Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Oxidative Stress in Bovine Oocyte In Vitro Maturation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is a normal process of cell metabolism. In vitro environments usually increase cell production of ROS, which has been implicated as a main cause of cell damage. Nevertheless, the role of ROS in oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is controversial. In most cells, enzymatic antioxidant systems can attenuate the effect of oxidative stress by scavenging ROS. The aim of this work was to determine whether: (1) standard conditions of bovine oocyte IVM are responsible for oxidative stress; (2) cumulus cells participate in protection against oxidative stress of the oocyte; and (3) enzymatic antioxidant activity is present in oocytes and cumulus cells. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in TCM‐199 10% steer serum for 24 h at 39 °C in 5% CO2:95% humidified air. Oxidative stress was determined by the 2', 7'‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.Under standard conditions of in vitro maturation, there was no increase in ROS production per COC (P > 0.05), but ROS level per cumulus cell diminished. There was no modification in ROS levels in oocytes matured in the presence versus the absence of their surrounding cumulus cells (P > 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, the presence of SOD, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were detected in oocytes and cumulus cells for the first time. Enzymatic units were lower in denuded oocytes with respect to cumulus (P < 0.05), accounting for 37% for SOD, 25% for glutathione peroxidase, and 11% for catalase of the total COC units. Specific enzyme activity diminished in cumulus cells (P > 0.05) and increased in oocytes due to maturation (P > 0.05). The presence of activity of an enzymatic antioxidant system in the bovine oocyte would regulate in part ROS levels during IVM. Oocytes could be capable of controlling the increase in ROS because of the presence of their own enzymatic antioxidant system, SOD having the highest specific activity with respect to cumulus cells.
Gaucher disease epidemiology and natural history: a comprehensive review of the literature

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objectives of this research were: (1) to heighten awareness of Gaucher disease (GD), a rare lysosomal storage disorder with highly heterogeneous patterns of organ involvement and disease severity, to clinicians most likely to encounter these patients, and; (2) to summarize the published evidence on GD epidemiology which is essential to accurately depict the total societal burden of this rare worldwide disorder. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken to summarize the published evidence on the epidemiology of GD. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ‘grey’ literature sources published in English between January 1990 and March 2015 were searched to identify relevant publications. Results: In total, 188 full-text articles were reviewed and findings from 49 studies are summarized herein. The standardized birth incidence of GD in the general population varied from 0.39 to 5.80 per 100 000, and prevalence ranged from 0.70 to 1.75 per 100 000, respectively. Time from onset of GD symptoms to clinical diagnosis was highly variable, with median delays of up to 7 years reported. Discussion: The incidence and prevalence of GD is substantially higher among the Ashkenazi Jewish population than the general population. Limited epidemiologic information was available from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and developed nations such as the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Conclusions: Signs and symptoms of GD frequently mimic more common hematologic conditions resulting in missed or delayed diagnosis. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment when indicated is crucial to prevent or minimize life-altering or life-threatening liver and skeletal complications.
COMPARATIVE CYTOTOXICITY POTENTIAL OF SOFT CONTACT LENS CARE PRODUCTS

ABSTRACT Purpose. To determine the cytotoxicity potential of soft contact lens care products and benzalkonium chloride (BAK) by two colorimetric in vitro assays on an immortalized human corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-T). Methods. Four commercial soft contact lens care solutions were tested at 1:3 dilution in growth medium. The positive controls for cytotoxicity were BAK in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (DPBS) at 10, 5, 2.5, and 1.25 ppm and 1:3 dilution of DPBS as negative control. Cell viability was assayed using a novel tetrazolium compound and an electron coupling reagent (MTS/PES), and by cell membrane integrity using neutral red dye uptake and release (NRUR). Mean spectrophotometric optical density of the test samples was compared to mean optical density of the controls at 24 and 48 hours of exposure to test product. Significance was measured by ANOVA/Tukey HSD test. Results. Cell viability and cell membrane integrity tests were not significantly different between lens care solutions and the negative controls for CIBA Vision SOLOcare™ PLUS, Advanced Medical Optics COMPLETE® Comfort PLUS™, or BAK at 1.25 ppm. Exposure to Bausch and Lomb ReNu MultiPlus®, Alcon OPTI-FREE® Express® with Aldox™, BAK 10, 5, and 2.5 ppm yielded significant reduction in cell viability and membrane integrity compared to negative controls. Discussion. Assays of HCE-T cell viability by MTS/PES, and cell membrane integrity by NRUR cells yielded data that were similar to that previously reported with mouse L929 cells in tests based on the USP Elution Test. For the MTS/PES and NRUR assay methods, the solutions in order of increasing cytotoxicity potential were: SOLOCare = COMPLETE Comfort Plus < ReNu < < OPTI-FREE® Express® with Aldox.
Lack of acculturation is a risk factor for diabetes in arab immigrants in the US.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between dysglycemia (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes) and acculturation, physical activity, and perceived stress in Arab immigrants in the U.S. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a cross-sectional population-based study, we examined 520 Arab Americans, aged 20-75 years, who were born in the Middle East and immigrated to southeastern Michigan. Dysglycemia was assessed by history and with a 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Acculturation, physical activity, and perceived stress were measured with standardized questionnaires. RESULTS Associations were found between dysglycemia in men and older age at immigration, unemployment, speaking Arabic with friends, being less active in Arabic organizations, more frequent consumption of Arabic food, and less integration into American society. Dysglycemia in women was associated with being raised in rural areas of the Middle East, older age at immigration, longer length of stay in the U.S., not being employed outside the home, less than high school education, not attending Arabic or American schools, and not being able to read Arabic. Among men, older age at immigration, shorter length of stay in the U.S., less activity in Arab organizations, and eating Arabic food were associated with dysglycemia independent of age and BMI. Among women, acculturation was very low and was confounded with age and BMI as powerful risk factors for dysglycemia. No association was found between physical activity, perceived stress, and the risk of dysglycemia in either sex. CONCLUSIONS Lack of acculturation is an important risk factor for dysglycemia in immigrant Arab Americans. Intervention programs aimed at diabetes prevention should consider the acculturation process.
Treatment with insulin glargine does not suppress serum IGF‐1

Aims A 6–8‐fold higher insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) receptor binding affinity in vitro is reported for the insulin analogue glargine compared with human insulin. This study evaluates the in vivo significance by exploring the growth hormone (GH)–IGF‐1 axis. Assuming a higher binding affinity of insulin glargine to pituitary IGF‐1 receptors, serum IGF‐1 concentrations should decrease via negative feedback.
Male circumcision decreases penile sensitivity as measured in a large cohort

The sensitivity of the foreskin and its importance in erogenous sensitivity is widely debated and controversial. This is part of the actual public debate on circumcision for non‐medical reason. Today some studies on the effect of circumcision on sexual function are available. However they vary widely in outcome. The present study shows in a large cohort of men, based on self‐assessment, that the foreskin has erogenous sensitivity. It is shown that the foreskin is more sensitive than the uncircumcised glans mucosa, which means that after circumcision genital sensitivity is lost. In the debate on clitoral surgery the proven loss of sensitivity has been the strongest argument to change medical practice. In the present study there is strong evidence on the erogenous sensitivity of the foreskin. This knowledge hopefully can help doctors and patients in their decision on circumcision for non‐medical reason.
Hyphenated liquid chromatographic method for the determination of colistin residues in bovine tissues.

A selective and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the measurement of colistin residues in milk and in four bovine tissues (i.e., muscle, liver, kidney, and fat). The sample treatment consists of protein precipitation using 10% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid, solid-phase purification on C18 cartridges, and precolumn derivatization of colistin with ortho-phthalaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethanol in borate buffer (pH 10.5). This latter step is performed automatically, and the resulting reaction mixture is injected into a switching HPLC system including a precolumn and an analytical column packed with end-capped LiChrospher RP18 (5 microns). Washing the precolumn and final elution onto the analytical column are conducted using acetonitrile-0.01M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) mixtures with respective proportions of 65:35 and 68:32 (v/v). Detection is carried out by spectrofluorometry (excitation wavelength, 340 nm; emission wavelength, 440 nm). The retention times of the derivatives corresponding to the two main components of colistin (i.e., polymyxins E2 and E1) are approximately 14 and 18 min, respectively. The structural study of the derivatives corresponding to polymyxins E1 and E2 is carried out by HPLC coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry; data obtained confirms that the derivatization process occurs with the five amino groups of the analytes. Selectivity is obtained in the HPLC system versus other coadministered anti-infective drugs (beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides) and endogenous compounds. Quantitation is performed using the sum of the peak areas of polymyxin E1 and polymyxin E2 derivatives. Testing linearity affords correlation coefficients greater than 0.990 for calibration curves in the range of 10-500 microL/L for milk, 50-1000 micrograms/kg for muscle and fat, and 100-1000 micrograms/kg for kidney and liver. Relative standard deviation values are less than 10% at a concentration of 25 micrograms/L in milk and 100 micrograms/kg in tissues (six replicates); recoveries are higher than 60%.
Evaluation of stress responses to interval training at low and moderate altitudes.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present field study was to explore whether extensive interval training (IT) performed with a similar behavior of blood lactate (LA) at an altitude of 1800 m (ALT) and near sea level (SL) goes along with a comparable hormonal, metabolic, and acute phase response in highly trained endurance athletes. METHODS Twelve distance runners (VO2 64.6 +/- 6.9 mL.kg(-1) ) performed IT (10 x 1000 m, 2-min rest) at SL with a running velocity (V) corresponding to 112% of the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT). After an acclimatization period of 7 d, IT was repeated with a lower V (107% IAT) at ALT. Blood samples were drawn at rest, 0, 0.3, 3, and 24 h after IT. LA during IT was similar at SL and ALT (5.4 +/- 1.3/5.3 +/- 1.2 mmol.L(-1)), whereas HR tended to be higher at SL. RESULTS Postexercise rises in plasma noradrenaline (NA), NA sulfate, adrenaline, glucose, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and neutrophils were significantly more pronounced at ALT. The increase of cortisol and human growth hormone showed an insignificant trend toward higher values at ALT. A slight but significant increase of plasma erythropoietin was only apparent after IT at ALT. No differences between either condition were observed for exercise-related changes in free fatty acids, IL-8, lympho-, or monocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS In spite of a matched accumulation pattern of LA between ALT and N, stress responses, such as sympathetic activation and hepatic glucose release, still appear to be greater at ALT. This additional impact of moderate ALT on the stress response to IT should be taken into account if repeated training sessions are performed within a short period of time.
Evidence of early cortical atrophy in MS

Objective: To assess cortical gray matter (GM) changes in MS and establish their relevance to clinical disability and to inflammatory changes of white matter (WM) in patients with the relapsing–remitting (RR) and primary progressive (PP) forms of the disease. Methods: Conventional MRI examinations were obtained in patients with definite MS who had either the RR or the PP form of the disease. An automated analysis tool was used with conventional T1-weighted MR images to obtain total and cortical brain volumes normalized for head size. Total brain lesion load was estimated on conventional proton density and T2-weighted MR images. The relationship between volumetric MR measures and scores of clinical disability was assessed. Results: Normalized cortical volumes (NCV) were lower for both RR and PP MS patients than for normal control subjects (p < 0.001) but were similar between the two patient groups (p > 0.5). NCV decreases in both patients groups were detected even in those patients with short disease duration (<5 years; p < 0.001 in RR MS and p < 0.05 in PP MS) and minimal brain lesion volume (<5 mL; p < 0.0001 in RR MS and p < 0.005 in PP MS). Measures of NCV in individual patients were negatively correlated with T2-weighted lesion volume (r = −0.47, p < 0.001) and disease duration (r = −0.25, p < 0.05) only in the patients with RR MS. NCV correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores across all of the patients, but the strength of the correlation was stronger (p < 0.05) for PP (r = −0.64, p < 0.0001) than for RR (r = −0.27, p = 0.04) MS patients. Conclusions: These data confirm substantial neocortical volume loss in MS patients and suggest that neocortical GM pathology may occur early in the course of the disease in both RR and PP MS patients and contribute significantly to neurologic impairment. Although a proportion of this neocortical pathology may be secondary to WM inflammation, the extent of the changes suggests that, especially in patients with PP MS, an independent neurodegenerative process also is active.
Oncolytic Herpes Viruses as a Potential Mechanism for Cancer Therapy

Oncolytic viruses have been considered as a potential form of cancer treatment throughout the last century because of their ability to lyse and destroy tumor cells both in tissue culture and in animal models of cancer. However, it is only during the past decade that new molecular technologies have become available and understanding of genetic and molecular components of these viruses has increased to the point that they can be manipulated and made safe for use in treatment in humans. Thus there has been a revival of the concepts of conditionally replication-competent viruses and suicide gene therapy to supplement currently existing cancer therapies. While a wide variety of viruses have been closely studied for this purpose, herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) has received particularly close attention. The inherent cytotoxicity of this virus, if harnessed and made to be selective in the context of a tumor microenvironment, makes this an ideal candidate for further development. Furthermore, its large genome size, ability to infect cells with a high degree of efficiency, and the presence of an inherent viral-specific thymidine kinase gene add to its potential capabilities. This review explores work performed in this field and its potential for application in the treatment of cancers in humans. Received 18 November 2002 Accepted 4 April 2003
Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has certain advantages over open repair including less pain and earlier return to normal activity. Concurrent robotic inguinal hernia repair at the time of prostatectomy has been shown to have a lower recurrence rate than open repair. Robotic surgery adds high definition visualization and articulating instruments which enhances dexterity that makes laparoscopic hernia repair more refined. A series of robotic, laparoscopic, inguinal hernia repairs by a single surgeon with an extensive laparoscopic hernia experience at a single institution was undertaken to determine the role of robotic laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in minimally invasive surgery. Five hundred forty-two laparoscopic inguinal hernia operations were performed from April 2012 through December 2015. There were 154 cases of robotic transabdominal pre-peritoneal procedures done during that time. Hospital records and follow-up care were pro-spectively reviewed and data collected for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesia class, and operative time. Follow-up was done at 2, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery. All patients consented for the study. Ninety percent of the patients were male. Age averaged 57.04 years with a range of 21 to 85 years. American Society of Anesthesia averaged 2.01 with comorbidities of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease being the most common. Body mass index was between 19 and 31.6, averaging 24.34. Twenty-five patients (16%) had an umbilical hernia repair done concomitantly. Operating room time ranged from 25 to 140 minutes with an average of 63.6 minutes decreased as experience increased. One patient with a large, left scrotal hernia was converted to open; one patient developed perforated sigmoid diverticulitis seven days postop and case #5 recurred indirectly after a direct hernia repair. Four patients required prolonged postoperative Foley catheterization. Robotic inguinal hernia repair is safe and effective. Operating room time was longer than standard laparoscopic herniorrhaphy but decreased with experience. A single-port platform may have use in patients with umbilical hernias, 16 per cent, and will need to be studied.
Perinatal stress and food allergy: a preliminary study on maternal reports

Maternal stress in fetal and early life has been associated with the development of respiratory allergies, but no studies exist about food allergy. Stressful events and the quality of caregiving provided, as they affect the emotional and physiologic regulation of the infant, could alter the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and immune system, facilitating an increased allergic response. This study aimed to investigate the influence of perinatal stress, as perceived by mothers, on developing food allergy in childhood. A survey on pregnancy and the first three months after giving birth was submitted to 59 Italian mothers of at least one child suffering from severe food allergy and one completely healthy child, for a total of 118 children examined. The presence of stressful events and the quality of perinatal period for each child were assessed retrospectively. The food allergic children’s data were compared to siblings’ data through inferential statistics. The results showed a significantly higher number of stressful events occurred during patients’ perinatal period, compared to siblings, in particular bereavements in pregnancy and parenting difficulties in postpartum. Mothers reported harder pregnancies and more stressful, harder, and, in general, worse postpartum when referring to their food-allergic children, in comparison with their siblings (p < .05). Psychological aspects are demonstrated to be involved in the development of allergic diseases. This study constitutes the first step to examine the role of early stress and perinatal psychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of food allergy; further studies are necessary to understand individual psychological impact and its relations with genetic and biological factors.
Eliciting Change in At-Risk Elders (ECARE): Evaluation of an Elder Abuse Intervention Program

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based elder abuse intervention program that assists suspected victims of elder abuse and self-neglect through a partnership with local law enforcement. This program, Eliciting Change in At-Risk Elders, involves building alliances with the elder and family members, connecting the elder to supportive services that reduce risk of further abuse, and utilizing motivational interviewing-type skills to help elders overcome ambivalence regarding making difficult life changes. Risk factors of elder abuse decreased over the course of the intervention and nearly three-quarters of participants made progress on their treatment goal, advancing at least one of Prochaska and DiClemente’s (1983) stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance). Forty-three percent of elders moved into the stages of action and maintenance regarding their goal. The usefulness of eliciting change via longer-term relationships with vulnerable elders in entrenched elder abuse situations is discussed.
The transcription factor E2F-1 mediates the autoregulation of RB gene expression

The retinoblastoma (RB) gene is the prototype tumor suppressor gene. Mutations in this gene are often associated with the occurrence of various tumors. Several mutations have been found in the promoter region of the gene, suggesting that inappropriate transcriptional regulation of the RB gene contributes to tumorigenesis. Sequence analysis of the RB promoter has revealed a potential E2F recognition site within a region critical for RB gene transcription. By using the cloned E2F-1 gene, here we report that (i) RB expression is negatively regulated by its own gene product, (ii) E2F-1 binds specifically to an E2F recognition sequence in the RB promoter and transactivates the RB promoter, (iii) overexpression of RB suppresses E2F-1-mediated stimulation of RB promoter activity, and (iv) the expression of the RB gene is paralleled by the expression of the E2F-1 gene during cell cycle progression. These results demonstrate that expression of RB is negatively autoregulated through E2F-1.
Multifractal analysis for grading complex fractionated electrograms in atrial fibrillation

Complex fractionated atrial electrograms provide an important tool for identifying arrhythmogenic substrates that can be used to guide catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, fractionation is a phenomenon that remains unclear. This paper aims to evaluate the multifractal properties of electrograms in AF in order to propose a method based on multifractal analysis able to discriminate between different levels of fractionation. We introduce a new method, the h-fluctuation index (hFI), where h is the generalised Hurst exponent, to extract information from the shape of the multifractal spectrum. Two multifractal frameworks are evaluated: multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis and wavelet transform modulus maxima. hFI is exemplified through its application in synthetic signals, and it is evaluated in a database of electrograms labeled on the basis of four degrees of fractionation. We compare the performance of hFI with other indexes, and find that hFI outperforms them. The results of the study provide evidence that multifractal analysis is useful for studying fractionation phenomena in AF electrograms, and indicate that hFI can be proposed as a tool for grade fractionation associated with the detection of target sites for ablation in AF.