Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Practices That Influence Hispanic Infants' Health and Cognitive Growth

OBJECTIVES: Infants born to immigrant mothers, including Hispanic mothers, display birth weight and mortality advantages, compared with other disadvantaged groups. We examined prenatal biological factors and maternal practices that account for this advantage. Then we estimated the extent to which healthy birth outcomes, along with maternal and family factors, contribute to the health and cognitive functioning of Hispanic infants. METHODS: A representative US sample of 8114 newborns, including 1450 newborns of Hispanic mothers, was drawn randomly in 2001. We compared the mean attributes of infants in subgroups that vary in maternal practices, family attributes, and acculturation levels. We accounted for variations in newborns' gestational age and size for gestational age and their health status and cognitive functioning at 9 months of age. RESULTS: Mexican-heritage and less-acculturated mothers were no more likely than white mothers to bear premature or small-for-gestational age infants, despite large social class disparities, which was explained in part by Hispanic women's low level of prenatal tobacco use. Parenting practices and lower class status of Hispanic mothers then began to slow infants' cognitive development, compared with white infants, because of weaker maternal education and cognitive facilitation during interaction tasks and larger family size. CONCLUSIONS: These findings extend earlier research, detailing healthy births among most immigrant Hispanic women. Robust birth outcomes contribute to the early health and cognitive growth of Hispanic infants, but risk factors linked to maternal and home practices overtake these early protective factors by late infancy. Robust births and early health indicators displayed by Hispanic infants should not distract pediatricians from attending to uneven cognitive growth.
Simulation of Real World Circuits: Extending Conventional Analysis Methods to Circuits Described by Heterogeneous Languages

Circuit simulation is seen by some people as a well established discipline, where there remains little or no space for improvement. Yet, no steady state and stability analysis methods are available for circuits described by a combination of analog, digital and behavioral parts. Recently, the theory necessary for development of such simulators was proposed and a circuit simulator incorporating these theoretical developments has been presented. It manages analog, digital and behavioral components, while retaining all the classical "spice-like" features. This was possible by importing some mathematical concepts from the hybrid dynamical systems realm. Such tools represent the interface between the conventional analog world and the more contemporary digital/behavioral one. The reviewed simulation framework is appealing not only for people interested in circuit analysis and design, but for all researches and engineers working in the wider field of system simulation where the analog mixed signal concept is absolutely pervasive.
7th revision of the Declaration of Helsinki: good news for the transparency of clinical trials.

In October 2008, the 59th World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly in Seoul adopted the 7th revision of the Declaration of Helsinki: “Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. ” This 2008 revision contains important new requirements related to the registration of clinical trials and reporting of their results. These provisions confirm the growing recognition that transparency is a crucial component of medical research that promotes the public interest. This article discusses briefly the background to these provisions, looks at the implications of the changes to the Declaration of Helsinki, and explores some of the remaining challenges.
Toleration and Safety of Sertraline: Experience Worldwide

The clinical trial programme of senraline, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, has shown the drug to have a favourable safety and toleration profile. In contrast, the tricyclic antidepressant, amitriptyline, produced a significant level of side effects, particularly anticholinergic.The side-effect profile of senraline was similar in young and old, and individual side effects did not make a notable contribution to the discontinuation rate. The incidence of side effects was related to both dosage and dosage regimen. An initial dose of 50 mg increased at 2-weekly intervals to 100 mg and then 200 mg daily produced a very low incidence, no side effect occurring with a frequency greater than 10%. In the long term (after 8 weeks' study), sertraline was well tolerated with little difference in side-effect reporting from placebo.There were no significant problems with safety. Sertraline was without effect on vital signs or electrocardiogram, and had no clinically relevant effects on laboratory values. In contrast to amitriptyline there was no significant effect on body weight. The overall incidence of mania was 0.4% and skin rash less than 2%. There were no cases of drug-related convulsions.Overdose with sertraline (four cases) was satisfactorily overcome with no significant sequelae and without the need for intensive monitoring.
Development and Validation of a Diagnostic DNA Microarray To Detect Quinolone-Resistant Escherichia coli among Clinical Isolates

ABSTRACT The incidence of resistance against fluoroquinolones among pathogenic bacteria has been increasing in accordance with the worldwide use of this drug. Escherichia coli is one of the most relevant species for quinolone resistance. In this study, a diagnostic microarray for single-base-mutation detection was developed, which can readily identify the most prevalent E. coli genotypes leading to quinolone resistance. Based on genomic sequence analysis using public databases and our own DNA sequencing results, two amino acid positions (83 and 87) on the A subunit of the DNA gyrase, encoded by the gyrA gene, have been identified as mutation hot spots and were selected for DNA microarray detection. Oligonucleotide probes directed against these two positions were designed so that they could cover the most important resistance-causing and silent mutations. The performance of the array was validated with 30 clinical isolates of E. coli from four different hospitals in Germany. The microarray results were confirmed by standard DNA sequencing and were in full agreement with phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Tetrahydrofolate Modulates Floral Transition through Epigenetic Silencing1

Folate regulates DNA methylation to affect Arabidopsis flowering time. Folates, termed from tetrahydrofolate (THF) and its derivatives, function as coenzymes in one-carbon transfer reactions and play a central role in synthesis of nucleotides and amino acids. Dysfunction of cellular folate metabolism leads to serious defects in plant development; however, the molecular mechanisms of folate-mediated cellular modifications and physiological responses in plants are still largely unclear. Here, we reported that THF controls flowering time by adjusting DNA methylation-regulated gene expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Wild-type seedlings supplied with THF as well as the high endogenous THF content mutant dihydrofolate synthetase folypoly-Glu synthetase homolog B exhibited significant up-regulation of the flowering repressor of Flowering Wageningen and thereby delaying floral transition in a dose-dependent manner. Genome-wide transcripts and DNA methylation profiling revealed that THF reduces DNA methylation so as to manipulate gene expression activity. Moreover, in accompaniment with elevated cellular ratios between monoglutamylated and polyglutamylated folates under increased THF levels, the content of S-adenosylhomo-Cys, a competitive inhibitor of methyltransferases, was obviously higher, indicating that enhanced THF accumulation may disturb cellular homeostasis of the concerted reactions between folate polyglutamylation and folate-dependent DNA methylation. In addition, we found that the loss-of-function mutant of CG DNA methyltransferase MET1 displayed much less responsiveness to THF-associated flowering time alteration. Taken together, our studies revealed a novel regulatory role of THF on epigenetic silencing, which will shed lights on the understanding of interrelations in folate homeostasis, epigenetic variation, and flowering control in plants.
The effects of adding agrimony and sage extracts to water on blood biochemistry and meat quality of broiler chickens

The aim of our study was to determine the effects of supplementation of agrimony extract (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) and a combination of agrimony with sage extract (Salvia officinalis L.) to water during the fattening period of broiler chickens on selected biochemical and antioxidant indicators in blood, and on the nutritional composition and oxidative stability of meat. A total of 117 Cobb 500 chicks were randomly divided on the day of hatching into three groups (n = 39 in each) and fattened for 42 days. All groups were fed the same diets. In experimental group A water was supplemented with agrimony extract (0.2%). In experimental group AS water was supplemented with a combination of agrimony (0.1%) and sage (0.1%) extracts. Group C was control without supplementation. The total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and malondialdehyde in serum were decreased (P < 0.05), dry matter and fat content in meat were increased (P < 0.05) in group A. The activity of superoxide dismutase in blood and the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in thigh meat on days 1 and 8 of storage under chilling conditions were lower (P < 0.05) in both experimental groups compared to control. Our results indicate that supplementation of agrimony and sage extract to water can beneficially influence the antioxidant status as well as oxidative stability of thigh meat and thus improve meat quality. This is a first similar study comparing addition of plant extracts to water in broiler nutrition. Antioxidant status, lipid oxidation, herbal extracts, poultry
Parent Perceptions of the Psychological Functioning of Their Children Diagnosed With Pediatric Motility Disorders and That of Family Members

The aim of our study was to characterize the parental perceptions of the behavioral and emotional functioning of their children and families coping with gastrointestinal motility disorders. The American Pseudo-obstruction and Hirschsprung's disease Society sponsored an educational meeting for parents of children afflicted with a variety of pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders. During the conference, parents completed a questionnaire pertaining to the behavioral and emotional functioning of the afflicted child and other family members. Parents perceived that the child's illness was more difficult on the parents than on the affected child or their siblings. Also, parents perceived support from professionals, family, and friends increased after the children were diagnosed with pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders. Parents worried most about the health and medical management of their afflicted child. The most common behavioral problem of the afflicted children was fear of separation, whereas the most common behavioral problem of their siblings was jealousy. The majority of referrals to mental health professionals resulted from parental emotional problems or marital discord.
SODIUM AND POTASSIUM BALANCE IN THE BRATTLEBORO RAT

Since its discovery in 1961,l it has become apparent that the Brattleboro (DI) rat is a useful model for the study of a variety of physiological problems in addition to the obvious one of the role of antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin, ADH) in urine concentration and water balance. In the study of the control of extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte balance, in particular, the DI rat offers a unique opportunity to observe the spontaneous interaction of homeostatic mechanisms when a single disturbance, namely the absence of ADH, has been introduced. This review will attempt to present a comprehensive description of the state of sodium and potassium balance in the DI rat. Although some data exist on the handling of other electrolytes 51, 54 these have not been studied extensively. Mention will also be made of the multiple factors that may influence electrolyte balance in the Brattleboro rat. New data, obtained by Opava-Stitzer and Fernhdez-Repollet, will be included when relevant.
Risk and resilience in preterm children at age 6

Abstract Children born preterm are at risk for experiencing significant deleterious developmental outcomes throughout their childhood and adolescence. However, individual variation and resilience are hallmarks of the preterm population. The present study examined pathways to resilience across multiple domains (e.g., social activities, peer relations, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomology, externalizing and internalizing behavior, and sleep quality) as children born preterm reached school age. The study also examined early child and family predictors of resilience. Using a prospective longitudinal design, 173 infants born preterm and without significant neurological complications were assessed at five time points: neonatal intensive care unit discharge, 9 months, 16 months, 24 months, and 6 years. Three pathways of adaptation emerged at 6 years: children who were resilient, those who remained at-risk, and children who exhibited significant difficulties. Resilient children were less likely to have experienced negative parenting at 9 and 16 months, more likely to delay gratification at 24 months, and more likely to experience neonatal health complications than nonresilient children.
Regulation of thyrotropin receptor gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipose cells is distinct from its regulation in FRTL-5 thyroid cells.

We previously have demonstrated that rat adipose tissue expresses TSH receptor (TSHR) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) at levels approaching those detected in the thyroid. Furthermore, we recently reported that TSHR mRNA is detected in fibroblast-like 3T3-L1 cells after their hormone-induced differentiation into adipocytes. TSH induces cAMP formation and lipolysis in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. We now show that, in Northern blot analyses, TSH-induced down-regulation of TSHR mRNA levels, which can be duplicated by forskolin and dibutylyl cAMP, i.e. which is cAMP-mediated. We also have demonstrated that a beta-adrenergic stimulant, which stimulates cAMP formation in adipocytes, induces a down-regulation of TSHR mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Nuclear run-on assays show that the ability of TSH/cAMP to decrease TSHR mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 cells reflects transcriptional regulation. This report also demonstrates that TSHR gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is regulated in a manner distinct from that observed in thyroid cells. Thus, in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, TSH-induced down-regulation of TSHR mRNA levels is evident within 1 h and is near maximum within 4 h after addition of TSH. A transient increase of TSHR gene expression, which has been demonstrated in FRTL-5 thyroid cells, was not observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The down-regulation of TSHR gene expression induced by TSH/cAMP in 3T3-L1 cells is cycloheximide-insensitive, suggesting that continuous protein synthesis is not required for this process. In contrast, the down-regulation of TSHR gene expression observed in FRTL-5 cells is sensitive to cycloheximide. In both FRTL-5 thyroid cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin or serum increased TSHR mRNA levels. Although insulin or serum was required for the TSH-induced down-regulation of TSHR mRNA levels in FRTL-5 thyroid cells, neither insulin nor serum was required for TSHR down-regulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings demonstrate that TSH/cAMP regulates TSHR mRNA levels in adipocytes via a regulatory system distinct from that used in FRTL-5 cells. This report further demonstrates that adipose cells do not express thyroid transcription factor-1, which interacts with the TSHR promoter region in FRTL-5 cells, and that 3T3-L1 nuclear extracts exhibit a different binding activity to the cAMP-response element-like element in the TSHR promoter region compared with extracts from FRTL-5 cells.
Effects of Interleukin-1-Beta, Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Alone or in Association with Hexarelin or Galanin, on Growth Hormone Gene Expression and Growth Hormone Release from Pig Pituitary Cells

Objective: We studied the effects of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α on GH gene expression and secretion with or without galanin and hexarelin. Methods: Pituitary cells from adult pigs were treated with IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml), alone or in association with galanin or hexarelin (10–8M): GH mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and GH secretion by ELISA. Results: IL-1β (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) and IL-6 (1 and 10 ng/ml) significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced GH output. IL-1β and TNF-α (1 and 10 ng/ml) reduced (p < 0.05) the galanin-induced GH secretion and IL-6 (10 ng/ml) potentiated the effect of both GH releasers (p < 0.05). GH gene expression was increased only by IL-6 at the concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/ml, either alone or in association with both galanin and hexarelin. Conclusions: We hypothesize that cytokines may play a paracrine/autocrine role in GH regulation in the pituitary independently from the intracellular pathways of the GH secretagogues.
The value of LibraryThing tags for academic libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the percentage of recently published books provided with tags drawn from LibraryThing for Libraries, the nature of these tags, the relation of the tags with keywords in the record and the percentage of records actually enhanced by tags.Design/methodology/approach – A random sample of 600 records from a catalog of a large academic library was examined to determine whether or not they carry tags. A random sample of 160 records was taken to assess their nature and added value for retrieval purposes.Findings – It was found that: about one third of the records are provided with tags; 80 percent of the tags are subject terms; 50 percent of the subject tags are covered by a keyword in the record; 25 percent are broader than a keyword and another 25 percent are related, narrower or new. Almost 40 percent of the records with tags can be considered as enriched.Research limitations/implications – In some cases the determination of the added value required a subject.
Immunosuppression in the Mouse by Porcine Uterine Secretory Protein *

ABSTRACT: Experiments were performed to determine whether uterine secretory proteins (PAP) of the pig affect T cell or B cell functions in vivo. T cell functions examined were E‐rosette formation (ERF) and cutaneous reactivity (to phytohemagglutinin) in mature BALB/c females. Two ERF experiments of identical design were performed using five groups of ten mice each. Each mouse was presensitized with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) designated as day 0; and the various groups were treated with saline, pig serum (PS), or PAP at different times. For cutaneous reactivity, the area of erythema at the sensitization site (pinnea of ear) was measured, and three groups of 11 mice were used. These groups also received either PS or PAP. B cell function was examined by measurements of hemagglutination titers to SRBC sensitization in BALB/c females treated in two experiments similar to the ERF. T cell functions examined were highly suppressed (p < 0.01) by PAP given hours, not days, prior to the measurement. The B cell function examined was not affected by PAP.
Activation of G1 Progression, JNK Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase, and Actin Filament Assembly by the Exchange Factor FGD1*

Cdc42 has been shown to control bifurcating pathways leading to filopodia formation/G1 cell cycle progression and to JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. To dissect these pathways further, the cellular effects induced by a Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, FGD1, have been examined. All exchange factors acting on the Rho GTPase family have juxtaposed Dbl homology (DH) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. We report here that FGD1 triggers G1 cell cycle progression and filopodia formation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts as well as JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in COS cell transfection assays. FGD1-induced filopodia formation is Cdc42-dependent, and both the DH and PH domains are essential. Although expression of the FGD1 DH domain alone does not activate Cdc42 and induce filopodia, it does trigger both the JNK cascade in COS cells and G1 progression in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells. We conclude that FGD1 can trigger G1 progression independently of actin polymerization or integrin adhesion complex assembly. Furthermore, since FGD1 activates JNK and G1 progression in a Cdc42-independent manner, it must have additional, as yet unidentified, targets.
The role of histamine in ureteral function.

Under properly controlled conditions of perfusion and pressure in vitro, histamine has a consistently stimulatory effect on canine ureteral segments. Inability of some investigators to obtain such stimulation may be ascribed to the determining role which mechanical factors play in influencing sensitivity and the type of response to histamine. The effects of histamine appear to be most readily interpreted as facilitation of the peristaltic reflex of the ureter by an action directly on the smooth muscle cells but not on the contractile mechanism itself. This, however, does not preclude the possibility that histamine plays a role in the normal function of the ureter. The effects produced by histamine, under certain conditions, can be abolished by antihistamines in concentrations which do not inhibit spontaneous contractions.
Pain and cognitive status among nursing home residents in Canada.

BACKGROUND There is little information available on the rates of pain in institutionalized elderly persons, and this is particularly true for Canada. OBJECTIVES To provide information about the prevalence and clinical correlates of pain in a sample of Canadian nursing homes, to determine whether residents with cognitive impairment experience lower rates of health conditions associated with pain (eg, arthritis) than residents without cognitive impairment and to determine whether the associations (ie, odds ratios) for pain with such health conditions vary as a function of cognitive status. DESIGN The study is based on a secondary analysis of data collected with the minimum data set (MDS 2.0). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The study comprised 3195 nursing home residents in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. SUBJECTS AND METHODS All residents were assessed with the MDS 2.0 by trained clinicians (usually nurses). Pain was documented if it had occurred within the seven days before the assessment. Assessors were trained to look for overt signs of discomfort, such as wincing or verbalizations. Self-report ratings were obtained when possible. RESULTS The overall prevalence of pain in this sample was 49.7%, and 23.7% of residents experienced pain daily. Persons with and persons without cognitive impairments did not differ with respect to the prevalence of conditions likely to cause pain and the associations of pain with such health conditions. Regional differences were found, with Ontario residents having a higher frequency and intensity of pain than their counterparts in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This may be due, at least in part, to regional differences in nursing home admission criteria. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the prevalence of identified pain is lower among nursing home residents with higher levels of cognitive impairment. These results do not support the notion that this is a function of lower prevalence rates of pain-causing conditions in nursing home residents with dementia. Furthermore, the results do not support the view that residents with cognitive impairments are less sensitive to pain. This study highlights the need for more comprehensive tools to assess pain in persons with cognitive impairments. Nonetheless, the MDS may be a useful instrument for detecting pain in such populations, because it does not rely exclusively on self-report.