Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body mass index, asthma and exhaled nitric oxide in U.S. Adults, 2007–2010

Abstract Objective: Increases in asthma and obesity over the past three decades have led to speculation about a causal link between the two diseases. However, investigations of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) – a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation – have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), asthma and FeNO in a sample of U.S. adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for 2007–2010. Methods: We assessed the relationship between FeNO and BMI in subjects with and without asthma using categorical and continuous models for BMI. All models controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, household income-to-poverty ratio, atopy and current smoking. Results: Adjusted asthma prevalence was positively associated with BMI, and subjects with asthma had higher adjusted FeNO levels than subjects without asthma. However, no association between FeNO and BMI was observed in either those with (β = 0.002, p = 0.74) or without (β = 0.0014, p = 0.51) asthma after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: Our results suggest that in the U.S. adult population, BMI is not associated with eosinophilic airway inflammation.
Association between quality of life in parents and components of asthma control in children

Abstract Objective: Describe the association between parents’ quality of life and the two components of asthma control in children: impairment and risk. Methods: Cross-sectional study with children between 4 and 14 years of age with active asthma recruited at primary care centers in Spain. Asthma control was assessed according to the Third National Asthma Expert Panel Report, classifying “impairment” in three levels (well-controlled asthma, partially controlled, and poorly controlled), and “risk” as high or low. The parents’ quality of life was evaluated using the specific Family Impact of Childhood Bronchial Asthma Questionnaire instrument (IFABI-R). The association between asthma control and the parents’ quality of life was analyzed using multivariate regression models adjusted for other social and family variables. Results: Data from 408 children were analyzed. The parents’ quality of life was affected in the partially controlled asthma group when compared with well-controlled asthma, as showed by an increase in IFABI-R scores in all dimensions: functional 17.2% (p < 0.001), emotional 10.4% (p = 0.021), and socio-occupational 6.8% (p = 0.056). The differences were higher in poorly controlled asthma compared with well-controlled asthma: functional 24.3% (p = 0.001), emotional 18.9% (p = 0.008), and socio-occupational 11.5% (p = 0.036). The “risk” component was independently associated with the parents’ quality of life. Of all the elements used to assess the control, the only one independently associated with the parents’ quality of life was recurrent asthma crisis. Conclusions: In asthma control, both “impairment” and “risk” in children are gradually associated with the parents’ quality of life. The global assessment of the control surpasses the importance of each individual element used in this assessment.
Assessing the corrosion behaviour of Nitinol for minimally-invasive device design

Nitinol is a very attractive material for manufacturing minimally-invasive therapy devices and tools because of its unique superelasticity and shape-memory properties. While several studies have shown it to possess good biocompatibility, its high nickel content and possible dissolution during corrosion still remain a concern. However, passivation and electropolishing can significantly decrease nickel dissolution from Nitinol by forming a corrosion-resistant titanium oxide surface layer. In general, passivated and electropolished Nitinol exhibits equivalent, if not better, static corrosion behaviour and ability to resist and repassivate (repair) surface damage when compared with 316L stainless steel (SS). Combining Nitinol with SS, titanium and tantalum does not significantly affect its corrosion behaviour. However, combining Nitinol with gold, platinum and platinum-iridium alloy can result in an order of magnitude increase in corrosion rate. Nickel release from Nitinol decreases from well below dietary levels to nearly non-detectable levels in the first few days following immersion in a physiological medium. Finally, in vivo studies indicate minimal corrosion of Nitinol during implantation, with released nickel concentration in surrounding tissues or organs being equivalent to that released by 316LSS.
Genetic variation within the histamine pathway among patients with asthma – a pilot study

Abstract Objective: Histamine is an important mediator in the pathophysiology of asthma. We have previously reported that HRH1 is differentially expressed among those with asthma compared to those without asthma. Single histamine-related genes have also been associated with asthma. We aimed to evaluate known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes along the histamine biotransformation and response pathway, and determine their association with asthma and HRH1 mRNA expression. Methods: We enrolled children and adults (n = 93) with/without asthma who met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Genotyping was performed for nine known SNPs in the HDC, HRH1, HRH4, HNMT and ABP1 genes. HRH1 mRNA expression was determined on RNA from buccal tissue. General linear model, Fisher’s exact test and Chi-square test were used to determine differences in allele, genotype and haplotype frequency between subjects with and without asthma and differential HRH1 mRNA expression relative to genotype. Statistical significance was determined by p < 0.05. Results: No difference was observed in genotype/allele frequency for the nine SNPs between subjects with and without asthma. The HNMT-1639C/-464C/314C/3′UTRA haplotype was more frequently observed in those without asthma than those with asthma (p = 0.03). We also observed genetic differences relative to race and gender. HNMT 314 genotype CT was more frequent in males with asthma compared to those without asthma (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Histamine pathway haplotype was associated with a diagnosis of asthma in our cohort but allele and genotype were not. Subgroup evaluations may also be important. Further studies are needed to determine the potential biological/clinical significance of our findings.
Proliferative and inflammatory factors in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: The purpose was to measure the concentrations of various cytokines and growth factors (including vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and pigment epithelium-derived factor [PEDF]) in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to investigate interaction between inflammatory and proliferative factors in the genesis of PDR. Materials and Methods: Vitreous samples from 32 eyes with PDR and 25 eyes without diabetes mellitus and signs of DR (control) were collected. Vitreous concentrations of VEGF, PEDF, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were simultaneously measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Vitreous levels of VEGF, PEDF, IL-17A, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, and sIgA were significantly (Π < 0.05) higher in eyes with PDR compared to control. The concentration of VEGF was more than 17-times higher than in control, and the concentration of PEDF was not changed oppositely and was also higher (1.45-times) compared to control, that may indicate disturbances of compensatory mechanisms in angiogenesis regulation in PDR. Significant (P < 0.05) positive correlations were observed between vitreous concentrations of VEGF and IL-17A (r = 0.45), VEGF and IL-8 (r = 0.48), VEGF and IL-4 (r = 0.51), PEDF and IL-17A (r = 0.48), PEDF and IL-8 (r = 0.59), MCP-1 and PEDF (r = 0.72), MCP-1 and IL-8 (r = 0.45), IL-4 and IL-17A (r = 0.65), IL-4 and IL-8 (r = 0.71), IL-8 and IL-17A (r = 0.59). Conclusions: Significantly raised levels of inflammatory and proliferative factors and numerous positive correlations between them may demonstrate a significant role of activation of vascular proliferation and local inflammation in the pathogenesis of PDR.
Patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care: a qualitative study

Abstract: Background: Differences in patients' and providers' perceptions of asthma and asthma care can create barriers to successful treatment. The primary goal of this qualitative study was to further explore patient and provider perceptions of asthma and asthma care as part of a larger Asthma Comparative Effectiveness Study. Methods: Focus groups held every 6 months for 3 years were designed to have a mix of both patients and providers allowing for unique understanding around asthma care. Results: The discussion centered on goal setting, asthma action plans and prevention strategies for asthma exacerbations. Three overarching themes, with a variety of subthemes, emerged as the main findings of this study. The three main themes were Cost/Economic Barriers/Process, Self-Governance/Adherence and Education. Conclusions: These themes indicated a strong need for patient educational interventions around asthma as well as education for providers around cost, insurance coverage and patient-centered communication. Specifically, education on learning to use inhalers properly, avoiding triggers and understanding the importance of a controller medication will benefit patients in the long-term management of asthma.
Impact of symptom management training among asthmatic children and adolescents on self-efficacy and disease course

Abstract Purpose: The study was conducted to examine the effect of a training program provided to asthmatic children/adolescents on disease course and self-efficacy. Methods: This prospective study consisted of both experimental and control subjects. The study population was composed of children/adolescents aged 10–18 years, who presented at Health Centers within Tokat province with asthma and who were currently using inhaler treatments. The study sample included 40 patients each in both the control and experimental groups. Asthmatic Child Information Form, Disease Evaluation Form, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Evaluation Form and an Asthmatic Child/Adolescent Self-Efficacy Scale were used to collect data on research outcomes. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t-test, McNemar’s test, independent samples t-test. Results: A significant increase in mean self-efficacy score was observed in the experimental group following training sessions. The experimental training was also associated with a reduction in asthma symptoms, less limitations to daily function and fewer attacks following physical activity relative to the control subjects. The children/adolescents in the experimental group were more conscious of the symptoms of asthma attacks and used preventive and rescue medications regularly, and reported fewer absences from school and fewer emergency room visits (p < 0.05). The average peak expiratory flow rate was 62.5% in the experimental group. After training, there were significant decreases in the number of attacks and the need of increasing inhaler doses in the experimental group. Conclusions: The study results show that the training program is effective in increasing self-efficacy and improving asthma symptoms among children/adolescents. Nurses should offer the training program to support children/adolescents during asthma attacks, and encourage the development of self-efficacy
miR-126 modulates angiogenic growth parameters of peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells

Abstract Vascularization plays an important role in tissue engineering applications. It is known that implantation of differentiated endothelial cells or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from cord blood (cbEPCs) gives rise to the formation of a complex functional neovasculature, whereas EPCs isolated from peripheral blood (pbEPCs) have a limited capability to form blood vessels upon implantation. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) has been shown to have pro-angiogenic effects in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether modulation of miR-126 expression in pbEPCs may alter their angiogenic properties. Gain of function and loss of function experiments revealed that miR-126 has anti-angiogenic effects in pbEPCs. Overexpression of miR-126 resulted in decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation, while inhibition of miR-126 induced the opposite effects. However, modulation of miR-126 expression did not influence apoptotic susceptibility of pbEPCs. This study provides evidence that inhibition of miR-126 improves angiogenesis-related growth parameters in pbEPCs and may represent a therapeutic option to ameliorate the angiogenic and vasculogenic properties of pbEPCs.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to study sphingolipid signaling

Abstract Sphingolipid signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans is vital for sensing environmental change and effecting appropriate cellular response. Many molecular components in sphingolipid intermediary metabolism are conserved throughout evolution. Here we review use of C. elegans as a model system for conducting sphingolipid-based scientific investigation, which has helped us better understand vital roles these remarkable lipids play in human metabolism and disease.
Limited treatment adaptation despite poor asthma control in asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids

Abstract Objective: Current asthma guidelines recommend use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with persistent disease. This study was designed to investigate (1) the proportion of patients prescribed ICS-containing maintenance treatment who achieve asthma control, (2) determinants of control and (3) how physicians adapt treatment to the level of control. Methods: General practitioners (GPs) and chest physicians (CPs) in France recruited patients consulting for asthma and prescribed an ICS. Over a 2-year follow-up period, asthma symptoms in the previous 3 months and treatments prescribed were documented at each visit. Variables independently associated with asthma control were determined by multiple logistic regression. Results: Data were available for 924 patients recruited by GPs and 455 recruited by CPs. Asthma control was acceptable in only 24% of patients at inclusion, and in 33.6% at the last follow-up visit. Five factors were independently associated with asthma control: age (or time since diagnosis), gender, smoking status, allergic aetiology of asthma and treatment. Most patients (56.3%) were prescribed the same ICS dose regimen at the end of follow-up as at inclusion. The intensity of controller therapy had been increased in only 12.2% of patients unacceptably controlled at inclusion. Conclusions: Asthma was unacceptably controlled in most patients receiving ICS-containing maintenance treatment and remained so during follow-up. Despite this, treatment adaptations by GPs and CPs were very infrequent. This unsatisfactory situation may be improved by adopting a more dynamic approach to tailoring controller therapy to the needs of the patient.
Histopathological Study on Poultry Enteritis in Azerbaijan Province of Iran

2 Abstract: In this survey, for morphohistopathological study of the enteritis in fowls, 70 specimens of pathologic intestinal lesions were randomly collected from necropsied fowls with the signs of enteritis from different flocks at Tabriz poultry clinics in a course of 6 months. They subjected to detail morphological and histological studies. Epidemiologically, the prevalence of the various kinds of enteritis in association with age, strain and sex was evaluated. One-sample chi-square test, revealed that the highest rate of occurrence (78.57%), belonged to broilers (p<0.01). It was observed greatly in 4-6 weeks of age (p<0.01). Also, by chi- square test, a significant relation between the sex and age of affection confirmed (p<0.01), as in the males the most of affliction belonged to 4-6 weeks of age and in the females it was 1-3 weeks of age . Histopathologically, we found that the highest rates of enteritis, related to catarrhal, hemorrhagic and necrotic enteritis respectively (p<0.01). This investigation demonstrated that the strain of Ross was likely in high risk (p<0.05). The relation between the strains and the kinds of enteritis was not significant.
Etiology and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of community-acquired bacterial ocular infections in a tertiary eye care hospital in south India

Aims: To identify the etiology, incidence and prevalence of ocular bacterial infections, and to assess the in vitro susceptibility of these ocular bacterial isolates to commonly used antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive samples submitted for microbiological evaluation from patients who were clinically diagnosed with ocular infections and were treated at a tertiary eye care referral center in South India between January 2002 and December 2007. Results: A total of 4417 ocular samples was submitted for microbiological evaluation, of which 2599 (58.8%) had bacterial growth, 456 (10.3%) had fungal growth, 15 (0.34%) had acanthamoebic growth, 14 (0.32%) had mixed microbial growth and the remaining 1333 (30.2%) had negative growth. The rate of culture-positivity was found to be 88% (P < 0.001) in eyelids’ infection, 70% in conjunctival, 69% in lacrimal apparatus, 67.4% in corneal, 51.6% in intraocular tissues, 42.9% in orbital and 39.2% in scleral infections. The most common bacterial species isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (26.69%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.14%). Sta. aureus was more prevalent more in eyelid infections (51.22%; P = 0.001) coagulase-negative staphylococci in endophthalmitis (53.1%; P = 0.001), Str. pneumoniae in lacrimal apparatus and corneal infections (64.19%; P = 0.001), Corynebacterium species in blepharitis and conjunctivitis (71%; P = 0.001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in keratitis and dacryocystitis (66.5%; P = 0.001), Haemophilus species in dacryocystitis and conjunctivitis (66.7%; P = 0.001), Moraxella lacunata in blepharitis (54.17%; P = 0.001) and Moraxella catarrhalis in dacryocystitis (63.83%; P = 0.001). The largest number of gram-positive isolates was susceptible to moxifloxacin (98.7%) and vancomycin (97.9%), and gram-negative isolates to amikacin (93.5%) and gatifloxacin (92.7%). Conclusions: Gram-positive cocci were the most frequent bacteria isolated from ocular infections and were sensitive to moxifloxacin and vancomycin, while gram-negative isolates were more sensitive to amikacin and gatifloxacin.
Functional and structural analysis of partial optic nerve avulsion due to blunt trauma: Case report

Partial optic nerve avulsion (ONA) secondary to finger gouging is an uncommon but devastating injury. A 21-year-old man who had an acute vision loss after accidentally getting poked by himself in his right eye when he fell down during jogging is reported. The patient was diagnosed with partial ONA. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intact optic nerve. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed deep cavity at the inferior-temporal half of the optic disc. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was also thin at the inferior quadrant with circumpapillary OCT scan. Visual field test and electrophysiological tests showed functional abnormality compatible with optic nerve lesion. Diagnostic tools for anatomical and functional evaluation may reveal the course of this injury.
Cataract surgery under topical anesthesia using 2% lignocaine jelly and intracameral lignocaine: Is manual small incision cataract surgery comparable to clear corneal phacoemulsification?

A prospective comparative study was undertaken to compare the patients’ pain experience, surgical outcome and surgeon’s experience in phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) under topical anesthesia supplemented with intracameral lignocaine (TASIL). In Group 1 (n=88) phacoemulsification was done and in Group 2 (n=92) MSICS was done. Pain scores were marked by the patients on a Visual analog scale (VAS) after the surgery. The surgical experience was noted on a questionnaire by the operating surgeon. Descriptive analysis and one-tailed Mann-Whitney test were used to draw results. The average VAS score in Group 1 was 0.65 (SD 1.31) and in Group 2 it was 0.90 (SD 1.22). This difference in the average was not statistically significant with P=0.09. The study demonstrates that MSICS and phacoemulsification both can be done safely under TASIL with acceptable patient comfort, and the pain experienced by the patients during the procedures is comparable.
Family and Community Burdens of Addiction: case-mix analysis at a new community-based methadone treatment service

The study aimed to examine demographic and psychosocial features of clients presenting to a new community addiction service in Dublin by retrospective collection of data from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System and from case records on site. The setting was Ballymun Addictions Service, where adequate records were available for three-quarters of all cases seen to date. Findings included a mean age of injecting commencement of 18 years, a 7-year period of injecting before treatment entry, 80% hepatitis C infection rate, 39% prevalence of heroin-addicted siblings, 73% within-family substance misuse, 80% male previous conviction rate and universal early school leaving. Psychosocial problems included domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, self-harm, teenage sex work and homicide history. It is concluded that the caseload of the community-based addiction service includes many complex problems and that prognosis for most clients must be guarded. Community-based treatment services need to address the endemic and collective nature of addiction processes in the poverty context.
Anticalins directed against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) with picomolar affinities show potential for medical therapy and in vivo imaging

Abstract Members of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) family play a central role in angiogenesis as well as lymphangiogenesis and are crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, VEGFR-3 expression is induced in endothelial cells during tumor angiogenesis. We report the design of anticalins that specifically recognize the ligand-binding domains 1 and 2 of VEGFR-3. To this end, a library of the lipocalin 2 scaffold with 20 randomized positions distributed across its binding site was subjected to phage display selection and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening using the VEGF-C binding fragment (D1-2) or the entire extracellular region (D1-7) of VEGFR-3 as target proteins. Promising anticalin candidates were produced in Escherichia coli and biochemically characterized. Three variants with different receptor binding modes were identified, and two of them were optimized with regard to target affinity as well as folding efficiency. The resulting anticalins show dissociation constants down to the single-digit picomolar range. Specific recognition of VEGFR-3 on cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Competitive binding versus VEGF-C was demonstrated for two of the anticalins with Ki values in the low nanomolar range. Based on these data, VEGFR-3 specific anticalins provide promising reagents for the diagnosis and/or therapeutic intervention of tumor-associated vessel growth.