Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body weight and body shape concerns and related behaviours among Indian urban adolescent girls

Abstract Objective To assess the associations of body weight and body shape concerns and related behaviours with actual weight status among urban adolescent girls. Design In the present cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on body weight and body shape concerns and related behaviours. Sociodemographic information was collected using a pre-tested schedule. Weight and height of each girl were measured to assess actual weight status. Setting Twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, India. Subjects A total of 1223 adolescent girls aged 14–19 years were selected from nine schools in Kolkata and Howrah in West Bengal. Results Many overweight girls perceived themselves as overweight and engaged in weight-reducing activities. However, several normal-weight girls also perceived them as overweight and attempted to lose weight. Unhealthy eating practices to reduce weight were followed by both overweight and normal-weight girls and even by a few underweight girls. Multivariate binary logistic regression showed a significant association between actual weight status and use of unhealthy weight-loss measures. The likelihood of adopting unhealthy eating practices was significantly higher among overweight than normal-weight girls. Conclusions Health education programmes should be introduced at schools to promote effective weight-control practices that help dispel myths about weight loss.
Ethnic variability in adiposity, thrifty phenotypes and cardiometabolic risk: addressing the full range of ethnicity, including those of mixed ethnicity

Ethnic groups vary in cardiometabolic risk, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Several components of body composition variability (fat/lean ratio, fat distribution, lean mass composition and metabolism, and adipose tissue biology) are increasingly linked with cardiometabolic risk and vary substantially across ethnic groups. Constituents of lean mass are proposed to contribute to ‘metabolic capacity’, a generic trait favouring the maintenance of homeostasis. Adiposity is proposed to contribute to ‘metabolic load’, which at higher levels challenges metabolic homeostasis, elevating cardiometabolic risk. Ethnic differences in body composition, representing different load‐capacity ratios, may therefore contribute to ethnic variability in cardiometabolic risk. Ecological and evolutionary factors potentially contributing to ethnic variability in body composition are explored. In contemporary populations, clinicians encounter an increasing range of ethnicity, along with many individuals of mixed‐ethnic ancestry. Increasing understanding of the contribution of body composition to cardiometabolic risk may reduce the need to treat ethnic groups as qualitatively different. A conceptual model is proposed, treating insulin sensitivity and stroke risk as composite functions of body composition variables. Operationalizing this model may potentially improve the ability to assess cardiovascular risk across the full ethnicity spectrum, and to predict cardiometabolic consequences of excess weight gain.
Multi-feature information-theoretic image registration: Application to groupwise registration of perfusion MRI exams

Investigating multi-feature information-theoretic image registration, we introduce consistent and asymptotically unbiased kth-nearest neighbor (kNN) estimators of mutual information (MI), normalized MI and exclusive information applicable to high-dimensional random variables, and derive under closed-form their gradient flows over finite- and infinite-dimensional transform spaces. Using these results, we devise a novel unsupervised method for the groupwise registration of cardiac perfusion MRI exams. Here, local time-intensity curves are used as a dense set of spatio-temporal features, and statistically matched through variational optimization. Experiments on simulated and real datasets suggest the accuracy of the model for the affine registration of exams with up to 34 frames.
A Highly Digital VCO-Based ADC Architecture for Current Sensing Applications

This paper presents a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) based current to digital converter for sensor readout applications. Second order noise shaping of the quantization error is achieved by using implicit capacitance of the sensor to realize a passive integrator and a VCO-based quantizer. The non-linearity in voltage to frequency conversion of the VCO is tackled by placing the VCO in a loop consisting of a simple digital IIR filter and a passive integrator. The IIR filter provides large gain within the signal bandwidth and suppresses VCO input swing. As a result, non-linearity of the VCO is not exercised, thus greatly improving the proposed architecture's immunity to VCO nonlinearity. The use of a digital filter instead of an analog loop filter eases the design and makes it scaling friendly. Designed for an ambient light sensor application, the proposed circuit achieves 900 pA accuracy over an input current range of 4 μA. Fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process, the readout circuit consumes a total of 77.8 μA current, and occupies an active area of 0.36 mm2.
Short-Term Resistance Training Attenuates Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Obese Adolescents.

PURPOSE Cardiac autonomic dysfunction (CADysf) in children is often associated to obesity and may be attenuated by physical activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of resistance training (RT) upon CADysf assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in obese adolescents. METHOD Volunteers were assigned into groups according to standard deviation scores for body mass index (z-BMI) and percentile for age and sex: obese (OB; z-BMI from 2 to 3 and ≥ 95th percentile, n = 24) and normal weight controls (CG; z-BMI from -2-1 and < 85th percentile, n = 20). OB performed isolated RT during 12 weeks [3 sets of 6-10reps with 70-85% 10RM]. Waist circumference, systolic/diastolic blood pressures (SBP/DBP), lipids, and HRV were assessed at baseline. Only OB underwent postintervention assessments. RESULTS At baseline, SBP (122.4 ± 9.1 vs. 109.7 ± 11.5 mmHg, p < .001) and DBP (76.1 ± 7.1 vs. 65.3 ± 5.9 mmHg, p < .001) were higher, while parasympathetic HRV indexes were lower (p < .05) in OB compared with CG. After RT, waist circumference (3%, p < .001) and SBP (10%, p < .001) reduced in OB. Parasympathetic indexes of HRV increased in OB (SDNN: 25%, p = .03; rMSSD: 48%, p = .0006; pNN50: 67%, p = .001; total power: 54%, p = .01; HF: 101%, p = .001) and baseline differences between groups for sympathetic and parasympathetic activities were no longer observed after RT. CONCLUSION RT attenuated CAdyfs and BP in obese adolescents, by increasing parasympathetic activity and decreasing sympatho-vagal balance.
Dynamic changes in the perceived posture of the hand during ischaemic anaesthesia of the arm

Non‐technical summary Even when the hand is stationary we know its position. This information is needed by the brain to plan movements. If the sensory input from a limb is removed through an accident, or an experiment with local anaesthesia, then a ‘phantom’ limb commonly develops. We used ischaemic anaesthesia of one arm to study the mechanisms which define the phantom hand. Surprisingly, if the wrist and fingers are held straight during anaesthesia, the perceived phantom hand becomes bent at the wrist and fingers, but if they are bent during anaesthesia, the final phantom is extended at the wrist and fingers. There is no ‘default’ posture for the phantom hand. Further, the hand appears to increase gradually in size as anaesthesia develops. The start of these perceptual changes occurs when input from large‐diameter sensory nerve fibres is declining. These results provide new information about how the brain generates phantom limbs.
Transgenic mouse with human mutant p53 expression in the prostate epithelium

Apoptosis is disrupted in prostate tumor cells, conferring a survival advantage. p53 is a nuclear protein believed to regulate cancer progression, in part by inducing apoptosis. To test this possibility in future studies, the objective of the present study was to generate a transgenic mouse model expressing mutant p53 in the prostate (PR).
TeamGAINS: a tool for structured debriefings for simulation-based team trainings

Background Improving patient safety by training teams to successfully manage emergencies is a major concern in healthcare. Most current trainings use simulation of emergency situations to practice and reflect on relevant clinical and behavioural skills. We developed TeamGAINS, a hybrid, structured debriefing tool for simulation-based team trainings in healthcare that integrates three different debriefing approaches: guided team self-correction, advocacy-inquiry and systemic-constructivist techniques. Methods TeamGAINS was administered during simulation-based trainings for clinical and behavioural skills for anaesthesia staff. One of the four daily scenarios involved all trainees, whereas the remaining three scenarios each involved only two trainees with the others observing them. Training instructors were senior anaesthesiologists and psychologists. To determine debriefing quality, we used a post-test-only (debriefing quality) and a pre-post-test (psychological safety, leader inclusiveness), no-control-group design. After each debriefing all trainees completed a self-report debriefing quality scale which we developed based on the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare and the Observational Structured Assessment of Debriefing. Perceived psychological safety and leader inclusiveness were measured before trainees’ first (premeasure) and after their last debriefing (postmeasure) at which time trainees’ reactions to the overall training were measured as well. Results Four senior anaesthetists, 29 residents and 28 nurses participated in a total of 40 debriefings resulting in 235 evaluations. Utility of debriefings was evaluated as highly positive. Pre-post comparisons revealed that psychological safety and leader inclusiveness significantly increased after the debriefings. Conclusions The results indicate that TeamGAINS could provide a useful debriefing tool for training anaesthesia staff on all levels of work experience. By combining state-of-the-art debriefing methods and integrating systemic-constructivist techniques, TeamGAINS has the potential to allow for a surfacing, reflecting on and changing of the dynamics of team interactions. Further research is necessary to systematically compare the effects of TeamGAINS’ components on the debriefing itself and on trainees’ changes in attitudes and behaviours.
PDGF-metronidazole-encapsulated nanofibrous functional layers on collagen membrane promote alveolar ridge regeneration

This study aimed to develop a functionally graded membrane (FGM) to prevent infection and promote tissue regeneration. Poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) encapsulating platelet-derived growth factor (PDLLA-PDGF) or metronidazole (PDLLA-MTZ) was electrospun to form a nanofibrous layer on the inner or outer surface of a clinically available collagen membrane, respectively. The membrane was characterized for the morphology, molecule release profile, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, and preclinical efficiency for alveolar ridge regeneration. The PDLLA-MTZ and PDLLA-PDGF nanofibers were 800–900 nm in diameter, and the thicknesses of the functional layers were 20–30 μm, with sustained molecule release over 28 days. All of the membranes tested were compatible with cell survival in vitro and showed good tissue integration with minimal fibrous capsule formation or inflammation. Cell proliferation was especially prominent on the PDLLA-PDGF layer in vivo. On the alveolar ridge, all FGMs reduced wound dehiscence compared with the control collagen membrane, and the FGM with PDLLA-PDGF promoted osteogenesis significantly. In conclusion, the FGMs with PDLLA-PDGF and PDLLA-MTZ showed high biocompatibility and facilitated wound healing compared with conventional membrane, and the FGM with PDLLA-PDGF enhanced alveolar ridge regeneration in vivo. The design represents a beneficial modification, which may be easily adapted for future clinical use.
Foveal Pit Morphology Evaluation during Optical Biometry Measurements using a Full-Eye-Length Swept-Source OCT Scan Biometer Prototype

Purpose To assess the scan quality of foveal pit morphology (FPM) and to quantify central retinal thickness (CRT) during routine optical biometry measurements with a full-eye-length swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) scan biometer prototype (IOLMaster700) and to compare these results with standard examinations using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) technique (Cirrus4000 SD-OCT). Methods As part of a SS-OCT scan protocol to measure biometric parameters for intraocular lens power calculation, central horizontal 1 mm retinal B scans were taken from phakic (group I) and pseudophakic (group II) nonvitrectomized eyes. To evaluate FPM, macular scans of either examination technique were subjectively analyzed and compared. Repeated CRT measurements were performed to analyze repeatability and consistency of IOLMaster700 recordings. These results were compared with CRT evaluations using SD-OCT. Results Overall, 146 eyes of 146 patients were included in this series. The subjective assessments of FPM are illustrated. Repeated CRT measurements (repeatability) with the IOLMaster700 disclosed an overall intraclass correlation of 0.57 (group I: 0.48; group II: 0.89). Overall coefficient of variation (accuracy) was calculated to be 12.43% (group I: 14.21%; group II: 5.66%). The comparison of CRT measurements between both devices showed significant differences in group I (p = 0.006). Conclusions Compared with SD-OCT, resolution of the 1 mm retinal B scan of SS-OCT scan biometry was lower. However, advanced pathologic characteristics were clearly discernible. Repeatability and accuracy of CRT measurements were acceptable though lower than with the standard SD-OCT technique. The CRT differed significantly in eyes of particular interest (group I) between both devices. The new scan could provide useful information for subsequent patient examination and further treatment planning for cataract surgery.
[Evaluation of Viva-E drug testing system].

BACKGROUND The importance and usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) have been emphasized, and analysis of drugs has been increased in clinical laboratories. We evaluated the analytical performance and clinical usefulness of a recently introduced enzyme multiplied immunoassay instrument, Viva-E Drug Testing System (Dade Behring Inc., USA). METHODS Using patients' samples and quality control material, we evaluated the analytical performance of Viva-E for a total of 11 drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid, valproic acid, digoxin, theophylline, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, vancomycin, and gentamicin) with respect to linearity, precision, and correlations with other methods according to CLSI guidelines. Cobas Integra 800 (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) and API 4000 LC-MS/MS System (Applied Biosystems, USA) were used to make a comparison. In addition, we analyzed analysis time. RESULTS Viva-E showed a good linearity (r2 >or= 0.97) for all items. Within-run CVs were within 5% and total CVs were within 10% for all drugs except for tacrolimus and digoxin at low concentrations. The system correlated well with the other methods (r=0.9283-0.9778). The time required for reporting the first sample was 11 min and the analysis time was 1.1 min. CONCLUSIONS Since Viva-E showed a good analytical performance required for TDM in its linearity, precision, and accuracy with its wide drug menus including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and mycophenolic acid, stat and random accessing functions, and the consolidation to a single workstation, it could be very useful in the clinical laboratory for various needs.
No prosthetic management of massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears

A massive rotator cuff tear is not necessarily irreparable. Number of tendons involved, muscle-tendon unit quality, and decreased acromionhumeral distance (AHD) are as important as tear size in determining reparability of lesion. Massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears cannot be anatomically repaired to the bone and are a common source of pain and disability even in middle-aged patients. In these patients when conservative management has failed, it is possible to perform different surgical techniques. A functional repair can help to restore the horizontal force couple of the cuff on the humeral head and to increase the AHD. Debridement of irreparable tears and biceps tenotomy or tenodesis can have a role in low functional demand patients but results deteriorate over time. Recently, several commercially available tissue-engineered biological and synthetic scaffolds have been developed to augment rotator cuff repairs. The aim is to provide a mechanical improvement in case of poor quality tissue at time zero and give a support to have a better cuff healing. In selected cases, the scaffold can be used also to bridge tendon defect. Patients who not have pseudoparalysis, cuff tear arthropathy and with intact deltoid function can benefit from tendon transfers with satisfactory outcomes. These different procedures should be chosen for each patient with selected criteria and after a satisfactory explanation about the really possible expectation after surgery.
Augmenting brief interventions for adolescent marijuana users: The impact of motivational check-ins.

OBJECTIVE Brief interventions for adolescent marijuana users offered in schools reach users who would not otherwise present for treatment. The current study builds on previous trials of a school-based, 2-session motivational enhancement therapy (MET) intervention by adding periodic, brief motivational check-ins to reinforce gains and bolster motivation. METHOD Adolescent participants were randomly assigned to a motivational check-in (MCI; n = 128) or assessment-only check-in (ACI; n = 124) comparison condition. Both conditions received 2 sessions of MET. Participants in the MCI condition then attended 3 MET-based check-in sessions at 4, 7, and 10 months after baseline, whereas the ACI condition participants attended assessment-only check-ins at the same time points. Optional cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) sessions were available as needed for 12 months from baseline in both conditions. RESULTS Outcomes were assessed at 6, 9, 12, and 15 months after baseline. Participants (59% Caucasian; 68% male; mean age = 15.84) reported using marijuana on an average of 37 of the last 60 days, and 70% met diagnostic criteria for a marijuana use disorder. Both conditions were associated with reduced use and negative consequences that were sustained throughout the 15 months of follow-up. The MCI condition resulted in greater reductions at the 6 months follow-up, but differences between conditions were not found at later follow-ups, and MCI participation did not increase engagement in CBT as predicted. CONCLUSIONS Results replicated the efficacy of the brief intervention for adolescent marijuana use and provided mixed evidence on the utility of adding repeated check-in sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record
Optical Capsule and Tweezer Array for Molecular Motor Use

A generation of optical capsules and tweezers within a modified optical add-drop filter known as PANDA ring resonator with a new concept is proposed. By using dark and bright solitons, the orthogonal tweezers can be formed within the system and observed simultaneously at the output ports. Under the resonant condition, the optical capsules and tweezers generated by dark and bright soliton pair corresponding to the left-hand and right-hand rotating solitons (tweezers) can be generated. When a soliton is interacted by an object, an angular momentum of either bright or dark tweezers is imparted to the object, in which two possible spin states known as tweezer spins are exhibited. Furthermore, an array of molecular capsules and spins, i.e., trapped molecules can be generated and detected by using the proposed system, which can be used to form large scale tweezer or capsule spins. In application, the trapped molecules can be moved and rotated securely to the required destinations, which can be useful for many applications, especially, in medical diagnosis, therapy and surgery.
A conserved DGGK motif is essential for the function of the PglB oligosaccharyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni

In Campylobacter jejuni, the PglB oligosaccharyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of a heptasaccharide from a lipid donor to asparagine within the D/E-X1-N-X2-S/T sequon (X1,2 ≠ P) or releases this heptasaccharide as free oligosaccharides (fOS). Using available crystal structures and sequence alignments, we identified a DGGK motif near the active site of PglB that is conserved among all Campylobacter species. We demonstrate that amino acid substitutions in the aspartate and lysine residues result in loss of protein glycosylation in the heterologous Escherichia coli system. Similarly, complementation of a C. jejuni pglB knock-out strain with mutated pglB alleles results in reduced levels of N-linked glycoproteins and fOS in the native host. Analysis of the PglB crystal structures from Campylobacter lari and the soluble C-terminal domain from C. jejuni suggests a particularly important structural role for the aspartate residue and the two following glycine residues, as well as a more subtle, less defined role for the lysine residue. Limited proteolysis experiments indicate that conformational changes of wildtype PglB that are induced by the binding of the lipid-linked oligosaccharide are altered by changes in the DGGK motif. Related to these findings, certain Campylobacter species possess two PglB orthologues and we demonstrate that only the orthologue containing the DGGK motif is active. Combining the knowledge gained from the PglB structures and mutagenesis studies, we propose a function for the DGGK motif in affecting the binding of the undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate glycan donor substrate that subsequently influences N-glycan and fOS production.
Colonic Postoperative Inflammatory Ileus in the Rat

ObjectiveTo investigate local inflammatory events within the colonic muscularis as a causative factor of postoperative ileus. Summary Background DataSurgically induced intestinal muscularis inflammation has been hypothesized as a mechanism for postoperative ileus. The colon is a crucial component for recovery of gastrointestinal motor function after surgery but remains unaddressed. The authors hypothesize that colonic manipulation initiates inflammatory events that directly mediate postoperative smooth muscle dysfunction. MethodsRats underwent colonic manipulation. In vivo transit and colonic motility was estimated using geometric center analysis and intraluminal pressure monitoring. Leukocyte extravasation was investigated in muscularis whole mounts. Mediator mRNA expression was determined by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. In vitro circular muscle contractility was assessed in a standard organ bath. The relevance of iNOS and COX-2 inhibition was determined using DFU or L-NIL perfusion. ResultsColonic manipulation resulted in a massive leukocyte recruitment and an increase in inflammatory mRNA expression. This inflammatory response was associated with an impairment of in vivo motor function and an inhibition of in vitro smooth muscle contractility (56%). L-NIL but not DFU significantly ameliorated smooth muscle dysfunction. ConclusionsThe results provide evidence for a surgically initiated local inflammatory cascade within the colonic muscularis that mediates smooth muscle dysfunction, which contributes to postoperative ileus.