Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnesium maintenance therapy for preventing preterm birth after threatened preterm labour.

BACKGROUND Magnesium maintenance therapy is one of the types of tocolytic therapy used after an episode of threatened preterm labour (usually treated with an initial dose of tocolytic therapy) in an attempt to prevent the onset of further preterm contractions. OBJECTIVES To assess whether magnesium maintenance therapy is effective in preventing preterm birth after the initial threatened preterm labour is arrested. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (May 2010). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of magnesium therapy given to women after threatened preterm labour. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The review authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and carried out data extraction. We checked data entry. MAIN RESULTS We included four trials, which recruited 422 women. Three trials had high risk of bias and none included any long-term follow up of infants. No differences in the incidence of preterm birth or perinatal mortality were seen when magnesium maintenance therapy was compared with placebo or no treatment; or alternative therapies (ritodrine or terbutaline). The risk ratio (RR) for preterm birth (less than 37 weeks) for magnesium compared with placebo or no treatment was 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 1.40 (two trials, 99 women); and 0.99, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.72 (2 trials, 100 women) for magnesium compared with alternative therapies. The RR for perinatal mortality for magnesium compared with placebo or no treatment was 5.00, 95% CI 0.25 to 99.16 (one trial, 50 infants) and also compared with alternative treatments, was 5.00, 95% CI 0.25 to 99.16 (one trial, 50 infants). Women taking magnesium preparations were less likely to report palpitations or tachycardia than women receiving alternative therapies (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.52, three trials, 237 women) but were much more likely to experience diarrhoea (RR 7.66, 95% CI 2.18 to 26.98, three trials, 237 women). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is not enough evidence to show any difference between magnesium maintenance therapy compared with either placebo or no treatment, or alternative therapies (ritodrine or terbutaline) in preventing preterm birth after an episode of threatened preterm labour.
Enfocando la depresión como problema de salud pública en México

SUMMARY The present review aims at analyzing the magnitude and social impact of depression, as well as exploring models that help to understand the strategies needed to address this public health problem. The literature reveals that 9.2% of the general population has had a depressive episode and one in five persons will have an episode by age 75. Lower rates are observed in low and mid income in comparison to those with high income. These differences are not due to personal income, the probability of greater severity or delay in diagnosis, and are more likely related to cultural differences. Greater risk is observed among females, people younger than 60 years, marital status as single, widowed or divorced, and low educational attainment. The deleterious effect of depression on productivity is well established (27 days lost in the past year, on average, per case). The association with diabetes, hypertension, cardio vascular disease, drug use, suicide, and other risk behaviors has been frequently observed. Although unresolved questions remain about the presence or not of common risk factors and the chain of causality, it is a known fact that the combination of physical and mental disorders causes greater disability. With regard to the healthcare system, patients with depression and/or anxiety have higher utilization rates and healthcare costs, particularly among elderly patients. This healthcare overutilization is related with the low rates of diagnosis and adequate treatment of depression. About 26% of depression cases will not be diagnosed and, although a large proportion of patients have contact with healthcare services, nearly 30% never receive help for their depression. New treatment models that overcome barriers, understanding the sociocultural factors related with the problem, and addressing depression at the primary level of healthcare are urgent in Mexico.
Impact of the special training of community health workers on breastfeeding counselling and support in KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the impact of special training of community health workers (CHWs) on breastfeeding counselling and support. Design. A cross-sectional, observational study. Setting. The study was conducted in the area serviced by the Thukela District Child Survival Project, Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. Subjects. Mother-infant pairs (N = 95) visited by specially trained CHWs formed the intervention group and were compared with a control group of mother-infant pairs (N = 64) visited by normally trained CHWs. Both groups of CHWs had been trained in the integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI). Outcome measures. To test for significant differences between the intervention and control groups in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), feeding of colostrum, withholding of prelacteals, infant growth and diarrhoeal disease rates. Results. EBF rates of 71.6% and 59.4% were found in the intervention and control groups respectively (p = 0.1). Both study groups showed higher rates of EBF compared with other areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The prevalence of feeding colostrum was 88.4% in the intervention and 92.2% in the control groups (p = 0.4). The prevalence of withholding prelacteals was 77% in the intervention and 86% in the control groups (p = 0.1). At the time of the interview, infants in both groups showed consistent growth (weight-for-age z-scores: intervention = 0.13, control = 0.18; p = 0.7). Diarrhoea prevalence did not differ significantly between study groups and varied from 7.5% (in the 7 days before interview, p = 0.1) to 16% (in the previous 3 months for infants . 3 months, p = 0.5). Conclusion. The special training did not have the anticipated impact on measured parameters. Training CHWs in IMCI was as effective as special training. If generally applied, the former may increase rates of EBF, improve infant growth and reduce the risk of diarrhoeal illness in South Africa.
Current and investigated alternatives to botulinum toxin for managing blepharospasm

Introduction: Benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) is an adult-onset focal dystonia characterized by involuntary spasms of the orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle. BEB typically develops in the fifth to sixth decade, has a variable female preponderance, and a tendency to spread to adjacent body regions. Idiopathic BEB is thought to be a multifactorial disorder resulting from the contribution of both environmental and genetic factors. To date, BEB treatment is largely based on botulinum A toxin (BTX). Areas covered: This article summarizes current knowledge on the therapeutic approaches that can be proposed to BEB patients who are truly unresponsive to BTX. Current and investigated alternatives to BTX can be included in the following categories: i) alternative therapeutic weakening of the OO muscle; ii) treatments of ophtalmological complaints; and iii) therapeutic interventions on central nervous system mechanisms underlying BEB. Expert opinion: Therapeutic strategies to manage BEB of patients who are truly unresponsive to BTX are very limited. Currently available treatments include myectomy, oral medication and deep brain stimulation. Experimental therapeutics include topical acetyl hexapeptide-8, a promising new drug for extending the duration of action of BTX, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. At present, the choice of the best treatment strategy, including medical, surgical and non-invasive treatments remains largely empirical and depending on existing reports of toxicity rather than efficacy.
Collection devices for obtaining cervical cytology samples.

BACKGROUND Few randomised controlled trials have sufficient power to show clear advantages of different designs of cervical smear collection devices. We studies whether the design of the cervical smear collection device affects rates of inadequate smears and detection of disease and whether the presence of endocervical cells in the smear affects detection of disease. OBJECTIVES The false-negative rate of cervical smears varies between 1.5% and 55%. This variation may be partly due to differences in sampling device and technique. The objective of this review was to assess different cervical sampling devices for collecting endocervical cells, which are thought to be a surrogate for detection of abnormal cells and adequate smear rates. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group trials register and MEDLINE up to July 1997. We also handsearched 16 journals. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised trials and non-randomised comparative studies comparing cervical smear collection devices in women attending for primary screening, colposcopy following an abnormal smear or colposcopy after treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently abstracted data. Study quality was assessed. MAIN RESULTS Thirty-four trials and six observational comparative studies were included. The Ayre spatula was shown to be less effective compared with extended tip spatulas for collecting endocervical cells in eight trials (odds ratio 2.25, 95% confidence interval 2.06 to 2.44). Use of a spatula with the cytobrush was more effective than spatula alone at collecting endocervical cells (odds ratio 3.33, 95% 3.05 to 3.63) and the same effect was present for adequate smear rates (odds ratio 1.51 95% 1.19-1.92). Extended tip spatulas were also superior for the detection of dyskaryosis in seven trials (odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 1.33). Based on data from two trials and three observational studies, smears that contained endocervical cells were more likely to detect dyskaryosis, particularly in severe disease. The proportion of smears with endocervical cells present increased with increasing severity of the disease. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Extended tip spatulas of various designs appear to be better for collecting endocervical cells than the commonly used Ayre spatula. The most effective combination appears to be the cytobrush with an extended tip spatula. The rate of detection of endocervical cells appears to be a valid and convenient surrogate for the ability to detect dyskaryosis and for adequate smear rates. The ability of the extended tip spatula with the cytobrush compared with the extended tip spatula alone to detect disease, needs to be evaluated in a trial.
Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Using bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis as a model, we have set out to study collagen metabolism in the fibrotic process. As was previously shown, intratracheal administration of bleomycin in the rat caused increased deposition and net synthesis of collagen in the lung. This was accompanied by marked increases in the tissue-free proline pool size and less dramatic increases in the pool's radioactivity when lung mince was pulsed with radioactive proline to measure the net collagen synthesis. Using a technique based on the quantitation of the rate of release of hydroxyproline-containing peptides when lung homogenates were incubated in calcium-containing buffer, lung collagenolytic activity was markedly diminished as a result of bleomycin treatment. Concomitant treatment with the steroid methylprednisolone did not affect significantly this decrease in lung collagenolytic activity. Such steroid treatment, however, prevented the increase in bleomycin-induced lung collagen deposition and partially suppressed.
Usefulness of Housekeeping Genes for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection, Strain Discrimination and Detection of Multiple Infection

Helicobacter pylori infects human stomachs of over half the world's population, evades the immune response and establishes a chronic infection. Although most people remains asymptomatic, duodenal and gastric ulcers, MALT lymphoma and progression to gastric cancer could be developed. Several virulence factors such as flagella, lipopolysaccharide, adhesins and especially the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA and the oncoprotein CagA have been described for H. pylori. Despite the extensive published data on H. pylori, more research is needed to determine new virulence markers, the exact mode of transmission or the role of multiple infection.
Treatment and prevention of pouchitis after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND Pouchitis may occur following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for chronic ulcerative colitis in approximately 30% of patients. OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to determine the efficacy of medical therapies for pouchitis (including antibiotic, probiotic, and other agents) as substantiated by data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SEARCH STRATEGY A search for RCTs from 1966 to October 2009 was performed using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled treatment or prevention trials of adult patients who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis who subsequently developed pouchitis or were at risk for pouchitis were considered for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Extracted data were converted to 2X2 tables and then synthesized in to a summary statistic using the Peto odds ratio (OR) and [95% confidence intervals], or weighted mean difference (WMD), using RevMan-5 for Mac OS 10.6. MAIN RESULTS Eleven RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The efficacy of 10 different pharmacologic agents was assessed. For the treatment of acute pouchitis (4 RCTS, 5 agents), ciprofloxacin was more effective at inducing remission than metronidazole. Neither rifaximin nor lactobacillus GG were more effective than placebo, while budesonide enemas and metronidazole were similarly effective, for inducing remission of acute pouchitis. For the treatment and maintenance of remission of chronic pouchitis (4 RCTs, 4 agents), glutamine suppositories were not more effective than butyrate suppositories, and bismuth carbomer foam enemas were not more effective than placebo, while VSL#3 was more effective than placebo in maintaining remission of chronic pouchitis in patients with chronic pouchitis who achieved remission with antibiotics. For the prevention of pouchitis (3 RCTs, 2 agents), in one study VSL#3 was more effective than placebo while in another study VSL#3 was not more effective than no treatment. Allopurinol was not more effective than placebo, while inulin was more effective than placebo but the results were not clinically significant. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS For acute pouchitis, ciprofloxacin was more effective than metronidazole, while budesonide enemas and metronidazole were similarly effective. For chronic pouchitis, VSL#3 was more effective than placebo. For the prevention of pouchitis, VSL#3 was more effective than placebo. Larger RCTs are needed to determine the optimal agent(s) for the treatment and prevention of pouchitis.
Takeover Defenses and IPO Firm Value in the Netherlands

The central question of this study involves the relation between the use of takeover defenses and IPO firm value. We report that management frequently uses takeover defenses before taking the firm public. The use of takeover defenses is primarily motivated by managerial entrenchment. IPO investors anticipate potential conflict of interests with management and reduce the price they pay for the IPO shares if takeover defenses are adopted. Although managers internalize this cost of takeover defenses to the degree they own pre-IPO stock, they are likely to gain through private control benefits. Non-management pre-IPO owners lose. Their shares are worth less, but different from managers, they do not get offsetting private control benefits. We infer that managers use takeover defenses to protect private control benefits at non-management pre-IPO owners' expense.
Ubiquitin recognition by the proteasome

The 26S proteasome is a 2.5-MDa complex responsible for the selective, ATP-dependent degradation of ubiquitylated proteins in eukaryotic cells. Substrates in hundreds cellular pathways are timely ubiquitylated and converged to the proteasome by direct recognition or by multiple shuttle factors. Engagement of substrate protein triggers conformational changes of the proteasome, which drive substrate unfolding, deubiquitylation and translocation of substrates to proteolytic sites. Recent studies have challenged the previous paradigm that Lys48-linked tetraubiquitin is a minimal degradation signal: in addition, monoubiquitylation or multiple short ubiquitylations can serve as the targeting signal for proteasomal degradation. In this review, I highlight recent advances in our understanding of the proteasome structure, the ubiquitin topology in proteasome targeting, and the cellular factors that regulate proteasomal degradation.
Uterine Lymphatic and Blood Micro-Vessels in Women with Endometriosis through the Menstrual Cycle

Purpose Endometriosis is a common disease, associated with persistent and severe symptoms including infertility and pain, however, pathogenesis remains poorly understood. It has been hypothesized that fragments of viable endometrial tissue shed at menstruation reach the peritoneal cavity and other distant sites by retrograde menstruation and dissemination into the lymphatic system. In this study, uterine lymphatic and blood micro-vessel populations were compared in women with and without endometriosis during the menstrual cycle. Methods Paraffin-embedded hysterectomy specimens from premenopausal women with histologically normal endometrium (37 control and 42 endometriosis) were obtained. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies for D2–40 (lymphatic endothelium), CD31 (pan-endothelial marker), and endoglin (activated endothelial cells in angiogenesis). Lymphatic (LVD) and blood (BVD) micro-vessel density were quantified with an automated cellular imaging system using color and morphometric properties to identify micro-vessels. Results Subtle but significant differences in uterine BVD and LVD were detected in endometriosis. LVD was significantly increased in basal layer endometrium of endometriosis patients during the proliferative phase (mean ± SD = 54.3 ± 20.1 vs. 41.4 ± 9.9, p = 0.025). Endoglin-positive BVD was increased in the subepithelial region of endometrium in endometriosis during the secretory phase (19.3 ± 16.6 vs. 6.4 ± 8.2, p = 0.038). Conclusions This report for the first time demonstrates that endometrial LVD is altered in women with endometriosis and supports changes in BVD in these women. These alterations are likely to contribute to pathogenesis of endometriosis, through lymphatic spread and increased angiogenic potential of shed endometrial fragments.
Malaria Infection Among Blood Donors in Onitsha Urban, Southeast Nigeria

Blood safety is a major issue of global concern in transfusion medicine especially in developing countries, where national blood transfusion policies and services as well as financial resources are lacking or inadequate. Transfusion-transmitted malaria is a potential health hazard but is often neglected in many malarious areas. Malaria infection among blood donors in Onitsha urban, Southeast Nigeria was studied between August and October 2008. Venous blood of donors was screened for malaria parasites using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. The ABO and Rhesus phenotypes were classified using a haemaglutination standard test and demographic data of donors documented. Of the 410 blood donors analysed, 304 (74.1%) were infected. Plasmodium falciparium was identified in all positive cases and mixed infection with P. malariae was seen in 5(1.6%) cases. Infection significantly varied with age and not with sex and occupation (p Keywords: Blood donors, Commercial donors, Nigeria, Transfusion-transmitted malaria
Impact of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen on the clinical course of hepatitis C virus carriers in a hyperendemic area in Japan: A community‐based cohort study

Subjects positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are considered to have occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of occult HBV infection on aggravation of the clinical course in hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers.
Bioactivity of Essential Oil of Zingiber purpureum Rhizomes and Its Main Compounds against Two Stored Product Insects

ABSTRACT The insecticidal and repellent activities of the essential oil extracted from Zingiber purpureum Roscoe rhizomes were evaluated against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Lasioderma serricorne (L.) adults. During our screening program for agrochemicals from Chinese medicinal herbs and wild plants, the essential oil of Z. purpureum rhizomes was found to possess strong contact toxicity against T. castaneum and L. serricorne adults, with LD50 values of 39.0 and 16.3 µg per adult, respectively, and also showed strong fumigant toxicity against the two grain storage insects with LC50 values of 13.6 and 9.3 mg/liter of air, respectively. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main components of the essential oil were identified to be sabinene (48.1%), terpinen-4-ol (25.1%), and &ggr;-terpinene (6.7%), followed by &agr;-terpinene (4.3%), &bgr;-thujene (3.4%), and &agr;-phellandrene (2.7%). Sabinene, terpinen-4-ol, and &ggr;-terpinene were separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography. Terpinen-4-ol showed the strongest contact toxicity against T. castaneum and L. serricorne (LD50 = 19.7 and 5.4 µg per adult, respectively) and also the strongest fumigant toxicity against T. castaneum and L. serricorne (LC50 = 3.7 and 1.3 mg/liter of air, respectively). Otherwise, sabinene and terpinen-4-ol were strongly repellent against T. castaneum as well as the essential oil, while &ggr;-terpinene exhibited weaker repellency against T. castaneum compared with the positive control, DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). Moreover, only the essential oil exhibited strong repellency against L. serricorne, the three compounds exhibited weaker repellency against L. serricorne relative to DEET.
Maternal controlling feeding behaviours and child eating in preschool-aged children

Aim: This paper explored the relationship between maternal controlling feeding behaviours and child eating and weight in preschool-aged children. Methods: Ninety mothers of 2- to 5-year-old children (M = 3.48, SD = 0.84, 54.4% males) completed self-report measures assessing maternal controlling feeding behaviours, child eating patterns and weight. Results: Univariate analyses indicated that child food neophobia was associated with authoritarian feeding (r= 0.29), pressure to eat (r= 0.28) and restriction (r= 0.34). Child food pickiness was associated with authoritarian feeding (r= 0.35). No association was found between maternal feeding strategies and child weight. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that authoritarian feeding, restriction and pressure to eat were significantly associated with the variance in child food neophobia (adjusted R2= 12.6%) and pickiness (adjusted R2= 12.0%). Conclusions: The findings suggest that maternal control in feeding is associated with undesirable eating patterns in preschool-aged children. Interventions targeting reduction in maternal controlling feeding may promote desirable eating patterns in preschool-aged children.