Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High and low doses of clarithromycin treatment are associated with different clinical efficacies and immunomodulatory properties in chronic rhinosinusitis

Abstract Background: Low-dose clarithromycin has been recommended for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps. However, it is uncertain whether a high dose of clarithromycin is more effective than a low dose. Methods: Forty-three chronic rhinosinusitis patients were randomised to low-dose or high-dose clarithromycin groups, and clinical efficacy was evaluated. Pre- and post-treatment measures included: nasal symptom assessment, endoscopic inspection (Lund–Kennedy system), a quality of life questionnaire (the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20) and examination of cytokine levels (interleukin-5 and -8) in nasal secretions. Results: The high dose of clarithromycin was significantly better in terms of clinical efficacy than the low dose for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (p < 0.025). Significant differences in nasal cytokine levels (interleukin-5 and -8) were also observed between the low-dose and high-dose groups after short-term clarithromycin treatment (p < 0.025). Conclusion: Short-term, high-dose clarithromycin appears to be more effective for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis than low-dose clarithromycin.
Pimecrolimus cream 1% vs. betamethasone 17‐valerate 0·1% cream in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis. A randomized open‐label clinical trial

Background Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease with remissions and exacerbations, characterized by erythema, scaling and pruritus primarily on the face, scalp and chest. Corticosteroids and antifungals are the mainstay of therapy. However, chronic use of corticosteroids is associated with side‐effects such as skin atrophy and telangiectasia. Pimecrolimus, an inhibitor of calcineurin, has been used successfully in one patient with seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Intraoperative US in interactive image-guided neurosurgery.

Tissue movement can be a significant source of error in image-guided neurosurgery. A surgical guidance system that incorporates preoperative image information (eg, magnetic resonance [MR] imaging data) and intraoperative ultrasound (US) allows detection of tissue deformation during neurosurgery. An interactive image overlay tool allows a region of interest (ROl) to be defined and permits the operator to move the ROI over the MR or US image and overlay the associated image (US or MR) within the ROl. The system can be validated with a deformable multimodality phantom. Before deformation of the phantom, good agreement between the MR imaging and US data overlay confirms proper registration of the MR and US images; after deformation, the overlay demonstrates significant distortion of ventricles and movement of simulated blood vessels. Intraoperatively, this information helps establish the orientation of the US image being displayed by providing an oblique MR image that coincides with the live US view. The superior anatomic display of MR imaging also helps the surgeon interpret the corresponding US images. Finally, the system enables the surgeon to evaluate the patient-MR image registration by comparing structures on the MR images and live US images and using the overlay tool to visualize discrepancies.
Treatment of Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis With a Large-Diameter Contact Lens and Botulium Toxin A

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a large-diameter (16-20 mm) hydrogel contact lens (CL) or an injection of Botulinum Toxin A to Riolan muscle for the treatment of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK). Methods: Eight eyes from 8 patients were fitted with large-diameter CL for 7 days. The clinical improvement and changes of fluorescein and rose bengal staining were examined on the day of diagnosis and 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after the CL was fitted. Three eyes showing symptoms of recurrence of SLK within 1 month after removal of the CL and 2 eyes with complications related to CL were treated with an injection of Botulinum Toxin A to pretarsal orbicularis muscle, Riolan. The changes of symptoms and vital stains were also evaluated on day 7 and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the injection. Results: The mean age was 48 ± 13.5 years, and the group consisted of 6 females and 2 males. Dry eye syndrome and horizontal conjunctival corrugation were found in all 8 patients, superior conjunctivochalasis in 5 patients, and floppy eyelid syndrome in 2 patients. Complete resolution after more than 1 month with CL only was seen in 3 eyes (37.5%). Clinical symptoms improved in 4.62 days and vital staining in 10.75 days after fitting of the CL. Superficial punctuate keratopathy related to CL occurred in 3 eyes (37.5%). Five eyes (62.5%) that were treated with botulinum showed distinct improvement within 7 days after the injection, and the effect was maintained for 2-7 months. Conclusions: The fitting of large-diameter CL can be considered for the treatment of acute severe symptoms of SLK for a short time. An injection of Botulinum toxin to the Riolan muscle can effectively and rapidly resolve the symptoms associated with SLK, and its effect of maintenance was a mean of 4 months.
Assessing vocal function after chemoradiation for advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To identify objective parameters that could serve as valid indicators of vocal function in evaluating patients treated at multiple centers for head and neck cancer. DESIGN Objective measures of voice were validated against functional outcome measures of voice and communication. SETTING A multidisciplinary university-based ambulatory head and neck cancer clinic. SUBJECTS Fifteen patients at varying posttreatment intervals after chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer and 5 volunteers with no cancer but with a history of heavy smoking and drinking. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters were measured in patients with head and neck cancer after treatment with combined chemotherapy and irradiation and in control subjects. Communicative function was assessed by perceptual assessment of recorded voice samples, by a clinician-based communication score, and by patient self-rating of voice and communication. RESULTS Both perceptual analysis and communication score were concordant with patient self-rating of voice and communication ability. Acoustic measures were abnormal in patients, and jitter scores correlated with listener ratings of perceived voice quality. However, acoustic measures did not relate to communication function, as assessed by either the patient or the clinician. Laryngeal resistance demonstrated a significant correlation with both patient and observer assessments of voice quality and communication function. Laryngeal resistance was on average twice as high in patients who complained of voice fatigue, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Laryngeal resistance, determined during standardized phonation, is a reliable objective parameter of vocal function after chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer. A standardized clinician-based communication scale holds promise as a useful tool. Acoustic measures reflect the sound of the voice but not the ability to communicate effectively.
Maintaining Population Health in a Period of Welfare State Decline: Political Economy as the Missing Dimension in Health Promotion Theory and Practice

There is increasing recognition in the health promotion and population health fields that the primary determinants of health lay outside the health care and behavioural risk arenas. Many of these factors involve public policy decisions made by governments that influence the distribution of income, degree of social security, and quality and availability of education, food, and housing, among others. These non-medical and non-lifestyle factors have come to be known as the social determinants of health. In many nations – and this is especially the case in North America – recent policy decisions are undermining these social determinants of health. A political economy analysis of the forces supporting as well as threatening the welfare state is offered as a means of both understanding these policy decisions and advancing the health promotion and population health agendas. The building blocks of social democracies – the political systems that seem most amenable to securing the social determinants of health - are identified as key to promoting health. Health promoters and population health researchers need to “get political” and recognize the importance of political and social action in support of health.
Genetic characterization of a novel hepatitis a virus strain in irrigation water in South Africa

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected, by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, in irrigation water from a dam on a commercial fresh produce farm in South Africa (SA). The virus was characterized by nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis of a consensus sequence spanning the VP1 and VP1/P2B genomic regions. Amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the HAV strain was closely related to HAV genotype V and possibly of simian origin. This suggests that a novel HAV may be circulating in SA and its presence in irrigation water highlights the potential for zoonotic or anthroponotic cross‐species transmission via environmental food and water sources. J. Med. Virol. 88:734–737, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver tumorigenesis is suppressed in mice lacking hepatic retinoid storage

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has become one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease that can develop into a more serious form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although hepatic retinoid stores are progressively lost during the development of liver disease, how this affects steatohepatitis and its related hepatocarcinogenesis is unknown. In order to investigate these, we used subcutaneous injection of streptozotocin (0.2 mg/body) and high-fat diet to induce steatohepatitis and hepatic tumorigenesis in lecithin:retinol acyltransferase -deficient mice (n = 10), which lack stored retinoid in the liver, and control mice (n = 12). At the termination of the experiment (16 weeks of age), the development of hepatic tumors was significantly suppressed in mutant mice compared to controls. Lower serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and decreased hepatic levels of cyclin D1 were observed in mutant mice. Mutant mice exhibited increased levels of retinoic acid-responsive genes, including p21, and decreased oxidative stress as evaluated by serum and liver markers. Our findings are consistent with the conclusion that mutant mice are less susceptible to steatohepatitis-related liver tumorigenesis due to increased retinoid signaling, which is accompanied by up-regulated p21 expression and attenuated oxidative stress.
Counteraction of oxidative damage by pomegranate juice: influence of the cultivar.

BACKGROUND Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has gained widespread popularity as a potential functional food due to its high phenolics content. Although in different studies pomegranate juice has been shown to exert anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the cultivar-related differences in phenolics content and antioxidant activity must be carefully taken into account when evaluating the health effects. The first aim of this study was to rank the juices of 15 different varieties of pomegranate according to their total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Then three juices were selected, better characterised and added to HepG2 cells as a supplement to evaluate the protective effect against induced oxidative stress. RESULTS The cultivars Wonderful, Hicaz and G2 were chosen according to the ranking and the corresponding juices used at two different concentrations as a supplement to HepG2 cells. Overall, all juices were able to protect cells from oxidative damage, but differences that could be related to the different phenolics content and pattern were detected among the three juices. CONCLUSION Our results show the advantage of screening cultivars prior to efficacy studies. This approach can be useful for food companies that focus on the development of food that has added nutritional and health value.
Sensitivity and specificity of an in-house sandwich ELISA kit for Newcastle disease virus antigen detection.

Of all serological tests enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is still considered the gold standard for the detection of antigens and antibodies of either macro or micro-organisms worldwide. The ELISA kits for serum antibody detection against many viruses and other micro-organisms of both man and animals are available in the market. Whereas, antigen detection ELISA kits for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is not yet available in Bangladesh. The Present study was designed for the development of an economically feasible In-house Sandwich ELISA and to test its sensitivity and specificity for the detection of NDV antigens from clinically suspected field samples. 96- well flat bottom polystyrene plates coated with hyperimmune polyclonal serum against NDV raised in rabbits was used to capture NDV antigens. The anti-rabbit IgG and DAB with 30% H 2 O 2 were used as conjugate and substrate respectively for standardization of the test method. The plate coated with serum diluted 10 -3 was found suitable for capturing maximum antigen of NDV by the In-house Sandwich ELISA. The cut-off value of the present ELISA test was calculated as 0.855 and was able to capture the viral antigen present in the 10 -4 fold dilution of allantoic fluid (AF) which is equivalent to 1HA unit, indicating the highest degree of sensitivity of the newly developed ELISA. In case of field samples, the newly developed ELISA kit was able to detect 100% viral antigens of NDV present in the feces, 95.50% of the brain tissue and oro-nasal swab and 94.12% of colon swab samples of either naturally and experimentally infected birds in this study. The ND virus specific polyclonal antibody used in the kit bind only with ND virus without any cross reactive antigens of other viruses of chicken like Avian influenza virus (AIV) and Infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDV). Therefore, findings of the present study clearly indicates that the newly developed In-house Sandwich ELISA kit can be used for rapid confirmatory diagnosis of Newcastle disease (ND) with minimum cost, using any kind of field samples from either sick or dead birds. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/mh.v1i2. 14093 Microbes and Health, 2012 1(2): 65-71
A Security-Performance-Balanced User Authentication Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

The uses of wireless sensor networks have increased to be applicable in many different areas, such as military applications, ecology, and health applications. These applications often include the management of confidential information, making the issue of security one of the most important aspects to consider. In this aspect, a user authentication mechanism that allows only legitimate users to access the network data becomes critical for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the network information. In this paper, we describe and cryptoanalyze previous works in user authentication to illustrate their vulnerabilities and security flaws. We then propose a robust user authentication scheme that solves the identified limitations. Additionally, we describe how the proposed protocol is more suitable for a secure sensor network implementation by analysis in terms of security and performance.
Medial temporal lobe is vulnerable to vascular risk factors in men: a population‐based study

Background and purpose: Vascular risk factors (VRFs) are known to cause cerebral microvascular disease, but evidence supporting an effect of VRFs on regional brain atrophy is mixed. We investigate whether an aggregation of VRFs is associated with volume of hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in elderly people living in the community.
Delayed Initiation but Not Gradual Advancement of Enteral Formula Feeding Reduces the Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in Preterm Pigs

Enteral formula feeding is a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, yet studies are conflicting regarding the safest timing for introduction and advancement of feeds. Our aim was to test the effects of early vs. late initiation and abrupt vs. gradual advancement of enteral feeding of an intact vs. hydrolyzed protein formula on NEC incidence and severity in preterm pigs. In Experiment 1, preterm pigs received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) at birth with abrupt initiation of enteral formula feeds (50% full intake) on d of life (DOL) 2 (EA) or 5 (LA) while PN continued. Pigs were also fed formula containing either intact or hydrolyzed protein. In Experiment 2, preterm pigs received TPN at birth with enteral, hydrolyzed-protein formula feeds introduced on DOL 2 either abruptly (EA; 50% full feeds) or gradually (EG; 10–50% full feeds over 5 d) while PN continued. NEC incidence and severity were assessed based on macroscopic and histological scoring. In Experiment 1, NEC incidence (41% vs. 70%, P<0.05) and severity were reduced in LA vs. EA groups and LA was associated with a higher survival rate, daily weight gain and jejunum villus height. Piglets fed hydrolyzed vs. intact protein formula had lower stomach content weights and similar NEC incidence. In Experiment 2, NEC incidence and severity were not different between pigs the EG vs. EA group. Proinflammatory gene expression (IL-1β, IL-6 and S100A9) in the ileum was lower in both LA and EG vs. EA groups. In conclusion, delayed initiation but not gradual advancement of enteral feeding is protective against NEC in preterm pigs. Feeding hydrolyzed vs. intact protein formula improved gastric transit without affecting the NEC incidence.
Inconsistent grading of aortic valve stenosis by current guidelines: haemodynamic studies in patients with apparently normal left ventricular function

Background On echocardiography approximately one-third of patients with severe aortic valve stenosis based on aortic valve area (AVA<1.0 cm2) demonstrate a non-severe mean pressure gradient (ΔPm; ≤40 mm Hg) despite apparently normal left ventricular function. It has been suggested that inconsistent echocardiographic grading may be due to ‘paradoxical’ low stroke volume. However, the correct echocardiographic assessment of stroke volume hinges on the often problematic measurement of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter. Objective To investigate whether inconsistent grading and reduced stroke volume persist when the quantification of aortic valve stenosis is based on cardiac catheterisation which is independent of LVOT measurements. Methods and results 333 consecutive patients underwent cardiac catheterisation within 30 days after their index echocardiography showing an AVA ≤2 cm2 and shortening fraction ≥30%. On invasive testing 85 patients (26%) demonstrated inconsistent (AVA<1 cm2 and ΔPm≤40 mm Hg) and 153 (46%) consistent grading (AVA<1 cm2 and ΔPm>40 mm Hg) with the remainder (28%) presenting with a calculated AVA≥1 cm2. Inconsistently graded patients were older (71 vs 67 years, p<0.006) with no differences in sex or body surface area between groups. Stroke volume and stroke volume index were significantly lower in inconsistently graded patients (63±14 vs 73±18 ml and 35±7 vs 39±7 ml/m2, respectively, both p<0.001). However, 41/85 (48%) of inconsistently graded patients had a normal stroke volume index >35 ml/m2. Conclusion In the framework of current guidelines inconsistent grading of aortic valve stenosis is common, extends to cardiac catheterisation and is only partially explained by low stroke volume despite apparently normal left ventricular systolic function.
National anti-tuberculosis drug resistance study in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in a national representative sample of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tanzania according to recommended methodology. DESIGN Cluster survey, with 40 clusters sampled proportional to size, of notified TB patients from all diagnostic centres in the country. RESULTS The survey enrolled 1019 new and 148 retreatment patients. The adjusted prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to any of the four first-line drugs in new patients was 8.3%, while the prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 1.1%. In retreatment patients, the crude prevalence for any resistance and for MDR-TB was respectively 20.6% and 3.9%. The prevalence of drug resistance did not differ in relapse patients compared to failure patients. These estimates are among the lowest in those African countries with an estimated level of drug resistance in the last 5 years. CONCLUSION The low levels of drug resistance in Tanzania are likely due to a well performing TB control programme and the absence of noticeable involvement of the private sector in TB treatment.
Single-Arm Self-Mixing Superluminescent Diode Interferometer for Flow Measurements

Laser-diode self-mixing interferometry is a noncontact technique widely used both in industries and laboratories. In this paper, we propose to extend the self-mixing approach to low-coherence sources such as superluminescent diodes. In particular, we present a fiber-based common-path interferometer exploiting a single-mode-pigtailed superluminescent diode. The developed measuring system has been demonstrated to be able to directly measure the flow in pipes. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that flow measurements have been performed by a single-arm self-mixing pigtailed superluminescent-diode. The measuring system exploits the Doppler interference pattern produced by the light back-reflected from the inner facet of the pipe wall and the light back-diffused by the moving particles. Then, the use of a low-coherence source allows to measure the velocity of the scattering particles in a fixed and well-defined region located close to the pipe wall, thus providing good robustness to variations of scatterers concentration and allowing to easily estimate the flow under the laminar flow assumption. Experimental results demonstrated a high linearity (Pearson coefficient of about 99<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\%$</tex-math></inline-formula>) and sensitivity of about 16.62 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pm$</tex-math></inline-formula> 1.1 cm <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-3}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, with flows ranging from 1 to 15 cm <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^3$</tex-math></inline-formula>/s and scatterers volume concentration ranging from 0.015 to 0.36<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\%$</tex-math></inline-formula>.
Combined topical povidone–iodine and systemic antibiotics in postappendicectomy wound sepsis

Three hundred and fifteen patients with appendicitis were randomized into two groups. One group received pre‐operative systemic gentamicin and metronidazole while the other group received 1 per cent topical povidone–iodine solution in addition to the antibiotics. For early appendicitis including normal and acutely inflamed appendices, only one dose of antibiotics was used. The postoperative wound sepsis was very low in both groups of patients and there was no statistical difference between them. For late appendicitis including gangrenous and perforated appendices, the antibiotics were continued for 7 days. Eight out of 51 patients who had the topical agent developed wound sepsis compared with one out of 52 patients who received no topical agent. This difference is statistically significant (P = 0·03). All wound infections presented within 2 weeks of operation and were deep. Povidone–iodine, 1 per cent, adversely affects the wound infection rate in late appendicitis and should not be used.