Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of assessment tests in the stability of intelligence scoring of pre-school children with uneven/delayed cognitive profile.

BACKGROUND As part of an ongoing clinical service programme for pre-school children with developmental delay in an Asian developing country, we analysed the effect of three assessment tests, that is, Bayley Scale of Infant Development-II, Leiter International Performance Scale - Revised and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Revised - Chinese, on the stability of intelligence quotient (IQ) of children from pre-school through early childhood. METHODS The participants were 313 Taiwanese pre-school children with uneven or delayed cognitive profile and they were followed through early childhood. IQ stability was explored by different tests and among children of different clinical diagnosis: 168 children with non-autistic intellectual disability, 73 children with autism spectrum disorder, 58 children with mixed receptive-expressive language disorder and 14 children of other heterogeneous diagnoses. Stability of scores was evaluated using the r-squared for Pearson's coefficients to see the correlation between initial IQ (IQ1) and follow-up IQ (IQ2). Multiple linear regressions were also applied to see whether IQ1 had predictive ability for IQ2 and test-test difference in the total 313 children and each diagnostic subgroup. RESULTS Results revealed that mean IQ1 was 65.8 ± 15.4 while mean IQ2 was 73.2 ± 17.9 for the total 313 children. The IQs were stable across an average follow-up duration of 38.6 ± 22.1 month from pre-school into early childhood. Patterns of positive correlations between IQ1 and IQ2 were noted by all the tests (r-squared = 0.43-0.5, all P < 0.001) and in the majority of diagnostic subgroups. Multiple regressions analysis also revealed that IQ1 could predict IQ2 significantly in all the tests (all P < 0.001). DISCUSSION After careful choice of appropriate initial test, stability of IQ in children with developmental delay was noted from pre-school through early childhood. In addition, the translated version of cognitive assessment was valid for the required context of an Asian developing country. With the current emphasis on early identification and intervention for pre-school children with developmental delay, this information bears merit in clinical practice.
Demographic and Socioeconomic Correlates of Neonatal, Post-neonatal and Childhood Mortality in Uttar Pradesh, India: A Study Based on NFHS-2 Data

Though the levels of infant and child mortality in India have been declining over the years it is still considerably high among the north-central states. This paper using data of National Health and Family Survey (NFHS-2) 1998-99 tries to find out the effects of various spatial demographic and socio-economic factors on neonatal post-neonatal and childhood mortality in the large state of Uttar Pradesh in north-central India. It also tries to reexamine the hypothesis that endogenous (demographic or biological) factors are primarily responsible for neonatal mortality whereas exogenous (socio-economic) factors contribute more in the post-neonatal and childhood period. The results of multivariate analyses broadly confirm the hypothesis though maternal education and length of the preceding birth interval have profound positive effect on survival during all the period; neonatal post-neonatal and childhood. (authors)
The SMART Rehabilitation System for Stroke Self‐management: Issues and Challenges for Evidence‐based Health Technology Research

Background and Purpose. Stroke is one of the major causes of disability in the UK with over 100,000 cases of first stroke and 3,000 cases of further stroke every year. In the USA, it is the third leading cause of death and serious long‐term disability. The benefit of telehealth technologies is now recognized and a range of telehealth systems have already been successfully developed to assist people to self‐manage the medical aspects of long term conditions. This paper presents the rationale for the use of technology for the remote rehabilitation of stroke survivors and describes the research findings used to inform the design, development and deployment of the SMART device for upper limb self‐managed rehabilitation. Case Description. Case studies involving 4 stroke survivors with a mean age of 61.5 (SD27.5), 2 male and 2 female, were used in the final stages of prototype deployment for the SMART system. Changes in functional activity were analyzed through predeployment and postdeployment measurement. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate where there was an observed improvement, maintenance, or deterioration in the TELER indicators, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) values and the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS). Outcomes. Functional improvements were observed in 50% of items measured with 40% unchanged and 10% deterioration. Discussion. The Randomized Controlled Trial may not be the most appropriate research method to be used in the early design, development and prototype deployment of telerehabilitation systems because of the complexity of the development process, the interaction processes, the clinical requirement, and the individual needs of the stroke survivor. An evaluation framework is suggested that can provide observations and information essential in the development of health technologies.
The concept of quality of life and its role in enhancing human rights in the field of intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND The changed societal views of persons with disabilities are reflected in the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, what is not specified in the Convention is how to operationalise and measure the Articles composing the Convention, and how to use that information to further enhance the human rights of persons with disabilities. METHOD The authors analyse the relationships between eight core quality of life domains and the 34 Articles contained in the Convention. RESULTS There is a close relationship between the core quality of life domains and the 34 Articles contained in the Convention. Furthermore, the current status of these Articles can be evaluated through the assessment of indicators associated with the eight core quality of life domains. CONCLUSIONS Based on the assessment of these quality of life-related outcomes, three strategies can be used to enhance the human rights of persons with intellectual disability. These three are to employ person-centred planning, publish provider profiles and implement a system of support.
Therapy service use among individuals with fragile X syndrome: findings from a US parent survey.

BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is known to be associated with a range of developmental challenges, yet the occurrence and intensity of therapy services along with associated factors have not been determined. METHOD In a US national survey, caregivers provided information regarding the therapy services received by their sons (n = 1013) and daughters (n = 283) with FXS (from birth to 63 years; mean = 15.6 years, SD = 10.6). Caregivers reported (1) type, (2) amount, (3) location, and (4) overall satisfaction with services. Associations with other child variables and family income were also examined. RESULTS Key findings included that 72% of males and 47% of females were currently receiving at least one type of therapy service; the most common services for both males and females were speech-language therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT). Overall, males were more likely to receive therapy services as well as a greater number of services than females. Autism status was significantly associated with both males and females receiving ST and males receiving OT and behaviour management therapy. Therapies were provided in a variety of locations, and parents were generally satisfied with the amount and quality of therapy services. Age-related declines were evident in the use of services for both males and females, with very few individuals receiving any therapy services after 20 years of age. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a baseline description of the current state of therapy services for children with FXS, laying a foundation for future research and recommendations for service provision and policy.
Caregiving of children with intellectual disabilities in China--an examination of affiliate stigma and the cultural thesis.

BACKGROUND While caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities are burdened in every part of the world, it is suspected that particular contexts may make the situation worse. There is little literature on caregivers in China, where familial and clan responsibility rather than individual effort is emphasised, and where communal support, while treasured, is often lacking. METHOD A total of 211 caregivers in two cities, one with and the other without randomised design, participated in a survey study that assessed affiliated stigma, loss of face, anxiety, mental health and empowerment. RESULTS A proportion of 60.6% of participants were found to be conspicuous cases with mental disturbance of a level which required further professional attention. Participants with better resource appeared to have coped better, enjoying lower psychological distress, lower anxiety and a higher level of personal empowerment. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mental health is related to the affective dimension of affiliated stigma, loss of face and anxiety level. This was found to account for more than half the variance (55%). DISCUSSION The subjective burden of care occurs not in isolation but in a cultural field. Chinese caregiving is characterised by a lack of formal support, and such cultural concerns as loss of face and strong affiliated stigma. This socio-political context makes caregiving all the more challenging. The situation has to be addressed by both practitioners and policy makers if family caregiving is to be valued and made sustainable.
The genetics of ageing: insight from genome‐wide approaches in invertebrate model organisms

Intense effort has been directed at understanding pathways modulating ageing in invertebrate model organisms. Prior to this decade, several longevity genes had been identified in flies, worms and yeast. More recently, with the development of RNAi libraries in worms and the yeast open reading frame (ORF) deletion collection, it has become routine to perform genome‐wide screens for phenotypes of interest. A number of worm screens have now been performed to identify genes whose reduced expression leads to longer lifespan, and two ORF deletion longevity screens have been performed in yeast. Interestingly, these screens have linked previously unidentified cellular pathways to invertebrate ageing. More surprising, however, is the sheer number of longevity genes in worms and yeast. In this review, I discuss data from genome‐wide screens in the context of evolutionary theories of ageing and raise issues regarding the increasing complexity associated with the genetics of longevity.
Palliative Care: The Nursing Role

Preface 1. Introduction to Palliative Care: Overview of Nursing Developments 2. Education and Development in Palliative Care 3. Holistic Care 4. Symptom Management 5. Communication and Support in Palliative Care 6. Spirituality in Palliative Care 7. Sexuality and Palliative Care 8. Complementary Therapies 9. Supporting the Family and Careers 10. Living with Loss 11. Ethical Issues in Palliative Care 12. Evidence-Based Palliative Care Appendix: Journals Subscribed to by the Marie Curie Cancer Care Library Service Index
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kelch Proteins and Bud14 Protein Form a Stable 520-kDa Formin Regulatory Complex That Controls Actin Cable Assembly and Cell Morphogenesis*

Background: Kelch proteins are required for cell morphogenesis, but their molecular functions have remained elusive. Results: S. cerevisiae Kel1 and Kel2 form a stable complex with the formin-binding protein Bud14 to regulate actin cable assembly. Conclusion: Kel1 and Kel2 directly regulate formins to control the actin cytoskeleton. Significance: These findings help resolve the roles of S. cerevisiae Kel1 and Kel2 in morphogenesis. Formins perform essential roles in actin assembly and organization in vivo, but they also require tight regulation of their activities to produce properly functioning actin structures. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bud14 is one member of an emerging class of formin regulators that target the FH2 domain to inhibit actin polymerization, but little is known about how these regulators are themselves controlled in vivo. Kelch proteins are critical for cell polarity and morphogenesis in a wide range of organisms, but their mechanistic roles in these processes are still largely undefined. Here, we report that S. cerevisiae Kelch proteins, Kel1 and Kel2, associate with Bud14 in cell extracts to form a stable 520-kDa complex with an apparent stoichiometry of 2:2:1 Bud14/Kel1/Kel2. Using pairwise combinations of GFP- and red fluorescent protein-tagged proteins, we show that Kel1, Kel2, and Bud14 interdependently co-localize at polarity sites. By analyzing single, double, and triple mutants, we show that Kel1 and Kel2 function in the same pathway as Bud14 in regulating Bnr1-mediated actin cable formation. Loss of any component of the complex results in long, bent, and hyper-stable actin cables, accompanied by defects in secretory vesicle traffic during polarized growth and septum formation during cytokinesis. These observations directly link S. cerevisiae Kelch proteins to the control of formin activity, and together with previous observations made for S. pombe homologues tea1p and tea3p, they have broad implications for understanding Kelch function in other systems.
Feasibility, safety and effectiveness of combining home based malaria management and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in children less than 10 years in Senegal: a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND Home-based management of malaria (HMM) may improve access to diagnostic testing and treatment with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). In the Sahel region, seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is now recommended for the prevention of malaria in children. It is likely that combinations of antimalarial interventions can reduce the malaria burden. This study assessed the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of combining SMC and HMM delivered by community health workers (CHWs). METHODS A cluster-randomised trial was carried out during two transmission seasons in eight villages located in the south-eastern part of Senegal. Intervention communities received HMM+SMC while control communities received HMM. Primary end point was the incidence of malaria attacks during the follow up period. Secondary end points included: malaria diagnostic accuracy; access to ACT treatment; SMC coverage; safety and drug tolerability. RESULTS The adjusted rate ratio for incidence of malaria attacks in intervention and control communities was 0.15, indicating a protective effect of HMM+SMC of 85% (95% CI: 39.9-96.3%, p=0.01). Access to ACT treatment was 96.4% while SMC coverage represented 97.3% (95% CI: 91.3-100%) in 2010, and 88.8% (95% CI: 84.2-93.6%) in 2011. No serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION It seems feasible and safe to combine SMC with HMM intervention, while achieving high coverage and effectiveness of both SMC and HMM. TRIAL REGISTRATION (www.pactr.org) PACTR201305000551876.
An Evaluation of Anthropometric Characteristics in Indian Inter-university Female Cricketers

An Evaluation of Anthropometric Characteristics in Indian Inter-university Female Cricketers Objectives: The purpose of this study was of two-folds, firstly, to evaluate the anthropometric profile of Indian inter-university female cricketers and, secondly, to search the correlations of these anthropometric characteristics among themselves. Materials and Methods: To serve this purpose, fifteen anthropometric characteristics, were measured on purposively selected 56 Indian inter-university female cricketers aged 18-22 years (mean age 19.23 years, ±1.87) collected from six Indian universities and the competition was held in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, India. An adequate number of controls (n = 101, 19.31 years, ± 1.12) were also collected from the same place for comparisons. Results: The findings of the present study indicated significant differences (p≤ .05 - .000) between Indian inter-university female cricketers and controls in subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, calf skinfold and thigh circumference. Weight has significantly positive correlations (p≤ .01) with all the variables studied (except height and biceps skinfold), For all the five skinfold measurements, significant positive correlations (p≤ .05 - .01) were found with all the variable studied except height and humerus bi-epicondylar diameter. Similarly, for all the six circumferential measurements, significantly positive correlations (p≤ .05 - .01) were noted with all the variables studied except height. Conclusions: Skinfold measurements have strong correlations with the circumferential measurements in the Indian inter-university female cricketers, affecting the body weight greatly.
Human hepatocyte transplantation: state of the art

Hepatocyte transplantation is making its transition from bench to bedside for liver‐based metabolic disorders and acute liver failure. Over eighty patients have now been transplanted world wide and the safety of the procedure together with medium‐term success has been established. A major limiting factor in the field is the availability of good quality cells as hepatocytes are derived from grafts that are deemed unsuitable for transplantation. Alternative sources of cell, including stem cells may provide a sustainable equivalent to primary hepatocytes. There is also a need to develop techniques that will improve the engraftment, survival and function of transplanted hepatocytes. Such developments may allow hepatocyte transplantation to become an accepted and practical alternative to liver transplantation in the near future.
Why the United States Led in Education: Lessons from Secondary School Expansion, 1910 to 1940

A catalyst container for use in an exhaust manifold, which container includes perforated inner and outer cylinders and is positioned within the exhaust manifold, in the position of its exit, with catalysts filled in a cylindrical space defined between the inner cylinder and outer cylinder. In this catalyst container, annular openings in the cylindrical space at its top and bottom ends are covered with annular upper and lower lids, respectively, while a circular, inner cylinder lid is placed over the top opening of the inner cylinder to cover it. In addition, an outer cylinder lid is placed on the top circumferential edge of the outer cylinder in a manner to cover the top opening of the outer cylinder as well as the circular, inner cylinder lid. The catalysts are filled in a first space defined by the inner cylinder lid and the outer cylinder lid as well as in a second space defined between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The first space communicates with the second space through at least one hole provided in the upper annular lid.
Two Amino Acid Residues Confer Different Binding Affinities of Abelson Family Kinase Src Homology 2 Domains for Phosphorylated Cortactin*

Background: Abl family kinases bind different targets despite highly similar sequences. Results: Two residues in the Src homology (SH) 2 domain regulate binding to phosphorylated cortactin and modulate cell protrusion. Conclusion: The Arg SH2 domain binds with higher affinity than the Abl SH2 domain to phosphorylated cortactin. Significance: Slight sequence changes can cause affinity differences, leading to important functional changes in cellular interactions. The closely related Abl family kinases, Arg and Abl, play important non-redundant roles in the regulation of cell morphogenesis and motility. Despite similar N-terminal sequences, Arg and Abl interact with different substrates and binding partners with varying affinities. This selectivity may be due to slight differences in amino acid sequence leading to differential interactions with target proteins. We report that the Arg Src homology (SH) 2 domain binds two specific phosphotyrosines on cortactin, a known Abl/Arg substrate, with over 10-fold higher affinity than the Abl SH2 domain. We show that this significant affinity difference is due to the substitution of arginine 161 and serine 187 in Abl to leucine 207 and threonine 233 in Arg, respectively. We constructed Abl SH2 domains with R161L and S187T mutations alone and in combination and find that these substitutions are sufficient to convert the low affinity Abl SH2 domain to a higher affinity “Arg-like” SH2 domain in binding to a phospho-cortactin peptide. We crystallized the Arg SH2 domain for structural comparison to existing crystal structures of the Abl SH2 domain. We show that these two residues are important determinants of Arg and Abl SH2 domain binding specificity. Finally, we expressed Arg containing an “Abl-like” low affinity mutant Arg SH2 domain (L207R/T233S) and find that this mutant, although properly localized to the cell periphery, does not support wild type levels of cell edge protrusion. Together, these observations indicate that these two amino acid positions confer different binding affinities and cellular functions on the distinct Abl family kinases.
The Transcription Factor GLI1 Modulates the Inflammatory Response during Pancreatic Tissue Remodeling*

Background: Gli1 is induced during pancreatic injury; its function remains unknown. Results: Loss of Gli1 in the stromal compartment impairs cytokine production, myeloid cell recruitment, and tissue repair. Conclusion: Gli1 regulates remodeling during pancreatic tissue recovery. Significance: This study defines a novel role for GLI1 in pancreas remodeling and expands the repertoire of target genes mediating GLI1 cellular functions. Pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest human malignancies, is almost uniformly associated with a mutant, constitutively active form of the oncogene Kras. Studies in genetically engineered mouse models have defined a requirement for oncogenic KRAS in both the formation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias, the most common precursor lesions to pancreatic cancer, and in the maintenance and progression of these lesions. Previous work using an inducible model allowing tissue-specific and reversible expression of oncogenic Kras in the pancreas indicates that inactivation of this GTPase at the pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia stage promotes pancreatic tissue repair. Here, we extend these findings to identify GLI1, a transcriptional effector of the Hedgehog pathway, as a central player in pancreatic tissue repair upon Kras inactivation. Deletion of a single allele of Gli1 results in improper stromal remodeling and perdurance of the inflammatory infiltrate characteristic of pancreatic tumorigenesis. Strikingly, this partial loss of Gli1 affects activated fibroblasts in the pancreas and the recruitment of immune cells that are vital for tissue recovery. Analysis of the mechanism using expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified a subset of cytokines, including IL-6, mIL-8, Mcp-1, and M-csf (Csf1), as direct GLI1 target genes potentially mediating this phenomenon. Finally, we demonstrate that canonical Hedgehog signaling, a known regulator of Gli1 activity, is required for pancreas recovery. Collectively, these data delineate a new pathway controlling tissue repair and highlight the importance of GLI1 in regulation of the pancreatic microenvironment during this cellular process.
Dihydrotetrabenazine positron emission tomography imaging in early, untreated Parkinson's disease

To determine the sensitivity of positron emission tomography with 11 C‐labeled dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ) to the nigrostriatal changes associated with early, untreated Parkinson's disease (PD), and to determine the correlation between any regionally reduced DTBZ binding and the major motor features of PD.