Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of complexing agents on reduction of Cr(VI) by Desulfovibrio vulgaris ATCC 29579.

The reduction of Cr(VI) at the expense of molecular hydrogen was studied using resting cells of Desulfovibrio vulgaris ATCC 29579 in anaerobic resting cell suspensions in MOPS buffer. Bioreduction occurred only in the presence of ligands or chelating agents (CO32-, citrate, NTA, EDTA, DTPA). The stimulatory effect of these ligands on the rate of Cr(VI) reduction was correlated (r = 0.988) with the strength of the ligand/chelate complex of Cr(III). The data are examined with respect to likely solution and redox equilibria in the ionic matrix of the carrier solution, and with respect to the potential for bioremediation of Cr(VI).
Making sense of DSM-5 mania with depressive features

Objective: The assessment of the depressive component during mania has become critical for the accurate diagnosis of mixed states, which were defined very narrowly in the past classification systems before Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). The aim of this study was to compare socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics, as well as clinical and functional outcomes, between manic patients with and without mixed features to validate the relevance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) mixed specifier. Methods: This is a subanalysis of a multicentre naturalistic study MANía Aguda y COnsumo de Recursos (acute mania and health resource consumption [MANACOR]) on the burden of mania in bipolar patients from four hospitals in Catalonia (Spain). The sample consisted of 169 adult patients presenting a manic episode and systematically assessed during a 6-month period. Results: A total of 27% (n = 46/169) of manic patients showed mixed features. Total number of episodes (p = 0.027), particularly depressive and mixed, was greater in manic patients with mixed features, as well as depressive onset (p = 0.018), suicide ideation (p = 0.036), rapid cycling (p = 0.035) and personality disorders (p = 0.071). In contrast, a higher percentage of pure manic subjects were inpatients (p = 0.035), started the illness with mania (p = 0.018) and showed family history of bipolar disorder (p = 0.037), congruent psychotic symptoms (p = 0.001) and cannabis use (p = 0.006). At baseline, pure manic patients received more risperidone (p = 0.028), while mixed patients received more valproate (p = 0.049) and antidepressants (p = 0.005). No differences were found in syndromic recovery at the end of the study. However, depressive change was higher in the mixed group (p = 0.010), while manic change was higher in the pure manic group (p = 0.029). At the end of follow-up, the group with mixed features showed a significant trend towards higher psychosocial dysfunction. Conclusion: A total of 27% of manic patients showed mixed features. Groups differed regarding clinical characteristics, course of illness, psychosocial functioning, prescribed treatment and symptom progress. Depressive symptoms in mania should be routinely assessed and considered to guide treatment.
Nicotine and lipopolysaccharide stimulate the production of MMPs and prostaglandin E2 by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α up-regulation in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Although hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is up-regulated in the periodontal pockets of periodontitis patients, the expression and precise molecular mechanisms of HIF-1α remain unknown in human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). The aim of this study was to explore the effects, as well as the signaling pathway, of nicotine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of HIF-1α and on the production of its target genes, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-derived prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2) ), MMP-2 and MMP-9 in PDLCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS The expression of COX-2 and HIF-1α proteins was evaluated using western blotting. The production of PGE(2) and MMPs was evaluated using enzyme immunoassays and zymography, respectively. RESULTS LPS and nicotine synergistically induced the production of PGE(2) , MMP-2 and MMP-9, and increased the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2 and HIF-1α proteins. Inhibition of HIF-1α activity by chetomin or knockdown of HIF1α gene expression by small interfering RNA markedly attenuated the production of LPS- and nicotine-stimulated PGE(2) and MMPs, as well as the expression of COX-2 and HIF-1α. Furthermore, pretreatment with inhibitors of COX-2, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, protein kinase C, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB decreased the expression of nicotine- and LPS-induced HIF-1α and COX-2, as well as the activity of PGE(2) and MMPs. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate novel mechanisms by which nicotine and LPS promote periodontal tissue destruction, and provide further evidence that HIF-1α is a potential target in periodontal disease associated with smoking and dental plaque.
The role of prebiotics and synbiotics in critically ill patients

Purpose of reviewTo examine current knowledge regarding the role of prebiotics in critical illness when administered singly or in combinations with probiotics (synbiotics). Recent findingsRecent experimental and clinical studies support the fact that bioecological intestinal control with early enteral nutrition enriched with synbiotics may reduce systemic inflammation, improve the immunological status of the intestinal mucosa and help prevent infections in critically ill patients. Three prebiotics, oligofructose, galactooligosaccharides and lactulose are able to modify the balance of intestinal microbiota. It appears that treatment with synbiotics during critical illness should restore the balance of microbial communities in a beneficial way with positive effects on intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. Only data from small trials are currently available to support use of prebiotics and synbiotics in the treatment of different clinical scenarios. However, in some critical conditions, this supplementation has so far not been effective. SummaryNumerous questions about the molecular mechanisms of action or clinical indications of prebiotics remain unanswered. Large, randomized, multicentre trials are necessary to precisely define the role of prebiotics as therapeutic agents in critical illness. These trials must identify clinically significant improvements in relevant clinical endpoints before any large-scale usage is advocated for critical illness.
[Antibiotic treatment of acute gastroenteritis].

The empiric antibiotic therapy for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is indicated only in patients with underlying diseases or risk for bacteremia. The clinical characteristics, clinical efficiency of antibiotic therapy with pivmecillinam (52 patients) or ciprofloxacin (75 patients) and its effects on the fecal carrier state of Salmonella spp. were studied in 127 adult patients with AGE and antibiotic therapy indication. The initial stool culture was positive in 90 patients (71%). The microorganism recovered most frequently was Salmonella spp. , with a bacteremia rate in these patients of 5%. The susceptibility of Salmonella spp. to ciprofloxacin and mecillinam was 100% and 90%, respectively. Therapy with ciprofloxacin or pivmecillinam showed a similar efficiency. Fecal excretion lasted no longer than five weeks and no chronic carriers were observed.
Identiﬁcation and Characterization of Inhibitors of Bacterial Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase

Bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) catalyzes an essential step in fatty acid biosynthesis. ENR is an attractive target for narrow-spectrum antibacterial drug discovery because of its essential role in metabolism and its sequence conservation across many bacterial species. In addition, the bacterial ENR sequence and structural organization are distinctly different from those of mammalian fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes. High-throughput screening to identify inhibitors of Escherichia coli ENR yielded four structurally distinct classes of hits. Several members of one of these, the 2-(alkylthio)-4,6-diphenylpyridine-3-carbonitriles (“thiopyridines”), inhibited both puriﬁed ENR (50% inhibitory concentration [IC 50 ] (cid:1) 3 to 25 (cid:2) M) and the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (MIC (cid:1) 1 to 64 (cid:2) g/ml). The effect on cell growth is due in part to inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis as judged by inhibition of incorporation of [ 14 C]acetate into fatty acids and by the and mea- suring the overall in by according the following reaction: crotonoyl-CoA (cid:1) 3 butyryl-CoA comparing sample readings to of (absence and (ab-sence of the inhibition each was The was (Corning). The was as follows: to plates and read with at the following param- constructed adequate repression of T7 RNA polymerase in the absence of isopropyl- (cid:3) - D -thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). In the presence of inducer IPTG, excess ENR is produced. For overexpression studies, the cells were grown overnight in the absence of inducer. Several similar- sized colonies were resuspended in Trypticase soy broth and inoculated into the MIC plates at a ﬁnal cell concentration equivalent to an OD 600 of 0.001, with and without 1 mM IPTG. Cell growth was measured as OD 600 after an overnight incubation (about 20 h).
Management of major penetrating glass injuries to the upper extremities in children and adolescents

Penetrating glass injuries are a common cause of severe neurovascular damage, both in adults and in children. Frequently, an innocent skin wound disguises the extensive nature of the injuries beneath. Nineteen children and adolescents (ages 3–16 years) with a mean age of 9 years who sustained upper extremity penetrating glass wounds were evaluated retrospectively in order (1) to determine the incidence of unappreciated significant neurologic, musculotendonous, or vascular injury; (2) to provide indications for intraoperative evaluation under anesthesia; and (3) to further define the role of microneurorrhaphy in this population. Twelve patients sustained injuries above the elbow and seven patients injuries distal to the elbow. Above the elbow, the structures injured in order of frequency were the median nerve (75%), the brachial artery (58%), the ulnar nerve (50%), the musculocutaneous nerve (33%), sensory nerves of the arm and forearm and venae commitantes (42% each), the radial nerve (25%), and the chords of the brachial plexus (8%). Distal to the elbow, the ulnar nerve was the most frequently involved (71%), followed by the ulnar artery (57%), the flexor carpi ulnaris (57%), the superficialis and profundus flexor tendons (43%), the median nerve (43%), and the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis (14% each). Early exploration is critical to successful management. Vascular repairs and or microneurorrhaphy were necessary in all cases. A detailed follow‐up evaluation to assess the results of these repairs was carried out from 4 to 9 years postsurgery. There were no clinical problems related to the vascular reconstructions. The results of the nerve repairs in this small series of children and adolescents were remarkably good. Sensory modalities and motor function approached normality. Of particular note was the return of intrinsic motor function even in high axillary injuries. Microsurgical reconstruction following penetrating glass injuries to the upper extremities in children and adolescence is a worthwhile procedure, yielding surprisingly good results. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Pressure ulcers in community-based older adults receiving home health care. Prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers in community-based adults receiving home health care and to identify risk factors for incident Stage II to IV pressure ulcers. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING A large midwestern urban home health care agency. PATIENTS The study cohort was 1711 nonhospice, nonintravenous therapy subjects admitted between January 1995 and March 1996 who were > or = age 60 and pressure ulcer-free on admission. MEASUREMENTS Data on risk factors were extracted from admission information. Patient records were followed forward chronologically to the outcomes: pressure ulcer development or no pressure ulcer. MAIN RESULTS The incidence of Stage II to IV pressure ulcers was 3.2%. Cox regression analyses revealed that limitation in activity to a wheelchair, needing assistance with the activities of daily living--dressing, bowel and/or bladder incontinence, a Braden Scale mobility subscore of very limited, anemia, adult child as primary caregiver, male gender, a recent fracture, oxygen use, and skin drainage predicted pressure ulcer development (P < or = 0.05) in this exploratory model. CONCLUSIONS Patients > or = age 60 who are admitted to a home health care agency with 1 or more of these risk factors require close monitoring for pressure ulcer development and should be taught preventive interventions on admission.
A randomized trial of one-to-one nurse support of women in labor.

BACKGROUND Health researchers and provider groups have recommended that women in labor should receive continuous professional support. The objective of our study was to compare the risks and benefits of one-to-one nurse labor support with usual intrapartum nursing care. METHODS A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in a 637-bed university hospital in Montreal, Quebec, with 413 nulliparous women who were at more than 37 weeks' gestation, carrying singletons, and in labor. Women with scheduled cesarean section, scheduled induction, breech presentation, presence of paid labor support, or cervical dilatation over 4 cm were excluded. One-to-one care consisted of the presence of a nurse during labor and birth who provided emotional support, physical comfort, and instruction for relaxation and coping techniques. Usual care consisted of care for two or three laboring women with various types of supportive activities. RESULTS A beneficial trend due to one-to-one nurse support was found with a 17 percent reduction in risk of oxytocin stimulation (relative risk of experimental vs control = 0.83; 95% confidence interval = 0.67, 1.04). No significant differences were found in overall labor durations and overall rates of total cesarean section, cesarean section for cephalopelvic disproportion, epidural analgesia, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, instrumental vaginal delivery, and perineal trauma. CONCLUSIONS The beneficial trend attributed to one-to-one nursing in reduction of oxytocin stimulation suggests that implementation of recommendations for continuous professional support by intrapartum nursing staff may be appropriate in North America.
A study of the physiologic responses to a lung recruitment maneuver in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine the magnitude, duration, and consistency of the effects of lung recruitment maneuvers (RMs) on oxygenation, lung mechanics, and comfort in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS We conducted a prospective physiologic study at 3 tertiary-care hospitals. We enrolled 28 consecutive eligible patients with ARDS or ALI and a ratio of P(aO(2)) to fraction of inspired oxygen (P(aO(2))/F(IO(2))) <or= 250 mm Hg while receiving F(IO(2)) >or= 0.50. We performed RMs twice daily for 3 days. The first RM was at 35 cm H(2)O for 20 s. If initial response was equivocal, the clinician immediately administered another RM at a higher pressure (40 cm H(2)O, then 45 cm H(2)O) or for longer period (30 s, then 40 s), in a randomized order. Each patient had up to 6 sets of up to 3 RMs. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients met the criteria for ARDS at baseline; 1 had ALI. There was no net effect on oxygenation or pulmonary mechanics following the first or subsequent RMs. The largest rise in P(aO(2)) was from 61 mm Hg to 71 mm Hg, and the largest decrease was 6 mm Hg following the first RM. Augmenting the inflation pressure or duration had no significant effect. These findings precluded analyses about predictors of response or consistency of response. Over the entire study of 122 RMs, 5 patients developed ventilator asynchrony, 3 appeared uncomfortable, 2 experienced transient hypotension, and 4 developed barotrauma that required intervention. CONCLUSIONS These results do not support the addition of scheduled RMs to usual treatment for ALI or ARDS.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Infective Endocarditis among Injecting Drug Users

&NA; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and infective endocarditis are serious complications of injection drug use. To determine whether HIV infection may increase the risk of endocarditis beyond that associated with drug injection, we performed a nested case‐control study among injecting drug users taking part in an ongoing cohort. We identified 26 participants with infective endocarditis between cohort enrollment (in 1988‐1989) and June 1992, through reviews of medical records and death certificates. We matched each endocarditis case with up to five controls (N = 120) on enrollment date, race/ethnicity, and follow‐up time. Data were taken from baseline and from one follow‐up visit: the last visit before the endocarditis occurred for cases and the closest visit (±3 months) for controls. We used conditional logistic regression to quantify the association between HIV serostatus at follow‐up and subsequent endocarditis, after adjusting for a history of endocarditis or sepsis before enrollment, injection duration, current injection frequency, and a recent history of abscess at injection sites. Among current injectors at followup, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of developing endocarditis for HIV‐seropositive subjects with >350 CD4 cells per &mgr;l, compared with HIV‐seronegative subjects, was 2.31 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61‐8.78]; the corresponding OR for HIV‐seropositive subjects with <350 CD4 cells per &mgr;l was 8.31 (95% CI = 1.23‐56.37). These data indicate that HIV‐related immunodeficiency may independently increase the risk of infective endocarditis among injecting drug users.
How many people need palliative care? A study developing and comparing methods for population-based estimates

Background: Understanding the need for palliative care is essential in planning services. Aim: To refine existing methods of estimating population-based need for palliative care and to compare these methods to better inform their use. Design: (1) Refinement of existing population-based methods, based on the views of an expert panel, and (2) application/comparison of existing and refined approaches in an example dataset. Existing methods vary in approach and in data sources. (a) Higginson used cause of death/symptom prevalence, and using pain prevalence, estimates that 60.28% (95% confidence interval = 60.20%–60.36%) of all deaths need palliative care, (b) Rosenwax used the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems–10th Revision (ICD-10) causes of death/hospital-use data, and estimates that 37.01% (95% confidence interval = 36.94%–37.07%) to 96.61% (95% confidence interval = 96.58%–96.64%) of deaths need palliative care, and (c) Gómez-Batiste used percentage of deaths plus chronic disease data, and estimates that 75% of deaths need palliative care. Setting/participants: All deaths in England, January 2006–December 2008, using linked mortality and hospital episode data. Results: Expert panel review identified changing practice (e.g. extension of palliative care to more non-cancer conditions), changing patterns of hospital/home care and multiple, rather than single, causes of death as important. We therefore refined methods (using updated ICD-10 causes of death, underlying/contributory causes, and hospital use) to estimate a minimum of 63.03% (95% confidence interval = 62.95%–63.11%) of all deaths needing palliative care, with lower and upper mid-range estimates between 69.10% (95% confidence interval = 69.02%–69.17%) and 81.87% (95% confidence interval = 81.81%–81.93%). Conclusions: Death registration data using both underlying and contributory causes can give reliable estimates of the population-based need for palliative care, without needing symptom or hospital activity data. In high-income countries, 69%–82% of those who die need palliative care.
Chest pain and subsequent consultation for coronary heart disease: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Chest pain may not be reported to general practice but could be an important first sign of coronary heart disease (CHD). AIMS To determine whether self-reported chest pain predicts future consultation for CHD in those with no history of consultation for CHD. DESIGN OF STUDY Population-based study, with 7 year's follow up by GP record linkage. SETTING General practice in North Staffordshire. METHOD A survey, including the Rose angina questionnaire, was mailed to 4002 adults. Linked GP records used to identify responders with no record of CHD (G3 Read code or British National Formulary code for nitrate use) in the 32 months before the survey to form the sample for a 7-year prospective study. 'Survival' was compared in those with and without self-reported chest pain up to the earliest date of GP diagnosis of CHD, death, or end of the study period. RESULTS The survey response was 65% and 2348 participants gave permission to access their GP records. Of these, 2229 had no prior consultation for CHD. From the questionnaire, 558 reported chest pain of which 186 reported exertional pain and 103 met the criteria for angina. When followed prospectively, incidence of CHD consultations was higher in those with any chest pain definition, compared with no pain, and continued to be so for 7 years subsequently. Although these associations were strongly age related, self-reported symptoms were found to be an independent risk factor for future consultation for CHD. CONCLUSION This study highlighted that self-reported chest pain is a marker of future CHD. The usefulness of early identification of people with this symptom remains to be established.
Risk factors for new-onset low back pain amongst cohorts of newly employed workers.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that work-related mechanical, psychosocial and physical environment factors would predict new-onset low back pain (LBP) in newly employed workers. METHODS A total of 1186 newly employed workers were recruited from a variety of occupational settings. Those who were free from LBP at baseline were identified. Subjects were followed up at 12 and 24 months. Work-related mechanical, psychosocial and physical environment exposures were measured. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess predictors of new-onset LBP. RESULTS New-onset LBP was reported by 119 (19%) and 81 (19%) subjects at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Several work-related mechanical exposures predicted new-onset LBP including lifting heavy weights with one or two hands, lifting heavy weights at or above shoulder level, pulling heavy weights, kneeling or squatting for 15 min or longer. Of the psychosocial factors examined, stressful and monotonous work significantly predicted symptom onset. In addition, hot working conditions and pain at other sites also predicted new-onset LBP. On multivariate analysis these risks were only moderately attenuated but the 95% confidence intervals excluded unity only for the latter, non-mechanical, exposures. CONCLUSION In this cohort of newly employed workers, from a range of occupations, several aspects of the work-place environment, other than mechanical factors, were important in predicting new-onset LBP. These results emphasize that interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of LBP are likely to be most successful if they intervene across these domains.