Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of one- vs. two-stage laparoscopic/endoscopic management of common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND The present study is a meta-analysis of English articles comparing one-stage [laparoscopic common bile duct exploration or intra-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)] vs. two-stage (laparoscopic cholecystectomy preceded or followed by ERCP) management of common bile duct stones. METHODS MEDLINE/PubMed and Science Citation Index databases (1990-2011) were searched for randomized, controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria for data extraction. Outcomes were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using RevMan 5.1. RESULTS Nine trials with 933 patients were studied. No significant differences was observed between the two groups with regard to bile duct clearance (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.65-1.21), mortality (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.32-4.52), total morbidity (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.53-1.06), major morbidity (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.60-1.52) and the need for additional procedures (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.76-3.30). CONCLUSIONS Outcomes after one-stage laparoscopic/endoscopic management of bile duct stones are no different to the outcomes after two-stage management.
Fibrinolytic activity is associated with presence of cystic medial degeneration in aneurysms of the ascending aorta

Borges L F, Gomez D, Quintana M, Touat Z, Jondeau G, Leclercq A, Meilhac O, Jandrot‐Perrus M, Gutierrez P S, Freymuller E, Vranckx R & Michel J‐B (2010) Histopathology57, 917–932
Social support, life events, and psychological distress among the Puerto Rican population in the Boston area of the United States

Objectives: The aim of this article is to investigate the role of social network support in ameliorating the psychological impact of life stressors that are prevalent for the older Puerto Rican population. Method: Social support was measured through the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, and psychological distress through the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale. We describe the life stressors (Norbeck Life Events) faced by Puerto Ricans and their implications for psychological distress. We present associations between depression, perceived stress, social support, and socio-demographic indicators. The role of social network support–emotional and instrumental–in buffering the effect of negative events is examined. Attention is given to the interacting effect of gender and the type of support. Results: The analysis shows that dimensions of social support, particularly emotional support, are generally protective of psychological health. However, when delineating the moderating effects of gender, social support is beneficial for men, but manifestly less so for women. Emotional, tangible support and duration of social contacts show a moderate effect on the impact of life stressors on psychological distress which, however, is in a direction opposite to that proposed by the buffering hypothesis. Discussion: Social ties are generally protective, but may also be contributing, particularly for women, to increased psychological distress in the face of stressful life events.
Recent trends of cancer mortality in Romanian adults: mortality is still increasing, although young adults do better than the middle-aged and elderly population

We analysed the mortality trends (1986–2009) for all cancers combined and selected cancers in adult Romanians by three age groups (15–49, 50–69 and older than 70 years of age) in comparison with 11 other European countries. We extracted mortality data from the WHO database and grouped the countries into four regions: central and eastern Europe (Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary), Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), western and northern Europe (Austria, the Netherlands and Finland), and southern Europe (Croatia and Slovenia). Mortality rates were age-standardized against the standard European population. Significant changes in mortality trends were identified by Joinpoint regression and annual percentage changes (APCs) were calculated for periods with uniform trends. Cancer mortality in Romania was among the lowest in Europe in 1986, but was higher than most countries by 2009. Despite the declining mortality (APC) in younger Romanians for all cancers combined (men−1.5% from 1997, women−1.2% 1997–2004 and −3.8% 2004–2009), male lung cancer (−2.8% from 1997), female breast (−3.5% from 1999) and cervical (−5.4% from 2004) cancers, mortality has increased in middle-aged and elderly patients for most cancers analysed. The exception was declining stomach cancer mortality in most Romanians, except elderly men. For most cancers analysed, mortality declined in the Baltic countries in young and middle-aged patients, and in western and northern countries for all ages. Lung cancer mortality in women increased in all countries except Latvia. We urge immediate steps to reverse the alarming increase in cancer mortality among middle-aged and elderly Romanians.
Intravesical prostatic protrusion predicts the outcome of a trial without catheter following acute urine retention.

PURPOSE We prospectively evaluated a simple, noninvasive method to predict the outcome of a voiding trial following acute urine retention (ARU) based on intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) using transabdominal ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS Males older than 50 years presenting with an initial episode of ARU were included in the study. Patients with prostatic cancer, urinary tract infection, bilateral hydronephrosis or neurological disease were excluded. The duration of catheterization, residual urine volume, serum prostate specific antigen and prostate volume were recorded. The patient bladder was filled with 200 ml normal saline via a catheter in situ. IPP was measured in the mid sagittal section using transabdominal ultrasound. The degree of protrusion was classified as grades 1--5 mm or less, 2--greater than 5 to 10 mm and 3--greater than 10 mm. Uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine were recorded after catheter removal. The voiding trial was judged to be unsuccessful if the patient failed to reestablish satisfactory micturition, with post-void residual urine greater than 100 ml and maximum urine flow less than 10 ml per second. RESULTS A total of 100 patients were included in the study. The failure rate of the voiding trial based on grades 1 to 3 IPP were 36% (13 of 36 cases), 58% (11 of 19) and 67% (30 of 45). This rate was significant (chi-square test for trend 0.007). CONCLUSIONS IPP is a useful predictor for evaluating the success of a voiding trial following ARU. Patients with a grade 1 prostate may benefit from a trial without a catheter. However, patients with a grade 3 prostate are less likely to do so and would require a more definitive surgical procedure.
Relationship between serum levels of interleukin‐18, IgE and disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background. Interleukin (IL)‐18 is a pleiotropic cytokine. Synergistically with IL‐12, IL‐18 promotes immune responses of the T helper type, by enhancing synthesis of interferon‐γ and inhibiting IgE production. IL‐18 can also enhance production of IL‐4 and IL‐13 production, and stimulate synthesis of IgE. Moreover, in the presence of IL‐3, IL‐18 can directly stimulate basophils and mast cells to produce their mediators in an IgE‐independent manner. These results indicate a role for IL‐18 in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD).
Mutation frequency and biological cost of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori

Among the several factors that affect the appearance and spread of acquired antibiotic resistance, the mutation frequency and the biological cost of resistance are of special importance. Measurements of the mutation frequency to rifampicin resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from dyspeptic patients showed that ≈1/4 of the isolates had higher mutation frequencies than Enterobacteriaceae mismatch-repair defective mutants. This high mutation frequency could explain why resistance is so frequently acquired during antibiotic treatment of H. pylori infections. Inactivation of the mutS gene had no substantial effect on the mutation frequency, suggesting that MutS-dependent mismatch repair is absent in this bacterium. Furthermore, clarithromycin resistance conferred a biological cost, as measured by a decreased competitive ability of the resistant mutants in mice. In clinical isolates this cost could be reduced, indicating that compensation is a clinically relevant phenomenon that could act to stabilize resistant bacteria in a population.
Influence of substrate diffusion on degradation of dibenzofuran and 3-chlorodibenzofuran by attached and suspended bacteria

Dibenzofuran uptake-associated kinetic parameters of suspended and attached Sphingomonas sp. strain HH19k cells were compared. The suspended cells were studied in a batch system, whereas glass beads in percolated columns were used as the solid support for attached cells. The maximum specific activities of cells in the two systems were the same. The apparent half-maximum uptake rate-associated concentrations (Kt') of attached cells, however, were considerably greater than those of suspended cells and depended on cell density and on percolation velocity. A mathematical model was developed to explain the observed differences in terms of substrate transport to the cells. This model was based on the assumptions that the intrinsic half-maximum uptake rate-associated concentration (Kt) was unchanged and that deviations of Kt' from Kt resulted from the stereometry and the hydrodynamics around the cells. Our calculations showed that (i) diffusion to suspended cells and to single attached cells is efficient and therefore only slightly affects Kt'; (ii) diffusion to cells located on crowded surfaces is considerably lower than that to single attached cells and greatly increases Kt', which depends on the cell density; (iii) the convective-diffusive transport to attached cells that occurs in a percolated column is influenced by the liquid flow and results in dependency of Kt' on the flow rate; and (iv) higher specific affinity of cells correlates with higher susceptibility to diffusion limitation. Properties of the experimental system which limited quantitative proof of exclusively transport-controlled variations of Kt' are discussed.
The utility of screening for historical risk factors for preterm birth in women with known second trimester cervical length

Abstract Objective: To evaluate for the presence of risk factors (RFs) for preterm birth (PTB) in women without prior PTB having second trimester cervical length (CL) screening, and to estimate the utility of RF screening. Methods: “Low-risk” singletons were prospectively screened with midtrimester transvaginal ultrasound CL. Prior PTB, intrauterine fetal demise and lethal anomalies were excluded. Women were analyzed based on second trimester CL (<25 mm versus ≥25 mm) and the presence of RFs for PTB. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 639 women were screened; 8% had CL <25 mm. Ninety-eight percent of women with CL <25 mm and 95% of women with CL ≥25 mm had RFs for PTB. Five percent of women with a CL ≥25 mm delivered preterm as compared to 18% with CL <25 mm (p < 0.01). Treatment of cervical dysplasia, drug use during the pregnancy and unmarried status were significantly more common in women with CL <25 mm than CL ≥25 mm. When data were analyzed by CL, the presence of additional RFs did not add to the prediction of PTB <37 weeks. Discussion: Over 95% of singleton gestations without prior PTB have ≥1 other RF for PTB. In women without prior PTB, assessment of other PTB RFs does not add to prediction of PTB provided by CL alone.
[Effects of aerobic exercise training on antihypertension and expressions of VEGF, eNOS of skeletal muscle in spontaneous hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of exercise training on vascular regulators and discuss its antihypertensive mechanism. METHODS Rats were divided into three groups (n = 7): spontaneous hypertensive rats control group (SHR-C), training group (SHR-T) and normotensive wistar-kyoto control group (WKY-C). Aerobic exercise consisted of 10 weeks of swimming training for 5 days/week. Exercise duration was 40 min in the first week, then 50 min in the second week, from the third week to the end of training, duration was maintained at 60 min. After training, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other biomarkers in soleus were measured by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. RESULTS VEGF and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in SHR-C were lower than that in WKY-C (P < 0.05). Blood pressure in SHR-C and SHR-T were higher than that in WKY-C before training; After training, compared with SHR-C, VEGFR2, eNOS, VEGF and VEGF mRNA increased significantly in SHR-T paralleled with marked decreases in blood pressure and heart rate respectively (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Aerobic exercise training lowered the blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rats, and promoted VEGF mRNA level and expressions of VEGF, VEGFR2 and eNOS. The up-regulations of these vascular regulators could benefit angiogenesis and contribute to the antihypertensive effects.
The Src-selective Kinase Inhibitor PP1 Also Inhibits Kit and Bcr-Abl Tyrosine Kinases*

4-Amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]- pyrimidine (PP1) was identified as an Src-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor and has been used extensively to investigate signaling pathways involving Src kinases, including events downstream of the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor c-Kit. While investigating the role of Src kinases in SCF signaling, we found that PP1 completely abrogated the proliferation of M07e cells in response to SCF. PP1 inhibited SCF-induced c-Kit autophosphorylation in intact cells and blocked the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt. In vitro kinase assays using immunoprecipitated c-Kit confirmed direct inhibition by PP1. SCF-induced c-Kit phosphorylation was also inhibited by the related inhibitor 4-amino-5- (4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (PP2) and by STI571 but not by the Src inhibitor SU6656. PP1 inhibited the activity of mutant constitutively active forms of c-Kit (D814V and D814Y) found in mast cell disorders, and triggered apoptosis in the rat basophilic leukemia cell line RBL-2H3 that expresses mutant c-Kit. In addition, PP1 (and PP2) inhibited the in vitrokinase activity and autophosphorylation in whole cells of p210 Bcr-Abl. PP1 reduced the constitutive activation of signal transducer and activators of transcription 5 and mitogen-activated protein kinase and triggered apoptosis in FDCP1 cells expressing Bcr-Abl. These results have implications for the use of PP1 in investigating intracellular signaling and suggest that PP1 or related compounds may be useful in the treatment of malignant diseases associated with dysregulated c-Kit or Abl tyrosine kinase activity.
Patients' and physicians' perceptions and experience of hypercholesterolaemia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND A better understanding of patients' and physicians' perceptions and experience of hypercholesterolaemia will help to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and aid the development of appropriate educational strategies. AIM To identify perceptions, experience, educational needs, and barriers to learning in hypercholesterolaemic patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN OF STUDY A qualitative study involving interviews with 27 hypercholesterolaemic outpatients and 21 physicians. SETTING 21 centres in Paris, Bordeaux and Lille. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted by a sociologist with the aid of two interview guides focusing on hypercholesterolaemia. Interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed, and qualitative analysis was performed to identify emerging themes. RESULTS Six main themes emerged: understanding hypercholesterolaemia--a 'virtual' disease; understanding cardiovascular risk--a vague concept; lifestyle measures; long-term effects of medication; medical language difficulties; and patients' expectations and needs. Patients and physicians disagreed over the terms used to describe hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular risk, and the complexities of medical language. In contrast, patients and physicians agreed on the difficulties associated with implementing lifestyle changes and adhering to long-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS The differences in perception and experience between physicians and patients indicate that physician-patient communication is sub-optimal and highlights the need to improve educational material for cardiovascular disease prevention. This analysis helps to identify appropriate educational objectives and methods for patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, and develop a structured educational programme.
The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of Abrus precatorius (L) fabaceae extract on some clinical pathogens.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the in-vitro antimicrobial activities of the extracts of Abrus precatorius on some clinical isolates as resistance to available and affordable antibiotics by these pathogens is on the increase. METHOD In this study the antimicrobial effects of the extracts of Abrus precatorius from leaves, stem and the seed oil were tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, three clinical S. aureus isolates from different sources, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus anginosus (S.milleri), Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium spp (toxigenic strain of the mitis biotype), Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion technique. Aqueous and methanolic extraction, using the soxhlet extractor was carried out on all plant parts used while petroleum ether was the solvent used to extract the seed oil. To measure the MIC values, various concentrations of the stock, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32, 16, 8 and 4 microg/ml were assayed against the test bacteria. RESULT At the different concentrations of the extracts used (512 microg/ml - 4 microg/ml), Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive organism with an MIC of 8 ug/ml for the leaf extract. Extract from the stem and seed oil were potent against some of the gram-positive bacteria and Candida albicans but not against S anginosus, E. faecalis and gram-negative bacteria tested. The pH of the extracts ranged between pH5 and pH8. This study demonstrates that Abrus precatorius particularly the seed oil has a potent antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION The results substantiate the ethno botanical use of different parts of Abrus precatorius for the treatment of various bacteria-related diseases. Topical application of Abrus precatorius extracts in ointments may be recommended especially for treating superficial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Evaluation of LIAISON Treponema Screen, a Novel Recombinant Antigen-Based Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for Laboratory Diagnosis of Syphilis

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LIAISON Treponema Screen (DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy), a new automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), in comparison with that of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and the following currently used treponemal tests: hemagglutination test (TPHA), immunoenzymatic assay (EIA), and Western blot (WB). First, a retrospective study was performed with a panel of 2,494 blood donor sera, a panel of 131 clinical and serologically characterized syphilitic sera, and 96 samples obtained from subjects with potentially interfering diseases or conditions. A prospective study was also performed by testing 1,800 unselected samples submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of the St. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, for routine screening for syphilis. As expected, RPR was the least specific method, especially when potentially cross-reacting sera were tested. On the contrary, all of the treponemal tests proved to be very specific (99.9%) and they performed with the following sensitivities: 100% (WB), 99.2% (CLIA), 95.4% (EIA), and 94.7% (TPHA).
Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B10 Inhibitors: Potential Drugs for Cancer Treatment

Cytosolic NADPH-dependent reductase AKR1B10 is a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily. This enzyme is normally expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. However, it is overexpressed in many solid tumors, such as hepatocarcinoma, lung cancer and breast cancer. AKR1B10 may play a role in the formation and development of carcinomas through multiple mechanisms including detoxification of cytotoxic carbonyls, modulation of retinoic acid level, and regulation of cellular fatty acid synthesis and lipid metabolism. Studies have suggested that AKR1B10 may be a useful biomarker for cancer diagnosis and a potential target for cancer treatment. Over the last decade, a number of AKR1B10 inhibitors including aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs), endogenous substances, natural-based derivatives and synthetic compounds have been developed, which could be novel anticancer drugs. This review provides an overview on related articles and patents about AKR1B10 inhibitors, with a focus on their inhibition selectivity and mechanism of function.
Depression and anxiety among mothers who bring their children to a pediatric mental health clinic.

OBJECTIVE Maternal psychiatric illness is a potent risk factor for child psychiatric disorders, but little is known about rates of psychiatric diagnoses among mothers who bring their children to pediatric mental health clinics. This study investigated rates of psychiatric disorders among mothers of children presenting for psychiatric evaluation and examined the relationship between maternal diagnosis and child psychopathology. METHODS Interviewers conducted structured diagnostic interviews with nonpsychotic, school-age children and their mothers (N=222) and collected self-report measures of symptoms, functioning, and social support. RESULTS One-hundred-thirty-five participating mothers (61 percent) met DSM-IV criteria for a current axis I disorder, most commonly depression (35 percent) and anxiety (42 percent). Children of mothers with a diagnosis met criteria for significantly more diagnoses on the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children, Present and Lifetime version and had significantly higher scores on measures of internalizing and externalizing symptoms than children of mothers without a diagnosis. Two-thirds of mothers with a diagnosis were not receiving psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS More than half the mothers who brought their children for psychiatric treatment were themselves suffering from a psychiatric disorder. Maternal psychiatric illness was, in turn, associated with greater occurrence of psychopathology among offspring, underscoring the importance of developing interventions that address the needs of both children with psychiatric disorders and their at-risk mothers.