Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: A weighty connection

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly malignancy that is increasing in incidence in developed countries. The emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for about half of this increase in HCC, although the etiology of HCC in 15%‐50% of new HCC cases remains unclear. The most common form of chronic liver disease in developed countries is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which encompasses a broad spectrum of histopathology. The prevalence of NAFLD, including the more aggressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is increasing with the growing epidemics of diabetes and obesity. NASH can progress to cirrhosis and its related complications. Growing evidence suggests that NASH accounts for a large proportion of idiopathic or cryptogenic cirrhosis, which is associated with the typical risk factors for NASH. HCC is a rare, although important complication of NAFLD. Diabetes and obesity have been established as independent risk factors for the development of HCC. New evidence also suggests that hepatic iron deposition increases the risk of HCC in NASH‐derived cirrhosis. Multiple case reports and case reviews of HCC in the setting of NASH support the associations of diabetes and obesity with the risk of HCC, as well as suggest age and advanced fibrosis as significant risks. Insulin resistance and its subsequent inflammatory cascade that is associated with the development of NASH appear to play a significant role in the carcinogenesis of HCC. The complications of NASH, including cirrhosis and HCC, are expected to increase with the growing epidemic of diabetes and obesity. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;51:1820–1832)
Using qualitative methods to design an epidemiologic study on sexually transmitted diseases in female prisoners.

RECENTLY, RESEARCHERS in medical sciences and epidemiology have begun to combine qualitative and quantitative methods as part of a comprehensive research approach. 1–7 Qualitative research methods allow researchers to refine and improve their knowledge base and survey instruments. Such methods are useful for exploring little-known phenomena or for understanding the cultural perspective of a minimally understood population. 5,7,8
‘Education? It is irrelevant to my job now. It makes me very depressed …’: exploring the health impacts of under/unemployment among highly skilled recent immigrants in Canada

Immigrants account for 20% of the population and 60% of total population growth in Canada (Statistics Canada 2001). The majority of immigrants are accepted for entry to Canada under the Skilled Worker Program in order to fill employment shortages in the labour market (CIC 2007). Recent research has revealed that an increasing number of immigrants who gain entry under this programme face significant barriers to employment. As a result, many remain unemployed or accept employment outside of and below their field of education and training. However, the impacts such employment circumstances have on the health of immigrants have not yet been examined. This paper presents the results of a collaborative research project that explores the health impacts of under/unemployment among skilled immigrants in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. In-depth interviews are used to examine the experiences of employment and perceptions of subsequent health impacts among 22 recent immigrants. The participants most frequently identified mental health impacts due to a lack of income, loss of employment-related skills, loss of social status and family pressures. These health concerns are also extended to family members. In addition to mental health, physical health is perceived to be affected by employment circumstances through high levels of stress and strenuous working conditions. These findings shed light on the nature of the links between employment and health relationship as well as determinants of immigrant health. Additional research is required to examine the long-term effects of under/unemployment.
Changes in gut microbiota during development of compulsive checking and locomotor sensitization induced by chronic treatment with the dopamine agonist quinpirole

Long-term treatment of rats with the D2/D3 dopamine agonist quinpirole induces compulsive checking (proposed as animal model of obsessive–compulsive disorder) and locomotor sensitization. The mechanisms by which long-term use of quinpirole produces those behavioral transformations are not known. Here we examined whether changes in gut microbiota play a role in these behavioral phenomena, by monitoring the development of compulsive checking and locomotor sensitization at the same time as measuring the response of gut microbiota to chronic quinpirole injections. Two groups of rats received nine injections of saline (n=16) or quinpirole (n=15; 0.25 mg/kg), at weekly intervals for the first 5 weeks and then two injections per week until the end of treatment. After each injection, rats were placed on a large open field for 55 min, and their behavior was video recorded for subsequent analysis. Fecal matter was collected after each trial and frozen for bacterial community profiling of the 16S rRNA gene, using paired-end reads of the V3 region. The results indicated that the induction of locomotor sensitization and compulsive checking was accompanied by changes in several communities of bacteria belonging to the order Clostridiales (class Clostridia, phylum Firmicutes), and predominantly in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families of bacteria. It is suggested that changes in these microbes may serve to support the energy use requirements of compulsive checking and obsessive–compulsive disorder.
Dimensions of respiratory symptoms in preschool children: population-based birth cohort study.

RATIONALE A focus on distinctive collections of symptoms may be more informative of the probability of respiratory disease than individual and possibly transient phenotypes. However, such collections or components of overall symptomatology need to be valid, and their relationship established with the known risk factors and physiologic measures. OBJECTIVES To analyze detailed parentally reported respiratory symptoms by principal components analysis and derive symptom components; to examine the relationship of such components with measures of lung physiology and atopy. METHODS An unselected, population-based birth cohort (n = 946). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Interviewer-administered questionnaires, lung function (specific airway resistance [sRaw]), airway reactivity (dry air challenge), and atopic status were obtained at ages 3 and 5 years; principal components analysis and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. The four-component solution (wheeze, cough, colds, chronic symptoms) explained 53.2% of the variance in symptoms at age 3, and the five-component solution (wheeze, wheeze with irritants, wheeze with allergens, cough, chest congestion) explained 49.8% of variance at age 5. The multivariate analysis revealed novel relationships between symptoms, risk factors for asthma, and measures of lung function. At age 3, sRaw and the interaction between maternal asthma and child's atopy were not only related to wheeze but also independently to the cough component. At age 5, overall wheeze and allergic wheeze were related to lung function and airway reactivity; child's atopy was only related to symptoms when considered as a continuous trait. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis supports the need to move beyond the presence or absence of individual symptoms. Syndromes of coexisting symptoms more likely reflect underlying pathophysiologic processes.
Comparison of treatment of patients with congestive heart failure by cardiologists versus noncardiologists.

PURPOSE The frequency of treatment with Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA)-recommended medications for the management of congestive heart failure (CHF) by cardiologists versus noncardiologists was studied. METHODS The medical records of 227 patients admitted to our institution between January and June 2000 with a discharge diagnosis of CHF were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included demographic information and medical history, severity of illness, prescribed level of hospital care at the time of admission, diagnostic evaluations conducted during admission, medications prescribed at admission and discharge, and any noted contraindications to these medications. Data for patients treated by cardiologists versus noncardiologists were compared. RESULTS Patients treated by cardiologists were significantly more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit; receive chest x-rays, electrocardiograms, nuclear medicine tests, cardiac catheterizations, and stress tests; and have their weight monitored daily than were patients treated by noncardiologists. The majority of patients with CHF who were eligible for an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, a beta-blocker, or an aldosterone antagonist did not receive these medications, regardless of the treating physician. Cardiologists prescribed significantly more beta-blockers and aldosterone antagonists for eligible patients at hospital admission. Greater differences were seen in discharge medications, as cardiologists were significantly more likely to prescribe ACE inhibitors, digoxin, beta-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. CONCLUSION Hospitalized patients with CHF were more likely to receive HFSA-recommended medications on admission and discharge when treated by cardiologists versus noncardiologists. Neither cardiologists nor noncardiologists prescribed ACE inhibitors to all eligible patients as frequently as recommended by HFSA guidelines.
Studies on New Cyclic Imides Obtained from Aminophenazone with Analgesic Properties

Summary This paper describes the synthesis of new cyclic imides obtained by reaction with aminophenazone (CAS 58-15-1, 4-ami-noantipyrine) and different anhydrides with further cyclization with acetic acid under reflux. Their structures were confirmed by spectral data (IR and NMR) and elemental analysis. The analgesic activity of the synthesized compounds was investigated initially with the writhing test in mice and the most promising compound, a 3,4-dichloromaleimide derivative (3), was analyzed using other models of nociception. The results indicated that compound 3 exerts potent analgesic activity in mice, being more active than some reference drugs. The analgesia caused by this compound was not reversed by naloxone in the writhing test. In the hotplate test, compound 3 did not increase the latency period of pain induced by thermal stimuli, confirming that it does not interact with opioid systems.
Function of porcine adhesion molecules in a human marrow microenvironment.

BACKGROUND One way to circumvent the need for chronic immunosuppression in solid organ xenografting may be to induce donor-specific tolerance using bone marrow transplantation. If this approach is to succeed in the pig-to-human species combination, pig marrow must be capable of maturing into relevant tolerance-inducing cells and replenishing itself in host human marrow. One possible barrier is adhesion molecule incompatibility. We have studied the compatibility across the pig-human species barrier of two well-characterized ligands known to be important in hematopoiesis, CD44 and very late antigen (VLA)-4. METHODS In vitro long-term bone marrow cultures were studied in which the effects of blocking antibodies were assessed by measuring cell numbers and colony-forming units. RESULTS The blocking of CD44 had a comparable inhibitory effect on the hematopoiesis of human and pig marrow, even if the latter was maintained on a human stromal layer. Both cellular proliferation and colony-forming activity were inhibited by anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody. By contrast, a significant difference was observed in VLA-4 usage by hematopoietic cells of the two species. Blocking VLA-4 markedly inhibited human hematopoietic cellular proliferation but had no effect on pig hematopoiesis, on either porcine or human stroma. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that the incompatibility of either CD44 or VLA-4 is unlikely to limit the efficiency of porcine hematopoiesis in a human marrow environment. However, the difference in VLA-4 utilization between these species raises the possibility that other interactions may be important for effective porcine hematopoiesis and that their failure to function between species may contribute to the poor function of porcine hematopoietic cells in primate marrow microenvironments.
Demographic Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Bangladeshi Population

This was a hospital based study done to see the demographic profile of patients with metabolic syndrome in Bangladesh. A total of 334 patients attending in medicine OPD BSMMU were included in this study. According to modified NCEP ATP III criteria 27.2% of subjects aged ≥ 20 years had the metabolic syndrome and it was more commonly seen in women than in men (32.4% vs 21.7%). The metabolic syndrome increased with age in both sexes (40-49 years age groups 24.2% to 50-59 years age groups 35.2%). The metabolic syndrome was also significantly associated with postmenopausal period, family income, leisure time exercise (<60 min/wk), low physical activity, self reported high intake of carbohydrate diet, presence of family history and past history of components of the metabolic syndrome. DOI: 10.3329/taj.v22i1. 5018 TAJ 2009; 22(1): 36-42
Cardiac morphogenesis: Matrix metalloproteinase coordination of cellular mechanisms underlying heart tube formation and directionality of looping

During heart organogenesis, the spatiotemporal organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes significant remodeling. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to be key regulators of cell–matrix interactions, we analyzed the role(s) of MMPs, and specifically MMP‐2, in early heart development. Both MMP‐2 neutralizing antibody and the broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitor Ilomastat in a temporal manner, when applied between chick embryonic stages 5 (primitive streak stage) to stage 12 (∼16‐somites), produced severe heart tube defects. Exposure to the MMP inhibitor at stage 5 produced various degrees of cardia bifida. At the seven‐somite stage, MMP‐2/Ilomastat inhibition caused a shift in normal left‐right patterning of cell proliferation within the dorsal mesocardium and mesoderm of the anterior heart field that correlated with a change in looping direction. MMP inhibition at the 10‐ to 12‐somite stage resulted in an arrest of heart tube bending by inhibiting the breakdown of the dorsal mesocardial ECM. The experimental observations suggest that MMP activity regulates the coordination of early heart organogenesis by affecting ventral closure of the heart and gut tubes, asymmetric cell proliferation in the dorsal mesocardium to drive looping direction, and ECM degradation within the dorsal mesocardium allowing looping to proceed toward completion. Developmental Dynamics 233:739–753, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of stage and number of tumours on prognosis of dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumours

Between 1997 and 1999, 280 dogs with mast cell tumours were identified, of which 59 (21 per cent) had multiple tumours. Follow-up data for survival analysis were available for 145 dogs with single tumours and 50 dogs with multiple tumours. There was no significant difference between the survival times of the two groups; the survival rates after 12 and 24 months were 88 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively, for the dogs with single tumours, and 86 per cent at both intervals for the dogs with multiple tumours. Eight of the dogs with single tumours had lymph node metastases (stage II disease) and these dogs had a median survival time of 431 days, whereas the 50 dogs with multiple tumours (classified as stage III disease) and the dogs with single tumours (classified as stage I disease) had not reached their median survival times. Golden retrievers appeared to be predisposed to developing multiple tumours in the population studied, with an odds ratio of 3·8. This study found no evidence that dogs with multiple tumours had different survival times than those with single tumours, although there was evidence that the presence of lymph node metastasis generally carried a poorer prognosis.
Bupropion reduces cocaine abuse in methadone-maintained patients.

To the Editor. — Cocaine abuse is a major problem among methadonemaintained patients. 1 We recently tested the "second generation" antidepressant bupropion with six cocaine-dependent, methadone-maintained patients in an 8-week open pilot study. A test of the drug for the treatment of cocaine dependence was suggested by research showing that it directly influences dopaminergic transmission 2 and because it possesses few of the cardiovascular and anticholinergic side effects of "first generation" antidepressants. 3 Patients and Methods. — Six methadonemaintained patients participated in the study (two males and four females; mean [±SD] age, 35 ±11 years; daily mean [±SD] methadone dosage, 60 ±20 mg). All subjects were chronic intravenous cocaine users (mean [ ± SD] years of cocaine use, 12 ±8.2 years) who had used at least 0.5 g of cocaine per week for 3 months previous to entry into the study. All met DSM-III-R criteria for cocaine dependence. Subjects received 100 mg
Gastrointestinal wall thickening in patients with cirrhosis: frequency and patterns at contrast-enhanced CT.

PURPOSE To determine the frequency and patterns of gastrointestinal wall thickening at contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three radiologists retrospectively assessed the contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans of 77 patients with cirrhosis and 100 patients without cirrhosis for gastrointestinal wall thickening from the stomach through the descending colon. The frequencies of wall thickening were determined in the cirrhosis and in the control groups and were compared by using the Fisher exact test. The segmental distribution, symmetry, and enhancement pattern were evaluated in all patients with cirrhosis and gastrointestinal wall thickening. RESULTS Gastrointestinal wall thickening was seen in 49 (64%) patients with cirrhosis and in seven (7%) control subjects (P <.005). The jejunum and ascending colon were the most common sites of gastrointestinal wall thickening; each was involved in 32 (42%; 95% CI: 30%, 53%) patients. The scans of 30 (61%; 95% CI: 47%, 75%) patients with gastrointestinal wall thickening showed multisegmental distribution. Gastrointestinal wall thickening was concentric and homogeneous in all patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal wall thickening is common on contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans in patients with cirrhosis. It frequently involves multiple segments. The jejunum and ascending colon are the most common sites of involvement.
Treating Postpartum Depression with Hypnosis: Addressing Specific Symptoms Presented by the Client

Abstract Postpartum Depression is experienced by 10–15% of women who give birth (Bloch, Rolenberg, Koren, & Klein, 2006). This disorder causes maternal distress and has been significantly associated with infant and child developmental problems (Carter, Garrity-Rokous, Chazan-Cohen, Little, & Briggs-Gowan, 2001). Once believed to be contraindicated (Crasilneck & Hall, 1985), hypnosis for depressive disorders has been advocated as an effective intervention strategy (Yapko, 2001). Addressing specific symptoms and skill development has been promoted as an effectual hypnotic strategy for depression (Yapko, 2001); however, little empirical evidence of the efficacy of hypnotherapy for postpartum depression or effective hypnotic strategies exists. The present article is a report of a single case in which hypnotherapy was successfully utilized in the treatment of Postpartum Depression by attending to the specific problems presented by the client and developing client skills to resolve existing problems and prevent their recurrence.
Relative receptor expression is a determinant in xenobiotic-mediated CYP3A induction in rat and human cells

1. Species differences in xenobiotic-mediated transcriptional activation of CYP3A genes are known to exist. These differences are proposed to be due, in part, to host cell differences. 2. Host cell effects were investigated by trans-species transient transfection of reporter genes containing either the rat CYP3A23 or human CYP3A4 proximal promoters into human HepG2 and rat FaO and H4IIEC3 hepatoma cells. HepG2 and FaO cells supported activation of both CYP3A constructs by xenobiotics in a species-specific manner, whereas H4IIEC3 cells were non-permissive. 3. The mRNA complement of the cell lines was then quantified by semiquantitative RT-PCR for adult CYP3As (CYP3A23, CYP3A4/5), steroid hormone receptors (constitutive androstane receptor, glucocorticoid receptor-α, pregnane X receptor) and transcription factors (Hepatic nuclear factor 4α, retinoid X receptor). 4. Principal component analysis of absolute receptor levels demonstrated a wide scattering, with no coherent pattern. In contrast, PCA of relative receptor ratios segregated H4IIEC3 cells from all other samples. 5. The observation is confirmed that species differences in response to xenobiotics are a result of host cell environment. In addition, new evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that in addition to individualreceptor activation profiles, the relative abundance of steroid hormone receptors that control CYP3A gene expression play an importnat role in this observed species difference.
Association of birth weight with adult lung function: findings from the British Women’s Heart and Health Study and a meta-analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between birth weight and lung function in a cohort of women aged 60–79 years and to combine these results with those from other published studies in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The associations of self-reported birth weight with adult lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory flow rate during mid expiration (FEF25–75), all measured using standard procedures, were assessed in a cross sectional study of 2257 British women aged 60–79 years. A detailed literature search was used to identify all published studies of the association, and meta-analysis was used to pool the results from our study and all published studies. Results: There were positive linear associations between birth weight and all three measures of lung function in simple age and examining nurse adjusted regression models. However, with adjustment for height (squared), all three associations attenuated towards the null: adjusted (age, nurse, height2) change in FEV1 per 1 kg birth weight was 0.01 l (95% CI −0.02 to 0.04); in FVC was 0.02 l (95% CI −0.02 to 0.07), and in FEF25–75 was 0.00 l (95% CI −0.04 to 0.04). Further adjustment for life course socioeconomic position, adult body mass index, and smoking did not alter these associations. The results were similar among life long non-smokers and those who had ever smoked. A meta-analysis of eight studies of adults suggested that there was a positive association between birth weight and FEV1: pooled increase in FEV1 per 1 kg in birth weight 0.048 l (95% CI 0.026 to 0.070) adjusted for age, smoking, and height (or height squared). There was no evidence of small study bias in this meta-analysis. Conclusions: There is a modest positive association between birth weight and lung function which indicates that intrauterine factors might have a role in lung development.