Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of flaxseed formulation as a potential therapeutic agent in mitigation of dyslipidemia

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are an increasing health problem all over the world. The search for natural hypolipidemic agents that can be used besides the synthetic drugs is still in its experimental stage. Plant seeds, particularly flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), which is a rich source of n-3 fatty acids, lignans and phenolic compounds, have also received increasing attention for their potential role in preventing lipid disorders. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic potential of flaxseeds in dyslipidemia. Methods: The study included 50 dyslipidemic subjects selected by purposive random sampling and were divided into two groups, a control and an experimental group. Both the groups were prescribed similar dietary guidelines. Subjects in the experimental group received 30 g of roasted flaxseed powder for 3 months. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and blood lipid profile were estimated before the study and after completion of the study. Results: Flaxseed supplementation resulted in a remarkable improvement in anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and lipid profile in the experimental group. Body weight and body mass index (BMI) of the experimental group were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). A lowering of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) was also recorded in the dyslipidemic subjects. Concomitantly, a highly significant reduction (p < 0.01) in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels, with simultaneous elevation (p < 0.01) in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels was observed. Improvement in lipid levels resulted in reduction of atherogenic indices. Conclusions: The supplementation of roasted flaxseed powder for 3 months improved the BMI, blood pressure, and lipid profile of dyslipidemic subjects, thus exhibiting cardio protective effect.
Conditional expression and oncogenicity of c‐myc linked to a CD2 gene dominant control region

Over‐expression of the c‐myc gene is widely implicated in the genesis of lymphoid neoplasia, including tumours of the T‐cell lineage. To study the effects of deregulated c‐myc expression on T‐cell development and oncogenesis, we sought to generate a transgenic mouse model in which c‐myc expression was targeted specifically to the T‐cell lineage. A plasmid construct containing a dominant control region (DCR) from the human CD2 locus linked 5′ to the human c‐myc gene was used to generate 2 lines of transgenic mice. Both strains developed thymic lymphoma at low frequency, but thymic development and peripheral T‐cell numbers were otherwise apparently normal. Low tumour penetrance was consistent with the observed lack of stable CD2‐myc transgene mRNA in tissues of healthy transgenic mice. In contrast, transgene RNA was detected in all malignant tumours as well as in early lymphomatous lesions. RNase protection analyses confirmed these findings and showed that the PI human c‐myc promoter was active in all neoplastic tissues but not in the thymus or other tissues of healthy transgenic mice. Despite the low spontaneous tumour incidence, the presence of the transgene markedly and uniformly accelerated the onset of tumours after neonatal infection with Moloney murine leukaemia virus. All tumours were rearranged for T‐cell receptor f3‐chain genes and were of T‐cell origin from their surface phenotype (Thy‐I +. CD3+, CD4+/‐, CDB+, slg‐). Virus‐accelerated tumours contained clonal integrations of Moloney murine leukaemia virus, suggesting that proviral insertional mutagenesis may have played a role in tumour development. Analysis of several candidate myccooperating genes failed to reveal any rearrangements apart from a low frequency involving proviral insertion at the pim‐I locus. The CD2‐myc mouse should therefore be a valuable system in screening for novel myc‐collaborating genes involved in T‐cell lymphoma.
Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic malignancy

The prostatic neuroendocrine cell is a regulatory cell that produces serotonin and peptide hormones. This cell is part of a more widely dispersed diffuse neuroendocrine regulatory system known as the APUD system. Focal neuroendocrine differentiation is seen in virtually all prostate carcinomas to one degree or another. Specific malignancies that are purely neuroendocrine include small cell carcinoma and carcinoid/carcinoid‐like tumors. A variety of studies suggest a possible prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate carcinoma.
Effects of the composition of peritoneal dialysis fluid on chemiluminescence, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity in vitro

Commercial fluid used for peritoneal lavage in peritonitis and in peritoneal dialysis suppressed the activity of peripheral blood leukocytes as measured by chemiluminescence, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing. Suppression was found to be due to the low pH and high osmolality of the fluid. The pH was adjusted to noninhibitory levels in vivo within 30 min, whereas osmolality changes were less rapid and remained at inhibitory levels for fluids of high dextrose concentration (4.25%). Chemiluminescence was the most sensitive assay for inhibitory effects of pH and osmolality, as well as for urea and heparin. The metabolic waste product urea at levels normally found in dialysate and heparin at concentrations routinely added to fluid inhibited only chemiluminescence, whereas creatinine and added insulin were not inhibitory. High fluid volume also resulted in a decrease in efficiency of bacterial killing. These results suggest some changes to be made in the treatment of peritonitis and in peritoneal dialysis.
Valuing Aboriginal cultural activity: Beyond markets

It was an honour to speak at the conference that celebrated the contribution of Jon Altman, the founding Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), and to hear others reflect on his work. My lifelong interest and involvement in Indigenous issues, particularly sustainable economic development on terms that meet the needs of Aboriginal and other Australians, has motivated me to undertake a PhD somewhat later in life.
[The position of gynecologists on planned parenthood and contraception].

44 gynecologists from the whole territory of the Czech Socialist Republic responded to a questionnaire prepared by the World Health Organization. 32 were males and 12 were females 1 was 50. Most of them (37) practiced in cities and most practiced less than 10 years (18) or 11-20 years (15). The most preferred methods of contraception in their own lives were: coitus interruptus (72.7%) the condom (68.2%) the pill (54.5%) fertile and unfertile days (54.5%) and IUDs (36%). Unpleasant methods included male sterilization (61.4%) female sterilization (50%) the diaphragm (43.2%) checking of cervical mucus (38.6%) the implantation of devices (34.1%) and the pill (31.8%). 90.7% of responders agreed that the choice of the most appropriate contraceptive was paramount 85.7% stated that the purpose of sex was to be close to ones partner 76.7% agreed that sex had to be enjoyable 83.7% agreed that the ability to control fertility was a great achievement 81.4% agreed that reliable contraceptives would not improve the lot of women and 76.2% agreed that the reliability of contraceptives is still to be resolved. 97.7% of the gynecologists said that all aspects of sexuality were acceptable for open discussion with patients. The inhibiting effect of lack of time (55.8%) and resources (56.8%) was cited by the respondents. The informative nature of the physicians advice on family planning methods was acknowledged by 95.7% of respondents its educational nature by 90.9% and its counseling role by 86.4%. 45.7% of patients of these specialists agreed that the best method was suggested to them by their doctor 39.4% stated that they were helped in the selection and use of the method and 34.6% agreed that they were asked which method was in their best interests.
Genetic dissection of the Streptococcus pyogenes M1 protein: regions involved in fibronectin binding and intracellular invasion.

Entry of serotype M1 Streptococcus pyogenes into host cells depends on binding of the host glycoprotein fibronectin (Fn) by the bacterial M1 protein. The present study was undertaken to localize the Fn binding region in M1 and assess other potential functions of M1. A set of recombinant M1 protein fragments were assayed for their capacities to bind Fn and inhibit ingestion of streptococci by epithelial cells. M1 protein, M6 protein and internally-deleted derivatives of M1 were expressed on the surface of Lactococcus lactis. Lactococci that expressed M1 or M6 protein bound Fn and were efficiently taken up by epithelial cells. Deletion of both the N-terminal A and B repeats regions of M1 abrogated Fn binding and intracellular invasion. Deletion of either the A domain (M1DeltaA) or B repeats (M1DeltaB) significantly reduced, but did not completely eliminate, Fn binding indicating that M1 protein may possess two independent Fn binding sites. Fn binding by the M1DeltaA or M1DeltaB proteins was insufficient for efficient invasion, however, suggesting that M protein binding alters the structure of Fn that, in turn, affects the interaction between Fn and epithelial cells. Although expression of M1, M6 or M1DeltaB proteins led to aggregation of lactococcal cells, aggregation did not significantly contribute to invasion efficiency.
Financial return-on-investment of ophthalmic interventions: a new paradigm

Purpose of review Although the patient value gain (improvement in quality-of-life and/or length-of-life) has been highlighted in Value-based Medicine cost–utility analyses, the financial value gain associated with healthcare interventions has received less emphasis. It is important for professional healthcare providers to realize their interventions often confer a large financial return-on-investment (ROI) to society. Recent findings The societal costs associated with vitreoretinal and other ophthalmic interventions include: direct ophthalmic medical costs expended (hospital, physician, drug, diagnostic testing and so forth), direct medical costs saved (decreased costs for depression, injury, skilled nursing facility, nursing home and others), direct nonmedical costs saved (decreased costs for caregivers, transportation, residence costs, moving costs, and others), and indirect medical costs saved (improving employment incidence and wages). The financial ROI for direct ophthalmic medical costs expended for ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration is 450%, whereas that for cataract surgery is 4500% and for medical open-angle glaucoma therapy is 4000%. Many costs gained add to the Gross Domestic Product and increase the wealth of the nation. Summary Many vitreoretinal and other ophthalmologic interventions confer considerable patient value, but also result in a large financial ROI to society. This financial ROI increases the wealth of the nation.
Initial lesion size as a predictive factor in determining the response of port-wine stains in children treated with the pulsed dye laser.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the response of facial port-wine stains in children to pulsed (450 microseconds) dye (577- or 585-nm) laser treatment based on the age of the patient and the size of the port-wine stain at the initiation of treatments. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Outpatient dermatology clinic at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver. PATIENTS A consecutive sample of 83 children who had facial port-wine stains that were treated in their entirety at each visit. INTERVENTION Patients were treated with a pulsed (450 microseconds) dye (577- and 585-nm) laser. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Decrease in size of the port-wine stain. RESULTS Overall 18 (22%) of the 85 patients responded with complete clearing of their port-wine stains. The port-wine stains in 32% (7/22) of the patients who began treatment before 1 year of age responded with complete clearing of their port-wine stains compared with 18% (11/61) in older patients (P < .01). Fifteen (32%) of 47 patients with port-wine stains smaller than 20 cm2 at initial evaluation were totally cleared vs three (8%) of the 36 patients with port-wine stains larger than 20 cm2 (P < .05). This size effect is apparent at all ages. CONCLUSION When considering treatment for facial port-wine stains with pulsed dye lasers, it is important to consider not only the age of the child at the beginning of treatments, but also the initial size of the lesion.
Recombination Load in a Chromosomal Inversion Polymorphism of Drosophila subobscura

Chromosomal inversions suppress recombination in heterokaryotypes and may help to maintain positive epistatic interactions among groups of alleles at loci contained in the inversion. Here I evaluate the protective effect of inversions on recombination when different chromosomal segments, or even the whole chromosome O of Drosophila subobscura, can be effectively prevented from undergoing recombination in several naturally occurring heterokaryotypes. The fitness of flies made homozygous for recombinant chromosomes was generally lower when compared to their nonrecombinant counterparts, thus suggesting that segregating gene arrangements in this species hold together favorable combinations of alleles that interact epistatically.
A Comparison of Regional Versus General Anesthesia for Ambulatory Anesthesia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Both regional anesthesia and general anesthesia have been proposed to provide optimal ambulatory anesthesia. We searched MEDLINE and other databases for randomized controlled trials comparing regional anesthesia and general anesthesia in ambulatory surgery patients for meta-analysis. Only major conduction blocks were considered to be regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia was further separated into central neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block. Fifteen (1003 patients) and 7 (359 patients) trials for central neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block were included in the meta-analysis. Both central neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block were associated with increased induction time, reduced pain scores, and decreased need for postanesthesia care unit analgesics. However, central neuraxial block was not associated with decreased postanesthesia care unit bypass or time or reduced nausea despite reduced analgesics, and it was associated with a 35-min increase in total ambulatory surgery unit time. In contrast, peripheral nerve block was associated with decreased postanesthesia care unit need and decreased nausea but, again, not with decreased ambulatory surgery unit time. This meta-analysis indicates potential advantages for regional anesthesia, such as decreased postanesthesia care unit use, nausea, and postoperative pain. Although these factors have been proposed to reduce ambulatory surgery unit stay, neither central neuraxial block nor peripheral nerve block were associated with reduced ambulatory surgery unit time. Other factors, such as unsuitable discharge criteria and limitations of meta-analysis, may explain this discrepancy.
Cathepsin B contributes to bile salt-induced apoptosis of rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Bile salt-induced apoptosis is mediated by a trypsin-like nuclear protease. The aims of this study were to identify this protease and to elucidate its mechanistic role in bile salt-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. METHODS Rats, isolated rat hepatocytes, and a rat hepatoma cell line stably transfected with a bile salt transporter (McNtcp.24) were used for this study. RESULTS In the bile duct-ligated rat, a threefold increase in apoptosis and a fourfold increase in trypsin-like nuclear protease activity were observed. The nuclear protease activity was purified from bile duct-ligated rats and identified as cathepsin B. Specific, structurally dissimilar cathepsin B inhibitors blocked glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC)-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, stable transfection of McNtcp.24 cells with the complementary DNA for cathepsin B in the antisense orientation reduced cathepsin B activity and GCDC-induced apoptosis by >75%. Next, cathepsin B cellular localization during apoptosis was determined by immunoblot analysis of nuclear cell fractions, immunocytochemistry, and by determining the compartmentation of expressed cathepsin B fused to green fluorescent protein. All three approaches showed translocation of cathepsin B from the cytoplasm to the nucleus during GCDC-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that translocation of cathepsin B from the cytoplasm to the nucleus is a mechanism contributing to bile salt-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes.
Genetic Interactions With C-Terminal Domain (CTD) Kinases and the CTD of RNA Pol II Suggest a Role for ESS1 in Transcription Initiation and Elongation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ess1 is an essential prolyl isomerase that binds the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Rpb1, the large subunit of RNA polymerase II. Ess1 is proposed to control transcription by isomerizing phospho-Ser-Pro peptide bonds within the CTD repeat. To determine which step(s) in the transcription cycle might require Ess1, we examined genetic interactions between ESS1 and genes encoding the known CTD kinases (KIN28, CTK1, BUR1, and SRB10). Although genetic interactions were identified between ESS1 and all four kinases, the clearest interactions were with CTK1 and SRB10. Reduced dosage of CTK1 rescued the growth defect of ess1ts mutants, while overexpression of CTK1 enhanced the growth defects of ess1ts mutants. Deletion of SRB10 suppressed ess1ts and ess1Δ mutants. The interactions suggest that Ess1 opposes the functions of these kinases, which are thought to function in preinitiation and elongation. Using a series of CTD substitution alleles, we also identified Ser5-Pro6 as a potential target for Ess1 isomerization within the first “half” of the CTD repeats. On the basis of the results, we suggest a model in which Ess1-directed conformational changes promote dephosphorylation of Ser5 to stimulate preinitiation complex formation and, later, to inhibit elongation.
Design of multi-functional street light control system based on AT89S52 single-chip microcomputer

Presented is a street lights control system based on AT89S52 as control core. It is a combined product of the following technologies: a digital clock, a timer, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a statistics of traffic flowing magnitude, a photosensitive induction, an infrared control and alarm function. This street light system also includes a time cut-out function, and an automatic control pattern for even more electricity conserving, namely when vehicles pass by, the light will turn on automatically, later turn off. This design can save a great amount of electricity compared to streetlamps that keep alight during nights. The design implements traffic flow magnitude statistics without adding any hardware, facilitating transportation condition information collecting. Furthermore, this system has auto-alarm function which will set off if any light is damaged and will show the serial number of the damaged light, thus it is easy to be found and repaired the damaged light.
Predicting the Popularity of Trending Arabic News on Twitter

Twitter is a popular form of social media that helps to spread breaking news. Mining textual documents and the number of posts ("tweets") can assist in predicting the popularity of news articles based on the content of news articles. The purpose of this study is to build a model that can predict the popularity of news articles on Twitter by classifying their features, providing comparisons using three algorithms for data mining: decision tree, NB, and rule based W-JRIP. Four approaches were used to compare the extracted features: light stemming, N-grams and light stemming, N-grams, and bag of words. The results of the experiment on the external features of articles indicate that the decision tree performed better (93.30%) than the rule-based and NB algorithms. The experiment on the internal features yielded no significant predictors of the popularity of news articles on Twitter. The results of the experiments on internal and external features of articles indicate that the decision tree algorithm with light stemming approaches performs best, achieving 85.60%. This study expands the limited literature on Arabic text classification and provides a predictive model that may help news organizations improve their online contents.
Current and Emerging Treatments for Mild/Moderate Acute Ambulatory Pain

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the mainstay of therapy for acute musculoskeletal pain, are among the most widely used drugs in the world. The major limitation of traditional (nonselective) NSAIDs is gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, which includes dyspepsia, mucosal injury, and serious events, such as ulcers, GI bleeding, and perforation. This article reviews the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of traditional and selective NSAIDs (coxibs); risk factors for GI complications; and strategies for reducing risk and preventing NSAID-related gastropathy and cardiovascular complications. The article also discusses the use of aspirin for cardioprotection in patients taking analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents for musculoskeletal pain and the need to balance competing GI and cardiovascular risks. Topical NSAIDs and other formulations that may prove to be safer than currently available agents also are addressed. Am J Ther. 2008;15:S12-S16.
Property owners’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism: Comparing coastal and mountain counties

This study explored factors influencing property owners’ attitudes toward tourism development in two very different counties in North Carolina: one coastal (n = 854) and one in the mountains (n = 619). Attitudes toward the impact of tourism and sustainable tourism development were compared for permanent and second-home residents and between the two counties. Findings include the fact that 22% of property owners in the coast and 12.8% of property owners in the mountains thought that the impact of tourism in their community was such that they wished they lived or owned property elsewhere. Permanent homeowners were more likely than second homeowners to have this opinion. Second homeowners in both counties perceived that they had little or no influence over tourism-related issues, a perception stronger in the coastal county than mountain.
The etiology of pneumonia in malnourished and well-nourished Gambian children.

During a 2-year period 159 malnourished children ages 3 months to 5 years with radiologic evidence of pneumonia were investigated to determine the cause of their pneumonia. In addition 119 malnourished children without pneumonia, 119 well-nourished children with pneumonia and 52 well-nourished children without pneumonia were studied as controls. Percutaneous lung aspiration was performed on 35 malnourished and 59 well-nourished children with pneumonia. Bacteria were isolated from the blood, lung or pleural fluid of 28 (18%) malnourished children with pneumonia, 42 (35%) well-nourished children with pneumonia and from the blood of 5 (4%) malnourished children without pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, which were the two organisms isolated most frequently in both groups of children with pneumonia, were found in 17 (11%) malnourished and 39 (33%) well-nourished children with pneumonia. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 5 malnourished children with pneumonia. A potentially pathogenic virus was identified in 35% of malnourished children with pneumonia and 40% of well-nourished children with pneumonia, and from 25% of children without pneumonia. The viruses identified most frequently were adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)