardiac Rhythm Disorders. Prevalence and Possible Role in Development of Arrhythmia].

AIM To assess prevalence of autoantibodies against beta(1)-adrenoreceptors (beta(1)-AR) in patients with arrhythmias of various etiology. MATERIAL Patients with arrhythmias (n=110, including 59 patients with primary [idiopathic] electrical abnormalities, 33 - with chronic myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM]; 18 - with ischemic heart disease [IHD]) and healthy control subjects (n=20). METHODS Antibodies against beta(1)-AR were measured in blood serum by direct immunoassay. Synthetic fragment containing 26 amino acids of beta(1)-AR second loop was used as antigen. RESULTS Patients with primary electrical abnormalities and chronic myocarditis/DCM had similar prevalence of beta(1)-AR (49.1% and 54.5%, respectively), what was significantly higher than in controls (10%) and in patients with IHD (16.6%). These results provided evidence for the possible presence of an autoimmune process in the genesis of idiopathic arrhythmias. Among patients with idiopathic arrhythmias beta(1)-AR were found in 40% (10 of 25) of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT), 63.6% (14 of 22) of patients with ventricular extrasystoles (VE), 41.6% (5 of 12) of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Among patients with chronic myocarditis and DCM beta(1)-AR were found in 72.2% (13 of 18) of patients with VT, 28.5% (2 of 7) of patients with VE, 37.5% (3 of 8) of patients with AF. Among patients with idiopathic arrhythmias female sex and frequent respiratory viral diseases were more common in beta(1)-AR-positive compared with beta(1)-AR-negative patients. VT and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were more common in beta(1)-AR-positive than beta(1)-AR-negative patients among those with chronic myocarditis and DCM.
Polymorphous hemangioendothelioma in a child with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Polymorphous hemangioendotheliomas (PH) are rare and borderline malignant tumors that are among the wide range of vascular tumors. We report here a 13‐year‐old male presenting with a history of weight loss, opportunistic infections, and lymphadenopathy. He was determined to be HIV positive and to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A biopsy of a femoral node was diagnostic of PH. His systemic lymphadenopathy appeared to resolve with anti‐retroviral therapy. This tumor should be considered within the differential diagnoses of pediatric and immunocompromised patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:663–665. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma: quantitative evaluation of tumor enhancement in hepatobiliary phase.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the quantitative evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dysplastic nodules in the hepatobiliary phase. MATERIAL AND METHODS The subjects comprised 12 patients with 27 lesions (22 HCCs and 5 dysplastic nodules). Chemical-shift-selective fat-suppressed T1-weighted sequences were obtained before and 10, 20, and 40 min after the injection of Gd-EOB-DTPA. Quantitative analyses were performed with the enhancement ratio of the lesion and the contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratio. RESULTS The enhancement ratios of the HCCs were 44.0+/-36.5, 44.7+/-46.8, and 47.7+/-52.8 (%) at 10, 20, and 40 min, respectively, after the injection of Gd-EOB-DTPA. The enhancement ratios of the dysplastic nodules were 36.2+/-34.3, 44.3+/-37.3, and 40.1+/-46.8 (%). The C/N ratios of the HCCs were 0.2+/-6.6 for the precontrast image, and -9.2+/-12.6, -9.9+/-14.8, and -12.7+/-15.7 at 10, 20, and 40 min, respectively, after the injection of Gd-EOB-DTPA. The C/N ratios of the dysplastic nodules were 1.4+/-8.0, -13.7+/-11.1, -13.3+/-7.6, and -13.1+/-10.4. No significant differences were found between the HCCs and the dysplastic nodules in the enhancement ratio and the C/N ratio. Only two HCCs showed a positive C/N ratio value, and these HCCs were pathologically confirmed to be a well differentiated and a moderately differentiated carcinoma, respectively. CONCLUSION HCCs and some of the dysplastic nodules showed hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. No specific enhancement was observed, regardless of tumor differentiation.
Developing a mobile app for game-based learning in middle school mathematics course

Mathematics is the mother of science and is also often applied in our daily lives. However, many students always have difficulties in studying it and are little interested in it. This study is based on Math ability index of students aged from five to seven according to the field of 9-whole-year mathematics learning by Ministry of Education. It focuses on ability promotion on Geometry, Logic, questions solutions, and Graphics and Space. The content of the project mainly relates to the development of game-based interactive Apps and the software design of cross-platform mathematics learning. The result of this study indicates that the participating students are able to self-study through this software. Further, it is found by this experiment that such Math learning Apps did greatly help to enhance students' interest in learning Math and the tests have proved that through the mode of self-learning. As a result, this Math learning Apps can help a lot to enhance the effectiveness in learning and it also can become remedial teaching materials.
Measurement of the Initial Levels of DNA Damage in Human Lymphocytes Induced by 29 kV X Rays (Mammography X Rays) Relative to 220 kV X Rays and γ Rays

Abstract Gomolka, M. , Rössler, U. , Hornhardt, S. , Walsh, L. , Panzer, W. and Schmid, E. Measurement of the Initial Levels of DNA Damage in Human Lymphocytes Induced by 29 kV X Rays (Mammography X Rays) Relative to 220 kV X Rays and γ Rays. 163, 510–519 (2005). Experiments using the alkaline comet assay, which measures all single-strand breaks regardless of their origin, were performed to evaluate the biological effectiveness of photons with different energies in causing these breaks. The aim was to measure human lymphocytes directly for DNA damage and subsequent repair kinetics induced by mammography 29 kV X rays relative to 220 kV X rays, 137Cs γ rays and 60Co γ rays. The level of DNA damage, predominantly due to single-strand breaks, was computed as the Olive tail moment or percentage DNA in the tail for different air kerma doses (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 Gy). Fifty cells were analyzed per slide with a semiautomatic imaging system. Data from five independent experiments were transformed to natural logarithms and fitted using a multiple linear regression analysis. Irradiations with the different photon energies were performed simultaneously for each experiment to minimize interexperimental variation. Blood from only one male and one female was used. The interexperimental variation and the influence of donor gender were negligible. In addition, repair kinetics and residual DNA damage after exposure to a dose of 3 Gy were evaluated in three independent experiments for different repair times (10, 20, 30 and 60 min). Data for the fraction of remaining damage were fitted to the simple function Fd = A/(t + A), where Fd is the fraction of remaining damage, t is the time allowed for repair, and A (the only fit parameter) is the repair half-time. It was found that the comet assay data did not indicate any difference in the initial radiation damage produced by 29 kV X rays relative to the reference radiation types, 220 kV X rays and the γ rays of 137Cs and 60Co, either for the total dose range or in the low-dose range. These results are, with some restrictions, consistent with physical examinations and predictions concerning, for example, the assessment of the possible difference in effectiveness in causing strand breaks between mammography X rays and conventional (150–250 kV) X rays, indicating that differences in biological effects must arise through downstream processing of the damage.
Effect of intensive exercise on patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised clinical trial

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a dynamic, intensive exercise regimen on pain, disease activity, and physical functioning in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS 64 patients with RA with a mean age of 60 (13) years and mean disease duration of 8 (8) years, admitted to hospital because of active disease, were randomly assigned to an intensive exercise programme or to a conservative exercise programme during their period in hospital with a mean length of 30 (14) days. The intensive exercise programme consisted of knee and shoulder dynamic and isometric muscle strengthening exercises against resistance five times a week and conditioning bicycle training three times a week and was supplemental to the conservative exercise programme of range of motion and isometric exercises. Indices of disease activity, pain, muscle strength, and functional ability were assessed at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks by a blinded observer. RESULTS The medical treatment during the study was the same in both groups. Both groups improved in measures of disease activity, differences between groups were not statistically significant. The mean improvement in disease activity score at 24 weeks in the intensive and conservative exercise group was −1.4 (1.5) and −0.7 (1.4), respectively. Measures of physical functioning improved significantly for patients in the intensive exercise group, and differences between groups were statistically significant for measures of muscle strength. CONCLUSION A short term intensive exercise programme in active RA is more effective in improving muscle strength than a conservative exercise programme and does not have deleterious effects on disease activity.
Chicken MAR-binding protein ARBP is homologous to rat methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2

Here, we describe the cloning and further characterization of chicken ARBP, an abundant nuclear protein with a high affinity for MAR/SARs. Surprisingly, ARBP was found to be homologous to the rat protein MeCP2, previously identified as a methyl-CpG-binding protein. A region spanning 125 amino acids in the N-terminal halves is 96.8% identical between chicken ARBP and rat MeCP2. A deletion mutation analysis using Southwestern and band shift assays identified this highly conserved region as the MAR DNA binding domain. Alignment of chicken ARBP with rat and human MeCP2 proteins revealed six trinucleotide amplifications generating up to 34-fold repetitions of a single amino acid. Because MeCP2 was previously localized to pericentromeric heterochromatin in mouse chromosomes, we analyzed the in vitro binding of ARBP to various repetitive sequences. In band shift experiments, ARBP binds to two chicken repetitive sequences as well as to mouse satellite DNA with high affinity similar to that of its binding to chicken lysozyme MAR fragments. In mouse satellite DNA, use of several footprinting techniques characterized two high-affinity binding sites, whose sequences are related to the ARBP binding site consensus in the chicken lysozyme MAR (5'-GGTGT-3'). Band shift experiments indicated that methylation increased in vitro binding of ARBP to mouse satellite DNA two- to fivefold. Our results suggest that ARBP/MeCP2 is a multifunctional protein with roles in loop domain organization of chromatin, the structure of pericentromeric heterochromatin, and DNA methylation.
Relationship Between Trunk Control and Balance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Trunk control is impaired in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) thus influencing their functional balance. However, there is a paucity of literature determining the relationship between trunk control and balance in children with CP. Aim To find the relationship between trunk control and balance by means of Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) and Paediatric Balance Scale (PBS). Materials and Methods Twenty four children {age range 8-14 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I-III} with spastic CP were recruited and evaluated using TCMS and PBS. The results were expressed as summary measures median (M) and Inter-Quartile Range (IQR). The correlation of TCMS and PBS were done using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The children obtained a median score of 52 out of 58 on the TCMS and 50 out of 56 on PBS. There was a significantly strong correlation with rs=0.77 and p<0.01. A strong correlation (p<0.01) was seen between static, dynamic and total components of TCMS and PBS. The median scores of TCMS and PBS had a strong correlation for boys with rs=0.74 and very strong correlation for girls with rs=0.84. Based on the type of spastic CP, diplegics had a very strong correlation with rs=0.85. While based on GMFCS levels, Level II and Level III had a very strong correlation (For level II rs=0.81 and level III rs=0.86) and weak correlation for level I (rs=0.27). Conclusion Based on gender, topography and severity of the motor impairment both trunk control and balance are impaired to a different degree in children with CP. The findings of this study showed a high positive correlation between trunk control and balance in children with spastic CP.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Grammistes sexlineatus (Perciformes, Serranidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of Grammistes sexlineatus was first determined and studied in the present study. The mitochondrial genome was 16,502 nucleotides that contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and one putative control region. The overall base composition of G. sexlineatus was T 23.74%, C 31.05%, A 28.79%, and G 16.42%, with a slight A + T bias of 52.53%. The gene order and composition of G. sexlineatus mitogenome was similar to the most vertebrate. Meanwhile, a termination-associated sequence (TAS) and the conserved sequence blocks (CSB-2 and CSB-3) were determined in G. sexlineatus control region. The mitochondrial genome would play key role in phylogenetics analysis of the Serranidae.
Differentiation of Genes Coding for Escherichia coli Verotoxin 2 and the Verotoxin Associated with Porcine Edema Disease (VTe) by the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Two sets of synthetic oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction adaptation to distinguish the closely related genes for type 2 verotoxin (VT2 or Shiga-like toxin [SLT-II]) and the verotoxin associated with porcine edema disease (VTe or SLT-II variant [SLT-IIv]) in Escherichia coli.
Microbiological quality of some locally-produced fruit juices in Ogun State , South western Nigeria

Contaminated foods and drinks are the source of various food borne conditions due to gastroenteritis in human. For microbiological assessment of fruit juices, 120 fruit juice samples (24 each of avocado, papaya, pineapple, grape and orange) were collected. The spread plate method was used for the isolation of bacteria on appropriate selective media. Fungi were isolated on SDA with 0.1g chloramphenicol. All isolates were characterized using standard methods. The total viable count for bacteria, yeast, moulds, pH and titratable acidity of fruit juices were also determined. Questionnaire was used to obtain preliminary information on hygienic and safety practices of fruit juice makers and handlers. Isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter sp, Salmonella sp, Streptococcus sp, Proteus sp and Serratia sp. Fungi isolated were Rhizopus spp. , Fusarium spp. , Penicillium spp. , Mucor spp. , Aspergillus spp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The highest titratable acidity was recorded in grape juice (0.245) and the lowest in avocado (0.081). The mean total viable count was highest in papaya juice (6.5x10 4 cfu/ml) and lowest in grape juice (4.0x10 4 cfu/ml). Yeast count was highest in orange juice (3.5x10 4 cfu/ml) and lowest in grape juice (2.0x10 4 cfu/ml). Papaya and grape juices recorded the lowest mold count (2.7x10 4 cfu/ml). In conclusion, the fruit juices had higher microbial loads than the specifications set for fruit juices in some parts of the world. Presence of pathogenic species in some of these fruit juices should is of paramount concern.
A randomized trial of prednisolone in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND Controlled trials have yielded inconsistent results with regard to the efficacy of corticosteroids in the treatment of alcoholic hepatitis. Three meta-analyses suggest that they may be effective in patients with encephalopathy who have severe liver disease. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial comparing 28 days of prednisolone treatment (40 mg per day) with placebo in 61 patients with biopsy-proved alcoholic hepatitis and either spontaneous hepatic encephalopathy (n = 19) or a discriminant-function value higher than 32. The discriminant function used was as follows: 4.6 (prothrombin time-control time [in seconds]) + serum bilirubin (in micromoles per liter)/17. Fifty-seven of the patients had evidence of cirrhosis on biopsy. The primary end point was death within two months. RESULTS One patient was lost to follow-up after 56 days. Treatment was discontinued in two patients because of drug toxicity. By the 66th day after randomization, 16 of 29 placebo recipients had died (mean [+/- SE] survival, 45 +/- 8 percent), as compared with 4 of 32 prednisolone recipients (survival, 88 +/- 5 percent) (log-rank test, 10.9; P = 0.001). The survival advantage for prednisolone persisted after stratification according to center and the presence of encephalopathy, and after adjustment for prognostic factors in a proportional-hazards model. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with prednisolone improves the short-term survival of patients with severe biopsy-proved alcoholic hepatitis.