Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Serum Levels of Endothelin-1 in Chronic Periodontitis Patients Before and After Treatment.

INTRODUCTION Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictive peptide with multi functional activity in various systemic diseases. Previous studies indicate the detection of ET-1 in gingival tissues and gingival crevicular fluid. AIM The aim of this study was to estimate the serum ET-1 levels in clinically healthy subjects and subjects with chronic periodontitis, before and after treatment, and correlate it with the clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 44 patients were included in the study. Group I comprised of 20 subjects with clinically healthy periodontium. Group II comprised of 24 subjects with chronic periodontitis. Group III comprised of same Group II subjects following periodontal management. Serum samples were collected from the subjects and an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was done to estimate the ET-1 levels. The ET-1 levels were then correlated among the three groups with the clinical parameters namely, Plaque Index (PI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI), probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and Periodontally Inflamed Surface Area (PISA). The independent t-test and paired t-test were used for comparison of clinical parameters and Pearson's correlation coefficient test was used for correlating the ET-1 levels. RESULTS ET-1 levels in chronic periodontitis subjects were significantly higher compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001). However, the clinical parameters did not statistically correlate with the ET-1 levels. There was a significant decrease in ET-1 levels following treatment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Serum ET-1 is increased in chronic periodontitis and reduces after periodontal therapy. Further studies are required to establish ET-1 as a biomarker for periodontal disease.
Measuring the burden of interval cancers in long-standing screening mammography programmes

Objectives Mammography screening programme sensitivity is evaluated by comparing the interval cancer rate (ICR) with the expected breast cancer incidence without screening, ie. the proportional interval cancer rate (PICR). The PICR is usually found by extrapolating pre-screening incidence rates, whereas ICR is calculated from data available in the screening programmes. As there is no consensus regarding estimation of background incidence, we seek to validate the ICR measure against the PICR. Methods Screening data from the three mammography screening programmes of Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Funen in the period 1989-2011 provided data to calculate the ICR. The most commonly described methods of extrapolating pre-screening incidence rates to calculate the PICR were illustrated and PICRs were calculated by year and programme using these different methods and compared with the ICRs. Results PICRs varied greatly, reaching a difference of 32–34% in Stockholm, 79% in Copenhagen, and 100–106% in Funen between the highest and the lowest value, depending on which method was applied. PICRs exhibited large variations yearly and from programme to programme. ICRs did not vary to the same extent, ranging on average from 0.100 to 0.136 in the first 12-months and between 0.201 and 0.225 in the last 12-months of the two-year period after a negative screen across the three programmes. Conclusion The value of the PICR is hugely influenced by which method is applied, whereas the ICR is calculated purely on data available within programmes. We find that the PICR, the establishing indicator for sensitivity, could preferably be replaced by the ICR.
The impact of resident involvement in minimally-invasive urologic oncology procedures.

INTRODUCTION Robotic and laparoscopic surgical training is an integral part of resident education in urology, yet the effect of resident involvement on outcomes of minimally-invasive urologic procedures remains largely unknown. We assess the impact of resident participation on surgical outcomes using a large multi-institutional prospective database. METHODS Relying on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) Participant User Files (2005-2011), we abstracted the 3 most frequently performed minimally-invasive urologic oncology procedures. These included radical prostatectomy, radical nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess the impact of trainee involvement (PGY 1-2: junior, PGY 3-4: senior, PGY ≥5: chief) versus attending-only on operative time, length-of-stay, 30-day complication, reoperation and readmission rates. RESULTS A total of 5459 minimally-invasive radical prostatectomies, 1740 minimally-invasive radical nephrectomies and 786 minimally-invasive partial nephrectomies were performed during the study period, for which data on resident surgeon involvement was available. In multivariable analyses, resident involvement was not associated with increased odds of overall complications, reoperation, or readmission rates for minimally-invasive prostatectomy, radical and partial nephrectomy. However, operative time was prolonged when residents were involved irrespective of the type of procedure. Length-of-stay was decreased with senior resident involvement in minimally-invasive partial nephrectomies (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, p = 0.04) and prostatectomies (OR 0.68, p = 0.01). The major limitations of this study include its retrospective observational design, inability to adjust for the case complexity and surgeon/hospital characteristics, and the lack of information regarding the minimally-invasive approach utilized (whether robotic or laparoscopic). CONCLUSIONS Resident involvement is associated with increased operative time in minimally-invasive urologic oncology procedures. However, it does not adversely affect the complication, reoperation or readmission rates, as well as length-of-stay.
Relation of Residency Selection Factors to Subsequent Orthopaedic In-training Examination Performance

Objectives: Orthopaedic surgery remains one of the most competitive specialties, with more than a 99% match fill rate in the past several years. An oversupply of qualified applicants leads to intense competition for these residency spots, allowing program directors to be more selective in choosing their future residents. Although many previous studies have documented factors important to program directors in the admission process, less is known about how preselection factors correlate with subsequent performance in a residency program. Methods: The relation of both demographic and academic factors with subsequent performance on the Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) were studied. These factors include United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) step I scores, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) status, research publications, age entering residency, marital status, and medical school affiliation. Results: In this study, the only statistically significant correlations to OITE scores were USMLE step I performance and marital status. Those residents who had previously scored above 220 on the USMLE step I had higher average OITE scores than those scoring below 220. Residents who were married also had higher average OITE scores. A trend with regard to AOA status also was found, with residents scoring slightly higher on the OITE if they were members of AOA. Conclusions: Few preresidency variables correlate to success during an orthopaedic residency.
Management of acute gastroenteritis in Europe and the impact of the new recommendations: a multicenter study. The Working Group on acute Diarrhoea of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

BACKGROUND The European Society for Paediatric Gasteroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) issued two sets of recommendations for the treatment of infants with acute gastroenteritis (1992, 1997). The purpose of this multicentre study performed in 29 European countries was to determine how closely current treatment compares with the ESPGHAN recommendations. METHODS The outline of the study was based on a questionnaire that addressed the management of a 6-month-old infant with acute gastroenteritis complicated by mild to moderate dehydration. National coordinators circulated the questionnaire to randomly selected primary care physicians and to hospital-based paediatricians. RESULTS A total of 2997 questionnaires were returned, of which 1768 were from Western Europe (WE) and 1229 from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Eighty-four percent of responding physicians said they would follow the ESPGHAN recommendation to use oral rehydration solution (ORS) for rehydration, with 66% using an ORS containing 60 mmol/l sodium ORS. Only 16% (WE 15%, CEE 19%) would follow the guidelines and use rapid oral rehydration over 3 to 4 hours. Forty-five percent would rehydrate infants in a 3- to 6-hour period (WE 35%, CEE 60%), and 17% (WE 23%, CEE 9%) would extend the rehydration period to 12 to 24 hours. ESPGHAN recommendation of rapid reintroduction of normal feeding after 3 to 4 hours of oral rehydration would be followed by only 21% of responding physicians, and only 43% (WE 46%, CEE 38%) would start feeding with full-strength formula. However, the guideline about continuation of breast-feeding is widely followed (total 77%; WE 78%, CEE 75%). Thirty-six percent (WE 45%, CEE 23%) use a lactose-containing formula after successful oral rehydration. Contrary to the ESPGHAN guideline 35% (WE 30%, CEE 42%) would use a lactose-free formula and 19% (WE 12%, CEE 28%) a lactose and cow's milk protein-free formula. Only 37% (WE 30%, CEE 46%) of responding physicians would follow the recommendation to use ORS to replace ongoing losses from watery diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS The results of the survey suggest that with the exception of recommending ORS for rehydration and continuation of breast-feeding during diarrhoea, a minority of responding European physicians follow the ESPGHAN guidelines for optimal management of children with acute gastroenteritis.
Who benefits from volunteering? Variations in perceived benefits.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to document the benefits of volunteering perceived by older adults and to explain variation in these self-perceived benefits. DESIGN AND METHODS This is a quantitative study of 13 volunteer programs and 401 older adults serving in those programs. Program directors completed telephone interviews, and older volunteers completed mailed surveys. Volunteer-level and program-level data were merged. RESULTS Older volunteers reported a wide variety of benefits to the people they served, themselves, their families, and communities. More than 30% reported that they were "a great deal better off" because of volunteering, and almost 60% identified a benefit to their families. When considering only individual characteristics, lower-income and lower-educated volunteers reported more benefit. Yet, aspects of the volunteer experience, like amount of involvement, adequacy of training and ongoing support, and stipends, were more important in understanding who benefits from volunteering. IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that characteristics of volunteer programs can be strengthened to maximize the benefits of volunteering to older adults. These characteristics are more mutable by public policies and organizational procedures than individual characteristics. Focusing on the recruitment of lower socioeconomic status older adults may result in an increase in benefits from the growth of volunteering.
State Income Tax Policy and Family Size: Fertility and the Dependency Exemption

Tax exemptions for dependents are a subsidy to having children and therefore create incentives for fertility. This article explores the relationship between the changing tax value of the state exemption for dependents—combined with the federal exemption—and the observed fertility choices of married couples. Using data from the Panel Study on Income Dynamics (PSID), the article finds that the federal exemption does have a positive impact on differential period fertility for the sample of 229 married couples in this study. This effect is dampened by an offsetting labor force participation and marginal tax rate effect, but it does provide evidence that fiscal policy can influence fertility. State income tax exemptions do not appear to significantly influence the fertility decisions of the sample.
Predicting Activities after Stroke: What is Clinically Relevant?

Knowledge about factors that determine the final outcome after stroke is important for early stroke management, rehabilitation goals, and discharge planning. This narrative review provides an overview of current knowledge about the prediction of activities after stroke. We reviewed the pattern of stroke recovery for functions and activities, the impact of spontaneous recovery on activities, and the measurement of improvement in general. We explored the activities profiles during the chronic phase and predictors for activities of daily living independence after stroke, and finally, we discussed where to from here? Mathematical regularities explain the nonlinear patterns of recovery, making the outcome of activities of daily living highly predictable. Initial severity of disability and extent of improvement observed within the first weeks poststroke are important indicators of the outcome at six-months. The sequence of progress in activities is almost fixed in time. Studies showed that most motor recovery is almost completed within 10 weeks poststroke. On average, stroke recovery plateaus three- to six-months after onset. Strong evidence was found that age and scores on scales assessing severity of neurological deficits in the early poststroke phase are strongly associated with the final basic activities of daily living outcome after three-months poststroke. The validated prediction models using simple algorithms, such as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale or Barthel Index, need to be implemented in rehabilitation services and used for stratifying stroke patients in trials. Future studies should investigate the accuracy of dynamic models that includes time poststroke to optimize the application of prediction rules in individuals with stroke.
Direct inhibition by nitric oxide of the transcriptional ferric uptake regulation protein via nitrosylation of the iron

Ferric uptake regulation protein (Fur) is a bacterial global regulator that uses iron as a cofactor to bind to specific DNA sequences. The function of Fur is not limited to iron homeostasis. A wide variety of genes involved in various mechanisms such as oxidative and acid stresses are under Fur control. Flavohemoglobin (Hmp) is an NO-detoxifying enzyme induced by NO and nitrosothiol compounds. Fur recently was found to regulate hmp in Salmonella typhimurium, and in Escherichia coli, the iron-chelating agent 2,2′-dipyridyl induces hmp expression. We now establish direct inhibition of E. coli Fur activity by NO. By using chromosomal Fur-regulated lacZ reporter fusion in E. coli, Fur activity is switched off by NO at micromolar concentration. In vitro Fur DNA-binding activity, as measured by protection of restriction site in aerobactin promoter, is directly sensitive to NO. NO reacts with FeII in purified FeFur protein to form a S = 1/2 low-spin FeFur–NO complex with a g = 2.03 EPR signal. Appearance of the same EPR signal in NO-treated cells links nitrosylation of the iron with Fur inhibition. The nitrosylated Fur protein is still a dimer and is stable in anaerobiosis but slowly decays in air. This inhibition probably arises from a conformational switch, leading to an inactive dimeric protein. These data establish a link between control of iron metabolism and the response to NO effects.
Biphasic insulin aspart 30 treatment improves glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes in a clinical practice setting: experience from the PRESENT study

Aim: The Physicians’ Routine Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of NovoMix® 30 Therapy (PRESENT) study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in routine clinical practice.
The effect of liver iron deposition on hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient values in cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of hepatic iron deposition on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values measured with single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in patients with liver cirrhosis and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent breath-hold single-shot EPI DWI at 1.5 T before liver transplantation were retrospectively assessed. Estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNRest) and ADC were measured in the right hepatic lobe (for b values of 50 and 500 s/mm2). SNRest and ADC were compared between patients stratified by pathologic iron grade using the Mann-Whitney test. Hepatic ADC values were correlated to T2* values using the Spearman correlation test in a subset of patients. In addition, a phantom consisting of solutions of varying iron concentrations was imaged with single-shot EPI DWI and T2* imaging, and iron concentration was correlated with ADC and T2*. RESULTS In phantoms, there was a decrease in ADC and T2* with increasing iron concentration (r=-0.95 and -0.92, respectively; p<0.05). Patients with hepatic siderosis had significantly lower SNRest and ADC compared with patients without siderosis (p<0.0001). SNRest at b=50 s/mm2 and b=500 s/mm2 and ADC had a significant negative correlation with pathologic iron grade (r=-0.67 to 0.77, p<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between liver T2* and ADC (r=0.83, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Hepatic siderosis lowers liver ADC and should be taken into account when using ADC for diagnosing liver cirrhosis.
Differential examination of bronchoalveolar lavage cells in tobacco cigarette and marijuana smokers.

Cells derived from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were obtained from 19 healthy non-smokers (NS) and from 43 healthy smokers of tobacco and/or marijuana. Thirteen subjects smoked tobacco cigarettes only (TS) (mean +/- SE: 17.4 +/- 5.5 pack-years). Thirty subjects smoked marijuana; of these, 14 smoked marijuana only (MS) (149.1 +/- 102.7 joint-years) and 16 smoked marijuana and tobacco (MTS) (43.3 +/- 7.2 joint-years and 18.4 +/- 3.2 pack-years). Cell counts were expressed as total number recovered and as number of cells per milliliter of BAL fluid returned. Cell differentials were performed on Giemsa-stained cytopreps. Total cell number was significantly increased in the MTS, TS, and MS compared with that in the NS (p less than 0.01). Heavy tobacco smoking (greater than 10 pack-years) was associated with higher total cell numbers in BAL than was light tobacco smoking (less than 10 pack-years). The MTS had a higher total BAL cell yield per milliliter than did the TS or the MS (p less than 0.004). Marijuana smoking had a significant effect on cell yield independent of the presence or absence of concomitant tobacco smoking (p less than 0.05). Macrophages were the predominant cells in the BAL of TS, MS, and MTS, as well as in the BAL of NS (greater than or equal to 90%). The number of neutrophils (as total recovered or per milliliter of BAL fluid) was significantly higher in the BAL fluid of all MTS and TS than in that of NS (p less than 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Role of Hamstring Tightness in Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a repetitive microtrauma overload injury of the attachment of the plantar fascia at the inferior aspect of the calcaneus. Several etiological factors have been implicated in the development of plantar fasciitis; however, the role of hamstring tightness has not been evaluated. Methods: Fifteen volunteers (mean age 32.6 ± 4.7 years) were prospectively analyzed for differences in forefoot loading using a Don-Joy brace (dj Orthopedics, Vista, CA) applied to each knee simultaneously. The brace was locked at varying degrees of knee flexion (0 degrees, 20 degrees, and 40 degrees). Their mean popliteal angle was 6.5 degrees. Fifteen patients (mean age 40 ± 16.5 years) with a diagnosis of chronic plantar fasciitis were similarly analyzed on the pedobarograph. These patients also had their hamstring tightness evaluated by measuring the popliteal angle. The mean popliteal angle was 23 degrees. Results: Increasing the angle of flexion from 0 to 20 degrees at the knee joint led to a statistically significant increase in pressure in the forefoot phase by an average of 0.08 K/cm2s (p < 0.05). An increase from 20 to 40 degrees led to increased forefoot phase pressure of 0.08 kg/cm2s (p < 0.05). The percentage of time spent in contact phase decreased from 35.37% to 30.87% to 26.37% with increasing flexion (p < 0.05). However there was an inverse increase in the time spent in the forefoot phase 46.6% to 55.6 to 61.25% with increasing degrees of flexion (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that an increase in hamstring tightness may induce prolonged forefoot loading and through the windlass mechanism be a factor that increases repetitive injury to the plantar fascia.
Convergent and reciprocal modulation of a leak K+ current and Ih by an inhalational anaesthetic and neurotransmitters in rat brainstem motoneurones

Neurotransmitters and volatile anaesthetics have opposing effects on motoneuronal excitability which appear to reflect contrasting modulation of two types of subthreshold currents. Neurotransmitters increase motoneuronal excitability by inhibiting TWIK‐related acid‐sensitive K+ channels (TASK) and shifting activation of a hyperpolarization‐activated cationic current (Ih) to more depolarized potentials; on the other hand, anaesthetics decrease excitability by activating a TASK‐like current and inducing a hyperpolarizing shift in Ih activation. Here, we used whole‐cell recording from motoneurones in brainstem slices to test if neurotransmitters (serotonin (5‐HT) and noradrenaline (NA)) and an anaesthetic (halothane) indeed compete for modulation of the same ion channels ‐ and we determined which prevails. When applied together under current clamp conditions, 5‐HT reversed anaesthetic‐induced membrane hyperpolarization and increased motoneuronal excitability. Under voltage clamp conditions, 5‐HT and NA overcame most, but not all, of the halothane‐induced current. When Ih was blocked with ZD 7288, the neurotransmitters completely inhibited the K+ current activated by halothane; the halothane‐sensitive neurotransmitter current reversed at the equilibrium potential for potassium (EK) and displayed properties expected of acid‐sensitive, open‐rectifier TASK channels. To characterize modulation of Ih in relative isolation, effects of 5‐HT and halothane were examined in acidified bath solutions that blocked TASK channels. Under these conditions, 5‐HT and halothane each caused their characteristic shift in voltage‐dependent gating of Ih. When tested concurrently, however, halothane decreased the neurotransmitter‐induced depolarizing shift in Ih activation. Thus, halothane and neurotransmitters converge on TASK and Ih channels with opposite effects; transmitter action prevailed over anaesthetic effects on TASK channels, but not over effects on Ih. These data suggest that anaesthetic actions resulting from effects on either TASK or hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels in motoneurones, and perhaps at other CNS sites, can be modulated by prevailing neurotransmitter tone.