Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prävalenz der Insulinresistenz in Abhängigkeit vom Körpergewicht - Bedeutung für die Primärprävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen

Insulin resistance (IR) and the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS), diabetes mellitus type II (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are closely linked to high morbidity and mortality and an epidemic increase world wide. On the other hand IR is directly correlated with CVD, independent of obesity, MS and DM. To document IR an easily performed test method is necessary. In a study on 115 female test persons of normal weight and apparently healthy and 555 overweight/obese females, the following results were obtained using an oral tolerance test for the estimation of glucose and insulin. IR could be determined early in 27.8% of patients of normal weight, and well-aimed in 91.9% of patients who were overweight/obese and could be treated using primary or secondary prevention. Based on our results, it may be advisable to redefine the cut-off points for glucose (102mg/dl) and insulin (13μU/ml) values when screening for metabolic syndrome.
Fetuin-A and type II diabetes mellitus

Background The pathophysiology of type II DM is complex; in addition to impaired insulin secretion from Beta-cells, reduced insulin sensitivity was found to play a predominant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Fetuin-A is a he-patic secretory protein that binds the insulin receptor and inhibits insulin action both in vivo and in vitro. Objective Our aim was to investigate whether serum fetuin-A levels predict the incidence of insulin resistance in type II DM. Patient and methods The present study included 40 patients who had type II diabetes mellitus served as patients group and 40 apparently normal individuals served as control group. All patient and control groups were subjected to the following: full medical history and thorough physical examination, fasting & post prandial blood glucose, urea, creatinine, lipid profile, CRP, insulin and fetuin-A. Results There was highly significant increase in serum insulin, serum fetuin A and HOMA-IR in diabetic group compared with control group. There was significant positive correlation between serum fetuin A and serum insulin, FBG, HbA1c and serum CRP. Also a significant positive correlation between HOMA-IR and serum fetuin A, serum insulin and HbA1c were found. Conclusion We concluded that fetuin-A may play a role in the pathogenesis of type II DM, and high serum fetuin-A has a strong association with IR and glycemic control in type II diabetic patients. Future studies are recommended to establish the possibility of using fetuin-A as a predictor of insulin resistance in type II diabetic patients.
Immediate and Long-term Hearing Outcomes With the Middle Cranial Fossa Approach for Vestibular Schwannoma Resection.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the immediate postoperative and long-term hearing outcome data in patients who have undergone hearing preservation attempts with the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach for the resection of sporadic vestibular schwannoma. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of a surgical patient cohort. SETTING Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS Adult patients with unilateral sporadic vestibular schwannoma. INTERVENTION Surgical treatment with a MCF approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Comparison of pre- and postoperative audiometric data in accordance with the 1995 and 2012 American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery guidelines on reporting hearing outcomes and with a word recognition score only scale. Long-term hearing outcome data were analyzed in the following postoperative groups: 3 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12+ years after surgery. RESULTS From 1999 to 2016, 174 patients underwent the MCF approach and 155 of them met inclusion criteria for analysis of hearing outcome data. Class A or B hearing was preserved in 70% of the entire cohort after recovery. Seventy-one patients with measurable hearing met criteria for long-term data analysis. The rate of American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery class A or B hearing preservation was 82% at 3 to 5 years and declined thereafter. The rate of word recognition score class I or II hearing preservation was 98% at 3 to 5 years and declined less rapidly thereafter. Patients with preoperative Class A hearing had significantly higher rates of successful hearing preservation at all postoperative intervals. CONCLUSION Delayed hearing loss occurs in a progressively increasing fashion but speech understanding remains durable for a majority of patients whose hearing is initially preserved with the MCF approach.
Prenatal stress and early-life exposure to fluoxetine have enduring effects on anxiety and hippocampal BDNF gene expression in adult male offspring.

With the growing use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) for the treatment of depression during the perinatal period, questions have been raised about the longterm impact of these medications on development. We aimed to investigate how developmental SSRI exposure may alter affect-related behaviors and associated molecular processes in offspring using a rodent model of maternal stress and depression. For this purpose, prenatally stressed or non-stressed male offspring were exposed to fluoxetine (5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle, via lactation, until weaning. Primary results show that postnatal fluoxetine exposure differentially altered anxiety-like behavior by increasing anxiety in non-stressed offspring and decreasing anxiety in prenatally stressed offspring. In the hippocampus, developmental fluoxetine exposure decreased BDNF IV and TrkB mRNA expression. Prenatal stress alone also decreased escape behaviors and decreased hippocampal BDNF IV mRNA expression. These data provide important evidence for the long-term programming effects of early-life exposure to SSRIs on brain and behavior.
Sequence Variants in Host Cell Factor C1 Are Associated With Ménière's Disease

Hypothesis: There is a genetic basis for the development of Ménière's (MD) disease. Background: The cause of MD is unknown, although many potential theories have been proposed. A genetic basis for the disease is suggested by greater prevalence in Caucasians and familial cases that display an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Methods/Design: Case-control association study of selected candidate genes among patients with MD and selected control individuals. Results: Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the host cell factor C1 (HCFCI) gene displayed a significant increase in prevalence of the major allele in subjects with MD disease. The most individually significant SNP is rs2266886. The minor allele at this site displays an odds ratio of 0.26 (95% confidence intervals, 0.010-0.65; p = 0.003) for disease development. Conclusion: The minor allele at each SNP site was significantly more common in controls, suggesting that individuals bearing these alleles are at reduced risk of developing MD. The functional consequences of the SNPs in host cell factor C1 are unknown. A viable hypothesis for disease development is presented based on the known interaction between HCFC1 and the herpes simplex viral protein VP16.
Antianaphylactic Activity of Alcoholic Extract of Eclipta alba

The antianaphylactic activity of alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba with two different doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg was studied by using different animal models such as effect on mast cell degranulation using rat mesentery, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis using rat, by measuring leakage of Evans blue dye in skin, passive paw anaphylaxis using rat by measuring the paw volume by plethysmometer. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BaL) s uid study in guinea pig trachea, measurement of different blood cells, and level of histamine in lung tissues was performed. Treatment with alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba showed a dose dependent beneÞ cial effect on degranulation of mast cells in rats when challenged with Compound 48/80. Further, a dose-dependent beneÞ cial effect was also observed on leakage of Evans blue dye in skin challenged with antigen. Eclipta alba showed beneÞ cial effect on paw anaphylaxis induced by antiserum and also on inÞ ltration of various ins ammatory cells as well as on histamine release from lungs. Antianaphylactic activity of alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba may be possibly due to its membrane stabilizing potential, inhibition of antigen induced histamine release, and inhibition of release of various ins ammatory mediators. Key words: Allergy, compound 48/80, ovalbumin.
Environmental Enrichments for a Group of Captive Macaws: Low Interaction Does Not Mean Low Behavioral Changes

Environmental enrichment has been widely used to improve conditions for nonhuman animals in captivity. However, there is no consensus about the best way to evaluate the success of enrichments. This study evaluated whether the proportion of time spent interacting with enrichments indicated the proportion of overall behavioral changes. Six environmental enrichments were introduced in succession to 16 captive macaws, and interaction of the animals with them as well as the behaviors of the group were recorded before and during the enrichments. All of the enrichments affected the proportions of time spent in different behaviors. Macaws interacted more with certain items (hibiscus and food tree) than with others (a toy or swings and stairs), but introduction of the enrichments that invoked the least interaction caused as many behavioral changes as those that invoked the most. Moreover, feeding behavior was only affected by the enrichment that invoked the least interaction, a change not detected by a general analysis of enrichment effects. In conclusion, little interaction with enrichment does not mean little change in behavior, and the effects of enrichments are more complex than previously considered.
Safewalk: Improving Enrichment and Adoption Rates for Shelter Dogs by Changing Human Behavior

Shelter dogs are typically cared for by staff and volunteers. At the Boston location of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, prior to 2009, any member of the public who was older than 16 years of age and attended 1 orientation could walk dogs available for adoption. There was no systematic method of training volunteers or staff to walk unruly, strong, or fearful dogs, nor was there any organized system of enrichment in the form of in-kennel or out-of-kennel training for the population of 20 to 40 dogs in the shelter. Using the Dick and Carey (1996) model of instructional design, a curriculum called “Safewalk” was devised and implemented. Safewalk created a hierarchical training system for volunteers. After training was implemented, outcomes and lengths of stay were then compared for dogs for the 3 years before and 4 years after Safewalk. Changes in adoption rates for pit bull-type dogs and non-pit bulls were significantly improved, and length of stay for non-pit bulls was significantly decreased. Other components of shelter life for dogs and people were also improved.
Race and ethnicity are not primary determinants in utilizing veterinary services in underserved communities in the United States

ABSTRACT A retrospective database analysis (2011–2015) evaluated associations between race and ethnicity and veterinary service utilization by sampling 83,260 companion animals whose guardians (owners) self-identified as White, Black, or Latino/a from 39 Humane Society of the United States Pets for Life (PFL) sites across the United States. Controlling for socioeconomic status, the percentage of nonhuman animals sterilized through PFL whose owners were Latino/a or Black was substantially higher than in previously reported findings. While Latinos/as had the highest mean number of days from first contact with the program to consent, they also had the highest percentage of owners accepting the voucher during initial contact. Logistic regression models suggested that although meaningful, race and ethnicity were not primary determinants of veterinary service utilization. When veterinary and animal welfare organizations deliberately remove structural barriers embedded with racial inequalities, individuals, regardless of race and ethnicity, proceed with companion-animal sterilization. Therefore, service providers must use unbiased, informed, and culturally competent practices to improve companion-animal welfare through the optimization of veterinary services, including spay and neuter.
On Estimation of the Survivor Average Causal Effect in Observational Studies When Important Confounders Are Missing Due to Death

Summary We focus on estimation of the causal effect of treatment on the functional status of individuals at a fixed point in time t* after they have experienced a catastrophic event, from observational data with the following features: (i) treatment is imposed shortly after the event and is nonrandomized, (ii) individuals who survive to t* are scheduled to be interviewed, (iii) there is interview nonresponse, (iv) individuals who die prior to t* are missing information on preevent confounders, and (v) medical records are abstracted on all individuals to obtain information on postevent, pretreatment confounding factors. To address the issue of survivor bias, we seek to estimate the survivor average causal effect (SACE), the effect of treatment on functional status among the cohort of individuals who would survive to t* regardless of whether or not assigned to treatment. To estimate this effect from observational data, we need to impose untestable assumptions, which depend on the collection of all confounding factors. Because preevent information is missing on those who die prior to t*, it is unlikely that these data are missing at random. We introduce a sensitivity analysis methodology to evaluate the robustness of SACE inferences to deviations from the missing at random assumption. We apply our methodology to the evaluation of the effect of trauma center care on vitality outcomes using data from the National Study on Costs and Outcomes of Trauma Care.
“The Normative Idea of Queer is a White Person”: Understanding Perceptions of White Privilege Among Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women of Color in Toronto, Canada

White privilege constructs whiteness as normative and central to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) identities and is reproduced through social norms, media representations, and daily interactions. We aimed to enhance understanding of the processes by which white privilege was experienced among lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women of color in Toronto, Canada. We conducted two focus groups with LBQ women of color, one with participants who self-identified as masculine of center (n = 8) and the second with participants who identified as feminine of center (n = 8). Findings indicate that LBQ women of color experience intersectional stigma (e.g., homophobia, racism, sexism) on a daily basis. Participant narratives revealed that white privilege shaped the representations of women of color in a particular way that promoted their exclusion from white LBQ spaces and broader society. By representing queerness as white, LBQ women of color were rendered invisible in both queer and racialized communities. LBQ women of color were further marginalized by constructions of “real” women as passive, feminine and white, and conversely perceptions of women of color as aggressive, emotional, and hypersexualized. These representations inform spatialized practices and social interactions through constructing racialized communities as discriminatory and “backwards” while maintaining the invisibility of white privilege and racism in LBQ spaces.
Detection of Endometrial Nerve Fibres – a Novel Technique to Diagnose Endometriosis

Purpose To detect the presence of nerve fibres by immunohistochemical staining method using anti-PGP9.5 antibody in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis. Methods Patients presenting with pelvic pain and/or infertility were subjected to premenstrual endometrial biopsy during laparoscopy. Thirty patients diagnosed with endometriosis formed the study group and 30 patients with no histological/laparoscopic evidence of endometriosis formed the control group. Endometrial biopsy tissue of all the 60 patients along with biopsy from endometriomas and peritoneal implants of confirmed cases of endometriosis (n = 30) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to detect nerve fibres. Results Neural elements were observed in the eutopic endometrium of 24/30 cases (80%) in the study group and in none of the controls (p<0.01), while the sections from endometriomas and peritoneal implants demonstrated nerve fibres in all the 30 cases of confirmed endometriosis. The nerve fibres in the endometrial tissue were heterogeneously distributed and were sparse in number with an observed density of <1 nerve fibre/mm2 while they were present in large numbers in the ectopic endometrium (10 ± 3 nerve fibre/mm2). Also, the presence of nerve fibres in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium positively correlated with the intensity of pain (p<0.001). Conclusion Eutopic endometrium exhibited positivity for nerve fibres in 24 out of 30 cases of proven endometriosis, though the density of nerve fibres was low as compared to that reported in a few studies.
The Long-Term Effects of Modified Electrode Surfaces and Intracochlear Corticosteroids on Postoperative Impedances in Cochlear Implant Patients

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of intraoperative application of steroid suspension and coating of the electrode contacts with a thin film of iridium oxide on the intracochlear impedance development after cochlear implantation and on the impedance difference before and after stimulation. Design: Time-dependent development of intracochlear impedances was investigated in 4 different groups of adult patients up to 4 years after implantation. Additionally, during rehabilitation period just after first fitting, impedances before and after stimulation were measured as to investigate the influence of electrical stimulation on the impedances. Results from standard Nucleus 24 Contour (control), standard Nucleus 24 Contour with intraoperative application of steroids, iridium-coated Nucleus 24 Contour, and iridium-coated Nucleus 24 Contour with intraoperative application of steroids were compared. Results: Steroid application reduced impedances significantly throughout the observation period of up to 4 years after implantation. Iridium oxide coating had no effect. Differences between the groups were mainly found on the basal and middle parts of the cochlea, but not close to the tip of the array, also indicating that postoperative fibrous tissue growth is stronger in the basal region of the cochlea. Group mean values of the stimulation effect were not influenced by the different treatments. Nevertheless, only in both steroid-treated groups a correlation between the impedance before stimulation and the stimulation effect was found. Conclusion: Although the differences between control and steroid-treated groups decrease with time, single intraoperative intracochlear steroid deposition was proven to lower postoperative impedances during first 3 to 4 years after implantation probably because of reduction of fibrous tissue growth.
Perceptions of interprofessional roles within the spinal cord injury rehabilitation team

A spinal cord injury requires input from a range of health-care professionals. Interprofessional teamwork has been seen as the cornerstone of rehabilitation. However, teamwork may be affected by misperceptions of role and function between professional groups. This article presents some findings from a larger ethnographic research study. Its aim is to identify the perceptions of professionals of the roles and relationships within the rehabilitation team. Semistructured interviews were carried out with 27 health-care professionals in a spinal cord injuries unit. The findings suggest a ‘knowing paradox’ in that nurses, occupational therapists and doctors felt that their colleagues misunderstood their role, yet all the professionals felt that they understood their colleagues’ contribution to rehabilitation. Misunderstandings may cause conflict that could impact on the patient's rehabilitation experience. Therefore, professionals need to develop supportive structures that enable greater communication and under.
Fibrinogen Matsumoto II: γ308Asn → Lys (AAT → AAG) mutation associated with bleeding tendency

Fibrinogen Matsumoto II is a hereditary dysfibrinogenaemia identified in a woman with Basedow's disease and a bleeding tendency. Coagulation tests of the patient's plasma revealed a prolonged thrombin time and a decreased fibrinogen level determined by functional method. Release of fibrinopeptide A and B was normal, whereas fibrin monomer polymerization was delayed. Fibrinogen γ‐chain gene of the propositus was heterozygous for a missense mutation that resulted in Asn → Lys substitution at codon 308. Though the same amino acid substitution was also attributed to fibrinogen Kyoto I and Bicetre II, fibrinogen Matsumoto II showed different clinical manifestations from them.
“I'm in this world for a reason”: Resilience and recovery among American Indian and Alaska Native two-spirit women

ABSTRACT American Indian and Alaska Native sexual minority (two-spirit) women are vulnerable to substance misuse and mental health challenges due to multiple minority oppressed status and exposure to stress and trauma. Yet, these women find pathways toward healing and wellness. We conducted a qualitative data analysis of interviews derived from a national health study and gained an understanding of 11 two-spirit women's resilience and recovery patterns. Emergent from the data, a braided resiliency framework was developed which elucidates multilayered abilities, processes, and resources involved in their resiliency. We recommend that resilience-promoting strategies be incorporated into substance misuse and mental health interventions.
Semiparametric Estimation of the Covariate‐Specific ROC Curve in Presence of Ignorable Verification Bias

Summary Covariate‐specific receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are often used to evaluate the classification accuracy of a medical diagnostic test or a biomarker, when the accuracy of the test is associated with certain covariates. In many large‐scale screening tests, the gold standard is subject to missingness due to high cost or harmfulness to the patient. In this article, we propose a semiparametric estimation of the covariate‐specific ROC curves with a partial missing gold standard. A location‐scale model is constructed for the test result to model the covariates' effect, but the residual distributions are left unspecified. Thus the baseline and link functions of the ROC curve both have flexible shapes. With the gold standard missing at random (MAR) assumption, we consider weighted estimating equations for the location‐scale parameters, and weighted kernel estimating equations for the residual distributions. Three ROC curve estimators are proposed and compared, namely, imputation‐based, inverse probability weighted, and doubly robust estimators. We derive the asymptotic normality of the estimated ROC curve, as well as the analytical form of the standard error estimator. The proposed method is motivated and applied to the data in an Alzheimer's disease research.