Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basophil Interleukin 4 and Interleukin 13 Production Is Suppressed during the Early Phase of Rush Immunotherapy

Background: Studies using rush immunotherapy (RIT) have shown that rapid protection can be achieved using protocols allowing a fast increment of allergen dose. We examined the early effects of RIT on basophil numbers and expression of CD203c, production of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 and histamine release by basophils in the peripheral blood of patients treated with immunotherapy and controls. Methods: Twelve patients treated with RIT and 4 untreated controls were included in the study. Any adverse events were evaluated during the incremental phase of RIT. Mononuclear cells were isolated before the start of RIT and 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks and 3 months after the beginning of the treatment. Histamine release upon allergen stimulation, expression of CD203c and allergen-induced production of IL-4 and IL-13 by basophils were examined. Results: Significant decreases in blood basophil count (p = 0.02) were observed early in the treatment, returning to baseline values 1 week after the start of RIT. Similarly, histamine release decreased at day 3 (p = 0.02), but returned to pretreatment levels after 1 week. Also, the percentage of IL-4+ and IL-13+ basophils and levels of CD203c expression were markedly reduced early in the treatment. IL-4 and IL-13 production correlated with histamine release and CD203c expression. Histamine release and production of IL-4 and IL-13 by basophils before the treatment correlated with the severity of adverse events during the incremental phase of RIT. Conclusion: We report the decrease in blood basophil numbers, their lower activation status and the reduced production of IL-4 and IL-13 early in the course of RIT. This early suppression of basophil activation could be one mechanism behind the protective effect of RIT.
Sex and Age Differences in Depression: A Quantitative Synthesis of Published Research

It is commonly believed that depression is more common in females than in males. A quantitative synthesis of published research showed, however, that the sex difference is age specific. There is little sex difference in either childhood or advanced old age, but a notable sex difference in middle life. This sex difference appears because rates for females rise sharply from childhood to adulthood and then decline somewhat in old age. By contrast, rates for males show a small rise in early adulthood but are otherwise fairly stable throughout life. The age-specific nature of these sex differences may be explainable in terms of differences in social roles at various ages.
Effect of bacterial biofilms formed on fouling-release coatings from natural seawater and Cobetia marina, on the adhesion of two marine algae

Previous studies have shown that bacterial biofilms formed from natural seawater (NSW) enhance the settlement of spores of the green alga Ulva linza, while single-species biofilms may enhance or reduce settlement, or have no effect at all. However, the effect of biofilms on the adhesion strength of algae, and how that may be influenced by coating/surface properties, is not known. In this study, the effect of biofilms formed from natural seawater and the marine bacterium Cobetia marina, on the settlement and the adhesion strength of spores and sporelings of the macroalga U. linza and the diatom Navicula incerta, was evaluated on Intersleek® 700, Intersleek® 900, poly(dimethylsiloxane) and glass. The settlement and adhesion strength of these algae were strongly influenced by biofilms and their nature. Biofilms formed from NSW enhanced the settlement (attachment) of both algae on all the surfaces while the effect of biofilms formed from C. marina varied with the coating type. The adhesion strength of spores and sporelings of U. linza and diatoms was reduced on all the surfaces biofilmed with C. marina, while adhesion strength on biofilms formed from NSW was dependent on the alga (and on its stage of development in the case of U. linza), and coating type. The results illustrate the complexity of the relationships between fouling algae and bacterial biofilms and suggest the need for caution to avoid over-generalisation.
Cognitive deficits in the pathogenesis of autism.

En rupture avec les conceptions initiales proposees de l'autisme, l'auteur soutient que ce trouble ne consiste pas dans un trouble d'abord affectif, ni ne se limite a un deficit du registre du langage, ni ne se definit par les handicaps sociaux qui affectent le sujet, mais que l'autisme est fonction d'un deficit crucial dans le domaine cognitif. Ce deficit cognitif est fondamental au double sens du terme, dans le mœsure ou il n'est pas secondaire aux autres traits qui caracterisent l'autisme et ou il est sous-jacent aux autres handicaps qui accompagnent l'autisme. Considerant cette definition comme un acquis des recherches les plus recentes, l'auteur pose la question des relations de cette dimension cognitive fondamentale dans l'autisme aux dimensions du desir et de l'affect
Relationship between tobacco cessation and mental health outcomes in a tobacco cessation trial

Persons with mental health diagnoses use tobacco at alarming rates, yet misperceptions remain about the effect of quitting on mental health outcomes. This article examines the relationship between tobacco cessation and changes in severity of mental illness. Participants were N = 577 veterans with a history of mental health treatment enrolled in a tobacco cessation study. The effects of abstinence and time on Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale–24 summary scores and subscales were examined. Abstinence at both 2 and 6 months post-baseline was related (p < .0001) to lower Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale–24 summary scores and improvement on three Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale–24 subscales. Providers should recommend and provide tobacco treatment to all mental health patients to improve their physical and mental health functioning.
Significance of Esophageal Crohn Disease in Children

Background and Aim: Esophageal Crohn disease (ECD) is more common than it was originally thought to be. Only limited information, however, is available regarding its significance and effect on clinical course in the pediatric population. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of ECD in our patient population and compare clinical features and severity of disease among patients with ECD and nonesophageal Crohn disease (NECD). Patients and Methods: Medical records of all patients with ECD diagnosed during a 12-year period based on specific endoscopic and histological criteria were reviewed and compared with a random group of patients with NECD. Results: During the study period, 81 (20%) patients with ECD were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 12 (range 4–19 years) with a male predominance of 63%. Only 29 (36%) patients had symptoms suggestive of upper gastrointestinal involvement. Endoscopic ulcers were present in 45 (56%) of patients with ECD, whereas noncaseating granulomas were found in 10 (12%) of those patients. The majority (89%) of these patients had concomitant gastric and/or duodenal involvement. When compared with 160 random patients with NECD, patients with ECD had higher mean Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index scores (40.2 vs 23.9; P < 0.001), more penetrating-type disease (12% vs 2%; P = 0.001), and a greater frequency of perianal involvement (51% vs 33%; P = 0.005) at diagnosis. No differences, however, were noted between the 2 groups in terms of need for surgical resection throughout duration of follow-up. Conclusions: Patients with ECD may represent a phenotype of Crohn disease with a more severe presentation. Patients with perianal disease at the time of initial physical examination should be considered for an upper endoscopy in addition to the colonoscopy to exclude esophageal involvement despite the absence of specific upper gastrointestinal symptoms. These observations should foster additional investigation into ECD phenotype to determine appropriate treatment and prognosis.
Accuracy, confidence, and juror perceptions in eyewitness identification.

Subjects of both sexes individually witnessed the staged theft of a calculator. The 127 witnesses were then given the opportunity to identify the thief from a six-person picture array; from this sample, 24 accurate-iden tification witnesses and 18 inaccurate-id entification witnesses were cross-examined with either leading or nonleading questions. Jurors were unable to distinguish accurate from inaccurate witnesses across the 42 cross-examina tion sessions (d' = .02). However, jurors in the leading-questions conditions were significantly more likely to believe accurate than inaccurate witnesses (<f = .35), whereas the reverse effect held for nonleading questions (<f = — .39). Jurors' attributions of witness confidence were unrelated to witness accuracy, even though these attributions accounted for 50% of the variance in jurors' decisions to believe witnesses. The poor accuracy-confidence relationship among witnesses is discussed in relation to the research on probability calibration. Eyewitness identification of criminal suspects is heavily relied on in the criminal justice system. (See Woocher, 1977.) Yet, staged-crime research indicates that eyewitness identifications are often unreliable. Indeed, a recent study indicated that following a staged crime, 34% of the witnesses made no identification from a six-person photo spread, 31% made accurate identifications, and 35% made false identifications (Leippe, Wells, & Ostrom, 1978). Although it is not clear to what extent current research may be presenting an exaggerated picture of the unreliable eyewitness (see Wells, 1978), there is little doubt that the rate of false identifications (i.e., identifying an innocent lineup member) in staged crimes is unacceptably high. The current investigation was designed to more fully analyze the implications of false iden
Facial bone grafts: Contemporary science and thought.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The use of bone grafts is a vital component of a surgeon's armamentarium in the reconstruction of congenital and acquired deformities of the craniofacial region. A thorough understanding of bone graft physiology and the factors thought to affect graft behavior is essential in order to develop a more intelligent use of the grafts in clinical applications. METHODS AND MATERIALS This article presents a brief review of the basic physiology of bone grafts along with a survey of pertinent concepts and research currently available. Mechanical stress, rigid fixation, graft orientation, and the recipient sites are reviewed. RESULTS AND/OR CONCLUSION In an attempt to bring together various issues that exist in current bone graft science, the authors propose new concepts. They suggest that the mechanical environment in which a bone graft is placed, revascularization of the graft, and the interaction between those two factors are the major predictors of clinical results.
Alcohol abuse management in primary care: an e-learning course.

BACKGROUND The mental health knowledge gap challenges public health. The Alcohol Abuse Management in Primary Care (AAMPC) is an e-learning course designed to cover alcohol-related problems from the primary care perspective. The goal of this study was to verify if the AAMPC was able to enhance healthcare professionals' alcohol-related problems knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred subscriptions for the AAMPC were offered through the federal telehealth program. The course was instructor-led and had nine weekly classes, delivered synchronously or asynchronously, at the students' convenience, using a varied array of learning tools. At the beginning, students took a test that provided a positive score, related to critical knowledge for clinical management, and a negative score, related to misconceptions about alcohol-related problems. The test was repeated 2 months after course completion. RESULTS Thirty-three students completed the course. The positive score improved significantly (p<0.001), but not the negative score. Students with previous experience with e-courses presented greater improvement on the positive score (p<0.036). Eighty-percent of the students thought the course excelled in meeting its objectives. Web conferences and video and audio recordings were the most appreciated learning tools. Course satisfaction was negatively related to frequency of Internet access (Spearman's rho=-0.455, p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS E-learning was highly appreciated as a learning tool, especially by students with the least frequency of Internet use. Nonetheless, it worked better for those previously familiar with e-courses. The AAMPC e-course provided effective knowledge transmission and retention. Complementary strategies to reduce misconceptions about alcohol-related problems must be developed for the training of primary care staff.
Spectrum of ATP7B Gene Mutations in Pakistani Wilson Disease Patients: A Novel Mutation Is Associated with Severe Hepatic and Neurological Complication

Wilson disease (WND) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in ATP7B gene that impairs copper metabolism. ATP7B is involved in the transport of copper into the plasma protein ceruloplasmin and copper excretion out of the liver. Defects in ATP7B lead to excess of copper in various organs primarily in liver. The diagnosis of WND is more complex due to variations in its biochemical and clinical features and the broad range of disease onset. The objective of the present study was to establish molecular analysis system for screening of Wilson disease in Pakistani population. Three mutations were identified; with one being is a novel mutation never reported before.
Accuracy of a new clean-catch technique for diagnosis of urinary tract infection in infants younger than 90 days of age.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing urinary tract infections using a new, recently described, standardized clean-catch collection technique. METHODS Cross-sectional study of infants <90 days old admitted due to fever without a source, with two matched samples of urine obtained using two different methods: clean-catch standardized stimulation technique and bladder catheterization. RESULTS Sixty paired urine cultures were obtained. The median age was 44-days-old. Seventeen percent were male infants. Clean-catch technique sensitivity was 97% (95% CI 82% to 100%) and specificity was 89% (95% CI 65% to 98%). The contamination rate of clean-catch samples was lower (5%) than the contamination rate of catheter specimens (8%). CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity and specificity of urine cultures obtained using the clean-catch method through the new technique were accurate and the contamination rate was low. These results suggest that this technique is a valuable, alternative method for urinary tract infection diagnosis.
Testing isokinetic muscular fatigue of shoulder internal and external rotation in elite junior tennis players.

STUDY DESIGN Single group, post-test only descriptive analysis of isokinetically measured shoulder internal and external rotation muscular fatigue. OBJECTIVES To determine whether differences in isokinetically measured muscular fatigue exist between shoulder external (ER) and internal rotation (IR) and between the dominant (DOM) and nondominant (NDOM) extremity in elite junior tennis players. BACKGROUND The importance of the rotator cuff in stabilizing the humeral head during repetitive athletic overhead motions has been identified in biomechanical investigations. The application of exercise to improve muscular function of the shoulder and prevent injury is a common practice in physical therapy, but shoulder fatigue in tennis players has received little attention in the literature. METHODS AND MEASURES Seventy-two elite junior tennis players (ages 12 to 18) underwent bilateral isokinetic testing with 90 degrees of glenohumeral joint abduction. A muscular fatigue protocol consisting of 20 maximal-effort concentric contractions of ER and IR was used to measure muscular fatigue at 300 degrees/s. A relative fatigue ratio was calculated by dividing the work in the last 10 repetitions by the work in the first 10 repetitions. Higher fatigue ratios indicate improved muscular fatigue resistance. A 2x2 ANOVA was used to assess differences in fatigue in DOM versus NDOM arm, and in IR versus ER. RESULTS Relative muscular fatigue ratios for ER and IR were 69.1+/-15.3% and 82.93+/-14.81% for the DOM extremity, respectively. In the NDOM extremity, ER and IR fatigue ratios were 71.13+/-15.07% and 83.9+/-16.5%, respectively. These results indicate significant differences between the fatigue ratios for ER and IR. No significant difference between extremities in either ER or IR relative fatigue ratios was found. CONCLUSIONS These data have implications for rehabilitation and conditioning of the rotator cuff musculature.
A drug-induced turbid peritoneal dialysate in five patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Turbid peritoneal dialysate is one of the heralding signs for infective peritonitis in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Peritoneal dialysate drained from 5 out of 8 patients undergoing CAPD became turbid within 24 h after the administration of a new dihydropyridine type of calcium channel blocker, manidipine hydrochloride (10 or 20 mg/day). Although the dialysate was visually indistinguishable from that observed during infective peritonitis, no clinical manifestations being suggestive of infective peritonitis were observed. The turbid dialysate contained normal leukocyte counts (< 10 mm-3), and the bacterial (aerobic and anaerobic) and fungal cultures of the dialysate failed to produce organisms. Cytology of the dialysate showed no malignant cells. Biochemical analysis of the dialysate revealed that the fluid contained an elevated triglyceride concentration [range: 12 to 32 mg/100 ml (0.14 to 0.37 mmol/l], while the clear dialysate obtained from 9 uncomplicated CAPD-patients contained less than the detection limit of the assay for triglyceride [< 5 mg/100 ml (0.06 mmol/l)]. All patients were found to consume a nutritionally balanced diet consisting of 1800 to 2400 Kcal/day during the manidipine therapy. No appreciable change was observed in the mean (+/- SD) fasting serum triglyceride concentrations determined before and 24 h after the withdrawal of the manidipine therapy (194 +/- 84 and 186 +/- 106 mg/100 ml, respectively) in the 5 CAPD-patients with turbid peritoneal dialysate. Within 24 h after the withdrawal of the manidipine therapy the peritoneal dialysate became clear spontaneously and the triglyceride concentration in the dialysate was normalized in all of them. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris L.): noxious weed or powerful medical herb

Tribulus terrestris L. , an annual dicot species of the family Zygophyllaceae, is a common herb that is often found in disturbed habitats and agricultural areas in many parts of the temperate, tropical and desert regions of the world. T. terrestris is an aggressive species that has the potential to injure livestock, reduce hay and wool values, detour recreationists and reduces plant biodivesity. The species may become troublesome because of its weedy potential. It has been declared a weed in at least 37 countries and in at least 21 crops (cotton, maize, vineyards, orchards, etc.). It is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and grows on a wide variety of soil types. The management of T. terrestris can be achieved by herbicide application, mechanical (hand pulling, hoeing, mulching) and biological control methods. Beside its invasive potential as a noxious and troublesome weed, T. terrestris is considered highly useful herb which is used for various purposes in folk and modern medicine and sport, as well.
Upregulation of galectins‐1 and ‐3 in human colon cancer and their role in regulating cell migration

To probe the potential contribution of β‐galactoside‐contributing epitopes and receptor proteins (gal‐1 and gal‐3) to colon malignancy, we first examined the expression of galectins and binding sites in clinical specimens by lectin and immunohistochemistry. Sixty‐seven colonic surgical resections were studied, including 10 normal, 10 mild dysplasias, 10 severe dysplasias and 37 cancers. gal‐1 and gal‐3 were expressed in variable amounts in the epithelial cells and the connective tissue of normal colon. Their expression significantly increased with the degree of dysplasia, suggesting that gal‐1 and gal‐3 and their binding sites are related to malignant progression, while gal‐8 has been associated with suppressor activity. To study the functional aspects, the influence of these galectins on the migration of 4 human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT‐15, LoVo, DLD‐1, CoLo201) was studied. In agreement with histopathologic monitoring, these tumor cells were found to produce gal‐3, while only CoLo201 was positive for gal‐1. Except for DLD‐1 and gal‐1, the lines exhibited gal‐1 binding sites on the surface, prompting study by computer‐assisted videomicroscopy of the effect on cell migration of the presence of galectin on the culture substrate. The level of cell migration for HCT‐15, LoVo and CoLo201 cells was significantly reduced by 0.15 μg/cm2 gal‐1, and the presence of a blocking antibody at least reduced this effect. gal‐3 significantly reduced cell migration in all 4 of the in vitro cell lines. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signaling via Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 but Not Toll-Like Receptor 2 Contributes Significantly to Hydrosalpinx Development following Chlamydia muridarum Infection

ABSTRACT Chlamydial infection in the lower genital tract can lead to hydrosalpinx, which is accompanied by activation of both pattern recognition receptor TLR2- and inflammatory cytokine receptor TNFR1-mediated signaling pathways. In the current study, we compared the relative contributions of these two receptors to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx in mice. We found that mice with or without deficiencies in TLR2 or TNFR1 displayed similar time courses of live organism shedding from vaginal swabs, suggesting that these receptor-mediated signaling pathways are not required for controlling chlamydial lower genital infection. However, mice deficient in TNFR1 but not TLR2 developed significantly reduced hydrosalpinx. The decreased pathogenicity correlated with a significant reduction in interleukin-17 by in vitro-restimulated splenocytes of TNFR1-deficient mice. Although TLR2-deficient mice developed hydrosalpinx as severe as that of wild-type mice, peritoneal macrophages from mice deficient in TLR2 but not TNFR1 produced significantly reduced cytokines upon chlamydial stimulation, suggesting that reduced macrophage responses to chlamydial infection do not always lead to a reduction in hydrosalpinx. Thus, we have demonstrated that the signaling pathways triggered by the cytokine receptor TNFR1 play a more significant role in chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx than those mediated by the pattern recognition receptor TLR2, which has laid a foundation for further revealing the chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms.
Comparison of the acute erythropoietic capacities of erythropoietin and U-74389G in terms of hemoglobin levels

3. Taher A, Isma'eel H, Cappellini MD. Thalassemia intermedia: revisited. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2006;37:12-20. 4. Huehns ER, Dance N, Beaven GH, Heclht F, Motulsky AG. Human embryonic hemoglobins. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 1964;29:327-31. 5. Villegas A, Ropero P, González FA, Anguita E, Espinós D. The thalassemia syndromes: molecular characterization in the Spanish population. Hemoglobin 2001;25:273-83. 6. Nadkarni A, Gorakshakar AC, Lu CY, et al. Molecular pathogenesis and clinical variability of beta-thalassemia syndromes among Indians. Am J Hematol 2001;68:75-80. 7. Rund D, Rachmilewitz E. Beta-thalassemia. N Engl J Med 2005;353:1135-46. 8. Schechter AN. Hemoglobin research and the origins of molecular medicine. Blood 2008;112:3927-38. 9. Nagar R, Sinha S, Raman R. Genotype-phenotype correlation and report of novel mutations in β-globin gene in thalassemia patients. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2015;55:10-4.