Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Hand Functions in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective: Motor dysfunction is an important clinical finding in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), but there is no study assessing fine motor coordination in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We aimed to investigate hand functions and fingertip dexterity in patients with CHB. Materials and Methods: A total of 17 female and 15 male patients diagnosed with CHB without histopathological findings of cirrhosis were enrolled to the study; 21 female and 9 male healthy volunteers were included as a control group. Hand grip strength was assessed by Jamar hand dynamometer. Three kinds of pinch strength of fingers were assessed by Jamar pinchmeter. Functional status was evaluated by using the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) was used to assess the hand functions. Fingertip dexterity was evaluated by Purdue pegboard test. Results: Bilateral hand grip strength and pinch strength were not statistically different from controls (p>0.05). There was also no significant difference between the categories of the Purdue pegboard test between the groups. HAQ scores of patients were higher than controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hand functions are not influenced in patients with CHB. Disruptions in the functional status of patients with CHB may be due to fatigue and depression, which are usually seen in chronic liver diseases.
Farnesoid X receptor critically determines the fibrotic response in mice but is expressed to a low extent in human hepatic stellate cells and periductal myofibroblasts.

The nuclear bile acid receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), may play a pivotal role in liver fibrosis. We tested the impact of genetic FXR ablation in four different mouse models. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in wild-type and FXR knock-out mice (FXR(-/-)) by CCl(4) intoxication, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine feeding, common bile duct ligation, or Schistosoma mansoni (S.m.)-infection. In addition, we determined nuclear receptor expression levels (FXR, pregnane X receptor (PXR), vitamin D receptor, constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), small heterodimer partner (SHP)) in mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), portal myofibroblasts (MFBs), and human HSCs. Cell type-specific FXR protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in five mouse models and prototypic human fibrotic liver diseases. Expression of nuclear receptors was much lower in mouse and human HSCs/MFBs compared with total liver expression with the exception of vitamin D receptor. FXR protein was undetectable in mouse and human HSCs and MFBs. FXR loss had no effect in CCl(4)-intoxicated and S.m. -infected mice, but significantly decreased liver fibrosis of the biliary type (common bile duct ligation, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine). These data suggest that FXR loss significantly reduces fibrosis of the biliary type, but has no impact on non-cholestatic liver fibrosis. Since there is no FXR expression in HSCs and MFBs in liver fibrosis, our data indicate that these cells may not represent direct therapeutic targets for FXR ligands.
Low-dose Decapeptyl@ used to induce a preovulatory gonadotropin surge in non-IVF treatment cycles

This study compared hormonal responses, luteal phase adequacy, pregnancy and abortion rates in infertile women who received either human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) triptorelin (Decapapeptyl, 0.05 or 0.1 mg) to induce ovulation following ovarian stimulation with either clomiphene citrate or human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and who used either timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination for insemination. The results of our study demonstrate that a single subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mg triptorelin can be as effective as hCG in inducing ovulation and in terms of resulting pregnancies. Both hCG and triptorelin produced term pregnancy rates ranging from 9 to 19% depending on the stimulation and insemination protocol, and were not significantly different from each other. Triptorelin (0.05 mg) promoted an adequate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) surge resulting in ovulation, however, the luteal phase was reduced to le.
Cardiovascular , Pulmonary and Renal Pathology Functions of Type II Pneumocyte-Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Alveolar Structure , Acute Inflammation , and Vascular Permeability

From the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories,* Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, and The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; the Departments of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and the Department of Molecular Oncology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, California
Retest Repeatability of Motor and Musculoskeletal Fitness Tests for Public Health Monitoring of Adult Populations

Background and purpose: Physical fitness reflects the effects of regular physical activity and is an important prognostic factor of health. Field tests of fitness can be used for public health monitoring, but their accuracy for this purpose needs to be determined. The purpose was to evaluate the adequacy of retest repeatability of nine tests of motor and musculoskeletal fitness against preset criteria. Methods: One week test-retest measurements with a single tester design were conducted. The participants we volunteers, 25 women and 26 men between ages 22 and 64. The main repeatability estimates of within subject variation were the typical error of measurement and coefficient of variation (CV). For ordinal scale measurements weighted Kappa coefficients were calculated. The CV values 10% or lower and kappa coefficient >0.60 were rated as adequately reliable for public health monitoring. In addition, the systematic chance and percent change in the mean were calculated. Results: Six tests out of nine showed adequate repeatability (CV ≤ 10% or Kappa coefficient >0.60): agility in of eight run, handgrip strength, lower extremity power in vertical jump, upper body muscular strength and trunk stabilization in modified push-up, muscular endurance in static back extension, and shoulder-neck mobility. Retest learning effect was detected for backwards tandem walk and modified push-up tests. Reliability of two tests was not studied due to a ceiling effect in results towards maximum values. High level of physical activity and fitness of the participants reduced the intra-and inter-individual variation of the test results compared to general population. Conclusions: Present study provided further knowledge on reliable fitness tests suitable for population monitoring of musculoskeletal functioning and health. These tests may also be used as outcome measures to follow the effects of exercise interventions target to participants with musculoskeletal problems.
Paper-Based Quantification of Male Fertility Potential.

BACKGROUND More than 70 million couples worldwide are affected by infertility, with male-factor infertility accounting for about half of the cases. Semen analysis is critical for determining male fertility potential, but conventional testing is costly and complex. Here, we demonstrate a paper-based microfluidic approach to quantify male fertility potential, simultaneously measuring 3 critical semen parameters in 10 min: live and motile sperm concentrations and sperm motility. METHODS The device measures the colorimetric change of yellow tetrazolium dye to purple formazan by the diaphorase flavoprotein enzyme present in metabolically active human sperm to quantify live and motile sperm concentration. Sperm motility was determined as the ratio of motile to live sperm. We assessed the performance of the device by use of clinical semen samples, in parallel with standard clinical approaches. RESULTS Detection limits of 8.46 and 15.18 million/mL were achieved for live and motile sperm concentrations, respectively. The live and motile sperm concentrations and motility values from our device correlated with those of the standard clinical approaches (R(2) ≥ 0.84). In all cases, our device provided 100% agreement in terms of clinical outcome. The device was also robust and could tolerate conditions of high absolute humidity (22.8 g/m(3)) up to 16 weeks when packaged with desiccant. CONCLUSIONS Our device outperforms existing commercial paper-based assays by quantitatively measuring live and motile sperm concentrations and motility, in only 10 min. This approach is applicable to current clinical practices as well as self-diagnostic applications.
Recognition of Tumor-Specific Proteins in Human Cancer

textabstractCancer is a disease of all ages and even though cancer is not a common disease in younger people, cancer is recognized as one of the most imp0l1ant causes of death at any age. In fact, when considering the main death causes in people younger than thirty years, cancer is second only to accidents. Beyond the age of thirty years, the number of deaths from cancer increases upon aging, gradually at first, rising simply later on. Apm1 from cancer causing death, the disease is fem'ed because patients who suffer from cancer are often condemned to a long and painful terminal illness. Based on their frequency of occurrence, cancers are traditionally categorized as either epithelial cancers (approximately 85% of all human cancers) or non-epithelial cancers (approximately 15% of all human cancers). Cancers arising from epithelial cells (i.e. cells lining the body cavities and skin) are called cm'Cinomas (Latin: km'kinos - crab or lobster; oma - swelling), while those arising from non-epithelial cells are further subdivided according to the tissue and cell type from which they originate. Thus, sarcomas are derived from connective tissue or muscle cells (Greek: sarx - meat), while leukemias are derived from hematopoietic cells (Greek: leucos - white; haimablood). Other non-epithelial cancers include the ones deJived fi'Om cells ofthe nervous system and germinal or embryonal cells.
Minimum Wage Channels of Adjustment

The economic impact of the 2007-2009 increases in the federal minimum wage (MW) is analyzed using a sample of quick-service restaurants in Georgia and Alabama. Store-level biweekly payroll records for individual employees are used, allowing us to precisely measure the MW compliance cost for each restaurant. We examine a broad range of adjustment channels in addition to employment, including hours, prices, turnover, training, performance standards, and non-labor costs. Exploiting variation in the cost impact of the MW across restaurants, we find no significant effect of the MW increases on employment or hours over the three years. Cost increases were instead absorbed through other channels of adjustment, including higher prices, lower profit margins, wage compression, reduced turnover, and higher performance standards. These findings are compared with MW predictions from competitive, monopsony, and institutional/behavioral models; the latter appears to fit best in the short run.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Genetic and Inherited Diseases Novel Proteins Regulated by mTOR in Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytomas of Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and New Therapeutic Implications

Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) are rare brain tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a disease caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 , resulting in enhancement of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, dysregulation of cell growth, and tumorigenesis. Signaling via mTOR plays a role in multifaceted genomic responses, but its effectors in the brain are largely unknown. Therefore, gene expression profiling on four SEGAs was performed with Affymetrix Human Genome arrays. Of the genes differentially expressed in TSC, 11 were validated by real-time PCR on independent tumor samples and 3 SEGA-derived cultures. Expression of several proteins was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The differentially-regulated proteins were mainly involved in tumorigenesis and nervous system development. ANXA1, GPNMB, LTF, RND3, S100A11, SFRP4, and NPTX1 genes were likely to be mTOR effector genes in SEGA, as their expression was modulated by an mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, in SEGA-derived cells. Inhibition of mTOR signaling affected size of cultured SEGA cells but had no influence on their proliferation, morphology, or migration, whereas inhibition of both mTOR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways led to significant alterations of these processes. For the first time, we identified genes related to the occurrence of SEGA and regulated by mTOR and demonstrated an effective modulation of SEGA growth by pharmacological inhibition of both mTOR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways, which could represent a novel therapeutic approach. (Am J Pathol 2010, 176:1878–1890; DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090950)
Tumorigenesis and Neoplastic Progression MicroRNA-193b Represses Cell Proliferation and Regulates Cyclin D1 in Melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive form of human skin cancer characterized by high metastatic potential and poor prognosis. To better understand the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in melanoma, the expression of 470 miRNAs was profiled in tissue samples from benign nevi and metastatic melanomas. We identified 31 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (13 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated) in metastatic melanomas relative to benign nevi. Notably, miR-193b was significantly down-regulated in the melanoma tissues examined. To understand the role of miR-193b in melanoma, functional studies were undertaken. Overexpression of miR-193b in melanoma cell lines repressed cell proliferation. Gene expression profiling identified 314 genes down-regulated by overexpression of miR-193b in Malme-3M cells. Eighteen of these down-regulated genes, including cyclin D1 ( CCND1 ), were also identified as putative miR-193b targets by TargetScan. Overexpression of miR-193b in Malme-3M cells down-regulated CCND1 mRNA and protein by > 50%. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR193b directly regulates CCND1 by binding to the 3 (cid:1) untranslated region of CCND1 mRNA. These studies indicate that miR-193b represses cell proliferation and regulates CCND1 expression and suggest that dysregulation of miR-193b may play an important role in melanoma development. (Am J Pathol 2010, 176:2520–2529; DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.091061) per six-well plate and transfected the following day with nmol/L miRNA precursors (either miR-193b negative control). transfection miRNeasy Mini kit (Qiagen). Agilent Microarray Platform for One-Color Analysis of Gene Expression used for profiling (Agilent). ng (cid:1) Labeling (Agilent). RNA
Colocolpopoiesis : the use of sigmoid colon in the treatment of conditions associated with absence of the vagina

textabstractThe creation of a coitally functional vagina is an important part of sexual rehabilitation in patients with congenital or acqnired absence of the vagina, and in male-to-female transsexuals. Various conservative and surgical techniques have been developed to construct an artificial vagina. Most of the operative techniques were based on the dissection of a cavity between the bladder and the recrum with subsequent grafting of various materials onto the walls of the 1llnnel. Nowadays, the most popular methods involve the lining of a surgically created rectovesical space with skin grafts. The major drawback is the stenosing tendency of the newly created channel. Life-long dilatations are required to assure its patency. The search for methods to construct a permanently patent neovagina has prompted surgeons to use various parts of the intestine to line the rectovesical cavity. It is assumed that an intestinal neovagina retains its immediate postoperative dimensions even without regularly performed dilatations, but the operative techniques are difficult and in the past, fatalities were reported.
Estimating Risk Determinants of HIV and TB in South Africa

Where HIV/AIDS has had its greatest adverse impact is on TB. People with TB that are infected with HIV are at increased risk of dying from TB than HIV. TB is the leading cause of death in HIV individuals in South Africa. HIV is the driving factor that increases the risk of progression from latent TB to active TB. In South Africa no coherent analysis of the risk determinants of HIV and TB has been done at the national level this study seeks to mend that gab. This study is about estimating risk determinants of HIV and TB. This will be done using the national household survey conducted by Human Sciences Research Council in 2005. Since individuals from the same household and enumerator area more likely to be more alike in terms of risk of disease or correlated among each other, the GEEs will be used to correct for this potential intraclass correlation. Disease occurrence and distribution is highly heterogeneous at the population, household and the individual level. In recognition of this fact we propose to model this heterogeneity at community level through GLMMs and Bayesian hierarchical modelling approaches with enumerator area indicating the community effect. The results showed that HIV is driven by sex, age, race, education, health and condom use at sexual debut. Factors associated with TB are HIV status, sex, education, income and health. Factors that are common to both diseases are sex, education and health. The results showed that ignoring the intraclass correlation can results to biased estimates. Inference drawn from GLMMs and Bayesian approach provides some degree of confidence in the results. The positive correlation found at an enumerator area level for both HIV and TB indicates that interventions should be aimed at an area level rather than at the individual level.
Tumorigenesis and Neoplastic Progression Identification of a Structural Motif in the Tumor-Suppressive Protein GRIM-19 Required for Its Antitumor Activity

From the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Greenebaum Cancer Center,* and the Molecular and Cellular Cancer Biology Track, Graduate Program in Life Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; the Division of Microbiology and Immunology and the Department of Oral Biology and Tissue Engineering, and the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery I, the Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Saitama, Japan; and the Lerner Research Institute, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
Effect of Telephone Counseling on Physical Activity among Older Adult Cancer Survivors

11 Manuscript . 12 Definition of Health Literacy . 12 Prevalence of Health Literacy . 13 Factors Influencing Health Literacy . 14 Assessing for Health Literacy . 15 Health Literacy Impact on Health Behaviors and Outcomes. 16 Interventions for Health Literacy . 18 Nursing Considerations and Practice Implications . 21 Conclusion . 23 References . 24 Chapter 3: Effect of Telephone Counseling on Physical Activity among Older Adult Cancer Survivors . 30 Abstract . 31 Manuscript . 33
Barriers and facilitators to dog walking in New England

Dog walking may increase physical activity among dogs and their owners. Understanding barriers and facilitators to walking the dog is critical to developing interventions to increase dog walking. This study aimed to confirm previously identified barriers and facilitators of dog walking, and to identify unique factors that may be relevant to dog walking in cities with variable weather. This mixed methods study used focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators associated with dog walking and a survey to examine which factors were associated with dog walking. Focus group participants described barriers, such as lack of time, weather, lack of places to walk and the dog's bad behaviour. Facilitators included enjoyment, dog walking norms (defined as the participant's perception of how much the veterinarian, other dog owners, and their family think they should walk the dog), and socialisation opportunities. A hierarchical regression analysis of survey data revealed that the participant's perception of dog .
The D evelopment of a Decision Aid for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis Deciding Between Ileostomy or Ileal Anal-Pouch Reconstruction

s Presented (Presenter underlined): 1. Vogt KN, Dubois L, Vinden C. “Specialty bias” may help explain variable results of CT colonography in the literature. Poster at the ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting Vancouver BC May 2011. 2. Vogt KN, Van Koughnett JA, Dubois L, Gray DK, Parry N. The use of trauma transfusion pathways for blood component transfusion in the civilian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Presented at the ACS Region XII Resident Research Competition Quebec City QC September 2010 (Winner); Poster at the Trauma Association of Canada Annual Scientific Meeting Banff AB April 2011 (Winner). 3. Dubois L, Vogt KM, Davies W, Schlachta CM. Impact of and outpatient appendectomy protocol on clinical outcomes and cost: A case-control study. The Canadian Surgical Forum, Victoria, BC, 2009 4. Dubois L, Leslie K, Parry N. FACTS Survey: FAST use Among Canadian residents Training in general Surgery. The Canadian Surgical Forum: TAC/ACS Canadian Resident Papers Competition, Victoria, BC, 2009. 5. Racz JM, Dubois L, Katchy A, Wall WJ. Elective and emergency abdominal surgery in patients 90 years of age or olderclinical outcomes and the evaluation of the POSSUM and P-POSSUM scoring systems as predictors of mortality. The Canadian Surgical Forum, Victoria, BC, 2009.
Biometric Navigation with Ultrasound

We have designed and demonstrated a new class of medical navigation methods that use the fingerprint-like biometrically distinct ultrasound echo patterns produced by different locations in tissue. As an example of this new biometric navigation approach, we have constructed and tested a system that uses ultrasound data to achieve prospective motion compensation in MRI, especially for respiratory motion during interventional MRI procedures in moving organs such as the liver. The ultrasound measurements are collated with geometrical information from MRI during a training stage to form a mapping table that relates ultrasound measurements to positions. During prospective correction, the system makes frequent ultrasound measurements and uses the map to determine the corresponding position. Results in motorized linear motion phantoms and freely breathing animals indicate that the system performs well. Apparent motion is reduced by up to 97.8%, and motion artifacts are reduced or eliminated in 2D Spoiled Gradient-Echo images. The motion compensation is sufficient to permit MRI thermometry of focused ultrasound heating during respiratory-like motion, with results similar to those obtained in the absence of motion. This new technique may have applications for MRI thermometry and other dynamic imaging in the abdomen during free breathing. We have also extended this technique to situations in which external position information during training is unavailable or incomplete, by extending the concept of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping to include determining the topology of a dense motion path through a gaussian random field. In the course of these investigations, we have also developed modified forms of referenceless MRI thermometry and Kalman filtering, specially adapted to optimize accuracy under our experimental conditions.