Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gastric myoelectrical activity in diabetics with and without diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The effects of diabetes mellitus on gastric myoelectrical activity has not been fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of gastric myoelectrical activity in noninsulin dependent diabetics, detected by electrogastrography in an attempt to clarify the relation between diabetic autonomic neuropathy and gastric myoelectrical abnormalities, if any. METHODOLOGY The study was carried out on 34 noninsulin dependent diabetes (7 males, 27 females). Their age ranged from 35-60 years with mean age of 51.5 +/- 3.5 years. The EGG was recorded for 30 min in both the fasting and postprandial states, using an ambulatory EGG recording device (Digitrapper EGG, Synectics Medical). The adaptive spectral analysis method was used to assess the normality of the EGG. The EGG was defined as abnormal if: the percentage of normal slow waves (2.5-3.7 cycles/min) was below 70% during either the baseline or postprandial recording or there was a decrease in EGG peak power after the meal, or both. RESULTS EGG abnormalities were detected in 13 patients (38.2%); 1 had tachygastria, 1 had bradygastria, 7 had dysrhythmias, and 4 had decreased EGG peak power after the meal. All diabetic patients with abnormal EGG suffer autonomic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that gastric myoelectrical abnormalities occur in a high proportion of noninsulin dependent diabetics and these abnormalities predominate in those patients with autonomic neuropathy.
Detecting cardiometabolic syndrome using World Health Organization public health action points for Asians and Pacific Islanders.

OBJECTIVE To assess the screening characteristics of World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index action points for cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) in Native Hawaiians and people of Asian ancestry (ie, Filipino and Japanese). DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional data were collected from 1,452 residents of a rural community of Hawai'i between 1997 and 2000, of which 1,198 were analyzed in this study. Ethnic ancestry was determined by self-report. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Metabolic status was assessed using National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. Screening characteristics of WHO criteria for overweight and obesity were compared to WHO public health action points or to WHO West Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) cut-points. RESULTS Among Asian-ancestry participants, WHO public health action points improved both sensitivity and specificity for detecting CMS. However, similar improvements were not observed for WPRO criteria for Native Hawaiians. Moreover, predictive values were high regardless of which criteria were utilized due to high CMS prevalence. CONCLUSIONS WHO public health actions points for Asians provide a significant improvement in sensitivity in detection of CMS. However, predictive value, which varies greatly with disease prevalence, should be considered when deciding which criteria to apply.
Response to fission neutron irradiation of spermatogonial stem cells in different stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium.

Mice were irradiated with 1 Gy of fission neutrons. At intervals up to 15 days after irradiation undifferentiated spermatogonia were counted in whole mounts of seminiferous tubules in up to eight stages of the epithelial cycle. From Day 6 onward lower numbers of spermatogonia were found in the areas which were in stages IV-VII during irradiation than in those which were in stages IX-II. Minimal numbers in the former area were two to six times lower than those in the latter one. Areas which were in stages III or VIII gave intermediate values. It is concluded that the epithelial cycle can be divided into two parts with a different response to irradiation, that begin or end in stages III and VIII. Part III-VIII and part VIII-III comprise 45 and 55% of the epithelial cycle, respectively. In part VIII-III control levels were found again at Day 15, while in part III-VIII spermatogonial numbers were still very low. In controls it was found that part VIII-III corresponds to a period of high proliferative activity of the stem cells, while in part III-VIII the proliferative activity is very low. This may affect their radiosensitivity and/or their proliferative behavior after irradiation, resulting in different spermatogonial numbers in the two parts of the epithelial cycle. Unlike in normal epithelium, after irradiation giant cells, odd-numbered clones (not containing 2" cells), and clones of Apr and Aal , in which the composing cells clump together, were observed.
Muscarinic Agonist-Mediated Heterologous Desensitization in Isolated Ileum Requires Activation of Both Muscarinic M2 and M3 Receptors

We investigated the subtypes of the muscarinic receptor mediating short-term heterologous desensitization in the isolated ileum. Treatment of the ileum from C57BL/6 mice with acetylcholine (30 μM) for 20 min caused a subsequent decrease in contractile sensitivity to both prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and the muscarinic agonist, oxotremorine-M. This subsensitivity was characterized by 7- and 3-fold increases in the EC50 values of the agonists, respectively, with no significant effect on the maximal response. The subsensitivity to PGF2α was prevented in both M2 and M3 muscarinic receptor knockout mice. Similarly, the subsensitivity to oxotremorine-M was prevented in M2 knockout mice. Acetylcholine-mediated desensitization of histamine-induced contractions in the guinea pig ileum was inhibited by both M2- and M3-selective muscarinic antagonists with high potency, although careful analysis of the data suggested behavior more consistent with an M2 antagonistic profile. Modeling studies showed that the competitive antagonism of response contingent upon activation of two receptor subtypes should exhibit a pharmacological profile similar to that of the least sensitive signaling pathway. Our results demonstrate that muscarinic agonist-mediated short-term heterologous desensitization of intestinal smooth muscle is contingent upon activation of both M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors and that activation of either receptor by itself is insufficient to cause desensitization.
Comparative study of the quality of life of children with atopic dermatitis from Ukraine and the Czech Republic

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In Vivo Role of Nectin-1 in Entry of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 through the Vaginal Mucosa

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted through the genital mucosa during sexual encounters. In recent years, HSV-1 has also become commonly associated with primary genital herpes. The mechanism of viral entry of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the female genital tract is unknown. In order to understand the molecular interactions required for HSV entry into the vaginal epithelium, we examined the expression of herpesvirus entry mediator nectin-1 in the vagina of human and mouse at different stages of their hormonal cycle. Nectin-1 was highly expressed in the epithelium of human vagina throughout the menstrual cycle, whereas the mouse vaginal epithelium expressed nectin-1 only during the stages of the estrous cycle in which mice are susceptible to vaginal HSV infection. Furthermore, the ability of nectin-1 to mediate viral entry following intravaginal inoculation was examined in a mouse model of genital herpes. Vaginal infection with either HSV-1 or HSV-2 was blocked by preincubation of the virus with soluble recombinant nectin-1. Viral entry through the vaginal mucosa was also inhibited by preincubation of HSV-2 with antibody against gD. Together, these results suggest the importance of nectin-1 in mediating viral entry for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the genital mucosa in female hosts.
Numerical investigation of the hydrodynamics of carangiform swimming in the transitional and inertial flow regimes

SUMMARY We employ numerical simulation to investigate the hydrodynamics of carangiform locomotion as the relative magnitude of viscous and inertial forces, i.e. the Reynolds number (Re), and the tail-beat frequency, i.e. the Strouhal number (St), are systematically varied. The model fish is a three-dimensional (3D) mackerel-like flexible body undulating with prescribed experimental kinematics of carangiform type. Simulations are carried out for three Re spanning the transitional and inertial flow regimes, Re=300 and 4000 (viscous flow), and ∞ (inviscid flow). For each Re there is a critical Strouhal number, St*, at which the net mean force becomes zero, making constant-speed self-propulsion possible. St* is a decreasing function of Re and approaches the range of St at which most carangiform swimmers swim in nature (St∼0.25) only as Re approaches infinity. The propulsive efficiency at St* is an increasing function of Re while the power required for swimming is decreasing with Re. For all Re, however, the swimming power is shown to be significantly greater than that required to tow the rigid body at the same speed. We also show that the variation of the total drag and its viscous and form components with St depend on the Re. For Re=300, body undulations increase the drag over the rigid body level, while significant drag reduction is observed for Re=4000. This difference is shown to be due to the fact that at sufficiently high Re the drag force variation with St is dominated by its form component variation, which is reduced by undulatory swimming for St>0.2. Finally, our simulations clarify the 3D structure of various wake patterns observed in experiments – single and double row vortices – and suggest that the wake structure depends primarily on the St. Our numerical findings help elucidate the results of previous experiments with live fish, underscore the importance of scale (Re) effects on the hydrodynamic performance of carangiform swimming, and help explain why in nature this mode of swimming is typically preferred by fast swimmers.
Missed Opportunities for Transcranial Doppler Screening Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening rates remain low among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). We assessed TCD screening rates and missed opportunities for TCD screening. Children 2 to 16 years old with SCD enrolled in Michigan Medicaid for ≥1 year (2007-2011) were identified through newborn screening. Receipt of TCD screening and presence of a missed opportunity (≥1 SCD-related outpatient visit, no TCD screening) were identified through administrative claims. Potential correlates of missed opportunities included SCD-related health services, comorbidities, and demographics. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations modeled associations between a missed opportunity and correlates. Overall, 353 children contributed 1066 person-years. TCD screening was low yearly (10%-32%); missed opportunities occurred in 73% of the person-years. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; confidence interval CI = 1.07, 1.15), previous TCD screening (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.16, 0.41), and 4 to 5 (OR = 0.48; CI = 0.26, 0.87) or ≥6 outpatient visits (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.14, 0.49) were associated with a missed opportunity. Reduction of missed opportunities is a potential strategy to increase TCD screening rates.
Phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in Xanthomonas campestris via a yeast‐like acylation pathway

Two principal phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis pathways are known in bacteria. S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM)‐dependent phospholipid N‐methyltransferases (Pmt) catalyse the threefold N‐methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to PC. In an alternative pathway, the PC synthase (Pcs) condenses CDP‐diacylglycerol and choline to produce PC. In this study, we investigated phospholipid biosynthesis in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris that was found to contain significant amounts of monomethylated PE (MMPE) and small amounts of PC. We identified a Pmt enzyme that produces MMPE without methylating it further to PC. Surprisingly, PC production was independent of [14C]‐SAM and [14C]‐choline excluding canonical Pmt or Pcs pathways. Feeding experiments with various choline derivatives revealed a novel, yeast‐like PC synthesis route in Xanthomonas, in which two acyl side‐chains are added to a glycerophosphocholine (GPC) backbone. Two out of 12 tested acyltransferases from Xanthomonas were able to catalyse the second acylation step from lyso‐PC to PC. This first description of GPC‐dependent PC production in bacteria illustrates an unexpected diversity of PC biosynthesis pathways.
Academic Achievement Following Childhood Brain Disease

The present study examined three hypotheses regarding the consequences of early brain damage for academic achievement: First, early brain insults will have a negative impact on achievement, even in children with normal intelligence. Second, underachievement in these children will be at least partially independent of IQ (i.e., not fully accounted for by a lowering of IQ within the average range). Third, normally intelligent children with histories of brain insult will also manifest selective cognitive dysfunctions. To test these hypotheses, we compared two groups of children who had recovered from Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis. The “complicated” group consisted of children who, as a consequence of having sustained neurologic complications during their illness, were more likely to have had brain insults. Children in the “uncomplicated” group did not have complications with their illness and were regarded as having escaped significant central nervous system (CNS) pathology. Only children with normal hearing and a prorated Full Scale IQ of at least 80 (WISC-R) were considered. Group differences on the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised were consistent with the first two hypotheses. Although the two groups had similar Verbal IQs, the complicated group also had a lower mean Performance IQ and performed less well on perceptually demanding neuropsychological tasks. Findings suggest that learning disabilities may have selective, brain-related cognitive antecedents; but they challenge the practice of using IQ criteria for clinical diagnosis.
[Metformin in the treatment of type 1 diabetics--a placebo controlled study].

BACKGROUND Metformin is popular for it's complex mechanism of action in treatment of the type 2. diabetes. The effect in type 1. diabetes is studied less frequently. The aim of our open, prospective, placebo controlled study was to assess the effect of metformin in poorly controlled diabetic patients type 1 with high insulin requirements. METHODS AND RESULTS In the group comprised of 19 type 1 diabetic patients the insulin resistance was assessed by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and indirect calorimetry at the beginning of the study (B), 3 months later when metformin in the dose of 2 x 850 mg was added to existing insulin therapy (M) and after 3 months of placebo therapy (P). In the same time-intervals the other parameters were measured. Wilcoxon test was used for statistic analysis. All results are given in arithmetic average +/- SD. Weight (78.6 +/- 17.9; 75.7 +/- 17.8; 76.8 +/- 19.1 kg), Dauly insulin dose (65.4 +/- 15.1; 54.4 +/- 11.2; 54.8 +/- 9.3 IU), HbA1c (8.8 +/- 1.8; 8.2 +/- 1.1; 10.1 +/- 2.8%). Utilisation of glucose (3.5 +/- 1.6; 4.2 +/- 1.7; 4.4 +/- 1.8 mg/kg/min), triglycerides (1.2 +/- 0.5; 1.1 +/- 0.4; 1.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/l), cholesterol (5.1 +/- 0.7; 4.9 +/- 0.7; 5.2 +/- 0.8 mmol/l). CONCLUSIONS The combination of metformin and the intensive insulin therapy in type 1 diabetic patients led, in contrast to placebo, to the significant reduction in weight (p < 0.001), to the reduction in insulin requirements (p < 0.05), to the improved control of glycaemia (p < 0.01) and to the decrease of FFA during clamp (p < 0.01).
Instillation of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide or Distilled Vinegar in Urethral Catheter Drainage Bag to Decrease Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria

Patients with indwelling catheters acquire urinary tract infections at a rate of5% per day. After 30 days of catheterization, there is a 78% to 95% incidence of bacteriuria, despite the use of meticulous catheter care. Research studies on reducing the development of bacteriuria have focused on the propagation of bacteria within the catheter drainage bag. This research proposal sought to determine the effects of instillation of 3% hydrogen peroxide versus distilled vinegar in urethral catheter drainage bags to decrease bacteriuria in 20 long-termcatheterized patients. Baseline urine cultures for control and test mediums showed no significant difference in rates of bacteriuria. However, urine cultures obtained at the 48-hour interval showed significant reduction in bacteriuria in urinary bags irrigated with vinegar. The implications this study has for nursing practice include a need for further research using a larger number of subjects and a need for improvements in the design of the catheter drainage system.
Celiac And Inflammatory Bowel Diseases In Children With Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency

© 2012 Pituch-Noworolska and Zwonarz, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Celiac and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children with Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency
The Sexually Active Teenager

This discussion of the sexually active teenager provides a statistical analysis of sexual behaviors and reviews developmental issues, contraceptive usage, adolescent pregnancy and its associated problems, and sex education. Major changes have occurred over the past 2 decades in sexual mores, contraceptive technology, the acceptance of single parent families, and the availability of induced abortion. In the US adolescent pregnancy and epidemic venereal disease have become major child health problems. It is important that the pediatrician, family practitioner, nurse practitioner, and mental health professional are aware of the magnitude of these problems and their potential areas for intervention. Various epidemiological studies of sexual behavior have documented an increase in the number of sexually active adolescents over the last decade. In a survey of metropolitan adolescents, Zelnik and Kantner found that the reported sexual activity among 15-19 years old adolescent girls increased from 30% in 1971 to 50% in 1979. Among never married white teenagers in this age group, statistics from 1971 indicated that 23% were sexually experienced, and this incidence increased to 42% in 1979. Much less is known about the sexual behavior of younger adolesents in the 11-14 year old range. The increased number of adolescents involved in premarital intercourse, coupled with the earlier age of menarche and delayed marriage, has increased the risk of premarital pregnancies. The number of adolescents between ages 15-19 experiencing a premarital pregnancy has increased significantly from 8.5% in 1971 to 16.2% in 1979, the most notable increase occurring among white teenagers. Among sexually experienced 15-19 years olds, 32.5% have experienced a premarital pregnancy. Sexual behavior among young adolescents is influenced by several variables, including maturation, personal values about premarital sex, inclination, and opportunity. There is an increasing tendency for adolescents to view sexual behavior as a matter of personal choice rather than a morality issue. Adolescents in all stages of development may delay obtaining adequate contraception. Denial of fertility is a common theme in early as well as late adolescence. The consistency and responsibility required for effective contraceptive use is not always compatible with the stage of adolescent development in which they have chosen to become sexually active. Use of effective contraception is often related to increasing sexual activity, increasing closeness of a relationship, a pregnancy scare because of a late or missing period, the positive influence of friends and family members or physicians, and/or the actual discovery of a contraceptive program. For adolescents access to contraceptives has been problematic and prescription contraception is frequently discontinued with continued sexual activity. Feelings of despair, worthlessness, and chronic school failure appear to be common factors among adolescents who choose to carry a pregnancy to term. Sex education courses should facilitate decision making about responsible sexual behavior.
Visual evoked potential abnormalities in migraine patients.

BACKGROUND Visual processing in migraine has been targeted indicating that the visual pathways are involved in the migraine pathophysiology. We aimed to assess the nature of visual evoked potential (VEP) changes in migraine patients and to evaluate the role of VEP in the diagnosis of migraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 31 female and 10 male patients with a migraine headache diagnosis according to the criteria of the International Headache Society. Control subjects had neither migraine and other types of primary headache nor familial history. VEP were elicited using a checkerboard by monocular and binocular pattern reversal stimulation. The latencies of N75, P100 and N145 and peak-to-peak amplitude of N75-P100 were measured. We compared VEP latencies and amplitudes of the monocular and binocular stimulation within each population. RESULTS The N75 and P100 latencies were found to be significantly longer in the study group than the control group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.034, respectively) while the amplitudes in the study group were lower (p = 0.014). N145 latency was found to be longer in patients with longer duration of disease (p < 0.05). P100 latency was found to be significantly longer in patients with aura than the patients without aura (p = 0.029). N75 latency, recorded by left monocular stimulation, was elongated and the amplitude was diminished with left hemicranial headache. CONCLUSION Measurement of VEP latency and amplitude is a valuable and reliable test for the diagnosis of migraine. Our results reflect a persisting dysfunction of precortical visual processing which might be relevant in the pathogenesis of migraine.