Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beclomethasone dipropionate for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Introduction: Corticosteroids are still the mainstay of treatment in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA), but their benefits are offset by the frequent occurrence of adverse events. In recent years, new corticosteroid molecules have been developed combining an oral controlled-release formulation, high affinity for the corticosteroid receptor and a rapid first-pass liver metabolism. Areas covered: Oral beclomethasone (BOH) is an example of these oral locally acting steroids used in inflammatory bowel diseases and this review will focus on its efficacy in UC. Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) is a prodrug that is activated and metabolised locally, available as topical and oral formulation. BDP enema is equally effective as first-generation corticosteroids enemas but has a better safety profile. Topical combination of BDP and 5-ASA is by far the most effective topical therapy in UC. Oral BDP showed similar efficacy compared to systemic corticosteroids in UC, but with less systemic adverse effects. Therefore, BDP is a logic alternative to standard steroids for patients with mild-to-moderate active UC. Expert opinion: The availability of ‘locally active’ steroids like BDP, used orally or topically in combination with 5-ASA, is a great step forward due to its significant efficacy and sparing of systemic side effects.
Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire—Reliability and Factor Structure: A Swedish Version

Two studies were conducted to assess the Swedish version of the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), which was originally created by Baer et al. (2006). The aim of Study 1 was to examine the psychometric properties of the FFMQ using data from 495 individuals. Quantitative and qualitative analyses resulted in a reduction of the scale by 10 items. Psychometric properties, including internal consistency of the revised instrument, were examined. The Swedish FFMQ provides results comparable to those obtained by Baer. Cronbach's alphas were high for all the facets. The Swedish FFMQ appears to be a potentially useful tool in measuring mindfulness among Swedish participants. The aim of Study 2 was to test the suggested hierarchical five-factor solution and construct validity, using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Similar to findings for the English version of the FFMQ, the CFA showed that the Observing facet was not a significant part of an overall self-reported mindfulness structure in a Swedish population with little meditation experience.
Performance characteristics of vibration‐controlled transient elastography for evaluation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Vibration‐controlled transient elastography estimates liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), which are noninvasive assessments of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis, respectively. However, prior vibration‐controlled transient elastography studies reported high failure rates in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We examined the performance characteristics of the FibroScan 502 Touch with two probes, medium (M+) and extra large (XL+), in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a multicenter setting. A total of 1,696 exams were attempted in 992 patients (body mass index, 33.6 ± 6.5 kg/m2) with histologically confirmed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Simultaneous assessment of LSM and CAP was performed using the FibroScan 502 Touch with an automatic probe selection tool. Testing was conducted twice in patients by either a single operator (87%) or two operators (13%). Failure was defined as the inability to obtain a valid examination. An examination was considered unreliable if LSM interquartile range/median was >30%. Significant disagreement between two readings was defined as >95% limits of agreement between two readings. A total of 1,641 examinations yielded valid results with a failure rate of 3.2% (55/1,696). The proportion of unreliable scans for LSM was 3.9%. The proportion of unreliable scans with operator experience in the top quartile (≥59 procedures) was significantly lower than that in the lower three quarters combined (1.6% versus 4.7%, P = 0.02 by Fisher's exact test). The significant disagreement between first and second readings for LSM and CAP when obtained back to back was 18% and 11%, respectively. Conclusion: Vibration‐controlled transient elastography for estimation of LSM and CAP can be successfully deployed in a multicenter setting with low failure (3.2%) and high reliability (>95%) rates and high reproducibility. (Hepatology 2018;67:134‐144).
Effect of Povidone Iodine 5% on the Cornea, Vision, and Subjective Comfort.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of povidone iodine 5% (Betadine 5%) applied to the eye on visual function, corneal integrity, and subjective complaints. METHODS Ten subjects were chosen to participate in this study (average age 40.6 ± 19.6; age range 22-68). LogMAR acuity, contrast sensitivity, corneal fluorescein staining, and subjective complaints were measured before and after 60 μl of Betadine 5% or saline were applied to one eye (eligibility visit, baseline, 5, 30, and 60 minutes and 4 and 24 hours post-application). Contrast sensitivity at 14 cpd was determined with a spatial two-alternative, forced choice procedure (Beethoven software). The National Eye Institute (NEI) grid pattern was used to grade corneal staining with sodium fluorescein. To avoid the detrimental effects of sodium fluorescein administration on functional vision, the corneal staining baseline was measured at the eligibility visit. Subjective complaints were monitored using the Schein dry eye questionnaire. RESULTS The data were analyzed with an ANOVA. Saline administration did not alter logMAR acuity, contrast sensitivity, corneal fluorescein staining, or subjective complaints at any visit. Betadine administration significantly reduced the logMAR acuity, compared to baseline and the saline data, at the 30- and 60-minute visits (all P values <.05). The contrast sensitivity was significantly reduced compared to the baseline and the saline results at 5, 30, and 60 minutes after Betadine application (all P values <.05). The Betadine significantly increased the Schein questionnaire score, compared both to baseline and the saline data, at the 1- and 4-hour visits (all P values <.05). Total corneal staining and the maximum NEI sector staining were significantly different from baseline and from the saline results at every visit (all P values <.05). CONCLUSIONS Betadine 5% application significantly decreases epithelial integrity of the cornea, decreases functional vision, and increases subjective complaints.
The Nature of the Association between Anxiety Sensitivity and Pain-Related Anxiety: Evidence from Correlational and Intervention Studies

High anxiety sensitivity (AS) has been associated with elevated pain-related anxiety in anxiety and pain samples. The present study investigated (a) the associations among the lower order dimensions of AS and pain-related anxiety, using a robust measure of AS, and (b) the pain-related anxiety outcomes of a telephone-delivered cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) designed to reduce high AS. Participants were 80 anxiety treatment-seeking participants with high AS (M age = 36 years; 79% women). After providing baseline data on AS and pain-related anxiety, participants were randomly assigned to an eight-week telephone CBT or a waiting list control. At baseline, bivariate correlations showed AS physical and cognitive, but not social, concerns were significantly associated with pain-related fear and arousal but not escape/avoidance behaviours. Multiple regression revealed that after accounting for emotional distress symptoms, AS physical, but not cognitive or social, concerns uniquely predicted pain-related anxiety. Multilevel modelling showed that the AS-targeted CBT reduced pain-related anxiety and treatment-related changes in global AS and AS physical concerns mediated changes in pain-related anxiety. Results suggest that an AS-targeted intervention may have implications for reducing pain-related anxiety. Further research is needed in a chronic pain sample.
MicroRNA‐506 promotes primary biliary cholangitis–like features in cholangiocytes and immune activation

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease associated with autoimmune phenomena targeting intrahepatic bile duct cells (cholangiocytes). Although its etiopathogenesis remains obscure, development of antimitochondrial autoantibodies against pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 is a common feature. MicroRNA (miR) dysregulation occurs in liver and immune cells of PBC patients, but its functional relevance is largely unknown. We previously reported that miR‐506 is overexpressed in PBC cholangiocytes and directly targets both Cl–/ HCO3− anion exchanger 2 and type III inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor, leading to cholestasis. Here, the regulation of miR‐506 gene expression and its role in cholangiocyte pathophysiology and immune activation was studied. Several proinflammatory cytokines overexpressed in PBC livers (such as interleukin‐8 [IL8], IL12, IL17, IL18, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) stimulated miR‐506 promoter activity in human cholangiocytes, as revealed by luciferase reporter assays. Experimental overexpression of miR‐506 in cholangiocytes dysregulated the cell proteomic profile (by mass spectrometry), affecting proteins involved in different biological processes including mitochondrial metabolism. In cholangiocytes, miR‐506 (1) induced dedifferentiation with down‐regulation of biliary and epithelial markers together with up‐regulation of mesenchymal, proinflammatory, and profibrotic markers; (2) impaired cell proliferation and adhesion; (3) increased oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress; (4) caused DNA damage; and (5) sensitized to caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis induced by cytotoxic bile acids. These events were also associated with impaired energy metabolism in mitochondria (proton leak and less adenosine triphosphate production) and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 overexpression. Coculture of miR‐506 overexpressing cholangiocytes with PBC immunocytes induced activation and proliferation of PBC immunocytes. Conclusion: Different proinflammatory cytokines enhance the expression of miR‐506 in biliary epithelial cells; miR‐506 induces PBC‐like features in cholangiocytes and promotes immune activation, representing a potential therapeutic target for PBC patients. (Hepatology 2018;67:1420‐1440)
Internet-based self-help treatment for panic disorder: a randomized controlled trial comparing mandatory versus optional complementary psychological support

Abstract Panic disorder (PD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. Web-based self-help treatments for PD have had promising results. These online treatments seem to have larger effect sizes (ESs) when professional support is added. However, the amount of support or how it should be administered is not yet clear. The aim of this trial was to study two ways of administering psychological support provided by phone as a part of Internet-based self-help treatment for PD based on cognitive behavioral therapy. Seventy-seven participants diagnosed with PD were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: a waiting list control group; a treatment group with non-scheduled psychological support; or a treatment group with scheduled psychological support. PD symptoms of participants who received treatment improved significantly compared to the control group (mean ES d = 1.18, p < .05). In addition, there were statistically and clinically significant differences between treatment groups (Mean difference = −3.20, p = .005, 95% CI [−5.62, −.79]). The scheduled group showed a larger ES, a lower dropout rate, and better adherence to treatment than the non-scheduled group. Scheduled support seems to be indicated for patients who seek Web-based treatment for PD, and their symptoms of panic, anxiety, and depression improve at post-treatment and six-month follow-up. In contrast, when support depends on patient demand, they receive less support and so, the therapeutic effect is poorer.
An examination of the roles of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder on emotion regulation strategies of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn veterans

Abstract Theories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) implicate emotional processes, including difficulties utilizing adaptive emotion regulation strategies, as critical to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD. Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn (OIF/OEF/OND) veterans report high levels of combat exposure and PTSD. We aimed to extend findings suggesting that emotion regulation difficulties are a function of PTSD, rather than combat trauma exposure or common comorbidities, to OIF/OEF/OND veterans, in order to inform models of PTSD risk and recovery that can be applied to returning veterans. We tested differences in emotion regulation, measured with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, among trauma-exposed veterans with (n = 24) or without PTSD (n = 22) and healthy civilian comparison participants (n = 27) using multivariate analyses of covariance, adjusting for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and demographic variables (age, sex, and ethnicity). Veterans with PTSD reported more use of expressive suppression and more difficulties with emotion regulation than veterans without PTSD and healthy comparison participants. Groups did not differ on cognitive reappraisal. Findings suggest the key role of PTSD above and beyond trauma exposure, depression, and anxiety in specific aspects of emotion dysregulation among OIF/OEF/OND veterans. Interventions that help veterans expand and diversify their emotion regulation skills may serve as helpful adjunctive treatments for PTSD among OIF/OEF/OND veterans.
Centration and Decentration of Contact Lenses during Peripheral Gaze.

SIGNIFICANCE Varying amounts of peripheral defocus reported in previous studies are likely due to whether peripheral defocus is measured while turning the eyes or the head. Contact lenses (CLs) lag when viewing objects in peripheral gaze, so future studies ought to measure peripheral defocus while turning the head to measure defocus through the peripheral add power. PURPOSE Soft multifocal CL peripheral defocus studies report varying results. To determine whether soft multifocal CL lag when turning the eyes could affect the measurement of peripheral defocus, we measured how much CLs move when looking in different gazes. METHODS The distance between limbus and CL edge was measured with a slit-lamp reticle magnifier. Centration was measured as the distance between CL edge and limbus at the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal location of the CL while in primary gaze. Decentration of the CL equals the difference of the distance between the CL edge and limbus while looking centrally and 20 degrees in each direction. All measurements were performed while subjects wore habitual and Proclear Multifocal CL. RESULTS The average ± SD age of the 40 subjects was 27.8 ± 8.4 years, 65% were female, and SE refractive error was -4.43 ± 2.05 diopters. The soft multifocal CLs decentered 0.09 ± 0.03 mm temporal (P = .006). The soft multifocal CLs lagged 0.49 ± 0.28 mm while looking down (P < .001), 0.24 ± 0.36 mm while looking up (P = .008), 0.58 ± 0.20 mm while looking nasal (P < .001), and 0.35 ± 0.21 mm while looking temporal (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Soft multifocal CLs center temporally in primary gaze, and they lag significantly while looking in every direction, but 0.50 mm or more when looking down or nasal, which could affect measurement of peripheral defocus when subjects turn their eyes instead of their head.
Therapeutic inhibition of inflammatory monocyte recruitment reduces steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis

Macrophages are key regulators of liver fibrosis progression and regression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver macrophages comprise resident phagocytes, Kupffer cells, and monocyte‐derived cells, which are recruited through the chemokine receptor C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2). We aimed at elucidating the therapeutic effects of inhibiting monocyte infiltration in NASH models by using cenicriviroc (CVC), an oral dual chemokine receptor CCR2/CCR5 antagonist that is under clinical evaluation. Human liver tissues from NASH patients were analyzed for CCR2+ macrophages, and administration of CVC was tested in mouse models of steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis progression, and fibrosis regression. In human livers from 17 patients and 4 controls, CCR2+ macrophages increased parallel to NASH severity and fibrosis stage, with a concomitant inflammatory polarization of these cluster of differentiation 68+, portal monocyte‐derived macrophages (MoMF). Similar to human disease, we observed a massive increase of hepatic MoMF in experimental models of steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. Therapeutic treatment with CVC significantly reduced the recruitment of hepatic Ly‐6C+ MoMF in all models. In experimental steatohepatitis with obesity, therapeutic CVC application significantly improved insulin resistance and hepatic triglyceride levels. In fibrotic steatohepatitis, CVC treatment ameliorated histological NASH activity and hepatic fibrosis. CVC inhibited the infiltration of Ly‐6C+ monocytes, without direct effects on macrophage polarization, hepatocyte fatty acid metabolism, or stellate cell activation. Importantly, CVC did not delay fibrosis resolution after injury cessation. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that MoMF, but not Kupffer cells, specifically up‐regulate multiple growth factors and cytokines associated with fibrosis progression, while Kupffer cells activated pathways related to inflammation initiation and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Pharmacological inhibition of CCR2+ monocyte recruitment efficiently ameliorates insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis, corroborating the therapeutic potential of CVC in patients with NASH. (Hepatology 2018;67:1270‐1283)
Emotion regulation strategies in daily life: mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression

Abstract Most empirical studies of emotion regulation have relied on retrospective trait measures, and have not examined the link between daily regulatory strategies and every day emotional well-being. We used a daily diary methodology with multilevel modelling data analyses (n = 187) to examine the influence of three emotion regulation strategies (mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal and emotion suppression) on the experience of daily negative and positive affect. Our results suggested that daily mindfulness was associated with lower negative and higher positive affect whereas the converse pattern was found for daily emotion suppression; cognitive reappraisal was related to daily positive, but not negative affect. When daily mindfulness, suppression and reappraisal were included in the same models, these strategies predicted unique variance in emotional well-being. Random slope analyses revealed substantial variability in the utility of these strategies. Indeed the presumably “adaptive” cognitive reappraisal strategy seemed to confer no benefit to the regulation of negative affect in approximately half the sample. Additional analyses revealed that age moderates the effect of cognitive reappraisal on daily negative affect: Higher use of reappraisal was associated with more negative affect for adolescents (aged 17 to 19) but became associated with less negative affect with increasing age. We interpret these results in line with a contextual view of emotion regulation where no strategy is inherently “good” or “bad”.
Audiovisual spoken word recognition by children with cochlear implants

This study examined how prelingually deafened children with cochlear implants combine visual information from lip-reading with auditory cues in an open-set speech perception task. A secondary aim was to examine lexical effects on the recognition of words in isolation and in sentences. Fifteen children with cochlear implants served as participants in this study. Participants were administered two tests of spoken word recognition. The LNT assessed isolated word recognition in an auditory-only format. The AV-LNST assessed recognition of key words in sentences in a visual-only, auditory-only and audiovisual presentation format. On each test, lexical characteristics of the stimulus items were controlled to assess the effects of lexical competition. The children also were administered a test of receptive vocabulary knowledge. The results revealed that recognition of key words was significantly influenced by presentation format. Audiovisual speech perception was best, followed by auditory-only and visual-only presentation, respectively. Lexical effects on spoken word recognition were evident for isolated words, but not when words were presented in sentences. Finally, there was a significant relationship between auditory-only and audiovisual word recognition and language knowledge. The results demonstrate that children with cochlear implants obtain significant benefit from audiovisual speech integration, and suggest such tests should be included in test batteries intended to evaluate cochlear implant outcomes.
Visceral adiposity increases risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in male patients with cirrhosis and recurrence after liver transplant

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a metabolically active organ, associated with higher risk of malignancies. We evaluated whether VAT is associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients presenting with cirrhosis as well as HCC recurrence after liver transplantation (LT). Patients with cirrhosis (n = 678; 457 male) who were assessed for LT (289 with HCC) were evaluated for body composition analysis. Patients who underwent LT (n = 247, 168 male) were subsequently evaluated for body composition, and 96 of these patients (78 male) had HCC. VAT, subcutaneous adipose tissues, and total adipose tissues were quantified by computed tomography at the level of the third lumbar vertebra and reported as indexes (cross‐sectional area normalized for height [square centimeters per square meter]). At the time of LT assessment, the VAT index (VATI) was higher in male patients with HCC compared to non‐HCC patients (75 ± 3 versus 60 ± 3 cm2/m2, P = 0.001). The VATI, subcutaneous adipose tissue index, and total adipose tissue index were higher in male patients with HCC compared to non‐HCC patients. By multivariate analysis, male patients with VATI ≥65 cm2/m2 had a higher risk of HCC (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.31‐2.76; P = 0.001). In male patients with HCC who underwent LT, a VATI ≥65 cm2/m2 adjusted for Milan criteria was independently associated with higher risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio, 5.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.19‐23.97; P = 0.03). Conclusion: High VATI is an independent risk factor for HCC in male patients with cirrhosis and for recurrence of HCC after LT. (Hepatology 2018;67:914–923)