Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain With Antidepressants: Benefits, Adverse Effects, and the Gastroenterologist's Role

Objectives: Pediatric functional abdominal pain is often treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The aim is investigating antidepressant use for treatment efficacy, correlation of response to psychiatric factors, and impact of adverse effects in regard to physicians’ prescribing patterns. Methods: Retrospective review (2005–2013) children (5–21 years old) with functional abdominal pain treated with SSRI or TCA. Of the 531 cases with functional abdominal pain, 192 initiated SSRIs or TCAs while followed by gastroenterology. Charts reviewed for symptoms, adverse effects, and response: decreased pain or increased daily functioning. Results: Sixty-three of 84 (75%) SSRI patients improved, 56 of 92 (61%) TCA patients improved (P = 0.03). Logistic regression controlling for psychiatric factors: SSRI remained significant over TCA (P = 0.04). Thirty-two of 67 (48%) patients with constipation received TCAs and 26 of 45 (58%) patients with diarrhea received SSRIs (P = 0.64). Three SSRI patients reported gastrointestinal effects, all diarrheal-type symptoms, and 2 TCA patients reported gastrointestinal effects, both constipation, in all it led to discontinuation. Thirteen (29%) of diarrheal-type patients reported adverse effects causing discontinuation as compared to 7 (8%) in the constipation group (P = .01). Twenty-one (25%) SSRI patients reported adverse effects with 5 (6%) mood disturbances. Twenty (22%) TCA patients reported adverse effects, 13 (14%) with mood disturbances (P = .07). Overall, 12 (14%) SSRI patients discontinued medication due to adverse effects, whereas 16 (17%) TCA patients (P = 0.24) did. Conclusions: Patients had significantly greater response to SSRIs than TCAs, remaining significant after controlling for psychiatric factors. Little significance is given to patient's associated gastrointestinal symptoms, frequently resulting in adverse effects and termination of medication.
Disease Specific Aspects of Malnutrition in Neurogeriatric Patients

Malnutrition in elderly patients is a common condition. Nevertheless, there is evidence on specific risk factors and problems of malnutrition in geriatric patients with neurological diseases. In this review, we summarize recent knowledge on malnutrition in different neurological diseases with a focus on elderly patients. This overview also provides strategies for a more specific and profound assessment of neurogeriatric patients to improve identification and treatment of malnutrition. Early and consequent treatment of malnutrition can lead to a decreased progression of the neurological disease and to a better quality of life in geriatric patients.
New insights into TRAP 1 pathway

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Protein 1 (TRAP1) is a mitochondrial heat shock protein involved in the protection from DNA damages and apoptosis induced by oxidants and several other stress conditions. Despite the well-characterized role in the regulation of mitochondrial integrity, through the interaction with cyclophilin D, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore regulator, several recent studies contributed to draw a more complex “picture” of the TRAP1 pathway: most of these updated functions arise from the identification of novel specific TRAP1 “client” proteins and from the recent discovery of multiple subcellular localizations/functions for this chaperone. This review briefly highlights some general features of TRAP1, and among others its role in cytoprotection, summarizing many different functions, which contribute to its protective role upon several stress inducers. Of note, particular emphasis is given to the recent findings on the regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum stress and protein quality control by TRAP1, as well as to its role in regulating calcium homeostasis throughout its client protein Sorcin. Starting from the above observations a preliminary “TRAP1 signature” is provided and a new intriguing and interesting field to explore is discussed. Several questions are still open given the complexity of such mechanisms. However, by translating these recent insights at the molecular and cellular levels into personalized individual anticancer treatments, designing novel strategies based on the simultaneous inhibition of multiple tumor-specific pathways, and contemplating subcellular-targeted approaches aimed at reverting drug resistance and improving antitumor activity the struggle to combat cancer become more successful and closer.
Hinokitiol Inhibits Migration of A549 Lung Cancer Cells via Suppression of MMPs and Induction of Antioxidant Enzymes and Apoptosis

Hinokitiol, a natural monoterpenoid from the heartwood of Calocedrus formosana, has been reported to have anticancer effects against various cancer cell lines. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms and the inhibiting roles of hinokitiol on adenocarcinoma A549 cells remain to be fully elucidated. Thus, the current study was designed to evaluate the effect of hinokitiol on the migration of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in vitro. The data demonstrates that hinokitiol does not effectively inhibit the viability of A549 cells at up to a 10 µM concentration. When treated with non-toxic doses (1–5 µM) of hinokitiol, the cell migration is markedly suppressed at 5 µM. Hinokitiol significantly reduced p53 expression, followed by attenuation of Bax in A549 cells. A dose-dependent inhibition of activated caspase-9 and -3 was observed in the presence of hinokitiol. An observed increase in protein expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2/-9 in A549 cells was significantly inhibited by hinokitiol. Remarkably, when A549 cells were subjected to hinokitiol (1–5 µM), there was an increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the reduction in cells. In addition, the incubation of A549 cells with hinokitiol significantly activated the cytochrome c expression, which may be triggered by activation of caspase-9 followed by caspase-3. These observations indicate that hinokitiol inhibited the migration of lung cancer A549 cells through several mechanisms, including the activation of caspases-9 and -3, induction of p53/Bax and antioxidant CAT and SOD, and reduction of MMP-2 and -9 activities. It also induces cytochrome c expression. These findings demonstrate a new therapeutic potential for hinokitiol in lung cancer chemoprevention.
"Motion-frozen" display and quantification of myocardial perfusion.

UNLABELLED Gated myocadial perfusion SPECT (MPS) incorporates functional and perfusion information of the left ventricle (LV). To improve the image quality and accuracy of gated MPS we propose to eliminate the influence of cardiac LV motion in the display and quantification by a novel "motion-frozen" (MF) technique. METHODS Three-dimensional LV contours were identified on images of the individual time phases. Three-dimensional phase-to-phase motion vectors were derived by sampling of the epi- and endocardial surfaces. A nonlinear image warping (thin-plate spline) was applied to warp all image phases to fit the end-diastolic (ED) phase. Warped images were created to provide the LV image in the ED phase but containing counts from an arbitrary number of time intervals. MF quantification has been performed using the same phase-to-phase motion vectors. MF normal perfusion limits were created from (99m)Tc sestamibi gated MPS studies of 40 females and 40 males with low likelihood (<5%) of coronary artery disease. All MF processing was completely automated. In the initial evaluation, we assessed the display quality and quantification of stress images using MF processing in 51 consecutive patients with 16-frame electrocardiographic gating and available coronary angiography. RESULTS The display quality was significantly better for MF images as assessed visually. The MF images had the appearance of ED frames but were less noisy and of higher resolution than the summed images. MF images had higher maximum count values in the LV (116% +/- 6%) and higher contrast (12.5 +/- 7.7 vs. 9.5 +/- 3.2) than the corresponding summed images. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for prediction of stenoses > or = 70% by the MF method was 0.92 +/- 0.04 versus 0.89 +/- 0.04 by standard quantification (P = not significant). The computation time for automated MF quantification and warping was <25 s for each case. CONCLUSION We have developed a novel technique for display and quantification of gated myocardial perfusion images, which retrospectively eliminates blur due to cardiac motion. Such processing of gated MPS appears to improve the effective resolution of images. Initial evaluation indicates that it may improve the accuracy of gated MPS in detection of coronary artery disease.
Respiratory muscle strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation in subacute dysphagic stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of inspiratory/expiratory muscle training (IEMT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to improve dysphagia in stroke. Design: Prospective, single-blind, randomized-controlled trial. Setting: Tertiary public hospital. Subjects: Sixty-two patients with dysphagia were randomly assigned to standard swallow therapy (SST) (Group I, controls, n=21), SST+ IEMT (Group II, n=21) or SST+ sham IEMT+ NMES (Group III, n=20). Interventions: All patients followed a 3-week standard multidisciplinary rehabilitation program of SST and speech therapy. The SST+IEMT group’s muscle training consisted of 5 sets/10 repetitions, twice-daily, 5 days/week. Group III’s sham IEMT required no effort; NMES consisted of 40-minute sessions, 5 days/week, at 80Hz. Main outcomes: Dysphagia severity, assessed by Penetration-Aspiration Scale, and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures) at the end of intervention and 3-month follow-up. Results: Maximal respiratory pressures were most improved in Group II: treatment effect was 12.9 (95% confidence interval 4.5-21.2) and 19.3 (95% confidence interval 8.5-30.3) for maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, respectively. Swallowing security signs were improved in Groups II and III at the end of intervention. No differences in Penetration-Aspiration Scale or respiratory complications were detected between the 3 groups at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: Adding IEMT to SST was an effective, feasible, and safe approach that improved respiratory muscle strength. Both IEMT and NMES were associated with improvement in pharyngeal swallowing security signs at the end of the intervention, but the effect did not persist at 3-month follow-up and no differences in respiratory complications were detected between treatment groups and controls.
The Effect of Oxygen Enrichment on Cardiorespiratory and Neuropsychological Responses in Workers With Chronic Intermittent Exposure to High Altitude (ALMA, 5,050 m)

It is estimated that labor activity at high altitudes in Chile will increase from 60,000 to 120,000 workers by the year 2020. Oxygenation of spaces improves the quality of life for workers at high geographic altitudes (<5,000 m). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mobile oxygen module system on cardiorespiratory and neuropsychological performance in a population of workers from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA, 5,050 m) radiotelescope in the Chajnantor Valley, Chile. We evaluated pulse oximetry, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (SAP/DAP), and performed neuropsychological tests (Mini-Mental State examination, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test) at environmental oxygen conditions (5,050 m), and subsequently in a mobile oxygenation module that increases the fraction of oxygen in order to mimic the higher oxygen partial pressure of lower altitudes (2,900 m). The use of module oxygenation at an altitude of 5,050 m, simulating an altitude of 2,900 m, increased oxygen saturation from 84 ± 0.8 to 91 ± 0.8% (p < 0.00001), decreased heart rate from 90 ± 8 to 77 ± 12 bpm (p < 0.01) and DAP from 96 ± 3 to 87 ± 5 mmHg (p < 0.01). In addition, mental cognitive state of workers (Mini-Mental State Examination) shown an increased from 19 to 31 points (p < 0.02). Furthermore, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test (memory) shown a significant increase from 35 to 70 (p < 0.0001). The results demonstrate that the use of an oxygen module system at 5,050 m, simulating an altitude equivalent to 2,900 m, by increasing FiO2 at 28%, significantly improves cardiorespiratory response and enhances neuropsychological performance in workers exposed to an altitude of 5,050 m.
Acorn Consumption Improves the Immune Response of the Dung Beetle Thorectes lusitanicus

Thorectes lusitanicus, a typically coprophagous species is also actively attracted to oak acorns, consuming, burying them, and conferring ecophysiological and reproductive advantages to both the beetle and the tree. In this study, we explored the possible relation between diet shift and the health status of T. lusitanicus using a generalist entomopathogenic fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) as a natural pathogen. To measure the health condition and immune response of beetles, we analysed the protein content in the haemolymph, prophenoloxidase (proPO) content, phenoloxidase (PO) activity and mortality of beetles with diets based on either acorns or cow dung. Protein content, proPO levels and PO levels in the haemolymph of T. lusitanicus were found to be dependent on the type of diet. Furthermore, the beetles fed with acorns developed a more effective proPO-PO system than the beetles fed with cow dung. Furthermore, a significant decrease in mortality was observed when infected individuals were submitted to an acorn-based diet. In addition to enhancing an understanding of the relevance of dietary change to the evolutionary biology of dung beetles, these results provide a more general understanding of the ecophysiological implications of differential dietary selection in the context of fitness.
Estimated Changes in Life Expectancy and Adult Mortality Resulting from Declining PM2.5 Exposures in the Contiguous United States: 1980–2010

Background: PM2.5 precursor emissions have declined over the course of several decades, following the implementation of local, state, and federal air quality policies. Estimating the corresponding change in population exposure and PM2.5-attributable risk of death prior to the year 2000 is made difficult by the lack of PM2.5 monitoring data. Objectives: We used a new technique to estimate historical PM2.5 concentrations, and estimated the effects of changes in PM2.5 population exposures on mortality in adults (age ≥30y), and on life expectancy at birth, in the contiguous United States during 1980–2010. Methods: We estimated annual mean county-level PM2.5 concentrations in 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010 using universal kriging incorporating geographic variables. County-level death rates and national life tables for each year were obtained from the U.S. Census and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We used log-linear and nonlinear concentration–response coefficients from previous studies to estimate changes in the numbers of deaths and in life years and life expectancy at birth, attributable to changes in PM2.5. Results: Between 1980 and 2010, population-weighted PM2.5 exposures fell by about half, and the estimated number of excess deaths declined by about a third. The States of California, Virginia, New Jersey, and Georgia had some of the largest estimated reductions in PM2.5-attributable deaths. Relative to a counterfactual population with exposures held constant at 1980 levels, we estimated that people born in 2050 would experience an ∼1-y increase in life expectancy at birth, and that there would be a cumulative gain of 4.4 million life years among adults ≥30y of age. Conclusions: Our estimates suggest that declines in PM2.5 exposures between 1980 and 2010 have benefitted public health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP507
Nutraceutical Potential of Phenolics from ′Brava′ and ′Mansa′ Extra-Virgin Olive Oils on the Inhibition of Enzymes Associated to Neurodegenerative Disorders in Comparison with Those of ′Picual′ and ′Cornicabra′

The increasing interest in the Mediterranean diet is based on the protective effects against several diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Polyphenol-rich functional foods have been proposed to be unique supplementary and nutraceutical treatments for these disorders. Extra-virgin olive oils (EVOOs) obtained from ′Brava′ and ′Mansa′, varieties recently identified from Galicia (northwestern Spain), were selected for in vitro screening to evaluate their capacity to inhibit key enzymes involved in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)), major depressive disorder (MDD) and Parkinson′s disease (PD) (monoamine oxidases: hMAO-A and hMAO-B respectively). ′Brava′ oil exhibited the best inhibitory activity against all enzymes, when they are compared to ′Mansa′ oil: BuChE (IC50 = 245 ± 5 and 591 ± 23 mg·mL−1), 5-LOX (IC50 = 45 ± 7 and 106 ± 14 mg·mL−1), hMAO-A (IC50 = 30 ± 1 and 72 ± 10 mg·mL−1) and hMAO-B (IC50 = 191 ± 8 and 208 ± 14 mg·mL−1), respectively. The inhibitory capacity of the phenolic extracts could be associated with the content of secoiridoids, lignans and phenolic acids.
Hemocyte Density Increases with Developmental Stage in an Immune-Challenged Forest Caterpillar

The cellular arm of the insect immune response is mediated by the activity of hemocytes. While hemocytes have been well-characterized morphologically and functionally in model insects, few studies have characterized the hemocytes of non-model insects. Further, the role of ontogeny in mediating immune response is not well understood in non-model invertebrate systems. The goals of the current study were to (1) determine the effects of caterpillar size (and age) on hemocyte density in naïve caterpillars and caterpillars challenged with non-pathogenic bacteria, and (2) characterize the hemocyte activity and diversity of cell types present in two forest caterpillars: Euclea delphinii and Lithacodes fasciola (Limacodidae). We found that although early and late instar (small and large size, respectively) naïve caterpillars had similar constitutive hemocyte densities in both species, late instar Lithacodes caterpillars injected with non-pathogenic E. coli produced more than a twofold greater density of hemocytes than those in early instars. We also found that both caterpillar species contained plasmatocytes, granulocytes and oenocytoids, all of which are found in other lepidopteran species, but lacked spherulocytes. Granulocytes and plasmatocytes were found to be strongly phagocytic in both species, but granulocytes exhibited a higher phagocytic activity than plasmatocytes. Our results strongly suggest that for at least one measure of immunological response, the production of hemocytes in response to infection, response magnitudes can increase over ontogeny. While the underlying raison d’ être for this improvement remains unclear, these findings may be useful in explaining natural patterns of stage-dependent parasitism and pathogen infection.
On-the-go sensing of grape berry anthocyanins during commercial harvest: development and prospects

Background and Aims: The development and adoption of Precision Viticulture approaches to grape and wine production have been hindered by the lack of a commercially available sensor for on-the-go sensing of fruit quality during harvest. In this work, we sought to deploy the Multiplex®, a fluorescence-based non-contact hand-held optical sensor on a harvester, for on-the-go sensing of berry anthocyanins during the South Australian vintage of 2010. Methods and Results: Measurements made of anthocyanin concentrations in the laboratory using the Multiplex showed high correlation (R2 > 0.9) with those made on the same grapes using the standard spectrophotogrametric method. When used in hand-held mode in the field, data collected using Multiplex demonstrated a similar spatial structure to that observed in other data layers (remotely sensed vigour, yield, elevation). Similarly, when deployed on a harvester as an on-the-go sensor, data obtained using Multiplex exhibited the expected spatial structure. Conclusions: Meaningful measurement of grape berry anthocyanins on-the-go during harvest is feasible using Multiplex. Significance of the Study: This is the first time that berry colour has been sensed on-the-go during harvest. The work therefore paves the way for a greater focus on attributes of fruit quality in the delineation of vineyard management zones and implementation of Precision Viticulture.
Circulating Net Currents in Meshed DC Distribution Grids: A Challenge for Residual Ground Fault Protection

In dc distribution grids, residual ground current protection is more feasible than in ac distribution grids, where stray capacitance leads to significant ac ground currents. However, when meshing dc distribution grids, circulating net currents can appear that resemble residual ground currents and would trip traditional protection schemes. This letter introduces this phenomenon in both unipolar and bipolar dc distribution grids. Furthermore, worst case net current magnitudes are derived and examples are shown. Implications for measurement and protection devices are discussed.
The Evolution of Cognitive Search

Search can be defined as an attempt to arrive at a goal at an unknown location in the physical environment, as well as in time, memory, or any other space. Search is necessary because the quantity and quality of resources essential to survival and reproduction vary in space and time. In addition to exploration through actual body movement in their environment, animals search their external information space through selective allocation of attention and their internal information space to retrieve relevant items from memory. This chapter integrates data on search in three distinct domains—physical movement, attention to external information, and locating items in memory—to highlight the remarkable similarities between these three domains. First, resources in all three domains are typically distributed in patches. Second, in each of the three domains, animals typically keep searching in patches where they have recently found resources and leave areas when none are found or where they have already depleted the resources. Third, the neurobiological mechanisms modulating the exploration for and exploitation of resources in all three domains involve dopamine as well as, in many vertebrates, regions of the prefrontal cortex and striatum. It is suggested that, throughout evolution, animals co-opted existing strategies and mechanisms used to search their physical space for exploring and exploiting internal and external information spaces. The cross-disciplinary integration of theory and data about search can be used to guide future research on the mechanisms underlying cognitive search.