Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape, height, and location of the lingula for sagittal ramus osteotomy in Thais

This study aims to investigate the shape, height, and location of the lingula in relation to surrounding structures for sagittal ramus osteotomy. Dried Thai mandibles were studied and compared with other races. From both sides of 92 mandibles, the shape of the lingula was classified into triangular, truncated, nodular, or assimilated types. Of 92 mandibles, 146 sides with at least a premolar and a molar on the same side were selected for distance measurement. Height of the lingula was measured from the lingular tip to the mandibular foramen. The location was determined by five distances from the lingular tip to: the anterior and the posterior borders of the mandibular ramus, the mandibular notch, the distal surface of the mandibular second molar, and the occlusal plane. The results showed that truncated lingulae were most frequently found (46.2%) and most appeared to be bilateral (71.7%). Triangular, nodular, and assimilated shapes presented in 29.9%, 19.6%, and 4.3%, respectively. The mean lingular height was 8.2 ± 2.3 mm. The lingula was located at 20.6 ± 3.5 mm from the anterior border of the mandibular ramus and 16.6 ± 2.9 mm from the mandibular notch. In the majority of the mandibles studied, the lingula was located above the occlusal plane. In conclusion, the shape and metric characteristics of the lingula in relation to surrounding structures in Thais vary from other races. All parameters associated with the lingula should be considered for sagittal ramus osteotomy to avoid intraoperative complications. Clin. Anat. 22:787–793, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quality of professional society guidelines and consensus conference statements in critical care*

Objective:To examine the quality of professional society critical care guidelines and consensus statements. Data Source:MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (to May 2007), conference proceedings (1990 to May 2007), and personal files. Study Selection:We considered documents focused on 1) mechanical ventilation and 2) prevention of complications of critical illness associated with mechanical ventilation. Data Extraction:Independently, two reviewers appraised the methodologic quality of each document using the Grilli, Shaneyfelt, and Appraisal of Guideline Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instruments. Data Synthesis:We compared the differences in mean scores of the results of the quality instruments to determine variability in quality of the documents. Our inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 13 guidelines and 12 consensus statements. Adherence to current methodologic standards was low. The quality of guidelines was significantly higher than consensus statements (p ≤ .01). Limited data suggested that guideline quality improved from 1985 to 2005. Guidelines had higher AGREE scores compared with consensus statements (57.6 ± 13.6 vs. 41.4 ± 5.8, p = .002, out of possible total of 92). Consensus statements performed poorly in the identification and interpretation of evidence and in their description of the rationale for specific recommendations. Six articles reported receiving industry funding, and 15 reported on conflicts of interest (present in three articles). Conclusions:The overall quality of critical care professional society guidelines and consensus statements, as assessed by three published quality instruments, is low. Although the quality of guidelines seems to be increasing over time, there is room for improvement, which could in turn facilitate knowledge translation and improve patient care in the intensive care unit.
The normal and pathologic MRI appearance of the tibialis anterior proximal motor branch

Foot drop, the clinical manifestation of tibialis anterior (TA) muscle dysfunction, may be caused by pathologies involving selectively the TA motor nerve branches. Recently, in patients with fibular intraneural ganglion cysts, cystic involvement of the TA motor branch from the articular branch was demonstrated. However, no imaging characteristics of this functionally important TA proximal motor branch have been reported. We hypothesized that this particular TA proximal motor branch could be visualized and characterized on high‐resolution clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in both normal and pathologic cases. Twenty‐six consecutive high‐resolution knee MRI examinations performed for routine indications such as exclusion of intra‐articular pathology and four illustrative cases imaged to evaluate pathology of the common fibular nerve and its branches (specifically the TA proximal motor branch) were retrospectively reviewed. In cases without fibular nerve pathology, the TA proximal motor branch was visualized in 21 of the 26 patients. In the cases in which the nerve was not visualized, the imaging techniques could explain the nonvisualization of the branch. The involvement of the proximal branch to the TA was evident in the four patients with pathology, which included a perineurioma, a fibular intraneural ganglion cyst, a plexiform neurofibroma, and an inflammation of the nerve. In both normal and pathologic cases, the functionally important TA proximal motor branch originating from the articular branch can be consistently visualized on high‐resolution MRI. This branch can be selectively affected by a variety of pathologies and its identification on imaging may help elucidate the predominant TA muscle involvement in these patients. Clin. Anat. 23:992–999, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral killer cells do not differentiate between asthma patients with or without fixed airway obstruction

ABSTRACT Objective: The three main types of killer cells – CD8+ T cells, NK cells and NKT cells – have been linked to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, their role in a small subset of asthma patients displaying fixed airway obstruction (FAO), similar to that seen in COPD, has not been explored. The objective of the present study was to investigate killer cell numbers, phenotype and function in peripheral blood from asthma patients with FAO, asthma patients without FAO, and healthy individuals. Methods: Peripheral CD8+ T cells (CD8+CD3+CD56−), NK cells (CD56+CD3−) and NKT-like cells (CD56+CD3+) of 14 asthma patients with FAO (post-bronchodilator FEV/FVC <0.7, despite clinician-optimised treatment), 7 asthma patients without FAO (post-bronchodilator FEV/FVC ≥ 0.7), and 9 healthy individuals were studied. Results: No significant differences were seen between the number, receptor expression, MAPK signalling molecule expression, cytotoxic mediator expression, and functional cytotoxicity of peripheral killer cells from asthma patients with FAO, asthma patients without FAO and healthy individuals. Conclusions: Peripheral killer cell numbers or functions do not differentiate between asthma patients with or without fixed airway obstruction.
A Teaching Progression for Squatting Exercises

A TEACHING PROGRESSION FOR SQUATTING EXERCISE IS PRESENTED. THE PRIMARY EXERCISE IN THIS PROGRESSION IS THE PLATE SQUAT, WHICH ENCOURAGES PROPER TECHNIQUE, IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTHENS THE STABILIZING MUSCULATURE. USE OF THE PLATE SQUAT WILL TEACH PROPER POSITIONS FOR THE OVERHEAD, FRONT, AND BACK SQUATS.
Preterm birth and low birth weight continue to increase the risk of asthma from age 7 to 43

ABSTRACT Background: Perinatal events can influence the development of asthma in childhood but current evidence is contradictory concerning the effects on life-time asthma risk. Objective: To assess the relationship between birth characteristics and asthma from childhood to adulthood. Methodology: All available birth records for the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) cohort, born in 1961 were obtained from the Tasmanian State Archives and Tasmanian hospitals. Low birth weight (LBW) was defined as less than 2500 grams. Preterm birth was defined as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation. Small for gestational age (SGA) was defined as a birth weight below the 10th percentile for a given gestational age. Multivariate logistic and cox regression were used to examine associations between birth characteristics and lifetime risk of current and incident asthma, adjusting for confounders. Results: The prevalence of LBW was 5.2%, SGA was 13.8% and preterm was 3.3%. LBW (OR = 1.65, 95%CI 1.12,2.44) and preterm birth (OR = 1.81, 95%CI 0.99, 3.31) were both associated with an increased risk of current asthma between the ages of 7 to 43 years. There was no association between SGA and current asthma risk. However, SGA was associated with incident asthma (HR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.00, 1.74), and there was an interaction with sex (p value = 0.08), with males having a greater risk of incident asthma (HR = 1.70, 95%CI 1.16–2.49) than females (HR = 1.04, 95%CI 0.70–1.54). Conclusions: Preterm birth and LBW were associated with an increased risk of current asthma into middle-age. These findings are the first to demonstrate the continuing impact of these characteristics on asthma risk into middle-age.
Breastfeeding associated with higher lung function in African American youths with asthma

ABSTRACT Objective: In the United States, Puerto Ricans and African Americans have lower prevalence of breastfeeding and worse clinical outcomes for asthma compared with other racial/ethnic groups. We hypothesize that the history of breastfeeding is associated with increased forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) % predicted and reduced asthma exacerbations in Latino and African American youths with asthma. Methods: As part of the Genes-environments & Admixture in Latino Americans (GALA II) Study and the Study of African Americans, asthma, Genes & Environments (SAGE II), we conducted case-only analyses in children and adolescents aged 8–21 years with asthma from four different racial/ethnic groups: African Americans (n = 426), Mexican Americans (n = 424), mixed/other Latinos (n = 255), and Puerto Ricans (n = 629). We investigated the association between any breastfeeding in infancy and FEV1% predicted using multivariable linear regression; Poisson regression was used to determine the association between breastfeeding and asthma exacerbations. Results: Prevalence of breastfeeding was lower in African Americans (59.4%) and Puerto Ricans (54.9%) compared to Mexican Americans (76.2%) and mixed/other Latinos (66.9%; p < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, breastfeeding was associated with a 3.58% point increase in FEV1% predicted (p = 0.01) and a 21% reduction in asthma exacerbations (p = 0.03) in African Americans only. Conclusion: Breastfeeding was associated with higher FEV1% predicted in asthma and reduced number of asthma exacerbations in African American youths, calling attention to continued support for breastfeeding.
Increased IL-4- and IL-17-producing CD8+ cells are related to decreased CD39+CD4+Foxp3+ cells in allergic asthma

ABSTRACT Objective: In allergic asthma, regulatory T cell (Treg) number and function are decreased. Antigen-primed CD8+ T cells play an indispensable role in the full development of airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) occurring in asthma. In this study, we investigated the relationship between subpopulations of CD8+ T cells and CD39+ Tregs. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were used to develop the model of allergic asthma. Experimental mice were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) by intra-peritoneal (i.p) injection and then challenged with OVA by intra-tracheal administration. Control mice were immunized with vehicle by i.p injection and challenged with OVA. Airway inflammation was determined by histology and AHR was measured by an invasive method. Levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The frequencies of CD8+IFN-γ+ cells (Tc1), CD8+IL-4+ cells (Tc2), CD8+IL-17+cells (Tc17), and CD39+Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. The correlation between CD39+Tregs and Tc subsets was analyzed by Pearson’s test. Results: Experimental mice displayed phenotypes of allergic asthma, including inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs, goblet cell hyperplasia, increased airway resistance, and increased IL-4 and IL-17 in BALF. Compared to control mice, experimental mice displayed lower CD39+Tregs and Tc1 but higher Tc2 and Tc17. There was a negative correlation between CD39+Tregs and Tc2 or Tc17. Conclusion: In allergic asthma, increased Tc2 and Tc17 are possibly related to insufficient CD39+Tregs.
Regional fat changes following weight reduction from laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery

Fat accumulation in muscle (intermuscular, IM) and viscera plays a role in obesity comorbidities. This study examined the impact of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery in morbid obesity on changes in regional fat and muscle depots, and these body composition markers were correlated with physical function. Women (n = 18) were assessed prior to (baseline) and 12 months following RYGB for regional body composition and physical function. Weight loss from baseline to 12 months was 33.7 (s.e.m. = 1.7)%; total body fat decreased from 86.8 (s.e.m. = 5.8) to 45.8 (s.e.m. = 3.9) kg during follow‐up. Differential changes in regional body fat were apparent with a volume loss of 58.4% in visceral fat, 19.8% in abdomen IM fat and 50.7% in thigh IM fat. At baseline, abdomen IM fat volume was related to physical function. There was less loss of abdomen IM fat volume than other depots following surgery; furthermore its relationship with physical function is a novel finding.
JSH‐23 targets nuclear factor‐kappa B and reverses various deficits in experimental diabetic neuropathy: effect on neuroinflammation and antioxidant defence

Aim: Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) being reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy is believed to be a central mechanism involved in the genesis and promulgation of inflammatory insult. Here we have targeted the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB using JSH‐23 to elucidate its role in diabetic neuropathy.
Effects of insulin and other antihyperglycaemic agents on lipid profiles of patients with diabetes

Increased morbidity and mortality risk due to diabetes‐associated cardiovascular diseases is partly associated with hyperglycaemia as well as dyslipidaemia. Pharmacological treatment of diabetic hyperglycaemia involves the use of the older oral antidiabetic drugs [OADs: biguanides, sulphonylureas (SUs), α‐glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones], insulin (human and analogues) and/or incretin‐based therapies (glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogues and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors). Many of these agents have also been suggested to improve lipid profiles in patients with diabetes. These effects may have benefits on cardiovascular risk beyond glucose‐lowering actions. This review discusses the effects of OADs, insulins and incretin‐based therapies on lipid variables along with the possible mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings. The effects of intensive versus conventional antihyperglycaemic therapy on cardiovascular outcomes and lipid profiles are also discussed. A major conclusion of this review is that agents within the same class of OADs can have different effects on lipid variables and that contrary to the findings in experimental models, insulin has been shown to have beneficial effects on lipid variables in clinical trials. Further studies are needed to understand the precise effect and the mechanisms of these effects of insulin on lipids.
Variation in asthma care at hospital discharge by race/ethnicity groups

ABSTRACT Objective: While asthma disproportionately affects minorities, little is known about racial/ethnic differences in asthma care at hospital discharge. Methods: Secondary data analysis of multicenter retrospective study using standardized medical record review. A random sample of patients aged 2–54 years, who were hospitalized for asthma at 25 hospitals from 2012 to 2013 was analyzed. We categorized patients into three race/ethnicity groups: non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), and Hispanic. Multivariable logistic regression using generalized estimating equations was used to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and the provision of guideline-concordant asthma care at hospital discharge including: the provision of asthma action plans, provision of new prescription of an inhaled corticosteroid, and referral to an asthma specialist. Results: Nine hundred thirteen patients (39% children, 71% minorities) hospitalized for asthma were included. In adjusted models, NHB children were significantly less likely to receive a written asthma action plan (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.31–0.76) than NHW children. In contrast, among adults, we found no statistically significant difference in the provision of asthma action plan. Additionally, we found no difference in the provision of a new inhaled corticosteroid prescription or referral to an asthma specialist among children or adults. Conclusions: NHB and Hispanic patients represent the majority of patients hospitalized for acute asthma in our cohort and were more likely than NHW patients to have increased markers of asthma severity. Despite this, the only significant racial/ethnic difference in asthma care at hospital discharge was among NHB children, who were less likely to receive a written asthma action plan .
Tissue around catheters is a niche for bacteria associated with medical device infection

Objective:To investigate whether pericatheter tissue is an additional niche for bacteria potentially causing catheter-associated infections in humans. Design:Postmortem patient study. Setting:Intensive care unit, autopsy room, and microbiological laboratory in a university hospital. Patients:Eighteen deceased patients from whom 35 catheters plus surrounding tissues were collected. Interventions:Under axenic conditions catheters and surrounding tissue were excised from deceased intensive care unit patients. The excised parts of the catheters and samples of surrounding tissue were quantitatively cultured and bacteria identified, and tissue histology/immunohistochemistry was performed. Measurements and main results:Nine of the 35 (26%) pericatheter tissue samples tested were highly culture positive. The corresponding catheter segments were culture negative or yielded only low numbers of bacteria. Bacteria cultured from different sites of the catheter and surrounding tissues almost all were coagulase-negative staphylococci (predominantly Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Enterococcus faecalis. In histology, bacteria were seen in tissue, intercellularly and associated with host phagocytes. Conclusions:Tissue surrounding biomedical devices forms a niche for bacteria. This is an as yet nonrecognized element in the pathogenesis of catheter-associated infections, with possible consequences for strategies of prevention and treatment of these infections.
Patterns of radiocarpal joint articular cartilage wear in cadavers

The radiocarpal joint transmits about 80% of the compression forces crossing the wrist. However, primary osteoarthritis of this joint is surprisingly uncommon, suggesting that articular cartilage wear is not sufficient to produce arthritic symptoms. By examining the distal radius, scaphoid, and lunate in aged cadavers, wear patterns were charted and measured, allowing assessment of radiocarpal joint wear and mechanics. Bilateral radiocarpal joints of 16 females and 14 males (age 77.7 ± 14.4, N = 30) were exposed and measurements of the wear recorded microscopically. Wear locations were mapped, and X‐Y loci and wear areas calculated. Gender right and sides compared. Over 95% of distal radius wear showed distinct radial‐scaphoid and radial‐lunate wear areas. These bilateral areas were in the palmar half of the distal radius. One main central wear area was seen in 95% of the scaphoid, and 97% of the lunate articular surfaces that were examined. Articular wear showed a circular pattern and was minimal in 95.7% of the surfaces, and the lunate showed the largest wear area. Wear patterns in males and females support the literature that for most ADLs the wrist is in slight extension and ulnar deviation. There are gender differences, but wear areas between sides were similar. Female wear indicates their wrist is positioned more often in a more extended and ulnarly deviated position than males. The wear patterns suggest rotational movements of the scaphoid and lunate during wrist motion and that the wrist is most often used in neutral flexion/extension to slight extension. Clin. Anat. 25:468–477, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coping in adolescents and young adults with chronic digestive disorders: Impact on school and leisure activities

Coping strategies were compared across adolescents and young adults with several chronic digestive disorders and healthy peers, and across age groups. Subsequently, the impact of coping on performance in school and leisure activities was investigated. Participants were adolescents and young adults (age 12 to 25 years) suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), chronic liver diseases, congenital diseases, coeliac disease or food allergy (total n = 521) and healthy controls (n = 274). For comparison reasons, a generic coping measuring instrument was employed: the shortened version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-21). The CISS-21 assesses three meta coping strategies: task-oriented, emotion-oriented and avoidance coping. Comparisons between several groups only revealed less use of coping strategies in the youngest adolescents. No differences were found among diagnostic groups, nor between diagnostic groups and control group. Coping was found to be related to school and leisure activities of adolescents and young adults with chronic digestive disorders.
Oestrogen alters adipocyte biology and protects female mice from adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance

Aims: Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, liver steatosis and low‐grade inflammation. The role of oestrogen in sex differences in the above co‐morbidities is not fully understood. Our aim was to assess the role oestrogen has in modulating adipocyte size, adipose tissue oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance and liver steatosis.
Effects of systemic corticosteroids on blood eosinophil counts in asthma: real-world data

Abstract Introduction: Systemic corticosteroids (SCS) are effective anti-inflammatory therapies for patients with severe or persistent asthma. Use of SCS reduces blood eosinophil counts; the magnitude and duration of reduction in real-world settings needs further investigation. Objective: To examine the SCS effect on blood eosinophil counts over time among patients with asthma in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective study used Reliant Medical Group (Worcester, MA) electronic medical records between January 2011 and December 2015. Patients aged ≥12 years with ≥1 SCS prescription (first: index date), ≥1 asthma diagnosis, and ≥1 eosinophil count in each 12-month pre- and post-index periods were included for the study. Endpoints included SCS treatment patterns, time to SCS discontinuation, and changes in index blood eosinophil counts (≥150, ≥300, and ≥400 cells/µL) with SCS initiation and discontinuation. Results: At index visit, 642 of 1198 included patients had a blood eosinophil count ≥150 cells/µL. After an average initial SCS prescription of 35 mg/day, mean (% change) eosinophil counts at month 1 in the ≥150, ≥300, and≥400 cells/µL subgroups decreased from index by 112 (−30%), 202 (−34%), and 290 (−36%) cells/µL, respectively. Of the patients with an eosinophil count ≥150 cells/µL at index, who discontinued SCS within 7, 14, or 21 days after the index date, 21%, 26%, and 25% had an eosinophil count <150 cells/µL 1-month post-index, respectively. Conclusion: Blood eosinophil counts decreased following initiation of SCS therapy and had not returned to index levels several weeks after SCS discontinuation. The time frame of SCS discontinuation is an important consideration when identifying patients with eosinophilic asthma.