Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High frequency ultrasonographic findings in plantar fasciitis and assessment of local steroid injection.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and changes in plantar fascia following ultrasound guided local steroid injection. METHODS Twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis and 20 healthy subjects were studied prospectively. Ultrasound examination was performed using an ATL Apogee 800 and linear array 11 MHz transducer. The affected heel was injected with 15 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide and 2 ml of 2% lidocaine. Ultrasound examination was performed at time of clinical evaluation, again immediately after injection, and at 1, 6, and 30 weeks later. The thickness, echogenicity, and marginal appearance of plantar fascia were measured. RESULTS Ultrasonographic measurement of plantar fascia showed a significant increase in symptomatic heels (range 4.8-6.5, mean 5.8 +/- 2.06 mm) compared with healthy subjects (range 1.8-3.4, mean 2.4 +/- 0.64 mm) (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in the thickness of plantar fascia was observed 1 week after local steroid injection (range 2.1-3.5, mean 2.3 +/- 0.91 mm). Complete relief of symptoms and signs was further observed at 6 and 30 weeks. CONCLUSION Ultrasonographic examination of plantar fascia is easy and quick to perform. Ultrasound procedure should be considered early in diagnosis and management of heel pain. Ultrasound guided local steroid injection proved safe and effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Alteration of renal carnitine metabolism by anticonvulsant treatment

We administered therapeutic doses of valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT), and phenobarbital (PHB) to mice for 7 days, and 8 hours after the final dose we measured the concentrations of carnitine in serum, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and heart, and in the 7 days' accumulated urine. The results for serum and urine show that VPA induced a significant increase in renal clearance of acylcarnitine without affecting that of free carnitine, whereas CBZ, PHT, and PHB significantly increased clearance of free carnitine but not that of acylcarnitine. Thus, VPA appears to reduce tubular resorption of acylcarnitine, and CBZ, PHT, and PHB appear to reduce tubular resorption of free carnitine.
Public health nutrition and food policy

Abstract Food in its many manifestations allows us to explore the global control of health and to examine the ways in which food choice is moulded by many interests. The global food market is controlled by a small number of companies who operate a system that delivers ‘cheap’ food to the countries of the developed world. This ‘cheap’ food comes at a price, which externalises costs to the nation state in terms of health consequences (diabetes, coronary heart disease and other food-related diseases) and to the environment in terms of pollution and the associated clean-up strategies. Food policy has not to any great extent dealt with these issues, opting instead for an approach based on nutrition, food choice and biomedical health. Ignoring wider elements of the food system including issues of ecology and sustainability constrains a broader understanding within public health nutrition. Here we argue that public health nutrition, through the medium of health promotion, needs to address these wider issues of who controls the food supply, and thus the influences on the food chain and the food choices of the individual and communities. Such an upstream approach to food policy (one that has been learned from work on tobacco) is necessary if we are seriously to influence food choice.
Experimental comfort assessment of an active exoskeleton interface

Walking assistive devices are designed to improve the mobility of the user. Although promising, active devices have a problem: they become uncomfortable after prolonged usage. Large motor torques provided by active devices effectively assist the movements of the user. However, these torques transfer forces to the user's limbs creating significant discomfort and limiting the duration of usefulness. This work used force mapping in an attempt to identify zones of pressure concentration that may cause discomfort as well as examined the effect that various pads had on these zones. The device tested in this research was the K-SRD TM by B-Temia Inc. Force analysis identified certain zones of high force concentration. Possible causes were identified and potential solutions were suggested. Furthermore, the padding testing showed that the force transfer was similar regardless of the thickness of the pads. However, the stiffer padding materials distributed the forces over a greater area and decreased the pressure at the interface. This seems to indicate that the thickness of padding is less important than the distribution of applied forces. In all, interfaces that distribute forces over large surface areas may be beneficial. Further research efforts are needed in order to develop a physical human-machine interface that will ensure the success of exoskeletons in the future.
Mechanisms of Plaque Stabilization for a Charged Calcium Channel Blocker in Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) results from atherosclerosis, a systemic vascular disorder that is the leading cause of death and disability throughout much of the developed world. Because cellular changes associated with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque are characterized by a loss of normal calcium regulation, there is strong interest in a potential antiatherosclerotic role for calcium channel blockers. This hypothesis has been supported by investigational studies conducted in well‐defined cellular and animal models of atherosclerosis. In addition, several clinical studies have tested the benefit of calcium channel blockers among patients with mild‐to‐moderate CAD. More recent trials have shown reductions in cardiovascular events after treatment with amlodipine, a long‐acting, dihydropyridine‐type calcium channel blocker. The Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Vascular Effects of Norvasc Trial (PREVENT) demonstrated that patients with documented CAD treated with amlodipine experienced marked reductions in cardiovascular events compared with patients receiving placebo. Amlodipine also was associated with significant slowing of carotid atherosclerosis, an important surrogate marker for CAD, independent of blood pressure modification. These results have renewed interest in potential plaque stabilization properties of third‐generation calcium channel blockers and their possible therapeutic role in CAD.
Generic obstetric database systems are unreliable for reporting the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Background: Obstetric outcome data can be accessed by a variety of different methods in New South Wales, Australia, including Diagnosis‐Related Group (DRG) summaries and the Midwives Data Collection (MDC). The accuracy of the reporting of the obstetric complications encompassed by the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) has been doubted owing to the inconsistency and confusing coding categories available in both coding systems.
LAPSER1 is a putative cytokinetic tumor suppressor that shows the same centrosome and midbody subcellular localization pattern as p80 katanin

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with more than 500,000 new worldwide cases reported annually, resulting in 200,000 deaths of mainly older men in developed countries. Existing treatments have not proved very effective in managing prostate cancer, and continuing efforts therefore are ongoing to explore novel targets and strategies for future therapies. LAPSER1 has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer, but its true functions remain unknown. We report here that LAPSER1 colocalizes to the centrosomes and mid‐bodies in mitotic cells with γ‐tubulin, MKLP1, and p80 katanin, and is involved in cytokinesis. Moreover, RNAi‐mediated disruption of LAPSER1, which is accompanied by the mislocalization of p80 katanin, results in malformation of the central spindle. Significantly, the enhanced expression of LAPSER1 induces binucleation and renders the cells resistant to onco‐genic transformation. In cells transformed by the v‐Fps oncogene, overexpressed LAPSER1 induces abortive cytokinesis, followed by mitotic catastrophe in a p80 katanin‐dependent manner. Cells that are rescued from this apoptotic pathway with Z‐VAD‐fmk display karyoki‐nesis. These results suggest that LAPSER1 participates in cytokinesis by interacting with p80 katanin, the disruption of which may potentially cause genetic instability and cancer. –Sudo, H. , Maru, Y. LAPSER1 is a putative cytokinetic tumor suppressor that shows the same centrosome and midbody subcellular localization pattern as p80 katanin. FASEB J. 21, 2086–2100 (2007)
MUC1 as a Cell Surface and Secretory Component of Endometrial Epithelium: Reduced Levels in Recurrent Miscarriage

The mucin MUC1 is a large, highly glycosylated, hormonally regulated product of endometrial glandular and luminal epithelium with both cell surface‐associated and secreted isoforms. The abundance of mRNA coding for MUC1 increases about sixfold from the proliferative to the early secretory phase (Hey et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 78:337–342, 1994). Immunohistochemical studies show intracellular deposits accumulating in the early secretory phase followed by the release of MUC1 into gland lumens. The apical surface of luminal epithelium is strongly immunopositive in the early secretory phase. We have used a two site ELISA to measure MUC1 in uterine flushings as a function of time after the luteinising hormone (LH) peak. Low levels of secretory MUC1 are observed before day LH+7, while values on days LH+7‐LH+13 are much higher. Using semi‐quantitative immunohistochemical methods we have shown that in women suffering recurrent spontaneous miscarriage, mid secretory phase levels of MUC1 core protein and mucin‐associated glycans are reduced (Serie et al., Fertil. Steril. 62:989–996, 1994). Similarly, lower core protein levels are observed in uterine flushings after day LH+7 in these women. Reduced epithelial secretory function and a resultant change in uterine fluid composition are features of endometrium from recurrent miscarriage patients.
TomoDirect: An efficient means to deliver radiation at static angles with tomotherapy

Aims and background The TomoTherapy Hi-Art II system is able to deliver dynamic intensity-modulated radiation therapy within a helical geometry providing robust conformality and modulation, abrupt dose falloff, and reliable accuracy. A new upgrade named TomoDirect was introduced recently, allowing delivery of radiation at discrete angles with a fixed gantry. We present our preliminary clinical experience with TomoDirect. Methods Three specific clinical contexts were chosen for the implementation of TomoDirect, namely palliation of bone metastasis pain (BP), whole brain radiation therapy for intracranial secondary lesions (WBRT), and adjuvant whole breast radiation therapy after conservative surgery for early stage breast cancer (AWBRT). After appropriate positioning, planning CT, contouring, and plan generation, all patients were treated with the TomoDirect upgrade of the TomoTherapy Hi-Art II system with different doses and fractionation according to clinical decision-making. Results Between May and December 2010, 41 patients were treated with TomoDirect. Eighteen patients were treated for BP (mainly vertebral metastases) with a predominant posterior field arrangement. Seven patients were treated for WBRT (multiple brain lesions) with a parallel-opposed latero-lateral approach and 16 patients were treated for conventionally fractionated AWBRT mainly with a 2-field tangential approach. Radiation treatments were generally well tolerated and the acute toxicity was mild. Conclusions While helical tomotherapy allows the delivery of very sophisticated treatment plans, in certain anatomical sites and clinical contexts where the number of beam directions is constrained and supposed not to affect plan quality, TomoDirect might be an efficient means to deliver radiation at static angles with consistent dosimetric and clinical results.
MARGINAL REGRESSION MODELS FOR RECURRENT AND TERMINAL EVENTS

A major complication in the analysis of recurrent event data from med- ical studies is the presence of death. We consider the marginal mean function for the cumulative number of recurrent events over time, acknowledging the fact that death precludes further recurrences. We specify that covariates have multiplicative effects on an arbitrary baseline mean function while leaving the stochastic structure of the recurrent event process completely unspecified. We then propose estimators for the regression parameters and the baseline mean function under this semipara- metric model. The asymptotic properties of these estimators are established. Joint inferences about recurrent events and death are also discussed. The finite-sample behavior of the proposed inference procedures is assessed through simulation stud- ies. An application to a well-known bladder tumor study is provided.
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common and clinically important in patients with PD. Evidence continues to accumulate to indicate that these symptoms reflect, for the most part, the direct involvement of the gastrointestinal tract by the PD process. Gastrointestinal symptomatology may arise not only as a consequence of the effects of PD on skeletal muscles in the oropharynx, anorectum, and pelvic floor but also through the direct involvement of the autonomic and enteric nervous systems in the PD process. While many aspects of gastrointestinal dysfunction in PD continue to be delineated, therapeutic approaches to gut symptoms in this common disorder remain in their infancy. Gut involvement in PD can be seen to serve as a paradigm for gut-CNS interactions. The recent demonstration of neuropathologic abnormalities in the enteric nervous system analogous to those regarded as pathognomonic of the parkinsonian process in the CNS suggests that the enteric and central nervous systems may demonstrate parallel pathologic changes in a number of disease processes previously regarded as confined to the central and somatic nervous systems. In this way, the enteric nervous system may well serve as a more accessible "window" to a variety of degenerative neurologic disorders. With respect to PD itself, we can begin to relate both the neurologic and gastrointestinal manifestations of this disorder to defects at a number of levels (Table 1).
Heat-inducible amplifier vector for high-level expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Purpose: In cytokine immunotherapy of cancer it is critical to deliver sufficiently high local cytokine concentrations in order to reach the therapeutic threshold needed for clinical efficacy. Simultaneously, for optimal clinical safety adverse effects caused by high systemic cytokine levels must be minimized. One of the most promising anti-cancer therapeutic cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), has elicited anti-tumour immune responses in animal studies and clinical trials. However, the clinical efficacy has been limited, with local GM-CSF levels being therapeutically insufficient and systemic toxicity being a limiting factor. Methods: To address these problems we have developed a novel GM-CSF expression vector, pAD-HotAmp-GM-CSF, which can provide high levels of GM-CSF expression, and induction of cytokine expression to limited tissue areas. This expression system combines inducible and amplifying elements in a single multi-genic construct. The first transcriptional unit contains the inducible element, the heat shock protein 70B (HSP70B) promoter that regulates expression of the transcription-activating factor tat. Results: Upon the binding of tat to the second promoter, the HIV2 long terminal repeat amplifies downstream gene expression of the therapeutic cytokine GM-CSF. Moderate hyperthermia at 42°C for 30 min induced GM-CSF expression in pAD-HotAmp-GM-CSF that was over 2.5- and 2.8-fold higher than levels reached with HSP70B promoter alone and the prototypical human cytomegalovirus promoter. Conclusions: Thus, the inducible amplifier vector, pAD-HotAmp-GM-CSF, represents a novel system for regulated and enhanced GM-CSF expression, which enables both greater efficacy and safety in cytokine immunotherapy of cancer.
Adiponectin Genetic Variability, Plasma Adiponectin, and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that has shown anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects. We assessed the associations of variants in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) with circulating adiponectin levels and cardiovascular risk among women with type 2 diabetes. Of 989 diabetic women from the Nurses’ Health Study, 285 developed cardiovascular disease (CVD) during follow-up through 2000. We genotyped five ADIPOQ polymorphisms in the CVD case and control subjects. A promoter polymorphism −11365C→G was significantly associated with lower plasma adiponectin levels (P = 0.004). The homozygotes of allele −4034C were significantly associated with ∼60% increased cardiovascular risk (odds ratio 1.62 [95% CI 1.07–2.45]). Adjustment for age, BMI, and other covariates did not appreciably change the associations. In addition, a common haplotype possessing allele +276T (CAATT) was associated with a significantly lower CVD risk than the most common haplotype (CAATG) (0.70 [0.50–0.98]). In our meta-analysis of 827 CVD case and 1,887 CVD-free control subjects, polymorphism +276G→T was significantly associated with ∼45% (20–62%) decreased CVD risk under a recessive inheritance mode in diabetic patients. In conclusion, ADIPOQ promoter polymorphism −11365C→G was associated with plasma adiponectin levels, whereas polymorphisms −4034A→C and +276G→T were associated with CVD risk in diabetic patients.
Effect of an IMCI intervention on quality of care across four districts in Cape Town, South Africa

Aims: To measure the change in quality of care provided to sick children as a result of the routine implementation of the IMCI intervention. Methods: Structured observations of consultations with sick children, exit interviews with caregivers, and facility reviews were conducted both before and after IMCI intervention in four health districts in Cape Town. Interventions were case management training, orientation courses for supervisors and medical officers, and some reorganisation of management systems. Results: Twenty one nurses in 21 clinics were observed before and after the IMCI intervention; 90 and 70 child observations were conducted before and after IMCI intervention respectively. There was a marked improvement in assessment of danger signs in sick children (7% before versus 72% after), assessment of co-morbidity (integrated score 5.2 versus 8.2), rational prescribing (62% versus 84%), and starting treatment in the clinic (40% versus 70%). However there was no change in the treatment of anaemia or the prescribing of vitamin A or counselling of caregivers. There was no change in the knowledge of caregivers regarding medication or when to return to the health facility. Facilities were well stocked and supervision regular both before and after IMCI. Conclusion: This study has shown that under normal operating conditions and in a context of good facility infrastructure and management support, IMCI is associated with improvements in some important aspects of care
The Antiemetic Efficacy of Prophylactic Granisetron in Gynecologic Surgery

Postoperative nausea and vomiting are common after recovery from anesthesia.We examined the prophylactic effect of granisetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting in 120 female patients (ASA physical status I) undergoing gynecologic surgery. They were randomly allocated to one of three groups (n = 40 for each): saline (as a control), granisetron 20 micro gram/kg, and granisetron 40 micro gram/kg. Saline or granisetron was given intravenously (IV) over 5 min approximately 30 min before the end of anesthesia. Nausea, vomiting, and safety assessments were performed during the 24-h recovery period. For the 24-h period after surgery, the number of emesis-free patients was significantly larger in the granisetron groups than in the control group (83%, 78%, and 20% of patients receiving granisetron 20 micro gram/kg and 40 micro gram/kg, and saline, respectively). Granisetron at both doses also was superior to the control for the prevention of nausea over the 24-h study period (nausea visual analog scales at 24-h postsurgery: 49 mm, 17 mm, and 18 mm in the control, granisetron 20 micro gram/kg, and granisetron 40 micro gram/kg groups, respectively). Fewer patients received "rescue" antiemetics in the granisetron groups than in the control group (10%, 10%, and 43% of patients in granisetron 20 micro gram/kg and 40 micro gram/kg, and the control groups, respectively). The adverse events in the granisetron groups were similar to those in the control group. The administration of granisetron had no significant effect on vital signs or clinical laboratory test profiles. Granisetron given at 20 or 40 micro gram/kg IV during anesthesia appears to be a simple, effective, and safe method for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:970-4)
Neuroanatomical sites of action of 5‐HT3 receptor agonist and antagonists for alteration of aversive behaviour in the mouse

1 The cerebral topography of the action of diazepam and the action of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists GR38032F and ICS 205–930 in attenuating an aversive response was studied in the mouse. 2 Mice which had been cannulated to allow drug injection into the dorsal and median raphe nuclei, the amygdala, nucleus accumbens or caudate‐putamen were placed in a two compartment black (dimly illuminated) and white (brightly illuminated) test box. Measurements were made of the time spent, rearing and line crossings in the two sections and the latency of initial movement from the white to the black area. 3 The injection of diazepam (0.1–10 ng), GR38032F (0.01–1.0 ng) and ICS 205–930 (1.0–10 ng) into the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala, and the injection of diazepam (0.1–10 ng) into the median raphe nucleus, reduced an aversive response to the brightly illuminated white area, delaying the initial movement into the black section and increasing the time spent, rearings and line crossings in the white area. Concomitantly such activities were decreased in the black section. 4 The injection of the 5‐HT3 agonist 2‐methyl‐5‐hydroxytryptamine (0.1–10 ng) into the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala caused the opposite response, decreasing the time taken to move into the black section and increasing the time spent, rearings and line crossings in the black section, decreasing such activities in the white area. 5 The 5‐HT3 agonist and antagonists showed little or no effect following injection into the median raphe nucleus and there were no changes in exploratory behaviour following their injection, or injection of diazepam, into the nucleus accumbens or caudate‐putamen. 6 It is concluded that in the mouse the cerebral topography of action of GR38032F and ICS 205–930 in attenuating an aversive response follows that of diazepam in the dorsal raphe nucleus and amygdala but that diazepam may have additional effects mediated via the median raphe nucleus.