Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity in humans.

OBJECTIVE Caffeine is a central stimulant that increases the release of catecholamines. As a component of popular beverages, caffeine is widely used around the world. Its pharmacological effects are predominantly due to adenosine receptor antagonism and include release of catecholamines. We hypothesized that caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity, either due to catecholamines and/or as a result of blocking adenosine-mediated stimulation of peripheral glucose uptake. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamps were used to assess insulin sensitivity. Caffeine or placebo was administered intravenously to 12 healthy volunteers in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Measurements included plasma levels of insulin, catecholamines, free fatty acids (FFAs), and hemodynamic parameters. Insulin sensitivity was calculated as whole-body glucose uptake corrected for the insulin concentration. In a second study, the adenosine reuptake inhibitor dipyridamole was tested using an identical protocol in 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS Caffeine decreased insulin sensitivity by 15% (P < 0.05 vs. placebo). After caffeine administration, plasma FFAs increased (P < 0.05) and remained higher than during placebo. Plasma epinephrine increased fivefold (P < 0.0005), and smaller increases were recorded in plasma norepinephrine (P < 0.02) and blood pressure (P < 0.001). Dipyridamole did not alter insulin sensitivity and only increased plasma norepinephrine (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity in healthy humans, possibly as a result of elevated plasma epinephrine levels. Because dipyridamole did not affect glucose uptake, peripheral adenosine receptor antagonism does not appear to contribute to this effect.
APTIMA® transcription-mediated amplification assays for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The APTIMA® transcription-mediated amplification assays for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae have the greatest sensitivity of all the commercial nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis of infections from noninvasive samples that may contain small amounts of nucleic acid. They have received extensive attention in male and female populations of varying prevalences of infection. Vulvovaginal swabs appear to be the specimen of choice (either self-collected or physician collected) in women and first-catch urine in men. Gen-Probe Inc. has created alternate amplification primers for confirmatory or initial single organism testing. With automation of the TIGRIS® instrument, the assays should prove to be useful in high-volume laboratories.
Mortality Salience Increases Adherence to Salient Norms and Values

Four studies indicate that mortality salience increases adherence to social norms and values, but only when cultural norms and values are salient. In Study 1, mortality salience coupled with a reminder about cultural values of egalitarianism reduced prejudice toward Blacks among non-Black participants. In Studies 2 through 4, a mortality salience induction (e.g., walking through a cemetery) increased self-reported and actual helping behavior only when the cultural value of helping was salient. These results suggest that people may adhere to norms and values so as to manage awareness of death.
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of soybean lipoxygenases: N‐terminal acetylation, chemical modification, and solution conformation

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to examine both the covalent structure and solution conformation of the soybean lipoxygenases. The post‐translational modifications of two lipoxgyenases were identified as N‐terminal acetylations by tandem mass spectrometry of peptides generated by trypsin digestion. The N‐terminal sequence suggests that the proteins were substrates for the plant homolog of the N‐terminal acetyltransferase complex C in yeast. Analysis of samples of native lipoxygenase‐3 produced ions corresponding within experimental error to the mass of the N‐acetylated polypeptide and one iron atom. The precision of the measurements was within roughly 100 ppm for the 96,856 Da protein. This made it possible to detect the addition of a single oxygen atom to the enzyme in a chemical modification reaction with cumene hydroperoxide. The acid‐induced denaturation of lipoxygenase‐3, which was accompanied by nearly complete loss of catalytic activity, was observed below pH 3.5 with the appearance of ions in the mass spectrum derived from the apoprotein. There was no evidence for the loss of iron in the absence of unfolding. Solutions of lipoxygenase‐3 incubated in 0.1M acetic acid produced ions with a novel charge state distribution suggesting a unique conformation. Circular dichroism measurements showed that the secondary structure features of the native protein were retained in the new conformation. Dynamic light scattering revealed that the new conformation was not a consequence of protein aggregation as the hydrodynamic radius of lipoxygenase‐3 was significantly smaller in acetic acid solution than at pH 7.0. Remarkably, the enzyme incubated in acetic acid retained full catalytic activity. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nursing clinical handover in neonatal care

Background: Clinical handover ensures continuity of care, providing the opportunity to transfer responsibility and accountability for the care of a patient from nurse to nurse. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine afternoon nursing clinical handover from the perspective of nurses, exploring the quality of information, the interactions and support, the efficiency and the involvement of parents in a private neonatal unit. Methods/Design: An exploratory, descriptive, prospective quantitative survey with qualitative elements was undertaken using The Handover Evaluation Scale (O’Connell, MacDonald, & Kelly, 2008). All nurses working in the Neonatal unit who attend afternoon handover, were invited to participate in the study (N = 22), with N = 16 responses received. Results/Findings: The quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the quality of the information handed over in neonatal care units can be maintained despite intrinsic limitations. Additionally, high levels of support and interaction between nursing staff in this stressful practice environment occur during the handover period. Conclusion: Given the vulnerability of neonates it is important that accurate information is efficiently handed over. In order to do this distractions should be minimised. Finally, parental involvement in handover should be actively encouraged whenever feasible.
Implications of HIV Disease for Oral Health Services

This paper, by means of a quality framework, reviews health services research in relation to people with HIV infection. The relevance of oral health care services to people’s needs is considered in terms of the goal of health services to reduce the burden of disease on the everyday life of the population. Dental services may therefore have a role in primary prevention in the HIV epidemic, passing on information about HIV and promoting health through the early diagnosis and treatment of oral disease. Effectiveness research of oral health care in HIV assesses the usefulness of oral diagnosis, whether care is safe, and whether treatment is clinically effective. Few data are available on the efficiency of services. People with HIV still have problems accessing dental care, due to the volume of care available in relation to their need and acceptability of care. Access problems in the US are compounded by social inequality. Health services research data are particularly sparse in resource-poor countries, and there is a need to translate the available information into treatment guidelines appropriate to these settings. The research community and funding agencies should place greater emphasis on the quality of oral health services for people with HIV.
SPERM OXIDATIVE STRESS AND THE EFFECT OF AN ORAL VITAMIN E AND SELENIUM SUPPLEMENT ON SEMEN QUALITY IN INFERTILE MEN

Numerous studies have reported beneficial effects of antioxidant drugs on semen quality, but there is no well-defined therapeutical protocol in male infertility. This study aimed to test the effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on lipid peroxidation and on sperm parameters. The study included 54 voluntary and infertile men who produced semen samples for spermiogram and for spectrophotometric measurement of a lipid peroxidatio n marker, the malondialdehyde (MDA), and produced blood samples for high-perf ormance liquid chromatography assessment of serum vitamin E level. The trial was randomized and open. Twenty-eight men were supplemented daily by vitamin E (400 mg) and selenium (225 µg), during 3 months. The remaining 26 patients received vitamin B (4,5 g/day) for the same duration. Only 20 patients achieved their treatment and returned for control analysis. MDA concentrations in sperm were much less than in seminal plasma and motility and viability were inversely correlated with semen MDA levels. In contrast to vitamin B supplementation, vitamin E and selenium supplementation produced a significant decrease in MDA concentrations and an improvement of sperm motility. The results confirm the protective and beneficial effects of vitamin E and selenium on semen quality and advocate their use in male infertility treatment.
Recent Issues of Employability and Career Management

At the threshold of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, a combination of factors will cause business model disruptions triggering a simultaneous impact on the employment landscape over the coming years. The changes will affect the employment scenery across various industries, ranging from significant job creation to job displacement, and from heightened labor productivity to widening skills gaps. As a reaction to this volatile and unpredictable work environment, where individuals are compelled to mind their own careers and stable long-term employment is not granted for anyone, vocational psychology, educational institutions and educators are urged to address the issues of employability. The current paper discusses the reasons leading up to the evolving world of employment and the stances/options that institutions and individuals can take to tackle the situation.
Comparing family changes in two rural areas of Kenya: Past legacies and present realities

ABSTRACT Fertility in Kenya declined from total fertility rate (TFR) 6.7 to 4.6 between 1989 and 2008/09. Initially, Western and Coast Provinces returned figures above and below the national average with TFR 8.1 and 5.4 respectively. Then fertility in Western Province declined substantially to TFR 5.6 while in Coast Province the decline was modest to TFR 4.8, above the national average in both provinces. I shall scrutinise this development by examining two rounds of qualitative case studies in rural villages in the two provinces, first in 1988–90 with a follow up in 2011. The analysis revealed that over time fewer children were born in the Western villages, but more in the Coast villages. The hypothesis is that differences in cultural (patriarchy and a mix of matriarchy and patriarchy) and religious (Christian and Muslim) legacies are crucial to understanding such disparities in childbearing. Attention is given to marriage, gender relations and female education.
An improved fusion prognostics method for remaining useful life prediction of bearings

The remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of bearings has emerged as a critical technique for providing failure warnings in advance, reducing costly unscheduled maintenance and enhancing the reliability of bearings. Recently, a fusion prognostics method combining exponential model and relevance vector machine (RVM) has been proposed and applied to the RUL prediction of bearings. This fusion prognostics method integrates the advantages of RVM and exponential model and so has better prediction performance than other exponential model-based methods. However, selecting the appropriate value of kernel parameter is very difficult for this fusion prognostics method because of the lack of an explicit prior knowledge. which reduces the prediction accuracy of the fusion prognostics method and affects its generalization performance. To solve this problem, an improved fusion prognostics method is proposed in this paper. In the improved fusion prognostics method, RVM regressions with different kernel parameter values are first applied to obtaining different sparse datasets. Then, using the exponential model of bearing degradation, the different degradation curves are got by fitting the obtained sparse datasets and the Fréchet distance is employed to select the optimum degradation curve from those fitted curves. Finally, the RUL is predicted by extrapolating the selected degradation curve to reach the failure threshold. To verify the superiority of the proposed method compared with the original fusion prognostics method, a real bearing degradation data is used for the RUL prediction. The results show that the improved fusion prognostics method outperforms the original fusion prognostics method in the RUL prediction of bearings.
Mohs Surgical Extirpation of a Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Patient with Familial Multiple Trichoepitheliomas

Background The success of Mohs surgery relies on the ability to histologically differentiate tumor from the normal background tissue of the patient. In most cases of basal cell carcinoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, this is a relatively straightforward process. However, in distinction, when only subtle histopathologic features differentiate the background tissue from the tumor of interest, the determination of a tumor-free margin becomes more challenging. Objective Our objective is to highlight the histopathologic features that we used to differentiate our patient's near-confluent background of trichoepitheliomas from the basal cell carcinoma that we were extirpating. Methods Case report. Results A 41-year-old white female with a history of familial multiple facial trichoepitheliomas presented for removal of a basal cell carcinoma on her right lower cutaneous lip. Mohs surgery was used to remove the tumor. The characteristic features of basal cell carcinoma and trichoepithelioma were used to differentiate the basal cell carcinoma that we were removing from the surrounding trichoepitheliomatous neoplasia. Conclusion Mohs surgical extirpation of a basal cell carcinoma in a patient with multiple familial trichoepitheliomas requires a clear understanding of the histopathologic features that differentiate a trichoepithelioma from a basal cell carcinoma.
Genomic Imprinting and Assisted Reproductive Technology: Connections and Potential Risks

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has become the standard of care for the treatment of many types of infertility. As a result, the numbers of children born after ART worldwide has escalated dramatically, and attention has turned to the potential risks of these procedures to the health and development of the children. In addition to the well-established risks of multiple gestations, recent reports have suggested a link between ART and rare disorders of imprinting including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Angelman syndrome. Here we review molecular mechanisms of genomic imprinting, consider how ART procedures could influence imprinting of gametes and embryos, and review the reports connecting imprinting disorders to ART. We highlight the importance of long-term follow-up of children born after ART, and emphasize the need for an improved understanding of the mechanisms of imprinting at the molecular level so that methods to prevent disruption of this critical epigenetic process can be developed.
Infantile spasms: diagnosis and assessment of treatment response by video‐EEG

The purpose of this study was to investigate early electroclinical manifestations and evaluate treatment responses by video‐EEG in infants with newly diagnosed spasms. Spasms were recorded in 44 infants (27 males, 17 females) before adequate treatment. Mean ages at onset of spasms and at first video‐EEG were 5.3 months (range 0.9 to 9 months) and 5.9 months (range 2.4 to 11.5 months) respectively. Thirteen infants had cryptogenic and 31 had symptomatic aetiology. First treatment was vigabatrin in 36 infants. All infants were followed until 12 months of age or death. Treatment response in the first months of therapy was assessed by repeated video‐EEG studies in 23 infants. On the first video‐EEG, 34 infants had typical symmetric motor spasms, three infants showed asymmetric or asynchronous behaviour, and seven infants had only subtle spasms. Interictal EEG showed hypsarrhythmia in 27 infants and multifocal spikes with normal or nearly normal background in 17 infants. Subtle spasms, asymmetric or asynchronous spasms, and asymmetric ictal or interictal EEG abnormalities were associated with symptomatic aetiology and poor cognitive and seizure outcome at 12 months. Serial video‐EEG recordings showed a transition from motor to subtle spasms during the first 2 weeks of vigabatrin therapy in four infants and only subtle spasms in two therapy‐resistant infants at 12 months. Cessation of spasms usually preceded disappearance of hypsarrhythmia or multifocal spikes, but persistence of multifocal spikes over several weeks was always associated with existing spasms. Transition of hypsarrhythmia into multifocal spikes was observed during vigabatrin therapy even in infants with intractable spasms. Initial diagnosis of infantile spasms requires video‐EEG studies especially in infants with symptomatic aetiology who may show only subtle spasms. Video‐EEG is the only reliable method for assessing treatment response as spasms and interictal EEG abnormalities are modified by treatment and may become subtle.
Spatiotemporal features of nucleic acid hydration and their changes during denaturation revealed by THz spectroscopy

Dynamics and structure of water network around nucleic acid have been subjects of intensive studies due to their contributions to biological process. Here, we identified spatiotemporal features of DNA hydration through examining fully-hydrated DNA solutions by THz spectroscopy. The results suggest the presence of weakly bound water beyond tight-binding hydration layer with the timescale of 11.6ps and the thickness of 7. 6Å. Also, we will present changes in the hydration water during DNA denaturation at the conference.
Evolutionary links between FliH/YscL‐like proteins from bacterial type III secretion systems and second‐stalk components of the FoF1 and vacuolar ATPases

Bacterial type III secretion drives flagellar biosynthesis and mediates bacterial‐eukaryotic interactions. Type III secretion is driven by an ATPase that is homologous to the catalytic subunits of proton‐translocating ATPases, such as the FoF1 ATPase. Here we use PSI‐BLAST searches to show that some noncalatytic components are also conserved between type III secretion systems and proton‐translocating ATPases. In particular, we show that the FliH/YscL‐like proteins and the E subunits of vacuolar ATPases represent fusions of domains homologous to second‐stalk components of the FoF1 ATPase (the b and δ subunits).
Angel investing in an austerity economy – the take-up of government policies in Portugal

ABSTRACT Business angels (BAs) are recognized as playing a significant role in stimulating entrepreneurial activity. With the decline in both bank lending and venture capital investment since the onset of the global economic crisis, government efforts to stimulate BA activity have become a more significant component in strategies to increase the level of entrepreneurial activity. This paper examines the responsiveness of angels to such initiatives in so-called austerity economies – countries that were hardest hit by the financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent global recession and, as a consequence, had to take extreme economic and fiscal measures to reduce their budget deficits. We examine this question in Portugal which experienced one of the deepest recessions in the European Union following the implementation of severe austerity measures. This study confirms that government intervention to support angel investing can have a positive impact. However, the different types of intervention have varied in take-up rates. Other countries can learn from the Portuguese experience in three ways: the types of interventions that have the highest and lowest levels of take-up, the link between the design and the take-up of incentives, and types of intervention that should be considered but have not been implemented in Portugal.
Requirement of poly(rC) binding protein 2 for translation of poliovirus RNA

Poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) is one of several cellular proteins that interact specifically with a major stem-loop domain in the poliovirus internal ribosome entry site. HeLa cell extracts subjected to stem-loop IV RNA affinity chromatography were depleted of all detectable PCBP2. Such extracts were unable to efficiently translate poliovirus RNA, although extracts recovered from control columns of matrix unlinked to RNA retained full translation activity. Both translation and production of infectious progeny virus were restored in the PCBP2-depleted extracts by addition of recombinant PCBP2, but not by PCBP1, which is a closely related member of the protein family. The data show that PCBP2 is an essential factor, which is required for efficient translation of poliovirus RNA in HeLa cells.
Intra‐Ethnic Coverage Disparities among Latinos and the Effects of Health Reform

OBJECTIVE To examine the patterns of insurance coverage among nine Latino subgroups and assess heterogeneous effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) among these groups. DATA SOURCES American Community Survey (2010-2014). STUDY DESIGN We examined pre-ACA disparities in coverage using linear probability models. Then, we used interrupted time series and triple-difference models to evaluate coverage changes associated with the ACA and Medicaid expansion, respectively. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Pre-ACA coverage disparities between Latino subgroups were nearly 30 percentage points-larger than the gap between whites and Latinos as a whole. Coverage changes associated with the ACA and Medicaid expansion differed significantly between subgroups, with the largest gains among South Americans, Central Americans, and Mexicans. CONCLUSIONS Latino subgroups show marked heterogeneity in baseline coverage rates and responses to the ACA.
MUSLIMS IN DENMARK: DISCOURSE OF THE VEIL

Today the countrv of Denmark has two conflicting reputations. First. it is known for its tolerance and openness. Delli/IIII'/. ;, is renowned for saving Jews during World War /I. Since the late 1960s it has been socially acccptahle for a /111111 ant! a \\'0/111111 to live as all unmarried couple. Sallie sex marriage 110. \ been legal since the 197th. Denmark '. 1' acceptcnu:c rate for asylum-seekers is the highest 11/ Ell rope. Durillg the last decade, 011 a per capita basis, Denmark was third Oil the list ofnumber of refugees accepted by industrialized countries. At the sante time that Denmark luis this reputation for tolerance and openness. it also has seen rising lcvels ojracisni and anti­ inunigrant IJf('llIdin' and hostilities. Milch of the antagonism centers Oil the presence 0/ Muslim inunigrants. Muslim WO/l II'll wearillg headsrarves thijab) are a particularly visible target for such discrimination. III 19991111'('(' DOllish supermarket cliains refused 10 employ Muslim \1'OIlIell wearing heculscarvcs ill positions whcr« tliev would be visible 10 tlic public cl aintitig tliat the headscarves Il'ere "unhygienic and against tltc stores' uuijonn policy. " Tlu: II II derlvitu; reasonfor tliis cultural intolerance, ill the guise of the "unliygicnic veil;" is that the veil svmbolit.cs the oppression offeniatcs an.l thus tlic inferiority of Musliin society. This paper analvt.cs th« historical antl current relationship bclll'cell the Wesl, inclnding Denmark, and tlic Muslim East with particular 1'111171111,1'1.1' Oil Ihc discourse ofthe veil.