Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of kisspeptin in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract Objective: Due to the complex relationship between kisspeptin and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the study was planned to measure the kisspeptin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to analyze the correlations between kisspeptin and PCOS-related reproductive, metabolic changes. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective study in Dokuz Eylul University between December 2011 and September 2013. A total of 285 PCOS cases and 162 controls were recruited. After the antropometric measeruments and physcial examination, blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis. Results: PCOS group’s mean BMI was 24.32 ± 3.40 and for the control group, BMI value was 23.44 kg/m2 ± 4.08 (p = 0.351). PCOS patients’ FSH level was 5.10 ± 2.01 mIU/L, LH value was 7.75 ± 4.31 mIU/mL, LH/FSH ratio was 1.70 ± 1.28, DHEAS value was 221.84 ± 105.02 mg/dl, total testosterone value was 50.51 ± 27.93 ng/ml, free testosterone value was 2.52 ± 1.05 pg/ml, SHBG was 63.74 ± 45.62 nmol/L, LDL was 102.56 ± 23.45 mg/dL, HDL value was 51.36 ± 12.15 mg/dL, total cholesterol value was 214.85 ± 39.27 mg/dL, triglyceride value was 112.95 ± 46.88 mg/dL, Apo A1 value was 171.30 ± 35.35 mg/dL, Apo B value was 71.08 ± 19.07 mg/dL, Apo B/A1 ratio was 0.42 ± 0.14, free androgen index was 13.77 ± 14.15, fasting glucose value was 80.68 ± 13.80 mg/dL, fasting insulin levels was 14.13 ± 9.11 μiU/mL, HOMA-IR index was 2.76 ± 2.34, AMH value was 5.93 ± 3:33 in ng/ml, and found to be significantly higher (p < 0.001). Leptin value was 9.71 ± 5.54 pg/ml and kisspeptin value was 1.92 ± 1.29 ng/ml, respectively. Kisspeptin and leptin levels showed no statistically significant difference with control group and PCOS group. In all PCOS patients, kisspeptin showed positive correlations between LH and leptin levels. Conclusion: In this study, kisspeptin had a positive correlation with LH and leptin levels in PCOS. In fact, the serum levels of kisspeptin and leptin does not differ statistically between PCOS and healthy women. There are limited data in the literature with regard to changes in kisspeptin levels and its relation with metabolic and hormonal disturbances.
Cognition and Indicators of Dietary Habits in Older Adults from Southern Brazil

Objective To assess the association between unhealthy dietary habits and cognition in older adults from Southern Brazil. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the second wave of a population- and household-based epidemiological survey (2013–2014) conducted in the city of Florianópolis. A total of 1,197 older adults (778 women) over 60 years old participated in the study. Cognition, the dependent variable, was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The independent variables were the following indicators of unhealthy dietary habits: low intake of fruits and vegetables (≤ 4 servings/day); fish (< 1 serving/week); and habitual fatty meat intake (yes/no). Adjustments were made for age, education level, income, smoking status, alcohol intake, leisure-time physical activity, depression symptoms, chronic diseases, and body mass index. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed, considering sampling weights and stratification by gender. Results The mean MMSE scores for men and women were 25.15 ± 5.56 and 24.26 ± 5.68, respectively (p = 0.009). After adjustments, in women low fruit and vegetable intake (≤ 4 servings/day) was independently associated with the lowest MMSE scores. No associations were found in men. Additionally, women’s mean MMSE scores increased as their daily frequency of fruit and vegetable intake increased (p = 0.001). Conclusion Women with low fruit and vegetable intake according to the World Health Organization (WHO) have lower cognition scores. Regular intake of fruits, vegetables, and fish in exchange of fatty meats may be a viable public policy strategy to preserve cognition in aging.
Is excessive online usage a function of medium or activity? An empirical pilot study

Aims: The purpose of the study was to seek a better insight into whether the online medium or the online activity was more important in relation to excessive online use. It is not clear whether those people who spend excessive amounts of time on the Internet are engaged in general Internet or whether excessive Internet use is linked to specific activities. Methods: Perceived changes in Internet use habits as function of hypothetical accessibility of favorite sites were investigated in young adults. University students (n = 130, mean age = 20.6 years) who had (on average) spent over 20 hours a week on the Internet for at least nine years completed a survey. The most favored online activities and expected quality of life without Internet access were also investigated. Results: Findings revealed that social networking was by far the most popular online activity, and that lack of access to their preferred online activities would drop by 65% (as measured by perceived Internet usage). Approximately one in six participants (16%) claimed they would not even switch on the computer if access to their favorite online activities were unavailable. In relation to a hypothetical question about the quality of life without Internet access, the responses were normally distributed (rather than skewed). Conclusions: These results show that time spent with Internet activity is not random and/or generalized, but appears more focused. Attraction or addiction on Internet to one or more specific behavior(s) may be a better way forward in the quest for better understanding excessive human behavior in the online environment.
Exploratory eye movements during the Benton Visual Retention Test: Characteristics of visual behavior in schizophrenia

Abstract In order to investigate the relationship between the behavioral patterns and clinical symptomatology in schizophrenia, exploratory eye movements of schizophrenic subjects and healthy controls during the Benton Visual Retention Test were examined using an eye‐mark recorder. The results were as follows: (i) with card 1, the number of eye fixations of schizophrenic subjects was fewer, and the total and mean eye scanning lengths of schizophrenic subjects were shorter than those of healthy controls; (ii) with card 3, almost none of the schizophrenic subjects looked at the blank area opposite the peripheral figure on the right; (iii) with cards 3, 5, 6 and 9 there were some schizophrenic subjects who did not look at the peripheral figures; (iv) with card 6, many of the schizophrenic subjects made stereotypical movements; (v) with card 9, schizophrenic subjects used a narrow vertical gaze to look at the large figure on the right. Based on these characteristics among the schizophrenic subjects themselves, factors such as longer eye scanning length, looking at peripheral figures without fail, and not making stereotypical movements were reflected directly in the results of the Benton test, while there was no relationship between the width of the vertical gaze and the Benton results. Correlations between visual behavior and some psychiatric symptoms were observed. The visual behavioral patterns of schizophrenic subjects were various according to the characteristics of the Benton figures, while those of normal subjects were always almost the same. It was suggested that these results were caused by disturbances of the mental attitude of schizophrenic subjects toward objects or environments.
Immune response gene products (Ia antigens) on glial and endothelial cells in virus-induced demyelination.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus induced central nervous system demyelination in susceptible strains of mice with s, q, v, p, and f H-2D alleles. We used immunoelectron microscopy to look for differential production of class II immune response gene products (Ia) within astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells. Spinal cord sections from susceptible mice (B10.S and B10.ASR2) showed increased content of Ia in glial and endothelial cells. In contrast, resistant mice [B10.S(9R)] showed minimal Ia production within the CNS. The findings indicate an important role of class II immune response products on glial cells during demyelination after virus infection.
Tricyclic antidepressants and fibromyalgia: what is the mechanism of action?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder of which other clinical features, such as persistent fatigue and disordered sleep, may be a secondary consequence. The initial pharmacological approach to treating the disorder is the management of the pain. Tricyclic antidepressants are the most effective drugs in use so far, especially when administered in combination with other therapies (e.g., selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), which suggests modulation of the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline. The effectiveness of amitriptyline and related tricyclic antidepressants, however, is consistent with the involvement of mechanisms, such as potassium channel modulation and NMDA receptor antagonism, in addition to or in place of the modulation of monoamine neurotransmitters. Investigation of the importance of each of the pharmacological properties of amitriptyline and related molecules in the management of fibromyalgia could provide clues for the rational design of new drugs.
Racial patterns in pernicious anemia. Early age at onset and increased frequency of intrinsic-factor antibody in black women.

Pernicious anemia affects primarily elderly northern Europeans, but may affect others more often than previously thought. Therefore, we analyzed the data from 156 documented cases: there were 73 patients of "European" origin, 52 black patients and 31 Latin-American patients. The mean age (+/- 1 S.D.) at presentation among black women, 53 +/- 16 years, was lower than that of all the others (P less than 0.001 in most comparisons), and seven of the 33 black women were less than 40 years old. In addition, 23 of the 24 black women tested had circulating antibody to intrinsic factor. A similar though less striking antibody prevalence (85 per cent) and age pattern (60 +/- 13 years) in Latin-American women did not reach statistical significance. No other group exceeded the usual 55 to 70 per cent prevalence of antibody. These finding suggest a different form of or a different response to the disease in black women and perhaps in Latin-American women.
Balanced chromosome abnormalities inv(16) and t(15;17) in therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndromes and acute leukemia: Report from an International Workshop †

The Workshop identified 48 unselected patients with therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia (t‐MDS/t‐AML) and inv(16), and 41 patients with t(15;17) after chemotherapy (CT) and/or radiotherapy (RT) for a malignant or nonmalignant disease. The primary diseases were: breast cancer, 33 patients; lymphomas, 24 patients; various other solid tumors, 30 patients; and nonmalignant diseases, 2 patients. The general type of previous therapy was RT only in 10 patients with an inv(16) and in 12 patients with a t(15;17), alkylating agents plus topoisomerase II inhibitors in 24 patients with an inv(16) and in 18 patients with a t(15;17), topoisomerase II inhibitors only in 5 patients with an inv(16) and in 2 patients with a t(15;17), alkylating agents only in 6 patients in each subgroup, and other types of chemotherapy in 3 patients in each subgroup. Most CT‐treated patients (69%) also received RT. The latency period to development of t‐MDS/t‐AML was short: a median of 22 months in patients with inv(16) and 29 months in patients with t(15;17). Twenty‐six patients (54%) with an inv(16) and 17 patients (41%) with a t(15;17) had additional cytogenetic abnormalities, which were unrelated to age and survival in both subgroups. Trisomy of chromosomes 8, 21, and 22 and del(7q) were the most frequent additional abnormalities in the inv(16) subgroup, whereas +8, −5, and del(16q) were most frequent in the t(15;17) subgroup. The disease was overt t‐AML in 38/48 patients (79%) with an inv(16) and in 38/41 patients (93%) with a t(15;17). Thirty‐three of 39 intensively treated patients (85%) with an inv(16) obtained a complete remission, whereas 24 of 35 intensively treated patients (69%) with a t(15;17) obtained a complete remission. The median overall survival of intensively treated patients was 29 months in both cytogenetic subgroups. In the inv(16) subgroup, patients younger than 55 years of age had a longer survival when compared with older patients (P = 0.006). The study supports the observation that t‐MDS/t‐AML with inv(16) and t(15;17) is often associated with prior therapy with topoisomerase II inhibitors; however, a notable finding was the high frequency of treatment with only radiotherapy, 29% of t(15;17) and 21% of inv(16). Response rates to intensive chemotherapy in this study were comparable to those of de novo disease. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impulsive force on the head during performance of typical ukemi techniques following different judo throws

Abstract In this study, eight judo athletes who are major candidates for the Japan national team were recruited as participants. Kinematic analysis of exemplary ukemi techniques was carried out using two throws, o-soto-gari, a throw linked to frequent injury, and o-uchi-gari. The aim of this study was to kinematically quantify the timing patterns of exemplary ukemi techniques and to obtain kinematic information of the head, in a sequence of ukemi from the onset of the throw to the completion of ukemi. The results indicated that the vertical velocity with which the uke’s head decelerated was reduced by increasing the body surface exposed to the collision with the tatami and by increasing the elapsed time. In particular, overall upper limb contact with the tatami is greatly associated with deceleration. In o-soto-gari, the impulsive force on the faller’s head as the head reached the lowest point was 204.82 ± 19.95 kg m · s–2 while in o-uchi-gari it was 118.46 ± 63.62 kg m · s–2, z = −1.75, P = 0.08, and it did present a large-sized effect with r = 0.78. These findings indicate that the exemplary o-soto-gari as compared to o-uchi-gari is the technique that causes more significant damage to the uke’s head.
A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, controlled trial on brotizolam intervention in outpatients with insomnia

Abstract Aim. To investigate the efficacy and safety of brotizolam in outpatients with insomnia. Methods. This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, controlled trial recruited 253 outpatients randomized to receive either brotizolam (n = 126) or estazolam (n = 127) for 14 days followed by 1 week of follow-up for rebound detection. Sleep Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS) and Clinical General Impression Scale were applied for efficacy evaluation. Safety evaluation was based on data regarding vital signs, physical examination, lab tests, ECG and collection of adverse events. Results. Full Analyses Set (FAS) and Safety Set (SS) included data of 251 subjects, with 126 from brotizolam group and 125 from estazolam group. Per Protocol Set (PPS) analysis included data of 235 subjects, with 121 and 114 from each group. After 14 days of treatment, there was no difference with statistical significance between the two groups regarding SDRS total score change from baseline. FAS and PPS analysis showed that the brotizolam is non-inferior to estazolam in efficacy evaluation. There was also no difference with statistical significance regarding rebound rate between brotizolam and estazolam group in FAS. The rate of adverse event in two groups was with no statistically significant difference in SS. Conclusion. Brotizolam is effective and safe in relieving the symptoms of insomnia.
Oxidative damage of DNA, RNA and their metabolites in leukocytes, plasma and urine of Macaca mulatta: 8-oxoguanosine in urine is a useful marker for aging

Abstract The levels of the oxidised forms of guanosine in leukocytes, plasma and urine of Macaca mulatta were determined using a sensitive method based on high-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadruple mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The amounts of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrodeoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGsn) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosin (8-oxoGsn), derived from DNA and RNA, respectively, increased with age in leukocytes. The measurement of the free forms of oxidised guanosine revealed similar age-dependent increases of 8-oxo-dGsn and 8-oxoGsn in both plasma and urine, which showed considerably larger amounts of 8-oxoGsn than 8-oxo-dGsn. The 8-oxoGsn content of urine could be a useful biomarker for evaluating aging, as age-dependent increases of 8-oxoGsn are more evident in urine compared to plasma and because urine samples are readily available.
Suicide rates in the national and expatriate population in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Background: Reports on suicide from the Gulf region are scarce. Dubai is a city with a large expatriate population. However, total and gender-specific suicide rates for the national and expatriate populations are not known. Aims: To investigate total and gender-specific suicide rates in the national and expatriate population in Dubai and to elicit socio-demographic characteristics of suicide victims. Methods: Registered suicides in Dubai from 2003 to 2009, and aggregated socio-demographic data of suicide victims were analysed. Suicide rates per 100,000 population were calculated. Results: Suicide rate among expatriates (6.3/100,000) was seven times higher than the rate among the nationals (0.9/100,000). In both groups, male suicide rate was more than three times higher than the female rate. Approximately three out of four expatriate suicides were committed by Indians. The majority of suicide victims were male, older than 30 years, expatriate, single and employed, with an education of secondary school level and below. Conclusion: Further research on risk factors for and protective factors against suicide, particularly among the expatriate population, is needed. Epidemiological monitoring of suicide trends at the national level and improvement of UAE suicide statistics would provide useful information for developing suicide prevention strategies.
Epidemiology of group B streptococci: one year's experience in an obstetric and special care baby unit

Summary. The epidemiology of group B streptococci (GBS) was studied in an obstetric unit and the related special care baby unit (SCBU). In 1 year 53 (77%) of 69 babies who acquired GBS from their mothers were colonized within 24 h of birth, compared with only 9 (35%) of 38 who acquired GBS from non‐maternal sources. While 38 (36%) of 107 GBS colonized babies in the obstetric unit derived the organism from a non‐maternal source, the value for the SCBU was only 2 (9%) of 23. In babies rectal and umbilical swabs gave the highest GBS isolation rates. Phage‐typing and serotyping suggested that colonized mother baby pairs, rather than staff, were the primary source of hospital acquired GBS. This mode of GBS acquisition did not result in long‐term carriage once babies had left hospital. Nosocomial transmission can play an important part in GBS epidemiology, but can be minimized by attention to infection control procedures.
Strategy of Agricultural Extension to Improve Participation of the Farmers in Special Effort in Increasing Rice Production

The presence of the Government’s program was necessarily able to improve farmers’ participation. One of regencies considered as rice production centers and targeted to increase its production was Sukabumi Regency. Farmers in such Regency tended to focus on rice commodity, so it was no doubt on the farmers’ capability of managing their agricultural business. But, it was allegedly that the participation level of the farmers was relatively unclear as there were so many programs provided by the Government for them. This research aimed at analyzing factors influencing the farmers’ participation and the modeling of the proper strategy of agricultural extension to improve their participation in special effort to increase rice production. The research was done using survey approach in Sukabumi Regency, West Java, with the main locus located on the working area of BP3K Warung Kiaran and BP3K Jampang Kulon. Data collection was done using questionnaire and structured interview with 120 respondents on May-November, 2016. Data analysis was done descriptively and using path analysis. The findings showed that internal factor and farmers’ capabilities had direct effects on their participation in the program of improving rice production, while external factors had indirect effects though the improvement of farmers’ capabilities in such program. The effective strategy of agricultural extension to improve the farmers’ participation in the program of improving rice production was participatory counseling by attempting to increase farmers’ capabilities through intensive interaction with the counselor, provision of relevant sources of agricultural information, doing meaningful learning and learning by self-experiences.
Calcitriol Regresses Cardiac Hypertrophy and QT Dispersion in Secondary Hyperparathyroidism on Hemodialysis

Background: Sudden cardiac death is common in patients on hemodialysis (HD), and its rate is as high as 25% of all cardiac deaths associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and secondary hyperparathyroidism. A prolonged QT interval on standard electrocardiography is related to an increase in sudden death in various patient groups. It is also well known that LVH has been noted in uremic patients with high parathyroid hormone levels. Methods: To evaluate the response of intravenous calcitriol treatment on the QT interval and LVH in HD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (intact parathyroid hormone, iPTH, >450 ng/ml), echocardiographic, electrocardiographic (ECG), and biochemical assessments were performed over a 15-week period in 25 HD patients before and after intravenous calcitriol treatment. We also evaluated 25 age-, sex-, HD duration-, and BMI-matched HD control patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Results: In patients receiving intravenous calcitriol, a significant reduction in iPTH levels (p < 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase levels (p < 0.01) was found without changes in values of serum calcium and ionized Ca2+, phosphorus, Na+, K+, Mg2+, hematocrit, blood pressure, or other hemodynamic changes. Echocardiograms showed significant decreases in the thickness of the interventricular septum (p < 0.05), left posterior wall thickness (p < 0.05), and left ventricle mass index (LVMi, p < 0.01). In addition, sequential ECG measurement in patients with calcitriol treatment showed significant reductions in QTcmax (QTmax interval corrected for heart rates, p < 0.01) and QTc dispersion (QT dispersion corrected for heart rates, p < 0.01). However, in the control patients, biochemical, hemodynamic, and ECG changes, as well as myocardial structural and functional changes were not seen. Multiple regression analysis in all patients indicated that iPTH and LVMi levels were independent predictors of QTcmax while the LVMi level was the only independent predictor of QTc dispersion (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study showed a significant correlation between LVMi and QT dispersion in HD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Intravenous calcitriol treatment, to be used for the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism, was found to cause regression of myocardial hypertrophy and a reduction in the QTc interval and dispersion, without biochemical and hemodynamic changes. These findings suggest that an active vitamin D metabolite has a cardioprotective action in HD patients.