Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Combination of Nebivolol plus Pravastatin is Associated with a More Beneficial Metabolic Profile Compared to that of Atenolol plus Pravastatin in Hypertensive Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Pilot Study

Nebivolol, a selective β1-lipophilic blocker, achieves blood pressure control by modulating nitric oxide release in addition to b-blockade. This dual mechanism of action could result in minimum interference with lipid metabolism compared to atenolol, a classic (β1-selective blocker. Hypertensive patients commonly exhibit lipid abnormalities and frequently require statins in combination with the anti-hypertensive therapy. We conducted this trial in order to clarify the effect on the metabolic profile of β-blocker therapy with atenolol or nebivolol alone, or in conjunction with pravastatin. Thirty hypertensive hyperlipidemic men and women (total cholesterol >240 mg/dL [6.2 mmol/L], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >190 mg/dL [4.9 mmol/L], triglycerides <500 mg/dL [5.6 mmol/L]) were separated in two groups. One group consisted of 15 subjects on atenolol therapy (50 mg daily), and the other group included 15 subjects on nebivolol therapy (5 mg daily). After 12 weeks of (-blocker therapy, pravastatin (40 mg daily) was added in both groups for another 12 weeks. Atenolol significantly increased triglyceride levels by 19% (P = .05), while nebivolol showed a trend to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8% (NS) and to decrease triglyceride levels by 5% (NS). Atenolol significantly increased lipoprotein(a) by 30% (P = .028). Fibrinogen levels were equally and not significantly decreased in both groups by 9% and 7%, respectively. Furthermore, atenolol and nebivolol decreased serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels by 14% (P = .05) and 15% (P = .05), respectively. On the other hand, both atenolol and nebivolol showed a trend to increase homocysteine levels (NS) by 13% and 11%, respectively. Although uric acid levels remained the same, atenolol significantly increased the fractional excretion of uric acid by 33% (P = .03). Following nebivolol administration, glucose levels remained the same, while insulin levels were reduced by 10% and the HOMA index (fasting glucose levels multiplied by fasting insulin levels and divided by 22.5) was reduced by 20% (P = .05). There were no significant differences between the two patient groups in the measured parameters after the administration of (-blockers, except for triglycerides (P < .05) and the HOMA index (P = .05). The addition of pravastatin to all patients (n = 30) decreased total cholesterol by 21% (P < .001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 28% (P < .001), apolipoprotein-B by 22% (P < .001), apolipoprotein-E by 15% (P = .014) and lipoprotein(a) levels by 12% (P = .023). Moreover, homocysteine levels and C-reactive protein were reduced by 17% (P = .05) and 43% (P = .05), respectively. We conclude that nebivolol seems to be a more appropriate therapy in hypertensive patients with hyperlipidemia and carbohydrate intolerance. Finally, the addition of pravastatin could further correct the well-established predictors of cardiovascular events.
[The relationship between test anxiety and personality, self-esteem in grade one senior high students].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between test anxiety and personality, self-esteem in grade one senior high school students. METHODS Totally 538 senior high school students of grade one were investigated by Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Self-Esteem Scale (SES) in a Senior High School in Shandong Province. RESULTS The prevalence of test anxiety among all the surveyed students was rated 65.2%. The Psychoticism (P) (51.60 +/- 9.66) or Neuroticism (N) (51.57 +/- 10.75) factor score of EPQ in students with test anxiety was significantly higher than that in students without test anxiety (48.07 +/- 8.62, 45.65 +/- 10.14) (P < 0.001), while the Extroversion or Introversion (E) score (50.76 +/- 11.09) was on the contrary (53.68 +/- 11.60) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly positively related to the P (r = 0.14) and N (r = 0.36) factor score and significantly negatively related to the E factor score of EPQ (r = -0.15) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of test anxiety in introversive students (72.3%) was higher than that in extroversive students (53.2%) (P < 0.05), and that in students with unstable emotion (81.4%) and in students with apparent psychoticism (84.1%) were also higher than that in those with stable emotion (41.0%) and in those without psychoticism (57.7%) (P < 0.01). The total score of SES in students with test anxiety (29.12 +/- 4.41) was significantly lower than that in students without test anxiety (30.29 +/- 4.25) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly negatively related to the total score of SES (r = -0.23) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Test anxiety should be related to the personality and self-esteem, and the prevalence of test anxiety in introversive, unstable emotional, apparent psychoticism or low self-esteem students should be higher.
Magnetic resonance in monitoring the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used as a measure of pathological disease activity in monitoring the efficacy of potential new treatments for multiple sclerosis. A major advantage of MRI over clinical monitoring is that it detects a large amount of subclinical disease activity. The two main approaches to MRI are detecting active lesions and measuring total lesion load. In relapsing–remitting and secondary–progressive multiple sclerosis, gadolinium enhancement increases the number of detectable active lesions and also probably correlates with pathological activity. Total brain‐lesion load can be measured from computerized images, either by manual outlining of lesions or by more fully automated lesion‐segmentation strategies. An important limitation of MRI monitoring is that conventional brain MRI abnormalities often show little or no relationship with clinical disability. One explanation for this may be pathological heterogeneity of lesions that all look the same on a conventional image. Other MR techniques are needed that specifically identify the pathological features most likely to result in disability, namely demyelination and axonal loss. Magnetization transfer imaging and proton MR spectroscopy are two techniques that show promise in this regard.
Uncompleted emergency department care: patients who leave against medical advice.

OBJECTIVES To compare the patient characteristics, clinical conditions, and short-term recidivism rates of emergency department (ED) patients who leave against medical advice (AMA) with those who leave without being seen (LWBS) or complete their ED care. METHODS All eligible patients who visited the ED between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005 (N = 31,252) were classified into one of four groups: 1) AMA (n = 857), 2) LWBS (n = 2,767), 3) admitted (n = 8,894), or 4) discharged (n = 18,734). The patient characteristics, primary diagnosis, and 30-day rates of emergent hospitalizations, nonemergent hospitalizations, and ED discharge visits were compared between patients who left AMA and each of the other study groups. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine the influence of study group status on the risk of emergent hospitalization, adjusted for patient characteristics. RESULTS Patients who left AMA were significantly more likely to be uninsured or covered by Medicaid compared with those admitted or discharged (p < 0.001). The AMA visit rates were highest for nausea and vomiting (9.7%), abdominal pain (7.9%), and nonspecific chest pain (7.6%). During the 30-day follow-up period, patients who left AMA had significantly higher emergent hospitalization and ED discharge visit rates compared with each of the other study groups (p < 0.001). Insurance status, male gender, and higher acuity level were also associated with a significantly higher emergent hospitalization rate. CONCLUSIONS Patients who leave AMA may do so prematurely, as evidenced by higher emergent hospitalization rates compared with those who LWBS or complete their care.
A case of Robinow-Sorauf syndrome (Craniosynostosis-Bifid Hallux Syndrome): The allelic variant of the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome

The clinical classification of Robinow-Sorauf syndrome has changed over the last few decades. Robinow-Sorauf syndrome is characterized by facies similar to those of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome with bifid or partially duplicated halluces. The current outlook is that the ′Robinow-Sorauf′ families are examples of variable expression of the TWIST mutant phenotype and that the ′Robinow-Sorauf′ syndrome lies within the spectrum of the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. We present a case of 19-year-old female patient exhibiting classical clinical and radiological features of Robinow-Sorauf phenotype of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. A brief review of previously reported cases and nosology has been presented.
Global Leaf Trait Relationships: Mass, Area, and the Leaf Economics Spectrum

Getting It Wright? In 2004, a paper by Wright et al. comparing six leaf traits of over 2000 plant species showed that between-species variation among the traits was confined primarily to a single multidimensional axis, but only if traits were normalized by leaf mass. This “leaf economic spectrum” has been influential in guiding understanding of the roles of plants in global carbon cycling. Osnas et al. (p. 741, published online 28 March) now show that the principal finding of Wright et al. is primarily a mathematical consequence of the way that the data were normalized. Analysis of the same data suggests that traits are primarily proportional to leaf area, not leaf mass. Using a method to analyze relationships among traits without normalization-induced correlations revealed a multidimensional correlation between leaf traits. These relationships imply weaker effects of leaf nitrogen on rates of photosynthesis and respiration, with important implications for current models of global change. Leaf traits are distributed in proportion to area; relationships between leaf traits are independent of leaf mass and area. The leaf economics spectrum (LES) describes multivariate correlations that constrain leaf traits of plant species primarily to a single axis of variation if data are normalized by leaf mass. We show that these traits are approximately distributed proportional to leaf area instead of mass, as expected for a light- and carbon dioxide–collecting organ. Much of the structure in the mass-normalized LES results from normalizing area-proportional traits by mass. Mass normalization induces strong correlations among area-proportional traits because of large variation among species in leaf mass per area (LMA). The high LMA variance likely reflects its functional relationship with leaf life span. A LES that is independent of mass- or area-normalization and LMA reveals physiological relationships that are inconsistent with those in global vegetation models designed to address climate change.
ASSOCIATIONS OF ALEXITHYMIA WITH ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR ACTIVATION ASYMMETRIES DURING EVOKED EMOTIONS: EEG EVIDENCE OF RIGHT HEMISPHERE "ELECTROCORTICAL EFFORT"

The objective of the study was to examine alexithymia influence on regional cortical activity in nonpatient individuals during evoked emotions. The 62-channels EEG was recorded in non-alexithymic (n = 27) and alexithymic (n = 17) participants viewing emotional film clips. Effects of alexithymia were found in the upper theta, low and upper alpha frequency bands; in all the bands the alexithymics exhibited greater reactivity of the right hemisphere, suggesting enhanced avoidance motivational tendencies, negative affect, and autonomic arousal. Such a right hemispheric "electrocortical effort" in alexithymia could reflect difficulties- in symbolization of emotion resulting from impaired right hemispheric analogical and global nonverbal emotional representation.
Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Abuse: Consequences of Comorbidity

The objective of this paper was to examine the prognostic significance of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and substance abuse in a cohort of former inpatients screened for BPD and followed up prospectively seven years after the index admission. The impact of comorbidity on borderline psychopathology, impulsivity and psychosocial functioning was examined. The original cohort was assembled between April 1983 and December 1985. Admissions were screened for borderline characteristics which resulted in a sample of 130 subjects, 88 of whom were positive for BPD based on the Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines. At seven years follow-up, 81 out of 130 (62.3%) subjects were re-interviewed. Six (4.6%) had committed suicide, two (1.5%) were deceased and 41 (31.6%) were lost to follow-up. The subjects with BPD and substance abuse were significantly differentiated from subjects with BPD only, substance abuse only and neither disorder on the basis of demonstrating more borderline psychopathology and more self-destructive and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Probands with initial diagnoses of BPD and substance abuse were twice as likely to be diagnosed BPD on follow-up as probands with initial diagnosis of BPD only (relative risk = 2.19, 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.97). These findings and other research suggest that patients with comorbid BPD and substance abuse should be encouraged to focus on their abuse problems as a priority.
Effect of basic (FGF‐2) and acidic (FGF‐1) fibroblast growth factors on early haemopoietic cell development

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐1) are mitogens for a variety of cell types. Many reports suggest that haemopoietic cells are among these. Nevertheless, when we examined the effect of recombinant human FGF‐1 or 2 on normal human marrow cell proliferation in vitro, only minimal stimulatory activity could be detected. In this regard, the addition of either growth factor to cultures of ancillary cell depleted marrow mononuclear cells (MNC), or to highly enriched CD34+ MNC, failed to enhance haemopoietic colony number and induced only a slight increase in colony size. Perturbation of FGF receptor (FGF‐R) expression on CD34+ MNC with antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) was also without apparent effect on cell growth. Neither could we demonstrate any effect of FGF‐1 or 2 on survival of early progenitor cells in serum‐free culture. To explain these findings, we examined progenitor cells for expression of the FGF‐R at the mRNA and protein level using RT‐PCR and flow cytometry. Primitive CD34+/KIT+ MNC had no detectable FGF‐R (FGF‐R1, 2, 3 or 4) mRNA or protein expression. In fact, direct immunofluorescence labelling of MNC for CD34 antigen and FGF‐R1 demonstrated that expression of these markers was mutually exclusive in the populations examined. FGF‐R1 expression was detected on subpopulations of MNC and on cells derived from day‐6 CFU‐GM and BFU‐E colonies. Accordingly, FGF‐R1 is either absent, or present at very low levels, on primitive haemopoietic cells. This fact, combined with our in vitro culture data, suggest that receptors are unlikely to play a significant role in the development of these early cells. Nevertheless, the development of mature cells may be influenced by the FGFs since the FGF‐Rs are expressed on more mature cells.
Gaussian Process Gauss–Newton for non-parametric simultaneous localization and mapping

In this paper, we present Gaussian Process Gauss–Newton (GPGN), an algorithm for non-parametric, continuous-time, nonlinear, batch state estimation. This work adapts the methods of Gaussian process (GP) regression to address the problem of batch simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) by using the Gauss–Newton optimization method. In particular, we formulate the estimation problem with a continuous-time state model, along with the more conventional discrete-time measurements. Two derivations are presented in this paper, reflecting both the weight-space and function-space approaches from the GP regression literature. Validation is conducted through simulations and a hardware experiment, which utilizes the well-understood problem of two-dimensional SLAM as an illustrative example. The performance is compared with the traditional discrete-time batch Gauss–Newton approach, and we also show that GPGN can be employed to estimate motion with only range/bearing measurements of landmarks (i.e. no odometry), even when there are not enough measurements to constrain the pose at a given timestep.
Effect of Skin Sensitizers on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Nitric Oxide Production in Skin Dendritic Cells: Role of Different Immunosuppressive Drugs

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, namely in allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, the mechanism by which NO acts in ACD remains elusive. The present study focuses on the effects of different contact sensitizers (2,4-dinitrofluorbenzene, 1,4-phenylenediamine, nickel sulfate), the inactive analogue of DNFB, 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene, and two irritants (sodium dodecyl sulphate and benzalkonium chloride) on the expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO production in skin dendritic cells. It was also studied the role of different immunosuppressive drugs on iNOS expression and NO production. Only nickel sulfate increased the expression of iNOS and NO production being these effects inhibited by dexamathasone. In contrast, cyclosporin A and sirolimus, two other immunosuppressive drugs tested, did not affect iNOS expression triggered by nickel.
New constituents of sweet Capsicum annuum L. fruits and evaluation of their biological activity.

Four new acyclic diterpene glycosides named capsianosides (1-4), together with 12 known compounds, were isolated from the fresh sweet pepper fruits of Capsicum annuum L. , a plant used as a vegetable food, spice, and external medicine. The chemical structures of new natural compounds, as well as their absolute configurations, were established by means of spectroscopic data including infrared, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and by chemical derivatization. The known capsidiol (11) showed bacteriostatic properties in vitro against Helicobacter pylori with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200 microg/mL when compared with the commercial drug metronidazole (MIC, 250 microg/mL). Some purified components were also tested for their antioxidant activities.
Soy Consumption and Colorectal Cancer

We explored the postulated association between soy foods and colorectal cancer incidence by analyzing 13 epidemiological studies: 3 ecological, 1 cohort, and 9 case control. Seven case-control studies evaluated the association between soy intake and colon or colorectal cancer (2,008 cases). Point estimates generally suggest an inverse association between higher soy consumption and colon cancer onset, although nearly all of the confidence intervals overlap 1.0. Two of the nine case-control studies focused on adenomas as the outcome (675 total cases), and results for these studies also showed inverse associations. Of the six case-control studies that evaluated the association between soy consumption and rectal cancer (732 cases), the point estimates generally suggest an inverse association with unfermented soy consumption and rectal cancer onset but not fermented soy products. These studies have many limitations, particularly with regard to dietary measurement issues, such as incomplete assessment of soy intake, inadequate quantification, and inappropriate time period for cancer prevention as well as inadequate adjustment for confounders. Most of these issues would contribute to underestimations of any association. In spite of the methodological issues, the available evidence is compelling enough to warrant further study utilizing stronger methodology.
The role of mucus viscoelasticity in cough clearance.

The relationships between mucus rheology, depth of mucus layer and clearance by simulated cough were examined in a study employing a model plexiglass trachea lined with gels formed from locust bean gum crosslinked with sodium tetraborate. The viscoelastic properties of the mucus simulants were determined by magnetic rheometry at 100 rad/s and expressed as mechanical impedance (dynamic stress/strain ratio) and loss tangent. Cough was simulated by opening a solenoid valve connecting the model trachea to a pressurized tank, using an upstream flow-constrictive element to shape the flow profile to approximate the pattern seen in a normal adult. Mucus clearance was quantitated by observing the movement of contrasting marker particles placed in the mucus layer. The median particle displacement was defined as the clearance index, Cl. For any initial depth of mucus, Cl increased with driving pressure in the tank, and for a given driving pressure, Cl increased linearly with increasing mucus depth. For a given driving pressure and depth, Cl decreased with increasing mechanical impedance of the mucus. At constant mechanical impedance, Cl increased with increasing loss tangent, in other words, cough clearance was impeded more by elasticity than viscosity. Mucus clearance was associated with transient wave formation in the lining layer. Thus dependence on viscoelasticity is consistent with observations that airflow-mucus interaction and wave formation are impeded by elasticity. The clearance vs. loss tangent relationship for cough is opposite to that found for ciliary clearance (Biorheology 1980, 17, 249), suggesting a natural balance in viscosity and elasticity for mucus to be cleared by both mechanisms. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
THE REFRACTION OF ICELANDERS

A study of 21 393 Icelanders over a 50‐year‐period showed the incidence of myopia to be 3.60% in 1935 and 20.47% in 1975. The paper discribes the details of this study showing the relative frequencies of different types of refraction in different age groups and with regard to sex.
Glucose transporters expression in the placental terminal villi of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation complicated pregnancies

Introduction: Transmembrane sodium-independent glucose transporters (GLUTs) play an important role in both placental and fetal development by the providing transplacental glucose transport. Abnormal GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 placental expression could play a role in such late pregnancy complications development as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed to reveal patterns of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 expression in the placental terminal villi compartments. Results: GLUT-1 syncytial expression in the terminal villi of severe PE cases (both with and without IUGR) was significantly lower in compare to control group. We also report about GLUT-3 both syncytial and endothelial expression in the near term and term placental terminal villi without significant difference between the study and control groups. Conclusion: other study should be performed to establish the nature of GLUT-1 downregulation in severe preeclampsia cases and whether GLUT-3 is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast of near term and term placentas or not.
A novel approach to mode of action of cationic biocides: morphological effect on antibacterial activity.

A new concept for the mode of action of cationic biocides is proposed in which the antibacterial activity of cationic disinfectants is ascribed essentially to molecular organizations of cations within aggregates, i.e. the activity is determined by the size of aggregates and number of active molecules comprising the aggregate. On the basis of the new concept, the morphological effect of disinfectants in aqueous solution on the antibacterial activity is discussed for low molecular weight phosphonium salts with single and double long alkyl chains (carbon number 14). The proposed new concept can be applied to all phenomena reported previously in antibacterial activity of cationic biocides and this concept is very important from the viewpoint of molecular design of more active cationic biocides.