Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Omega-3 fatty acid treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND Although several clinical trials have evaluated the impact of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) on patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), changes in plasma PUFA composition were not always assessed following n-3 supplementation. Furthermore, no reports are available on the efficacy of n-3 PUFA in Canadian youth with ADHD. OBJECTIVES To determine fatty acid (FA) composition, and the efficacy and safety of n-3 PUFA supplementation on ADHD clinical symptoms in French Canadian primary school children. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Strengths and Weaknesses in ADHD and Normal Behaviors (SWAN) and Conners' questionnaires were used to assess changes in ADHD symptoms in 37 children (only 26 children completed the study from zero to 16 weeks). They were divided into two groups (A and B), and participated in a 16-week, double-blind, one-way, crossover randomized study. In the first phase, group A received the n-3 PUFA supplement and group B received n-6 PUFA (sunflower oil) as a placebo. During the second phase, group B received the active n-3 PUFA supplement that was continued in group A. FA composition and lipid profile were assessed during the phases of the study. RESULTS FA differences between groups were observed in the 26 patients. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA resulted in significant increases in eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in group A, while group B was enriched with alpha-linolenic, gamma-linolenic and homo-gamma-linolenic acids. The n-3 PUFA supplement was tolerated without any adverse effects. A statistically significant improvement in symptoms was noted based on the parent version of the Conners' questionnaire from baseline to the end of phase 1, and this amelioration continued from phases 1 to 2, although the latter changes from phases 1 and 2 were not statistically significant in any of the subscales except for the subscale measuring inattention in group B. The improvement was greater in patients from group A in phase 1 and in patients from group B in phase 2. A subgroup of eight patients (four in each group) displayed a statistically significant clinical improvement following the administration of the n-3 PUFA supplement, particularly for the inattention and global Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition, total Conners' subscales. CONCLUSIONS A subgroup of children with ADHD who used n-3 PUFA supplements achieved and maintained symptom control. The data of the present study also supported n-3 PUFA safety and tolerability, but limited changes were noted in the FA profile in French Canadians with ADHD.
Does accessibility to local public employment agencies matter? Answers from a French quasi-experiment

ABSTRACT We question whether accessibility to local public employment agencies impacts exits from unemployment. We deal with the potential endogeneity of the residential location of jobseekers by using the unanticipated creation of a new agency in the French region of Lyon as a quasi-natural experiment. We use exhaustive and geo-located individual data on jobseekers and local public employment agencies. Contrary to past evidence based on aggregated data, we find no evidence that jobseekers with improved accessibility to the local public employment services experience an improvement of their probability of exiting unemployment. We however find evidence of transitory organizational effects. These findings strongly question the costly strategy of a fine distribution of local public employment agencies across the territory while suggesting that institutional issues are key.
Separating and Merging Cash Flows: Investigating Five-element Cash Flows Statement

In Iranian accounting standard, cash flows statement includes five elements. This is justifiable considering all discussions that exist in International Accounting Standard No.7 (IAS 7). This new representation method has raised many debates on its usefulness. In this study, cash flows from operations (CFO) were separated into different elements and the predictability of future earnings was examined by them as the most important criterion which would facilitate the evaluation of the performance along with net earnings. Using data of listed companies in Tehran stock exchange, results of testing research hypotheses showed that when a model including the elements of accruals and net CFO based on the IAS was used for predicting net earnings, separating CFO elements, disclosed by the direct method of representing cash flow statement and replacing these elements in the model did not increase the predictability of the model significantly. Also, the method of separating CFO into its gross sums based on IAS 7 had more predictability compared to the method of separating the items of cash flows into three (operating activities, return on investment and paid earnings for financing, and tax) elements according to Iranian Accounting Standard. Our results are applicable for the standard-makers and users of financial statements, developing disclosure literature in the financial statements.
Genomic Organization and Glucocorticoid Transcriptional Activation of the Rat Na/H Exchanger Nhe3 Gene (*)

The activity of the apical membrane Na/H exchanger NHE3 isoform of renal or intestinal epithelial cells is chronically regulated by a wide variety of stimuli, including acidosis, cAMP, glucocorticoids, and thyroid hormone. To understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for long term regulation of this cation transporter, we have isolated and determined the structure of this gene from a rat genomic library. The Nhe3 gene spans >40 kilobases and contains 17 exons that are flanked by typical splice donor and acceptor sequences at the exon-intron boundaries. The transcription initiation site was mapped by S1 nuclease protection analyses of mRNA from rat kidney and intestine. Multiple start sites were clustered between nucleotides −100 and −96 relative to the translation initiation codon. An atypical TATA-box and CCAAT-box are centered 30 and 147 nucleotides, respectively, upstream of the predominant transcription initiation site. Sequence analysis of approximately 1.4 kilobases of the 5′-flanking promoter region also revealed the presence of other putative cis-acting elements recognized by various transcription factors (e.g. AP-1, AP-2, C/EBP, NF-I, OCT-1/OTF-1, PEA3, Sp1, glucocorticoid, and thyroid hormone receptors), some of which may participate in the chronic regulation of this gene. The glucocorticoid responsiveness of the Nhe3 gene was assessed by fusing its 5′ regulatory region to the firefly luciferase reporter gene and then by measuring the expression of the chimeric gene in transiently transfected renal epithelial OK and LLC-PK cells. Glucocorticoid treatment significantly increased the luciferase activity of the chimeric gene in both cell lines, thereby indicating that glucocorticoid regulation of Nhe3 is mediated primarily by a transcriptional mechanism.
The internalization signal and the phosphorylation site of transferrin receptor are distinct from the main basolateral sorting information.

Wild‐type human transferrin receptor (hTfR), like endogenous canine receptor, is expressed almost exclusively (97%) at the basolateral membrane of transfected Madin‐Darbey canine kidney (MDCK) cells. We investigated the role of two distinct features of the hTfR cytoplasmic domain, namely the endocytic signal and the unique phosphorylation site, in polarized cell surface delivery. Basolateral location was not altered by point mutation of Ser24‐‐>Ala24, indicating that phosphorylation is not involved in vectorial sorting of hTfR. The steady state distribution of hTfR was partially affected by a deletion of 36 cytoplasmic residues encompassing the internalization sequence. However, 80% of the receptors were still basolateral. As assessed by pulse‐chase experiments in combination with biotinylation, newly synthesized wild‐type and deletion mutant receptors were directly sorted to the domain of their steady state residency. Although both receptors could bind human transferrin, endocytosis of the deletion mutant was strongly impaired at either surface. These data indicate that the predominant basolateral targeting signal of hTfR is independent of the internalization sequence.
Dying of lung cancer or cardiac failure: prospective qualitative interview study of patients and their carers in the community

Abstract Objective: To compare the illness trajectories, needs, and service use of patients with cancer and those with advanced non-malignant disease. Design: Qualitative interviews every three months for up to one year with patients, their carers, and key professional carers. Two multidisciplinary focus groups. Setting: Community based. Participants: 20 patients with inoperable lung cancer and 20 patients with advanced cardiac failure and their main informal and professional carers. Main outcome measures: Perspectives of patients and carers about their needs and available services. Results: 219 qualitative interviews were carried out. Patients with cardiac failure had a different illness trajectory from the more linear and predictable course of patients with lung cancer. Patients with cardiac failure also had less information about and poorer understanding of their condition and prognosis and were less involved in decision making. The prime concern of patients with lung cancer and their carers was facing death. Frustration, progressive losses, social isolation, and the stress of balancing and monitoring a complex medication regimen dominated the lives of patients with cardiac failure. More health and social services including financial benefits were available to those with lung cancer, although they were not always used effectively. Cardiac patients received less health, social, and palliative care services, and care was often poorly coordinated. Conclusions: Care for people with advanced progressive illnesses is currently prioritised by diagnosis rather than need. End of life care for patients with advanced cardiac failure and other non-malignant diseases should be proactive and designed to meet their specific needs.
Why do some primary care practices engage in practice improvement efforts whereas others do not?

OBJECTIVE To understand what motivates primary care practices to engage in practice improvement, identify external and internal facilitators and barriers, and refine a conceptual framework. DATA SOURCES In-depth interviews and structured telephone surveys with clinicians and practice staff (n = 51), observations, and document reviews. STUDY DESIGN Comparative case study of primary care practices (n = 8) to examine aspects of the practice and environment that influence engagement in improvement activities. DATA COLLECTION METHODS Three on-site visits, telephone interviews, and two surveys. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Pressures from multiple sources create conflicting forces on primary care practices' improvement efforts. Pressures include incentives and requirements, organizational relationships, and access to resources. Culture, leadership priorities, values set by the physician(s), and other factors influence whether primary care practices engage in improvement efforts. CONCLUSIONS Most primary care practices are caught in a cross fire between two groups of pressures: a set of forces that push practices to remain with the status quo, the "15-minute per patient" approach, and another set of forces that press for major transformations. Our study illuminates the elements involved in the decision to stay with the status quo or to engage in practice improvement efforts needed for transformation.
Identification of immunodeficient molecules in neonatal mononuclear cells by proteomic differential displays

Human newborns are known to be susceptible to microbial infection. This susceptibility is generally attributed to immaturity of the newborn immune system. However, the mechanisms for impaired immunity in newborns are still incompletely defined. In this study, we sought to elucidate the protein differential display between adult and neonatal mononuclear cells (MNC) using a proteomic approach. MNC samples from cord blood and adult peripheral blood were subjected to 2‐D PAGE analysis. Differential protein displays between cord blood and adult MNC were determined and validated. There were 34 differentially expressed proteins between cord blood and adult MNC identified by 2‐D PAGE. The differentially displayed proteins were clustered into two major signal pathways, cellular processing and purine metabolism. After validation by Western blot, we found more abundant arginase‐1 (ARG1) and Rho GDP‐dissociation inhibitor 2 (RhoGDI2), while less adenosine deaminase (ADA) and β‐actin in cord blood MNC. In functional validation, we found that lower ADA was proven to enhance the TNF‐α production by cord blood monocytes. The results from this study discovered the proteomic displays for altered immunity between adult and neonatal MNC that support a understanding of the correction of impaired immune response in newborns.
Arterial hypertrophy and pressor responsiveness during development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Background In contrast to studies in isolated blood vessels, results from whole-animal studies are ambiguous regarding differences in pressor responsiveness between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, possibly related to the measurement of blood pressure instead of total peripheral resistance (TPR) and to differences in compensatory mechanisms. Objective and design We evaluated responses of blood pressure and TPR to two doses of the αl-agonist phenylephrine during the development of hypertension and cardiovascular hypertrophy in SHR aged 8–26 weeks compared with age-matched WKY rats before and after ganglionic blockade. At 16 weeks of age more-complete dose-response curves to the αl-agonist methoxamine were also constructed. Results Over the age range studied, the SHR developed marked hypertension, related to a significant rise in TPR, and concomitantly significant cardiac hypertrophy, as well as hypertrophy of the mesenteric arterial bed. The blood pressure responses to phenylephrine were diminished in the SHR compared with the WKY rats at all ages studied, but this effect was significant only in the absence of ganglionic blockade. TPR responses were significantly less in the SHR than in the WKY rats, both with and without concomitant ganglionic blockade. In contrast, both blood pressure and TPR responses to low doses, but not higher doses, of methoxamine were enhanced in the SHR compared with the WKY rats. Conclusion These results indicate that the development of hypertension in SHR in vivo is associated with variable changes in blood pressure and TPR responses to al-receptor stimulation, depending on the αl-agonist employed.
A 52-kDa Leucyl Aminopeptidase from Treponema denticola Is a Cysteinylglycinase That Mediates the Second Step of Glutathione Metabolism*

The metabolism of glutathione by the periodontal pathogen Treponema denticola produces hydrogen sulfide, which may play a role in the host tissue destruction seen in periodontitis. H2S production in this organism has been proposed to occur via a three enzyme pathway, γ-glutamyltransferase, cysteinylglycinase (CGase), and cystalysin. In this study, we describe the purification and characterization of T. denticola CGase. Standard approaches were used to purify a 52-kDa CGase activity from T. denticola, and high pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis of this molecule showed that it matches the amino acid sequence of a predicted 52-kDa protein in the T. denticola genome data base. A recombinant version of this protein was overexpressed in and purified from Escherichia coli and shown to catalyze the hydrolysis of cysteinylglycine (Cys-Gly) with the same kinetics as the native protein. Surprisingly, because sequence homology indicates that this protein is a member of a family of metalloproteases called M17 leucine aminopeptidases, the preferred substrate for the T. denticola protein is Cys-Gly (kcat/Km of 8.2 μm–1 min–1) not l-Leu-p-NA (kcat/Km of 1.1 μm–1 min–1). The activity of CGase for Cys-Gly is optimum at pH 7.3 and is enhanced by Mn2+, Co2+, or Mg2+ but not by Zn2+ or Ca2+. Importantly, in combination with the two other previously purified T. denticola enzymes, γ-glutamyltransferase and cystalysin, CGase mediates the in vitro degradation of glutathione into the expected end products, including H2S. These results prove that T. denticola contains the entire three-step pathway to produce H2S from glutathione, which may be important for pathogenesis.
Associations between Zinc Deficiency and Metabolic Abnormalities in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element which has favorable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic effects. The liver mainly plays a crucial role in maintaining systemic Zn homeostasis. Therefore, the occurrence of chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, or fatty liver, results in the impairment of Zn metabolism, and subsequently Zn deficiency. Zn deficiency causes plenty of metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis and hepatic encephalopathy. Inversely, metabolic abnormalities like hypoalbuminemia in patients with liver cirrhosis often result in Zn deficiency. Recent studies have revealed the putative mechanisms by which Zn deficiency evokes a variety of metabolic abnormalities in chronic liver disease. Zn supplementation has shown beneficial effects on such metabolic abnormalities in experimental models and actual patients with chronic liver disease. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of metabolic abnormalities deriving from Zn deficiency and the favorable effects of Zn administration in patients with chronic liver disease. In addition, we also highlight the interactions between Zn and other trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, or hormones in such patients.
Effect of Household Processing on the In Vitro Bioavailability of Iron in Mungbean (Vigna Radiata)

Background Mungbean (Vigna radiata) is a major source of energy and protein in developing countries, especially for the vegetarian population. Improvement of the bioavailability of iron in mungbean by common household processes could make a significant contribution to the nutrition of people in countries where iron-deficiency anemia is widespread. Objective The study was conducted to determine the effect of common household processes on nutritional and antinutritional factors as well as in vitro bioavailability of iron in mungbean. Methods Mungbean was subjected to various domestic processes such as dehulling, pressure cooking, germination, and fermentation. The effects of these processes on proximate composition, antinutritional factors (phytin phosphorus, polyphenols, and neutral detergent), and iron, including ionizable iron, were determined. Results No significant change in crude protein content was observed. There was a significant (p≤.05) increase in fiber content after germination. Ash content decreased significantly (p≤.05) after all processing methods. The processing methods resulted in a significant (p≤.05) reduction in phytin phosphorus and polyphenols. Pressure cooking significantly (p≤.05) decreased the neutral detergent fiber, whereas fermentation and germination increased it. The phytate:iron molar ratio of processed mungbean revealed that the maximum reduction was in germinated and fermented samples. Ascorbic acid content increased significantly (p ≤ .05) after germination. The in vitro bioavailability of iron in raw mungbean was 7.32%. All of the processing methods resulted in an increase in iron bioavailability in vitro; the maximum bioavailability was in germinated cooked mungbean (12.52%), followed by fermented cooked mungbean and germinated raw mungbean (both 11.04%). Conclusions Suitable processing techniques can improve the in vitro bioavailability of iron from mungbean. If mungbean products with enhanced iron bio-availabilty are developed, they could help improve the iron status of the population.
Trained registered nurses/endoscopy teams can administer propofol safely for endoscopy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Propofol has advantages as a sedative for endoscopic procedures. Its administration by anesthesia specialists is associated with high cost. Administration by nonanesthesiologists is controversial because of concerns about safety, particularly respiratory depression. METHODS Three endoscopy units developed programs to train registered nurses supervised only by endoscopists in the administration of propofol for endoscopic procedures. The rate of adverse respiratory events was tracked from the inception of the programs. To estimate whether training nurses to give propofol on a widespread basis might be effective, we evaluated the individual safety records of all nurses and endoscopists involved in propofol delivery at the 3 centers. RESULTS Among a total of 36,743 cases of nurse-administered propofol sedation (NAPS) at the 3 centers, there were no cases requiring endotracheal intubation or resulting in death, neurologic sequelae, or other permanent injury. The rate of respiratory events requiring assisted ventilation was not significantly different among the 3 centers and ranged from just <1 per 500 cases to just <1 per 1000 cases among the 3 centers. There was no individual nurse or physician for whom the rate of respiratory events requiring assisted ventilation differed from the overall rate of events at the respective centers. CONCLUSIONS Trained nurses and endoscopists can administer propofol safely for endoscopic procedures. Nurse-administered propofol sedation is one potential solution to the high cost associated with anesthetist-delivered sedation for endoscopy.
Khat (Catha edulis)—an updated review

The habit of chewing fresh leaves and twigs of khat (Catha edulis) for their stimulating amphetamine‐like effects is highly prevalent in East Africa and southwest on the Arabic peninsula. There is an extensive literature on khat providing information about its history, botany, production, geographical distribution, chemistry and pharmacology, and exploring the social, economic, medical, psychological and oral aspects related to its use. Some of this literature dates as early as the 11th century; however, most of it appeared after the first scientific description of khat by Peter Forskal in 1775. This review provides a panorama of khat and the various aspects of its use. A non‐technical description of the plant chemistry and pharmacology is included. The medical, psychological and oral aspects are emphasized, and the current knowledge about the microbiological effects of khat is also presented.