Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic Sympathoexcitation Was Associated with Paraventricular Hypothalamic Phosphorylation of Synaptic CaMKIIα and MAPK/ErK

Systemic administration of adrenergic agonist (Isoproterenol; ISOP) is known to facilitate cardiovascular changes associated with heart failure through an upregulation of cardiac toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Furthermore, previous studies have shown that cardiac tissue-specific deletion of TLR4 protects the heart against such damage. Since the autonomic regulation of systemic cardiovascular function originates from pre-autonomic sympathetic centers in the brain, it is unclear how a systemically driven sympathetic change may affect the pre-autonomic paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei (PVN) TLR4 expression. Here, we examined how change in PVN TLR4 was associated with alterations in the neurochemical cytoarchitecture of the PVN in systemic adrenergic activation. After 48 h of intraperitoneal 150 mg/kg ISOP treatment, there was a change in PVN CaMKIIα and MAPK/ErK expression, and an increase in TLR4 in expression. This was seen as an increase in p-MAPK/ErK, and a decrease in synaptic CaMKIIα expression in the PVN (p < 0.01) of ISOP treated mice. Furthermore, there was an upregulation of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT 2; p < 0.01) and a decreased expression of GABA in the PVN of Isoproterenol (ISOP) treated WT mice (p < 0.01). However, after a PVN-specific knockdown of TLR4, the effect of systemic administration of ISOP was attenuated, as indicated by a decrease in p-MAPK/ErK (p < 0.01) and upregulation of CaMKIIα (p < 0.05). Additionally, loss of inhibitory function was averted while VGLUT2 expression decreased when compared with the ISOP treated wild type mice and the control. Taken together, the outcome of this study showed that systemic adrenergic activation may alter the expression, and phosphorylation of preautonomic MAPK/ErK and CaMKIIα downstream of TLR4. As such, by outlining the roles of these kinases in synaptic function, we have identified the significance of neural TLR4 in the progression, and attenuation of synaptic changes in the pre-autonomic sympathetic centers.
Maternal suicide is the leading cause of pregnancy‐related deaths in Sri Lanka

This letter is to highlight a neglected public health problem which needs to be recognized urgently. Maternal death review records of 2007–2009 in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka, were scrutinized to find out unrecognized maternal deaths. This effort revealed that maternal suicide was the leading cause of death among pregnant women in Anuradhapura district (Table 1). The data on maternal deaths were collected from the regional director of health services Anuradhapura district and the national statistics were released by the Family Health Bureau of Sri Lanka on request by the author. The total number of pregnancyrelated deaths in Anuradhapura district were 40 and in Sri Lanka were 337 (Table 2). The leading causes of maternal death in Anuradhapura district in 2007–2009 were: post-partum hemorrhage (PPH), six; heart disease complicating pregnancy, five; ectopic pregnancy, three; and maternal suicides, nine (Table 1). The leading causes of maternal death in Sri Lanka in 2007–2008 were: PPH, 40; puerperal sepsis, 37; septic abortions, 33; and maternal suicides, 56 (Table 1). The number of maternal suicides in 2007–2009 in Sri Lanka is given in Table 3. In Anuradhapura district, the majority (n = 6) of women had committed suicide when they were less than 28 weeks of gestation (Table 4). This is different from the maternal suicide statistics in the UK, where the majority of maternal suicides are during the postpartum period. The majority (n = 6) of women had committed suicide by ingesting poison (Table 4). Seven women were in their first pregnancy and six women were documented as married at the time of death by suicide (Table 5). National statistics of the above details
Separation anxiety disorder increases among neonatal intensive care unit graduates

Aim: To evaluate whether separation anxiety disorder (SAD) develops in the later life of the infants, who were separated from their mothers in relation to being in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: A group of 57 children, ages over 6 years old who were cared in NICU has been evaluated retrospectively by using the SAD diagnostic scale which is adapted according to DSM-IV. Another age and sex matched 50 children who admitted to the outpatient unit were selected as control group. Results: We found that the scores and incidence of SAD were increased among children who were cared in the NICU and both were correlated with the duration of stay in the NICU. Conclusion: The NICU should be arranged to support the development of the baby. Families should be informed about the necessity of sustaining an early mother-infant interaction. By supporting mother-infant interaction, it will be provided that the baby will establish a more secure relation with his/her mother, develop more healthy and have less behavior problems in the future life.
Transport Properties of Locust Ileum in vitro: Effects of Cyclic Amp

1. 1. Short-circuited locust ilea exhibited electrical properties remarkably similar to those of recta. The large short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial potential, both indicating net active absorption of anions, initially began to decline to zero but could be fully restored by adding cyclic AMP or extracts of corpus cardiacum and ventral abdominal ganglia to the haemocoel side. 2. 2. Ion substitutions and radiotracer flux studies indicated that cyclic AMP-induced ΔIsc was due to electrogenic Cl− transport with kinetics identical to those of the rectum. Concurrent decreases in transileal resistance were due to increases in both Cl− and K+ (PK) permeabilities, most evident as a resistance decrease at the apical membrane. The ΔPK was blocked by basolateral addition of Ba2+, as observed for recta. 3. 3. Everted ileal sacs under open-circuit conditions absorbed a slightly hyperosmotic NaCl-rich fluid and the rate of absorption was increased more than twofold by cyclic AMP. This contrasts with stimulated recta which absorb primarily KCl and a hyposmotic absorbate. Flux studies with short-circuited ilea demonstrated active absorption of Na+ (JnetNa), which was stimulated twofold by cyclic AMP. Removal of external Na+ had little effect on Isc, suggesting that JnetNa involves exchange for another cation, e.g. NH4+. 4. 4. Ilea actively secreted acid at lower rates than do recta under open-circuit conditions. Under short-circuit conditions, cyclic AMP addition led to active alkalinization of the ileal lumen at high rates, and the large Isc represented the difference between active secretion of base equivalents and net absorption of Cl−. 5. 5. The transport capacities of locust ilea and recta are compared in relation to their ultrastructure.
Education and nonuse of contraceptives among poor women in Chiapas Mexico.

The influence of poverty and illiteracy on womens decision to use contraception was surveyed among 883 Mexican women in 1994. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for the sample as a whole and for individual age groups in order to identify the relationship between socioeconomic variables and the probability that a woman had never used contraception. In the multivariate analysis lack of education independently predicted non-use of contraceptives: illiterate women were 1.6 times more likely to have never used contraception than were women who had attended secondary school. Other socioeconomic variables associated with a high tendency toward nonuse were having given birth at home having experienced the death of at least two children and not having a paid job at the time of the survey. Among younger women though socioeconomic variables other than school attendance were more significant in explaining non- use. The study concludes that although the increased availability of family planning services in the Border Region of Chiapas over the last 20 years has regulated the direct effect of schooling on contraceptive practice lack of education remains an important predictor of non-use of contraceptives among the women in this region.
Developing an English Language Textbook Evaluation Checklist: A Focus Group Study

English Language Teaching (ELT) textbook evaluation checklists are instruments that help teachers select the most appropriate books for their learners. This paper presents a phase of an on-going project proposed out of the need for a valid, reliable and a practical checklist. The phase includes a focus group study designed to further refine a checklist previously developed by the present researchers (Mukundan, Hajimohammadi, & Nimehchisalem, 2011). More specifically, the participants in the focus group (n=6) helped the developers improve the items of the checklist in reference to their clarity and inclusiveness. The study commenced in the form of an unstructured interview in which the participants brainstormed on the evaluative criteria that should be considered in evaluating ELT textbooks. This was followed by a structured interview in which the participants were provided with a copy of the checklist. They were free to reword, delete or add items that they considered necessary. As a result of this study, 14 items were added to the checklist while two were reworded. The findings are expected to be useful for English language teachers, ELT material developers and evaluators as well as curriculum developers. Further study is required to improve the instrument.
Assessment of stigma among people living with Hansen’s disease in south-east Nigeria.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the stigma situation in Hansen’s disease from the perspective of both people affected by Hansen’s disease and those living in the surrounding community in southeast Nigeria. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted among affected people and non-affected people using the xplanatory model interview catalogue stigma scale for the community adjusted for leprosy and for leprosy patients, internalised stigma of mental illness scale adjusted for leprosy, Participation Scale and the Social distance scale. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency, distribution tables, mean and standard deviation as well as inferential statistics of Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Spearman rho correlation rank. A total of 434 participants including 63 affected people and 371 community members all within the age range of 12 – 89 years participated in this study. Result The perception of stigmatisation was higher in single participants, female participants, cooks, traders, crafts people and participants with primary and secondary school certificates, while beggars recorded the least perception of stigmatisation. The outcome of this study showed that females living in the community had a higher tendency of keeping a social distance than males. It also showed that on average, severe participation restrictions were found among people with WHO disability Grade II, traders, males, beggars, married people and those without any formal education while crafts people did not have significant participation restrictions. Conclusion There is an urgent need to intensify the stigma reduction strategies and the necessary rehabilitation support. A standardised instrument should be developed to monitor the efficiency of such programmes.
Acceptability and Initial Efficacy of Education for Teen Mothers

Purpose:Educational materials used by healthcare agencies frequently do not follow national health guidelines for plain talk. Adolescent mothers are a vulnerable population in need of accurate and accessible health information to promote their own health and that of their baby. The aims of our study were to: Determine acceptability of simple, written educational pamphlets to adolescent mothers; Determine efficacy of simple, written educational pamphlets in improving an adolescent mother's knowledge related to breastfeeding, infant care, postpartum depression, and mother–infant relationship; Determine if higher knowledge scores are maintained after a 2-week period; and Determine general parenting health literacy of adolescent mothers. Study Design and Methods:Using a prospective, experimental design, students enrolled in a teen parent program (n = 123) completed a pretest and The Parent Health Literacy Activities Test (PHLAT), read the health educational materials, and completed an immediate posttest of knowledge and acceptability. Two weeks later, the same participants completed a second posttest of knowledge. Results:Adolescent mothers found the intervention (simple, written educational materials) to be acceptable. The intervention was initially effective in improving knowledge scores in all four content areas. However, knowledge was not retained and scores were not significantly different from baseline at the 2-week assessment. The mean health literacy of the adolescent mothers was poor. Clinical Implications:A booster session may be necessary for knowledge retention. Other methods of education should be studied to evaluate efficacy for adolescent mothers' knowledge retention of important health information.
Interaction of atrial natriuretic factor and angiotensin II in proximal HCO3- reabsorption.

Bicarbonate reabsorption was evaluated by the acidification kinetics technique in middle proximal tubule in Munich-Wistar rats. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and angiotensin II (ANG II) were infused into the jugular vein (ANF, 0.5 microgram.min-1.kg-1 after a prime of 10 micrograms/kg; ANG II, 20 ng.min-1.kg-1) or added to luminal or peritubular perfusion fluid (10(-6) M ANF; 10(-12) M ANG II). In the presence of ANF, in each condition, no significant differences in net HCO3- reabsorption or in acidification half time were observed compared with the control group. In the presence of ANG II, a significant increase in HCO3- reabsorption was observed, expressed by a fall in acidification half time from a mean of 4.75 +/- 0.20 (n = 86) to 2.47 +/- 0.18 s (n = 32) in systemically infused rats or to 2.30 +/- 0.15 s (n = 35) in luminally perfused tubules and from 4.57 +/- 0.32 (n = 44) to 2.04 +/- 0.10 s (n = 50) during capillary perfusion. However, when ANG II was systemically infused or perfused in lumen or in peritubular capillaries, addition of ANF to lumen or capillaries by perfusion or systemic infusion abolished the effects observed with ANG II alone. These studies confirm that ANG II stimulates proximal HCO3- reabsorption and show that ANF alone does not affect this process, but impairs the stimulation caused by ANG II.
Body Fat Distribution and Its Association With Hypertension in a Sample of Mexican Children

Background The association between elevated blood pressure and childhood overweight and obesity has been documented in several studies. However, the linkage of blood pressure with body fat distribution in children is not well established. We investigated the relationship between both central and subcutaneous adiposity with BP in the 95th percentile or higher in Mexican children. Methods and Results Our study, using a sample of children from the State of Guerrero, Mexico was comprised of 252 children, 124 girls and 128 boys, with an age range of 6 to 13 years. Resting blood pressure was measured in duplicate with an aneroid sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was classified as systolic or diastolic BP in the 95th percentile or higher. Additional measures included weight, height, body mass index, body circumferences, and skinfold thickness. The prevalence of obesity (26.5%) was higher than overweight (15.8%), but the prevalence of hypertension was moderate (4.7%). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures correlated strongly with age, weight, height, and all measurements of central and subcutaneous adiposity. Interestingly, after being adjusted by age, sex, and body mass index, the BP in the 95th percentile or higher was associated with suprailiac skinfold, third tertile (OR = 11.83, P = 0.023); triceps skinfold, third tertile (OR = 6.02; P = 0.034); and biceps skinfold, third tertile (OR = 4.71; P = 0.038). Conclusions Our data indicate that the prevalence of hypertension in children is moderate. In addition, the skinfold thickness was a better predictor of hypertension than central adiposity in the sample of children studied.
A Retrospective Comparison of First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Using a Locked Plate and Compression Screw Technique

Introduction: The historic primary treatment for end-stage first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthritis has been fusion. Traditionally, this has been accomplished by metaphyseal apposition between the proximal phalanx and metatarsal using crossed compression screws. Recently, locked plates have been introduced that help support this technique by offering added stability. We present our experience with 45 first MTP fusions in 45 feet using a locked plate and compression screw. Methods: A retrospective review of 45 patients who met the study criteria with a hallux rigidus correction using a locked plate with a compression screw was performed. Charts and radiographs were independently reviewed by 2 authors not involved in the index procedures to assess outcomes. Results: There was a 93% fusion rate (42/45 feet) with 3 nonunions. The mean time to union was 51.1 days (range = 29-116 days, SD = 24.4). The mean patient age was 58.1 years (range = 29-80 years, SD = 10.1). The mean time to partial weight bearing was 7.0 days (range = 0-53 days, SD = 13.8) and the mean time to full weight bearing was 62.0 days (range = 29-57 days, SD = 17.9). Discussion: We report on the results of first MTP fusion using a compression screw and locked plate technique. The results show that this is an effective means of creating a first MTP joint arthrodesis. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case series
Comparison of Low-Contrast Visual Acuity Between Eye Black and Maxsight Tinted Contact Lenses

Objectives: Athletes who participate in outdoor activities seek products to reduce glare and improve contrast. This study compares performance of low-contrast visual acuity (VA) in bright outdoor conditions between the Maxsight Amber contact lens (CLs) and clear CLs with and without Eye Black grease. Methods: Seventeen subjects were fitted with clear CLs, clear lenses with Eye Black grease, Maxsight lenses with Eye Black grease, and Maxsight lenses alone. With each modality, the subject demonstrated low-contrast VA assessed and completed a questionnaire. At the end of testing, subjects completed a questionnaire to survey the performance of each modality. Results: The average low-contrast VA with clear CLs was 20/18.4, which improved to 20/17 with the addition of Eye Black grease (P=0.132). Significant improvement in low-contrast VA was seen with the Maxsight CLs to 20/15.4 (P<0.05), although it was not further improved with the addition of Eye Black grease. The results of the questionnaire showed a preference of the Maxsight CLs throughout the study for low-contrast VA. Conclusions: Although Eye Black grease has its place in sport and some sporting environments, the benefit in contrast acuity is insignificant. The better performance of the amber Maxsight lenses in this study demonstrates a visual performance benefit in bright sunlight.
Using Surface Pressure to Improve Tropical Cyclone / Surface Wind Retrievals From SAR PI

The calibration and validation of surface wind and stress retrievals from oceanic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is especially difficult in tropical cyclone (TC) conditions. The geophysical model functions (GMFs) that characterize the radar backscatter in terms of the near-surface wind vector for different viewing geometries are currently poorly characterized for the very high wind and strong ocean surface wave conditions that are present in all TCs. Our long-term goal is to develop a novel methodology to use surface pressure observations and a planetary boundary (PBL) model for calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of SAR GMFs in TC conditions and to produce scene-wide wind vector retrievals that are most consistent with the image backscatter, the GMF and the PBL model.
Effects of phytoestrogen extracts isolated from flax on estradiol production and ER/PR expression in MCF7 breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND In this study, we tested the effects of crude extracts from flax (Linum usitatissimum) on the production of estradiol and expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Isoflavone and lignan extracts from flax plant Linum usitatissimum were obtained, using different extraction methods. Breast carcinoma cells (MCF7) were incubated with various concentrations of the isolated extracts. Untreated MCF7 cells were used as controls. Supernatants were removed at designated times and tested for estradiol with an ELISA method. Furthermore, the effect of phytoestrogen extracts on the production of ERa and ERbeta as well as on PR was examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Production of estradiol is elevated in MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner after stimulation with isoflavone and lignan extracts from Linum usitatissimum. Expression of ERalpha is up-regulated after stimulation with lower concentrations of lignan extracts from flax plants, unchanged at median concentrations and down-regulated at high concentrations. Expression of ERbeta is down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner.
The frog appliance for upper molar distalization : a case report

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effects of a new upper molar distalization system, the Frog Appliance, on dentofacial structures in a Class II, division 1 patient. An 11-year-old girl was referred to our clinic for orthodontic treatment. She had a mild skeletal Class II malocclusion with Class II molar and canine relationship on both sides. The treatment plan included distalization of the upper first molars bilaterally followed by full fixed appliance therapy. For the upper molar distalization, a new system, the Frog Appliance, was constructed and applied. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to evaluate the treatment results. Distalization of the upper first molars was achieved in four months successfully, and Class I molar relationship was obtained. Total treatment time was 16 months. According to the results of the cephalometric evaluation, a nearly bodily distal molar movement with a slight anchorage loss was attained. In conclusion, the Frog Appliance was found to be a simple, effective, non-invasive, and compliance-free intraoral distalization appliance for achieving bilateral molar distalization.
Domestic Drinking Water—An Effective Way to Prevent Anemia among Low Socioeconomic Families in Brazil

Iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia are common in the developing world. We evaluated the feasibility of iron fortification of domestic drinking water to prevent and control iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Twenty-one families representing 88 persons, including children, were selected to participate in this study. Twelve families added an iron solution plus ascorbic acid to their domestic drinking water over a four months period and nine families added a placebo. Blood samples were collected, before and after the four months, for hemoglobin and serum ferritin measurements. Iron-fortified drinking water increased hemoglobin (children 10.9 ±1.1 g/dl to 11.7 ± 1.1 g/dl p < .01, adults 12.9 ± 1.7 g/dl to 13.7 ± 1.7 g/dl p < .01) and ferritin (children 27.6 ± 21.6 ng/dl to 33.8 ± 22.1 ng/dl, adults 74.8 ± 41.3 ng/dl to 106.2 ± 93.9 ng/dl p < .05). No significant changes in hemoglobin and ferritin were found in the placebo group after 4 months. Preparation, distribution, and consumption of the solutions were successful. Iron fortification of household drinking water can be a simple and effective alternative to deal with iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in less developed areas.