Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluoxetine for Maintenance of Remission and to Improve Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn’s Disease: a Pilot Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract Background and Aims: Previous studies have shown that antidepressants reduce inflammation in animal models of colitis. The present trial aimed to examine whether fluoxetine added to standard therapy for Crohn’s disease [CD] maintained remission, improved quality of life [QoL] and/or mental health in people with CD as compared to placebo. Methods: A parallel randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted. Participants with clinically established CD, with quiescent or only mild disease, were randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine 20 mg daily or placebo, and followed for 12 months. Participants provided blood and stool samples and completed mental health and QoL questionnaires. Immune functions were assessed by stimulated cytokine secretion [CD3/CD28 stimulation] and flow cytometry for cell type. Linear mixed-effects models were used to compare groups. Results: Of the 26 participants, 14 were randomized to receive fluoxetine and 12 to placebo. Overall, 14 [54%] participants were male. The mean age was 37.4 [SD=13.2] years. Fluoxetine had no effect on inflammatory bowel disease activity measured using either the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [F(3, 27.5)=0.064, p=0.978] or faecal calprotectin [F(3, 32.5)=1.08, p=0.371], but did have modest effects on immune function. There was no effect of fluoxetine on physical, psychological, social or environmental QoL, anxiety or depressive symptoms as compared to placebo [all p>0.05]. Conclusions: In this small pilot clinical trial, fluoxetine was not superior to placebo in maintaining remission or improving QoL. [ID: ACTRN12612001067864. ]
Detection times for urinary ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate in heavy drinkers during alcohol detoxification.

AIMS Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) are conjugated ethanol metabolites formed in low amounts after alcohol consumption. Compared with ethanol, EtG and EtS are excreted in urine for a prolonged time, making them useful as sensitive alcohol biomarkers. This study determined the detection times for EtG and EtS in alcoholic patients undergoing alcohol detoxification. METHODS Alcohol-dependent patients (n = 32) with an initial alcohol concentration >or=1 g/L based on breath testing were followed during detoxification. Urine samples for determination of EtG, EtS, ethanol and creatinine were collected on admission to the hospital and thereafter once daily for several days. EtG and EtS measurements were performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and EtG also using an immunochemical assay (DRI-EtG EIA, ThermoFisher/Microgenics). RESULTS The detection time for urinary EtG was weakly correlated (r = 0.434, P = 0.013) with the initial alcohol concentration (range 1.0-3.4 g/L). For EtG, the individual time range until return to below the applied cut-off limit (<0.5 mg/L) was approximately 40-130 h (median 78) with a similar time course observed for EtS. After correction for urine dilution, the time until an EtG/creatinine ratio <0.5 mg/g was approximately 40- 90 h (median 65). The detection times after an estimated zero ethanol concentration were approximately 30-110 h (median 66) for EtG and approximately 30- 70 h (median 56) for EtG/creatinine. The EtG results by LC-MS and the immunoassay were in good agreement. CONCLUSIONS During alcohol detoxification, EtG and EtS remained detectable in urine for several days. The detection times showed wide inter-individual variations, also after adjusting values for urine dilution and to the estimated times for a completed ethanol elimination.
Supervisory Control-Based Navigation Architecture: A New Framework for Autonomous Robots in Industry 4.0 Environments

Industry 4.0 is characterized by an increasing dependence on automation and interconnection of systems due to the need for more efficient, autonomous, and customizable processes, and so, mobile robot navigation becomes an important tool. In this paper, we present a general methodology for mobile robot navigation in industrial environments in which the open-loop behavior of the robot and the specifications are based on automata. We build a modular supervisor, which is the conjunction of two supervisors: the first one that enforces the robot to follow the path defined by a planner and the second one that guarantees the satisfaction of the specifications such as prevention of collisions and task and movement management. The proposed navigation architecture allows decentralized implementation, in which the modular supervisor is embedded in the mobile robot, whereas the planner runs in an external agent. Such a feature makes the adaptation of the proposed navigation architecture to different environments easy. The navigation architecture proposed in this paper is illustrated by means of a simulation in a hypothetical environment that resembles a smart factory.
Gastrocolic Fistula as a First Sign of Crohn’s Disease Started during Pregnancy and Treated Effectively without Any Neonatal Harm – Case Report

Gastrocolic fistula is a rare complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). Due to its asymptomatic presence in the majority of the cases, the diagnosis may be delayed. Anti TNF-α therapy has previously been shown to be effective in the induction and maintenance therapy of fistulizing CD. Anti TNF-α therapy is graded as probably safe in pregnancy. We report a case of gastrocolic fistula secondary to CD in a young pregnant woman who avoided surgery and achieved remission after receiving infliximab induction therapy.
Colonization Dynamics of Cefotaxime Resistant Bacteria in Beef Cattle Raised Without Cephalosporin Antibiotics

The emergence of infections caused by antimicrobial resistant microorganisms (ARMs) is currently one of the most important challenges to public health and medicine. Though speculated to originate at least partially from the overuse of antibiotics during food animal production, we hypothesized that cattle are exposed to ARMs in the environment. In this cohort study, a herd of beef calves with no previous exposure to antibiotics was followed during the first year of life in order to investigate the rate of colonization by bacteria resistant to the third-generation cephalosporin cefotaxime. Fecal samples were collected from the recto anal junction of cattle at the age of ~3, 6, 9, and 12 months and tested for cefotaxime resistant bacteria (CRB) and the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). The colonization dynamics of CRB in calves (n = 188) was evaluated with samples collected from four periods using longitudinal statistical analyses. Colonization by CRB was a dynamic process with over 92% of the calves testing positive for CRB at least once during the first year of life. All isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test were resistant to at least four different antibiotics and carried multiple variants of the blaCTX-M genes. Metagenomic analysis revealed significant differences in microbiota of the calves with and without CRB colonization at different ages. This study provides evidence that colonization of beef calves by ARMs is a dynamic process that can occur in the absence of veterinary or agricultural use of antibiotics.
Effect of C-MAC Video Laryngoscope-aided intubations Using D-Blade on Incidence and Severity of Postoperative Sore Throat

Background: Video laryngoscope-aided intubations require less force to align oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal planes to visualize the glottis opening during intubation. Aim: The primary objective of the study was to assess the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat (POST) in patients who were intubated with C-MAC video laryngoscope using D-blade versus traditional Macintosh laryngoscope. Settings and Design: This prospective, randomized, open label study was conducted in a tertiary care institution. Subjects and Methods: A total of 130 patients undergoing short elective laparoscopic surgeries lasting <2 h were recruited. All patients received general anesthesia as per a standardized protocol. Laryngoscopy was performed using traditional Macintosh laryngoscope in Group M and with Storz® C-MAC video laryngoscope using D-Blade in Group V. The endotracheal tube cuff pressure was maintained at 20–22 cm of H2O intraoperatively. Statistical Analysis Used: Pearson's Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Independent sample t-test were used in this study. Results: As compared to Group M, number of patients who had POST, hoarseness of voice, and cough was significantly low in Group V at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. Severity, as well as the incidence of all these symptoms, showed a downward trend in both groups with time. Significantly more number of patients in Group M required rescue therapy for POST (44.6% as compared to 7.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: C-MAC video laryngoscope-aided intubations using D-blade significantly reduced the incidence and severity of POST, hoarseness of voice, and cough following orotracheal intubation as compared to use of traditional Macintosh laryngoscope.
POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF INTERSTITIAL ENDOCRINE (LEYDIG) CELLS IN PIG'S TESTES - ELECTRON MICROSCOPY STUDY

Summary Penchev, G. , 2011. Postnatal development of interstitial endocrine (Leydig) cells in pig’s testes – electron microscopy study. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 14, No 3, 131−136. The normal ultrastructure of interstitial endocrinocytes in testes of pigs aged from 1 day to 8 months was determined by electron microscopy. It was found out that these cells had similar ultrastructural traits during the entire experimental period – a very well developed agranular reticulum of tubulovesicular type and numerous mitochondria with tubulous cristae, evidence for active steroidogenesis.
Disease progression and recurrence in women treated for vulvovaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective The malignant potential of intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva and vagina after treatment is not well defined. Our objective was to examine risk factors for recurrence and invasive disease. Methods Four hundred sixty-four women with biopsy proven high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva and vagina were identified in the electronic databases of four colposcopy clinics. Inclusion criteria were a follow-up of more than one year, no history of invasive cancer and no invasive cancer within the first year after initial treatment. We investigated the potential factors associated with recurrence and progression using a logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of the 411 eligible patients, 123 patients (29.9%) recurred later than one year after initial treatment and 24 patients (5.8%) progressed to invasive disease. According to multivariate analyses, the risk factors associated with recurrence were multifocality (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.02 to 5.51), immunosuppression (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.09 to 5.81), excision as initial treatment (vs. laser evaporation; OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.91) and smoking (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.55). Risk factors for progression to invasive disease were immunosuppression (OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.30 to 12.25), multifocality (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.25 to 7.43) and smoking (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.16 to 7.60), but not treatment modality. Conclusion Laser evaporation combined with extensive biopsy is at least as efficacious as initial treatment of intraepithelial neoplasia with excision. Smoking is a risk factor for both recurrence and progression to invasive disease. Hence, smoking cessation should be advised and maintaining a long follow-up period due to late relapses is necessary.
‘Relax and Repair’ to restrain aging

The maintenance of genomic integrity requires the precise identification and repair of DNA damage. Since DNA is packaged and condensed into higher order chromatin, the events associated with DNA damage recognition and repair are orchestrated within the layers of chromatin. Very similar to transcription, during DNA repair, chromatin remodelling events and histone modifications act in concert to ‘open’ and relax chromatin structure so that repair proteins can gain access to DNA damage sites. One such histone mark critical for maintaining chromatin structure is acetylated lysine 16 of histone H4 (AcH4K16), a modification that can disrupt higher order chromatin organization and convert it into a more ‘relaxed’ configuration. We have recently shown that impaired H4K16 acetylation delays the accumulation of repair proteins to double strand break (DSB) sites which results in defective genome maintenance and accelerated aging in a laminopathy-based premature aging mouse model. These results support the idea that epigenetic factors may directly contribute to genomic instability and aging by regulating the efficiency of DSB repair. In this article, the interplay between epigenetic misregulation, defective DNA repair and aging is discussed.
Diversity-based inference of finite automata

We present a new procedure for inferring the structure of a finitestate automaton (FSA) from its input/output behavior, using access to the automaton to perform experiments. Our procedure uses a new representation for FSA's, based on the notion of equivalence between testa. We call the number of such equivalence classes the diversity of the automaton; the diversity may be as small as the logarithm of the number of states of the automaton. The size of our representation of the FSA, and the running time of our procedure (in some case provably, in others conjecturally) is polynomial in the diversity and ln(1/ε), where ε is a given upper bound on the probability that our procedure returns an incorrect result. (Since our procedure uses randomization to perform experiments, there is a certain controllable chance that it will return an erroneous result.) We also present some evidence for the practical efficiency of our approach. For example, our procedure is able to infer the structure of an automaton based on Rubik's Cube (which has approximately 1019 states) in about 2 minutes on a DEC Micro Vax. This automaton is many orders of magnitude larger than possible with previous techniques, which would require time proportional at least to the number of global states. (Note that in this example, only a small fraction (10-14) of the global states were even visited. )
Nurse-led intensive interventions improve adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea patients

Background Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is widely recommended for the treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), but its usage by patients is very low. The aim of this study was to assess intensive educational programs and nursing support for the improvement of CPAP use and outcomes in SAHS patients. Methods Eighty new SAHS patients were randomized to receive nurse-led intensive interventions or usual support at hospital and home. The main outcome measure was CPAP use; changes in sleeping, symptoms, mood, and quality of life were also assessed after 12 months of treatment. Results All outcome measures were improved after treatment in both groups. However, patients receiving intensive support with significantly higher CPAP use (higher daily CPAP usage by 2.2 hours/day) had greater improvements in SAHS symptoms and mood (P<0.05). The intervention group further showed an improvement in the Short Form-36 domains of mental and physical health (P<0.05). Conclusion The CPAP usage and quality of life can be significantly improved by nurse-led intensive program in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Genetic variation in North American leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) determined by DNA markers

Levels of inter- and intrapopulation genetic variation were determined in five North American populations of leafy spurge using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) RFLPs and RAPD markers. Thirteen plastome types were identified among 123 individuals collected from five geographically separated populations. Number of plastomes within a population ranged from one to seven, with four of the populations having a predominate type plus one or more rarer types. Some plastome types were shared by populations, but plastome distribution among populations was nonrandom. RAPD markers indicated greatest relatedness among individuals within a population. Relatedness among populations as established through RAPDs was greater for geographically closer populations; this relationship was not observed for cpDNA markers. Differences in the range of movement for pollen and seed may account for differences between results of the cpDNA and RAPD analyses. The high degree of genetic variability among North American leafy spurge suggests possible multiple introductions or a high degree of variability within leafy spurge populations in its native range.
Systemic Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Following Isometric Exercise Reduces Conditioned Pain Modulation

Objective Physically active individuals show greater conditioned pain modulation (CPM) compared with less active individuals. Understanding the effects of acute exercise on CPM may allow for a more targeted use of exercise in the management of pain. This study investigated the effects of acute isometric exercise on CPM. In addition, the between-session and within-session reliability of CPM was investigated. Design Experimental, randomized crossover study. Setting Laboratory at Marquette University. Subjects Thirty healthy adults (19.3±1.5 years, 15 males). Methods Subjects underwent CPM testing before and after isometric exercise (knee extension, 30% maximum voluntary contraction for three minutes) and quiet rest in two separate experimental sessions. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at the quadriceps and upper trapezius muscles were assessed before, during, and after ice water immersions. Results PPTs increased during ice water immersion (i.e., CPM), and quadriceps PPT increased after exercise (P < 0.05). CPM decreased similarly following exercise and quiet rest (P > 0.05). CPM within-session reliability was fair to good (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.43-0.70), and the between-session reliability was poor (ICC = 0.20-0.35). Due to the variability in the systemic exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) response, participants were divided into systemic EIH responders (N = 9) and nonresponders (N = 21). EIH responders experienced attenuated CPM following exercise (P = 0.03), whereas the nonresponders showed no significant change (P > 0.05). Conclusions Isometric exercise decreased CPM in individuals who reported systemic EIH, suggesting activation of shared mechanisms between CPM and systemic EIH responses. These results may improve the understanding of increased pain after exercise in patients with chronic pain and potentially attenuated CPM.
Assessment of utilization of long acting reversible contraceptive and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Harar City, Ethiopia

Introduction World health organization report indicated that, in 2013 alone, over 289,000 maternal death that resulted from pregnancy and delivery related complication were reported worldwide indicating a decline of 45% from 1990. The sub-Saharan Africa region alone accounted for 62% of maternal death followed by southern Asian country (24%). Provision of family planning is one of the effective intervention that prevent unwanted and ill spaced pregnancy there by reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. Given that its effectiveness and, associated fewer visits to health facilities, LARC are very important in tackling maternal mortality and morbidity. However, little is known regarding its prevalence in eastern Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess utilization of long acting reversible contraceptives and associated factors among women of reproductive age groups. Methods A facility based cross-sectional study conducted in Harar city among 402 study participants. The study participants selected by using systematic random sampling method. The quantitative data collected using structured interviewer administered questionnaires. All variables with p-value of ≤ 0.25 in bivariate logistic regression were taken into multivariable model. Variables having p value ≤ 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were taken as significant predictors. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results The study identified that the utilization of long acting reversible contraceptive among mother of reproductive age was 38%. Study participants whose occupation was daily laborer were less likely to utilize long acting reversible contraceptive compared to those whose occupation was house wife (adjusted OR = 0.3; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.8). Moreover, those mothers who were unable to read and write utilize long acting reversible contraceptive 5 times more likely compared to those who were above grade 12 (adjusted OR = 4.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 19.6). Conclusion The prevalence of long acting reversible contraceptive was found to be low. Maternal education and occupation were factors found to have a significant association with utilization of long acting reversible contraceptive. Community and facility level awareness creation should be reinforced to improve utilization of long acting reversible contraceptives.
Electrothermal Characteristics of Cement Based Conductive Composites

Based on the experimental results, the electrothermal characteristics of graphite cement and carbon fiber graphite cement conductive composites were studied. Cement based conductive materials developed in this paper exhibit good resistance to over current and over voltage, lower surface temperature and excellent stability during heating. They are especially suitable for using as electrothermal materials.
Roseburia intestinalis inhibits interleukin-17 excretion and promotes regulatory T cells differentiation in colitis

Roseburia intestinalis (R. intestinalis) is one of the dominant intestinal bacterial microbiota and is decreased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It helps protect colonic mucosa against the development of inflammation and subsequent IBD, however its underlying mechanisms are unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of R. intestinalis in vitro and in an animal model of IBD. The effects of R. intestinalis on disease activity index (DAI) scores, intestinal pathology, the expression of interleukin (IL)-17 and the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) were evaluated in vivo in a model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid solution (TNBS)-induced colitis. Compared with the control group, TNBS-treated mice had significantly higher secretion of IL-17, higher DAI scores, a lower ratio of Treg, reduced colon lengths and higher histological scores for colon inflammation. The administration of R. intestinalis significantly downregulated the expression of IL-17, increased the ratio of Treg and ameliorated the high DAI scores and the pathological signs of inflammation in the colon compared with mice treated with TNBS alone. Gene expression profiling was also used to detect the expression of IL-17 in human IBD and healthy control specimens. To extend these findings to an in vitro model of inflammation the human colon epithelial cell line NCM460 was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and co-cultured with R. intestinalis and changes in IL-17 expression were evaluated. R. intestinalis inhibited the LPS-induced secretion of IL-17 by NCM460 cells. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that R. intestinalis inhibits IL-17 secretion and promotes Treg differentiation in colitis, suggesting that R. intestinalis could be of potential use in the treatment of IBD.