Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respiratory effects in children from passive smoking of cigarettes and narghile: ISAAC Phase Three in Syria.

BACKGROUND The association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and asthma symptoms is well documented, but a causal relationship is inconclusive. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three was the first to report a dose-response relationship between current wheezing and exposure to parental cigarette smoke. As exposure of children to water pipe (narghile) smoke is of concern in Syria, in the ISAAC Phase Three Tartous Centre we also examined the role of parental smoking of the narghile. METHODS Parents of children aged 6-7 years completed core written questionnaires about the prevalence of symptoms, and an environmental questionnaire for other risk factors, including parental cigarette smoking. We added questions about narghile to the questionnaire. RESULTS Among 2 734 pupils (49% females) surveyed, we found an association between exposure to ETS of the mother smoking cigarette or narghile and ever wheezing, nocturnal cough and severe wheeze; however, the strongest association was found when the mother smoked narghile. Mother smoking narghile was also associated with exercise wheeze. Father smoking narghile, but not cigarettes, was associated with nocturnal cough, severe wheeze and exercise wheeze. The association with current wheeze became significant when mother smoked both cigarettes and narghile; however, the effect was addititive and not synergic. CONCLUSION We recommend that international studies investigating ETS include questions on narghile smoking.
Contribution of Adenosine A2B Receptors in Clostridium difficile Intoxication and Infection

ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB) induce a pronounced systemic and intestinal inflammatory response. A2B adenosine receptors (A2BARs) are the predominant adenosine receptors in the intestinal epithelium. We investigated whether A2BARs are upregulated in human intestinal cells by TcdA or TcdB and whether blockade of A2BARs can ameliorate C. difficile TcdA-induced enteritis and alter the outcome of C. difficile infection (CDI). Adenosine receptor subtype (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) mRNAs were assayed in HCT-8 cells. Ileal loops from wild-type rabbits and mice and A2BAR−/− mice were treated with TcdA, with or without the selective A2BAR antagonist ATL692 or PSB1115. A murine model of CDI was used to determine the effect of A2BAR deletion or blockade with the orally available agent ATL801, on clinical outcome, histopathology and intestinal interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression from infection. TcdA and TcdB upregulated A2BAR gene expression in HCT-8 cells. ATL692 decreased TcdA-induced secretion and epithelial injury in rabbit ileum. Deletion of A2BARs reduced secretion and histopathology in TcdA-challenged mouse ileum. Deletion or blockade of A2BARs reduced histopathology, IL-6 expression, weight loss, diarrhea, and mortality in C. difficile-infected mice. A2BARs mediate C. difficile toxin-induced enteritis and disease. Inhibition of A2BAR activation may be a potential strategy to limit morbidity and mortality from CDI.
A positive influence of vision on motor symptoms during sensory attention focused exercise for Parkinson's disease

This study evaluated the effect of increased attention to sensory feedback during exercise. Two 12‐week exercise programs that differed only in the presence (PD SAFEx™) or absence (non‐SAFE control group) of increased attention focused on sensory feedback were compared. Participants were assessed symptomatically using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) before the start of the exercise program, immediately following the 12‐week program and after a 6‐week nonexercise washout period. Secondary outcome measures included the Timed‐Up‐and‐Go (TUG), Grooved Pegboard (GP) and velocity and step length of self‐paced gait. Both groups significantly improved on the TUG, GP, velocity, and step length, and this was maintained after a 6‐week washout period. Of additional interest, only the PD SAFEx™ program significantly improved motor symptoms (UPDRS). These gains were maintained in the PD SAFEx™ group 6 weeks after the exercise was stopped, while motor symptoms significantly worsened in the non‐SAFE group. These results suggest that increasing awareness of sensory feedback may be a critical factor that specifically impacts motor symptoms. Future work should strive to uncover the underlying neurophysiological mechanism behind this effect. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
The protective effects of melatonin against cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress in human sperm

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation during cryopreservation harm sperm membrane and as a result reduce the recovery of motile sperm. The antioxidant effects of melatonin on different cells have been widely reported. This study was aimed to evaluate changes in post-thaw motility, viability, and intracellular ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) in response to the addition of melatonin to human sperm freezing extender. Semen of 43 fertile men was collected and each sample was divided into eight equal aliquots. An aliquot was analyzed freshly for viability, motility, and intracellular ROS and MDA. Melatonin was added to the recommended human freezing extender to yield six different final concentrations: 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 mM. A control group without melatonin was also included. Two weeks after cryopreservation, samples were thawed and pre-freeze analyses repeated. Obtained results showed that cryopreservation significantly (P <0.05) reduces viability and motility, but increases intracellular ROS and MDA of human sperm. The semen extender supplemented with various doses of melatonin (except for 0.001 mM) significantly (P <0.05) increased motility and viability, but decreased intracellular ROS and MDA levels of cryopreserved sperm after the thawing process, as compared with the control group. We also found that the most effective concentration of melatonin in protecting human spermatozoa from cryopreservation injuries was 0.01 mM. These findings suggest that melatonin exerts its cryoprotective effects on spermatozoa possibly by counteracting intracellular ROS, and thereby reduces MDA generation. This finally leads to increase of post-thaw viability and motility of cryopreserved spermatozoa.
Assessment of immune response to meningococcal disease: comparison of a whole-blood assay and the serum bactericidal assay.

A whole-blood assay (WBA), which assesses the complete bactericidal activity of blood, was compared with the serum bactericidal assay (SBA), which measures antibody and complement mediated cell lysis. Twenty children infected with serogroup B strains and 25 infected with serogroup C strains were studied 8-12 weeks after disease, and 29 healthy children were used as controls. The infecting strain (convalescent children only) and two reference strains, MC58 (B:15:P1.7, 16) and NCTC 8554 (C:NT:P1.5) were used. In children previously infected with a serogroup B strain, bactericidal activity was detected in 95% and 85% to their infecting strain by the WBA (>50% killing) and the SBA (s), respectively. Bactericidal activity to the reference serogroup B and C strain was detected by WBA in 70 and 75% of children, respectively, and the SBA in 45% and 20%. In contrast bactericidal activity was detected to both serogroup C strains in >80% of children previously infected with a serogroup C strain using either assay and in 48% (WBA) and 20% (SBA) to the reference serogroup B strain. Levels of bactericidal activity were detectable in fewer control children. Children convalescing from meningococcal disease develop an immune response to their infecting strain, detectable by both the WBA and SBA, which is independent of age. However, the WBA appears to be a more sensitive measure of bactericidal activity to heterologous strains than the SBA.
Role of Different Immunostaining Patterns in HercepTest Interpretation and Criteria for Gene Amplification as Determined by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of HER-Z overexpression by HercepTest on paraffin sections has been proposed for selecting patients with metastatic breast carcinoma for Herceptin therapy. Interpretation of intermediate (2+) reactivity could be subjective and has been shown to have low concordance with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH assay for gene amplification (GA) has been used as a confirmatory test in equivocal cases with different criteria judging gene amplification. A wide range of discordance between IHC and FISH has been reported in the literature, with ongoing debate about which assay is more accurate for HER-Z test. Little attention has been paid to the role of different criteria in judging protein overexpression on IHC and GA on FISH. We evaluated HER-Z overexpression and GA by IHC (HercepTest) and FISH (PathVysion), respectively, on paraffin sections of 142 primary breast carcinomas. For the HercepTest, in addition to scoring guidelines proposed by the manufacturer, scoring systems taking into consideration the pattern of membranous staining and staining in benign epithelium were also evaluated. For the FISH assay, the ratios of HER-Z:CEP17, HER-Z:cell, and CEP17:cell were used to evaluate the impact of the different criteria for determining GA. HER-Z overexpression was detected in 53 (37.3%), 48 (33.8%), and 36 (25.4%) cases according to the HercepTest, normal epithelium-modified, and pattern-modified scoring systems, respectively. The HER-Z gene was considered amplified in 41 (28.9%), 37 (26.1%), and 34 (23.9%) cases according to the HER-Z:cell criteria, HER-Z:CEP17 criteria, and the combined criteria, respectively. Our results suggest that a high concordance (95.8%) between HER-Z overexpression and GA can be achieved by using more stringent pattern-modified criteria for judging protein overexpression and combined criteria for GA.
Efficacy and safety of a novel, double-layered, coated, self-expandable metallic mesh stent (Uventa™) in malignant ureteral obstructions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) is a common condition and an intractable situation for patients with advanced cancer. There is currently no ideal ureteral stent to release the obstruction. Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel, double-layered, coated, self-expandable metallic mesh stent (Uventa(™)) in MUO. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a retrospective design, a total of 71 ureter units (54 patients) were included from December 2009 to March 2012. Indications were those who had MUO with a polymeric Double-J stent malfunction, severe polymeric stent irritation, or severe pain during periodic stent change. Patients underwent Uventa placement using a retrograde approach. RESULTS All stents were positioned at the proper site without procedure-related complications. The overall success (no obstruction and no additional intervention except supplementary Uventa placement) and primary success (no obstruction and no additional intervention) rates were 81.7% (58/71 ureter units) and 64.8% (46/71 ureter units) during the follow-up period, which had a median of 308 (35-802) days. The most common reason for primary failure was tumor progression beyond the stent segment (75.0%), followed by reactive hyperplasia at the stent tips (12.5%), bladder invasion of the primary tumor (8.0%), and stent-related pain (8.0%). Twelve patients had overall success after secondary Uventa placement. There were no severe complications. The complications included persistent flank pain (15.5%), lower urinary tract symptoms (7.0%), acute pyelonephritis (2.8%), stent migration (2.8%), and persistent hematuria (2.8%). CONCLUSIONS These data show that Uventa can be an effective and safe option for palliative treatment of patients with MUO in a large series of patients.
The Revolving Door: Exploring Public Attitudes toward Prisoner Reentry

The third meeting of the Reentry Roundtable was held on March 20-21, 2002, in Washington, DC. The title and theme of the meeting was Prisoner Reentry and the Institutions of Civil Society: Bridges and Barriers to Successful Reintegration. The purpose of this meeting was to examine the role of communities, faith institutions, the business sector, public attitudes and legal barriers in prisoner reintegration. We commissioned discussion papers in each of these areas and asked the authors to give a short presentation to kick off the discussion. Our goal was to ask, in each of these areas, whether they serve as impediments or facilitators of the reintegration process. This paper presents qualitative data from a small-scale pilot project on public opinion and prisoner reentry.
Patient Satisfaction and Nipple-Areola Sensitivity After Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy and Immediate Implant Breast Reconstruction in a High Breast Cancer Risk Population: Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Versus Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

BackgroundProphylactic skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) both are associated with major risk reduction in women with high breast cancer risk. Skin-sparing mastectomy followed by nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction is standard of care, but NSM is increasingly being performed. Preservation of the NAC in NSM may increase patient satisfaction. Therefore, we measured NAC sensitivity after NSM and compared patient satisfaction as well as body image after SSM with NSM. MethodsWomen who underwent prophylactic bilateral SSM or NSM and immediate implant breast reconstruction between 2002 and 2012 were eligible. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the Breast-Q reconstruction questionnaire, body image using Hopwood's body image scale (BIS), and satisfaction with the (reconstructed) NAC using a study-specific questionnaire. In the NSM group, NAC sensitivity was assessed using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments with a 5-point scale and compared with NAC sensitivity in a nonoperated control group. ResultsThe SSM group comprised 25 women (50 SSMs) and the NSM group 20 women (39 NSMs). Median follow-up was 65 months in the SSM group compared with 27 months in the NSM group (P < 0.01). In univariable analyses, Breast-Q scores were favorable in the SSM group compared with the NSM group with trends for higher “satisfaction with breasts” (66.2 vs 56.6; P = 0.06) and “satisfaction with outcome” (76.1 vs 61.5; P = 0.09). Mean BIS score of 7.1/30 in the SSM group and 9.3/30 in the NSM group (P = 0.35). Adjusted for follow-up, there were no significant differences in Breast-Q scores, nor in BIS scores. Interestingly, satisfaction with the (reconstructed) NAC was similar after SSM and NSM. Nipple-areola complex sensitivity was lower in the NSM group (mean score, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–2.3) compared with the control group (mean score, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 4.6–4.9; P < 0.01). ConclusionsBreast-Q scores regarding satisfaction with breasts and overall outcome were in favor of the SSM group. Residual NAC sensitivity after NSM was low. This suggests that SSM followed by NAC reconstruction is a balanced alternative to NSM. We observed no significant differences in body image and NAC-specific satisfaction between the NSM and SSM groups.
Deaths in Custody: A 25-Year Review of Jail Deaths in Bexar County, Texas

AbstractAlthough deaths in custody are an expected occurrence, they are often subjected to increased scrutiny and raise many questions as to circumstances surrounding the death as well as the cause and manner of death. It is usually the responsibility of the medical examiner to answer these questions. Relatively few studies have reviewed the causes and manners of death that occur while in custody and even fewer specific to jail populations. This study reviews the cause and manner of death of persons in custody in an urban county from 1985 to 2010. A retrospective review of death investigations, including death certificates and autopsy reports, was conducted on all deaths that occurred in custody during the period. The age and sex of the decedent as well as the place of death were also recorded. Most deaths were attributed to natural disease followed by suicide, and most deaths occurred either in the emergency department or in the hospital. Regarding the cause of death, cardiovascular disease followed by suicide by hanging accounted for the most number of deaths (25% and 20% of all deaths, respectively). It is recommended that all deaths in custody be reported to the medical examiner and that a thorough death investigation be conducted to properly define and document the cause and manner of death. This is particularly important given the increased scrutiny to which deaths in custody are often subjected.
Ambivalent Sexism and Attitudes Toward Women in Different Stages of Reproductive Life: A Semantic, Cross-Cultural Approach

College students in southeastern Mexico (n = 185) and the northeastern United States (n = 96) utilized a semantic differential scale to rate subtypes of women: a menstruating woman, a menopausal woman, a pregnant woman, a premenstrual woman, a woman with a hysterectomy, a teenage girl, a woman in love, and a woman with a young baby. Americans reported significantly more negative attitudes than Mexicans did toward a menstruating woman, a premenstrual woman, a teenage girl, and a pregnant woman. Participants chose more positive words to describe a teenage girl, a woman in love, a pregnant woman, and a woman with a young baby, which is suggestive of a pronatal bias. Participants also completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). Men scored significantly higher than women on hostile sexism. Mexicans scored significantly higher than Americans on both hostile and benevolent sexism. Sexism scores are related to attitudes toward premenstrual, menstruating, and menopausal women; women with a hysterectomy; and women with a young baby.
GBV‐C/HGV infection in children with chronic hepatitis C

The role of GB virus‐C/hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV), a recently identified member of the Flaviviridae family, in children with liver disease is not well understood. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of GBV‐C/HGV and to clarify its pathogenic role in young patients with chronic hepatitis C. Sixty‐four Japanese children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with a mean age of 9.8 years, were evaluated retrospectively. Twenty‐one (32.8%) of the 64 patients were positive for serum GBV‐C/HGV RNA. Only 1 (1.6%) of the 64 patients was positive for antibody against the envelope protein E2 of GBV‐C/HGV (anti‐E2) and GBV‐C/HGV. None of them was positive for anti‐E2 alone. There was no significant difference in clinical, virological, or histological characteristics between GBV‐C/HGV‐positive and GBV‐C/HGV‐negative patients, except for underlying malignant disease. There was no evidence that GBV‐C/HGV might affect the response of HCV to interferon therapy in young patients with chronic hepatitis C. The prevalence of GBV‐C/HGV infection in young patients with chronic hepatitis C is similar to that in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C, but E2‐seroconversion is observed infrequently. Underlying malignant disease is a risk factor for GBV‐C/HGV viremia. GBV‐C/HGV does not seem to affect the clinical course of young patients with chronic hepatitis C. J. Med. Virol. 59:154–159, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum paraoxonase levels in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Serum paraoxonase (PON) is a calcium-dependent esterase that is known to contribute to the antioxidant protection conferred by high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Serum PON activity was shown to be reduced in patients with diseases such as myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, etc in comparison to healthy subjects. However, the relation of serum PON levels to cancer is still not known. So, we intended to measure serum PON, HDL, LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels and to investigate the relation of serum PON to plasma lipoproteins in the patients with gastric cancer. METHODOLOGY We measured serum PON, HDL, LDL and VLDL levels in 20 patients with gastric cancer and in 20 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. We investigated the relationship between PON and HDL, PON and LDL, and PON and VLDL. RESULTS Serum HDL levels were lower in the patients than in controls (33.10 +/- 7.75 mg/dL, and 47.30 +/- 6.65 mg/dL, respectively) (p<0.0001). Serum VLDL levels were lower in the patients than in controls (21.65 +/- 6.92 mg/dL, and 33.10 +/- 6.09 mg/dL, respectively) (p<0.0001). Serum LDL levels measured in the patients were not significantly different from those of the controls. Serum PON levels were lower in the patients than in controls (67.10 +/- 17.92 U/L, and 87.50 +/- 23.39 U/L, respectively) and there was a positive correlation between serum PON and HDL levels (r: 0.52, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the patients with gastric cancer had low serum PON, HDL, and VLDL levels compared to healthy controls. The importance of PON as a predictive risk factor for cancer should be assessed in future studies.
An Evaluation of the Laryngeal Tube® During General Anesthesia Using Mechanical Ventilation

The Laryngeal Tube® is a new supraglottic ventilatory device for airway management. It has been developed to secure a patent airway during either spontaneous or mechanical ventilation. In this study, we sought to determine the effectiveness of the Laryngeal Tube for primary airway management during routine surgery with mechanical ventilation. One-hundred-seventy-five subjects classified as ASA physical status I and II, scheduled for elective surgery, were included in the study. After the induction of general anesthesia and insertion of a Size 4 Laryngeal Tube, measurements of oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO2 and isoflurane concentration, and breath-by-breath spirometry data were obtained every 5 min throughout surgery. The lungs were ventilated with volume-controlled mechanical ventilation. The number of attempts taken to insert the Laryngeal Tube and the insertion time were recorded. In 96.6% of patients, it was possible to maintain oxygenation, ventilation, and respiratory mechanics by using mechanical ventilation throughout the surgical procedure. The results of this study suggest that the Laryngeal Tube is an effective and safe airway device for airway management in mechanically ventilated patients during elective surgery. IMPLICATIONS: In 96.6% of patients intubated with the Laryngeal Tube®, it was possible to maintain oxygenation, ventilation, and respiratory mechanics during mechanical ventilation.
Oligophrenin-1 Is Associated with Cell Adhesion and Migration in Prostate Cancer

Objective: We performed Escherichia coli ampicillin secretion trap (CAST) analysis in prostate cancer (PCa) to identify novel biomarkers. We show here that OPHN1, which encodes oligophrenin-1 protein, is upregulated in PCa. OPHN1 was first determined to be one of the genes associated with X-linked mental retardation; however, neither the gene's function nor the link between its expression and survival of patients has been investigated. Methods: We investigate the expression of oligophrenin-1 in 141 PCa tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and perform functional analysis using RNA interference. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis of oligophrenin-1 demonstrated that 60 (43%) PCa cases were positive for oligophrenin-1. Positive oligophrenin-1 expression was significantly correlated with a high Gleason score (p = 0.0198). Furthermore, patients with oligophrenin-1-positive PCa had a worse biochemical recurrence-free survival rate than patients with oligophrenin-1-negative PCa (p = 0.0079). Cell adhesion to fibronectin was significantly reduced in OPHN1 small interfering (si)RNA-transfected LNCaP and PC3 cells in comparison to negative-control siRNA-transfected cells. Knockdown of OPHN1 reduced the expression of ITGA5 and stress fiber formation in LNCaP and PC3 cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that oligophrenin-1 is involved in tumor progression in PCa.