Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial activity of the crude extract of Piper sarmentosum against methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The emergence of novel diseases caused by microbial pathogens and the undesirable side effects of certain antibiotics has been a recent dilemma in the medical arena. Consequently, it has stirred the discovery of many naturally occurring agents which could possibly provide important ramifications against various pharmacological targets and to combat various ailments. The main aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of the crude methanolic extract of Piper (P.) sarmentosum against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera and Streptococcus pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS The plant materials were extracted by percolation in 70% methanol. Only the leaves were used in this study. Initial antimicrobial screening using disc diffusion assay was conducted and further screening of the antimicrobial properties in the plant was performed using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The phytochemical constituents in the plant were evaluated via phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography (TLC). RESULTS P. sarmentosum inhibited the growth of MRSA with an inhibition zone of 10.0 mm. There was no inhibition zone observed for the other microbes tested. MIC test showed a value of 50mg/ml and MBC results showed no Colony Forming Unit (CFU) at 100 mg/ml against MRSA. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids glycosides and anthraquinone. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) further confirmed the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids in the extract. CONCLUSION P. sarmentosum has shown to have some antimicrobial properties against MRSA. Based on the MIC index (MBC/MIC), the extract exhibits bactericidal effects against MRSA. TLC analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids which could have contributed to the antimicrobial activity of the plant extract.
Systolic and diastolic component of orthostatic hypotension and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients: the Captopril Prevention Project

Objective: Impact of SBP vs. DBP decrement during orthostasis on cardiovascular events in hypertension is not clear. Methods: We assessed prospective association of orthostatic hypotension with mortality and major cardiovascular events [myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke] among 8788 treated hypertensive patients (52.2% men; mean age 52 years, mean BP 161/99 mmHg) without history of MI or stroke at baseline. Orthostatic hypotension was defined according to combined international consensus criteria, and as either systolic (decrease ≥20 mmHg) or diastolic orthostatic hypotension (decrease ≥10 mmHg). Final Cox regression model was adjusted for age, sex, supine SBP and DBP, diabetes, smoking, and total cholesterol. Results: A total of 1060 (12.1%) study participants fulfilled combined orthostatic hypotension criteria, of these 886 (10.1%) met systolic and 290 (3.3%) diastolic criterion. In the crude analysis, combined orthostatic hypotension criteria were predictive of the composite endpoint, major cardiovascular event, total mortality, and stroke but not MI. After full adjustment, combined orthostatic hypotension criteria and systolic orthostatic hypotension were independently associated with stroke only (hazard ratio: 1.48, 1.07–2.05, P = 0.019, and 1.53, 1.08–2.15, P = 0.015, respectively), whereas the composite endpoint tended in the same direction (hazard ratio: 1.21, 0.98–1.51, P = 0.075, and 1.24, 0.99–1.55, P = 0.066, respectively). In contrast, diastolic orthostatic hypotension was associated with increased risk of MI (hazard ratio: 2.04, 1.20–3.46, P = 0.008). Conclusion: Orthostatic hypotension has a dual role in cardiovascular events among hypertensive patients: SBP fall indicates higher risk of stroke, whereas DBP fall confers higher risk of MI.
Endometrial adenocarcinoma ‐ presenting pathology is a poor guide to surgical management

Summary: We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the histological grade of endometrial cancer diagnosed on endometrial biopsy or curettage, with the definitive grade and stage of lesion as determined by surgery and histopathological examination and to make recommendations about the suitability of conservative surgery based on preoperative determination of the grade of endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Apoptosis of ligamentous cells of the cranial cruciate ligament from stable stifle joints of dogs with partial cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

OBJECTIVE To describe the presence and amount of apoptotic ligamentous cells in different areas of partially ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (prCCLs) and to compare these findings with apoptosis of ligamentous cells in totally ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (trCCLs). ANIMALS 20 dogs with prCCLs and 14 dogs with trCCLs. PROCEDURES Dogs with prCCLs or trCCLs were admitted to the veterinary hospital for stifle joint treatment. Biopsy specimens of the intact area of prCCLs (group A) and the ruptured area of prCCLs (group B) as well as specimens from trCCLs (group C) were harvested during arthroscopy. Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) detection were used to detect apoptotic ligamentous cells by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS No difference was found in the degree of synovitis or osteophytosis between prCCLs and trCCLs. No difference was found in degenerative changes in ligaments between groups A and B. A substantial amount of apoptotic cells could be found in > 90% of all stained slides. A correlation (r(s) = 0.71) was found between the number of caspase-3-and PARP-positive cells. No significant difference was found in the amount of apoptotic cells among the 3 groups. No significant correlation could be detected between the degree of synovitis and apoptotic cells or osteophyte production and apoptotic cells. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The lack of difference between the 3 groups indicates that apoptosis could be a factor in the internal disease process leading to CCL rupture and is not primarily a consequence of the acute rupture of the ligament.
The pattern of sensitisation to inhalant allergens in omani patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE Identification of relevant allergens that are prevalent in each environment which may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications in allergic diseases. This study aimed to identify the pattern of sensitisation to inhalant allergens in Omani patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis. METHODS The study was carried out during three consecutive years (2004-2006) at the allergy skin test laboratory of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Records of patients who had undergone an allergy skin prick test with a referring diagnosis of asthma, allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis were reviewed. Two panels were used during the 3 years period. The frequencies of positive skin tests were analysed. RESULTS 689 patients were tested, 384 for the first panel and 305 for the second panel. In the first panel, the commonest positive allergens were: house dust mites (37.8%), hay dust (35.4%), feathers (33.3%), sheep wool (26.6%), mixed threshing dust (25.8%), cat fur (24.2%), cockroach (22.7%), straw dust (22.7%), horse hair (17.4%), maize (16.1%), grasses (11.5%), cotton flock (10.7%), trees (10.4%), cow hair (7.8%), Alternaria alternata (3.6%), Aspergillus Niger (3.4%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (1.3%). In the second panel, the commonest positive allergens were also house dust mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50.8%), Dermatophagoides farinae (47.9%); Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) (35.7%), Russian thistle (Salsola kali) (34.4%), cockroach (32.1%), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) (19.7%), grass mix-five standard (18.0%), wheat cultivate (14.1%), cats (13.8%), Penicillium notatum (4.3%), Alternaria tenius (3.9%), Aspergillus Niger (3.3%), feather mix (3.0%), dog (2.6%), horse hair and dander (2.6%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (1.6%). CONCLUSION The pattern of sensitisation to environmental allergens in Oman seems to be similar to other reports from the Arabian Peninsula. Methods to identify and characterise environment specific allergens like a pollen survey may help in the management of patients with allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis.
The influence of Pavlovian cues on instrumental performance is mediated by CaMKII activity in the striatum

Pavlovian cues associated with reward exert a powerful motivational influence on the performance of goal‐directed actions. This motivational process depends critically on the ventral striatum, although little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate it. In the current experiments we examined the role of calcium calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) by using transgenic mice that express a constitutively active form of this kinase. We found that controlled expression of active CaMKII in the striatum did not affect learning but did impair the motivation of goal‐directed actions by Pavlovian cues associated with reward. Mutant mice learned to lever press for reward, remained sensitive to outcome devaluation and contingency degradation manipulations, and were able to acquire Pavlovian responses to cues paired with reward. However, Pavlovian cues were completely unable to motivate lever pressing in mutant mice. This was true even in mice trained with the CaMKII transgene turned off and then tested with it turned on. We were also able to suppress transgene expression in impaired mutants and fully restore the motivational effects of reward cues in these animals. Therefore, the current experiments demonstrate that normal CaMKII activity in the striatum is essential for the motivational effects of reward cues on goal‐directed actions.
Can cytotoxic dose-intensity be increased by using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor? A randomized controlled trial of lenograstim in small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to increase cytotoxic dose-intensity was assessed in a randomized trial in better-prognosis small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Both control and G-CSF arms were subject to the same dose-intensification strategy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed SCLC and either no or one adverse prognostic factor were randomized to receive vincristine, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (VICE) alone or with recombinant human (rHu)G-CSF (lenograstim) 5 micrograms/kg/d between cycles. Six chemotherapy cycles were given, with prophylactic cranial irradiation after cycle 1 and thoracic irradiation after cycle 3. There was no fixed dose interval. In both arms, patients were eligible for re-treatment when the WBC count was > or = 3 x 10(9)/L and platelet count was > or = 100 x 10(9)/L. No dose reductions were permitted. Dose-intensity was expressed relative to standard every-4-weeks VICE. RESULTS Sixty-five consecutive patients in one institution were randomized to control (n = 31) or G-CSF (n = 34). WBC and neutrophil counts were consistently higher in G-CSF patients than in the control group, but there were no significant differences in the incidence of febrile neutropenia, antibiotic or transfusion requirements, or days in hospital. In both treatment arms, the median dose-intensity was greater than one for each cycle (control group, P = .0009; G-CSF group, P = .0001). The G-CSF group received a significantly higher dose-intensity than the control group, with the greatest difference in the first three cycles (1.34 v 1.17, P = .001). There were more chemotherapy-related deaths in the G-CSF group than in the control group (six v one), but this group had a better 2-year survival rate (32% with G-CSF, 95% confidence interval [CI], 16 to 48; 15% with controls, 95% CI, 2 to 27). CONCLUSION The dose-intensity of VICE chemotherapy was increased in both groups. Patients randomized to receive G-CSF achieved a significantly higher dose-intensity than controls. Despite early toxicity, they had a better 2-year survival rate.
Adriamycin and daunorubicin bind in a cooperative manner to deoxyribonucleic acid.

Phase partition techniques have been used to measure the binding of the antitumor drugs adriamycin (NSC-123127) and daunorubicin (NSC-82151) to various DNAs. These methods provide reliable equilibrium binding data at the low levels of drug binding that may be expected in vivo. Both adriamycin and daunorubicin exhibit positive cooperativity (and/or allosterism) in their equilibrium binding to DNA as indicated by the positive slope in the initial region of the binding isotherms (Scatchard plots) under conditions simulating physiological ionic strengths. The cooperative binding (i.e., the appearance of initial positive curvature in the binding isotherms) is dependent upon the ionic strength, which suggests a role for DNA flexibility in the cooperative binding process. An analysis of the slope of the initial portion of the binding isotherms for the interaction of adriamycin with synthetic deoxypolynucleotides shows that the degree of cooperative binding decreases in the order poly(dGdT) X poly(dAdC) greater than or equal to poly(dAdT) X poly(dAdT) greater than poly(dGdC) X poly(dGdC). Marky and Breslauer [Marky, L.A. , & Breslauer, K. J. (1982) Biopolymers 21, 2185-2194] found that the average base stacking enthalpies of these synthetic poly-nucleotides were in the same order, which also suggests that the properties of the DNA influence the cooperative binding (and/or allosteric effects). Adriamycin binds with a higher degree of cooperativity than daunorubicin (0.1 M NaCl); although this correlates with the effectiveness of the drugs as antitumor agents, the exact relationship between the observation of cooperative binding and pharmacological activity is yet to be determined.
Interleukin 1 receptors on rabbit articular chondrocytes: relationship between biological activity and receptor binding kinetics

This study gives an account of the biologic and kinetic binding properties of interleukin 1α (IL 1α), interleukin 1β (IL 1β), and Glu‐4 (an NH2‐terminal mutant of IL 1β) to interleukin 1 (IL 1) receptors in rabbit articular chondrocytes. All three IL 1's demonstrated full agonist properties in their ability to stimulate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis. IL 1α was 23‐fold more biologically active than IL 1β, which was around 110‐fold more active than Glu‐4 based on the concentration of IL 1 required for half‐maximal stimulation of PGE2. The binding of all three ligands was concentration‐dependent and saturable at 4°C. Scatchard analysis of receptor binding data showed that the dissociation constant (KD) of IL 1α was 46 ± 12 pM, and the receptor density was 3120 sites/cell. The association of IL 1α at 4°C did not attain equilibrium until after 10 h at 100 pM of 125I‐labeled IL 1α. The dissociation of bound IL 1α was very slow, t1/2 of 21 h, although only one class of high‐affinity receptors was detected. The KD of IL 1β binding was 72 ± 3 pM with a receptor density of 800 ± 40 sites/cell. Dissociation of bound 125I‐labeled IL 1β at 4°C appeared to indicate the presence of two receptor subsets, a fast and a slower component with a t1/2 of 2 min and 5 h, respectively. The receptor binding affinity of Glu‐4 was 324 ± 3 pM, in line with its reduced biologic activity. Both IL la and IL 1β are rapidly internalized in chondrocytes in a time‐ and temperature‐dependent manner. — Chin, J. E. ; Horuk, R. Interleukin 1 receptors on rabbit articular chondrocytes: relationship between biological activity and receptor binding kinetics. FASEB J. 4: 1481‐1487; 1990.
Intensive Cognitive Behavioural Group Treatment for Social Phobia: a Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of an intensive form of cognitive behavioural group treatment practised routinely in a psychiatric clinic. A total of 27 outpatients with social phobia of long duration were assigned to a 41‐hour treatment administered over 2 periods of 3.5 and 4.5 days, 1 week apart. Four groups, each comprising 6–8 patients, participated in the study. All except 1 patient (26/27) completed the treatment and 20 patients participated in all follow‐up sessions after 3, 6 and 12 months. Treatment significantly reduced fear and avoidance of social interaction and performance, anticipatory anxiety and symptoms' influence on daily life. Follow‐up assessments indicated maintained or increased improvement from post‐test to 1 year and large sensitivity to treatment at both post‐test and 1 year. Of the patients in the study, 85% were taking a prescribed drug, and 70% had taken medication for at least 1 year before they entered the treatment. At 1‐year follow‐up 52% had discontinued medication.
Identification of alpha1-adrenergic receptors and their involvement in phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the frog heart.

The aim of this study was to characterize alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors in frog heart and to examine their related signal transduction pathway. alpha(1)-Adrenergic binding sites were studied in purified heart membranes using the specific alpha(1)-adrenergic antagonist [(3)H]prazosin. Analysis of the binding data indicated one class of binding sites displaying a K(d) of 4.19 +/- 0.56 nM and a B(max) of 14.66 +/- 1.61 fmol/mg original wet weight. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, or phenylephrine, in the presence of propranolol, competed with [(3)H]prazosin binding with a similar potency and a K(i) value of about 10 microM. The kinetics of adrenaline binding was closely related to its biological effect. Adrenaline concentration dependently increased the production of inositol phosphates in the heart in the presence or absence of propranolol. Maximal stimulation was about 8.5-fold, and the half-maximum effective concentration was 30 and 21 microM in the absence and presence of propranolol, respectively. These data clearly show that alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors are coupled to the phosphoinositide hydrolysis in frog heart. To our knowledge, this is the first direct evidence supporting the presence of functional alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors in the frog heart.
High School Rowing Injuries: National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION).

CONTEXT Data on high school (HS) rowing injuries are lacking. OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology of HS boys' and girls' rowing injuries during the 2011-2012 through 2013-2014 academic years. DESIGN Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING Injury and exposure data from 8 and 11 boys' and girls' rowing programs providing 13 and 17 team-seasons of data, respectively. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS High school boys' and girls' varsity rowing student-athletes. INTERVENTION(S) High school rowing data from the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Injury rates and rate ratios were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS In HS boys' and girls' rowing, 59 and 190 injuries were reported, respectively, for rates of 2.39/1000 athlete-exposures (95% CI = 1.78, 3.00) and 8.60/1000 athlete-exposures (95% CI = 7.38, 9.82). The girls' rowing injury rate was 3.60 times that of boys' (95% CI = 2.69, 4.82). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a higher injury rate among HS female rowers than HS male rowers. Additional research exploring reasons for the sex difference is warranted.
Regulatory T-Cell Generation and Kidney Allograft Tolerance Induced by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Associated With Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression

Background. The immunoregulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been observed in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms of this immunomodulation remain undefined. Recent research demonstrated that MSCs express the tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), known to suppress T-cell responses. This study was designed to address whether MSCs induce kidney allograft tolerance and whether IDO contributes to the immunoregulatory functions of MSCs in vivo. Methods. MSCs (1×106, intravenously) from wild-type (WT-MSCs) or IDO knockout (IDO−/−-MSCs) C57BL/6 mice were injected into BALB/c recipients 24 hr after receiving a life-supporting orthotopic C57BL/6 renal graft. Results. WT-MSC-treated recipients achieved allograft tolerance with normal histology and undetectable antidonor antibody levels. Tolerant recipients demonstrated increased circulating kynurenine levels and significantly high frequencies of tolerogenic dendritic cells. They also exhibited significantly impaired CD4+ T-cell responses consisting of decreased donor-specific proliferative ability and a Th2-dominant cytokine shift. In addition, high frequencies of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were found in recipient spleens and donor grafts, with antibody-induced CD25+ cell depletion confirming the critical role of Tregs in the MSC-induced tolerance. Interestingly, renal allograft recipients treated with WT MSCs concomitant with the IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-tryptophan, or those treated with IDO−/−-MSCs alone, were unable to achieve allograft tolerance—revealing that functional IDO was necessary for the immunosuppression observed with WT-MSC treatment. Conclusions. IDO secreted by MSCs was responsible, at least in part, for induction of kidney allograft tolerance through generation of Tregs. This study supports the clinical application of MSCs in transplantation.
Microendoscopic Anterior Approach for Irreducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation: Surgical Techniques and Preliminary Results

Study Design Surgical techniques and preliminary results. Objective To describe and evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new minimal invasive technique for the irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IADD). Summary of Background Data Endoscope has been widely used in minimal invasive spinal surgery. However, there are no clinical reports regarding anterior approach for IADD in the literature. Methods Ten consecutive patients with IADD were treated by anterior release with microendoscopic aide and subsequently reduction, anterior transarticular screw fixation and morselized autologous bone grafts. There were 3 cases of odontiod dysplasia, 4, chronic odontiod fracture, 1, odontiod absence, 1 fasilar impression, and 1 malunion of odontoid fracture. According to Symon and Lavender's classification of disability, 6 cases were moderate disability, 3 severe nonbedbound, and 1 severe bedridden. The procedure was performed by the same surgeon (Yong-Long Chi). Results The new technique was performed successfully in all cases. All the patients underwent transarticular screw fixation and anterior morselized autograft fusion. The average operation time was 120 min (range, 90 to 150 min) and the mean estimated blood loss was 150 mL (range, 100 to 250 mL). Postoperative radiographs demonstrated that 9 cases restored anatomic position and 1 had partial reduction. According to the postoperative computed tomography all the screws were appropriately placed. Follow-up after surgery, longest is 16 months and minimal 8 months with a mean of 12 months, neurologic status was improved in all patients. There was no loss of fixation and solid fusion was achieved in all cases. Conclusions Surgical technique of microendoscopic anterior release, reduction, fixation, and fusion is safe and reliable minimally invasive for treating IADD.
Characterization of the intracellular mechanisms mediating somatostatin and lanreotide inhibition of DNA synthesis and growth hormone release from dispersed human GH‐secreting pituitary adenoma cells in vitro

objective Somatostatin is an endogenous inhibitor of hormone secretion and cell proliferation. Treatment with somatostatin analogues in humans causes a reduction in size and secretory activity of endocrine tumours, including GH‐secreting pituitary adenomas. This study was aimed to characterize the intracellular mechanisms mediating the in vitro antiproliferative and antisecretory effects of somatostatin and its analogue lanreotide, on primary cultures of GH‐secreting pituitary adenoma cells.