Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective of study of gestational diabetes mellitus risk in relation to maternal recreation physical activity before and after pregnancy

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is common complications of pregnancy. Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to know association between physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus in the first 20 weeks of their pregnancy.Methods: In the current case-control study, 50 pregnant females with gestational diabetes mellitus as the case group and 50 pregnant females as control group were selected. To diagnose gestational diabetes mellitus using diagnostic criteria. Females with abnormal oral glucose challenge test (>140mg/dL) were asked to perform the three-hour 100 g oral glucose tolerance test. The details of physical activity were collected by pregnancy physical activity questionnaire. Anthropometric and other data were recorded for all of the participants.Results: Females with low total physical activity at early pregnancy were at a significantly higher risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus compared to the ones with higher levels of physical activity. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), gravidity and a family history of diabetes, females with low physical activity during 20 weeks of pregnancy were at a significantly higher risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus. Females with the low intensity of sedentary, light and moderate physical activity are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus compared to females with a higher intensity of sedentary, light and moderate physical activity.Conclusions: Females should be encouraged to do regular daily physical activity during pregnancy, if there is no specific contraindication to it.
Evaluation of Placental Perfusion Based on Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion Weighted Imaging (IVIM-DWI) and Its Predictive Value for Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate placental blood perfusion in middle and late pregnancy and explore its predictive value for fetal growth restriction (FGR). Methods All pregnant women included in the study were examined using placental intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI). Three IVIM parameters (D, f, D*) were obtained for each pregnant woman and analyzed using Image J software. Perfusion fraction f is a radiological marker of placental perfusion. The pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine artery is used to indirectly evaluate placental function. Results f-values were significantly lower in the late-onset FGR group compared to the normal late pregnancy group (19.07 vs. 27.78%). In addition, uterine artery PI values were markedly increased in the late-onset FGR group compared to the normal late pregnancy group (1.96 vs. 1.03), and neonatal weight was significantly lower in the late-onset FGR group (2.75 vs. 3.18 kg). There was a significant positive correlation between f-value, uterine artery PI and neonatal weight (r = 0.968, p < 0.01; r = 0.959, p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between f-value and age of gestation (r = − 0.534, p < 0.01). Conclusion Perfusion fraction f was strongly correlated with uterine artery blood flow resistance as measured by color Doppler and had a certain predictive value for late-onset FGR.
Implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) and a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): A Case Study Examination of One School District in Minnesota

The study examined implementation of a Response to Intervention (RTI) and MultiTiered System of Support (MTSS) framework in a one school district in Minnesota in November and December 2017. The purpose of the study was to examine how policies, procedures, and implementation strategies created the conditions that resulted in implementation of an MTSS and replacement of the IQ-achievement discrepancy with an RTI measure in a comprehensive special education evaluation for specific learning disability (SLD). Findings revealed the importance of establishing an RTI/MTSS framework at the school district level and the use of implementation science to build a coordinated and aligned system across all schools. In addition, clear guidelines and a high level of procedural specificity can help ensure fidelity in the delivery of interventions, the integrity of the problem-solving process, and the application of valid and reliable decision rules. Professional development designed to address the conceptual, procedural, and technical aspects of an RTI/MTSS framework will enhance both teacher buy-in and the skills and knowledge of those assigned to provide intervention and engage in the problem-solving process. School districts would be advised to leverage the expertise of school psychologists with this work. Finally, the role of school principals was revealed to be critical. School building leaders need to be knowledgeable about the RTI/MTSS framework, and actively engaged in day-to-day implementation, leveraging both technical and adaptive leadership skills as needed.
The Role of Spinose Ornament in Predator Deterrence and Epibiont Colonization: The Bivalve Arcinella, Pinecrest (Pliocene) of Florida

The spinose shells of the sessile, epifaunal bivalve Arcinella cornuta, from the fossiliferous Pliocene Pinecrest and Caloosahatchee beds of Florida, provide evidence of ecological interactions with both boring predatory gastropods and commensal bivalves. The number, sizes, and positions of borings in A. cornuta were compared to parameters such as size of the valve and density of spines at the boring site to determine to what extent spines influenced the borers. Records of attacks by naticid and muricid gastropods are preserved as borings in the shells of their putative prey. Gastropods can exhibit stereotyped attack patterns and can be highly selective with regard to prey size and boring site in order to optimize net energy return. Although some site and size selectivity was evident, attack strategies toward A. cornuta shifted over time. Spine density at boring sites was negatively correlated with boring frequency, demonstrating that spines hindered predatory attacks. Smaller predators were selective and most often bored at the thinner posterior region of the shell. Larger predators were less selective and most often bored at the lunule; the thickest portion of the shell, but the only area unobstructed by spines. Larger predators apparently accepted longer boring times in order to increase chances at success. Over time, establishing two preferred boring sites enabled predators to optimize their attacks. This direct link between prey morphology and predator adaptation signals that an arms race between these two species may have been underway. A. cornuta shells were also the preferred habitat of boring gastrochaenid bivalves, signaling a shift in the borer's habitat. Some species of the bivalve family Gastrochaenidae dwell in semiendolithic boreholes partially covered by secreted calcareous envelopes or crypts. Gastrochaenids selectively colonized shells of A. cornuta to exploit the feeding currents, armor, and raw materials provided by the host. The distribution of borings and crypts indicates that gastrochaenids colonized and grew within the spines of A. cornuta, orienting their siphons to exploit feeding currents created by the host. As the gastrochaenids matured and outgrew the space available within the spines, they incorporated them into their crypts.
Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Audible Timed Reminders for Simulated Serial Pain Score Documentation in an Emergency Department

Pain is one of commonest presentations at Emergency Department (ED). Previous studies showed inadequate pain control in ED. However, few have addressed specific, practical methods of improving the timeliness and frequency of pain control in emergency setting. This study was a randomized controlled trial in a simulated environment of an actual functioning ED using a timer device to remind care personnel to assess pain and provide analgesia at set intervals versus a “standard therapy” group without visual/audio aids. The mean documentation performance scores between timer and control groups were 94.45% + 5.85 vs 72.22% + 17.57 (p<0.05) respectively. The use of timer device did not appear to have any effect on the timeliness of recording the first pain score observation following analgesia, 1.74 min + 0.41 (timer) vs 1.78 min + 0.82 (control) (p=0.89). The documentation performance score showed 50% of the timer device group recorded only one omission compared to 90% of control group recorded more than one omission. The range of observations time for the control group is widespread (min: 4 minutes, max: 36 minutes) compared to the intervention group (min: 11 minutes, max: 22 minutes). The median time intervals for pain score documentations per subject in both groups were 15 minutes, however, the IQR in timer group was 1 compared to 7 in control group. In conclusion, the addition of timer device had the advantage to improve documentation performance score and subsequently the serial pain score documentation in ED.
Transient Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening Mediates Preconditioning-Induced Protection

Background— Transient (low-conductance) opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) may limit mitochondrial calcium load and mediate mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. We hypothesize that transient mPTP opening and ROS mediate the protection associated with myocardial preconditioning and mitochondrial uncoupling. Methods and Results— Isolated perfused rat hearts were subjected to 35 minutes of ischemia/120 minutes of reperfusion, and the infarct-risk-volume ratio was determined by tetrazolium staining. Inhibiting mPTP opening during the preconditioning phase with cyclosporine-A (CsA, 0.2 μmol/L) or sanglifehrin-A (SfA, 1.0 μmol/L) abolished the protection associated with ischemic preconditioning (IPC) (20.2±3.6% versus 45.9±2.5% with CsA, 49.0±7.1% with SfA; P<0.001); and pharmacological preconditioning with diazoxide (Dzx, 30 μmol/L) (22.1±2.7% versus 46.3±3.0% with CsA, 48.4±5.5% with SfA; P<0.001), CCPA (the adenosine A1-receptor agonist, 200 nmol/L) (24.9±4.5% .
Differences in physiological traits and protein expression between glyphosate-tolerant glandless cotton and its wild type

Physiological traits and proteomic expression were compared between EPSPS-G6 transgenic glyphosate-tolerant glandless upland cotton (GT) and its non-transgenic wild type (non-GT). GT showed higher net photosynthetic rate at boll setting stage (BSS) than non-GT, with higher stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and transpiration rate (E) at the beginning of boll open stage (BBOS), but lower in Ci at BSS. Contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a+b in GT were uniformly significantly less than those in non-GT at BSS and BBOS. Insertion of EPSPS gene had altered uptake of mineral nutrients: GT demonstrated less concentrations in N, Mg and K, but higher in P, Ca, Fe, K, Cu, Mn and Zn compared with non-GT. Contents of soluble sugar at BSS and BBOS and soluble protein at PFS and BSS in GT were significantly higher than non-GT; but GT had lower soluble sugar content at PFS and soluble protein at squaring stage. GT recorded significantly higher activities in superoxide dismutase and catalase, but lower in peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase compared with non-GT. Proteomic alteration in leaves of GT vs non-GT was analyzed using 2-DE coupled with mass spectrometry. Eleven differentially expressed proteins were identified, of which 7 and 4 spots being up- and down- regulated, respectively. GT showed up-regulated expression of RuBisCO large subunit, CP4EPSPS, and ATP synthase, but down-regulated glutamate-1-semialdehyde-2, 1-aminomutase and manganesestabilising protein, respectively.
Nanotoxicology: evaluating toxicity potential of drug-nanoparticles

The property of drug nanoparticles to penetrate or permeate through various biological barriers has been known to afford them with greater therapeutic efficacy. However, this same property provides the nanocarriers an access to the basic cell machinery and hence an opportunity to hamper the normal biological functioning. Also unforeseen are the toxicity challenges which may be presented by cellular accumulation and long-term retention of these fascinating therapeutic systems. This concern regarding the toxicological potential of drug nanoparticles has increasingly surfaced over the last few years through worldwide research dedicated to this topic. A thorough dedication to this research by the formulation scientists is absolutely necessary, with the help of government and industrial support, to prove the safety of therapeutic nanoparticles and hasten their transition through the clinical trials to the markets. This chapter has been drafted to describe some of the currently available techniques which may be industrially adopted for assessing the toxicological potential of drug loaded nanoparticles. Along with the cellular cytotoxicity assays, a focus has also been placed on assays which can identify the abnormalities arising due to interaction of nanoparticles with cellular DNA, either directly or indirectly via oxidative and inflammatory reactions. Testing the immediate and prolonged effects of nanoparticles in laboratory animals, either after single or multiple dosing, constitutes yet another method of extrapolating their effects in humans. Such in vivo assays for assessing the short-term and long-term toxicity of nanoparticles, including reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity assays, have also been described in certain sections of this chapter.
Screening of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review of Questionnaire-based Tools

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant problem resulting from the obstruction of the upper airway. It leads to cardiovascular disorders, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, fatigue, sleepiness, diabetes, and perioperative complications. It is important to identify and treat OSA before it leads to other comorbidities. Thus, reliable questionnaire-based methods have been developed for screening this disease. This review article elaborates the most common questionnaires used for the screening of OSA: the STOP questionnaire, STOP-Bang questionnaire, Berlin questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and the 4-Variable Screening Tool. Of these questionnaire-based screening tools, it was found that the STOP-Bang questionnaire was the most sensitive screening tool for OSA. It is a quick and reliable method that can be used during routine practice to screen for OSA and to stratify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups before they can be subjected to further evaluation by polysomnography.
The Effects of Acute Blood Loss on Electrocardiogram in Male and Female Swiss Albino Mice

The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible effects of acute blood loss (1% of body weight) on electrocardiogram (ECG) in male and female Swiss albino mice. Anesthesia was maintained with the ketamine-xylazine combination. The tail was cut using a scalpel blade and blood at a ratio of 1% body weight was collected in capillary tubes. ECG recording was done by using the standard lead II. P and T waves, intervals of PQ, QT, and RR, and QRS complex were measured after all ECG was recorded. The amplitude of P and QRS waves were significantly higher in males than that of females (P<0.005, P<0.05 respectively). PR intervals were also longer in male mice than those of females (P<0,001). Neither blood removal nor anesthesia affected the amplitude of the QRS complex in any gender. The duration of the QRS complex was longer in males than females in both groups (P<0,01). Blood removal led to a reduction in the duration of the QRS complex in male mice (P<0.01). Anesthesia caused the prolongation of the QT and QTc in all groups (P<0,001, P<0,05 respectively). Females had longer QT interval compared to male groups (P<0,05) and blood removal caused prolongation of the QT period in females (P<0,05). An acute blood loss of 1% of body weight in male mice led to a reduction in heart rate, whereas prolongation of the QT interval in female mice. It was concluded that gender is an important factor in terms of blood-loss associated ECG alterations.
Effect of Non-Newtonian Blood Flow on Coronary Artery Hemodynamics in a Cohort of Patients With Stenosed Artery

Wall shear stress (WSS) distribution in stenosed arteries has been known as an important hemodynamic factor to correlate with atherosclerosis and associated disturbances in blood flow. WSS depends on various factors such as geometric complexity and tortuosity of the artery, stenosis severity and morphology as well as blood rheological properties. We conducted a numerical simulation of blood flow using Ansys CFX software in 9 patient-specific coronary artery models with 3 classes of stenosis severity: mild, moderate and severe. For this purpose, we compared some numerical results between two non-Newtonian models and Newtonian blood flow viscosity using 9 patient-specific coronary artery models including the full range of real (physiological) stenosis, reconstructed from 3DQCA (quantities coronary angiography). Incompressible and steady state form of Navier-Stokes equations were used as governing equations. Flow was considered laminar and artery walls were assumed to be rigid. Results showed that the magnitude of WSS usually increases by decreasing the cross-section area of arteries. Despite the difference in the WSS magnitude between different models in each artery, the trend of variation of WSS along the artery was the same in all three models. The local peak point of WSS along the artery occurs at the stenosis location, same for all models.
Susceptibility Weighted Imaging of the Cervical Spinal Cord with Compensation of Respiratory-Induced Artifact

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is a technique which is sensitive to compounds that generate a local magnetic field and is useful for detecting deoxygenated hemoglobin, calcification, and iron content (1-5). Recently, several studies have shown that SWI has the potential to detect spinal cord injury leading to hemorrhage (4, 5) and This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received: May 30, 2018 Revised: August 9, 2018 Accepted: September 17, 2018
A Heideggerian Hermeneutic Study of Correctional Nurses’ Experiences of Caregiving

Prison inmates are a growing population with complex medical/social needs and nursing care has been cited as important in correctional settings. The purpose of this study was to come to understand prison nurses’ experiences of caregiving. Greater understanding of nursing experiences within the correctional system might encourage others to choose this area of practice, as well as extend nurse caring literature. Eleven nurses employed in a maximum-security prison were interviewed about the scope of their nursing practice and their caring experiences. Data were hermeneutically analyzed against a background of Heideggerian philosophy. Four relational themes, The Scope of Prison Nursing Practice, Prison as Home, Prisoners as Patients, and The Context for Caring supported one constitutive pattern, The Primacy of Caring, and revealed practices that have implications for human caring theory.
RESPONSE OF FLORIDA SANDHILL CRANES TO NEST INSPECTION

We observed the response of nesting Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) to 27 instances of nest inspection. The disturbed bird flew from the area 81% and walked 19% of the time. The median distance moved was 330 meters (range 28 to 480 meters). The median length of time the nest was left unattended following inspection was 50 min (range: 10 to 166 min). The median length of time that observers stayed at the nest was 16 min (range: 5 to 48 min). Ten of the nests inspected (40%) eventually failed to produce young. Statistical analysis was focused on the direction and strength of association between various predictors and 4 disturbance-related outcomes; flying vs. walking, distance moved, time-off-nest, and nest fate. A limited sample size precluded the use of more than 2 predictors simultaneously in any of the statistical models. We found that the farther into incubation the nest was (nest age) the greater the likelihood the incubating bird would fly from the nest (r2=0.28, P= 0.064). Greater time-in nest area was associated with a longer time-off-nest (r2=0.29, P= 0.008). Greater time-in nest area and longer time-off-nest were both univariantely associated with a greater probability of nest failure (r2=0.36, P=0.018 and r2=0.40, P=0.008 respectively). Four variables (time-in-area, time-off-nest, age of nest, whether the disturbed crane or its mate returned to the nest) considered in pair wise combinations were all significantly associated with probability of nest failure (r2 range: 0.46 to 0.72). Longer time-in-area and whether the disturbed bird was the returning bird had the strongest overall association with likely nest failure (r2=0.72, P=0.010). Although the nest failure rate of 44% in the experimental nests was greater than the failure rate of 26% for a concurrently collected sample of control nests, the 2 rates were not significantly different (P=0.353). Based on these results we would recommend that crane nests be inspected in 12-13 min or less. If possible, nest inspections should occur later rather than earlier in the incubation period, carried out in a manner that increases the likelihood that the disturbed bird will walk rather than fly from the nest area, and timed to increase the chance that the non-disturbed bird will be the returning bird. PROCEEDINGS NORTH AMERICAN CRANE WORKSHOP 9:241-246
Adaptation to muscle injury from low stimulus non-eccentrically biased acute exercises

Frimpong E, Antwi DA, Asare G, Antwi-Boasiako C, Dzudzor B. Adaptation to Muscle Injury from Low Stimulus Non-Eccentrically Biased Acute Exercises. JEPonline 2014;17:(3)1-11. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether low stimulus non-eccentrically biased acute aerobic exercises result in adequate adaptation in skeletal muscles. Thirty healthy subjects were randomized into three groups: (a) the low stimulus down-hill treadmill exercise group (LSDTEG); the low stimulus up-hill treadmill exercise group (LSUTEG); and the low stimulus level treadmill exercise group (LSLTEG). The three groups performed acute exercises (bout 1) and a repeated exercise (bout 2). In the acute exercises, all the groups exercised at 50% of heart rate reserve (HRR) for 30 min. Two weeks after the acute exercises, the subjects performed a repeated exercise bout at 80% of HRR for 45 min. Creatine kinase (CK), total white blood cells (TWBC), and perceived muscle soreness (SOR) before and 1, 24, and 48 hrs post-exercise were assessed as markers of muscle injury and adaption. The results showed that muscle injury was significantly higher in the LSDTEG than LSUTEG and LSLTEG in the acute exercises. However, there were no significant differences in mean CK, TWBC, and SOR among the groups in the repeated exercise. The extent of muscle adaptation was similar in all three exercise groups. Thus, acute exercises by sedentary individuals can be of low stimulus and non-eccentrically biased to reduce muscle injury while inducing adequate muscle adaptation.