Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N-acetylcysteine, Ascorbic Acid, and Methylene Blue for the Treatment of Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning: Still Beneficial?

Objectives: Intentional and accidental intoxication with aluminium phosphide (ALP) remains a clinical problem, especially in the Middle East region. Considering the high mortality rate besides lack of any recommended first option drug for its treatment, this study was aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), vitamin C (Vit C), and methylene blue; both in isolate and also in combination, for the treatment of ALP intoxication in a rat model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental animal study, 80 male Wistar rats in eight groups were intoxicated with ALP (12.5 mg/kg) and treated with a single dose of NAC (100 mg/kg) or Vit C (500–1,000 mg/kg) or methylene blue (1 mg/kg/5 min, 0.1%) or two of these agents or all three of them (controls were not treated). Rats were monitored regarding the parameters of drug efficacy as increased survival time and reduced morbidity and mortality rate for 3 consecutive days to ensure toxin neutralization. Macroscopic changes were recorded and biopsy sections were taken from brain, cerebellum, kidney, liver, and heart for microscopic evaluation regarding cellular hypoxia. Results: The mean survival times of rats exposed to ALP and treated with VitC + NAC was 210.55±236.22 minutes. In analysis of survival times, there was a significant difference between Group 5 which received VitC + NAC and the other groups (P < 0.01). Serum magnesium levels after death were higher than normal (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Despite the higher survival rate of antioxidant-treated rats compared with controls, this difference was not statistically significant.
The evolution , processing , varieties and health benefits of yogurt

Yogurt or yoghurt is one of the most popular fermented dairy products worldwide which has great consumer acceptability due to its health benefits other than its basic nutrition. In general, yogurt is considered as a nutrition-dense food due to its nutrient profile and is a rich source of calcium that provides significant amounts of calcium in bio-available form. In addition, it provides milk proteins with a higher biological value and provides almost all the essential amino acids necessary to maintain good health.Yogurt is considered as a probiotic carrier food that can deliver significant amounts of probiotic bacteria into the body which can claim specific health benefits once ingested. These are usually marketed as bio-yogurts. Moreover, yogurt is reported to claim improved lactose tolerance, immune enhancement and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders. Because of these known health benefits of yogurt,consumer demand for yogurt and yogurt related products has been increased and became the fastest growing dairy category in the global market. Yogurts are now being manufactured in a numerous styles and varieties with different fat contents, flavors and textures suitable for different meal occasions and plates as a snack, dessert, sweet or savory food.
Gene-body hypermethylation of ATM in peripheral blood DNA of bilateral breast cancer patients

Bilaterality of breast cancer is an indicator of constitutional cancer susceptibility; however, the molecular causes underlying this predisposition in the majority of cases is not known. We hypothesize that epigenetic misregulation of cancer-related genes could partially account for this predisposition. We have performed methylation microarray analysis of peripheral blood DNA from 14 women with bilateral breast cancer compared with 14 unaffected matched controls throughout 17 candidate breast cancer susceptibility genes including BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, ATM, ESR1, SFN, CDKN2A, TP53, GSTP1, CDH1, CDH13, HIC1, PGR, SFRP1, MLH1, RARB and HSD17B4. We show that the majority of methylation variability is associated with intragenic repetitive elements. Detailed validation of the tiled region around ATM was performed by bisulphite modification and pyrosequencing of the same samples and in a second set of peripheral blood DNA from 190 bilateral breast cancer patients compared with 190 controls. We show significant hypermethylation of one intragenic repetitive element in breast cancer cases compared with controls (P = 0.0017), with the highest quartile of methylation associated with a 3-fold increased risk of breast cancer (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.78–5.86, P = 0.000083). Increased methylation of this locus is associated with lower steady-state ATM mRNA level and correlates with age of cancer patients but not controls, suggesting a combined age–phenotype-related association. This research demonstrates the potential for gene-body epigenetic misregulation of ATM and other cancer-related genes in peripheral blood DNA that may be useful as a novel marker to estimate breast cancer risk. Accession numbers: The microarray data and associated . BED and . WIG files can be accessed through Gene Expression Omnibus accession number: GSE14603.
Glycopeptide susceptibility among Danish Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates of animal and human origin and PCR identification of genes within the VanA cluster

The MICs of vancomycin and avoparcin were determined for isolates of Enterococcus faecium and isolates of Enterococcus faecalis recovered from the feces of humans and animals in Denmark. Two hundred twenty-one of 376 (59%) isolates of E. faecium and 2 of 133 (1.5%) isolates of E. faecalis were resistant to vancomycin (MICs, 128 to > or = 256 micrograms/ml), and all vancomycin-resistant isolates were resistant to avoparcin (MICs, 64 to > or = 256 micrograms/ml). All vancomycin-resistant isolates examined carried the vanA, vanX, and vanR genes, suggesting that a gene cluster similar to that of the transposon Tn1546 was responsible for the resistance.
Regulation of heat‐shock genes: a DNA sequence upstream of Drosophila hsp70 genes is essential for their induction in monkey cells.

Heat‐shock genes coding for heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP70) in Drosophila melanogaster were subcloned into an SV40/plasmid recombinant capable of replication in permissive monkey COS cells. Following transfection of COS cells, no significant amount of Drosophila hsp70 RNA was detected at 37 degrees C. In contrast, a heat‐shock at 43 degrees C or arsenite poisoning at 37 degrees C induced the massive production of Drosophila hsp70 RNA of correct size and faithful 5′ ends. After heat‐shock, the efficiency of hsp70 transcription in COS cells containing 2‐4 X 10(4) gene copies was found to be 15‐30% of that measured in Drosophila, on a per gene basis. By testing a series of 5′ deletion mutants in this inducible transcription assay it was found that a sequence less than 70 bp long, directly upstream of the hsp70 gene, was essential for the heat or arsenite induction of transcription.
Membrane depolarization and depletion of intracellular calcium stores are associated with delay of apoptosis in human neutrophils

Apoptosis occurs rapidly in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) after exposure to 1 mM cycloheximide (CHX). We examined whether this form of stimulated apoptosis altered either resting cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([free Ca]) or membrane potential (Ψ) in PMN and found no significant effects. However, manipulation of either PMN intracellular Ca2+ stores or Ψ was found to delay CHX‐induced apoptosis. Depletion of PMN intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin caused membrane depolarization and significantly delayed CHX‐induced apoptosis based on both morphological and annexin‐V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate binding criteria. Short‐term suspension (4 h) of PMN in Ca2+‐free buffer depleted internal Ca2+ stores, induced membrane depolarization at 2.5 h, and delayed spontaneous (24 h) apoptosis but had no effect on CHX‐induced apoptosis. Rapid membrane depolarization with 150 mM KCl buffer significantly delayed CHX‐induced apoptosis, suggesting that depolarization rather than Ca2+ stores depletion was the crucial event. Timing experiments revealed that depolarization within 12 min of CHX exposure significantly delayed apoptosis. Collectively, these observations suggest an early Ψ‐sensitive step in the apoptosis pathway initiated by CHX. CHX exposure alone does not alter either resting PMN [free Ca] or Ψ; accompanying depolarization of plasma membrane (either electrochemically or via depletion of internal Ca2+ stores) delays CHX‐induced apoptosis in a time‐dependent manner. J. Leukoc. Biol. 64: 759–766; 1998.
The Elusive Curse of Oil

Our goal is to show that contrary to the claims made in several recent papers, the effect of a large endowment of oil and other mineral resources on long-term economic growth of countries has been on balance positive. Moreover, the claims of a negative effect of oil and mineral wealth on the countries' institutions are called into question.
Pedestrian classification with 24 GHz chirp sequence radar

Driver assistance systems based on radar are available today in series production in consumer vehicles. The radar sensor based automotive applications already help to reduce road accidents but is usually limited to highway scenarios. However, there are too many fatalities in public roads. Most of them involve pedestrians and happen in urban road situations. For assisting drivers in those cases, a novel 24 GHz Radar Sensor has been developed within the EU-funded project ARTRAC. The main focus of this paper is to present the pedestrian classification scheme that is incorporated within this sensor. Additionally, the derived requirements and the role of the classification process within the cognitive collision mitigation system is pointed out.
Spectrum of clinical and electrophysiologic features in HNPP patients with the 17p11.2 deletion

Objective: To study the clinical and electrophysiologic features of a large series of carriers of the 17p11.2 deletion. Background: The 17p11.2 deletion is associated in most patients with recurrent acute nerve palsies, which is the typical presentation of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). Nevertheless, a few other phenotypes have been reported. Methods: On the basis of clinical and electrophysiologic data, the authors conducted a retrospective study of 99 individuals with the 17p11.2 deletion referred to their neurogenetic department between 1993 and 1997. Results: In addition to the typical presentation of HNPP, they describe five other phenotypes in 15 patients: recurrent positional short-term sensory symptoms, progressive mononeuropathy, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease-like polyneuropathy, chronic sensory polyneuropathy, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy-like, recurrent subacute polyneuropathy; and 14 asymptomatic patients. In all the deletion carriers, regardless of their phenotype and by the second decade, the authors found a characteristic, multifocal electrophysiologic neuropathy consisting of a diffuse increase in distal motor latencies contrasting with normal or moderately reduced motor nerve conduction velocities, a diffuse reduction in sensory nerve action potential, and multiple focal slowing of nerve conduction at the usual sites of entrapment. The key diagnostic criterion is a bilateral slowing of sensory and motor nerve conduction at the carpal tunnel with at least one abnormal parameter for motor conduction in one peroneal nerve. Conclusion: The authors confirm the clinical phenotypic heterogeneity of the 17p11.2 deletion and suggest that electrophysiologic examination is a reliable tool for screening suspected HNPP patients in its various clinical presentations.
Drug Resistance and R Plasmids in Vibrio anguillarum Isolated in Cultured Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis)

Two hundred twenty‐six strains of Vibrio anguillarum collected from cultured ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) between 1978 and 1980 were studied for their sensitivities to 10 chemotherapeutics. In order to determine whether the drug‐resistant strains possessed transferable R plasmids, they were conjugated with Escherichia coli. Almost all the strains isolated during the 3 years showed resistance to nalidixic acid (NA) and/or furazolidone (NF). NA and NF resistance were not transferred to Escherichia coli from any of the strains. Chloramphenicol‐resistant strains were isolated in every year and almost all of them carried transferable R plasmids. Only one strain with tetracycline resistance was found among the strains tested. Strains resistant to sulfonamides, streptomycin, ampicillin (ABP), and trimethoprim (TMP) increased rapidly in 1980, and a large number of them carried transferable R plasmids.
Educational Interventions for Intimate Partner Violence: Guidance From Survivors

Objective Previous research suggests that health care providers’ assumptions about the content and marketing of intimate partner violence (IPV) materials are not always correct and may do harm. This study sought to determine what mothers with histories of IPV identify as important information to communicate about IPV and how it should be presented in a pediatric emergency department. Methods This qualitative study used English- and Spanish-speaking focus groups for data collection and a grounded theory approach for data analysis. Initial focus groups elicited opinions on content, appearance, and location of IPV material. After data analysis, IPV posters were developed. Follow-up focus groups provided feedback on the posters. Results Ninety-nine mothers with histories of IPV participated in 8 initial and 4 follow-up focus groups. Women felt information should be presented in a positive, hopeful manner. Key information desired was signs of IPV, effects of childhood IPV exposure, and available resources. Spanish-speaking groups desired that information that helps was available regardless of immigration status. Women cautioned that information regarding the effects of childhood IPV exposure should be presented in a nonjudgmental manner to minimize feelings of anger and guilt in mothers. Participants endorsed the distribution of IPV materials in many formats and locations but also worried that women might suffer retribution if perpetrators see IPV material. Conclusions Passive educational interventions for IPV should present information about the signs of IPV, resources, and effects on children in a positive, hopeful manner. Materials directed toward Spanish-speaking victims should address the issue of immigration status.
The Performance of the ‘Centrifichem’ Parallel Fast Analyser Using Packaged Reagents

The CentrifiChem system was used with packaged reagent kits for the following determinations: albumin, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, creatinine, glucose, and α-hydroxybutyrate and lactate dehydrogenases. The linearity obtainable for each assay was investigated, and particular attention was paid to finding the most suitable instrument settings.
Discussion of ‘Implied cost of equity capital in earnings-based valuation: international evidence’

Assuming the clean surplus relation, the Edwards-Bell-Ohlson residual income valuation (RIV) model expresses market value of equity as the sum of the book value of equity and the expected discounted future residual incomes. Without assuming clean surplus, Ohlson and JuettnerNauroth (2000) show that the forward earnings per share are critical for valuation. We compare the implied costs of capital from these two approaches to earnings-based valuation for seven developed countries. We hypothesize superior performance from the RIV model in countries where analysts’ forecasts of dividends, earnings, and book values of equity conform well to clean surplus. First, we provide preliminary international evidence on the frequency and magnitude of clean surplus violations. Second, we document, consistent with our hypothesis, that the implied cost of capital is more reliable when derived from the RIV model when clean surplus adequately describes the firms’ financial reporting. That is, the implied cost of capital derived from Ohlson and Juettner-Nauroth (2000) is relatively more reliable in countries where clean surplus deviations are common. Our analyses suggest that the proper choice of earnings-based valuation model may depend on analysts’ interpretation of their financial reporting environment.
The outcomes movement in orthopaedic surgery: where we are and where we should go.

Although the radical concept of understanding the effect of medical and operative treatment on patient function emanated from Codman3 more than sixty years ago, the orthopaedic community has been actively engaged in the outcomes movement for only the last twelve to fifteen years. Under the leadership of such individuals as Gartland and Sledge, we collectively became aware of the deficiencies apparent in our literature, which had resulted in a less-than-solid foundation on which to make treatment recommendations to patients4,5,9. The technique of small-area analysis pioneered by Wennberg and others revealed the effects of this lack of a solid foundation10,11. Our orthopaedic community is now actively involved in remedying this problem. For eight years, the Outcomes Committee of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has provided annual courses on the techniques used in the field of outcomes assessment. We have devoted substantial resources toward providing validated questionnaires and the software to use them. We have done much of the political groundwork to establish broad acceptance for a unified approach to the collection and use of data. We have come a long way indeed. Despite these accomplishments, two questions remain: how should these data be used, and who should be involved in collecting them? The resources involved in obtaining data are substantial; however, health-care payers have little interest in funding these activities. Therefore, we believe that a timely review of the current status of data collection, future opportunities, and the challenges to be overcome is appropriate. We begin with a review of the basic principles involved in the selection of outcomes-measurement instruments and then offer an overview of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' involvement in providing the critical resources for the orthopaedic community. Next follows a thoughtful review of the …
Temporal lobe epilepsy: qualitative reading of 1H MR spectroscopic images for presurgical evaluation.

PURPOSE To study the feasibility and clinical potential of visual inspection of hydrogen 1 magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic metabolite images for the lateralization of unilateral nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS MR imaging and 1H MR spectroscopic imaging were performed of the temporal lobes in 50 patients with TLE and 23 age-matched healthy volunteers. N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and creatine plus choline metabolite images were read by two neuroradiologists who determined lateralization according to the side of lower NAA signal intensity. Quantitative estimates of NAA were calculated by using an automated fitting program. RESULTS Agreement in lateralization between readers was significant with a kappa score of 0.53 for all patients with TLE and 0.63 for patients displaying mild or marked NAA asymmetry. Among the 50 patients with TLE, lateralization was determined correctly by reader 1 in 38 (76%) patients and by reader 2 in 31 (62%) patients. If limited to patients with mild or marked NAA asymmetry, correct lateralization improved to 30 (77%) of 39 and 16 (80%) of 20 patients, respectively. Combined qualitative reading and quantitative spectral fitting enabled lateralization in 34 (85%) of 40 patients with TLE for reader 1 and 30 (77%) of 39 for reader 2, including nine of 14 patients with TLE with negative MR images. CONCLUSION Reading of metabolite images is a feasible and fast means for noninvasive evaluation of patients with TLE who are candidates for surgery and enables lateralization in some patients with negative MR images.
Optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanofibers were successfully prepared via an electrospinning method, followed by annealing at 400 °C. Mixed solutions of ITO nanoparticle sol and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were used as precursors of the nanofibers. The PEO decomposed during annealing to yield ITO fibers. The fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), UV–vis spectrophotometry and four-probe resistivity measurements. The diameter of the prepared fibers was controlled by adjusting the flow rate and the applied electric current. In2O3 crystallized in the ITO nanofibers with a crystallite size of 27 nm. The optical transmittance in the visible region approached 90% in films deposited for 5 min, confirming that the nanofiber film is still transparent in the optical region. The sheet resistance of the nanofiber film was linearly dependent on the inverse of the deposition time and on the PEO/ITO ratio.
Lactose malabsorption and calcium intake as risk factors for osteoporosis in elderly New Zealand women.

OBJECTS to evaluate the prevalence of lactose malabsorption and to assess dietary calcium intake, in elderly New Zealand women with hip fractures, in age matched case controls without hip fractures drawn from general practice, and in healthy young women. METHODS lactose malabsorption was assessed by measuring breath hydrogen after a 50 g oral lactose tolerance test. Dietary calcium was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS the elderly fracture cases (n = 15), and their elderly controls (n = 16), showed a similar (60% and 63% respectively), but significantly higher prevalence (p less than 0.001), of lactose malabsorption than young women (12%, n = 50). Dietary calcium intake was similar in lactose absorbers and malabsorbers. CONCLUSIONS malabsorption of lactose occurs commonly in elderly New Zealand women but is scarce in young adults. A high prevalence of lactose malabsorption may be a risk factor for exacerbation of type II osteoporosis in the elderly.
Vesicular eczema and systemic contact dermatitis from sorbic acid

Case Report A 36-year-old atopic male storekeeper presented with vesicular eczema, initially involving the feet and then the hands, requiring time off work, and resistant to topical corticosteroid. He was patch tested to the European standard series and additional series including sorbic acid (2% pet.). Positive reactions were seen at D2 and D3 to parabens mix (π/ππ) and sorbic acid (ππ/ππ), with edge effect for this latter allergen. A corticosteroid series (Chemotechnique DiagnosticsA) was negative at D2, D3 and D8. Several weeks before, the patient had used BiafineA cream containing these 2 allergens, but the topical corticosteroids used did not contain either of them. On a diet free from sorbic acid for 15 days (1), lasting improvement was noticed, with reappearance on reintroduction of foods containing sorbic acid, such as yoghurt with prunes and strawberries (5 a day) and margarine.
114 Protective Effects of Curcumin on Gastric Inflammation and Liver Diseases orally

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the natural yellow pigment in tumeric, is isolated from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa Linn. C. longa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, a perennial herb that measures up to 1 meter high with a short stem, and is distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. C. longa is widely cultivated in Asian countries, mainly in India and China. Its rhizomes are oblong, ovate, pyriform, and often short-branched. The rhizomes are a household remedy in Nepal. As a powder, called turmeric, it is bright yellow and has been used as a coloring agent in food in the United States. In India, it has been used for centuries as a spice and a food preservative, and also for its various medicinal properties. The current traditional Indian medicine claims the usage of tumeric against biliary disorders, anorexia, coryza, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorder, rheumatism, and sinusitis.