Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered brain white matter integrity in healthy carriers of the APOE epsilon4 allele: a risk for AD?

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E (APOE) represent genetic risk factors for dementia and for cognitive impairment in the elderly. The neural mechanisms by which these genetic variations influence behavioral performance or clinical severity are not well understood. METHODS The authors used diffusion tensor imaging to investigate ultrastructural properties in brain white matter to detect pathologic processes that modify tissue integrity. Sixty participants were included in the study of which 30 were homozygous for the APOE epsilon3 allele, 10 were homozygous for the APOE epsilon4 allele, and 20 had the APOE epsilon34 allele combination. All individuals were non-demented, and the groups were matched on demographic variables and cognitive performance. RESULTS The results showed a decline in fractional anisotropy, a marker for white matter integrity, in the posterior corpus callosum of epsilon4 carriers compared to non-carriers. Additional sites of altered white matter integrity included the medial temporal lobe. CONCLUSIONS Although the mechanism underlying vulnerability of white matter tracts in APOE epsilon4 carriers is still unknown, these findings suggest that increased genetic risk for developing Alzheimer disease is associated with changes in microscopic white matter integrity well before the onset of dementia.
Prescribed Versus Unrestricted Carbohydrate Diets in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

The diets of 53 children over 8 years of age with diabetes mellitus were examined by 24 h recall. Thirty‐seven had been on prescribed carbohydrate diets while 16 had been on an unrestricted carboydrate diet since diagnosis. The mean intakes of energy (prescribed 9.1 MJ, unrestricted 9.0 MJ, p = 0.66), carbohydrate (prescribed 259 g, unrestricted 251 g, p = 0.64), fat (prescribed 99.8 g, unrestricted 98.2 g, p = 0.84) and fibre (prescribed 29.2 g, unrestricted 31.0 g, p = 0.42) were not significantly different between the two groups. Both groups showed similar distribution of carbohydrate through the day and considerable day to day variation in their carbohydrate intake (coefficient of variation, prescribed 14.5%, unrestricted 14.1%, p = 0.87). Those on prescribed diet had a mean carbohydrate intake which exceeded their prescription by 36%. Both groups had above average fibre intake suggesting that qualitative advice was being followed. There were no significant differences between the two groups in metabolic control (HbA1 prescribed 12.4%, unrestricted 11.9%, p = 0.23), body mass index (prescribed 19.8 kg m−2, unrestricted 20.4 kg m−2) or insulin dosage (prescribed 1 unit kg−1 day−1, unrestricted 0.9 units kg−1 day−1). This study has shown no differences between prescribed and unrestricted carbohydrate diets. Qualitative, rather than quantitative advice may be more appropriate in the management of Type 1 diabetic children.
A Wearable Contactless Sensor Suitable for Continuous Simultaneous Monitoring of Respiration and Cardiac Activity

A reliable system that can simultaneously and accurately monitor respiration and cardiac output would have great utility in healthcare applications. In this paper we present a novel approach to creating such a system. This noninvasive, low power, low cost, contactless sensor is suitable for continuous monitoring of respiration (tidal volume) and cardiac stroke volume. Furthermore, it is capable of delivering this data in true volume (i.e., mL). The current embodiment, specifically designed for sleep monitoring applications, requires only 100 mW when powered by a 4.8 V battery pack and is based on the use of a single electroresistive band embedded in a T-shirt. Here, we describe the implementation of the device, explaining the rational and design choices for the electronic circuit and the physical garment together with the preliminary tests performed using one volunteer subject. Comparison of the device with a commercially available spirometer demonstrates that tidal volume can be monitored over extended periods with a precision of ±10%. We further demonstrate the utility of the device to measure cardiac output and respiration effort.
Is there any association of personality traits with vascular endothelial function or systemic inflammation?

Background: Evidences showed association of some personality traits with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, but mediated mechanisms are not entirely described. In this study, we investigated the association of different personality traits with systemic inflammation and endothelial function as probable mediators. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 on 40-60 years old employees of an industrial company located in Isfahan city (central Iran). Participants were selected through simple random sampling. Personality types were evaluated using the neuroticism-extroversion-openness personality inventory and systemic inflammatory status was determined with high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level. To evaluate endothelial function flow mediated dilation (FMD) were measured. The obtained data were analyzed with univariate correlation and multiple linear regression tests. Results: A total of 254 cases with mean age of 51.4 ± 6.1 years were evaluated. There was no significant relationship between hs-CRP level and FMD with the personality traits in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, no association was found between the scores of personality traits and FMD with controlling the factors such as age, body mass index dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes. Only there was an inverse association between conscientiousness score and hs-CRP (β = −0.241, P = 0.013). Conclusions: In our population who were the employees of an industrial company, no relationship was found between specific personality trait and endothelial dysfunction. However, we found that the personality trait of responsibility (conscientiousness) is negatively associated with inflammation. Further multi-center studies and also cohort studies are recommended in this regard.
Oral dexamethasone pulse treatment for vitiligo.

BACKGROUND Oral corticosteroid pulse therapy has provided inconsistent results in the treatment of Indian patients with vitiligo. OBJECTIVE We wanted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral dexamethasone pulse therapy in a cohort of Austrian patients with vitiligo. METHODS Twenty-nine patients with vitiligo were included in the study. Of these, 25 had progressive and 4 had stable disease. The patients were given weekly pulses of 10 mg dexamethasone each on 2 consecutive days followed by 5 days off treatment for a maximum period of 24 weeks. Clinical response and side effects were evaluated in monthly intervals. Plasma cortisol and corticotropin levels were monitored before and up to 6 days after the dexamethasone pulse in the first and fourth week of treatment in 14 patients. RESULTS After a mean treatment period of 18.2 +/- 5.2 weeks, the disease activity was arrested in 22 of 25 patients (88%) who had active vitiligo before the study. Marked repigmentation occurred in 2 patients (6.9%) and moderate or slight repigmentation in 3 patients (10.3%) each. No response was noted in 21 patients (72.4%). Side effects were recorded in 20 patients (69%) and included weight gain, insomnia, acne, agitation, menstrual disturbance, and hypertrichosis. Plasma cortisol and corticotropin values were markedly decreased 24 hours after the second dexamethasone dose, yet returned to baseline values within the off treatment period before the next dexamethasone pulse. CONCLUSION Our data show that oral dexamethasone pulse treatment is effective in arresting progression of vitiligo yet fails to induce satisfactory repigmentation in the great majority of our patient cohort. Mild to moderate side effects are common with this treatment modality; however, sustained suppression of endogenous cortisol production does not occur with the pulse regimen.
Hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy: outpatient versus conventional treatment.

OBJECTIVE To compare results of hysteroscopic polypectomy of the endometrium performed in an outpatient clinic, under no anesthesia, to conventional hysteroscopic polypectomy under anesthesia in the operating theatre, assessing success rate, procedure time and complications; and to measure pain referred by patients in both groups. METHODS An observational cross-sectional study of 60 patients with hysteroscopic diagnosis of endometrial polyps, divided into two groups: the Outpatient Group, comprising patients submitted to outpatient's hysteroscopic polypectomy by continuous flow vaginoscopy using endoscopic forceps under no anesthesia, and the Conventional Group with patients submitted to hysteroscopic polypectomy in the operating theater, using a monopolar resectoscope under anesthesia. RESULTS The groups were similar as to age, parity, mode of delivery and menopausal status. Both groups presented 100% efficacy in exeresis of polyps. The mean time of procedure was 7 minutes in the Outpatient Group and 35.16 minutes in the Conventional Group. In the Outpatient Group, menopausal patients (p=0.04) and those with polyps >1cm (p=0.01) had longer procedures. Using the Verbal Analog Scale of Pain, the mean score of pain referred by patients during the procedure was 2.93 in the Outpatient Group and, after anesthetic effect, 1.42 in the Conventional Group. There were no complications in the Outpatient Group. There was one case of uterine perforation and one case of false passage in the Conventional Group. CONCLUSION Hysteroscopic polypectomy performed in an outpatient setting under no anesthesia is a well-tolerated procedure. As compared to conventional treatment, it displays the same efficacy, but the procedure time is shorter and the complication rate is lower.
Early enteral nutrition improves outcomes of open abdomen in gastrointestinal fistula patients complicated with severe sepsis.

BACKGROUND Although nutrition therapy is favorably considered as an assistant therapeutic measure in critical illness, little data evaluate its role in gastrointestinal fistula patients with severe sepsis after an open abdomen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of early nutrition therapy in that population. METHODS This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent open abdomen management for gastrointestinal fistula and severe sepsis from January 2001 to June 2009. Nutrition therapy, fistula, abdominal closure, and demographics were noted. Succus entericus reinfusion (SER) was performed for high-output volume or multiple fistulae. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether enteral nutrition (EN) was initiated within 14 days after admission. Delivery route of nutrients, mortality, complications, and time to abdominal closure were compared among groups. RESULTS Eighty-two patients were included. Fifty-six (68.3%) patients survived to discharge. Forty-one (50%) patients received SER. EN was initiated within 14 days in 36 patients, with a mean initiation time at 8.3 ± 3.4 days; 46 patients did not start any EN within 14 days (29.9 ± 20.9 days). The mean age, BMI, APACHE II score, and fistula characteristics were similar between groups. The abdominal closure was accomplished more rapidly in patients fed within 14 days (142.8 vs 184.5 days, P = .017), with decreased mortality (11.1% vs 47.8%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Nutrition therapy plays an important role in the management of gastrointestinal fistula with severe sepsis. Early EN could be successfully delivered for that population, with improved mortality risk.
Low-dose Enalapril Reduces Angiotensin II and Attenuates Diabetic-induced Cardiac and Autonomic Dysfunctions

Abstract Activation of renin–angiotensin system has been linked to cardiovascular and autonomic dysfunctions in diabetes. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), enalapril, on cardiac and autonomic functions in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg), and rats were treated with enalapril (1 mg·kg−1·d−1). After 30 days, evaluations were performed in control, diabetic, and enalapril-treated groups. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and through cannulation of the left ventricle (at baseline and in response to volume overload). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure variabilities were evaluated in the time and frequency domains. Streptozotocin rats had left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunctions, expressed by reduced ejection fraction and increased isovolumic relaxation time. The ACEI prevented these changes, improved diastolic cardiac responses to volume overload and total power of heart rate variability, reduced the ACE1 activity and protein expression and cardiac angiotensin (Ang) II levels, and increased angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity, despite unchanged blood pressure. Correlations were obtained between Ang II content with systolic and diastolic functions and heart rate variability. These findings provide evidence that the low-dose ACEI prevents autonomic and cardiac dysfunctions induced by diabetes without changing blood pressure and associated with reduced cardiac Ang II and increased angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activity.
FHL3 binds MyoD and negatively regulates myotube formation

MyoD initiates muscle differentiation and promotes skeletal myogenesis by regulating temporal gene expression. MyoD-interacting proteins induce regulatory effects, and the identification of new MyoD-binding partners may provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of gene expression during myogenesis. FHL3 is one of three members of the FHL protein family that are expressed in skeletal muscle, but its function in myogenesis is unknown. Overexpression of human FHL3 in mouse C2C12 cells retarded myotube formation and decreased the expression of muscle-specific regulatory genes such as myogenin but not MyoD. By contrast, short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated FHL3 protein knockdown enhanced myoblast differentiation associated with increased myogenin, but not MyoD protein expression, early during differentiation. We demonstrate that FHL3 is a MyoD-associated protein by direct binding assays, colocalisation in the nucleus of myoblasts and GST pull-down studies. Moreover, we determined that FHL3 interacts with MyoD, functioning as its potent negative co-transcriptional regulator. Ectopic expression of FHL3 in myoblasts impaired MyoD-mediated transcriptional activity and muscle gene expression. By contrast, siRNA-mediated FHL3 knockdown enhanced MyoD transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. These findings reveal that FHL3 association with MyoD may contribute to the regulation of MyoD-dependent transcription of muscle genes and thereby myogenesis.
Comparative Effects of Olmesartan and Azelnidipine on Atrial Structural Remodeling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The differential effects between olmesartan (OM), an angiotensin 2 type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), and azelnidipine (AZ), a calcium channel blocker (CCB), on atrial structural remodeling were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Eight weeks after treatment, both OM and AZ decreased systolic blood pressure to similar levels. Histological analysis revealed that both OM and AZ had decreased the size of the atrial myocytes and interstitial fibrosis in the atrium, and that the effects of OM were greater than those of AZ. These beneficial effects of OM were associated with less atrial oxidative stress, as assessed by 3-nitrotyrosine staining, and less activation of Rac1, a regulatory component in NADPH oxidase. These results suggest that the ARB was more effective than the CCB in ameliorating atrial structural remodeling due to the suppression of oxidative stress.
Multipronged evaluation of genotoxicity in Indian petrol‐pump workers

Petrol (gasoline) contains a number of toxicants. This study used human biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to benzene in petrol fumes in 100 Indian petrol‐pump workers (PPWs) and an equal number of controls. The study was corroborated with in silico assessments of the Comet assay results from the human biomonitoring study. An in vitro study in human lymphocytes was also conducted to understand the genotoxicity of benzene and its metabolites. In a subset of the population studied, higher blood benzene levels were detected in the PPWs (n = 39; P < 0.01) than the controls (n = 18), and 100–250 ppb benzene was also detected in air samples from the petrol pumps. PPWs had higher levels of DNA damage than the controls (P < 0.01). In addition, the micronucleus assay was performed on lymphocytes from a subset of the subjects, and the micronucleus frequency for PPWs was significantly higher (n = 39; 14.79 ± 3.92‰) than the controls (n = 18; 7.54 ± 3.00‰). Human lymphocytes were treated in vitro with benzene and several of its metabolites and assayed for DNA damage with the Comet assay. Benzene and its metabolites produced significant (P < 0.05) levels of DNA damage at and above concentrations of 10 μM. The metabolite, p‐benzoquinone, produced the greatest amount of DNA damage, followed by hydroquinone > benzene > catechol > 1,2,4,‐benzenetriol > muconic acid. This study demonstrates that, using sensitive techniques, it is possible to detect human health risks at an early stage when intervention is possible. possible. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Technological Innovation Inputs, Outputs, and Performance

The aim of this research is to study the moderating role of family management in the relationships between the intensity of research and development and the occurrence of continuous technological innovation and between the existence of technological innovation outcomes and long-term firm performance. The results show that family management reduces efficiency in the conversion of research and development expenses into technological innovation outcomes over time. Our findings also suggest that the influence of family management significantly contributes to improving the effect of the achievement of technological innovation on long-term performance.
Water and formula fluoride concentrations: significance for infants fed formula.

The independent contributions of formula and water to the total fluoride (F) intake from the diet of formula-fed infants is not fully documented. Although the precise timing and mechanism by which dental fluorosis occurs has not been fully defined, water F levels can be an important consideration in the risk of dental fluorosis for formula-fed infants. An assessment of 1,308 participants younger than 2 years old revealed that: 81% of homes received public water; 19% received well water; 26% of participants used bottled water; and 11% used some kind of filtration system. In this study, virtually all formulas consumed by the birth cohort and water sources used in the reconstitution of these formulas were assayed for F using a F ion specific electrode and direct read method, except for soy-based formulas, which were analyzed by microdiffusion (modified Taves). Among 78 commercially available bottled waters in Iowa, F levels ranged from 0.02 to 1.36 ppm (mean 0.18 ppm), 83% from 0.02 to 0.16 ppm, 7% from 0.34 to 0.56 ppm, 1% had a F level of 0.88, and 9% had F levels > 1.0 ppm. Among 47 casein (milk)-based formulas, 16 ready-to-feed (RTF) formulas had levels of 0.04-0.55 ppm F (mean 0.17 ppm), 14 liquid concentrates (LC) reconstituted with distilled water had levels of 0.04-0.19 ppm F (mean 0.12 ppm), and 17 powdered concentrates (PC) reconstituted with distilled water had levels of 0.05-0.28 ppm F (mean 0.14 ppm). The 17 soy-based formulas had a range of 0.04-0.47 ppm F (mean 0.26 ppm). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Noninvasive Biomonitoring Approaches to Determine Dosimetry and Risk Following Acute Chemical Exposure: Analysis of Lead or Organophosphate Insecticide in Saliva

There is a need to develop approaches for assessing risk associated with acute exposures to a broad range of metals and chemical agents and to rapidly determine the potential implications to human health. Noninvasive biomonitoring approaches are being developed using reliable portable analytical systems to quantitate dosimetry utilizing readily obtainable body fluids, such as saliva. Saliva has been used to evaluate a broad range of biomarkers, drugs, and environmental contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides. To advance the application of noninvasive biomonitoring a microfluidic/electrochemical device has also been developed for the analysis of lead (Pb), using square-wave anodic stripping voltametry. The system demonstrates a linear response over a broad concentration range (1–2000 ppb) and is capable of quantitating saliva Pb in rats orally administered acute doses of Pb acetate. Appropriate pharma-cokinetic analyses have been used to quantitate systemic dosimetry based on determination of saliva Pb concentrations. In addition, saliva has recently been used to quantitate dosimetry following exposure to the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos in a rodent model system by measuring the major metabolite, trichloropyridinol, and saliva cholinesterase inhibition following acute exposures. These results suggest that technology developed for noninvasive bio-monitoring can provide a sensitive and portable analytical tool capable of assessing exposure and risk in real-time. By coupling these noninvasive technologies with pharmacokinetic modeling it is feasible to rapidly quantitate acute exposure to a broad range of chemical agents. In summary, it is envisioned that once fully developed, these monitoring and modeling approaches will be useful for evaluating acute exposure and health risk.
Masker interaction in pure-tone forward masking.

Forward masking of a 1-kHZ, 20-ms probe was examined using two temporally distinct 1-kHZ, 20-ms maskers, separated by 6.5 ms. The interval between the second masker and the probe was the same as the interval between the first and second masker. Masking functions were obtained for each masker separately, and for varying levels of one masker with a fixed level of the other. The presence of the first masker at a fixed level raised the probe threshold over that obtained with the second masker alone: this elevation was approximately constant, independent of the level of the second masker. The results indicate that masking effects of the two maskers are not independent, i.e., the maskers interact. Several models of masker interaction are discussed.