Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum 7α-hydroxy‐4-cholesten‐3-one and selenohomocholyltaurine (SeHCAT) whole body retention in the assessment of bile acid induced diarrhoea

Objective: To assess the reliability of serum 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7α-3ox-C) in the differential diagnosis of bile acid induced diarrhoea by comparison with 75selenohomocholyltaurine whole body retention (SeHCAT WBR). Design: One hundred and sixty-four patients with chronic diarrhoea were investigated prospectively in two centres (Edinburgh and Sweden) by two different tests which measure bile acid loss or synthesis: the SeHCAT test which measures the 7-day SeHCAT WBR and serum 7α-3ox-C which reflects the rate of bile acid synthesis. Results: Forty-six patients had SeHCAT WBR of less than 10% (19 with ileal disease or resection, nine with idiopathic bile acid induced diarrhoea and 18 with miscellaneous causes for bile acid induced diarrhoea). All patients with ileal or idiopathic disease showed a favourable response to treatment as did 13 of the miscellaneous group. Serum 7α-3ox-C was raised in all subjects with ileal disease/resection, seven patients with idiopathic disease and all subjects in the miscellaneous group who responded to treatment. Sixteen out of 118 patients with SeHCAT WBR greater than or equal to 10% had raised serum 7α-3ox-C. Conclusion: The positive predictive value of serum 7a-3ox-C was 74%. The high negative predictive value (98%) of serum 7α-3ox-C indicates the possible use of this test for excluding bile acid malabsorption in this population. All but two subjects who responded to treatment had raised serum 7a-3ox-C concentrations. The possibility that the sensitivity of the test can be improved by repeat testing needs to be further investigated. There was a significant correlation between fractional catabolic rate (FCR) SeHCAT and serum 7α-3ox-C (r = 0.63, P< 0.0001). Further data are required to validate the reference range in women over 70 years of age.
Intramembrane charge movement and sarcoplasmic calcium release in enzymatically isolated mammalian skeletal muscle fibres

1 Single muscle fibres were dissociated enzymatically from the extensor digitorum longus and communis muscles of rats and guinea‐pigs. The fibres were mounted into a double Vaseline gap experimental chamber and the events in excitation–contraction coupling were studied under voltage clamp conditions. 2 The voltage dependence of intramembrane charge movement followed a two‐state Boltzmann distribution with maximal available charge of 26.1 ± 1.5 and 26.1 ± 1.3 nC μF−1, mid‐point voltage of –35.1 ± 5.0 and –42.2 ± 1.2 mV and steepness of 16.7 ± 2.2 and 17.0 ± 1.9 mV (means ±s.e.m., n= 7 and 4) in rats and guinea‐pigs, respectively. 3 Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored using the calcium‐sensitive dyes antipyrylazo III, fura‐2 and mag‐fura‐5. Resting [Ca2+]i was similar in rats and guinea‐pigs with 125 ± 18 and 115 ± 8 nm (n= 10 and 9), respectively, while the maximal increase for a 100 ms depolarization to 0 mV was larger in rats (6.3 ± 1.0 μm; n= 7), than in guinea‐pigs (2.8 ± 0.3; n= 4). 4 The rate of calcium release (Rrel) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) displayed an early peak followed by a fast and a slow decline to a quasi maintained steady level. After normalizing Rrel to the estimated SR calcium content (1.2 ± 0.1 and 0.9 ± 0.1 mm in rats and guinea‐pigs, respectively) and correcting for depletion of calcium in the SR the peak and steady levels at 0 mV, respectively, were found to be 2.50 ± 0.08 and 0.81 ± 0.06% ms−1 in rats and 2.43 ± 0.25 and 0.88 ± 0.01 % ms−1 in guinea‐pigs. The voltage dependence was essentially the same in both species, but different from that in amphibians. 5 These experiments show that enzymatic isolation yields functionally intact mammalian skeletal muscle fibres for Vaseline gap experiments. The data also suggest a close connection in the regulation of the different kinetic components of SR calcium release in mammalian skeletal muscle.
Teachers perceptions on the causes of indiscipline among learners with disabilities learning in inclusive education setting. A case study of Sanyati district in Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of indiscipline among learners with disabilities in education setting in Sanyati District in Zimbabwe The researcher examined the causes of indiscipline among learners with disabilities in education setting in Sanyati District in Zimbabwe of the influence of teacher class management skills, teachers attitudes towards learners with disabilities teacher lesson preparation on indiscipline among learners with disabilities learning in inclusive education setting. A survey to determine investigate the causes of indiscipline among learners with disabilities in education setting in Sanyati District in Zimbabwe was carried using thirty teachers (15 males, 15 female) from both primary and secondary schools in Sanyati district in Zimbabwe. Measures of central tendencies (mode, percentages) were used to analyse data from the study. The study found out that they were a great influence of teacher class management skills, teacher’s attitudes towards learners with disabilities teacher lesson preparation on indiscipline among learners with disabilities learning in inclusive education setting in Sanyati District in Zimbabwe. This study recommends in servicing of teachers teaching learners with disabilities in inclusive education to equip them with basic special needs education skills so that they know how to handle such learners in an inclusive education setting. Keywords: Disabilities, inclusion, discipline, indiscipline, class management, attitude, teacher preparation
Eugenia jambolana Lam. berry extract inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human breast cancer but not non-tumorigenic breast cells.

The ripe purple berries of the native Indian plant Eugenia jambolana Lam. , known as Jamun, are popularly consumed and available in the United States in Florida and Hawaii. Despite the growing body of data on the chemopreventive potential of edible berry extracts, there is paucity of such data for Jamun fruit. Therefore our laboratory initiated the current study with the following objectives: (1) to prepare a standardized Jamun fruit extract (JFE) for biological studies and (2) to investigate the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of JFE in estrogen dependent/aromatase positive (MCF-7aro), and estrogen independent (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells, and in a normal/nontumorigenic (MCF-10A) breast cell line. JFE was standardized to anthocyanin content using the pH differential method, and individual anthocyanins were identified by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. JFE contained 3.5% anthocyanins (as cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents) which occur as diglucosides of five anthocyanidins/aglycons: delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin, peonidin and malvidin. In the proliferation assay, JFE was most effective against MCF-7aro (IC(50) = 27 microg/mL), followed by MDA-MB-231 (IC(50) = 40 microg/mL) breast cancer cells. Importantly, JFE exhibited only mild antiproliferative effects against the normal MCF-10A (IC(50) > 100 microg/mL) breast cells. Similarly, JFE (at 200 microg/mL) exhibited pro-apoptotic effects against the MCF-7aro (p <or= 0.05) and the MDA-MB-231 (p <or= 0.01) breast cancer cells, but not toward the normal MCF-10A breast cells. These studies suggest that JFE may have potential beneficial effects against breast cancer.
From Geographical Indications to Rural Development: A Review of the Economic Effects of European Union Policy

One of the main functions of geographical indications (GIs) is to provide information and quality to consumers. This, in turn, can generate benefits for producers and stimulate rural development processes, as advocated by European Union (EU) legislation. The objective of the present study is to understand if the theorized effects of GIs on local economic development are supported by empirical evidence. Using a systematic approach, we reviewed the literature on the topic and structured the results of the review adopting a supply chain framework. This allows us to better understand how the effects of GIs are distributed among the chain actors and finally arrive at the local territories where GI products originate. Evidence shows that GIs are actually able to generate value added, especially at the consumer and retailer levels, while the effects on the economic performance of producers are more heterogeneous and dependent on specific local conditions. The review also highlighted some drawbacks in the literature that make it difficult to draw robust conclusions about the actual impact of GI policy at the European level. Therefore, despite the GI tool actually showing good potential for improving local economic conditions, more structured and focused research is needed.
The influence of gestational zinc deficiency on the fetal insulin-like growth factor axis in the rat

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, a key regulator of embryonic growth and development, is exquisitely sensitive to the nutrient status of the animal. In addition to macronutrient deficiencies, zinc deficiency can impact the IGF axis. Gestational zinc deficiency is teratogenic, resulting in intrauterine growth retardation and structural abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gestational zinc deficiency on the fetal IGF axis in a rat model. From gestation day (GD) 0.5, dams consumed zinc-deficient (ZD, 0.3 mg zinc/kg) or control (25 mg zinc/kg) diet ad libitum, while a third group of dams consumed the control diet in amounts equivalent to the food intake of the ZD dams (Paired group). On GD 19.5 fetal tissue, blood and amniotic fluid were collected. Fetal growth was significantly reduced by zinc deficiency compared with the Paired and Control groups. Fetuses from the Paired group were smaller compared with the Control, but only ZD fetuses had structural malformations. Amniotic fluid IGF-1 concentrations were significantly lower in the Paired group than in the ZD and Control groups. Plasma of ZD fetuses contained lower levels of IGF binding protein-1 when compared with fetuses in the Paired and Control groups. Fetal liver IGF-1 mRNA levels were lower in the ZD fetuses than in the Paired and Control fetuses. These observations suggest that differences in the fetal IGF axis between ZD and Paired groups contribute to the poor pregnancy outcome and enhanced fetal growth retardation observed with zinc deficiency.
The Multiple Causes of Multiple Sclerosis: The Importance of Age of Infections in Childhood

The geographic distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) may relate to the age of inital exposure and degree of sensitization to common viruses or bacteria which have proteins with epitopes (antigenic determinants) which are homologous with potentially encephalitogenic peptides in central myelin proteins, such as basic protein and proteolipid protein. Comparable homologies may exist for the as-yet-undefined nonencephalitogenic myelin antigen(s) which evoke demyelinating factors (probably complement-fixing antibodies). Many of these homologous epitopes occur in microorganisms that also possess adjuvant activity for evoking not only the sensitized T-cells but also the antibodies that cross-react with the target antigens in central myelin. If sufficient sensitization to myelin basic protein or proteolipid protein occurs, especially in infections of young adults, the individual develops acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, exactly comparable to ordinary acute experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). If very young children are infected, however, practically complete resistance develops, and neither acute disseminated encephalomyelitis nor MS follows. In between these two extremes, especially in slightly older children in whom insufficient sensitization occurs to induce acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, the individual may become resistant to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, but susceptible to chronic relapsing or progressive disseminated encephalomyelitis, otherwise generally recognized as MS. This is exactly comparable to a recently described variant of chronic EAE in which demyelinating antibodies and large subpial plaques of demyelination occur. The similarity of this form of chronic EAE or chronic disseminated encephalomyelitis to one form of MS is emphasized. (J Child Neurol 1987;2:313-321).
Communication, ideation and contraceptive use in Burkina Faso: an application of the propensity score matching method

Objective The study aim was to assess the effects of a multi-component communication campaign that promoted contraceptive use in Burkina Faso. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2001 involving 1421 women of reproductive age from Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Participants during the 2001 survey were randomly selected from 54 enumeration areas that were covered during the 1999 Demographic and Health Survey. The propensity score matching (PSM) technique was the analytical method used to assess the effects of the campaign. Results More than three-quarters of the respondents reported exposure to at least one example of campaign material. Compared with no exposure, high campaign exposure is associated with an adjusted increase of 21.8 percentage points in the proportion of women currently using modern contraceptive methods. Similarly, low exposure is associated with a 7.3 percentage point increase over no exposure. The campaign is also associated with increased knowledge about contraceptives and more favourable attitudes towards family planning. Conclusions The multiple-component nature of the campaign makes it easy for many members of the target audience to hear consistent messages from a variety of sources. This is a key element responsible for the documented effectiveness of the campaign. Despite its limitations, the PSM technique is a straightforward method that should be used more often to assess the effects of communication programmes.
Spontaneous motor unit behavior in human thenar muscles after spinal cord injury

Our first aim was to characterize spontaneous motor unit activity in thenar muscles influenced by chronic cervical spinal cord injury. Thenar surface electromyography (EMG), intramuscular EMG, and abduction and flexion forces were recorded. Subjects were instructed to relax for 2 min. Units still firing after 10 s were considered spontaneously active. Two distinct patterns of spontaneous unit activity were recorded. Units either fired tonically at a mean frequency of 6.1 HZ or were active sporadically (2.2 HZ). Stimuli (e.g., light touch of nearby skin) were then used to influence tonic spontaneous unit activity. Most stimuli produced a change in firing frequency, usually a temporary increase, but sometimes unit frequency decreased or new activity was initiated. Inputs to these motoneurons clearly make important contributions to changes in unit activity. However, the difficulty that subjects had in stopping unit activity, and the initiation of activity when subjects relaxed, suggest that the source of spontaneity may be the motoneuron itself. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 952–962, 2001
Comparative study on the shaping ability and cleaning efficiency of rotary Mtwo instruments. Part 2. Cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability in severely curved root canals of extracted teeth.

AIM To compare the cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability of Mtwo, K3, and RaCe nickel-titanium rotary instruments during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted human teeth. METHODOLOGY A total of 60 root canals of mandibular and maxillary molars with curvatures ranging between 25 degrees and 35 degrees were divided into three groups of 20 canals. Based on radiographs taken prior to instrumentation with the initial instrument inserted into the canal, the groups were balanced with respect to the angle and the radius of canal curvature. Canals were prepared using a low-torque control motor. Using pre- and post-instrumentation radiographs, straightening of the canal curvatures was determined with a computer image analysis program. The amount of debris and smear layer was quantified on the basis of a numerical evaluation scale. The data established for scoring the debris and the smear layer was separately recorded and analysed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS During preparation no instrument separated. Completely clean root canals were never observed. For debris removal Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results (P < 0.001) than K3 and RaCe instruments. The results for remaining smear layer were similar and not significantly different (P > 0.05). Mtwo instruments maintained the original canal curvature significantly better (P < 0.05) than the other instruments. Instrumentation with Mtwo files was significantly faster than with K3 or RaCe instruments (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this study, Mtwo instruments resulted in good cleaning and maintained the original curvature significantly better than K3 or RaCe files.
Pulsed radiofrequency of the sural nerve for the treatment of chronic ankle pain.

BACKGROUND The application of radiofrequency (RF) has been successfully used in the treatment of chronic pain conditions, including facet arthropathy, sacroiliac joint pain, groin pain, radicular pain, cervicogenic headaches, and phantom limb pain. Due to the neurodestructive effect of continuous RF ablation and possible deafferentation sequelae, only pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has been applied to peripheral sensory nerves. There are no previous reports of successful PRF application to the sural nerve. OBJECTIVES To report on the successful use of PRF to the sural nerve for the treatment of ankle pain. To discuss current theories on the mechanism by which PRF produces pain relief. METHODS The report presented here describes the case of a 39-year old patient who sustained injury to her ankle. The patient was complaining of pain in the distribution of the sural nerve, which was confirmed by electrodiagnostic studies. The pain did not respond to oral and topical analgesics. The patient had short-term relief with a sural block with bupivacaine and triamcinolone. The patient then underwent PRF application to the right sural nerve for 240 seconds at 45 volts. RESULTS The patient reported complete relief. There was no pain recurrence 5 months after the procedure. LIMITATIONS This report describes a single case report. CONCLUSIONS It is conceivable that PRF may provide long-term pain relief in cases of sural nerve injury. The exact mechanism of the antinociceptive effect is still unknown. Possible mechanisms include changes in molecular structure by the electric field, early gene expression, stimulation of descending inhibitory pathways, and transient inhibition of excitatory transmission.
Superinfection Exclusion in Cells Infected with Hepatitis C Virus

ABSTRACT Superinfection exclusion is the ability of an established virus infection to interfere with infection by a second virus. In this study, we found that Huh-7.5 cells acutely infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2a (chimeric strain J6/JFH) and cells harboring HCV genotype 1a, 1b, or 2a full-length or subgenomic replicons were resistant to infection with cell culture-produced HCV (HCVcc). Replicon-containing cells became permissive for HCVcc infection after treatment with an HCV-specific protease inhibitor. With the exception of cells harboring a J6/JFH-FLneo replicon, infected or replicon-containing cells were permissive for HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) entry, demonstrating a postentry superinfection block downstream of primary translation. The surprising resistance of J6/JFH-FLneo replicon-containing cells to HCVpp infection suggested a defect in virus entry. This block was due to reduced expression of the HCV coreceptor CD81. Further analyses indicated that J6/JFH may be toxic for cells expressing high levels of CD81, thus selecting for a CD81low population. CD81 down regulation was not observed in acutely infected cells, suggesting that this may not be a general mechanism of HCV superinfection exclusion. Thus, HCV establishes superinfection exclusion at a postentry step, and this effect is reversible by treatment of infected cells with antiviral compounds.
Effect on pain of changing the needle prior to administering medicine intramuscularly: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM This paper is the report of a study to determine whether changing the needle before administering an intramuscular injection could reduce pain, and to investigate gender differences in pain perception. BACKGROUND A skilled injection technique can make the patient's experience less painful and avoid unnecessary complications, and the use of separate needles to draw up and administer medication ensures that the tip of the needle is sharp and free from medication residue. METHOD A randomized controlled trial was carried out between January 2009 and May 2009 with 100 patients receiving diclofenac sodium intramuscularly in an emergency and traffic hospital in İzmir, Turkey. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured on a numerical rating scale. Each patient received two injections by the same investigator using two different techniques. The two techniques were randomly allocated and the patients were blinded to the injection technique being administered. After each injection, another investigator who had no prior knowledge of which injection technique was used immediately assessed pain intensity using a numerical rating scale. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and t-test were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS Findings demonstrated that changing the needle prior to intramuscular medication administration significantly reduced pain intensity. A statistical difference in pain intensity was observed between the two injection techniques. CONCLUSION The results supported the hypothesis that changing the needle prior to administering the medicine significantly reduced pain intensity.
Comparative study of nJ- and μJ-energy level femtosecond lasers: evaluation of flap adhesion strength, stromal bed quality, and tissue responses.

PURPOSE To compare flap adhesion strength, stromal bed quality, and tissue responses after flap preparation using nJ- and μJ-energy level femtosecond lasers. METHODS All corneal flaps were created by either VisuMax laser (μJ-energy level) or femto-LDV (nJ-energy level). Flap adhesion strength in the rabbits was measured with a tension meter 1 and 2 months postoperatively. To investigate tissue responses to laser delivery, immunofluorescence staining and TUNEL assay were performed 4 and 24 hours postoperatively. To assess flap bed smoothness, human donor corneas were used. Surface irregularities were graded based on scanning electron microscopy results. RESULTS The flap adhesion strength in the VisuMax group at month 1 and 2 was 16.95 ± 1.45 kPa and 18.33 ± 1.81 kPa, respectively; and 12.31 ± 4.15 kPa and 13.85 ± 4.78 kPa in the LDV group, respectively. No significant difference was found between the groups. Fibronectin and apoptotic cells were largely absent at the central incision site in the LDV group, but were present in the VisuMax group. The smoothness of flap beds appeared similar for both groups. An observer scored the VisuMax group 8.00 ± 1.00 and the LDV group 7.33 ± 0.58 (P = 0.387). CONCLUSIONS The flap adhesion strength increased over time after treatment with both lasers. The nJ-energy pulses produced minimal wound healing reaction and apoptotic cells along the incision plane. The application of an nJ-energy laser, which can incise the cornea without inducing significant damage to cells and wound healing reaction, offers great potential at reducing scarring following incisional laser stromal surgery.