Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mast cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines roles in assessment of grape seeds extract anti-inflammatory activity in rat model of carrageenan-induced paw edema

Objective(s): Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-produced oxidative disorders were involved at the pathophysiology of many inflammatory processes via the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant defense system suppression. Although herbal antioxidants as mono-therapy relief many inflammatory diseases including, autoimmunity rheumatoid arthritis, but as combination therapy with other proven anti-inflammatory drugs in order to decreasing their toxic impacts has not yet been studied clearly, especially against chemical substances that’s induced local inflammation with characteristic edema. Materials and Methods: Grape seeds extract (GSE) at a concentration of 40 mg/kg B. wt alone or in combination with indomethacin (Indo.) at a dose of 5 mg/Kg B. wt orally given for 10 days prior (gps VI, VII, VIII) or as a single dose after edema induction (gps IX, X, XI) in rat’s left hind paw by sub-planter single injection of 0.1 carrageenan: saline solution (1%) (gp. V) to assess the prophylactic and therapeutic anti-inflammatory activities of both through the estimation of selective inflammatory mediators and oxidative damage-related biomarkers as well as tissue mast cell scoring. Furthermore, both substances were given alone (gps II, III, IV) for their blood, liver and kidney safety evaluation comparing with negative control rats (gp. I) which kept without medication. Results: A marked reduction on the inflammatory mediators, edema volume and oxidative byproducts in edema bearing rats’ prophylactic and treated with grape seeds extract and indomethacin was observed. Indomethacin found to induce some toxicological impacts which minimized when administered together with GSE. Conclusion: GSE is a safe antioxidant agent with anti-inflammatory property.
Reply to Girdauskas and Rouman.

We have to thank the authors for their well-taken comments [1] on our manuscript [2]. In the following, we want to comment on their remarks. First of all, we want to remind them that our new dissectometer device is originally invented to evaluate the aortic wall cohesion just in time during open heart surgery. Therefore, this additional tool might directly influence the decision-making process during routine cardiac surgery by detecting potentially unstable aortic walls, which tend to dissect in the future. This examination should be performed intra-operatively, thereby allowing a direct modification of the initially planned surgical strategy. An overall article combining all procedures is currently prepared by our group. In regards to bicuspid (BAV) and tricuspid (TAV) aortic valves and aortic wall cohesion, we want to refer to one of our articles, since, surprisingly, we did not observe any difference in aortic wall cohesion between BAV and TAV [3]. In the recent article of our group [2], we compared the aortic wall cohesion between aortic stenosis (AS) and regurgitation (AR). As one would expect, we found significant differences between both entities with lower aortic wall quality in AR patients. We totally agree with their comments, since both of our cited articles enrolled consecutive patients and therefore, as a matter of fact, the latest article evaluating AS vs AR included more patients. However, in this evaluation, the total number of AR in combination with BAV was too low to perform a reasonable statistical analysis. Currently, we have collected and processed additional data of even more prospectively enrolled patients in order to increase the number of BAV in combination with AR allowing a detailed and meaningful statistical analysis in this regard.
Oral Creatine Supplements Lower Plasma Homocysteine Concentrations in Humans

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oral creatine supplements will lower the concentration of total plasma homocysteine (tHcy). SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Apparently healthy volunteers, at least 19 years old, were recruited from the University of South Alabama and surrounding community. DESIGN/INTERVENTION/MAIN OUTCOME: Participants took multi-vitamins daily for four weeks, then were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (C) continued to take multi-vitamins daily for an additional four weeks. The experimental group (EX) took multivitamins plus an amount of creatine each day equal to twice their daily creatinine excretion, for the additional four weeks. Total plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured in all participants at the beginning and at the end of the second four week interval. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, initial tHcy, serum folate, erythrocyte folate, serum vitamin B12, or creatinine excretion. After four weeks of creatine supplements, tHcy in EX changed by an average of −0.9 μmol/L (range: -1.8 to 0.0), compared to an average change of +0.2 μmol/L in C (range: −0.6 to 0.9) during the same four weeks. The difference in the changes in tHcy between the two groups was statistically significant (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: Creatine supplements may be an effective adjunct to vitamin supplements for lowering tHcy. ABBREVIATIONS: C = group of participants taking only multivitamins; EX = group of participants taking multivitamins plus creatine; Hcy = homocysteine; SAH = S-adenosylhomocysteine; SAM = S-adenosylmethionine; tHcy = concentration of total plasma homocysteine.
Professional commitment, organizational commitment, and the intention to leave for professional advancement: An empirical study on IT professionals

Purpose – Given the increasing influence and importance of professionals in modern society, this study aims to investigate the influence of organizational commitment and professional commitment on professionals' intention to leave their organizations for professional advancement (ILPA). Design/methodology/approach – A total of 500 members of a large Hong Kong association of computer specialists were drawn randomly from the membership list. E‐mails were sent directly to those 500 members through a web‐based survey, which is an effective way to collect confidential information and potentially reduced the resistance due to the survey sensitivity. After two follow‐ups via e‐mail, a total of 265 responses were collected with a response rate of 53 percent.Findings – The study found that organizational affective commitment (OAC) would be more effective for reducing ILPA. For the interactions between different commitment components, there is a substitution effect of professional affective commitment (PAC) and prof.
An open-label trial of divalproex sodium extended release for pediatric bipolar spectrum disorder in children age 6 - 12 years *

Objective: To estimate the rate of response to divalproex sodium extended release in pediatric bipolar spectrum disorder in young children age 6 - 12. Methods: This was an 8-week, open-label treatment of youth with DSM-IV bipolar disorder with divalproex sodium extended release (ER) monotherapy. Severity of mania was assessed weekly with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results: The sample was 8.9 ± 2.0 years of age and predominantly male (83%). At study entry the mean YMRS score was 26.3 ± 4.5. Of the 18 subjects enrolled, 7 (39%) completed the 8 week course. We failed to find a clinically or statistically significant improvement with divalproex sodium ER. Pre-post comparisons at endpoint (LOCF) indicated an average response reduction of 6.1 ± 2.6 in the YMRS to a mean of 20.3 ± 8.1. Weight increased by 1.36 ± 0.7 kg (p = 0.08) from baseline to endpoint. Conclusion. Divalproex sodium ER monotherapy was associated with poor tolerability, was associated with clinically concerning weight gain but had modest therapeutic benefits in the management of symptoms of mania and depression in children with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Exploring Co-Meditation as a Means of Reducing Anxiety and Facilitating Relaxation in a Nursing School Setting

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore whether co-meditation, shared or cross-breathing, could reduce anxiety and enhance relaxation in a nursing school setting. The specific outcomes to be assessed in the quantitative component were blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and anxiety, both state and trait. A qualitative component explored participants’ experiences with co-meditation following 1 month of practice. Rogers’s Science of Unitary Human Beings formed the theoretical basis for this study. The study employed a pretest/posttest design with participants as their own controls. Quantitative data were collected from a convenience sample of 26 students, faculty, and staff aged 19 to 51 years, male and female. Fourteen participants returned for the qualitative component. Findings suggest that co-meditation may be useful in reducing anxiety, as measured by vital signs and the anxiety inventory forms. Participants reported feeling calmer and more relaxed, balanced, and centered following 1 month of practice. Findings suggest that co-meditation has potential to help transform a nursing educational environment from one that is potentially anxiety provoking to a calmer, more caring one.
Cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein as a prognostic biomarker in dogs with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation.

BACKGROUND Release of myelin basic protein (MBP) into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is associated with active demyelination and correlates with outcome in various neurological diseases. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To describe associations among CSF MBP concentration, initial neurological dysfunction, and long-term ambulatory outcome in dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH). ANIMALS Fifty seven [corrected] dogs with acute thoracolumbar IVDH and 16 clinically normal dogs. METHODS Prospective case series clinical study. Signalment, initial neurological dysfunction as determined by a modified Frankel score (MFS), and ambulatory outcome at >3-month follow-up were recorded. Cisternal CSF MBP concentration was determined by an ELISA. Associations were estimated between CSF MBP concentration and various clinical parameters. RESULTS Dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH that did not ambulate at follow-up had a higher CSF MBP concentration (median, 3.56 ng/mL; range, 0.59-51.2 ng/mL) compared with control dogs (median, 2.22 ng/mL; range, 0-3.82 ng/mL) (P=.032). A CSF MBP concentration of >or=3 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 76% to predict an unsuccessful outcome based on receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis (area under the curve=0.688, P=.079). Affected dogs with a CSF MBP concentration>or=3 ng/mL had 0.09 times the odds of ambulation at follow-up compared with affected dogs with CSF MBP concentration<3 ng/mL when adjusted for initial MFS (95% confidence interval 0.01-0.66, P=.018). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE These results would suggest that CSF MBP concentration may be useful as an independent prognostic indicator in dogs with thoracolumbar IVDH.
Human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells function in innate immunity by producing IL‐6 and IL‐8 via the TLR4‐NF‐κB and ‐MAPK signaling pathways

Abstract: Background: Human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBECs) may play active roles in both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Little is known, however, about the role of toll‐like receptors (TLRs) on HIBECs in inflammatory cholangiopathies.
The permissive effect of sebum in seborrhoeic dermatitis: an explanation of the rash in neurological disorders

The hypothesis that sebum permits the growth of Pityrosporum ovale, and hence the development of seborrhoeic dermatitis, was tested by observing whether a reduction of sebum production by isotretinoin would improve the disorder. In 10 male patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, treatment with isotretinoin for 6 weeks reduced the mean sebum excretion rate by 70% and improved the severity of the rash, but with a site difference in magnitude of response. It is concluded that the residual pool of sebum is important for the growth of P. ovale and that, within the physiological range, sebum has a permissive effect on the growth of this yeast. Variation in the pools of residual sebum explains a number of features of the disease such as site of involvement and greater prevalence in males than females. The pathological increase in the residual pool of sebum due to immobility explains the frequent occurrence of seborrhoeic dermatitis in patients with a variety of neurological disorders.
Genes of the antioxidant response undergo upregulation in a rodent model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of hepatic pathologies ranging from simple fatty liver to an inflammatory state known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH is also characterized by severe hepatic oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to determine whether genes of the antioxidant response are induced in rodent models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. To simulate simple fatty liver and NASH, respectively, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a high‐fat (HF) or a methionine and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks. Key marker genes of the antioxidant response that are known to undergo upregulation via activation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2‐Related Factor 2 were measured using the branched DNA signal amplification assay. Messenger RNA levels of the antioxidant response, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase‐1 (Nqo1), Glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic (Gclc), and Heme oxygenase‐1 (Ho‐1), were significantly induced in MCD rat liver but not in HF rat liver. Furthermore, Nqo1 protein expression and activity underwent significant upregulation in MCD rat liver but not in HF rat liver. These data strongly indicate that the pathology induced by the MCD dietary model of NASH results in upregulation of the antioxidant response in rats. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 21:216–220, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20177
Impact of ankylosing spondylitis on sick leave, presenteeism and unpaid productivity, and estimation of the societal cost

Aim To describe the influence of ankylosing apondylitis (AS) on sick leave, presenteeism and unpaid work restrictions and to estimate related productivity costs. Methods 142 consecutive and unselected patients with AS under the care of rheumatologists participated in a longitudinal observational study and completed the Health and Labour Questionnaire (HLQ) assessing disease-related sick leave, presenteeism and restrictions in unpaid work over the previous 2 weeks. Logistic regressions explored which explanatory variables were associated with work outcome. Productivity loss was valued in monetary terms. Results Among 72 patients in paid employment, 12% had sick leave over a period of 2 weeks and 53% experienced an adverse influence of AS on work productivity while at work. Over this period they reported on average of 5.8 h sick leave and 2.4 inefficient working hours, for which they estimated an extra 1.9 h were needed to complete unfinished work. Among all patients (n=137), 71% had experienced restrictions in unpaid work during the previous 2 weeks with 42% needing help for these tasks for an average of 8 h. The annual production costs for the total group were €1451 (95% CI 425 to 2742) per patient for sick leave, €967 (95% CI 503 to 1496) to compensate for hours worked inefficiently while at work and €1930 (95% CI 1404 to 2471) to substitute loss of unpaid work production. Conclusion Patients with AS not only have substantial sick leave but also experience restrictions while being at work and when performing unpaid tasks. Limitations in physical functioning are strongly associated with work restrictions. Societal costs of formal and informal care are comparable with the costs of sick leave and presenteeism combined.
Activation of Interictal Spiking in Mesiotemporal Lobe Epilepsy by Propofol‐Induced Sleep

Summary: The objective of this study was to test whether low‐dose propofol increases the number of interictal spikes in patients with mesiotemporal lobe epilepsy, and to determine whether this is the result of intrinsic properties and is restricted to the primary epileptogenic focus. Controlled infusion of propofol in step‐up/‐down target concentrations of 0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/L was administered to 10 patients during a 3.5‐hour daytime EEG registration. The number of spikes were counted and related to propofol concentration and sleep level. Results were compared with a spontaneous, nocturnal first sleep cycle in 9 of 10 patients. All patients entered nonrapid eye movement 1 sleep during propofol administration, and 8 reached nonrapid eye movement 2 sleep. In 7 patients who showed spikes, spikes were related to sleep (P<0.05) and not to increasing (P = 0.1) or decreasing (P = 0.5) propofol concentration. Six of nine patients showed more spikes during spontaneous (nocturnal) sleep than during propofol‐induced sleep. Contralateral spiking was not suppressed selectively. Low‐dose propofol is a safe means of increasing spiking in these patients because it induces sleep. There were no signs of an intrinsic epileptogenicity of propofol or a selective effect on ipsilateral spikes. Controlled sleep induction will increase the yield of interictal spikes during short interictal recordings such as in magnetoencephalography.
The human fetal thyroid I. Its weight in relation to body weight, crown‐rump length, foot length and estimated gestation age

The weights of 75 human fetal thyroids were analyzed in relation to crown‐rump length, foot length, weight, and estimated gestation age. The ratio of thyroid weight to body weight was lower in the smaller fetuses and gradually increased until the fetus was 70–90 mm in crown‐rump length when the ratio attained a value close to that found in the newborn and adult. This period of development when the relative weight of the thyroid becomes constant coincides with the time of appearance of colloid and the onset of ability to concentrate iodine.
Diagnosis of mycobacterial infections by nucleic acid amplification: 18-month prospective study

We have investigated the use of DNA amplification by PCR for the detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens, with the gene encoding the 16S rRNA as a target. Following generic amplification of mycobacterial nucleic acids, screening was done with genus-specific probe; this was followed by species differentiation by use of highly discriminating probes or nucleic acid sequencing. In a prospective 18-month evaluation, criteria to select specimens for PCR analysis were defined. Of a total of 8,272 specimens received, 729 samples satisfied the criteria and were subjected to DNA amplification. Clinical specimens included material from the respiratory tract (sputa and bronchial washings), aspirates, biopsies, and various body fluids (cerebrospinal, pleural, peritoneal, and gastric fluids). After resolution of discrepant results, the sensitivity of the PCR assay was 84.5%, the specificity was 99.5%, the positive predictive value was 97.6%, and the negative predictive value was 96.4%. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of culture (with a combination of broth and solid media) were 77.5 and 94.8%, respectively. In conclusion, this PCR assay provides an efficient strategy to detect and identify multiple mycobacterial species and performs well in comparison with culture.
EPHect – the Endometriosis Phenome (and Biobanking) Harmonisation Project – may be very helpful for clinicians and the women they are treating

This article acts as a summary of the recently published papers by the World Endometriosis Research Foundation aiming to set up the Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project. The objective of this project is to standardise recording of patient history and characteristics, recording of surgical procedure and extent of disease as well as collection, processing and storage of specimens and consequently create a reliable resource for research into endometriosis.
Effect of insemination-related factors on pregnancy rate using sexed semen in Holstein heifers

The objectives were to determine the effects of insemination with sexed semen at spontaneous and induced estrus, fixed-time insemination at synchronized estrus, the deposition site, estrous intensity, housing, age, body weight, and bull on the pregnancy rate in Holstein heifers, and to compare the quality traits of sexed sperm with those of unsexed semen. The study was conducted on 3206 heifers, housed in three free-stall barns and in four tie-stall facilities. After synchronization by two prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatments 14 days apart, 281 heifers were inseminated conventionally and 118 intracornually with sexed semen, and 532 and 148 heifers, respectively, with unsexed semen 80–82 h after the second treatment. At spontaneous estrus, 1129 heifers were inseminated with sexed and 529 with unsexed semen, and at estrus induced by a single PGF2α treatment 185 heifers were inseminated with sexed and 284 with unsexed semen. Heifers were inseminated conventionally with sexed semen 12 h after detection of estrus, and with unsexed semen according to the a.m.– p.m rule. Sexed and unsexed semen doses from five bulls were evaluated for motility, morphology, membrane integrity, and chromatin stability. Overall pregnancy rate with sexed semen (41.7%) was 80.8% of that with unsexed semen (51.6%) and was lower than with unsexed semen irrespective of the type and intensity of estrus, and deposition site. Insemination at spontaneous estrus resulted in a higher pregnancy rate (53.4%) than at induced (41.9%) or synchronized (44.7%) estrus. Pregnancy rates did not differ after intracornual (44.9%) or conventional insemination (48.4%). Strong estrus resulted in higher pregnancy rate (by 14.4% points) compared to weak estrus. The type of housing, age, and weight of heifers had no effect irrespective of the type of semen. The total, progressive and linear motility, and membrane integrity were lower and proportions of immotile sperm greater, for sexed than for unsexed semen.