Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of maternal gesture use in speech use by children with fragile X syndrome.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate how maternal gesture relates to speech production by children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). METHOD Participants were 27 young children with FXS (23 boys, 4 girls) and their mothers. Videotaped home observations were conducted between the ages of 25 and 37 months (toddler period) and again between the ages of 60 and 71 months (child period). The videos were later coded for types of maternal utterances and maternal gestures that preceded child speech productions. Children were also assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning at both ages. RESULTS Maternal gesture use in the toddler period was positively related to expressive language scores at both age periods and was related to receptive language scores in the child period. Maternal proximal pointing, in comparison to other gestures, evoked more speech responses from children during the mother-child interactions, particularly when combined with wh-questions. CONCLUSION This study adds to the growing body of research on the importance of contextual variables, such as maternal gestures, in child language development. Parental gesture use may be an easily added ingredient to parent-focused early language intervention programs.
β-Catenin and E-Cadherin Expression in Salivary Gland Tumors

This study evaluated the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in salivary gland tumors. Twelve biopsy specimens from cases diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma, 17 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 10 epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas, and 4 polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas were immunohistochemically labeled for E-cadherin and β-catenin antibodies. Healthy salivary glands were used as controls. Membrane-associated E-cadherin and β-catenin expression was present in all the tumor types studied. E-cadherin and β-catenin showed a similar distribution; however, β-catenin labeling was weaker than that for E-cadherin. In the epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas, myoepithelial cells exhibited diffuse nuclear staining, although occasional cells presented only focal labeling. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas present changes in [. beta]-catenin expression but the other salivary tumors studied do not, which may reflect divergence in tumorigenesis of this extensive subset of salivary gland tumors.
G222(P) Why do patient miss appointments? A retrospective population study in paediatric outpatients in a metropolitan hospital

Aims To identify the main factors causing patients to miss appointments in paediatric outpatients. To identify what clinics can do to minimise these barriers and boost attendance. To attempt to illuminate any trends in the demographics of those who DNA (did not attend). Methods Data was collected by randomly surveying families attending paediatric outpatient clinics during the sampling period. More data was collected from neurodevelopmental and neurodisability clinics due to the high DNA rates reported in these departments. As well as collecting demographic data, the questionnaire investigated the frequency of and reasons for previous missed appointments and patients’ ideal appointment times and booking mechanisms. Results Of the 72 families sampled, 27.8% admitted to having missed an appointment. The main reason given was patient illness, followed jointly by not receiving the appointment letter and forgetting to attend. There was strong support for patient reminders. 31.9% of participants identified inadequate car parking facilities as a major obstacle. When the sample was split into those who DNA and those who have claim to have always attended, some demographic trends were apparent: the children missing appointments tended to live further away and were older. This was independent of the length of time for which they had been attending the clinic. Families who always attended were more likely to describe themselves as British or Irish (57%) compared to those who DNA (42%). Conclusions Missed appointments are a misuse of resources, costing the NHS an estimated £790 million annually. Some of the major reasons given for missed appointments in this study (forgetting and not getting the appointment letter) could be tackled by the implementation of a reminder system. Improved car parking facilities would remove a significant barrier. Those who DNA were less likely to describe themselves as British or Irish, indicating a worrying failure on the part of the healthcare system to engage certain groups. Therefore, the factors leading to missed appointments in ethnic minorities and the implementation of targeted interventions merit further exploration.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors: from molecular biology to cognition

number of sections on the problems seen with minimally invasive procedures. Whilst, again, these are, like the majority, well written and readable, much is repeated and is what one would again call ‘common sense’. This section, however, is saved by some excellent chapters documenting the difficult problems with the more unusual spinal conditions: neurofibromatosis, achondroplasia and myelomeningocele. This section also contained the best explanation of the aetiology and management of epidural fibrosis and arachnoiditis that I have ever come across. The fun is in the final section. Here, complication prevention is discussed. Much is made of optimum patient selection and rightly so. Again, statements and opinions are well argued and supported with evidence. There is a fascinating chapter on house staff to include a discussion on complication rate and changeover dates. I shall leave you to read the text to decide whether you have your operation in early August or February! Finally, there is the inevitable chapter on the legal implications of complications and strategies to help. I do feel this text is an excellent documentation of the strategy and knowledge required by a contemporary spinal surgeon or physician to minimize complications and their effects including legal redress. It is a readable, well-structured and ready source of well-researched data. I think it is an invaluable aid for guiding informed consent and, therefore, a wise purchase for any established or budding spinal surgeon.
Hepatitis B surface antigen reduction by switching from long‐term nucleoside/nucleotide analogue administration to pegylated interferon

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reduction during nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NA) therapy is slow and an alternative strategy for patients receiving ongoing NA to facilitate HBsAg reduction is required. We investigated whether switching to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) after long‐term NA administration enhances HBsAg reduction. Forty‐nine patients who switched from long‐term NA to 48 weeks of PEG‐IFN alfa‐2a were studied. The mean duration of previous NA was 48 months (sequential group). A total of 147 patients who continued NA and matched for baseline characteristics were analysed for comparison (NA continuation group). The treatment response was defined as HBsAg reduction ≥1.0 logIU/mL at the end of PEG‐IFN. HBsAg reduction at week 48 was 0.81±1.1 logIU/mL in the sequential group, which was significantly higher than that in the NA continuation group (0.11±0.3 logIU/mL, P < .001). The treatment response was achieved in 29% and 2% of the sequential group and NA continuation group (P < .001), and the odds ratio of sequential therapy for the treatment response was 19 compared with the NA continuation (P < .001). In patients tested positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), HBeAg seroconversion was higher in the sequential group (44% vs 8%, P < .001). In HBeAg‐negative patients, only patients in the sequential group achieved HBsAg loss. No patient needed to resume NA administration because of HBV DNA increase accompanied by alanine aminotransferase flares. In summary, sequential therapy with PEG‐IFN after long‐term NA enhances the reduction of HBsAg and may represent a treatment option to promote HBsAg loss.
Stress among Antenatal Women in India

Introduction: Pregnancy is a special time for a woman and her family. It is a time of many changes in a pregnant woman's body and emotions. Stress during pregnancy may lead to several problems to the mother and unborn child. Stress reacts physically, mentally and emotionally to the various conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate stress in antenatal women and its association with selected factors among antenatal women. Study Design: A descriptive survey design was used to identify the stress and its associated factors among (160) antenatal women aged 20-45 years. Results: The present study reveals no or mild stress level among antenatal women 107(66.9) and moderate to severe stress in 53(33.3%) of them. A statistically significant association was observed for gravida, education and monthly family income of antenatal women. Conclusions: Stress during antenatal period was observed among more than half the women. Stress was significantly associated with gravida, educational status and monthly family income.
Effect of inhibition of μ-calpain on the myofibril structure and myofibrillar protein degradation in postmortem ovine muscle.

BACKGROUND Tenderness is considered to be one of the most important attributes of meat quality. Myofibrillar protein degradation contributes to meat tenderization during postmortem ageing. In this process, calpain is the primary enzyme catalyzing the proteolysis. To further understand the action of calpain in meat tenderization, a μ-calpain inhibitor, MDL-28170, was used and its effects on sarcomere structure and myofibrillar protein degradation were determined. RESULTS The results of the present study showed that inhibition of μ-calpain significantly reduced muscle myofibrillar fragmentation compared to the group without μ-calpain inhibitor. Meanwhile, the sarcomere structure of the μ-calpain inhibited muscle was only slightly broken and largely remained integral 48 h postmortem. Myosin heavy chain, actin, desmin, troponin T and troponin I were identified to be substrates of μ-calpain by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrocopy and western blotting, and were detected with a higher degradation degree in the control group compared to the μ-calpain inhibition group. CONCLUSION Comparatively, myosin heavy chain and actin were found to be less sensitive to μ-calpain compared to desmin, troponin T and troponin I. These findings provide a better understanding of the contribution of μ-calpain to the myofibril structure and myofibrillar protein degradation of ovine muscle. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
POP levels in beans from Mediterranean and tropical areas.

BACKGROUND Despite the importance of beans as food, few studies are conducted to control their contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), compounds of great importance because of their toxicity and tendency to accumulate in food chains. In order to evaluate the human exposure to POPs by the consumption of beans a monitoring programme was conducted on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues in samples coming from Italy, Mexico, India, Japan, Ghana and Ivory Coast. All beans were extracted with an accelerated solvents extractor in triplicate; the clean-up step was done with a Florisil column; identification and quantification was carried out using a TSQ Quantum XLS Ultra GC-MS/MS in selected reaction monitoring mode. RESULTS Results revealed concentrations of ∑PAHs ranged from 7.31 µg kg-1 to 686 µg kg-1 , ∑PCBs between 1.85 µg kg-1 and 43.1 µg kg-1 and ∑OCPs ranged from 1.37 µg kg-1 to 71.8 µg kg-1 . CONCLUSION Our results showed that beans coming from Ivory Coast are the most exposed to the risk of contamination by all the pollutants investigated. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Corn silage replacement with barley silage in dairy cows' diet does not change milk quality, cheese quality and yield.

BACKGROUND Considering that water availability for agricultural needs is being restricted, an alternative to corn in animal nutrition should be explored in the Po Valley. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of either a partial (Trial I) or a total (Trial II) corn silage substitution with barley silage in dairy cows' diet on milk yield and composition, its coagulation properties, cheese yield and the sensorial profile of 16-month-aged Grana Padano cheese. RESULTS A partial or a total substitution of corn silage with barley silage had no effect on milk yield. Milk fat content in Trial I and milk urea content in both trials were higher with barley silage based diets than in corn silage based diets. No effects were observed concerning the lactodinamographic profile for milk aptitude to cheese-making, cheese yield and its organoleptic traits between feed treatments in Trials I and II. In both trials, hardness, friability and solubility scores were generally lower than reference values, whereas deformability, elasticity and stickiness scores were generally higher than reference values. CONCLUSION A partial or a total substitution of corn silage with barley silage in diets for dairy cows did not induce any negative effects on animal performance, nor on milk-quality traits, cheese quality and yield. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Microflora subgingival en periodontitis crónica y agresiva en Bogotá, Colombia: un acercamiento epidemiológico

Introduction. Periodontitis-associated microbiotas differ in regions around the world and vary with a variety of factors. This suggests that each country must establish its own dental microbiobiotic profile in order to formulate adequate prevention measures and more specific treatments. Objective. The prevalence and proportions of the following microorganisms were investigated: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia/Prevotella nigrescens, Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter rectus, Micromonas micros, Fusobacterium spp, Dialister pneumosintes and enteric rods. The patients selected had been diagnosed with chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis from clinical populations in Bogota, Colombia. The variables of age, gender and socioeconomic level were included in the comparisons. Materials and methods. 183 patients were classified in two groups, chronic periodontitis (n=84) and aggressive periodontitis (n=59); 40 healthy subjects were selected for comparison. A pooled subgingival plaque sample was obtained from the 6 deepest periodontal pockets in every patient and processed by culture for the isolation and identification of bacteria. Results. In chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, P. intermedia/P. nigrescens, C. rectus, Fusobacterium spp and E. corrodens showed high and similar prevalence, whereas M. micros, A. actinomycetemcomitans, D. pneumosintes and enteric rods (commonly from the tribe Klebsielleae) showed less and similar prevalence. In the healthy group, P. intermedia/P. nigrescens, C. rectus and Fusobacterium spp showed high frequency whereas M. micros and E. corrodens showed moderate frequency. Conclusions. Porphyromonas gingivalis, T. forsythia, P. intermedia/P. nigrescens, C. rectus, Fusobacterium spp. and E. corrodens are important constituents of the microbiologic profile of the periodontitis in Colombian populations. Porphyromonas gingivalis was found more frequently than A. actinomycetemcomitans in aggressive periodontitis.
Primeira descrição epidemiológica da leishmaniose visceral em Campo Grande, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul

An epidemiological study was conducted on cases of visceral leishmaniasis that were notified in Campo Grande between 2001 and 2006, using data from the Brazilian information system for notifiable diseases (Sistema de Informacao de Agravos de Notificacao, SINAN). In 2001, 577 cases were notified, giving an incidence of 1.47 cases/100,000. This rose to 20.98 cases/100,000 in 2006. From 2002 onwards, new cases were notified every month. Children up to nine years of age accounted for 40% of the cases. Males accounted for 64% of the cases and females, 36%. The death rate ranged from 5 to 11%, with a mean of 8%. Among the 44 deaths, 33 (75%) were male cases and 11 (25%) were female cases. Although elderly people accounted for 9% of the cases, mortality among them reached 39%. There were 27 cases of Leishmania /HIV coinfection (5%), with a mortality rate of 15%, mostly among men aged 20 to 49 years. A process of disease endemization with a high rate of incidence was observed.
Multicenter randomized prospective clinical evaluation of meloxicam administered via transmucosal oral spray in client-owned dogs.

The clinical safety and efficacy of a transmucosal oral spray (TMOS) formulation of meloxicam was evaluated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. A total of 280 client-owned dogs were enrolled at fourteen veterinary clinics: there were 187 dogs in the meloxicam TMOS group and 93 in the placebo control group. Dogs received placebo or treatment spray once daily for twenty-eight days. Improvement in signs of osteoarthritis was measured using client-specific outcome measures (CSOM) made at days 14 and 28 and veterinary assessments of lameness and pain on palpation made at day 28. A significantly higher number of dogs in the meloxicam TMOS group were treatment successes at 28 days (72.6%) compared with the placebo group (46.9%), based on CSOM scores. Total CSOM scores were significantly lower in the meloxicam TMOS-treated group compared with the placebo group at both 14 and 28 days. Differences between treatment groups were not observed in veterinary assessments. Gastrointestinal effects of meloxicam were observed in some animals. Meloxicam TMOS was found to be safe and effective in dogs for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Influences of superheated steam roasting on changes in sugar, amino acid and flavour active components of cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao).

BACKGROUND Roasting is one of the important unit operations in the cocoa-based industries in order to develop unique flavour in products. Cocoa beans were subjected to roasting at different temperatures and times using superheated steam. The influence of roasting temperature (150-250°C) and time (10-50 min) on sugars, free amino acids and volatile flavouring compounds were investigated. RESULTS The concentration of total reducing sugars was reduced by up to 64.61, 77.22 and 82.52% with increased roasting temperature at 150, 200 and 250°C for 50 min, respectively. The hydrophobic amino acids were reduced up to 29.21, 36.41 and 48.87% with increased roasting temperature at 150, 200 and 250°C for 50 min, respectively. A number of pyrazines, esters, aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, carboxyl acids and hydrocarbons were detected in all the samples at different concentration range. Formation of the most flavour active compounds, pyrazines, were the highest concentration (2.96 mg kg-1 ) at 200°C for 10 min. CONCLUSION The superheated steam roasting method achieves the optimum roasting condition within a short duration Therefore, the quality of cocoa beans can be improved using superheated steam during the roasting process. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effect of microwave on the interaction of flavour compounds with G-actin from grass carp (Catenopharyngodon idella).

BACKGROUND In order to investigate the influence of non-thermal effects of microwaves on the flavour of fish and meat products, the G-actin of grass carp in ice baths was exposed to different microwave powers (0, 100, 300 or 500 W); the surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl contents, secondary structures and adsorption capacity of G-actin to ketones were determined. RESULTS As microwave power increased from 0 to 300 W, the surface hydrophobicity, total and reactive sulfhydryls increased; α-helix, β-sheet and random coil fractions turned into β-turn fractions. As microwave power increased from 300 to 500 W, however, hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl contents decreased; β-turn and random coil fractions turned into α-helix and β-sheet fractions. The tendencies of adsorbed capacity of ketones were similar to hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl contents. CONCLUSION The increased adsorbing of ketones could be attributed to the unfolding of secondary structures by revealing new binding sites, including thiol groups and hydrophobic binding sites. The decreased binding capacity was related to the refolding and aggregation of protein. The results suggested that microwave powers had obvious effects on the flavour retention and proteins structures in muscle foods. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Referral Patterns as a Contextual Variable in Pediatric Brain Injury: A Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose Access to speech-language pathology (SLP) services is a critical variable in the rehabilitation of pediatric brain injury. In this study, we examined patterns of SLP referral and factors affecting referral during the acute period following brain injury in 2 large pediatric specialty hospitals. Method In a retrospective, cohort chart review study, data collection focused on referrals made during the acute period using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for primary diagnoses of brain injury between 2007 and 2014 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). A total of 200 charts were reviewed. Data extraction included demographic and injury-related variables, referral for rehabilitation across disciplines, and plans of care following assessment. Results Samples for both facilities were similar except for primary mechanism of traumatic brain injuries and severity. SLP referral rate at Hospital 1 was 36% and only 2% at Hospital 2. Regression revealed that individuals were less likely to receive an SLP referral if injury severity was classified as unknown or mild or if they were younger in age. Conclusion SLP referral rates in the early acute period for children with brain injury were poor, creating a barrier to rehabilitation. This not only limits access to SLP services, but also may have broader and long-term impact.
Maintaining postharvest quality of cold stored 'Hass' avocados by altering the fatty acids content and composition with the use of natural volatile compounds - methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate.

BACKGROUND Low temperatures are often used to reduce metabolic processes and extend the storage life of fruit; however, in the case of avocado, a temperature below 3 °C will often result in the development of physiological disorders associated with chilling injury. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and methyl salicylate (MeSA) vapours to alleviate chilling injury in 'Hass' avocado fruit kept at 2 °C for 21 days followed by 6-7 days of shelf-life at 20 °C, simulating supply chain conditions. RESULTS The incidence and severity of chilling injury were significantly reduced in MeJA- and MeSA-exposed fruit, especially at 100 µmol L-1 . The mechanism involved improved membrane integrity via alteration of the fatty acid content and composition, down-regulation of LOX gene expression and reduced activity of lipoxygenase. CONCLUSION MeJA and MeSA have the potential for being used with 'Hass' avocado fruit shipped at low temperature to reduce its susceptibility to chilling injury. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.