Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black currant anthocyanins normalized abnormal levels of serum concentrations of endothelin-1 in patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE Our recent study, which involved a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked 24-month trial (Ophthalmologica 2012;228:26-35), revealed that oral administration of black currant anthocyanins (BCACs) slowed down the visual field deterioration and elevation of ocular blood flow of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these BCAC-induced effects, as possible factors affecting glaucomatous optic neuropathy, changes of serum endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidative activities were examined in the present study. METHODS From among patients with OAG who participated in the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial, serum specimens were obtained from BCAC-treated (n=19) or placebo-treated (n=19) patients at baseline and every 6 months. Healthy volunteers (n=20) with age and gender matching the patients were used as a control. Serum ET-1 concentration, [NO2(-)] and [NO2(-) + NO3(-)] levels, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and antioxidant activities were measured by using commercially available kits. RESULTS At the trial baseline, serum ET-1 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with OAG (BCACs, 3.18±1.06 pg/mL; placebo, 3.44±0.84 pg/mL) than those in healthy volunteers (4.38±1.03 pg/mL) (one-way analysis of variance and a Tukey's multiple comparison post hoc test, P<0.05). Upon administration of BCACs, serum ET-1 concentrations increased to the levels of those in healthy volunteers during the 24-month period. In contrast, those of placebo-treated patients remained at lower levels (3.82±1.14 pg/mL). While [NO2(-)] and [NO2(-)+NO3(-)] levels, AOPP, and antioxidative activities of patients from both the BCACs and placebo groups showed comparable levels to those of healthy subjects at baseline, no significant changes were observed during the observational period in either the BCAC or placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS Among the possible beneficial effects of BCACs toward visual field progression in patients with OAG, our present results suggest that BCACs caused normalization of serum ET-1 levels, and this may modulate ET-1-dependent regulation of the ocular blood hemodynamics.
The Impacts of Educational Expansion and Schooling Inequality on Income

Most previous studies use (i) either schooling level or schooling inequality, but not both, in their assessment of education on income inequality; and/or (ii) crosscountry data that have parametric implications because they assume the relationship between income inequality and independent variables is the same in all sample countries; and/or (Hi) a single income inequality measure as a dependent variable; however, any single income inequality measure is incomplete. Using the indirect quantite approach, we establish a time series model in which the aggregate variables such as schooling level and schooling dispersion could affect income inequality through a set ofquantile income levels. This model not only avoids the limitations stated above, but also makes the distribution data more useful, the analysis more flexible, and provides a high level of disaggregation.
Polyvalent Pneumococcal Vaccine Given Alone and in Combination with Bivalent Influenza Virus Vaccine

Summary Sixty-eight normal subjects were immunized by the intramuscular route with either hexavalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, bivalent influenza virus vaccine, or a combined pneumococcal polysaccharide and influenza virus vaccine. Serum specimens collected before and 3 weeks after inoculation were analyzed by radioimmunoassay and hemagglutination-inhibition assay to determine antibody response. Although both the pneumococcal vaccine and the combined vaccine induced greater mean pneumococcal antibody titers following immunization, the titers of five of the six pneumococcal types were lower in the combined vaccine group. Postimmuni-zation influenza virus antibody titers were similar in subjects who received the influenza virus-alone vaccine or the combination vaccine. Local and systemic side effects occurred in more subjects of the combined vaccine group than in those of the single vaccine groups; however, fewer effects appeared in the individual pneumococcal vaccine group than in the influenza virus vaccine group.
Different mechanism of bone loss in ageing women and men in Khon Kaen Province.

UNLABELLED The changes of vitamin D status and biochemical markers of bone turnover have been reported with aging. In this study we determined age-related levels of vitamin D and biochemical markers of bone turnover in the general adult population between the ages of 20 and 84 years who were living in Khon Kaen province in northeastern Thailand. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D was determined as an indicator of vitamin D status. Serum total alkaline phosphatase and N-terminal mid fragment osteocalcin were measured as biochemical markers of bone formation and serum C-terminal fragment of type I collagen was measured as a marker of bone resorption. The levels of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D were high in the Khon Kaen population. Men had higher levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D than did women. However, there were no changes with age in either sex. In women, all biochemical markers of bone turnover increased with age after the fourth decade. The sharp increase was observed in the sixth decade which was around the menopausal age. In contrast, in men all biochemical markers of bone turnover except serum total alkaline phosphatase had a tendency to decrease with age. CONCLUSION There was no evidence of vitamin D deficiency in a Khon Kaen population. In addition, serum vitamin D levels did not decline with ageing. Women and men showed different changes of biochemical markers of bone turnover with ageing indicating gender difference in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.
Economic conditions, government effectiveness and public attitudes towards the welfare state

Expanding the literature on support for the welfare state, we explain citizens’ attitudes towards it by focusing on their perceptions about economic conditions and government effectiveness in their country rather than objective assessments of them. Using data from the 2008 European Social Survey, we demonstrate that citizens believe that the standard of living of economically weak populations goes hand in hand with a well-managed government, which treats all sectors and populations equally and proves efficient. Under these conditions, preferences for government intervention to improve welfare outcomes decline.
Patients Who Use Multiple EDs: Quantifying the Degree of Overlap between ED Populations

Introduction The degree to which individual patients use multiple emergency departments (EDs) is not well-characterized. We determined the degree of overlap in ED population between three geographically proximate hospitals. Methods This retrospective cohort study reviewed administrative hospital records from 2003 to 2007 for patients registered to receive ED services at an urban academic, urban community, and suburban community ED located within 10 miles of one another. We determined the proportion who sought care at multiple EDs and secondarily characterized patterns of repeat encounters. Results There were 795,176 encounters involving 282,903 patients. There were 89,776 (31%) patients with multiple encounters to a single ED and 39,920 (14%) patients who sought care from multiple EDs. The 39,920 patients who sought care from multiple EDs generated 185,629 (23%) of all encounters. Patients with repeat encounters involving multiple EDs were more likely to be frequent or highly frequent users (30%) than patients with multiple encounters to a single ED (14%). Conclusion While only 14% of patients received care from more than one ED, they were responsible for a quarter of ED encounters. Patients who use multiple EDs are more often frequent or highly frequent users than are repeat ED visitors to the same ED. Overlap between ED populations is sufficient to warrant consideration by multiple domains of research, practice, and policy.
Patient evaluation in idiopathic scoliosis: Radiographic assessment, trunk deformity and back asymmetry

Progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) produces specific signs and symptoms, including trunk and spinal deformity and imbalance, impairment of breathing function, pain, progression during adult life, and psychological problems, as a whole resulting in an alteration of the health-related quality of life. A scoliosis-specific rehabilitation program attempts to prevent, improve, or minimize these signs and symptoms by using exercises and braces as the main tools in the rehabilitation treatment. Patient evaluation is an essential point in the decision-making process and determines the selection of the specific exercises and the specifications of the brace design. However, this article is not addressed to scoliosis management. In this present article, a complete definition and discussion of radiological aspects, such as the Cobb angle, axial rotation, curve pattern classifications, and sagittal configuration, follow a short description of the three-dimensional nature of AIS. The relationship between AIS and growth is also discussed. There is also a section dedicated to the assessment of trunk deformity and back asymmetry. Other important clinical aspects, such as pain and disability, changes in other regions of the body, muscular balance, breathing function, and health-related quality of life, are not discussed in this present article.
The incidence and cost of hospitalization for 5-FU toxicity among Medicare beneficiaries with metastatic colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the incidence and associated cost of hospitalizations for toxicities associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS Using the 1994 Medicare 5% sample, we identified all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had undergone colorectal surgery. We then stratified them into those who received 5-FU therapy within 90 days of their surgery (5-FU group) and those who did not receive chemotherapy (no-chemotherapy group); patients who received chemotherapeutic agents other than 5-FU were excluded from the sample. Using techniques of survival analysis, we then compared the incidence and associated cost of all hospital admissions with listed International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnostic codes (primary or secondary) for conditions possibly related to 5-FU toxicity (e.g., volume depletion, stomatitis, nausea, and vomiting). RESULTS A total of 441 patients met all study entry criteria, including 192 who received 5-FU and 249 who did not receive chemotherapy following surgery. Patients in the 5-FU group were younger than those in the no-chemotherapy group (p < .001). Mean (+/- SD) follow-up time was slightly longer in the 5-FU group (137 +/- 96 days vs. 117 +/- 88 days for no chemotherapy). The incidence of toxicity-related hospitalizations at 10.5 months (principally volume depletion, agranulocytosis, gastroenteritis, and nausea and vomiting) was 31% among patients who received 5-FU and 8% among those who did not receive chemotherapy. The cost of inpatient care at 10.5 months was $2716 higher among 5-FU patients. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalization for toxicity of Medicare patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving 5-FU is frequent and costly.
The detection of salivary minerals in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry technique.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on the salivary minerals in subjects with chronic periodontitis by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES) technique. METHODS The study group included 24 subjects-12 smokers and 12 non-smokers-with chronic periodontitis. Clinical measurements and non-stimulated whole saliva were obtained, and the levels of five elements-sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate-in each specimen were analyzed. RESULTS When the clinical parameters were compared between groups, only plaque index was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers (P <0.05). The mean plaque index of smokers and non-smokers was 1.93 +/- 0.51 and 1.51 +/- 0.39, respectively. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences between groups in the mineral content of saliva. In smokers, there were positive correlations between the levels of calcium, sodium, and magnesium and clinical attachment level. There was also a positive correlation between the level of phosphate and the percentage of bleeding on probing. In non-smokers, there was a negative correlation only between the mean level of sodium and plaque index (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that no significant differences were found between the mineral content of saliva of smokers and non-smokers by the ICP-AES technique. It is a useful, fast, and sensitive technique compared to other techniques, and it can be advised for researchers while analyzing the mineral content of saliva.
Effect of dietary treatment with n‐propyl gallate or vitamin E on the survival of mice exposed to phosgene

Phosgene, widely used in industrial processes, can cause life‐threatening pulmonary edema and acute lung injury. One mechanism of protection against phosgene‐induced lung injury may involve the use of antioxidants. The present study focused on dietary supplementation in mice using n‐propyl gallate (nPG)—a gallate acid ester compound used infood preservation—and vitamin E. Five groups of male mice were studied: group 1, control‐fed with Purina® rodent chow 5002; group 2, fed 0.75% nPG (w/w) in 5002; group 3, fed 1.5% nPG (w/w) in 5002; group 4 fed 1% (w/w) vitamin E in 5002; and group 5, fed 2% (w/w) vitamin E also in 5002. Mice were fed for 23 days. On day 23 mice were exposed to 32 mg m−3 (8 ppm) phosgene for 20 min (640 mg · min m−3) in a whole‐body exposure chamber. Survival rates were determined at 12 and 24 h. In mice that died within 12 h, the lungs were removed and lung wet weights, dry weights, wet/dry weight ratios, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) were assessed. Vitamin E had no positive effect on any outcome measured. There was no significant difference between 1.5% nPG and any parameter measured or survival rate compared with 5002 + phosgene. However, dietary treatment with 0.75% nPG significantly increased survival rate (P ⩽ 0.002) and lowered TBARS (P ⩽ 0.05) compared with 5002 + phosgene at 12 h after exposure. Mice fed 0.75% nPG had a lower wet/dry wt ratio compared with those fed 1.5% nPG and a significantly increased lung tissue GSH 36%, compared with the 5002 + phosgene group. In conclusion, dietary treatment with a low level of the antioxidant nPG protected mice by decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing lung tissue GSH. The higher level of nPG and both levels of vitamin E diets were ineffective, suggesting that a ceiling threshold level of antioxidants in lung tissue is required for survival against phosgene‐induced lung injury. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal request for cesarean section due to fear of birth: can it be changed through crisis-oriented counseling?

BACKGROUND A psychosocial team was established to meet the needs of an increasing number of pregnant women referred for fear of birth who wished a planned cesarean. This study describes the intervention, the women's psychosocial problems in relation to degree of fear of birth, changes in their wishes for mode of birth and birth outcome, women's satisfaction with the intervention, and their wishes for future births. METHODS The study sample comprised 86 pregnant women with fear of birth and a request for planned cesarean, who were referred for counseling by a psychosocial team at the University Hospital of North Norway in the period 2000-2002. Data were gathered from referral letters, from antenatal and intrapartum care records, and from a follow-up survey conducted 2 to 4 years after the birth in question. RESULTS Fear of birth was accompanied by extensive psychosocial problems in most women. Ninety percent had experienced anxiety or depression, 43 percent had eating disturbances, and 63 percent had been subjected to abuse. Twenty-four percent of those with psychiatric conditions had previously been in treatment. After the intervention, 86 percent changed their original request for cesarean section and were prepared to give birth vaginally. The follow-up survey confirmed long-term satisfaction with having changed their request for a cesarean delivery. Of these, 69 percent gave birth vaginally and 31 percent were delivered by cesarean for obstetrical indications. CONCLUSIONS Impending birth activates previous traumatic experiences, abuse, and psychiatric disorders that may give rise to fear of vaginal birth. When women were referred to a specialist service for fear of birth and request for cesarean, they became conscious of, and to some degree worked through, the causes of their fear, and most preferred vaginal birth. They remained pleased with their choice later.
Mannose receptor‐mediated uptake of antigens strongly enhances HLA class II‐restricted antigen presentation by cultured dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DC) efficiently take up antigens by macropinocytosis and mannose receptor‐mediated endocytosis. Here we show that endocytosis of mannose receptor‐antigen complexes takes place via small coated vesicles, while non‐mannosylated antigens were mainly present in larger vesicles. Shortly after internalization the mannose receptor and its ligand appeared in the larger vesicles. Within 10 min, the mannosylated and non‐mannosylated antigens co‐localized with typical markers for major histocompatibility complex class II‐enriched compartments and lysosomes. In contrast, the mannose receptor appeared not to reach these compartments, suggesting that it releases its ligand in an earlier endosomal structure. Moreover, we demonstrate that mannosylation of protein antigen and peptides resulted in a 200–10 000‐fold enhanced potency to stimulate HLA class II‐restricted peptide‐specific T cell clones compared to non‐mannosylated peptides. Our results indicate that mannosylation of antigen leads to selective targeting and subsequent superior presentation by DC which may be applicable in vaccine design.
Improving the adsorption capacity and solid structure of natural volcanic soil using a foaming-sintering process based on recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

The volcanic soils of southern Chile have demonstrated a high capacity to adsorb environmental pollutants, but for an industrial application, a stable solid material is necessary. The objective of this work was to produce a stable ceramic material through a process involving volcanic soil-polyurethane foam produced with recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET)- polyols, and further thermal treatment. The selected foam formulation with 35.4% volcanic soil (< 63 μm) seems to be the most suitable for thermal treatment, with temperature steps at 700, 850, 1000 and 1200°C. The porous ceramic material obtained has a stable solid form and an improved chlorophenols adsorption capacity (comparable to natural zeolites) that makes it suitable for advanced wastewater treatment and landfill leachate depuration.
DRY NEEDLING FOR MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT PAIN: A CLINICAL COMMENTARY.

UNLABELLED Sports and orthopaedic physical therapists have long used a multitude of techniques in order to address pain and dysfunction associated with myofascial trigger points. One technique in particular has recently received overwhelming attention: trigger point dry needling (DN). Despite its efficacy and low risk, questions remain as to its effectiveness, safety, and whether the technique is within the scope of practice of physical therapists. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary is to summarize the current literature related to the associated mechanisms of action of DN, the safety of DN, as well as to discuss relevant scope of practice concerns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5.
The American paradox: ideology of free markets and the hidden practice of directional thrust

The USA presents a paradox. The US state has practised production-focused industrial policy from the early years of the republic, with benefits that by any plausible measure far exceed costs. But since the 1980s, the exchange-focused idea that ‘the free market is what works, and having the state help it is usually a contradiction in terms’ has been at the normative centre of gravity in public policy discourse. With ‘industrial policy’ rendered toxic, the state has disguised its production-focused practice, to the point where even non-ideological academic researchers claim that the USA does industrial policy not at all, or badly. This essay reviews the history of US industrial policy, with an emphasis on ‘network-building industrial policy’ over the past two decades. At the end, it draws a lesson for policy communities in other countries and interstate development organisations such as the World Bank and IMF.
Endosonography Is Superior to Angiography in the Preoperative Assessment of Vascular Involvement Among Patients with Pancreatic Carcinoma

Surgical exploration in patients with pancreatic carcinoma without adequate preoperative attempts to determine resectability results in resection in only a minority of patients. Besides distant metastases, involvement of the major vessels is the most important parameter for determining resectability in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Angiography has been an integral part of pancreatic cancer staging. Lately, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as a more accurate tool in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. We hypothesize that EUS is more accurate than selective venous angiography (SVA) for assessing resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on preoperative evaluation of vascular involvement. Twenty-one patients who met the inclusion criteria were prospectively evaluated with both EUS and SVA before undergoing surgical exploration for attempted curative resection. Vascular involvement was determined by EUS and SVA using previously described criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of EUS and SVA in assessing vascular involvement were compared, using surgical exploration as the gold standard. Endoscopic ultrasound had a higher sensitivity than SVA for detecting vascular involvement (86% vs. 21%, respectively;p = 0.0018). The specificity and accuracy of EUS for detecting vascular involvement was 71% and 81%, respectively. In contrast, the specificity and accuracy of SVA for detecting vascular involvement was 71% and 38%, respectively. Endoscopic ultrasound is significantly more sensitive than angiography for detecting vascu lar involvement in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and, thus, may improve patient selection for attempted curative resection.