Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tear Menisci after Overnight Contact Lens Wear

Purpose. To determine the effect of overnight wear of contact lenses (CL) on tear meniscus, tear film stability, and subjective comfort. Methods. Sixty asymptomatic subjects were divided into three groups. The control group was composed of 20 non-CL wearers. Twenty inexperienced and 20 experienced CL wearers were enrolled as group 1 and group 2. For each subject in groups 1 and 2, a hydrogel and a silicone hydrogel CL were randomly assigned to each eye. Optical coherence tomography was used to determine volumes of the upper and lower tear menisci. Tear film stability was determined by non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) measured by tearscope. A previously used questionnaire assessed dry eye symptoms. Subjects were evaluated during an 11-h period, including immediately before and after sleeping. Results. Compared with the presleep levels, tear meniscus volume in the control group increased immediately after awakening and recovered by 1 hour later (p < 0.05). In contrast, tear meniscus volume in lens wearers increased on eye opening and recovered by 10 min later (p < 0.05). Tear meniscus volumes in CL wearers were less than those in controls at eye opening. NITBUT and comfort scores decreased immediately after CL insertion (p = 0.00). After eye opening, NITBUT was larger than the presleep levels until 10 min later. The comfort score was lower than the presleep values until 5 min later. Conclusions. Dynamic changes in the tear menisci, NITBUT, and comfort level were evident in both inexperienced and experienced CL wearers during and after overnight wear. Decreased tear meniscus volumes and tear film stability may contribute to lower eye comfort for extended CL wearers. The tearing on eye opening may facilitate improvement of ocular comfort and tear refreshment for a reconditioning of the tear system and the CL.
Family Caregiver Support and Hospitalizations of Patients With Heart Failure

This study aimed to expand understanding of hospitalizations involving patients with heart failure by considering characteristics of the caregiver as a facet of the problem. In face-to-face interviews, 41 caregivers registered agreement or disagreement on a Likert scale of items associated with caregiver depressive symptoms, caregiver appraisal, and perceptions of patient disease severity. Correlation and regression analyses showed lack of family support, increased care hours at home, and greater perceived patient disease severity to be associated with higher rates of hospitalizations for patients with heart failure.
An ordered pathway of snRNP binding during mammalian pre‐mRNA splicing complex assembly.

We have studied the assembly, composition and structure of splicing complexes using biotin‐avidin affinity chromatography and RNase protection assays. We find that U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 snRNPs associate with the pre‐mRNA and are in the mature, functional complex. Association of U1 snRNP with the pre‐mRNA is rapid and ATP independent; binding of all other snRNPs occurs subsequently and is ATP dependent. Efficient binding of U1 and U2 snRNPs requires a 5′ splice site or a 3′ splice site/branch point region, respectively. Both sequence elements are required for efficient U4, U5 and U6 snRNP binding. Mutant RNA substrates containing only a 5′ splice site or a 3′ splice site/branch point region are assembled into ‘partial’ splicing complexes, which contain a subset of these five snRNPs. RNase protection experiments indicate that in contrast to U1 and U2 snRNPs, U4, U5 and U6 snRNPs do not contact the pre‐mRNA. Based upon the time course of snRNP binding and the composition of sucrose gradient fractionated splicing complexes we suggest an assembly pathway proceeding from a 20S (U1 snRNP only) through a 40S (U1 and U2 snRNPs) to the functional 60S splicing complex (U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 snRNPs).
A New Method for Protection of Anchors in Releasing Microstructure by using XeF2 Etching Process

This paper presents a protection technology of anchors to use xenon difluoride etching process to release micro structure in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems processing. This technology is based on deep reactive ion etching and two-time thermal oxidation technology. Firstly, the trenches around the anchors are formed by using deep reactive ion etching. Secondly, the trenches are filled with thermal silicon dioxide that is hardly etched by xenon difluoride. Robust silicon anchors with protection layer silicon dioxide have been fabricated. Then, 100times100 suspended micro structure array, in which each element consists of two anchors and a micromirror supported by two beams, has successfully been fabricated by using this technology.
Effects of Short-Term Training of Community-Dwelling Elderly with Modular Interactive Tiles.

Objective: The objective of this study is to test for the increased mobility, agility, balancing, and general fitness of community-dwelling elderly individuals as a result of short-term training involving playing with modular interactive tiles (Entertainment Robotics, Odense, Denmark) at two community activity centers for the elderly. Three different tests from the Senior Fitness Test were used in order to test a variety of health parameters of the community-dwelling elderly, including those parameters related to fall prevention. Materials and Methods: Eighteen community-dwelling elderly individuals (63-95 years of age; mean, 83.2 years of age) were assessed in one intervention group without the use of a control group. The intervention group performed nine group sessions (1-1.5 hours each) of playful training with the modular interactive tiles over a 12-week period in two community activity centers for the elderly. Data were collected using pre-tests and post-tests of the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), the 8-foot Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), and the Chair-Stand Test (CS). Data were analyzed for statistically significant differences and increases of means. Results: The 6MWT, TUG, and CS measurements showed statistically significant differences and increases of means between the pre-tests and post-tests with the 6MWT (P<0.001) (means difference, 22.4 percent), TUG (P<0.001) (means difference, 15 percent), and CS (P<0.002) (means difference, 14 percent). Fifty-six percent of the elderly progressed from one health risk level to a better level, according to the three tests. Conclusions: Statistically significant increases in scores were found across all tests, suggesting an improvement of many different health parameters for the elderly. Well-established research has shown the relationship between such test scores and fall incidents, balancing, mobility, agility, etc. This significant improvement in the health status of the elderly is obtained in as few as nine training sessions over a 12-week period of "playing" exergames with the modular interactive tiles.
Penicillin failure in streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: causes and remedies

Synopsis. Penicillin administered for 10 days has been the treatment of choice for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis since the 1950s. The bacteriologic failure rate of 10 days of penicillin therapy ranged from approximately 2 to 10% until the early 1970s. Beginning in the late 1970s bacteriologic and clinical failure rates with penicillin therapy began to increase steadily over time and are now reported to be approximately 30%. The primary cause of penicillin treatment failure in streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis may be lack of compliance with the 10-day therapeutic regimen. Other causes of penicillin treatment failure include reexposure to Streptococcus-infected family members or peers; copathogenicity, in which bacteria susceptible to a class of drugs are protected by other, colocalized bacterial strains that lack the same susceptibility; antibiotic-associated eradication of normal protective pharyngeal flora; and penicillin tolerance, whereby streptococcal bacteria repeatedly or continuously exposed to sublethal concentrations of antibiotic become increasingly resistant to eradication. Although 10 days of penicillin therapy is effective in the management of tonsillopharyngitis for many patients, multiple factors may, singly or together, cause treatment failure. A number of antibiotics, particularly the cephalosporins, have been demonstrated to be superior to penicillin at eradicating group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, and several are effective when administered for 4 to 5 days. Conclusions. Ten days of penicillin therapy may not be the best therapeutic choice for all pediatric patients. Other antibiotics, shortened courses of the cephalosporins in particular, may be preferable in some cases.
Genetics of Bone Mineral Density: Evidence for a Major Pleiotropic Effect From an Intercontinental Study

BMD is a primary predictor of osteoporotic fracture, and its genetic determination is still unclear. This study showed that the correlation between BMD at different skeletal sites is caused by an underlying genetic structure of common genetic effects. In addition to possible shared (pleiotropic) genetic and environmental effects, each of the BMD variables may also be determined by site‐specific genetic factors.
Prevalence and determinants of acute renal failure following cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of acute renal failure in patients following cardiac arrest. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 420 consecutive admissions with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest admitted to the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, the Long Island Campus for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, over a 2-year period. Fifty-six patients who initially survived cardiopulmonary resuscitation following cardiac arrest and had serial biochemical and renal function data available were studied. The events during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and clinical and biochemical data were compared and contrasted among patients who developed acute renal failure following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (group 1, n = 16) and those who did not (group 2, n = 40). RESULTS Patients who developed acute renal failure following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (group 1) had longer duration of resuscitation (12.0 +/- 2.1 minutes vs 6.7 +/- 0.9 minutes for group 2) and received larger dosages of epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (1.81 +/- 0.36 mg vs 0.90 +/- 0.18 mg for group 2). Patients in group 1 had a significantly higher frequency of congestive heart failure (43.8% vs 12.5% for group 2), coronary artery disease (87.5% vs 37.5% for group 2), and preexisting compromised renal function (50% vs 12.5% for group 2). Patients in group 1 had significantly worsened long-term survival compared with group 2 patients (6.3% vs 47.5% for group 2). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that acute renal failure occurs commonly in the postcardiac arrest period. Administration of the vasoconstrictor epinephrine, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and preexisting renal insufficiency may be significant risk factors for the development of postcardiac arrest acute renal failure. The development of acute renal failure following cardiopulmonary resuscitation predicts a lesser likelihood of survival to discharge from the hospital.
Total body water and percentage fat mass measurements using bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry in spinal cord-injured patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Spinal cord injured patients may be adversely affected by disturbances of nutritional status, particularly malnutrition and fat mass overload. Malnutrition increases the risk for development of pressure sores, and fat mass excess increases the cardiovascular and respiratory risks of these patients, as well as predisposing to the development of diabetes mellitus, pressures sores and bony fractures. Body impedance analysis and anthopometry are easy bedside methods for body composition assessment. The aims of the study were to validate, in 20 spinal cord injured patients, body impedance analysis as a means to estimate total body water, and to validate a skinfold measurement of percentage fat independent of hydration of fat-free mass in the same population. METHODS Total body water was measured by (18)O dilution as a reference method. Impedance and anthropometric measurements (four different skinfolds) were obtained. The results of total body water given by impedance analysis and calculated with three formulas were compared to the reference method. The fat mass percentage obtained with each of the skinfolds using the 3-compartment Siri's formula was compared to a reference value using the sum of the skinfolds. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The formula using 100 kHz resistance, height, weight and gender overestimated total body water by only 0.76 +/- 1.85 L, with an acceptable concordance with labeled water results. The formula with 50 kHz resistance was less accurate and concordant. Each skinfold may be used for assessing percentage fat mass. Based on these findings, we feel that the triceps skinfold, whose the variability is the lowest compared to the reference values, can be used alone in clinical practice.
[OVERWEIGHT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PRACTICE ASSOCIATED WITH EATING BEHAVIOR OF BRAZILIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS].

INTRODUCTION inadequate food intake can compromise the cardiovascular health, which increases the chances of developing a number of diseases. The relation of inadequate intake of food and certain cardiovascular risk factors in young adult populations are not clear. OBJECTIVE the objective of this study was to investigate the association between eating habits of college students, excess body weight, high blood pressure and regular physical activity. METHODS cross sectional study was conducted with students from a Brazilian federal university. Were evaluated 1 599 students between 18 and 25 years old. An interview was conducted and included sociodemographic variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Was evaluated body composition (weight, height, calculate the BMI, and waist circumference (WC)). Eating habits and cardiovascular risk behaviors were evaluated by YRBSS -C (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance). RESULTS using the chi-square test was identified association between binge drink, consumption of fruits and consumption of salads / vegetables with regular physical activity. There was also an association between consumption of sweet and savory foods, with BMI and waist circumference high. The Logistic regression showed association between sweets intake (odds = 1.34) and savory foods (odds = 1.39) with high BMI. The analysis also showed an association between candy consumption (odds = 1.33), and savory consumption (odds = 1.74) with waist circumference. There was a relationship between MVPA and the binge drink (odds = 1.23), fruits consumption (1.46), and consumption of salads / vegetables (odds = 1.49). Thus, there was an association between the eating habits of college students with excess body weight as well as with regular physical activity.
Independence of growth factor induced plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) expression from the 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene

Summary Increased PAI-1 expression has been implicated in accelerating atherogenesis. Increases under some conditions are modulated by growth factors. Genetic factors such as the 4G/5G poly-morphism in the promoter of the PAI-1 gene play a role under certain circumstances. The present study was designed to delineate for the first time interactions between growth factors and the 4G/5G polymorphism with respect to PAI-1 expression in human arterial smooth muscle cells (HASMC). HASMC were genotyped and exposed to growth factors. PAI-1 gene and protein expression were induced consistently by TGF-β (up to 4.0-fold), PDGF (2.1-fold),TNF-α (1.7-fold), and thrombin (2.3-fold). Results were similar regardless of which genotype (4G/4G [n=9], 4G/5G [n=13], and 5G/5G [n=7]) was present. The induction of increased PAI-1 expression in human arterial smooth muscle cells by growth factors implicated in accelerated atherogenesis is independent of the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism. Accordingly, modulation of PAI-1 expression is likely to be influenced predominantly by environmental factors acting on, rather than genetic factors intrinsic to the PAI-1 promoter.
Experiences and concerns of family caregivers providing support to people with dementia: A cross-cultural perspective

Abstract: We examined experiences and concerns among caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia from two ethnic groups. We conducted a thematic analysis of responses to the question, ‘What is your life like as a caregiver? ’ in nine focus groups (n = 75) with Filipino and non–Hispanic White caregivers. Constant comparison methods identified themes by ethnicity. Experiences and concerns expressed across groups were related to care recipient symptoms commonly associated with dementia, including severe memory loss and behavioral changes. Participants in both ethnic groups described strategies that help them cope, such as receiving help from family and friends, receiving respite support, and participating in support groups. Filipino caregivers more often emphasized positive aspects of caregiving, whereas Whites often expressed that others do not understand the daily experiences of caregiving. Filipinos more commonly described caregivers as a ‘good person’ or ‘saint’ and emphasized that caregiving made them stronger.
Chronic resveratrol consumption improves brachial flow-mediated dilatation in healthy obese adults

Background: We have previously demonstrated acute dose-dependent increases of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in the brachial artery after resveratrol consumption in mildly hypertensive, overweight/obese adults. Resveratrol supplementation has also been shown to increase cerebral blood flow acutely, without affecting cognition. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of chronic resveratrol supplementation on both FMD and cognitive performance. Method: Twenty-eight obese but otherwise healthy adults (BMI: 33.3 ± 0.6 kg/m2) were randomized to take a single 75 mg capsule of trans-resveratrol (Resvida) or placebo daily for 6 weeks each in a double-blind crossover supplementation trial. Blood pressure, arterial compliance, FMD, and performance on the Stroop Color-Word Test were assessed at the end of each 6-week intervention period while fasted and at least 18 h after taking the last daily capsule. An additional capsule of the same supplement was then taken. FMD assessment was repeated 1 h later. Results: Chronic resveratrol supplementation for 6 weeks was well tolerated and resulted in a 23% increase in FMD compared with placebo (P = 0.021, paired t-test). The extent of increase correlated negatively with baseline FMD (r = −0.47, P = 0.01). A single dose of resveratrol (75 mg) following chronic resveratrol supplementation resulted in a 35% greater acute FMD response than the equivalent placebo supplementation. These FMD improvements remained significant after adjusting for baseline FMD. Blood pressure, arterial compliance, and all components of the Stroop Color-Word Test were unaffected by chronic resveratrol supplementation. Conclusion: Daily resveratrol consumption was well tolerated and has the potential to maintain healthy circulatory function in obese adults.
Progesterone stimulates DNA synthesis and lobulo‐alveolar development in mammary glands in ovariectomized mice

The objective of this study was to determine whether sustained progesterone (P) use in the absence of estrogen could influence mammary development in mice. Three‐week‐old intact or ovariectomized mice were primed with subcutaneous (s.c.) cholesterol (C), estrogen (E), P, or estrogen and progesterone (E/P) together. Nine days after priming, mammary glands were removed and incubated as a whole organ in media supplemented with various combinations of lactogenic hormones. After 5 days in whole organ culture, glands were removed and end buds, alveolar buds and lobulo‐alveoli were quantified. Glands from mice primed with C or E developed significantly less lobulo‐alveoli than glands from mice primed with P or E/P. While the development was greater in animals treated with E/P compared to those treated with P, it was clear that P in the absence of E could still induce lobulo‐alveolar development. We have shown in this paper that P, in the absence of E, can stimulate cell proliferation during priming. Subsequently, the P primed glands can differentiate in response to lactogenic hormones. J. Cell. Physiol. 180:298–304, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Conceptual Framework of Family Business Succession: Bane of Family Business Continuity

Despite the abundant studies that exist on succession in family business there are still many evidence of family business failures, this is due to the fact that the issue of succession and how it affect family business continuity is still yet to be addressed. Hence, studies on how succession leads to family business continuity are very limited and scarce. Therefore, this study explores and examines succession in relation to family business continuity. This study proposes an integrative conceptual model on how true succession could ensure family business continuity.
Mobility based Net Ordering for Simultaneous Escape Routing

With the advancement in electronics technology, number of pins under the ball grid array (BGA) are increasing on reduced size components. In small size components, a challenging task is to solve the escape routing problem where BGA pins escape towards the component boundary. It is often desirable to perform ordered simultaneous escape routing (SER) to facilitate area routing and produce elegant Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. Some heuristic techniques help in finding the PCB routing solution for SER but for larger problems these are time consuming and produce sub-optimal results. This work propose solution which divides the problem into two parts. First, a novel net ordering algorithm for SER using network theoretic approach and then linear optimization model for single component ordered escape routing has been proposed. The model routes maximum possible nets between two components of the PCB by considering the design rules based on the given net ordering. Comparative analysis shows that the proposed net ordering algorithm and optimization model performs better than the existing routing algorithms for SER in terms of number of nets routed. Also the running time using proposed algorithm reduces to O(2NE=2) + O(2NE=2) for ordered escape routing of both components. This time is much lesser than O(2NE) due to exponential reduction.
Novel Approach for Differentiating Shigella Species and Escherichia coli by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Shigella species are so closely related to Escherichia coli that routine matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) cannot reliably differentiate them. Biochemical and serological methods are typically used to distinguish these species; however, “inactive” isolates of E. coli are biochemically very similar to Shigella species and thus pose a greater diagnostic challenge. We used ClinProTools (Bruker Daltonics) software to discover MALDI-TOF MS biomarker peaks and to generate classification models based on the genetic algorithm to differentiate between Shigella species and E. coli. Sixty-six Shigella spp. and 72 E. coli isolates were used to generate and test classification models, and the optimal models contained 15 biomarker peaks for genus-level classification and 12 peaks for species-level classification. We were able to identify 90% of E. coli and Shigella clinical isolates correctly to the species level. Only 3% of tested isolates were misidentified. This novel MALDI-TOF MS approach allows laboratories to streamline the identification of E. coli and Shigella species.