Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N-acetylcysteine reduces urinary albumin excretion following contrast administration: evidence of biological effect.

BACKGROUND There are conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in attenuating contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). NAC administration independently reduces serum creatinine, potentially confounding studies utilizing creatinine-based endpoints. Albuminuria is a marker of renal injury and spot urine albumin: creatinine ratios (ACR) reflect 24-h urine albumin excretion. We performed a pre-specified secondary analysis from our published negative randomized control trial of NAC for prevention of CIN, to determine if NAC administration reduces albuminuria after contrast exposure following cardiac catheterization. METHODS We included study patients who had paired urine specimens obtained pre- and post-cardiac catheterization. Baseline characteristics were compared using the chi square test or Mann-Whitney U-test, as appropriate. Changes in ACR were evaluated using binomial exact test. The effect of NAC on post-cardiac catheterization changes in ACR ratio was evaluated by ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 125 patients met inclusion criteria (pre- and post-catheterization urinalysis within 7 days). Baseline characteristics neither differ between NAC and placebo groups, nor were they different from those who were excluded. Among the patients receiving NAC, 10.7% improved their ACR ratio and 7.1% worsened; in contrast, in patients on placebo only 4.3% improved, while 21.7% worsened (P=0.015). Change in ACR ratio was not associated with change in kidney function as measured by calculated creatinine clearance or GFR. CONCLUSIONS The results of this analysis suggest NAC may attenuate contrast-induced glomerular or tubular injury, as defined by albumin excretion, and appears to be independent of any effect on creatinine-derived measures of kidney function. Larger studies are required to confirm this observation.
Morphometric properties of the posterior vaginal wall in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to analyze the morphometric properties of the posterior vaginal wall and compare the smooth muscle distribution in the posterior vaginal muscularis in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse. STUDY DESIGN Specimens were taken from the apex of the posterior vaginal wall after hysterectomy from 15 women with pelvic organ prolapse and from 8 healthy control subjects. Smooth muscle cells of the posterior vaginal wall were identified by immunohistochemistry with antibodies to smooth muscle alpha-actin. Morphometric analysis was performed on histologic cross-sections of the posterior vaginal wall to determine the fractional area of nonvascular smooth muscle in the muscularis. The innervation pattern of the vaginal wall was determined by use of S100 immunostaining. Statistical comparisons between two groups were conducted by a Student t test. Comparisons between multiple groups were conducted with a one-way analysis of variance followed by a post-hoc Student-Neuman-Keuls test. RESULTS The fractional area of nonvascular vaginal smooth muscle in the muscularis of women with posterior wall prolapse was significantly decreased compared with that of healthy control subjects. Nerve bundles were located in the deep vaginal muscularis and adventitia of the posterior vaginal wall. In women with posterior wall prolapse, nerve bundles were smaller and fewer in number. CONCLUSION Morphologic features of the posterior vaginal wall are significantly altered in women with posterior wall prolapse compared with asymptomatic control subjects.
Predictors of AVP and TSH Levels and the Timing of First Voiding in the Newborn

To evaluate obstetric predictors of umbilical cord plasma AVP levels, serum TSH levels and the timing of first voiding, 87 singleton term newborns were divided into three groups: group A, vaginal delivery (n = 30); group B, cesarean section (CS) during labor (n = 26); and group C, elective CS (n = 31). The AVP concentration was 120 (0.7–2170) ng/L in group A, 1.8 (0.01–183) ng/L in group B, and 0.8 (0.01–30) ng/L in group C (p < 0.001). In group A, the TSH concentration was 10.20 (3.5–30.80) mU/L; in group B, 5.40 (2.10–43.00) mU/L; and in group C, 5.30 (2.90–11.00) mU/L (p = 0.001). Duration of labor had a positive correlation with AVP (p < 0.001) and TSH (p = 0.001) concentrations. The timing of first voiding had a positive correlation with gestational age (p = 0.003), volume of additional feeding before first voiding (p < 0.001), and umbilical AVP concentration (p = 0.023). The AVP and TSH concentrations are associated with mode of delivery and duration of labor and AVP levels also with the timing of first voiding in the newborn.
Extended use of Kinesiology Tape and Balance in Participants with Chronic Ankle Instability.

CONTEXT Participants with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been shown to have balance deficits related to decreased proprioception and neuromuscular control. Kinesiology tape (KT) has been proposed to have many benefits, including increased proprioception. OBJECTIVE To determine if KT can help with balance deficits associated with CAI. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Thirty participants with CAI were recruited for this study. INTERVENTION(S) Balance was assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Participants were pretested and then randomly assigned to either the control or KT group. The participants in the KT group had 4 strips applied to the foot and lower leg and were instructed to leave the tape on until they returned for testing. All participants returned 48 hours later for another BESS assessment. The tape was then removed, and all participants returned 72 hours later to complete the final BESS assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Total BESS errors. RESULTS Differences between the groups occurred at 48 hours post-application of the tape (mean difference = 4.7 ± 1.4 errors, P < .01; 95% confidence interval = 2.0, 7.5) and at 72 hours post-removal of the tape (mean difference = 2.3 ± 1.1 errors, P = .04; 95% confidence interval = 0.1, 4.6). CONCLUSIONS The KT improved balance after it had been applied for 48 hours when compared with the pretest and with the control group. One of the most clinically important findings is that balance improvements were retained even after the tape had been removed for 72 hours.
Molluscan engrailed expression, serial organization, and shell evolution

SUMMARY Whether the serial features found in some molluscs are ancestral or derived is considered controversial. Here, in situ hybridization and antibody studies show iterated engrailed‐gene expression in transverse rows of ectodermal cells bounding plate field development and spicule formation in the chiton, Lepidochitona caverna, as well as in cells surrounding the valves and in the early development of the shell hinge in the clam, Transennella tantilla. Ectodermal expression of engrailed is associated with skeletogenesis across a range of bilaterian phyla, suggesting a single evolutionary origin of invertebrate skeletons. The shared ancestry of bilaterian‐invertebrate skeletons may help explain the sudden appearance of shelly fossils in the Cambrian. Our interpretation departs from the consideration of canonical metameres or segments as units of evolutionary analysis. In this interpretation, the shared ancestry of engrailed‐gene function in the terminal/posterior addition of serially repeated elements during development explains the iterative expression of engrailed genes in a range of metazoan body plans.
Dietary polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFA) differentially modulate melamine-induced preneoplastic urothelial proliferation and apoptosis in mice.

A number of experimental and epidemiological studies indicate that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play a modulatory role in the development of several cancers. However, literature on the importance of dietary PUFA in urinary-tract tumourigenesis is scarce, and even contradictory. Therefore, our purpose was to evaluate comparatively, several urothelial cellular parameters linked to neoplasia when 180 BALB/c mice were initiated with the tumourigenic agent melamine and fed with two amounts of different PUFA. In experiment 1, mice were fed with 6% of fish oil (enriched in n-3 PUFA, FO), corn oil (enriched in n-6, CO) and olein (enriched in n-9, an EFA deficiency inducer) formulae plus two chow-fed control lots with (CM) and without (C) melamine treatment. In experiment 2, each of the three varieties of PUFA were offered at 10%. Following 18-22 weeks of melamine treatment, animals were autopsied. The liver fatty acid profile showed a close correlation with the dietary sources, exhibiting in the O group macroscopic and biochemical EFA-deficient (EFAD) characteristics. The frequency of simple urothelial hyperplasias (H) and dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (D/CIS) was significantly lower in the FO group, whereas both types of lesions increased in the CO and O groups, compared to the C and CM mice. Increased proliferation and abnormal luminal localized mitosis were more frequently recorded in EFAD mice, whereas abnormal apoptotic/mitosis ratio increased in both olein- and corn-oil-fed animals. This study shows that dietary PUFA modulate differentially normal and pre-neoplastic proliferation when induced by the tumorigenic agent melamine. Fish oil, rich in n-3 fatty acids, exhibits a clear antipromoting activity, whereas the role of n-6 and n-9 PUFA derivatives needs further research.
Bicarbonate reduces serum prolactin increase induced by exercise to exhaustion.

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to examine the effect of acid-base status on serum prolactin (PRL) concentration postexercise. METHODS Seven male recreational athletes participated in two experimental trials separated by 1 wk. In the respective trial, subjects received either a placebo infusion (normal isotonic saline) or an alkali infusion (isotonic sodium bicarbonate) before and during exercise. Venous and capillary blood samples were drawn at rest, immediately after a 10-min warm-up period, and after a maximal ramp test on a cycle ergometer, as well as at 3, 6, 10, and 15 min postexercise. RESULTS Power output, HR, capillary blood lactate concentration, carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2), and partial oxygen pressure (PO2) did not differ between trials at any point in time. Capillary PO2 did not change from resting values, but a significant increase (P < 0.05) was found from the end of warm-up to 3 min of the recovery period. Exercise induced a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in capillary blood bicarbonate concentration (HCO3-), pH, base excess (BE), and PCO2 at exhaustion and during the recovery period. Significantly higher HCO3-, pH, and BE were found during bicarbonate infusion and postexercise in comparison with the placebo trial. Serum PRL concentration was significantly increased 3 min postexercise until the end of the placebo trial, whereas after bicarbonate infusion, serum PRL concentration did not change from values at rest. Significant (P < 0.01) differences between trials in serum PRL concentration were found 10 and 15 min postexercise. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that acidosis is a stimulus for exercise-induced PRL secretion.
Previous Ingestion of Lactococcus lactis by Ethanol-Treated Mice Preserves Antigen Presentation Hierarchy in the Gut and Oral Tolerance Susceptibility.

BACKGROUND Ethanol (EtOH) consumption is able to disturb the ovalbumin (OVA)-oral tolerance induction by interfering on the function of antigen presenting cells (APC), down-regulating dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages and up-regulating B-lymphocytes and their function, which results in an overall allergic-type immune status. In this study, the potential of a priori administration of Lactococcus lactis (LL) in avoiding loss of oral tolerance in EtOH-treated mice was investigated. METHODS Female C57BL/6 mice received, by oral route, ad libitum wild-type (WT) LL or heat-shock protein producer (Hsp65) LL for 4 consecutive days. Seven days later, mice were submitted to short-term high-dose EtOH treatment. After 24 hours, stomach, intestine, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) specimens were collected for biomarkers analysis. Following EtOH-treatment protocol, a group of animals underwent single-gavage OVA-tolerance protocol and sera samples collected for antibody analysis. RESULTS The ingestion of WT LL or Hsp65 LL is able to restore oral tolerance to OVA in EtOH-treated mice, by reducing local and systemic allergic outcomes such as gastric mast cells and gut-interleukin-4, as well as serum IgE. WT LL treatment prevents the decrease of mLN regulatory T cells induced by the EtOH treatment. Moreover, LL treatment preserves APC hierarchy and antigen presentation commitment in EtOH-treated mice, with conserved DC and macrophage activity over B lymphocytes in mLN and preserved macrophage activity over DC and B-cell subsets in the spleen. CONCLUSIONS The present findings suggest that a priori ingestion of LL preserves essential mechanisms associated with oral tolerance induction that are disturbed by EtOH ingestion. Maintenance of mucosal homeostasis by preserving APC hierarchy and antigen presentation commitment could be associated with T-regulatory subset activities in the gastrointestinal tract.
Psychological, musculoskeletal, and respiratory problems and sickness absence before and after involvement in a disaster: a longitudinal study among rescue workers

Background: On 13 May 2000 a firework depot situated in a residential area in the Netherlands exploded. Many rescue workers were involved in the aftermath of this explosion. Aims: To examine the longitudinal course of psychological, musculoskeletal, and respiratory problems and sickness absence among rescue workers involved. Methods: The study population was composed of 1036 rescue workers. Data on health and sickness absence both before and after the disaster were collected from the electronic database of the rescue workers’ occupational physicians. Health problems were coded according to an adapted version of the ICD-10. Results: After the disaster a long term increase was found in psychological, musculoskeletal, and respiratory problems. Compared to six months before the disaster, the average length of sickness absence in the first half year after the disaster increased from 6.6 to 11.6 days, and decreased slowly in the following six month periods. Conclusions: Rescue workers involved in a disaster may experience subsequent impairment in occupational functioning.
HIV Infection and HIV‐Associated Behaviors Among Injecting Drug Users—20 Cities, United States, 2009

Despite a recent reduction in the number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections attributed to injecting drug use in the United States, 9% of new U.S. HIV infections in 2009 occurred among injecting drug users (IDUs). To monitor HIV-associated behaviors and HIV prevalence among IDUs, CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) conducts interviews and HIV testing in selected metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). This report summarizes data from 10,073 IDUs interviewed and tested in 20 MSAs in 2009. Of IDUs tested, 9% had a positive HIV test result, and 45% of those testing positive were unaware of their infection. Among the 9,565 IDUs with HIV negative or unknown HIV status before the survey, 69% reported having unprotected vaginal sex, 34% reported sharing syringes, and 23% reported having unprotected heterosexual anal sex during the 12 previous months. Although these risk behavior prevalences appear to warrant increased access to HIV testing and prevention services, for the previous 12-month period, only 49% of the IDUs at risk for acquiring HIV infection reported having been tested for HIV, and 19% reported participating in a behavioral intervention. Increased HIV prevention and testing efforts are needed to further reduce HIV infections among IDUs.
Validity of somatic cell count as indicator of pathogen-specific intramammary infections

The objective of this study was to determine whether somatic cell count (SCC) was an effective test, with a sensitivity exceeding 85%, to determine species-specific bacterial infections. In addition, the relation between the SCC and various udder pathogen groups was investigated. SCC thresholds of greater than 200 000 cells/mL were used in quarter and greater than 150 000 cells/mL in composite milk samples. A retrospective study was conducted on a data set for 89 635 quarter and 345 467 composite cow milk samples. Eleven SCC threshold values were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy for the following bacteria: Gram-positive major pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis; Gram-negative major pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Serratia spp. ; minor pathogens: coagulase-negative staphylococci, Micrococcus spp. , Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus canis, Trueperella pyogenes and other Enterobacteriaceae. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated taking the effect of clustering into account with quarter milk samples. Most samples yielding major Gram-positive pathogens (88.9% in quarter and 79.9% in composite samples) and minor pathogens (61.4% in quarter and 51.7% in composite samples) had SCC greater than 200 000 cells/mL. Sensitivity of the SCC test to detect major pathogens at an SCC threshold of greater than 200 000 cells/mL in quarter samples and greater than 150 000 cells/mL in composite milk samples was 88.2% and 84.2%, respectively, but specificity was low (57.7% and 52.8%, respectively).
Epac mediates PACAP‐dependent long‐term depression in the hippocampus

Extensive work has shown that activation of the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) is crucial for long‐term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, a phenomenon that is thought to be involved in memory formation. Here we studied the role of an alternative target of cAMP, the exchange protein factor directly activated by cyclic AMP (Epac). We show that pharmacological activation of Epac by the selective agonist 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐2′‐O‐methyl‐cAMP (8‐pCPT) induces LTD in the CA1 region. Paired‐pulse facilitation of synaptic responses remained unchanged after induction of this LTD, suggesting that it depended on postsynaptic mechanisms. The 8‐pCPT‐induced LTD was blocked by the Epac signalling inhibitor brefeldin‐A (BFA), Rap‐1 antagonist geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor (GGTI) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (P38‐MAPK) inhibitor SB203580. This indicated a direct involvement of Epac in this form of LTD. As for other forms of LTD, a mimetic peptide of the PSD‐95/Disc‐large/ZO‐1 homology (PDZ) ligand motif of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR2 blocked the Epac‐LTD, suggesting involvement of PDZ protein interaction. The Epac‐LTD also depended on mobilization of intracellular Ca2+, proteasome activity and mRNA translation, but not transcription, as it was inhibited by thapsigargin, lactacystin and anisomycin, but not actinomycin‐D, respectively. Finally, we found that the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) can induce an LTD that was mutually occluded by the Epac‐LTD and blocked by BFA or SB203580, suggesting that the Epac‐LTD could be mobilized by stimulation of PACAP receptors. Altogether these results provided evidence for a new form of hippocampal LTD.
Children's pain at home following (adeno)tonsillectomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of children's pain at home following (adeno)tonsillectomies. The subjects were parents of 161 children (86 boys, 75 girls) undergoing myringotomies, adenoidectomies and (adeno)tonsillectomies. The mean age of the children was 5.5 years (SD = 2.4; range 1–14). Parents were asked to assess the child's average pain on the day of operation and 7 days after the operation, using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Parents from (adeno)tonsillectomy patients were also interviewed by phone on day 7.
Alcohol consumption and risk for development of impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes in middle-aged Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and risk for development of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined 2,953 Japanese male office workers aged 35-59 years who did not have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (a fasting plasma glucose concentration of 6.1-6.9 mmol/l), type 2 diabetes (a fasting plasma glucose concentration of > or =7.0 mmol/l or receipt of hypoglycemic medication), medication for hypertension, or a history of cardiovascular disease. Fasting plasma glucose concentrations were measured at periodic annual health examinations from May 1994 through May 2001. RESULTS There was a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and the incidence of IFG or type 2 diabetes during 7 years of follow-up, with the lowest incidence at alcohol intake of 23.0-45.9 g ethanol/day. After controlling for age, family history of diabetes, BMI, cigarette smoking, and physical activity, the relative risk for development of IFG or type 2 diabetes compared with alcohol consumption of 23.0-45.9 g ethanol/day was 1.51 (95% CI, 1.07-2.13), 1.31 (95% CI, 0.93-1.84), 1.18 (95% CI, 0.87-1.61), and 1.43 (95% CI, 1.01-2.02) with alcohol consumption of 0, 0.1-22.9, 46.0-68.9, and > or =69.0 g ethanol/day, respectively (P for quadratic trend = 0.016). Analyses by presence or absence of a risk factor revealed that a U-shaped association was more evident in older men, men without a family history of diabetes, and nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that moderate alcohol consumption among apparently healthy Japanese men is associated with reduced risk for development of IFG or type 2 diabetes.
In vitro susceptibility of yeasts isolated from patients in intensive care units to fluconazole and amphotericin B during a 3‐year period

Fungal infections have increased dramatically in recent years and candidemia is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Candidemia has been considered to be a nosocomial infection that is strongly associated with neutropenia, recent surgery or presence of intravascular lines, and previous colonization is an independent risk factor. We evaluated the in vitro efficacy of fluconazole and amphotericin B against yeasts isolated from various clinical specimens of colonized or infected patients treated in the ICUs of the Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University. A total of 1397 ICU patients were treated at the Institute of Cardiology between January 2000 and December 2002. A total of 117 yeasts isolated from 97 patients were included in this study. These ICU patients were hospitalized for a mean of 29 days. All yeasts were identified by conventional methods and using the API (20C AUX, ID 32C) system (Bio Meriéux, France). Susceptibility to fluconazole and amphotericin B was evaluated using the E‐test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden). The most commonly isolated yeast was Candida albicans (72.6%), followed by Candida tropicalis (16.2%), Candida kefyr, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Trichosporon mucoides and Geotrichum spp. Fluconazole and amphotericin B MIC90 values were 0.75 μg/ml; 0.19 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml; 0.38 μg/ml for C. albicans and C. tropicalis, respectively. All Geotrichum spp. were found to be susceptible‐dose dependent (SDD) (MIC=16–32 μg/ml) to fluconazole. Two C. albicans, two C. tropicalis, one C. krusei and one Geotrichum spp. had a MIC value of ≥0.38 μg/ml for amphotericin B. The rate of colonization was 3.36% (47/1397). Only 10 (0.71%) patients out of a total of 1397 developed candidemia during the period of the investigation. Of these, 7 (70%) were caused by non‐albicans Candida spp.