Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What are the short-term and long-term effects of occupation-focused and occupation-based occupational therapy in the home on older adults’ occupational performance? A systematic review

Abstract Background: There is a lack of evidence-based knowledge about the effectiveness of home-based OT for older adults aimed at improving occupational performance by practicing activities and tasks. Aim: This review synthesizes and discusses evidence for the effectiveness of occupation-focused and occupation-based OT for older adults at home. Material and methods: Peer-reviewed quantitative papers were included. Participants: ≥ 60-year-old adults with functional limitations. Intervention: OT aiming at improving occupational performance, primarily through the practice of activities and tasks. Outcome: Occupational performance. Context: Home. Three reviewers critically appraised 13 of 995 detected papers. Extracted data were presented and summarized descriptively. Results: Eight high-quality papers showed that occupation-focused and occupation-based OT using cognitive, behavioral and environmental strategies may significantly improve occupational performance in older, home-dwelling adults with physical health problems. Maintaining achieved improvements was a consistent challenge. Conclusions and significance: Evidence suggests that older adults’ occupational performance can be significantly improved through low-intensity occupation-focused and occupation-based intervention. It is recommended to develop and test high-intensity OT programs and maintenance programs.
Protective effect of a phenolic‐rich fraction from Schisandra chinensis against H2O2‐induced apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells

We have investigated the neuroprotective effects of a phenolic‐rich fraction (PRF) on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced apoptosis of cultured SH‐SY5Y cells. The PRF was obtained from the 80% ethanol extract of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis by Sepabeads SP‐850 column chromatography. Cell viability assays revealed that pretreating SH‐SY5Y cells with PRF (10–200 μgmL−1) resulted in significant dose‐dependent protection against H2O2‐induced cell death. The protective effect of PRF against H2O2‐induced apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of DNA contents using propidium iodide (PI) staining. Pre‐incubation of cells with PRF at different concentrations for 24 h partially protected apoptosis by H2O2 (150 μM). Moreover, cells treated with PRF reduced H2O2‐induced caspase‐3 activation and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase cleavage and exerted an apparent suppressive effect on oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We concluded that PRF may be useful in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases associated with elevated ROS levels.
Self-care and Quality of Life of Heart Failure Patients at a Multidisciplinary Heart Function Clinic

Background:Multidisciplinary heart function clinics aim to improve self-care through patient education and to provide clinical management. Objective:The objectives of the present study were to investigate the self-care and quality of life of patients attending a multidisciplinary heart function clinic and to explore the relationship between self-care and quality of life. Methods:One hundred outpatients attending a multidisciplinary heart function clinic were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire included the Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) and the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, which were used to assess self-care behavior and quality of life, respectively. Self-care practices and perceived barriers were also assessed through semistructured interviews with each patient. Results:The returned questionnaires (n = 94) were used to compute the following SCHFI maintenance, management, and confidence scores: 60.8 (SD, 19.3), 62.0 (SD, 20.7), and 55.9 (SD, 19.7), respectively. Higher SCHFI scores indicate better self-care. None of the self-care dimensions reached the self-care adequacy cut point of 70. The average score on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire was 49.9 (SD, 25.4), indicating a moderate health-related quality of life. Lower ejection fraction, older age, and better quality of life were associated with better self-care. Determinants of better quality of life were older age, better functional capacity, higher self-care confidence, and fewer comorbidities. The patient interviews revealed that better quality of life is associated with higher self-care confidence and barriers to self-care caused anxiety to the patients. The self-care barriers were found to include lack of self-care education, financial constraints, lack of perceived benefit, and low self-efficacy. Conclusions:Patients attending a large multidisciplinary Canadian heart failure clinic do not perform adequate self-care as measured with the SCHFI and report only a moderate quality of life. Increasing self-care through education and tools that target self-care barriers are required and may help improve quality of life.
Diabetes and cancer: the mechanistic implications of epidemiological analyses from the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry

Diabetes is a disorder of energy metabolism associated with increased cancer risk, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In a prospective cohort of patients enrolled in the Hong Kong Diabetes Registry, we explored risk factors for cancer including drug usage in type 2 diabetes. In a series of published papers, we reported a linear risk association of cancer with glycated haemoglobin with a threshold at 6.0%–6.5% and non‐linear risk associations of body mass index, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride and white blood cell (WBC) count in V‐shaped or A‐shaped manners. Detailed pharmacoepidemiological analysis revealed markedly attenuated cancer risk in patients treated with insulin and oral anti‐diabetic drugs compared with non‐users of these drugs. We further observed significant drug–subphenotype interactions with attenuated cancer risk in metformin users with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor users with high WBC count and statin users with co‐presence of low low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol plus albuminuria or low triglyceride. These novel observations corroborate with experimental findings of possible consequences of hyperglycaemia on dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism, renin‐angiotensin system and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase pathways, all of which may be implicated in carcinogenesis. On the basis of these epidemiological and experimental findings, we argue for the strong need to strengthen the health care system to ensure that type 2 diabetes subjects receive appropriate drugs to optimize internal milieu to reduce all events including cancer. Apart from mechanistic studies, large‐scale, randomized clinical trials using medications such as statin, renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors and metformin in patients with risk‐conferring subphenotypes are needed to confirm their anti‐cancer effects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical evaluation of safety and efficacy of Boswellia-based cream for prevention of adjuvant radiotherapy skin damage in mammary carcinoma: a randomized placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Acute radiation erythema and other skin reactions are common adverse effects experienced by breast carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. Boswellic acids are pentacyclic triterpenes extracted from the resins of the tropical tree Boswellia serrata with strong anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of the application of a base cream containing boswellic acids in a proprietary formulation (Bosexil(R)) for the prevention and relief of radiation-induced adverse effects in breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The acute skin reactions were clinically evaluated by visual intensity and computer-assisted skin color analysis, and toxicity was assessed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) rating scale. RESULTS These findings indicate that the use of a boswellia-based cream is effective in reducing the use of topical corticosteroids and is able to reduce the grade of erythema and the skin superficial symptoms, being well tolerated by the patients. CONCLUSIONS Further studies comparing boswellia cream with other topical agents will be appropriate to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment for breast cancer patients under radiation therapy.
Receptor‐mediated regulation of neuropeptide gene expression in astrocytes

One of the functions of glial receptors is to regulate synthesis and release of a variety of neuropeptides and growth factor peptides, which in turn act on neurons or other glia. Because of the potential importance of these interactions in injured brain, we have examined the role of two different receptors in the regulation of astrocyte neuropeptide synthesis. Stimulation of β‐adrenergic receptors on type 1 astrocytes resulted in increased mRNA and protein for the proenkephalin (PE) and somatostatin genes. This receptor also increased expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The potential role of opiate receptors was examined in several ways. Treatment of newborn rats for 7 days with the opiate antagonist naltrex‐one, prior to preparation of astrocytes, had no effect on PE mRNA or met‐enkephalin content but resulted in a significant increase in NGF content. However, treatment of astrocytes in culture with met‐enkephalin, morphine, or naltrexone had no effect on any of these parameters. No opiate binding could be detected, using either etorphine or bremazocine, to membranes of astrocytes prepared from cortex, cerebellum, striatum, or hippocampus of 1‐day, 7‐day, or 14‐day postnatal rats. Thus we conclude that type 1 astrocytes do not express opiate receptors and that the in vivo effects of naltrexone are mediated indirectly via some other cell type/receptor. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel beam control method and configuration for phased array antenna system employing frequency-upconverted local signals with phase difference

This paper proposes a novel beam control method and configuration for a phased array antenna system (PAS) for ultra-broadband transmission. The PAS adjusts the phase difference of local signals (RF carriers) to control a beam. The main idea behind the proposed system is to utilize two local signals in order to employ non-variable phase shifters for beam steering. A two-branch PAS transmitter with phase-adjusted RF carriers configures and tests to confirm the feasibility of the proposed beam control method and configuration. Measurement results confirm that the proposed configuration can be used to control the directivity.
Gene gun transferring-bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) gene enhanced bone fracture healing in rabbits.

PURPOSE Transferring the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) genes into the tissues or cells can improve the bone healing of the fracture has been widely accepted. We evaluated the efficiency of using gene gun to transfer the BMP-2 gene thereby affected the healing of a fractured bone. METHODS The vector coding for BMP-2 was constructed by a non-replicating encephalo-myocarditis virus (ECMV)-based vector. The segmental bone defect (1.5 cm) model was created by a wire-saw at the middle part of the radius bone of the New Zealand white rabbits. Then either BMP-2 gene or control vector without BMP-2 gene was injected into the tissues around the fracture site. Healing of the defects was monitored radiographically for 9 weeks, bone consolidation was determined by the Lane-Sandhu score pre- and post-operatively, which can evaluated bone formation, bone connect and bone plasticity. RESULTS The radiographic score and bone consolidation rates were significantly higher in animals injected with BMP-2 gene group as compared with control vector-injected animals (P<0.05). The control group still showed no radiological signs of stable healing. Western-blot and RT-PCR showed BMP-2 expression was significant increase in the tissues around the site of osseous lesions in comparison with the control vector-injected animals (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that BMP-2 gene transferred by gene gun could increase the expression of BMP-2 protein and improved the bone callus formation therefore shortened the time of bone defect healing.
Sea Cucumber Moratorium and Livelihood Diversity in Papua New Guinea

ABSTRACT Livelihood diversity factors such as flexibility within fisheries, geographical mobility, reallocation of fishing effort into the broader economy, and the non-material benefits that fisheries provide are important areas of research in marine policy. We use two small-scale fisheries related socio-economic surveys of communities in the Tigak Islands of Papua New Guinea. The first conducted 5 years before a ban on the harvesting of sea cucumbers was imposed and the second from the present day, 5 years after the initiation of the ban—with the objectives of exploring changes in household fishing strategies (types and numbers of species targeted) and to identify any important socioeconomic factors that help explain those changes. Fishing's contribution to total household income has increased significantly (p = 0.019) up from 61% in 2004 to 73% in 2014 with the percentage of female residents living in a household now positively and significantly (p = 0.018) associated with fishing income. The average number of species categories targeted per household increased insignificantly while households with more women are significantly (p = 0.018) less likely to target more species than households with more men. Moreover, customary management practices contribute to this difference. Together, these results show that households are not worse off financially 5 years after the ban on sea cucumber harvesting and that gendered seascape use has implications for the role of livelihood diversity as a marine policy tool.
Flow‐limited tracer oxygen distribution in the isolated perfused rat liver: Effects of temperature and hematocrit

We used the multiple‐indicator dilution technique to examine the kinetics of tracer oxygen distribution and uptake in the rat liver perfused in a nonrecirculating fashion with blood. 51Cr‐labeled 18O2‐saturated erythrocytes, labeled albumin, sucrose and water (the tracers for oxygen and vascular, interstitial and cellular references) were injected simultaneously into the portal vein. Timed anerobic samples were collected from the hepatic vein and analyzed by mass spectrometry for relative 18O2 enrichment and radioactivity. In a set of experiments performed at 32° C, oxygen uptake was substantially diminished; tracer oxygen profiles approached those expected for a completely recovered, flow‐limited substance. At 37° C, much larger tracer oxygen sequestration occurred. Experiments were carried out at each temperature at higher and lower hematocrit, and oxygen consumption at each temperature was found to be independent of hematocrit. The tissue space of distribution for tracer oxygen relative to the total sinusoidal vascular content was influenced by the hematocrit: it was smaller at higher hematocrit and larger at lower hematocrit, as expected. The derived partition coefficient of oxygen for liver cells relative to plasma (expressed in terms of the liver and plasma water spaces) was, on average, 2.62 ml/ml; it was independent of the hematocrit. Analysis of the indicator dilution experiments indicates that the tracer oxygen is distributed into tissue in a flow‐limited rather than a barrier‐limited fashion, and that with this, an ongoing concomitant intracellular sequestration of tracer can be seen. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;16:763–775.)
Time-Domain Microwave Radar Applied to Breast Imaging: Measurement Reliability in a Clinical Setting

This work presents an evaluation of the measurement challenges in clinical testing of our microwave breast cancer screening system. The time-domain radar system contains a multistatic 16- antenna hemi-spherical array operating in the 2{4GHz frequency range. We investigate, for the flrst time with such a system in clinical trials, the repeatability of measurements and its efiect on image reconstruction. We record vertical and horizontal measurement uncertainties under difierent scenarios and verify using previously introduced compensation methods that they can be successfully reduced to an acceptable level from the standpoint of image reconstruction. We also examine how placement of an immersion medium can afiect collected breast scan data. Finally, we probe the repeatability and consistency of measurements with patients. With the goal of conflrming the feasibility of frequent breast health monitoring, with our system, we obtain a total of 342 breast scans collected over 57 patient visits to determine how much scan data varies when there are no changes in between scans, and how much it varies when the patient is repositioned in the system. We conflrm that, by taking care in patient positioning in the system and with respect to the immersion medium, the measurement repeatability is high.
Positive and negative volume-outcome relationships in the geriatric trauma population.

IMPORTANCE In trauma populations, improvements in outcome are documented in institutions with higher case volumes. However, it is not known whether improved outcomes are attributable to the case volume within specific higher-risk groups, such as the elderly, or to the case volume among all trauma patients treated by an institution. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that outcomes of trauma care for geriatric patients are affected differently by the volume of geriatric cases and nongeriatric cases of an institution. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study using a statewide trauma registry was set in state-designated levels 1 and 2 trauma centers in Pennsylvania. It included 39 431 eligible geriatric trauma patients (aged >65 years) in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcomes Study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES In-hospital mortality, major complications, and mortality after major complications (failure to rescue). RESULTS Between 2001 and 2010, 39 431 geriatric trauma patients and 105 046 nongeriatric patients were captured in a review of outcomes in 20 state-designated levels 1 and 2 trauma centers. Larger volumes of geriatric trauma patients were significantly associated with lower odds of in-hospital mortality, major complications, and failure to rescue. In contrast, larger nongeriatric trauma volumes were significantly associated with higher odds of major complications in geriatric patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Higher rates of in-hospital mortality, major complications, and failure to rescue were associated with lower volumes of geriatric trauma care and paradoxically with higher volumes of trauma care for younger patients. These findings offer the possibility that outcomes might be improved with differentiated pathways of care for geriatric trauma patients.
Comprehensive Screening of Arabidopsis Mutants Suggests the Lysine Histidine Transporter 1 to Be Involved in Plant Uptake of Amino Acids1[W]

Plant nitrogen (N) uptake is a key process in the global N cycle and is usually considered a “bottleneck” for biomass production in land ecosystems. Earlier, mineral N was considered the only form available to plants. Recent studies have questioned this dogma and shown that plants may access organic N sources such as amino acids. The actual mechanism enabling plants to access amino acid N is still unknown. However, a recent study suggested the Lysine Histidine Transporter 1 (LHT1) to be involved in root amino acid uptake. In this study, we isolated mutants defective in root amino acid uptake by screening Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seeds from ethyl methanesulfonate-treated plants and seeds from amino acid transporter T-DNA knockout mutants for resistance against the toxic d-enantiomer of alanine (Ala). Both ethyl methanesulfonate and T-DNA knockout plants identified as d-Ala resistant were found to be mutated in the LHT1 gene. LHT1 mutants displayed impaired capacity for uptake of a range of amino acids from solutions, displayed impaired growth when N was supplied in organic forms, and acquired substantially lower amounts of amino acids than wild-type plants from solid growth media. LHT1 mutants grown on mineral N did not display a phenotype until at the stage of flowering, when premature senescence of old leaf pairs occurred, suggesting that LHT1 may fulfill an important function at this developmental stage. Based on the broad and unbiased screening of mutants resistant to d-Ala, we suggest that LHT1 is an important mediator of root uptake of amino acids. This provides a molecular background for plant acquisition of organic N from the soil.
Enhanced Regulatory Sequence Prediction Using Gapped k-mer Features

Abstract Oligomers of length k, or k-mers, are convenient and widely used features for modeling the properties and functions of DNA and protein sequences. However, k-mers suffer from the inherent limitation that if the parameter k is increased to resolve longer features, the probability of observing any specific k-mer becomes very small, and k-mer counts approach a binary variable, with most k-mers absent and a few present once. Thus, any statistical learning approach using k-mers as features becomes susceptible to noisy training set k-mer frequencies once k becomes large. To address this problem, we introduce alternative feature sets using gapped k-mers, a new classifier, gkm-SVM, and a general method for robust estimation of k-mer frequencies. To make the method applicable to large-scale genome wide applications, we develop an efficient tree data structure for computing the kernel matrix. We show that compared to our original kmer-SVM and alternative approaches, our gkm-SVM predicts functional genomic regulatory elements and tissue specific enhancers with significantly improved accuracy, increasing the precision by up to a factor of two. We then show that gkm-SVM consistently outperforms kmer-SVM on human ENCODE ChIP-seq datasets, and further demonstrate the general utility of our method using a Naïve-Bayes classifier. Although developed for regulatory sequence analysis, these methods can be applied to any sequence classification problem.
A Suspended Low Power Gas Sensor With In-Plane Heater

An ultralow power suspended gas sensor with in-plane heater and nano gap sensor electrodes is presented. The heater and sensing electrodes, separated by 1- $\mu \text{m}$ air gap, are processed using single lithography step with standard micro-fabrication techniques. Controlled electromigration is used to create a nanogap in the middle of the sensing electrode. The sol–gel grown ZnO is dispensed using a picoliter dispenser to bridge the nanogap electrode, created by electromigration, to get required metal oxide film as a sensing element. The gap between the electrode and heater is optimized by electrothermal simulation to obtain desired temperature profile on ZnO. The resulting device exhibits excellent sensing performance for hydrogen (~86% at 20 ppm) at 0.5 mW. A detailed characterization was carried out to analyze the performance of the device. This unique, in-plane structure is superior compared with the conventional out of plane structure in terms of the power efficiency and ease of processing. [2016-0162]