Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary Fiber and the Relationship to Chronic Diseases

Preventative medicine is targeting chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Populations that consume more dietary fiber have less chronic disease. Intake of dietary fiber has beneficial effects on the risk factors for developing several chronic diseases. Dietary reference intakes recommend the consumption of 14 g of dietary fiber per 1000 kcal, or 25 g for women and 38 g for men, based on the goal of protection against cardiovascular disease. Usual intake of dietary fiber is only 16 g per day. Viscous fibers decrease the glycemic response and may assist in diabetes care. High-fiber diets provide bulk, are more satiating, and have been linked to lower body weights. Evidence that fiber decreases cancer is mixed, and further research is needed. Dietary messages to increase consumption of high-fiber foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables should be broadly supported by the medical profession. Consumers are also turning to fiber supplements and bulk laxatives as additional fiber sources. As many fiber supplements have not been studied for physiological effectiveness, the best advice is to consume fiber in foods.
028 Epidemiology of mild brain injury: quality of the scientific evidence

Background In 2004, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Neurotrauma, Prevention, Management and Rehabilitation Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury published a supplement to the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine containing a best evidence synthesis of the scientific literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of MTBI. This systematic review focused on the English literature from 1980 to 2002. Of 38 806 citations identified, 671 contained relevant scientific data. An additional 72 studies were identified by other means, totalling 743 studies. Only 42% (313) of these studies were deemed to be scientifically valid. Aims My aim is to highlight the main methodological problems observed by the Task Force. Methods The MTBI Task Force documented the strengths and limitations of the 743 reviewed studies. Information about the research question, study design, statistical methods, results, biases, strengths and limitations was collected. In addition, the Task Force collected specific information on studies that addressed the topics of risk, prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. This information addressed the unique aspects of study design (ie, randomised controlled trial, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional) and important biases for each topic of study and design (eg, selection bias, information bias and confounding). Results Studies on the incidence and risk of MTBI gave highly variable estimates that were dependent on the case definition (information bias) and the selection of cases (selection bias). Most studies gave an incidence proportion rather than a rate. Many studies were rejected because there was no denominator or population at risk identified. There were few studies that calculated the independent effect of risk factors. Many were rejected because of confounding. Diagnostic studies suffered from several biases. Few studies independently and blindly applied a gold standard reference test in a representative sample of patients (selection bias). Ceiling and floor effects were present in various case definitions. Prognostic studies tended to be underpowered and not capable of detecting independent effects of prognostic factors. There were few randomised controlled trials of interventions for MTBI and most were small in size and inconclusive. Of the 41 published guidelines reviewed, only five reported a methodology and only three were scientifically acceptable. Conclusions The scientific quality of studies on MTBI was poor up to 2002. Cases and populations at risk were poorly defined, studies of risk and prognostic factors did not properly control for confounding factors, statistical analyses were crude and underpowered, and there were very few high-quality intervention studies.
Sesame leaves intake improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male Sprague Dawley rat

Summary of weight (g) of epididymis. Group Raw weight (g) Epididymo-somatic weight (wt/100 g bwt) Group A ( control) 0.55 ± 0.03 - Group B ( high dose) 0.75 ± 0.01* 0.30 ± 0.00* Group C ( low dose) 0.57 ± 0.01* 0.26 ± 0.01* Values are mean ± S.D. *P < 0.05 was considered significant. The rats were randomly divided into three groups (A to C) compri-sing of ten rats each. The group A served as the control while B and C constituted the treated groups. The animals in group A recei-ved equal volume of 0.9% (w/v) normal saline daily while group B received aqueous extract of sesame leaves at 14.0 mg/kg body weigh /day(half the group B dose). The animals in group C were given aqueous extract of sesame at 28.0 mg/kg body weight/day (twice the group B dose). All the doses were given via gastric gava-ge (oro-gastric intubation) daily for a period of 6 weeks. All proce-dures involving animals in this study conformed to the guiding prin-ciples for research involving animals as recommended by the decal-ration of Helsinki and the guiding principles in the care and use of animals (American Physiological Society, 2002) and were approved by the departmental committee on the use and care of animals. All animals were observed for clinical signs of drug toxicity (such as tremors, weakness, lethargy, refusal of feeds, weight loss, hair-loss, coma and death) throughout the duration of the experiment. The rats were anaesthetized at the time of sacrifice by being pla-ced in a sealed cotton wool soaked chloroform inhalation jar bet-ween 0900 and 1100 h done the following day after the termination of the experiment following over night fasting of the animals. The weights of the animals were taken weekly and before the sacrifice. The epididymes were carefully dissected out, trimmed of all fat and blotted dry to remove any blood. Their weights were noted and volume measured by water displacement with the aid of a 10 ml measuring cylinder. Later, the sizes (length and width) were recor-ded by use of a sliding gauge d(d = 0.1) before being fixed in freshly prepared 10% formol saline solution. The fixed tissues were trans-ferred into graded alcohol and then processed for 17.5 h in an automated Shandon processor after which was passed through a mixture of equal concentration of xylene. Following clearance in xylene the sections were then infiltrated and embedded in molten paraffin wax. Prior to embedding, it was ensured that the mounted sections to be cut by the rotary microtone were orientated perpen-dicular to the long axes of the epididymes. These sections were designated “vertical sections”. Serial sections of 5 µm thickness were cut, floated onto clean slides coated with Mayer’s egg albu-min for proper cementing of the sections to the slides and were then stained with haematoxylin and eosin as previously described (Shittu, 2006).
Anti-Folate Receptor Alpha–Directed Antibody Therapies Restrict the Growth of Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Purpose: Highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack validated therapeutic targets and have high risk of metastatic disease. Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is a central mediator of cell growth regulation that could serve as an important target for cancer therapy. Experimental Design: We evaluated FRα expression in breast cancers by genomic (n = 3,414) and IHC (n = 323) analyses and its association with clinical parameters and outcomes. We measured the functional contributions of FRα in TNBC biology by RNA interference and the antitumor functions of an antibody recognizing FRα (MOv18-IgG1), in vitro, and in human TNBC xenograft models. Results: FRα is overexpressed in significant proportions of aggressive basal like/TNBC tumors, and in postneoadjuvant chemotherapy–residual disease associated with a high risk of relapse. Expression is associated with worse overall survival. TNBCs show dysregulated expression of thymidylate synthase, folate hydrolase 1, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, involved in folate metabolism. RNA interference to deplete FRα decreased Src and ERK signaling and resulted in reduction of cell growth. An anti-FRα antibody (MOv18-IgG1) conjugated with a Src inhibitor significantly restricted TNBC xenograft growth. Moreover, MOv18-IgG1 triggered immune-dependent cancer cell death in vitro by human volunteer and breast cancer patient immune cells, and significantly restricted orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft growth. Conclusions: FRα is overexpressed in high-grade TNBC and postchemotherapy residual tumors. It participates in cancer cell signaling and presents a promising target for therapeutic strategies such as ADCs, or passive immunotherapy priming Fc-mediated antitumor immune cell responses. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5098–111. ©2018 AACR.
Control of the T Follicular Helper–Germinal Center B-Cell Axis by CD8+ Regulatory T Cells Limits Atherosclerosis and Tertiary Lymphoid Organ Development

Background— The atheromodulating activity of B cells during the development of atherosclerosis is well documented, but the mechanisms by which these cells are regulated have not been investigated. Methods and Results— Here, we analyzed the contribution of Qa-1–restricted CD8+ regulatory T cells to the control of the T follicular helper–germinal center B-cell axis during atherogenesis. Genetic disruption of CD8+ regulatory T cell function in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E knockout mice resulted in overactivation of this axis in secondary lymphoid organs, led to the increased development of tertiary lymphoid organs in the aorta, and enhanced disease development. In contrast, restoring control of the T follicular helper–germinal center B-cell axis by blocking the ICOS-ICOSL pathway reduced the development of atherosclerosis and the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs. Moreover, analyses of human atherosclerotic aneurysmal arteries by flow cytometry, gene expression analysis, and immunofluorescence confirmed the presence of T follicular helper cells within tertiary lymphoid organs. Conclusions— This study is the first to demonstrate that the T follicular helper–germinal center B-cell axis is proatherogenic and that CD8+ regulatory T cells control the germinal center reaction in both secondary and tertiary lymphoid organs. Therefore, disrupting this axis represents an innovative therapeutic approach.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Bambusa multiplex (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

Abstract The complete nucleotide sequence of the Bambusa multiplex chloroplast genome (cpDNA) was determined in this study. The cpDNA was 139,394 bp in length, containing a pair of 21,798 bp inverted repeat regions (IR), which were separated by small and large single copy regions (SSC and LSC) of 12,875 and 82,923 bp, respectively. The B. multiplex cp genome encodes 129 predicted functional genes; 110 are unique (77 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, 4 rRNA), 19 are duplicated in the IR regions and one gene extended into the IR region in the junctions between IR and SSC. 43.20% of the genome sequence encodes proteins. The B. multiplex cp genome is AT-rich (61.08%). In these genes, fourteen genes contained one intron, while one gene had two introns.
5α-Reductase-2 Deficiency: Clinical Findings, Endocrine Pitfalls, and Genetic Features in a Large Italian Cohort

Clinical records (n = 24) with an established diagnosis of 5α-reductase-2 deficiency were reviewed. A previous misdiagnosis was present in about 70% (period from first observation to definitive diagnosis: 9.1 ± 10.8 years), and in 8 children gonadal removal was performed before certain diagnosis. Initial sex assignment was female in 16/24 (67%) and male in 8/24 (33%) cases. After diagnosis, sex re-assignment was performed in 5 babies (4 girls to male sex; 1 boy to female sex). Baseline testosterone/DHT ratio was diagnostic in 6/12 subjects (first months of life n = 4; puberty n = 2), while post-hCG testosterone/DHT ratio was diagnostic in all tested individuals (choosing both the cut-off value 15 or 10). Eighteen different mutations in the steroid-5α-reductase-2 (SRD5A2) gene were identified, 5 of which have never been reported. In conclusion, a time lag exists before the diagnosis of 5α-reductase-2 deficiency is established; sex assignment and gonadal removal may be performed before certain diagnosis. Sex re-assignment is usually female to male, but the contrary may occur. A large variability in clinical phenotypes and genetic mutations was present in this cohort. Accurate endocrine evaluation is recommended in babies possibly affected by 5α-reductase-2 deficiency, since the use of appropriate cut-off values of testosterone/DHT ratio after hCG stimulation may permit to select individuals for SRD5A2 gene analysis. A genotype-phenotype correlation was not found in this study.
Reports of Original Investigations Ultrasound guidance improves success rate of axillary brachial plexus block (L'échoguidage améliore le taux de succès du bloc axillaire du plexus brachial)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if real time ultrasound guidance improves the success rate of axillary brachial plexus blockade. Methods: Patients undergoing elective hand surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Axillary blocks were performed using three motor response endpoints in the nerve stimulator (NS) Group, real-time ultrasound guidance in the ultrasound (US) Group and combined ultrasound and nerve stimulation in the USNS Group. Following administration of a standardized solution containing 2% lidocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 0.5% bupivacaine (total 42 mL), sensory and motor functions were assessed by a blinded observer every five minutes for 30 min. A successful block was defined as complete sensory loss in the median, radial and ulnar nerve distribution by 30 min. The need for local and general anesthesia supplementation and post-block adverse events were documented. Results: One hundred and eighty-eight patients completed the study. Block success rate was higher in Groups US and USNS (82.8% and 80.7%) than Group NS (62.9%) (P = 0.01 and 0.03 respectively). Fewer patients in Groups US and USNS required supplemental nerve blocks and/or general anesthesia. Postoperatively, axillary bruising and pain were reported more frequently in Group NS.
WOMEN'S MEANING MAKING OF CERVICAL CANCER CAMPAIGNS: USING A CULTURAL APPROACH TO REDEFINE WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THEIR HEALTH

Title of thesis: WOMEN’S MEANING MAKING OF CERVICAL CANCER CAMPAIGNS: USING A CULTURAL APPROACH TO REDEFINE WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT WITH THEIR HEALTH Jennifer Eileen Vardeman, Master of Arts, 2005 Thesis directed by: Associate Professor Linda Aldoory Department of Communication The purpose of this study was to understand how women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds make meaning of cervical cancer communication. In this exploratory cultural study, the situational theory of publics provided the theoretical framework to investigate to what extent women consider cervical cancer a problem, how they feel connected to it, and what factors constrain them from seeking information. The study used qualitative focus groups and one-on-one, in-depth interviews with African American, Hispanic, and White women. Findings suggest that women feel differentially involved to cervical cancer, and the distinctions are primarily based on age. Furthermore, women tend to group reproductive health issues together rather than separating them. This study expanded the situational theory of publics as well as a public relations theory for women’s health. Practical implications include cues to action and suggested factors communicators can employ to improve culturally competent communication campaigns and messages. WOMEN’S MEANING MAKING OF CERVICAL CANCER CAMPAIGNS: USING A CULTURAL APPROACH TO REDEFINE WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT WITH THEIR HEALTH by Jennifer Eileen Vardeman Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts 2005 Advisory Committee: Associate Professor Linda Aldoory, Chair Assistant Professor Monique Mitchell Turner Professor Elizabeth L. Toth ©Copyright by Jennifer Eileen Vardeman 2005
Imaging Ca2+ Nanosparks in Heart With a New Targeted Biosensor

Rationale: In cardiac dyads, junctional Ca2+ directly controls the gating of the ryanodine receptors (RyRs), and is itself dominated by RyR-mediated Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Existing probes do not report such local Ca2+ signals because of probe diffusion, so a junction-targeted Ca2+ sensor should reveal new information on cardiac excitation–contraction coupling and its modification in disease states. Objective: To investigate Ca2+ signaling in the nanoscopic space of cardiac dyads by targeting a new sensitive Ca2+ biosensor (GCaMP6f) to the junctional space. Methods and Results: By fusing GCaMP6f to the N terminus of triadin 1 or junctin, GCaMP6f-triadin 1/junctin was targeted to dyadic junctions, where it colocalized with t-tubules and RyRs after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. This membrane protein-tagged biosensor displayed ≈4× faster kinetics than native GCaMP6f. Confocal imaging revealed junctional Ca2+ transients (Ca2+ nanosparks) that were ≈50× smaller in volume than conventional Ca2+ sparks (measured with diffusible indicators). The presence of the biosensor did not disrupt normal Ca2+ signaling. Because no indicator diffusion occurred, the amplitude and timing of release measurements were improved, despite the small recording volume. We could also visualize coactivation of subclusters of RyRs within a single junctional region, as well as quarky Ca2+ release events. Conclusions: This new, targeted biosensor allows selective visualization and measurement of nanodomain Ca2+ dynamics in intact cells and can be used to give mechanistic insights into dyad RyR operation in health and in disease states such as when RyRs become orphaned.
Content Usage and the Most Frequently Read Articles by Issue in 2013

We are pleased to provide our annual report about Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine ( JABFM ) articles published in 2013 that were of the greatest interest to our readers. [Table 1][1] shows the 3 most frequently read articles by issue in 2013. Original research proves to be the most-
Combined application of FBG and PZT sensors for plantar pressure monitoring at low and high speed walking.

BACKGROUND Clinical monitoring of planar pressure is vital in several pathological conditions, such as diabetes, where excess pressure might have serious repercussions on health of the patient, even to the extent of amputation. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the combined application of the Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) and the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoceramic sensors for plantar pressure monitoring during walk at low and high speeds. METHODS For fabrication of the pressure sensors, the FBGs are embedded within layers of carbon composite material and stacked in an arc shape. From this embedding technique, average pressure sensitivity of 1.3 pm/kPa and resolution of nearly 0.8 kPa is obtained. These sensors are found to be suitable for measuring the static and the low-speed walk generated foot pressure. Simultaneously, PZT patches of size 10 × 10 × 0.3 mm were used as sensors, utilizing the d_{33} (thickness) coupling mode. A sensitivity of 7.06 mV/kPa and a pressure resolution of 0.14 kPa is obtained from these sensors, which are found to be suitable for foot pressure measurement during high speed walking and running. Both types of sensors are attached to the underside of the sole of commercially available shoes. In the experiments, a healthy male subject walks/runs over the treadmill wearing the fabricated shoes at various speeds and the peak pressure is measured using both the sensors. Commercially available low-cost hardware is used for interrogation of the two sensor types. RESULTS The test results clearly show the feasibility of the FBG and the PZT sensors for measurement of plantar pressure. The PZT sensors are more accurate for measurement of pressure during walking at high speeds. The FBG sensors, on the other hand, are found to be suitable for static and quasi-dynamic (slow walking) conditions. Typically, the measured pressure varied from 400 to 600 kPa below the forefoot and 100 to 1000 kPa below the heel as the walking speed varied from 1 kilometer per hour (kmph) to 7 kmph. CONCLUSIONS When instrumented in combination, the two sensors can enable measurements ranging from static to high speed conditions Both the sensor types are rugged, small sized and can be easily embedded in commercial shoes and enable plantar pressure measurement in a cost-effective manner. This research is expected to have application in the treatment of patients suffering from diabetes and gonarthrosis.
Severe sensory neuropathy need not precede Charcot arthropathies of the foot or ankle: implications for the rehabilitation specialist

Neuropathic (Charcot) arthropathies of the foot or ankle can be devastating and disabling complications of diabetes mellitus. The etiogenesis of acute-onset Charcot arthropathy remains poorly understood, however the bony and joint destructions have been attributed to injury or trauma in the presence of severe sensory neuropathy. The purpose of this descriptive report is to alert rehabilitation specialists that severe sensory neuropathy need not precede the onset of acute Charcot arthropathies of the foot or ankle. The prevailing hypotheses for the development of acute Charcot arthropathies are briefly reviewed. Additionally, the characteristics of two samples of subjects with acute Charcot arthropathy of the foot or ankle referred to physical therapy for treatment are presented so rehabilitation specialists may better recognize this potentially disabling complication of diabetes mellitus. Understanding the range of clinical characteristics of patients presenting to physical therapy for treatment may allow therapists to take a more proactive role in preventing long-term complications and disability in patients at risk for complications such as foot deformity and lower extremity amputation.
What is the future for CSF biomarkers in the prediction of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease?

‘The promise of therapy has also created a need for biomarkers to enable the clinical identification of the disease at an early stage. ’ Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of cognitive disorder in the elderly, and is a major health problem. It is now 100 years since Alois Alzheimer presented the first report on the disease, and described the characteristic findings of plaques and tangles in the cortical areas of the brain. Although it took almost 80 years until the molecular composition of these pathological hallmarks was revealed, knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of AD has grown rapidly during the last two decades. Plaques are made of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ), which is a small peptide produced from the much larger amyloid precursor protein (APP), while tangles are made of an abnormally hyperphosphory