Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Diabetes Alert study: growth, fatness, and fat patterning, adolescence through adulthood in Mexican Americans.

Diabetes Alert is a multidisciplinary genetic and epidemiological study of Type II (non insulin-dependent) diabetes in Texas Mexican Americans. We report the anthropometry of 1,155 individuals 10 to 70 or more years with particular reference to overweight, fatness, and anatomical fat patterning in the sample. Children ages 10-18 of both sexes are growing at the 50th percentile of the reference data (U.S. Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-1) for height, Wt/Ht2, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Adults are well below median height but well above median Wt/Ht2 and skinfolds. Prevalence of obesity (Wt/Ht2 greater than or equal to 30) among adults is typically 30% or higher by age 30. Diabetics compared to age/sex-matched non diabetics have shorter sitting heights, have more upper body fat (subscapular skinfold), have less lower body fat (lateral calf skinfold), and were heavier at maximum weight and at age 18. The ratio of lower to upper body fat distribution decreases over the life cycle, being highest at adolescence and lowest at ages 40-50 in both sexes. Our results show a precipitous weight gain after maturity in the sample and an association of diabetes with differences in anatomical fat patterning. The age-related changes in fat patterning need to be explained in terms of their ecological and genetic influences.
Can fitness and movement quality prevent back injury in elite task force police officers? A 5-year longitudinal study

Elite police work has bursts of intense physically demanding work requiring high levels of fitness, or capacity, and movement competency; which are assumed to increase one's injury resilience. The purpose of this study was to follow members of an elite police force (N = 53) to test whether back injuries (N = 14) could be predicted from measures of fitness and movement quality. Measures of torso endurance, relative and absolute strength, hip ROM and movement quality using the Functional Movement ScreenTM and other dynamic movement tests were obtained from every officer at baseline. When variables were grouped and considered holistically, rather than individually, back injury could be predicted. Seven variables best predicted those who would suffer a back injury (64% sensitivity and 95% specificity for an overall concordance of 87%). Overall, the ability to predict back injury was not high, suggesting that there is more complexity to this relationship than is explained with the variables tested here. Practitioner Summary: Members of elite police forces have exposure to intense physically demanding work. Increased levels of fitness and movement competency have been assumed to increase injury resilience. However, complexity in the interactions between exposure, movement competency, training, fitness and injury may occlude the true relationship between these variables.
[Energy balance and caloric profile in the elderly obese or in those with overweight compared to those of normal weight].

BACKGROUND Elderly obese people have higher morbidity and mortality rates than those of normal weight and thus deeper knowledge of the problem of obesity is required in order to establish measures for prevention and correction. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in the energetic ingestion and caloric profile in the diets of elderly patients based on their body mass index (BMI). METHODS A collective of 127 elderly patients (44 institutionalized and 83 not) from 65 to 89 years of age were studied being grouped as: overweight-obese elderly (BMI > 25 kg/m2) and normal weight elderly patients (BMI < 25 kg/m2). The ingestion of energy and caloric profile of their diets was calculated in both groups by the "precise individual weight" method (in the institutionalized patients) and by the "register of food consumption" (in non institutionalized patients). The data of energetic ingestion were validated by comparison with the energy spent calculated on the basis of weight, age, and the daily activities of each patient. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the energetic ingestion of overweight and obese elderly persons and those of normal weight, although the former had a more unbalanced caloric profile, with greater protein contribution and lesser carbohydrate contribution to total calories. It was also found that overweight and obese elderly patients underevaluate their energetic ingestion more than those of normal weight. CONCLUSIONS The main difference observed between overweight-obese elderly patients with respect to those of normal weight was in the composition of their diets more than in the total energetic consumption.
Mathematical Modeling of Ultradeep Sequencing Data Reveals that Acute CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Responses Exert Strong Selective Pressure in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques but Still Fail To Clear Founder Epitope Sequences

ABSTRACT The prominent role of antiviral cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CD8-TL) in containing the acute viremia of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1 and SIV) has rationalized the development of T-cell-based vaccines. However, the presence of escape mutations in the acute stage of infection has raised a concern that accelerated escape from vaccine-induced CD8-TL responses might undermine vaccine efficacy. We reanalyzed previously published data of 101,822 viral genomes of three CD8-TL epitopes, Nef103-111RM9 (RM9), Tat28-35SL8 (SL8), and Gag181-189CM9 (CM9), sampled by ultradeep pyrosequencing from eight macaques. Multiple epitope variants appeared during the resolution of acute viremia, followed by the predominance of a single mutant epitope. By fitting a mathematical model, we estimated the first acute escape rate as 0.36 day−1 within escape-prone epitopes, RM9 and SL8, and the chronic escape rate as 0.014 day−1 within the CM9 epitope. Our estimate of SIV acute escape rates was found to be comparable to very early HIV-1 escape rates. The timing of the first escape was more highly correlated with the timing of the peak CD8-TL response than with the magnitude of the CD8-TL response. The transmitted epitope decayed more than 400 times faster during the acute viral decline stage than predicted by a neutral evolution model. However, the founder epitope persisted as a minor population even at the viral set point; in contrast, the majority of acute escape epitopes were completely cleared. Our results suggest that a reservoir of SIV infection is preferentially formed by virus with the transmitted epitope.
Shisha use and trends in Pakistan: A narrative review

Shisha smoking is a growing global epidemic and a preventable cause of mortality and morbidity. Shisha use is popular among youth worldwide constituting a voguish social trend. It is widely regarded as less hazardous and more acceptable than cigarette smoking. However, research evidence has highlighted numerous harmful effects of shisha smoking. A literature review was conducted to identify all available research related to shisha smoking in Pakistan. “Pubmed” and “Google Scholar” were employed as search engines. This review presents and evaluates evidence regarding trends, patterns, knowledge, beliefs and usage of shisha in Pakistan. It culminates with recommendations to increase awareness of shisha and preventive strategies to combat this significant public health issue in Pakistan.
A comparative study of educational inequality in the risk of stillbirth in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden 1981–2000

Background The stillbirth rates in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are among the lowest in the world, but socioeconomic disparities in stillbirth still exist. This study examined the educational patterns in the risk of stillbirth in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden from 1981 to 2000. Methods From the national birth registries, all singleton live births and stillbirths with a gestational age of at least 28 weeks were selected in Denmark (n=1 182 888), Finland (n=419 729), Norway (n=1 006 767) and Sweden (n=1 974 101). The births were linked with individual data on parental socioeconomic factors from various national registers. Linear and logistic regression were used to calculate RR and risk differences for stillbirth according to maternal educational attainment. Results The risk of stillbirth was lowest in Finland and highest in Denmark. The risk decreased over time in Denmark, Norway and Finland, but remained stable in Sweden. Educational gradients were found in all countries in all time periods under study. In Denmark, the gradient remained stable over time. In Norway the gradient decreased slightly during the 1990s, whereas the gradient increased in Sweden. The gradient in Finland was relatively stable. Conclusions There were persisting educational inequalities in stillbirth in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden in the 1980s and 1990s. Inequalities were stable or decreasing except in Sweden, where an increase in inequality was observed. This increase was not solely attributable to a decreasing absolute risk of stillbirth as both the relative and absolute measures of inequality increased.
Detained introns are a novel, widespread class of post-transcriptionally spliced introns

Deep sequencing of embryonic stem cell RNA revealed many specific internal introns that are significantly more abundant than the other introns within polyadenylated transcripts. Boutz et al. identified thousands of these “detained” introns (DIs) in human and mouse cell lines as well as the adult mouse liver. Drug inhibition of Clk, a stress-responsive kinase, triggered rapid splicing changes for a specific subset of DIs, altering transcript pools of >300 genes. Srsf4 regulates the splicing of some DIs, particularly in genes encoding RNA processing and splicing factors.
Patient‐perceived outcome after sialendoscopy using the glasgow benefit inventory

Sialendoscopy is a technique for investigating and managing obstructive salivary disease that avoids risks associated with the more invasive sialoadenectomy and other open surgery techniques. To date, surgeon‐based outcomes have been reported, but only one report of patient‐oriented outcomes has appeared in the literature. The objective of this study was to review our experience after introducing sialendoscopy to New Zealand and report the patient‐perceived benefit.
Innovation and Competition: The Role of the Product Market

Abstract We study how competition impacts innovation (and welfare) when firms compete both in the product market and in innovation development. This relationship is complex and may lead to scenarios in which a lessening of competition increases R&D and consumer welfare in the long run. We provide conditions for when competition increases or decreases industry innovation and welfare. These conditions are based on properties of the product market payoffs. Implications for applied work and policy are discussed.
Serotonin Syndrome Risks When Combining SSRI/SNRI Drugs and Triptans: is the FDA's Alert Warranted?

In 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert, based on 27 case reports gathered over a 5-year span, regarding serotonin syndrome resulting from concurrent use of either a selective serotonin-re uptake inhibitor (SSRI) or a selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) with a triptan. These diagnoses have been subsequently challenged as not meeting validated criteria for serotonin syndrome, in part because the FDA has yet to publicly disseminate important case report data. As a result of the FDA's alert, some clinicians are reluctant or refuse to provide these drugs concomitantly to patients. We believe that withholding these medications due to fears of serotonin syndrome is difficult to justify. In contrast to the small number of case reports, research shows that approximately 700,000 patients annually take SSRIs or SNRIs with triptans and that this drug combination has been effectively used by millions of individuals over the past decade. We encourage healthcare professionals to familiarize themselves with data on serotonin syndrome and to administer SSRIs/SNRIs with triptans when clinically appropriate.
Consumption of added sugars among US children and adults by food purchase location and food source.

BACKGROUND The proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts Label by the US Food and Drug Administration will include information on added sugars for the first time. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the sources of added sugars in the diets of a representative sample of US children and adults by food purchase location and food source (eg, food group). DESIGN This cross-sectional study among 31,035 children, adolescents, and adults aged ≥6 y from the 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, and 2009-2010 NHANES used data from a 24-h dietary recall to evaluate consumption of added sugars. Food locations of origin were identified as stores (supermarket or grocery store), quick-service restaurants/pizza (QSRs), full-service restaurants (FSRs), schools, and others (eg, vending machines or gifts). Added sugars consumption by food purchase location was evaluated by age, family income-to-poverty ratio, and race-ethnicity. Food group sources of added sugars were identified by using the National Cancer Institute food categories. RESULTS Added sugars accounted for ∼14.1% of total dietary energy. Between 65% and 76% of added sugars came from stores, 6% and 12% from QSRs, and 4% and 6% from FSRs, depending on age. Older adults (aged ≥51 y) obtained a significantly greater proportion of added sugars from stores than did younger adults. Lower-income adults obtained a significantly greater proportion of added sugars from stores than did higher-income adults. Intake of added sugars did not vary by family income among children/adolescents. Soda and energy and sports drinks were the largest food group sources of added sugars (34.4%), followed by grain desserts (12.7%), fruit drinks (8.0%), candy (6.7%), and dairy desserts (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS Most added sugars came from foods obtained from stores. The proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts Label should capture the bulk of added sugars in the US food supply, which suggests that the recommended changes have the potential to reduce added sugars consumption.
Study of the effectiveness of a participatory ergonomics intervention in reducing worker pain severity through physical exposure pathways

A participatory ergonomics programme was implemented in an automotive parts manufacturing factory. An ergonomics change team was formed composed of members from management and the organized labour union. It was hypothesized that the physical change projects implemented as part of this process would result in decreased worker exposures to peak and cumulative physical demands and reduced worker perceptions of physical effort and pain severity. A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing a sister plant in the corporation as a referent group. A longitudinal questionnaire approach was used to document pre-post changes in worker perceptions. In general, the physical change projects were rated as improvements by workers and were successful at reducing peak and/or cumulative mechanical exposures. However, there were few systematic changes in perceived effort or pain severity levels. Explanations include the confounding effects of differential production rate and staffing changes at the intervention and referent plants and/or insufficient overall intervention intensity due to a relatively short intervention period, plant and team ambivalence towards the process and the low overall impact on exposure of the particular changes implemented.
Nitrous Oxide Emission Associated with Autotrophic Ammonium Oxidation in Acid Coniferous Forest Soil

Aerobic N2O production was studied in nitrifying humus from urea-fertilized pine forest soil. Acetylene and nitrapyrin inhibited both NH4+ oxidation and N2O production, indicating that N2O production was closely associated with autotrophic NH4+ oxidation. N2O production was enhanced by low soil pH; it was negligible above pH 4.7. When soil pH decreased from 4.7 to 4.1, the relative amount of N2O-N produced from NH4+-N oxidized increased exponentially to 20%. There was also some evidence that N2O formation was stimulated by salts (potassium sulfate and sodium phosphates). The maximum rate of N2O-N production was 0.17 μg of N2O-N per g of soil per h. When humus was treated with NO2−, N2O evolved immediately, indicating chemical formation, but no N2O was formed on the addition of NO3−. The amount of N2O-N evolved was 0.6 to 4.6% of NO2−-N added. A high concentration of NO2− and low soil pH enhanced chemical production of N2O. There was no accumulation of NO2− during nitrification. The calculations indicated that chemical formation of N2O was not the main source of N2O during NH4+ oxidation. After the addition of inhibitors of NH4+ oxidation the soils contained NO3−, but no N2O was produced. The results suggest that enhanced autotrophic NH4+ oxidation is a potential source of N2O in fertilized acid forest soil.
In vivo confocal microscopic features of normal limbus

Aim To describe in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) features of the limbus in normal eyes as related to the palisades of Vogt's. Methods 46 eyes of 29 consecutive volunteers were recruited in this observational study. A detailed examination by IVCM was performed in addition to a routine slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Size and density of corneal and limbal epithelial cells were measured and statistically analysed using SPSS version 8.0 software. Results Anatomical and morphological features were noted between corneal and limbal cells. Size and density differences reached to significant levels (p<0.05). Different shapes of palisades of Vogt have been described clearly by confocal microscope. Cell-like structures were observed in the peripheral end of the palisades which might represent limbal stem cell crypts. Conclusions Laser IVCM can be used to establish the features of the normal limbus. The identified features demonstrate quantitative changes in the basal epithelium between the limbus and the central cornea and morphological differences between pigmented or non-pigmented studied subjects. Further studies should be performed to correlate with histology the possible crypts which were observed in this study.
Attributes of Female Reproductive Aging and Their Relation to Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Prospective Study

PurposeWe investigated the relation between age at menopause, postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use, and incident primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). MethodsWe followed 66,417 women in the Nurses' Health Study prospectively from 1980 to 2002. Eligible participants were ≥40 years old, free of POAG at baseline, provided information on menopausal status, and reported receiving eye examinations during follow-up. Relevant exposure data and POAG risk factors were updated using biennial questionnaires. We identified 447 POAG cases during follow-up. We used proportional hazards models to calculate multivariable rate ratios (MVRR) of POAG and 95% confidence intervals. ResultsAmong postmenopausal women overall, entering menopause before age 45 [MVRR=0.85 (0.63 to 1.14)] or at age ≥54 [MVRR=0.84 (0.60 to 1.18)] was not significantly associated with POAG compared with entering menopause at age 50 to 54. However, in secondary analysis, among postmenopausal women aged ≥65 years, entering menopause at age ≥54 years was associated with reduced risk of POAG compared with entering menopause at age 50 to 54 [MVRR=0.53 (0.32 to 0.89)]. Overall, compared with never use of PMH, past PMH use [MVRR=0.84 (0.61 to 1.18)], and current PMH use [MVRR=0.89 (0.70 to 1.13)] was not significantly associated with POAG. In secondary analysis, compared with never use of PMH, current use of estrogen with progestin [MVRR=0.58 (0.36 to 0.94)] was associated with a reduced risk of POAG characterized by intraocular pressure >21 mm Hg before visual field loss; current use estrogen alone [MVRR=0.93 (0.63 to 1.35)] was not significantly associated. ConclusionsThese data suggest a possible role for declining sex hormones in POAG pathogenesis.
Bone-anchored titanium implants for auricular rehabilitation: case report and review of literature

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Osseointegrated implants have acquired an important role in the prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with craniofacial defects. The main indications are lack of local tissue for autogenous reconstruction, previous reconstruction failure and selection of this technique by the patient. This paper presents a clinical case and discusses indications and advantages of the osseointegrated implant technique for retention of auricular prostheses. TYPE OF STUDY: Case report, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). METHODS: A female patient received three auricular implants after surgical resection of a hemangioma in her left ear. The time taken for osseointegration of the temporal bone was three months. After fabrication of the implant-retained auricular prosthesis, the patient was monitored for 12 months. RESULTS: The clinical parameters evaluated showed good postoperative healing, healthy peri-implant tissue, good hygiene and no loss of implants. Good hygiene combined with thin and immobile peri-implant soft tissues resulted in minimal complications. Craniofacial implant integration appears to be site-dependent; increasing age affects osseointegration in the temporal bone. The frequency of adverse skin reactions in peri-implant tissues is generally low. CONCLUSION: The surgical technique for rehabilitation using implant-retained auricular prostheses seems to be simple. It is associated with low rates of adverse skin reactions and long-term complications. Prostheses anchored by osseointegrated implants seem to provide better retention than do prostheses supported on spectacle frames, less risk of discoloration through the use of adhesives and better esthetic results than do prostheses anchored in the surgical cavity.
Hypertension and incident dementia in community‐dwelling elderly Yoruba Nigerians

Ogunniyi A, Lane KA, Baiyewu O, Gao S, Gureje O, Unverzagt FW, Murrell JR, Smith‐Gamble V, Hall KS, Hendrie HC. Hypertension and incident dementia in community‐dwelling elderly Yoruba Nigerians. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 124: 396–402. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.