Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of homeopathic solutions

Abstract The efficacy of homeopathy is controversial. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to study homeopathic solutions, showing provocative results. We examined the reproducibility of one of the allegedly positive studies. 1H NMR spectra were recorded for Sulphur D4, diluted and succussed up to D30 (called potentization) at two different frequencies (300 and 500 MHz). The Sulphur solution had been potentiated according to homeopathic principles with deionized water and alcohol. Water proton T1 relaxation measurements were performed also at 20 MHz for the different potentiated Sulphur solutions. Furthermore, the homeopathic remedy Betula alba 30c (birch pollen extract) and appropriate control solution (deionized water, unsuccussed solutions and placebo globules) were measured analogously, both with frequencies giving spectra and T1 relaxometry. The Sulphur remedies showed identical one dimensional proton spectra (1H NMR) at 300 and 500 MHz, regardless of dilution/succussion stage, from D4 to D30. Furthermore, Betula 30c as a potentiated solution and its controls (ethanol dilutions and Betula diluted but not succussed) showed identical spectra. Nor were there any statistically significant differences in longitudinal (T1) relaxation times between deionized water and Sulphur D10 to D30 preparations. The shorter T1 of the Sulphur D4 preparation could be ascribed to the higher microviscosity within the sample matrix caused by the high concentration of dissolved material. Also, the T1 values of the Betula alba 30c preparation (in globular form) and control placebo globules were identical. In conclusion, published results from NMR research on homeopathy indicating differences between homeopathic solutions and control samples could not be reproduced.
Glucose kinetics during exercise in trained men.

Six trained men were studied to examine the relative increases in hepatic glucose output and peripheral glucose uptake during 40 min of exercise at 75% VO2max. Rates of appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd) were measured using a primed, continuous intravenous infusion of D-[3-3H]glucose. Plasma glucose increased (P < 0.05) from 4.8 +/- 0.2 mmol l-1 at rest to 6.2 +/- 0.5 mmol l-1 after 40 min of exercise. Both Ra and Rd increased (P < 0.05) during exercise, however, during the early phase of exercise, Ra exceeded Rd (P < 0.05). Ra peaked at 42.0 +/- 3.2 mumol kg-1 min-1 after approximately 15 min of exercise. In contrast, the highest Rd of 33.9 +/- 4.3 mumol kg-1 min-1 was measured at the end of exercise. In additional experiments, five men were studied during 40 min of exercise at 70-75% VO2max, 2 h after ingestion of the non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist timolol or a placebo capsule. Subjects were unable to complete the exercise bout following timolol, fatiguing after 28.0 +/- 4.0 min (P < 0.05). The increase in blood glucose from 4.3 +/- 0.1 to 4.7 +/- 0.3 mmol l-1 (P < 0.05) following 20 min of exercise under control conditions was completely abolished by prior timolol ingestion (4.2 +/- 0.2 to 4.1 +/- 0.2 mmol l-1). These results demonstrate that during exercise at 75% VO2max in trained men, hepatic glucose output is not always closely matched to peripheral muscle glucose uptake and may be subject to feed-forward regulation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Maribacter arenosus sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, non-gliding, aerobic bacterial strain, designated CAU 1321T was isolated from marine sediment in Incheon, South Korea. The strain's taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. CAU 1321T grew optimally at 30 °C and at pH 8 in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that CAU 1321T represented a member of the genus Maribacter, closely related to Maribacter polysiphoniae KCTC 22021T (similarity 98.0 %). The strain contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and iso-C15 : 1 G as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids of CAU 1321T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminoglycolipid, five unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol% and the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between CAU 1321T and the most closely related strain, M. polysiphoniae KCTC 22021T was 25.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, and phylogenetic inference, CAU 1321T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Maribacter, for which the name Maribacter arenosus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1321T (=KCTC 52191T=NBRC 111990T).
Prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HIV Seropositivity among Cadavers Referred to Autopsy Hall of Legal Medicine Bureau of Tehran, Iran

A large number of dead bodies are referred to forensic autopsy halls for medicolegal examination. They can be a source of transmission of infectious diseases through direct contact or autopsy tools. The main aim of this study was to estimate the virus infection rates in the dead bodies. One thousand consecutive dead bodies that had been referred to autopsy hall of Legal Medicine Bureau of Tehran, Iran, during 2016, were included. The blood samples were analyzed in the laboratory for detection of HBs Ag, HBs Ab, HIV Ab, and HCV Ab, after providing informed consent from legal next of kin of the dead bodies. The general characteristics of the dead bodies were also collected by a checklist. Forty-seven cases of HIV seropositivity, 80 cases of HBs Ag seropositivity, and 97 cases for HCV Ab seropositivity were found. Among them, 27 cases of HIV, 40 cases of anti-HBC positive, and 94 cases of RIBA testing positive for HCV were proved through confirmatory tests. In other words, 2.6% of the dead bodies were infected with HIV, 3.8% with HBV, and 9% with HCV. The total infection rate was 15.5%. This is a worrying risk for pathologist and autopsy technicians.
Relationship Between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and the Presence and Extent of Coronary Stenosis in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Carotid Atherosclerosis but Without History of Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE We examined the relationship between the presence and extent of coronary stenosis and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in type 2 diabetic patients without history of coronary artery disease (CAD) but with carotid atherosclerosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 91 type 2 diabetic patients underwent multi-slice computed tomography coronary angiography. RESULTS Max-IMT in the ≥50% stenosis group by multi-slice computed tomography coronary angiography estimation was significantly greater than the 0–25 and 25–50% stenosis group (2.68 ± 0.77 vs. 1.61 ± 0.49 mm, P < 0.0005, and 2.14 ± 0.81 mm, P < 0.05, respectively), and max-IMT in the 25–50% stenosis group was significantly greater than the 0–25% stenosis group (P < 0.05) after adjustment for age, sex, duration of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In the analysis for trend through the categories of max-IMT, as max-IMT increased, the percentage of ≥50% stenosis increased and the percentage of 0–25% stenosis decreased. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that max-IMT might be closely associated with the extent of coronary stenosis in type 2 diabetic patients without history of CAD but with carotid atherosclerosis.
A Randomized, Double-Blinded Comparison of Ondansetron, Droperidol, and Placebo for Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting After Supratentorial Craniotomy

Nausea or vomiting occurs frequently after craniotomy. Because of the need for frequent postoperative neurological assessment, an effective antiemetic with minimal sedative side effects is needed. Therefore, we compared ondansetron to droperidol in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. A total of 60 adults requiring elective supratentorial craniotomy received standardized IV anesthesia with 4 mg of ondansetron, 0.625 mg of droperidol, or placebo at skin closure. The incidence of postoperative nausea, emesis, pain and sedation scores, and rescue antiemetic use were recorded at 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. All groups were demographically similar. Differences existed for cumulative 8, 12, and 24 h incidences of nausea (24 h, P = 0.03) and emesis (24 h, P = 0.04). Within 4 h, when maximal effect could be expected from treatment, 20% of the ondansetron group, 25% of the droperidol group and 50% of the placebo group received rescue antiemetic (P = 0.12). No differences in pain (P = 0.82) or sedation (P = 0.74) scores were detected. Both ondansetron and droperidol prevent nausea; however, only droperidol reduces emesis after supratentorial craniotomy. The dose of droperidol used was not more sedating than ondansetron. Sustained reduction in nausea and emesis over 24 h indicates a preemptive benefit of prophylactic antiemetic in this surgical population. Implications Nausea and vomiting after brain surgery are particularly troubling, because effective treatment may cause sedation, making postoperative neurological assessment difficult. Our study shows that both ondansetron and droperidol are effective in reducing nausea, and that droperidol is particularly effective in reducing vomiting. Neither drug caused more sedation than placebo.
The influence of fetal head circumference on labor outcome: a population‐based register study

Objective. To investigate the association between postnatal head circumference and the occurrence of the three main indications for instrumental delivery, namely prolonged labor, signs of fetal distress and maternal distress. We also studied the association between postnatal fetal head circumference and the use of vacuum extraction and emergency cesarean section. Design. Population‐based register study. Setting. Nationwide study in Sweden. Population. A total of 265 456 singleton neonates born to nulliparous women at term between 1999 and 2008 in Sweden. Methods. Register study with data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Main outcome measures. Prolonged labor, signs of fetal distress, maternal distress, use of vacuum extraction and emergency cesarean section. Results. The prevalence of each outcome increased gradually as the head circumference increased. Compared with women giving birth to a neonate with average size head circumference (35 cm), women giving birth to an infant with a very large head circumference (39–41 cm) had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with prolonged labor [odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–1.67], signs of fetal distress (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.49–2.03) and maternal distress (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.96–2.95). The odds ratios for vacuum extraction and cesarean section were thereby elevated to 3.47 (95% CI 3.10–3.88) and 1.22 (95% CI 1.04–1.42), respectively. The attributable risk proportion percentages associated with vacuum extraction and cesarean section were 46 and 39%, respectively among the cases exposed to a head circumference of 37–41 cm. Conclusions. Large fetal head circumference is associated with complicated labor and is etiological to a considerable proportion of assisted vaginal births and emergency cesarean sections.
Droperidol and 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonists, alone or in combination, for prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Background: Droperidol and 5‐HT3‐receptor antagonists are among the most potent antiemetics to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Combinations of these drugs have been used to increase the efficacy of antiemetic treatment. However, so far the quantitative effect of this combination has not been evaluated systematically.
Study of the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in sexually active women 18 to 40 years of age in Medellín, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Colombia has not been adequately studied. A reliable estimate of the prevalence of FSD can be helpful for the adequate planning of reproductive health and research activities. AIM Measure the prevalence of female sexual complaints in a sample of sexually active women aged 18-40 years in a city of Colombia. METHODS A self-administered validated questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), was administered to 410 sexually active women at different focal groups. A cutoff value of 26.5 was used to define female sexual complaint. Ten questions on age, educational level, socioeconomic status, marital status, cohabitation, depressive feelings, use of antidepressive drugs, menstrual cycle, offspring, and contraception were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point was the percentage of women having a score equal or less than 26.5. RESULTS In the study group, 117 of 391 women scored less than 26.5 for a prevalence of sexual complaints of 30%. The independent variables associated with sexual complaints were low educational level, the feelings of depression, and the use of antidepressive drugs. CONCLUSION The present study found a low FSFI score in 30% of sexually active women aged 18-40 years in the city of Medellin, Colombia, which could be indicative of sexual complaints.
The venus flytrap of periplasmic binding proteins: An ancient protein module present in multiple drug receptors

Located between the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) scavenge or sense diverse nutrients in the environment by coupling to transporters or chemotaxis receptors in the inner membrane. Their three-dimensional structures have been deduced in atomic detail with the use of X-ray crystallography, both in the free and liganded state. PBPs consist of two large lobes that close around the bound ligand, resembling a Venus flytrap. This architecture is reiterated in transcriptional regulators, such as the lac repressors. In the process of evolution, genes encoding the PBPs have fused with genes for integral membrane proteins. Thus, diverse mammalian receptors contain extracellular ligand binding domains that are homologous to the PBPs; these include glutamate/glycine-gated ion channels such as the NMDA receptor, G protein-coupled receptors, including metabotropic glutamate, GABA-B, calcium sensing, and pheromone receptors, and atrial natriuretic peptide-guanylate cyclase receptors. Many of these receptors are promising drug targets. On the basis of homology to PBPs and a recently resolved crystal structure of the extracellular binding domain of a glutamate receptor ion channel, it is possible to construct three-dimensional models of their ligand binding domains. Together with the extensive information available on the mechanism of ligand binding to PBPs, such models can serve as a guide in drug discovery.
The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 induces synthesis and release of cysteinyl leukotrienes from human eosinophils – implications for asthma

Eosinophils and their products, including leukotrienes and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), are well‐known mediators of inflammation and tissue damage in asthma. The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 exhibits a variety of immunomodulatory activities. However, the role of LL‐37 in asthma has not been fully addressed. Here, we aim to investigate the effect of LL‐37 on inducing inflammatory mediators in human eosinophils, probe the underlying mechanisms, and search for a clinical correlate.
Automatic detection of deceptive opinions using automatically identified specific details

Distinguishing deceptive opinions — that is, fabricated views disguised to be genuine — from honest opinions is a hard problem. Deceptive opinions can include things like the false expression of a controversial opinion, a misleading review of an item or service bought online, or deceitful interviews. Unlike many tasks involving language, detecting deceptive opinions through text alone turns out to be quite difficult for humans. Ott et al. (2011) demonstrated this by asking a group of students to judge whether 40 online reviews were truthful or deceptive. These reviews were drawn from their Deceptive Opinion Spam Corpus, introduced in the same paper, and so included an equal number of truthful and deceptive reviews. The students performed at roughly 60% accuracy — only slightly better than the baseline, chance performance of selecting one of two choices (truthful or deceptive), which is 50%. Notably, the students were psychologically biased towards judging more opinions as truthful rather than deceptive. This poor performance suggests that detection of deceptive opinions is a complex area that can greatly benefit from unbiased computational analysis. Much of the research performed on deceptive opinions has used online reviews from Ott et al. (2011)’s corpus as a benchmark because these data are a rich source of opinion spam, a type of deceptive opinion. As e-commerce burgeons, online reviews are becoming increasingly important to company reputations and consumer product assessment. Due to its influential impact on potential customers, deceptive opinion spam is being produced to deceive potential consumers. Whether the opinion spam is sponsored by a company wanting to promote its services (positive opinion spam) or a business maligning its rival with false claims (negative opinion spam), accurate
Implementation and Evaluation of a Risk-Based Approach to Guide Chronic Kidney Disease Care: Protocol for a Multiphase Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Risk prediction tools are used in a variety of clinical settings to guide patient care, although their use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) care is limited. Objectives: To assess the association of a risk-based model of CKD care on patient care, satisfaction, outcomes, and cost. Design: Mixed-methods with a pre-post design. Setting: We will use mixed-methods and a pre-post design to evaluate use of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) to guide CKD care. The KFRE will be applied to patients currently followed in nephrology multidisciplinary CKD clinics in Alberta, as well as to new patients being considered for multidisciplinary care. Patients: Patients with a 2-year risk of kidney failure ≥10% or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤15 mL/min/1.73 m2 will be recommended care by a multidisciplinary team coordinated by a nurse clinician and nephrologist, with access to other multidisciplinary resources including dietitians, pharmacists, and social workers as required. Measurements/Methods: Focus groups and interviews will be conducted to qualitatively describe patient and provider perspectives of potential barriers and facilitators to implementation of the risk-based approach to CKD care. Patient and provider surveys will also be used to quantify patient and provider satisfaction before and after the intervention. Finally, administrative data will be used to evaluate the association between the risk-based approach to care and outcomes including health care resource use, frequency of testing, modality choice, and death. Conclusions: Use of a risk-based model of care has the potential to increase use of optimal treatments such as the use of home dialysis and preemptive kidney transplantation, while reducing costs and poor outcomes related to processes of care such as unnecessary laboratory testing; however, there is also potential for unintended consequences. Our mixed-methods approach will integrate perceptions and needs from key stakeholders (including patients with CKD, their families, and their providers) to guide implementation and ensure appropriate modifications.
Predicting Opioid Misuse by Chronic Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Literature Synthesis

BackgroundOpioids can provide relief for people with chronic pain. However, a minority may develop aberrant drug behaviors. A critical issue is identifying “at-risk” patients. ObjectiveTo synthesize the evidence of published strategies for identifying at-risk patients to guide clinicians' decisions and practices for prescribing opioid treatment for chronic pain patients (CPP). Data SourcesMEDLINE database search from 1966 to March 20, 2007, searching the bibliographies from all retrieved articles, and articles available in the authors' files. Studies were limited to human studies in the English language related to screening for predictors of aberrant drug behaviors in CPP who were prescribed long-term opioids. We included studies reviewing, developing measures, or investigating outcomes related to screening for aberrant opioid behaviors in CPP. ResultsWe identified 6 published articles addressing clinician-based predictors of substance misuse of opioids and 9 published studies evaluating the predictive ability of clinical interviews and self-report measures for aberrant opioid behaviors in CPP. Several attempts have been made to develop procedures to identify at-risk patients including urine toxicology screening, structured interviews, observation, and self-report questionnaires. In general, the psychometric properties of the published questionnaires and interview protocols are weak; moreover, the samples included in the studies are often small and unrepresentative. Thus, none of them can be recommended for use with any confidence. ConclusionReview of the published studies reveals that no one procedure or set of predictor variables is sufficient to identify CPP at-risk for opioid misuse or abuse. There is a scarcity of evidence regarding characteristics that predict aberrant behavior before beginning long-term opioids. Several predictors have been identified. Strong predictors include a personal history of illicit drug and alcohol abuse. Demographic factors have also been reported, but the results are not consistent. Prospective studies, especially ones with CPP who have not already been started on chronic opioid therapy, are needed.
Left posterior approach to the superior mesenteric vascular pedicle in pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer of the pancreatic head.

CONTEXT Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery is the most important part of a pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. Since 2005, we have used the left posterior approach for superior mesenteric vascular pedicle dissection, in which the superior mesenteric artery and the superior mesenteric vein are dissected first in a clockwise fashion. OBJECTIVE This article presents the technique of a left posterior approach and the clinical outcome. PATIENTS Forty patients underwent a left posterior approach and were compared to 35 patients treated with a conventional dissection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The differences in surgical technique between the left posterior approach and the conventional method were described, and the short- and long-term surgical results compared patients who underwent the left posterior approach to those who were treated with the conventional method. INTERVENTION The superior mesenteric vascular pedicle was first dissected from the left lateral border of the superior mesenteric artery. The superior mesenteric vein was also dissected from the left side. Then, the uncinate process and perivascular soft tissue were separated en bloc from the vasculature. RESULTS No life-threatening complications occurred after the pancreaticoduodenectomies using a left posterior approach. Diarrhea requiring the administration of antidiarrheal agents occurred in 65% of patients; however, planned adjuvant chemotherapy was completed in all patients who did not have an early tumor recurrence. Survival rate was 52.8% at 3 years after surgery. CONCLUSION After a pancreaticoduodenectomy with a left posterior approach, most patients had various degrees of diarrhea, but the adjuvant chemotherapy was able to be continued with close monitoring. The left posterior approach facilitates understanding of the topographic anatomy in the superior mesenteric vascular pedicle.