Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immediate, Delayed and Dual-Contact Reactivity to Common Contact Urticariogens in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Study in Serbia

Background: Multiple studies have suggested that chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) may be an autoimmune condition occurred in a substantial proportion of cases, but it is important to identify the potential triggers of the disease. There is no study in which the authors tried to answer the question of whether patch testing to common contact urticariogens should be routinely done in patients with CSU. Objectives: We assessed urticarial, eczematous, and dual contact reactivity in patients with CSU to common contact urticariogens, the frequency and etiology, and compared with patients suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy non-atopic persons. Methods: All consecutive patients with chronic urticaria (CU) or AD referred to us from Vojvodina province (Serbia) between November 2015 and May 2017, and healthy volunteers were recruited. Contact reactivity was defined as a positive patch-test to at least one of 15 well-known contact urticariogens. Results: During the study period, 155 patients with CU and 100 patients with AD were referred, and 100 healthy control volunteers were also recruited. Among them, 90 patients with CU, 75 with AD and 70 healthy volunteers gave their written informed consent. Moreover, those who did not fulfill the proposed criteria were excluded. Finally, the patients were divided into three groups: the CSU group included 28 patients with current CSU selected from 73 patients with CU; the Group A included 60 persons with current extrinsic AD, and the Group C included 50 healthy non-atopic persons. In all groups, benzoin, cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, and Peru balsam were among the top five allergens in contact-urticarial response, whereas nickel and cinnamic acid were among the top three in eczematous response. The rates of urticarial, delayed, and dual contact reactivity to at least one allergen did not significantly differ [(χ-boot = 1.410; P = 0.480). (χ-boot = 1.341; P = 0.527) and (χ-boot = 0.316; P = 0.907), respectively] among different groups. The difference was detected to benzoin urticarial reactivity (χ-boot = 8.487; P = 0.016): in the CSU or AD groups, it was significantly higher than the C group (P = 0.025 and 0.010, respectively). A significant difference was detected in female urticarial reactivity to benzoin (χ-boot = 6.998; P = 0.031): in the group AD, it was higher than the C group (P = 0.018). Conclusions: This could be of the first studies in which the researchers tried to answer the question of whether patch testing to common contact urticariogens should be routinely proposed in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. The authors suggest that more investigations have to be designed through multicentric research.
ESRA19-0179 Frequency and presentation of persistent pain following breast cancer surgery: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital

Background and aims Persistent post-surgical pain (PPSP) is significant issue following breast cancer treatment. Primary aim of this study was to determine the frequency of persistent pain in patients after breast cancer surgery while the secondary aim was to observe the distribution and characteristics of pain in these patients. Methods This prospective observational single cohort study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and the Breast Surgery Clinic of the Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University. Adult female patients with biopsy proven carcinoma of breast who were scheduled for elective definitive breast cancer surgery were enrolled in this study. Total 120 patients were followed for up to 3 months after surgery and those who had persistent pain were followed up for 6 months after operation. Results Of the 120 patients, 26 (21.7%) patients developed persistent post-surgical pain for up to 3 months while in 17 (14.2%) patients pain continued for up to 6 months after operation. Of 26 patients with PPSP, 11 (42.3%) had burning pain, 10 (38.5%) had throbbing pain, 3 (11.5%) patients had numbness and 2 patients had mixed character of pain. 11 patients developed pain at more than one site. Pain was distributed in axilla, chest wall, upper arm and surgical scar area. 15 of 26 patients (57.7%), had pain in axilla. Conclusions Persistent pain following breast cancer surgeries was found to be 21.7% in this study; 15 of 26 patients had pain in axilla.
POTENTIAL ROLE OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN TREATMENT OF STZ DIABETIC INDUCED RAT MODEL REFERRING TO HEPATORENAL PROTECTIVE EFFECTS

Diabetes is a complex chronic endocrinal distinguished with increased blood glucose level and insufficient insulin secretion and function. This disease is leading to many complications and considered as one of the most massive causes of mortality or morbidity around the world. The successful treatment of diabetes is how to regenerate pancreatic islets β-cells. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation as a new strategy for treatment of diabetes in Streptozotacin (STZ) induced diabetic male albino rats. To achieve this goal, thirty male albino rats (160-180 grams) were used in this work. Animals were divided into three groups; each of ten rats. Group I, Normal healthy control. Group II, STZ (45 mg/kg) induced diabetic group which left without treatment. Group III, STZ diabetic induced group and treated with MSC.s (2 × 106 cells/rat) via penial vein. After six weeks of treatment, animals were sacrificed; blood samples for biochemical estimations and organs of pancreas, liver, and kidney were removed for histopathological examination. The results revealed that the diabetic group had significant increase in glucose, ALT, AST, ALP, MDA, creatinine, urea, LDL, TGs, and cholesterol levels in addition to significant decrease in insulin and HDL levels. After six weeks of MSCs transplantation, the treated group showed a significant amelioration in these biochemical parameters. Histopathological examination showed an improvement in the histological structure of pancreas, liver and kidney tissues in the MSCs treated group compared with the degeneration observed in the diabetic untreated group which was in accordance with the biochemical finding. In conclusion: treatment with MSC.s transplantation as a cell-therapy could restore pancreatic β-cell function and improved liver and kidney functions in diabetes as a new strategy for diabetes treatment. However, more studies at this field are required.
Effects of Resistance, Endurance, and Concurrent Exercise on Oxidative Stress Markers and the Histological Changes of Intestine After Morphine Withdrawal in Rats

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance, endurance, and concurrent exercise on oxidative stress markers and histological changes of the intestine after morphine withdrawal in rats. Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6) including healthy control, withdrawal (rat received morphine for 21 days and 8 weeks of withdrawal period), withdrawal + endurance exercises, withdrawal + resistance exercises, and withdrawal + concurrent exercises. The rats practiced endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercises for 10 weeks. Then, their intestines were removed and used for biochemical and histological analysis. Next, several factors were measured such as total protein levels, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS). Finally, the morphological alteration of intestine was examined under the light microscope. Results: Morphine withdrawal significantly increased the levels of MDA in the intestine of withdrawal rats compared to those of the control group while endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise reduced the MDA levels in the intestine. In addition, morphine withdrawal led to a decrease in TAC and GSH levels in the intestine compared to control rats whereas endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise noticeably increased TAC and GSH levels. Interestingly, the change in the concurrent group was more significant. Moreover, the levels of TOS demonstrated a significant increase in the addicted rat as compared to the control group. Conversely, endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise significantly decreased TOS levels and the reduction was more significant in the concurrent group. Finally, the intestine of withdrawal rat was morphologically abnormal while it restored by the exercise. Conclusion: Overall, endurance, resistance, and concurrent exercise significantly normalized oxidative stress and the morphological changes of the intestine in withdrawal rats.
A Systematic Review of Non-continuous Versus Continuous Gastric Tube Feeding and Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia, Delayed Gastric Emptying and Diarrhoea in Adults

Background: Enteral tube feeding (ETF), either continuous or non-continuous may be used to meet nutritional needs but is associated with risks of aspiration pneumonia, delayed gastric emptying or diarrhoea. These can have serious consequences, particularly for patients who are critically ill or with swallowing disorders [1]. The aim of this review was to compare the incidence of complications associated with non-continuous (N-CETF) versus continuous delivery (CETF). Method: Databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, AMED and SCOPUS were searched between February 26th March 8th 2013. Both the search and review were carried out by a single investigator. All study designs were considered that assist in answering the question. Outcome measures were aspiration pneumonia (AP), pulmonary aspiration, delayed gastric emptying and diarrhoea. Quality assessment was carried out on all included studies using a tool for quantitative studies [2]. Results: 7 studies were included: 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs); 2 controlled clinical trials (CCTs); and 1 case study (total of 682 subjects). All trials commenced in hospital, 4 in general medical wards and 3 in intensive care. Of the 5 studies with AP as an outcome, none reported a significant difference between N-CETF and CETF. Of the 3 studies reporting the incidence of stool frequency and consistency 2 found no significant Conference Abstract European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 4(3): 265-266, 2014 266 difference between N-CETF and CETF. However, 1 CCT reported a five-fold increased risk of diarrhoea with fibre-free N-CETF when compared to fibre-rich CETF. There was no statistically significant difference between the two modes of feeding with regard to delayed gastric emptying and pulmonary aspiration. Of the 4 RCTs 3 were rated to be of moderate quality and the remaining 4 studies were rated to be of weak quality. Discussion: No strong evidence exists of clear benefit for one mode of delivery over another, which is consistent with previous review literature [3] and guidelines [4]. The lack of clear, good-quality evidence in ETF studies may in part be due to ethical considerations. The absence of an internationally standardized tool for assessing stool consistency and frequency undermines the validity and reliability of some of the stated results (incidence of diarrhoea). Conclusion: This review does not provide conclusive evidence that the incidences of complications are different between N-CETF and CETF and is thus unable to make recommendations for a change in practice.
Coping mechanisms among Palestinian refugee families in Malaysia during the transition period

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how Palestinian refugee families in Malaysia cope with the challenges they face during their transitional destination. These families have recently fled from conflict zones in various Arab countries and moved to Malaysia where they registered in the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur, waiting for resettlement in a third country. Design/methodology/approach The paper utilizes the qualitative research approach, drawing descriptive analysis (thematic analysis technique) of data collected by semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 Palestinian families. For sample selection, the author used purposive sampling and employed the Snowball technique to select the families who have experienced refuge life for the second time. Then the sample was equally divided into three groups to include ten families moving from Iraq, Syria and the Gaza Strip. The interviews were conducted with the head of the families who varied in terms of gender and age composition. The study involved 9 female participants and 21 males. They are all Muslims and aged between 24 and 80 years old. In terms of educational background, all of the participants are literate with formal school education, diploma or tertiary education. Findings The study shows that refugee families adopt four main ways of coping commonly used to improve the quality of their life during their transition in Malaysia. They turn to religion and spirituality, keep in touch with relatives and friends in the diaspora and conflict zones, develop a positive image about their present situation by comparing it to worse living conditions of others living in conflict zones and plan to migrate to Europe to hold a European passport which will give them the opportunity to visit their original country, Palestine. Originality/value The paper tackles the Palestinian refugee family life and explores their real-life stories and experiences during transition in Malaysia. It provides them with an opportunity to speak up their suffering and reveal the various strategies they adopt to cope with life challenges. Besides, the result of the study will be a fruitful addition to the corpus of sociological knowledge as well as an important contribution to the families that stay in transition in different societies around the world.
The Association between Polymorphisms of Vitamin D Metabolic-Related Genes and Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Objective To investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the key genes in vitamin D metabolic pathway on the serum 25(OH)D level after long-term vitamin D3 supplementation and provide a theoretical basis for rational vitamin D3 supplementation in diabetic patients with different genetic backgrounds. Methods Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who met the inclusive criteria were given 800 IU of vitamin D3 daily for 30 consecutive months. Serum 25(OH)D levels was measured at enrollment and every 6 months after enrollment. The average value of four-time measurements represented individual serum 25(OH)D level during vitamin D3 supplementation. Multiplex TaqMan genotyping was used to determine the distribution of eight candidate SNPs in genes of DHCR7, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, CYP24A1, and VDR, which are key genes in the vitamin D metabolic pathway, in diabetic patients. Results At baseline, the average serum 25(OH)D level was 22.71 ± 6.87 ng/mL, and 17.9% of patients had a ≥30 ng/mL level. During supplementation, the level of 25(OH)D increased significantly at each time point, and the average 25(OH)D level increased to 30.61 ± 5.04 ng/mL; however, there were 44.6% of patients whose serum 25(OH)D levels were still below 30 ng/mL. In the patients with CYP27B1 (rs10877012) G/T genotype, 71.79% achieved sufficient level of 25(OH)D, which was significantly higher than the other two genotypes (P < 0.05). Compared with those with T/T genotype, the RR of the patients with rs10877012 for <30 ng/mL level was 0.544 (95% CI: 0.291-0.917), and the RR after adjusting age and outdoor activity was 0.560 (95% CI: 0.292-0.970). Conclusion The serum 25(OH)D level in patients with diabetes mellitus after long-term vitamin D3 supplementation is associated with CYP27B1 polymorphism. Patients with rs10877012 G/T allele have a better response to vitamin D3 supplementation. Trial Registration This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IPC-17012657.
Photobiomodulation for the management of alopecia: mechanisms of action, patient selection and perspectives

Abstract Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level laser therapy was discovered over 50 years ago, when Mester in Hungary observed regrowth of hair in mice when irradiated with a ruby laser. At the present time, several different PBM devices are marketed to assist with hair regrowth in alopecia patients. This review covers the three main types of alopecia (androgenetic, areata, and chemotherapy-induced), and discusses the mechanism of action of PBM for each disease. The different devices used (mostly low powered red laser diodes), dosimetry, animal models, and clinical trials are summarized. Criteria for patient selection are outlined. Finally a perspectives section looks forward to the future.
SAGITTAL BALANCE IN ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study is to achieve a better understanding of the parameters that influence sagittal balance in a population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Methods A retrospective study of 80 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was conducted. The parameters evaluated were: age, sex, pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slop (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), sagittal balance (SB), coronal balance (CB), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK) divided into upper (between T1 and T5) and lower (between T5 and T12), cervical spine alignment (CSA), and Cobb’s coronal angle (CCA) of primary scoliotic curvature. Results Regarding the sagittal balance, this study demonstrated a significant statistical positive correlation with cervical shape (p<0.01) and upper thoracic kyphosis (from T1 to T5) (p<0.05), but not with the other variables. LL had a strong influence on lower thoracic curvature (from T5 to T12) and was strongly influenced by the PI and SS. Conclusions Sagittal balance is a parameter that is influenced by multiple factors. In fact, it is closely related to cervical shape and the upper thoracic curvature (from T1 to T5), which in turn, is closely linked to the severity of the scoliotic kyphosis. The Cobb angle of the lower thoracic spine (from T5 to T12) is more closely correlated with the angle of lumbar lordosis than with the upper thoracic kyphosis (from T1 to T5). Level of evidence IV; Case Series.
A survey examining the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation on adult intensive care units across the UK

Introduction Despite potential benefits, it is not known how widely physiotherapists use mechanical insufflation-exsufflation devices on UK adult intensive care units. This survey aimed to describe mechanical insufflation-exsufflation use in UK adult intensive care units. Methods Cross-sectional electronic survey of physiotherapists working in a permanent post on adult intensive care units. Results One hundred and sixty-six complete surveys were available for analysis, reflecting a diverse geographical spread. Nearly all (98%; 163/166) clinicians had access to mechanical insufflation-exsufflation. The estimated frequency of use varied, with the majority reporting weekly or monthly use (52/163, 32%; 50/163, 31%, respectively). Nearly all clinicians (99%) used mechanical insufflation-exsufflation with extubated patients. In contrast, around half of respondents (86/163, 53%) used mechanical insufflation-exsufflation with intubated patients, with a range of perceived barriers reported. Conclusions Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation devices are widely available on UK adult intensive care units, with use more common in extubated patients. Barriers to mechanical insufflation-exsufflation use in the intubated population warrant further investigation
How to Assess Nanomaterial Toxicity? An Environmental and Human Health Approach

Nanomaterials had been used because of the properties they exert in such scale (<100 nm), and they have been used in a wide variety of products like paints, electronics, fabrics, and also personal care products. Recent manuscripts available in the literature demonstrate the potential benefits of nanotechnology with these products. However, when released in the environment or when in contact with the human body, it is hard to track their final destination and their influence over the living beings. So, since nanomaterials were considered an important technology, a concern about its risks also started. Due to the variety of sizes, physicochemical properties, and uses, many researchers are aiming to assess the possible toxicity of this class of particles. Because of that, the chapter objective is to gather which assay, performed in vivo and in vitro, is the most frequently used and recommended to measure nanomaterial toxicity. Also, it is important to know which is the most suitable test to evaluate the toxicity over the environment, through direct effect and after biodegradation, and also related to human health. This chapter presents a concise review about the accepted methods to assess nanomaterial toxicity and also discuss about the need for regulamentation. toxicity.
Impact of the modified bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatinum chemotherapy regimen on the outcome of testicular germ cell tumor: a tertiary care institute experience

Background: Bleomycin, cisplatin and etoposide (BEP) based combination chemotherapy is established as standard treatment for testicular germ cell tumors. As these tumors are highly curable, so management is crucial in terms of long-term toxicity particularly lung toxicity. With standard BEP there is increased toxicity which leads to poor compliance. So, we at a tertiary care center assessed modified BEP regimen in such patients and evaluated its effectiveness in terms of response and toxicity as compared to standard BEP.Methods: Forty-nine patients of testicular germ cell tumors were enrolled in this study from January 2012 to December 2016. The modified BEP regimen consisted of bleomycin 30 IU day 1, cisplatin 20 mg/m2 day 1-5 and etoposide 100 mg/m2 day 1 to 5, given every three weeks. The planned drug intensities were 33.3 mg/m2/week for cisplatin, 166.7 mg/m2 week for etoposide and 10 IU/body/week for bleomycin. The schedule for chemotherapy was as follows: four courses of modified BEP for stage I patients and six courses of modified BEP for stage I S, II and III patients.Results: Overall response rate in our study was seen to be 81.2% which was comparable with the available evidence. Five (10.4%) patients developed febrile neutropenia. Two (4.1%) patients showed clinically evident bleomycin induced pulmonary toxicity. Lower toxicity seen in these patients led to better overall compliance.Conclusions: Modified BEP protocol is a good alternative to standard BEP with comparable efficacy and reduced toxicity.