Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of neovascular glaucoma

Neovascular glaucoma is a refractory glaucoma associated with a significant risk of blindness. The first line of treatment is ablation of retina to lessen retinal ischemia. The combination of bevacizumab and panretinal photocoagulation is effective in preventing progression of neovascular glaucoma. The adjunctive use of bevacizumab also reduces the risk of postoperative hyphema after filtering surgery. Prior vitrectomy in these eyes more frequently results in bleb failure after trabeculectomy. Advances in minimally invasive vitreous surgery reduce conjunctival scar formation, which can be beneficial if further filtering surgery is required. Pars plana implantation of glaucoma drainage devices is also an option for the reduction of intraocular pressure in vitrectomized eyes with neovascular glaucoma.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors associated with hypertension in urban adults from 33 communities of China: the CHPSNE study

Objective To assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and their associated factors in an urban Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities in northeast China from 2009 to 2010, using a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample. A total of 25 196 adults, aged 18–74 years, were examined in 33 communities. Hypertension was defined as a mean SBP of at least 140 mmHg, DBP at least 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. Results Overall, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.7% for urban residents, and 39.1% for middle-aged and elderly residents (aged ≥35 years). Among all the hypertensive patients examined in the study (n = 7237), 42.9% were aware of their condition, 28.2% were receiving treatment, and only 3.7% had their blood pressure adequately controlled. Female hypertensive patients had more effectively controlled blood pressure than their male counterparts. Among the study participants, 37.9% did not think that high blood pressure would endanger their lives. Among hypertensive patients aware of their conditions, the primary reason for not taking antihypertensive medication was a lack of money (34.8%). Age, sex, education, occupation, income, body mass, waist circumference, and family hypertension history significantly correlated with the prevalence of hypertension. Conclusion Hypertension is highly prevalent in the urban population of China, and the effects of being overweight/obesity on hypertension were much larger than any other examined factors. The percentage of hypertensive patients aware of their condition, receiving proper treatment, and keeping their hypertension under control is unacceptably low.
A Nanocrystalline POM@MOFs Catalyst for the Degradation of Phenol: Effective Cooperative Catalysis by Metal Nodes and POM Guests.

Crystalline POM@MOFs hybrids are very promising for catalysis, due to catalytically active polyoxometalates (POMs) dispersed at the molecular level, and enhanced stability of both POMs and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, PW12 was encapsulated into MOF HKUST-1 through a facile liquid-assisted grinding method, and the obtained [Cu2 (BTC)4/3 (H2 O)2 ]6 [HPW12 O40 ] (BTC=1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylic acid) nanocrystals (NENU-3N) were applied as catalysts in the degradation of phenol. It is the first time that liquid-assisted grinding was applied in the preparation of nanocrystalline POM@MOFs hybrids. The NENU-3N nanocrystals catalyzed the degradation of phenol on the basis of both MOF and POM catalytic activities, representing the first example of POM@MOFs catalyst boosting catalytic oxidation reaction with double actives sites. Strikingly, up to 97 % conversion and 88 % mineralization have successfully realized by perfect cooperative catalysis between POMs and CuII nodes in MOFs at 35 °C. Moreover, comparative experiments suggest that the reduced size of NENU-3N catalyst is beneficial for improving its catalytic performance. Finally, the nanocrystalline NENU-3N catalyst possesses high stability, which can be easily recovered and reused 5 times without loss of catalytic activity.
Feasibility of Providing Culturally Relevant, Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Antenatal Depression in an Obstetrics Clinic: A Pilot Study

Objective: To minimize barriers to care, ameliorate antenatal depression, and prevent postpartum depression, we conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of providing brief interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-B) to depressed, pregnant patients on low incomes in an obstetrics and gynecological (OB/GYN) clinic. Method: Twelve pregnant, depressed women were recruited as a convenience sample from the clinic and were offered a pretreatment engagement interview and eight sessions of IPT-B, followed by monthly maintenance IPT sessions up to 6-months postpartum. Results: Nine of these 12 patients (75%) completed eight sessions of IPT-B. Paired t tests showed that completers of IPT-B displayed significant improvement at posttreatment and 6-months postpartum on three measures of depression, a measure of anxiety, and some aspects of social functioning. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that providing depression screening and treatment to this sample in an OB/GYN clinic was feasible and accompanied by high rates of clinical and functional improvement.
Timolol vs propranolol vs placebo in common migraine prophylaxis: a double‐blind multicenter trial

ABSTRACT— Common migraine sufferers (25 males, 71 females) with a history of 2–6 attacks per month participated in a 4‐centre trial comparing the prophylactic effect of timolol (10 mg b.i.d.) and propranolol (80 mg b.i.d.) to placebo. After a pretreatment period of 4 weeks they entered a double‐blind 3‐way cross‐over trial with 3 treatment periods of 12 weeks each. 83 patients received all 3 treatments. The mean frequency of attacks per 28 days was 3.35** on timolol, 3.69** on propranolol and 4.83 on placebo. Mean severity of attacks (0–3) was 1.75 on timolol*, 1.83 on propranolol, and 1.93 on placebo. Mean duration of attacks was 7.41 h on timolol, 7.38 on propranolol and 7.95 on placebo. The headache index (frequency times severity) was 5.71** on timolol, 6.66** on propranolol and 9.03 on placebo (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared to placebo). The difference between propranolol and timolol was non‐significant: frequency of attacks 0.34 (95% confidence limits ‐ 0.26; 0.89). Headache index 0.95 (95% confidence limits ‐ 0.43; 1.97). 38 patients on timolol, 35 patients on propranolol and 23 patients on placebo experienced side effects (P < 0.05). It is concluded that timolol and propranolol are equally effective in the used doses (1:8) for common migraine prophylaxis.
MTNR1A and MTNR1B gene polymorphisms in women with gestational diabetes

Abstract Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance detected during pregnancy. The MTNR1B gene is the genetic locus associated with type 2 diabetes, that may affect insulin secretion and pancreatic glucose sensing. In this study, we examined the association between MTNR1A (rs2119882) and MTNR1B (rs10830963, rs4753426) gene polymorphisms and the risk of GDM. According to the results of their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the women were divided into two groups: 204 pregnant women with GDM and 207 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of MTNR1A rs2119882 and MTNR1B rs4753426 genotypes and alleles between women with GDM and healthy pregnant women. With regard to the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism, we observed a statistically significant prevalence of GG and CG genotypes and the G allele among pregnant women with GDM (GG + CG vs CC, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02–2.22, p = 0.04; G vs C, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.07–1.90, p = 0.016). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher number of MTNR1B rs10830963 G alleles was an independent significant predictor of a higher risk of GDM. The results of our study indicate that MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism is associated with GDM susceptibility, and women with a higher number of G alleles have an increased risk of GDM development.
The decline in serum estradiol on the second day after oocyte retrieval affects the outcome of IVF/ICSI-ET treatment in high ovarian responders

Abstract Objective: To investigate the predictive value of the decline in serum estradiol on the second day after oocyte retrieval on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (ICSI-ET) among high ovarian responders. Design: Retrospective single-center cohort study. Setting: Tertiary-care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients Women aged 20–45 years undergoing assisted reproduction treatment from June 2014 to December 2015. Interventions: A total of 980 cycles were included; 395 high responders (Group 1) and 256 normal responders (Group 3) underwent embryo transfer (ET) in fresh ET cycles. A total of 329 high ovarian responders who underwent cryopreservation of all embryos (Group 2) were recruited as controls. The cases were divided into the following five subgroups according to the rate of serum estradiol decline on the second day after oocyte retrieval: 50.00–59.99% (Subgroup A), 60.00–69.99% (Subgroup B), 70.00–79.99% (Subgroup C), 80.00–89.99% (Subgroup D) and ≥ 90.00% (Subgroup E). The clinical outcomes were analyzed. Main outcome measures: Clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate. Results: In Group 1, the pregnancy rate decreased from 51.33 to 36.72% and the implantation rate decreased from 30.93 to 21.70% when the level of serum estradiol on the second day after oocyte retrieval decreased by more than 80%, which was a statistically significant decline (p < 0.05). The peak estradiol (E2) value and implantation rate were also significantly different (p < 0.05). In Group 2, the decline of serum E2 on the second day after oocyte retrieval had no significant effect on the clinical pregnancy rate or the implantation rate. The trend was similar in Group 3. Conclusions: A decline in the E2 level of > 80% after oocyte retrieval may play an important role in unsatisfactory IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes among high ovarian responders.
Anxiolytic‐like effect of Carvacrol (5‐isopropyl‐2‐methylphenol) in mice: involvement with GABAergic transmission

Carvacrol (5‐isopropyl‐2‐methylphenol) is a monoterpenic phenol present in the essencial oil of many plants. It is the major component of the essential oil fraction of oregano and thyme. This work presents the behavioral effects of carvacrol in animal models of elevated plus maze (EPM), open field, Rotarod and barbiturate‐induced sleeping time tests in mice. Carvacrol (CVC) was administered orally, in male mice, at single doses of 12.5; 25 and 50 mg/kg while diazepam 1 or 2 mg/kg was used as standard drug and flumazenil (2.5 mg/kg) was used to elucidate the possible anxiolytic mechanism of CVC on the plus maze test. The results showed that CVC, at three doses, had no effect on the spontaneous motor activity in the Rotarod test nor in the number of squares crossed in the open‐field test. However, CVC decreased the number of groomings in the open‐field test. In the plus maze test, CVC, at three doses significantly increased all the observed parameters in the EPM test and flumazenil was able to reverse the effects of diazepam and CVC. Therefore, CVC did not alter the sleep latency and sleeping time in the barbiturate‐induced sleeping time test. These results show that CVC presents anxiolytic effects in the plus maze test which are not influenced by the locomotor activity in the open‐field test.
Can ambulatory blood pressure measurements substitute assessment of subclinical cardiovascular damage?

Objective: We have previously demonstrated that markers of subclinical organ damage (SOD) improve cardiovascular risk prediction in healthy individuals. We wanted to investigate whether this additive effect of SOD was due to inaccurate blood pressure (BP) measurement or whether ambulatory BP (AMBP) added further to risk prediction. Methods: In a population cohort of 1385 Danish individuals free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, we recorded traditional risk factors, AMBP and pulse wave velocity (PWV), urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid atherosclerotic plaques at baseline. A composite cardiovascular endpoint (CEP) consisting of cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke was recorded in national registries. Results: During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, a total of 119 CEPs occurred. In categorical analysis, presence of SOD as well as masked hypertension increased sensitivity of Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation from 73.9 to 89.1% (P < 0.001) and reduced specificity from 60.1 to 41.8% (P < 0.001). In continuous analysis, logUACR [hazard ratio = 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.38), P = 0.009], atherosclerotic plaques [hazard ratio = 1.82 (95% CI 1.21–2.74), P = 0.004] and 24-h SBP [hazard ratio = 1.34 (95% CI 1.12–1.60), P = 0.002] but not logPWV or LVMI predicted CEP in a model with adjustments for age, sex, conventional BP, total cholesterol and smoking. Compared with a risk model using only traditional risk factors, adding PWV, UACR, plaques, LVMI and 24-h SBP increased C-index significantly from 0.76 to 0.79% and produced a net reclassification improvement of 23.3% (P = 0.001). Conclusion: UACR and plaques predicted cardiovascular events independently of AMBP and improved risk prediction.
Abstracts of the 14th Annual Meeting of French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 77th Annual Meeting of Society of Physiology, 31th Pharmacovigilance Meeting, 11th APNET Seminar and 8th CHU CIC Meeting. March 23-25, 2010. Bordeaux, France.

1 Which importance for P 450 Cytochromes in drug interactions? A study from the French PharmacoVigilance Database AC Danton, A Sommet, G Durrieu, H Bagheri and JL Montastruc Service de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France Objective: Cytochromes (CYPs) are a superfamily of isoenzymes involved in drug metabolism. The main isoenzymes are CYP 1A2, 2C9, 2D6 and 3A4. However, their relative importance in clinically significant interactions remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate in the French PharmacoVigilance Database (FPVD) the number and characteristics of drug-drug interactions possibly explained by involvement of CYPs. Methods: Spontaneous notifications of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) recorded by Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées PharmacoVigilance Centre between 1st January and 31st August 2008 were extracted from the FPVD. For each observation, we recorded the main characteristics of patients (age, gender), involved drug(s) (name, pharmacological class and involved CYP) and induced ADRs (type, ‘seriousness’, evolution). Results: Between 1st January and 31st August 2008, 1205 ADRs were registered by Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées PharmacoVigilance Centre into the FPVD. They involved 683 women (56.6%). In 12 cases, patients were less than 1 year old and in 14 cases, age was not informed. For other observations, mean age was 55.8 (median value: 58.0) years. Among these ADRs, 410 (34%) were ‘serious’ (including 24 fatal outcomes), 356 involved only one drug and 730 did not involve any drug interaction. Finally, 119 reports (i.e. 9.9% of registered ADRs) involved one (or more) drug interaction related to CYPs. Among these 119 notifications, the most frequently involved CYP was 3A4/5 (n = 81), followed by 2C19 (n = 20), 2C9 (n = 16), 2D6 (n = 16) and 2E1 (n = 1). In 13 notifications, several CYPs were involved. Drugs more frequently involved in this kind of drug interaction were amiodarone (n = 21) followed by proton pump inhibitors (n = 11), meprobamate (n = 9), antiretrovirals (n = 9) and rifampicine (n = 6). There was no major difference in ‘seriousness’ or evolution of ADRs between CYP-related interactions and others. In 22 cases, ADRs were possibly due to CYP-related drug interaction (18.5% of CYP-related drug interactions). Conclusion: CYP-related drug interactions are found in around 10% of ADRs registered in the FPVD. The most frequently involved CYPs are 3A4/5 (68%) followed by 2C19 (17%). This CYP-involving interaction leads to clinically significant consequences (ADR) in almost one case out of five. These data underline the importance of CYPs not only in drug interactions but also in mechanisms of ADRs.
Concentration of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the mammary tissue of female rats with the aging and about hormonal influence

Abstract It was to evaluate the concentration of sulfate glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in mammary tissue of the young and adult female rats and ovariectomized females rats after hormonal stimulation. For this purpose, 60 female rats were divided into six groups with 10 animals/each: nonovariectomized groups: G1 (5 months), and G2 (15 months) and ovariectomized groups: OG (vehicle); EG: (estradiol, 7 days of treatment), PG (progesterone acetate, 23 days of treatment) and EPG: (estradiol (7 days of treatment) and next progesterone acetate (23 days of treatment). Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, all animals were euthanized, the mammary tissue removed, processed for biochemical evaluation and quantification of the GAG. The comparison between groups showed that the concentration dermatan sulfate (DS) G1 was lower compared to G2, OG, EG (p < .05) and G2 was lower compared to OG (p < .05), and OG was higher compared to EG, GP, EPG (p < .05); and heparan sulfate (HS) G1 was higher compared to G2 (p < .05), and G2 was higher compared to OG, EP, PG and EPG (p < .05). These changes in the extracellular matrix might explain, at least in part, hormonal influence about sulfated glycosaminoglycans in response to physiological state/age, and in response to hormonal treatment in the mammary tissues.
Service needs and use: A further look at the experiences of African American and white caregivers seeking Alzheimer's assistance

The experiences of 150 African American and 150 white caregivers of persons with dementia indicate that although they differ in several characteristics, they are seeking assistance at comparable periods in their caregiving careers. Reasons for calling Alzheimer's Associations were similar although African Americans have a greater interest in services such as home help and day care. However, both report high levels of interest in chapter services and are positive about their plans to use them. At the end of 12 months, neither group has followed through on these plans with both groups stating that they were not ready for services or did not need services, while during the same period, both their own status and that of their relative had deteriorated.
Vascular BDNF expression and oxidative stress during aging and the development of chronic hypertension

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrK receptors play an important role in vascular development and response to injury. In this study, we investigated the participation of the BDNF/TrK pathway and oxidative stress during the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In SHR and normotensive rats (WKY) at 6 and 13 weeks of age, we studied (i) plasma antioxidant capacity, (ii) production of superoxide and NAD(P)H oxidase activity in aorta (iii) plasma BDNF and vascular expression of BDNF, TrKB, NAD(P)H oxidase subunits, AT1 receptor, and MCP‐1. In 6‐ and 13‐week‐old SHR aorta, superoxide level was twice than in WKY aorta. At 13 weeks, when blood pressure in SHR was 60 mmHg higher in SHR than in WKY, an enhancement of NAD(P)H oxidase activity in SHR was associated with an increase in p47phox, AT1, and BDNF expression in vessels. MCP‐1 expression increased with blood pressure. Our study demonstrated that in SHR rats, an increase in levels of vascular oxidative stress and in aortic BDNF and TrKB expression occurs prior to the rise in blood pressure, while a reinforcement of vascular and circulating oxidative stress markers is brought about later by hypertension.
Very low dose of flutamide in the treatment of hyperandrogenism

Abstract Hyperandrogenism is a condition affecting 5–10% of adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of very low dose of flutamide in the treatment of hyperandrogenism in adolescence. One hundred and fifty-eight patients, presenting severe acne and/or hirsutism, received 62.5 mg/day of flutamide + ethinylestradiol + gestodene for 18 months. The patients were subjected to assessments of hepatic enzymes levels. Thirty subjects treated with drospirenone + ethinylestradiol represented the control group. After 18 months of treatment, it was obtained a decrease of hirsutism (−39.9%), an almost recovery of acne (98% of patients) with better results of those obtained in control group. Only one case of light hypertransaminasemia was recorded, regressed spontaneously. Very low dose of flutamide was successful and safe and in the treatment of hyperandrogenism in adolescence.
A case of repeated mixed mood episodes with psychotic symptoms associated with the premenstrual period in a patient with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract Studies have demonstrated that estrogen plays an important role in psychotic and mood disorders in women. Estrogens have a protective effect against the development of these disorders, while hypoestrogenic states may be a risk factor for the development or exacerbation of mental illness. Additionally, women with menstrual cycle abnormalities such as those with a history of anovulation may be more susceptible to monthly estrogen level fluctuation-related mood and psychotic symptoms. We present the case of a young woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome, who experienced three episodes of premenstrual mixed mood and psychotic symptoms.
Pulsatile hemodynamics of hypertension: systematic review of aortic input impedance

Objective: Input impedance is the frequency-dependent afterload to pulsatile blood flow. Studies of input impedance have been performed as early as the 1960s and have been applied to hypertension (HTN). However, to date, these studies have not been systematically evaluated. This systematic review aims to summarize the literature, interpret existing data from the perspective of impedance theory, and to discuss their potential for generating physiological insights into HTN. Methods: We identified 11 studies wherein computed impedance moduli from both HTN and control (CNT) groups were reported. In addition, we performed bivariate analyses of raw data from three of these studies. Results: Major findings include HTN groups had consistently elevated impedance moduli at 0 Hz (Z0) and at heart rate frequency (Z1), an increased frequency wherein impedance phase first crosses 0 (f0), but no consistent pattern in characteristic impedance (Zc), when compared to CNT groups; SBP and DBP are highly correlated with Z0 and Z1, moderately correlated with f0, less correlated with Zc; the measurement and calculation methods for Zc are varied and inconsistent; and a not insignificant proportion of hypertensive individuals have ‘normal’ Z0, Z1 and Zc values. These findings are limited by the heterogeneous study populations and small sample sizes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Z0, Z1 and f0 are significantly associated with HTN, whereas the role of Zc is less clear. Additional studies are needed to evaluate these input impedance variables in order to generate substantial implications in clinic settings.