Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of the anaesthetic depth on the inhibition of the oculocardiac reflex during sevoflurane anaesthesia for paediatric strabismus surgery.

BACKGROUND It remains controversial whether the anaesthetic depth as assessed by bispectral index (BIS) influences the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) during strabismus surgery. We investigated whether BIS-guided sevoflurane titration may help to optimize the anaesthetic depth for inhibition of the OCR during paediatric strabismus surgery. METHODS Eighty-four patients (aged 2-12 yr) undergoing strabismus surgery were randomly allocated to one of the three groups (n=28 for each) according to target BIS value of 40, 50, and 60. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration with 50% N2O/O2 was adjusted towards target BIS. The incidence of OCR and the lowest heart rate (HR) were recorded in relation to the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration. RESULTS The incidence of OCR was higher in Group BIS-60 (71.4%) than in Groups BIS-40 (10.7%) (P<0.001) or BIS-50 (32.1%) (P=0.003), with no difference between Group BIS-40 and Group BIS-50. The lowest HR [beats min(-1), mean (sd)] during traction on the extraocular muscle was lower in Group BIS-60 [112.3 (sd 17.8)] compared with Group BIS-40 [129.3 (11.2)] (P<0.001), with no difference between BIS-40 and BIS-50 [121.4 (16.3)], and between BIS-50 and BIS-60. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration was different between the three groups (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS We confirmed that OCR is relevant to the depth of anaesthesia. BIS values of 40-50 seem adequate for the inhibition of OCR. The results suggest that BIS may be a valuable tool during sevoflurane anaesthesia for strabismus surgery in children.
Systematic overview of warfarin and its drug and food interactions.

BACKGROUND Warfarin is a highly efficacious oral anticoagulant, but its use is limited by a well-founded fear of bleeding. Drug and food interactions are frequently cited as causes of adverse events with warfarin. We provide an updated systematic overview of the quality, clinical effect, and importance of these reported interactions. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, TOXLINE, IPA, and EMBASE databases from October 1993 to March 2004. Database searches combined the keyword warfarin with drug interactions, herbal medicines, Chinese herbal drugs, and food-drug interactions. STUDY SELECTION Eligible articles contained original reports of warfarin drug or food interactions in human subjects. Non-English articles were included if sufficient information could be abstracted. DATA EXTRACTION Reports were rated independently by 2 investigators for interaction direction, clinical severity, and quality of evidence. Quality of evidence was based on previously validated causation criteria and study design. DATA SYNTHESIS Of 642 citations retrieved, 181 eligible articles contained original reports on 120 drugs or foods. Inter-rater agreement was excellent, with weighted kappa values of 0.84 to 1.00. Of all reports, 72% described a potentiation of warfarin's effect and 84% were of poor quality, 86% of which were single case reports. The 31 incidents of clinically significant bleeding were all single case reports. Newly reported interactions included celecoxib, rofecoxib, and herbal substances, such as green tea and danshen. CONCLUSIONS The number of drugs reported to interact with warfarin continues to expand. While most reports are of poor quality and present potentially misleading conclusions, the consistency of reports of interactions with azole antibiotics, macrolides, quinolones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, omeprazole, lipid-lowering agents, amiodarone, and fluorouracil, suggests that coadministration with warfarin should be avoided or closely monitored. More systematic study of warfarin drug interactions in patients is urgently needed.
The proteome of the presynaptic active zone: from docked synaptic vesicles to adhesion molecules and maxi‐channels

The presynaptic proteome controls neurotransmitter release and the short and long term structural and functional dynamics of the nerve terminal. Using a monoclonal antibody against synaptic vesicle protein 2 we immunopurified a presynaptic compartment containing the active zone with synaptic vesicles docked to the presynaptic plasma membrane as well as elements of the presynaptic cytomatrix. Individual protein bands separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were subjected to nanoscale‐liquid chromatography electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry. Combining this method with 2‐dimensional benzyldimethyl‐n‐hexadecylammonium chloride/sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight and immunodetection we identified 240 proteins comprising synaptic vesicle proteins, components of the presynaptic fusion and retrieval machinery, proteins involved in intracellular signal transduction, a large variety of adhesion molecules and proteins potentially involved in regulating the functional and structural dynamics of the pre‐synapse. Four maxi‐channels, three isoforms of voltage‐dependent anion channels and the tweety homolog 1 were co‐isolated with the docked synaptic vesicles. As revealed by in situ hybridization, tweety homolog 1 reveals a distinct expression pattern in the rodent brain. Our results add novel information to the proteome of the presynaptic active zone and suggest that in particular proteins potentially involved in the short and long term structural modulation of the mature presynaptic compartment deserve further detailed analysis.
Effect of early enteral combined with parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition (EEN) combined with parenteral nutritional support in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS From January 2006, all patients were given EEN combined with parenteral nutrition (PN) (EEN/PN group, n = 107), while patients prior to this date were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (TPN group, n = 67). Venous blood samples were obtained for a nutrition-associated assessment and liver function tests on the day before surgery and 6 d after surgery. The assessment of clinical outcome was based on postoperative complications. Follow-up for infectious and noninfectious complications was carried out for 30 d after hospital discharge. Readmission within 30 d after discharge was also recorded. RESULTS Compared with the TPN group, a significant decrease in prealbumin (PAB) (P = 0.023) was seen in the EEN/PN group. Total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly decreased on day 6 in the EEN/PN group (P = 0.006, 0.004 and 0.032, respectively). The rate of grade I complications, grade II complications and the length of postoperative hospital stay in the EEN/PN group were significantly decreased (P = 0.036, 0.028 and 0.021, respectively), and no hospital mortality was observed in our study. Compared with the TPN group (58.2%), the rate of infectious complications in the EEN/PN group (39.3%) was significantly decreased (P = 0.042). Eleven cases of delayed gastric emptying were noted in the TPN group, and 6 cases in the EEN/PN group. The rate of delayed gastric emptying and hyperglycemia was significantly reduced in the EEN/PN group (P = 0.031 and P = 0.040, respectively). CONCLUSION Early enteral combined with PN can greatly improve liver function, reduce infectious complications and delayed gastric emptying, and shorten postoperative hospital stay in patients undergoing PD.
Serum levels of C‐reactive protein in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Abstract. Prospective measurements were made of serum C‐reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in sixty‐four patients with Crohn's disease and fifty with ulcerative colitis. The results were related to clinical assessment of disease activity. C‐reactive protein levels were raised in both groups but were significantly higher in Crohn's disease than ulcerative colitis for all categories of disease severity: with mild disease the median and range of C‐reactive protein concentration were 4, 0–65 mg/l in Crohn's disease v. 0, 0–15 mg/l in ulcerative colitis, P<0·01; in moderate disease the values were 15, 1–100 mg/l v. 3, 0–29 mg/l respectively, P<0·05 and in cases of severe disease, 85, 15–183 mg/l v. 12, 2–33 mg/l respectively, P<0·001. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was also higher in Crohn's disease but did not closely reflect disease activity in individual patients. C‐reactive protein levels corresponded closely with clinical and pathological indices of relapse, remission and response to therapy in patients with Crohn's disease. The precise assay of serum C‐reactive protein provides an objective criterion of inflammatory activity, which may be useful in the assessment, management and study of Crohn's disease.
The E6 protein of human papillomavirus type 16 binds to and inhibits co‐activation by CBP and p300

The co‐activators CBP and p300 are important for normal cell differentiation and cell cycle progression and are the targets for viral proteins that dysregulate these cellular processes. We show here that the E6 protein from the oncogenic human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV‐16) binds to three regions (C/H1, C/H3 and the C‐terminus) of both CBP and p300. The interaction of E6 with CBP/p300 was direct and independent of proteins known to bind the co‐activators, such as p53. The E6 protein from low‐risk HPV type 6 did not interact with C/H3 or the C‐terminus but associated with the C/H1 domain at 50% of the level of HPV‐16. HPV‐16 E6 inhibited the intrinsic transcriptional activity of CBP/p300 and decreased the ability of p300 to activate p53‐ and NF‐κB‐responsive promoter elements. Interestingly, some mutations in HPV‐16 E6 abrogated C/H3‐E6 interactions, but did not alter the ability of E6 to associate with the C/H1 domain, suggesting that these modified proteins could be used to delineate the functional significance of the C/H1 and C/H3 domains of CBP/p300.
Disturbed mitochondrial and peroxisomal dynamics due to loss of MFF causes Leigh-like encephalopathy, optic atrophy and peripheral neuropathy

Background Mitochondria are dynamic organelles which undergo continuous fission and fusion to maintain their diverse cellular functions. Components of the fission machinery are partly shared between mitochondria and peroxisomes, and inherited defects in two such components (dynamin-related protein (DRP1) and ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 (GDAP1)) have been associated with human disease. Deficiency of a third component (mitochondrial fission factor, MFF) was recently reported in one index patient, rendering MFF another candidate disease gene within the expanding field of mitochondrial and peroxisomal dynamics. Here we investigated three new patients from two families with pathogenic mutations in MFF. Methods The patients underwent clinical examination, brain MRI, and biochemical, cytological and molecular analyses, including exome sequencing. Results The patients became symptomatic within the first year of life, exhibiting seizures, developmental delay and acquired microcephaly. Dysphagia, spasticity and optic and peripheral neuropathy developed subsequently. Brain MRI showed Leigh-like patterns with bilateral changes of the basal ganglia and subthalamic nucleus, suggestive of impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism. However, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes were found to be normal in skeletal muscle. Exome sequencing revealed three different biallelic loss-of-function variants in MFF in both index cases. Western blot studies of patient-derived fibroblasts indicated normal content of mitochondria and peroxisomes, whereas immunofluorescence staining revealed elongated mitochondria and peroxisomes. Furthermore, increased mitochondrial branching and an abnormal distribution of fission-mediating DRP1 were observed. Conclusions Our findings establish MFF loss of function as a cause of disturbed mitochondrial and peroxisomal dynamics associated with early-onset Leigh-like basal ganglia disease. We suggest that, even if laboratory findings are not indicative of mitochondrial or peroxisomal dysfunction, the co-occurrence of optic and/or peripheral neuropathy with seizures warrants genetic testing for MFF mutations.
“Killed Out of Love”: A Frame Analysis of Domestic Violence Coverage in Hong Kong

A frame analysis was conducted on a Hong Kong newspaper to determine whether news coverage of female fatalities at the hands of their intimate partners was reported in conventional domestic violence ways or if there were culture-specific explanations. Overall, most coverage supported known views of domestic violence, justifying the perpetrator and categorizing the issue as isolated crime. However, a few stories highlighted the historical subordination of women under patriarchy in Confucianism as an important cultural factor. Findings have implications for the lack of generalization of the social problem, and the understanding of cultural and political power in Hong Kong society.
Association of interleukin-6 gene -572 C > G polymorphism with dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids on plasma HDL-c level in Chinese male adults.

OBJECTIVE Heterogeneity in circulating lipid concentrations in response to different dietary fat intakes may be due, in part, to gene polymorphism of cytokine related to inflammation. The objective was to determine whether dietary n-3 PUFAs intake influenced the effects of IL-6 -572 polymorphism on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins. STUDY DESIGN This cross-sectional study included 195 men and 386 women aged 40-65 y. DNA was isolated from white blood cell to determine the IL-6 -572 C-G polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction-logation detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method. Dietary fatty acids were assessed by measuring erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, and fasting plasma was collected to determine blood lipids and apoproteins. RESULTS The frequency of the G allele was 0.214. There were no significant differences in plasma lipids across genotypes (all p > 0.05). When men and women were grouped into tertiles by the erythrocyte membrane n-3 PUFAs composition; in the lowest group, men with G allele had 18% higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations than did C/C genotype (p < 0.05). Similar effects were observed for apo A. Adjusting for age, BMI and total PUFA did not alter this association. The interaction was not significant in women. CONCLUSION Dietary n-3 PUFA intake influenced the effects of IL-6 -572 genotype on HDL-c concentrations in males.
Impaired masturbation-induced erections: a new cardiovascular risk factor for male subjects with sexual dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered an early surrogate marker of silent, or even overt, cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, epidemiological studies take into account only sexual intercourse-related erections. Although autoeroticism is a very common practice, data on masturbation-induced erections as a possible predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are lacking. AIM To evaluate the clinical correlates of impaired masturbation-induced erections and to verify the importance of this sexual aspect in predicting MACE. METHODS A consecutive series of 4,031 male patients attending the Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among these subjects, 64% reported autoeroticism during the last 3 months, and only this subset was considered in the following analyses. In the longitudinal study, 862 subjects reporting autoeroticism were enrolled. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Several clinical, biochemical, and instrumental (Prostaglandin E1 [PGE1 ] test and penile color Doppler ultrasound) parameters were studied. RESULTS Subjects with an impaired erection during masturbation (46% of those reporting autoeroticism) had more often a positive personal or family history of CVD, a higher risk of reduced intercourse- and sleep-related erections, hypoactive sexual desire and perceived reduced ejaculate volume, and impaired PGE1 test response. Prolactin levels were lower in those having impaired erection during masturbation. In the longitudinal study, unadjusted incidence of MACE was significantly associated with impaired masturbation-induced erections. When dividing the population according to the median age and diagnosis of diabetes, the association between impaired masturbation-induced erections and incidence of MACE was maintained only in the youngest (<55 years old) and in nondiabetic subjects, even after adjusting for confounders (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.348 [1.085-10.335], P = 0.032 and HR = 2.108 [1.002-4.433], P = 0.049; respectively). CONCLUSION This study indicates that, in subjects with male sexual dysfunction, evaluating an often neglected sexual parameter, such as masturbation-induced erections, can provide further insights on forthcoming MACE in particular in "low risk" subjects.
Changes in levels of haemoglobin A1c during the first 6 years after diagnosis of clinical type 2 diabetes

Abstract Objective: To assess the variability in levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) during the first six years after diagnosis of clinical type 2 diabetes in relation to possible predictors. Material and methods: Data were from a population-based sample from general practice of 581 newly diagnosed diabetic patients aged 40 or over. Estimation of HbA1c was centralized. The changes in levels of HbA1c were described by HbA1c at diagnosis and a regression line fitted to the HbA1c measurements after 1-year follow-up for each patient. The predictive effect of patient characteristics for changes in HbA1c was investigated in a multivariate mixed model. Results: During the first year after diabetes diagnosis, HbA1c dropped to near normal average level and then started rising almost linearly. A sharp rise in long-term glycaemic level was observed in approximately a quarter of the patients, especially the relatively young. Of 581 patients, 156 (26.9%) patients, however, experienced a fall in HbA1c after 1-year follow-up and another quarter showed constant or only slowly rising HbA1c. The changes in levels of HbA1c were only predicted by diagnostic HbA1c and age. Conclusions: During the first 6 years after the diagnosis of clinical type 2 diabetes, changes in levels of HbA1c show considerable inter-individual variability with age as the only long-term predictor. The results indicate that it is important to monitor changes in HbA1c more closely and intensify treatment of those often relatively young patients who actually experience the beginning of an apparently relentless deterioration of their glycaemic control.
Attendance versus compliance with tuberculosis treatment in an occupational setting--a pilot study.

AIM To determine the prevalence of non-compliance with tuberculosis treatment at Freegold Mines. OBJECTIVES 1. To establish the rates of attendance and collection of anti-tuberculosis drugs. 2. To determine prevalence of non-compliance by means of urine tests. DESIGN A cross-sectional study conducted over 2 weeks at mine medical stations. METHOD Urine samples were collected from tuberculosis patients 3 hours after drug ingestion. Non-compliance was established by testing these samples for rifampicin and/or isoniazid (INH) metabolites. Non-compliance was defined as a negative urine test result for these drugs in participants whose treatment regimens included one or both. Daily attendance and collection of drugs statistics are recorded in the medical station tuberculosis register. The patient rate of adherence was calculated as the observed number of days on which medication had been collected over the expected treatment days in a given period. RESULTS Urine test results showed an overall prevalence of non-compliance of 14.6 +/- 3.3%. The study showed that non-compliance with tuberculosis treatment was underestimated by the surveillance data. The rate of non-adherence with treatment established from the formal surveillance procedure was 0.2%. The poor response rate of patients was found to be a major problem and fewer than 40% per day returned to bring urine specimens. The mean prevalences of non-compliance established by rifampicin and INH tests were 19.5 +/- 5.3% and 9.8 +/- 3.9%, respectively, and these were significantly different (Chi 2 = 7.44; P < 0.05). The proportion of false-positive results for INH and rifampicin urine tests were 21% (11/53) and 35% (17/48), respectively, showing that some patients were taking the wrong treatment. CONCLUSIONS It is clear that attendance at the clinics does not accurately reflect compliance. Both programme compliance (dispensing of the correct treatment) and patient compliance need to be improved. This has important implications for the new national tuberculosis control policy adopted by the South African government that stresses the importance of directly observed therapy, short-course (DOTS) and a patient-centred approach.
Individual and job-related antecedents of a global mindset: An analysis of international business travelers’ characteristics and experiences abroad

Abstract International organizations face an increasing need for employees, such as international business travelers (IBTs), with a global mindset to successfully conduct business abroad. But we lack knowledge about levers that are conducive to IBTs’ developing a global mindset. We collected quantitative data from 624 mainly German IBTs to measure their global mindset along with theory-driven individual and job-related antecedents. Structural equation modelling revealed that individuals’ personality traits (openness to experience, agreeableness), motivation (work-related travel readiness) and job-related factors (complexity of global roles, contact quality with foreign nationals) were positively related to the IBTs’ level of global mindset. Our study contributes, first, to research on global mindset, by identifying antecedents to its development and, second, to research on international business travel, by showing how specific features of travel experiences can be managed in order to enhance IBTs’ learning experiences.
Investor Sentiment, Anomalies, and Macroeconomic Conditions

This paper examines whether the results supporting a recent story that sentiment-related overpricing is the source of a variety of asset pricing anomalies are still maintained after separating out the effect of macroeconomic conditions. We find that after adjusting for the effect of several macroeconomic variables in the proxy for investor sentiment, the results are no longer consistent with the sentiment-related overpricing story. These results indicate that the anomalies are not necessarily attributed to sentiment-related overpricing but rather to macroeconomic conditions.