Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NSAID‐induced urticaria/angioedema does not evolve into chronic urticaria: a 12‐year follow‐up study

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most frequent medicaments involved in drug hypersensitivity reactions, with NSAID‐induced urticaria/angioedema (NIUA) being the most frequent clinical entity. The natural evolution of NIUA has been suggested to lead to chronic urticaria (CU) in an important proportion of patients, such that NIUA may therefore precede CU. Our aim was to verify whether these entities are related by following up a large cohort of patients with NIUA as well as a control group over a long period of time.
Region-Specific Regulation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA Expression in Central Stress Circuits

Neurocircuit inhibition of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons controlling hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) activity prominently involves GABAergic cell groups of the hypothalamus and basal forebrain. In the present study, stress responsiveness of GABAergic regions implicated in HPA inhibition was assessed by in situ hybridization, using probes recognizing the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65 and GAD67 isoforms). Acute restraint preferentially increased GAD67 mRNA expression in several stress-relevant brain regions, including the arcuate nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and hippocampus (CA1 and dentate gyrus). In all cases GAD67 mRNA peaked at 1 hr after stress and returned to unstimulated levels by 2 hr. GAD65 mRNA upregulation was only observed in the BST and dentate gyrus. In contrast, chronic intermittent stress increased GAD65 mRNA in the anterior hypothalamic area, dorsomedial nucleus, medial preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, anterior BST, perifornical nucleus, and periparaventricular nucleus region. GAD67 mRNA increases were only observed in the medial preoptic area, anterior BST, and hippocampus. Acute and chronic stress did not affect GAD65 or GAD67 mRNA expression in the caudate nucleus, reticular thalamus, or parietal cortex. Overall, the results indicate preferential upregulation of GAD in central circuitry responsible for direct (hypothalamus, BST) or multisynaptic (hippocampus) control of HPA activity. The distinct patterns of GAD65 and GAD67 by acute versus chronic stress suggest stimulus duration-dependent control of GAD biosynthesis. Chronic stress-induced increases in GAD65 mRNA expression predict enhanced availability of GAD65 apoenzyme after prolonged stimulation, whereas acute stress-specific GAD67 upregulation is consistent with de novo synthesis of active enzyme by discrete stressful stimuli.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip From Birth to Six Months

&NA; The term “developmental dysplasia or dislocation of the hip” (DDH) refers to the complete spectrum of abnormalities involving the growing hip, with varied expression from dysplasia to subluxation to dislocation of the hip joint. Unlike the term “congenital dysplasia or dislocation of the hip,” DDH is not restricted to congenital problems but also includes developmental problems of the hip. It is important to diagnose these conditions early to improve the results of treatment, decrease the risk of complications, and favorably alter the natural history. Careful history taking and physical examination in conjunction with advances in imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, have increased the ability to diagnose and manage DDH. Use of the Pavlik harness has become the mainstay of initial treatment for the infant who has not yet begun to stand. If stable reduction cannot be obtained after 2 weeks of treatment with the Pavlik harness, alternative treatment, such as examination of the hip under general anesthesia with possible closed reduction, is indicated. If concentric reduction of the hip cannot be obtained, surgical reduction of the dislocated hip is the next step. Toward the end of the first year of life, the toddler’s ability to stand and bear weight on the lower extremities, as well as the progressive adaptations and softtissue contractures associated with the dislocated hip, preclude use of the Pavlik harness.
&bgr;-Blockers Promote Angiogenesis in the Mouse Aortic Ring Assay

Abstract: Recent results indicate that the reduction of &bgr;-adrenergic signaling impairs angiogenesis under ischemic conditions. Because angiogenesis may occur in the absence of ischemia, it remains to be determined whether and how &bgr;-adrenergic signaling regulates angiogenesis, which develops under normoxic conditions. The effect of &bgr;-adrenergic ligands on angiogenesis was investigated using 3-dimensional cultures of mouse aortic rings embedded in collagen type I, in which luminized microvessels develop in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Under normoxic conditions, both isoproterenol, a &bgr;-adrenergic receptor (&bgr;-AR) agonist, and forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, were unable to influence aortic microvessel sprouting. On the contrary, treatment with propranolol, a &bgr;-AR antagonist, caused an approximately 70% increase in VEGF-mediated microvessel sprouting. This effect was abolished in rings from both double &bgr;-AR and &bgr;1-AR knockout mice, but not in rings from &bgr;2-AR knockout mice. Significant increases in microvessel sprouting were also observed when mouse aortic rings from C57BL/6 mice were treated with the &bgr;1-AR–selective antagonists metoprolol and bisoprolol or with the &bgr;2-AR–selective antagonist ICI 118,551. Conversely, carvedilol, a nonselective &bgr;-AR antagonist, was unable to affect aortic sprouting. These findings suggest that some &bgr;-blockers display proangiogenic activity through a mechanism that is independent of their ability to antagonize catecholamine action. The present results also identify a new function for &bgr;-AR signaling as a facilitator for VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and have implications for understanding the mechanisms that regulate angiogenic responses under normoxic conditions.
Aerobic Exercise Attenuates an Exaggerated Exercise Blood Pressure Response in Normotensive Young Adult African-American Men

An exaggerated exercise blood pressure response (EEBPR) may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension. We hypothesized that aerobic exercise training can decrease EEBPR and the risk for hypertension by decreasing arterial resistance. We studied the effects of aerobic training on the submaximal exercise blood pressure (BP) of eight normotensive young adult African-American men with an EEBPR. Subjects were trained on a stationary bicycle at an intensity of 70% peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ), for 30 min, three times per week, for 8 weeks. BP, heart rate, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) were measured at rest and during submaximal exercise at a work intensity of 50% VO 2peak. Significance of the training effects were evaluated by comparing the pre- and post-training measures ( t -test, p < 0.05). A 15% post-training increase in VO 2peak (34.6 - 1.4 to 40 - 1.4 ml/kg/min) and a 9.5 ml post-training increase in mean resting stroke volume were found. A 16.2 mmHg decrement in mean systolic BP, an 11.5 mmHg decrement in mean diastolic BP, a 120 dyne/s/cm 5 decrement in TPR and a 1.2 l/min increase in CO were detected during the posttraining submaximal exercise tests. These results suggest that reductions in TPR may attenuate the EEBPR of normotensive African-American males following an 8-week training regimen of stationary bicycling at 70% VO 2peak . Aerobic exercise training may, therefore, reduce the risk of hypertension in normotensive African-American males by the mechanism of a reduction in TPR. Because of the limited number of subjects, the results of this study should be interpreted cautiously pending confirmation by a larger controlled trial.
Tibiofemoral Angle and Its Relation to Ankle Sprain Occurrence

The lack of a normal joint orientation generates translational or shear forces across the joint. These forces can put abnormally high strain on the cartilage and the surrounding capsuloligamentous tissues. Ankle joint structure can affect or be affected by bony malformations of the surrounding areas, including the knee and hip. The aim of the current study is to examine the possible relationship between the tibiofemoral (TFA) angle and other factors (anthropometric characteristics, medical history, and age) on the occurrence of ankle sprains because its value provides useful information for the anatomical alignment of the lower extremity. The study sample consisted of 45 high-level athletes, evenly distributed among 3 sports (basketball, soccer, and volleyball). TFA measurements were made on radiographs. The study lasted 2 years. A logistic regression was used to determine the importance of each factor on the probability in question. A significance level of P = . 1 was used. The factors contributing more to an ankle sprain were a previous injury of the same type followed by body mass index (BMI) and age. On the contrary, TFA was proven to be statistically nonsignificant. When the BMI variable was substituted with body inertia propensity, a derived variable, the TFA remained statistically nonsignificant. TFA magnitude does not seem to be a determinant factor that could increase the probability of spraining an ankle.
The Effect of Malicious Envy on Schadenfreude When Schadenfreude Is Elicited Through Social Comparisons

Previous studies have investigated whether envy, particularly malicious envy, increases feelings of schadenfreude and whether this effect is evident in both gain and loss frames. However, as a social-comparison-based emotion, schadenfreude was not investigated through social comparisons in these previous studies. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether malicious envy influences schadenfreude when schadenfreude is elicited in the context of precise and ambiguous social comparisons. To address this issue, participants in the present study were asked to play a monetary game with several other players. In the experimental condition, participants gained less or lost more than the other player; in the control condition, both the participants and the player gained little or lost much. Subsequently, the participants observed that the player encountered a misfortune, that is, gained less or lost more money than the participant. The results showed that when participants knew the exact amount of monetary gained and lost by themselves and the other player (i.e., precise social comparisons), malicious envy increased feelings of schadenfreude only in the loss frame rather than in the gain frame. More importantly, malicious envy turned out to reduce feelings of schadenfreude in both gain and loss frames, when participants did not know the exact amount (i.e., ambiguous social comparisons). The findings provide novel evidence that malicious envy does not always increase schadenfreude particularly when schadenfreude is elicited through social comparisons.
Genetic and other sources of variation in the activity of serum paraoxonase/diazoxonase in humans: consequences for risk from exposure to diazinon

Diazinon is the only organophosphorus insecticide that is currently approved for use in sheep dip in the UK. Reports that some individuals may be genetically more susceptible to possible chronic adverse health effects, due to variations in PON1 activity, are complicated by the reliability of activity measurements. In the present study, the influence of three polymorphisms of PON1 on serum diazoxonase activity was investigated in 85 healthy volunteers. Serum activity was assessed in as close to physiological conditions as possible (at pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl and 37°C with 50 μM diazoxon as substrate) and by quantifying pyrimidinol formation using high-performance liquid chromatography. PON1 genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. For PON1 Q192R, individuals with the RR genotype had the highest serum diazoxonase activity, in contrast to some previous reports where activity was determined under less physiological conditions. Activity was slightly reduced in individuals with the QR genotype and activity was reduced even further in those with the QQ genotype. For PON1 L55 M, there was a significant decrease in mean enzyme activity from LL>LM>MM genotypes. The promoter polymorphism PON1 –108 C/T had only a slight effect on activity. Overall, intragenotype variation in PON1 activity was appreciably greater than the mean intergenotype differences. In conclusion, although there is a wide variation in activity in individuals both within and between genotypes, those individuals with a combination of Q and M alleles generally have a lower ability to detoxify diazoxon, which implies a potentially greater susceptibility to toxicity from diazinon.
Histopathologic features of conjunctival filtering blebs.

OBJECTIVES To characterize and compare the histological features of conjunctiva obtained during the repair of trabeculectomy and inadvertent blebs and to assess the effects of antifibrotic agents. METHODS We used routine paraffin processing and light microscopy to examine conjunctival specimens from 28 eyes undergoing late bleb revision: 19 leaking trabeculectomy blebs, 5 nonleaking trabeculectomy blebs, and 4 inadvertent blebs. Quantitative analysis of histological characteristics included conjunctival epithelial thickness, stromal vascularity, squamous metaplasia, stromal inflammatory cell infiltrate, and goblet cell density. The type of surgery, presence of leaks, prior topical medication, and antifibrotic use were correlated with histological findings. RESULTS Trabeculectomy blebs (leaking and nonleaking) showed decreases in overall epithelial thickness (P<.02), goblet cell density (P<.001), and vascularity (P<.001) compared with inadvertent bleb controls. Conjunctiva exposed to antifibrotics had fewer layers of epithelial cells than those with no prior exposure (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS Histological analysis of thin blebs excised following trabeculectomy demonstrated decreases in epithelial thickness and goblet cell density compared with inadvertent blebs. Both leaking and nonleaking trabeculectomy blebs exhibited decreases in localized stromal vascularity and increases in surrounding stromal vascularity compared with normal conjunctiva.
Br‐DIF‐1 accelerates dimethyl sulphoxide‐induced differentiation of P19CL6 embryonic carcinoma cells into cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stem cell transplantation therapy is a promising option for treatment of severe ischaemic heart disease. Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) differentiates P19CL6 embryonic carcinoma cells into cardiomyocyte‐like cells, but with low differentiation capacity. To improve the degree of this differentiation, we have assessed several derivatives of the differentiation‐inducing factor‐1 (DIF‐1), originally found in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum, on P19CL6 cells.
Spontaneous and iatrogenic spreading of liver‐derived cells into peripheral blood of patients with primary liver cancer

The prognosis for patients with primary liver cancer (PLC) often depends on tumor recurrence and the development of extrahepatic metastases, particularly after liver transplantation. We have developed a sensitive test to detect both spontaneous circulation of tumor cells and the spread of liver cells due to chemoembolization and alcoholization. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to search for cells expressing α‐fetoprotein (AFP) messenger RNA in the peripheral blood of 84 patients with PLC and 102 controls (55 patients with chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis, 10 patients with benign liver tumors or liver metastases from intestinal cancers, and 37 healthy individuals). By spiking the blood of healthy volunteers with HepG2 cells, we assessed the sensitivity limit: one HepG2 cell mixed with 107 leukocytes. All 102 controls tested negative. In contrast, 28 patients (33.3%) with PLC tested positive. Positivity for the test was significantly associated with portal thrombosis, tumor size, intravascular tumor emboli, serum AFP level, and extrahepatic metastases. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 39 ± 51 weeks: the probability of developing extrahepatic metastases was significantly higher in positive than in negative patients. Eighteen negative patients with PLC were tested before, 1 hour after, and 24 hours after locoregional therapy: 9 tested positive either 1 or 24 hours after alcoholization or chemoembolization. In conclusion, we have developed a highly specific and sensitive test to detect circulating tumor cells in patients with PLC. This test is likely to be clinically useful in evaluating the risk of developing extrahepatic metastases and the possibility of iatrogenic spreading of liver‐derived, possibly tumorous, cells.
Glycosaminoglycans in Cervical Connective Tissue During Pregnancy and Parturition

Objective: To investigate the content and distribution patterns of glycosaminoglycans in the human cervix during pregnancy and parturition. Methods: We obtained a total of 87 specimens from nonpregnant and pregnant women. Biopsies (weight 50-200 mg) were taken from the posterior lip of the cervix. Hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfates, and heparan sulfate were separated on a Dowex 1 x 2 column and identified. Results: The total amount of glycosaminoglycans increased during pregnancy from 2800 to 5000 nmol/g dry weight. The highest values were observed at the onset of labor (7100 nmol/g dry weight), followed by a sharp decrease during parturition. The clinical features of cervical ripening and dilatation were also associated with remarkable changes in glycosaminoglycan patterns. Conclusion: Besides collagenolysis during pregnancy, the glycosaminoglycans are also important regulators of cervical function. The different clinical features of the human cervix are characterized not only by variation in the total glycosaminoglycan content but also by changes in the proportions of the different glycosaminoglycans. (Obstet Gynecol 1993)81:88-92)
Evaluation of 64-section CT angiography for detection and treatment planning of intracranial aneurysms by using DSA and surgical findings.

PURPOSE To investigate the diagnostic performance of 64-section computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the detection of intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board; written informed consent was obtained. One hundred eight consecutive patients suspected of having intracranial aneurysms were recruited. All patients underwent both 64-detector CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the detection of intracranial aneurysms. CT angiograms were reviewed by two independent blinded readers. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for aneurysm detection with CT angiography were calculated by using DSA and surgical findings as the reference standard. RESULTS One hundred seven aneurysms were seen in 96 patients. Of those, DSA helped detect 106. On a per-aneurysm basis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for CT angiography were 99%, 100%, and 100% and 92.3%, respectively. For aneurysms smaller than 3 mm, sensitivity was 93.7% for reader 1 and 96.8% for reader 2. However, the sensitivity and specificity were both 100% for aneurysms larger than 3 mm. Therapeutic decisions could be made on the basis of information provided by CT angiography. CONCLUSION Sixty-four-detector CT angiography is an accurate imaging method for the detection of aneurysms. It may be used as the initial imaging technique in the diagnostic work-up of patients suspected of having intracranial aneurysms.
Urinary tract infections in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to investigate the risk of urinary tract infections in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis. STUDY DESIGN In a cross-sectional study, 503 pregnant women were examined for bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections from July 1999 through April 2000. RESULTS Nineteen (13.6%) of 140 women who had bacterial vaginosis had urinary tract infections compared with 24 (6.6%) of 363 women without it. Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for urinary tract infections (odds ratio 2.21, 95% CI 1.16-4.18). CONCLUSION Pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis are more likely to have urinary tract infections.
The Influence of Peritoneal Surface Area on Dialysis Adequacy

In children, the prescription of peritoneal dialysis is based mainly on the choice of the peritoneal dialysis fluid, the intraperitoneal fill volume (mL/m2 body surface area (BSA)], and the contact time. The working mode of the peritoneal membrane as a dialysis membrane is more related to a dynamic complex structure than to a static hemodialyzer. Thus, the peritoneal surface area impacts on dialysis adequacy. In fact, the peritoneal surface area may be viewed as composed of three exchange entities: the anatomic area, the contact area, and the vascular area. First, in infants, the anatomic area appears to be twofold larger than in adults when expressed per kilogram body weight. On the other hand, the anatomic area becomes independent of age when expressed per square meter BSA. Therefore, scaling of the intraperitoneal fill volume by BSA (m2) is necessary to prevent a too low ratio of fill volume to exchange area, which would result in a functional “hyperpermeable” peritoneal exchange. Second, the contact area, also called the wetted membrane, is only a portion of the anatomic area, representing 30% to 60% of this area in humans, as measured by computed tomography. Both posture and fill volume may affect the extent of recruitment of contact area. Finally, the vascular area is influenced by the availability of both the anatomic area and the recruited contact area. This surface is governed essentially by both peritoneal vascular perfusion, represented by the mesenteric vascular flow and, hence, by the number of perfused capillaries available for exchange. This vascular area is dynamically affected by different factors, such as composition of the peritoneal fluid, the fill volume, and the production of inflammatory agents. Peritoneal dialysis fluids that will be developed in the future for children should allow an optimization of the fill volume owing to a better tolerance in terms of lower achieved intraperitoneal pressure for a given fill volume. Moreover, future peritoneal dialysis fluids should protect the peritoneal membrane from hyperperfusion (lower glucose degradation products).
The Second Wave of COVID-19 in South and Southeast Asia and the Effects of Vaccination

Background: By February 2021, the overall impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South and Southeast Asia was relatively mild. Surprisingly, in early April 2021, the second wave significantly impacted the population and garnered widespread international attention. Methods: This study focused on the nine countries with the highest cumulative deaths from the disease as of August 17, 2021. We look at COVID-19 transmission dynamics in South and Southeast Asia using the reported death data, which fits a mathematical model with a time-varying transmission rate. Results: We estimated the transmission rate, infection fatality rate (IFR), infection attack rate (IAR), and the effects of vaccination in the nine countries in South and Southeast Asia. Our study suggested that the IAR is still low in most countries, and increased vaccination is required to prevent future waves. Conclusion: Implementing non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) could have helped South and Southeast Asia keep COVID-19 under control in 2020, as demonstrated in our estimated low-transmission rate. We believe that the emergence of the new Delta variant, social unrest, and migrant workers could have triggered the second wave of COVID-19.