Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isoflavone supplements do not affect thyroid function in iodine-replete postmenopausal women.

Despite the safety review conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the process of awarding a health claim for the cholesterol-lowering properties of soy protein, concerns about the possible goitrogenic effects of soybean isoflavones persist. Concerns are based primarily on in vitro research, animal studies, and older reports of goiter in infants fed soy formula not fortified with iodine. In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effect on thyroid function of a daily supplement containing 90 mg (aglycone weight) of total isoflavones/day versus placebo in 38 postmenopausal women, 64-83 years old, not on hormone replacement therapy. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured at baseline and after 90 and 180 days. In the supplement group, at baseline and 6 months, TSH (micro U/ml), T4 (nM), and T3 (nM) levels (mean +/- SE) were 3.00 +/- 0.44, 149.00 +/- 5.04, and 1.53 +/- 0.13, respectively, and 3.49 +/- 0.52, 154.52 +/- 2.09, and 1.78 +/- 0.12, respectively. In the control group, levels at baseline and at 6 months were 3.35 +/- 0.51, 145.39 +/- 6.69, and 1.55 +/- 0.18, respectively, and 3.63 +/- 0.57, 153.77 +/- 6.64, and 1.75 +/- 0.10, respectively. Intragroup differences for all three measures were statistically indistinguishable at 6 months, and levels were similar between the isoflavone supplement and placebo groups at each measurement. These results indicate that in this group of healthy iodine-replete subjects, soy isoflavones do not adversely affect thyroid function.
Carcinoma of the breast with stromal multinucleated giant cells

Three cases of invasive mammary carcinoma with stromal osteoclast‐like giant cells are reported. All the specimens were grossly of reddish‐brown colour. On microscopical examination two were invasive ductal carcinomas and the third was of mixed ductal. and mucoid type. In the stroma all specimens showed numerous osteoclast‐like giant cells, vascular proliferation, and accumulation of haemosiderin pigment. Supplementary immunohistochemical and electron microscopical investigations indicated that the giant cells originated from mononuclear stromal cells with only slight histiocytic properties. The giant cell formation was probably induced by the infiltrating carcinomatous tissue which is also believed to induce new blood vessel formation. However, there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these features.
Long-Term Effect on Mother–Infant Behaviour of Extra Contact during the First Hour Post Partum III

The present prospective study examined, one year after delivery, the possible effects of early extra contact during the first hour following delivery. An extra skin-to-skin contact and suckling contact was allowed 22 primiparous mothers and their infants (P+ group). One control group of 20 primiparous mothers and their infants were given routine care immediately after birth (P group). During observation of a physical examination of the infant, ‘extra contact mothers’ held and touched their infants more frequently and more often talked positively to their infants than did mothers given routine care. ‘Extra contact mothers’ had returned to their professional employment outside the home to a lesser extent than had routine care mothers. A greater proportion of ‘extra contact’ infants slept in a room of their own. In the P+ group, mothers who had returned to gainful employment were also able to have their babies sleep in a room of their own—no such correspondence was found in the P group. The Gesell Developmental Schedules revealed that, in four parts out of five, infants with extra contact immediately after birth, were ahead of those in the control group. On the other hand, the Vineland Social Maturity Scale and the Cesarec Marke Personality Scheme did not reveal any major differences between the two groups. Mothers with early extra skin-to-skin contact and suckling contact breast-fed their infants on an average for 2 1/2 months longer than did routine care mothers. No other differences in feeding habits were found. The influence of extra contact was more pronounced in boy–mother than in girl–mother pairs.
Light-induced Damage to the Retina: Role of Rhodopsin Chromophore Revisited

Abstract The presence of the regenerable visual pigment rhodopsin has been shown to be primarily responsible for the acute photodamage to the retina. The photoexcitation of rhodopsin leads to isomerization of its chromophore 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal (ATR). ATR is a potent photosensitizer and its role in mediating photodamage has been suspected for over two decades. However, there was lack of experimental evidence that free ATR exists in the retina in sufficient concentrations to impose a risk of photosensitized damage. Identification in the retina of a retinal dimer and a pyridinium bisretinoid, so called A2E, and determination of its biosynthetic pathway indicate that substantial amounts of ATR do accumulate in the retina. Both light damage and A2E accumulation are facilitated under conditions where efficient retinoid cycle operates. Efficient retinoid cycle leads to rapid regeneration of rhodopsin, which may result in ATR release from the opsin “exit site” before its enzymatic reduction to all-trans-retinol. Here we discuss photodamage to the retina where ATR could play a role as the main toxic and/or phototoxic agent. Moreover, we discuss secondary products of (photo)toxic properties accumulating within retinal lipofuscin as a result of ATR accumulation.
Does Stock Price Crash of Firms in the Same Business Group Cause Stock Price Crash in Other Member Firm? Evidence from Korea

ABSTRACT This article examines the spillover of stock price crash within business groups. Using Korean business group data, we find that the crash risk of a firm is positively associated with the crash risk of other member firms in the same business group. We also find that crashes spread but do not arise simultaneously across firms within a business group. Further analyses reveal that the documented association is stronger in firms with more inter-company transactions and those with lower market-to-book ratios. Our article contributes to the literature by suggesting that the consequence of opportunistic behaviors of controlling shareholders (i.e., stock crash of a member firm) spills over within business groups.
Postpartum mood disorders

Depression is a common disorder in women of childbearing age. Many women experience depressive symptoms during the postpartum period, ranging from mild postpartum blues to significant mood disorders such as postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The ‘baby blues‘ are extremely common, affecting 30-75% of new mothers. This form of postpartum mood change is self-limited and requires no specific treatment other than education and support. While less common, occurring in 10-15% of births, postpartum depression has the potential for significant impact on both the health of the mother and baby. Unfortunately, affective illness in women frequently goes unrecognized and untreated. While there are effective pharmacological treatments for postpartum depression, the treatments for postpartum depression are often not utilized due to concerns about lactation. Postpartum psychosis is extremely rare, affecting one to two women per 1000 births; each case represents a true psychiatric emergency. Identifying and treating postpartum affective illness in women is critical to the health of both mother and infant. This paper reviews the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders in the postpartum period: postpartum blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
The Neural Substrate of Picture Naming

A PET study of 10 normal males was carried out using the bolus H215O intravenous injection technique to examine the effects of picture naming and semantic judgment on blood flow. In a series of conditions, subjects (1) passively viewed flashing plus signs, (2) noted the occurrence of abstract patterns, (3) named animal pictures, or (4) carried out a semantic judgment on animal pictures. Anticipatory scans were carried out after the subjects were presented with the instructions but before they began the cognitive task, as they were passively viewing plus signs. Our results serve to clarify a number of current controversies regarding the neural substrate of picture naming. The results indicate that the fusiform gyrus is unlikely to be the region where low-level perceptual processing such as shape analysis is undertaken. In fact, our evidence suggests that activation of the fusiform gyrus is most likely related to visual perceptual semantic processing. In addition, the inferior/middle frontal lobe activity observed while performing the picture naming and semantic judgment tasks does not appear to be due to the effects of anticipation or preparation. Furthermore, there appears to be a set of regions (a semantic network) that becomes activated regardless of whether the subjects perform a picture naming or semantic judgment task. Finally, picture naming of animals did not activate either parietal regions or anterior inferior left temporal regions, regardless of what subtraction baseline was used.
Poliovirus 2C protein determinants of membrane binding and rearrangements in mammalian cells

Poliovirus protein 2C is a 329-amino acid-protein that is essential for viral RNA synthesis and may perform multiple functions. In infected cells, it is associated with virus-specific membrane vesicles. Recombinant 2C protein expressed in transfected cells has been shown to associate with and induce rearrangement of the intracellular membrane network. This study was designed to map the determinants of membrane binding and rearrangement in the 2C protein. Computer-assisted analysis of the protein sequence led to a prediction that the protein folds into a structure composed of three domains. Expression plasmids that encode each or combinations of these predicted domains were used to examine the abilities of the partial protein sequences to associate with intracellular membranes and to induce rearrangement of these membranes in HeLa cells. Biochemical fractionation procedures suggested that the N-terminal region of the protein was required for membrane association. Electron microscopic and immunoelectron microscopic observation showed that both the N- and C-terminal regions, but not the central portion, of 2C protein interact with intracellular membranes and induce major changes in their morphology. The central portion, when fused to the N-terminal region, altered the specific membrane architecture induced by the N-terminal region, giving rise to vesicles resembling those observed during poliovirus infection.
Do Stretch Durations Affect Muscle Mechanical and Neurophysiological Properties?

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine whether stretching durations influence acute changes of mechanical and neurophysiological properties of plantar flexor muscles. Plantar flexors of 10 active males were stretched in passive conditions on an isokinetic dynamometer. Different durations of static stretching were tested in 5 randomly ordered experimental trials (1, 2, 3, 4 and 10×30-s). Fascicle stiffness index, evoked contractile properties and spinal excitability (Hmax/Mmax) were examined before (PRE), immediately after (POST0) and 5 min after (POST5) stretching. No stretch duration effect was recorded for any variable. Moreover, whatever the stretching duration, stiffness index, peak twitch torque and rate of force development were significantly lower at POST0 and POST5 as compared to PRE (P<0.05). Electromechanical delay was longer at POST0 and POST5 as compared to PRE (P<0.05). Whatever the stretch duration, no significant changes of Hmax/Mmax ratio were recorded. In conclusion, 30 s of static stretching to maximum tolerated discomfort is sufficient enough to alter mechanical properties of plantar flexor muscles, but 10×30 s does not significantly affect these properties further. Stretching does not impair spinal excitability.
The Nursing Students’ Views About the Patient’s Rights at the West Black Sea Universities in Turkey

Background: The members of healthcare team have an important role in implementation and protection of patient’s rights. Contemporary nursing entails an ethical responsibility to advocate and protect the patients’ rights. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate how ready nursing students, at the end of their education, were to play the role of patient’s rights advocates and to discuss ethics education in nursing. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on nursing students at Black Sea Universities in the academic year 2010-2011. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire about students’ attitudes regarding patients’ rights including patient’s rights regulations. The association between gender and students’ attitudes was analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: The mean age of the 238 participants was 22.11 ± 1.21 years and 82.8% of them were female. The majority of the nursing students held desirable attitudes toward patient information, truth telling, and protection of patients’ privacy and medical records. However, the students’ views about the rights of patients to refuse treatment, children’s active participation in treatment, prioritization of the quality of life in treatment, and respect for the rights of dying patients were less satisfactory. Conclusions: The results of this study was concerning with regard to nursing students’ readiness for duties such as patient’s rights advocacy. Therefore, it proposes ethics education that covers both patient’s rights and the obligations of nurses to defend these rights.
Effect of oral administration ofHypericum perforatum extract (St. John's Wort) on skin erythema and pigmentation induced by UVB, UVA, visible light and solar simulated radiation

Hypericin from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a photosensitizing agent that may cause a severe photodermatitis when higher amounts of St John's wort are ingested by animals. Although Hypericum extracts are widely used in the treatment of depressive disorders, only a little information on the photosensitizing capacity of St John's wort in humans is available. In the present prospective randomized study we investigated the effect of the Hypericum extract LI 160 on skin sensitivity to ultraviolet B (UVB), ultraviolet A (UVA), visible light (VIS) and solar simulated radiation (SIM). Seventy two volunteers of skin types II and III were included and were divided into six groups, each consisting of 12 volunteers. In the single‐dose study the volunteers (n = 48) received 6 or 12 coated tablets (5400 or 10 800 μg hypericin). In the steady‐state study the volunteers (n = 24) received an initial dose of 6 tablets (5400 μg hypericin), and subsequently 3 × 1 tablets (2700 μg hypericin) per day for 7 days. Phototesting was performed on the volar forearms prior to medication and 6 h after the last administration of Hypericum extract. The erythema‐index and melanin‐index were evaluated photometrically using a mexameter. After both single‐dose and steady‐state administration, no significant influence on the erythema‐index or melanin‐index could be detected, with the exception of a marginal influence on UVB induced pigmentation (p = 0.0471) in the single‐dose study. The results do not provide evidence for a phototoxic potential of the Hypericum extract LI 160 in humans when administered orally in typical clinical doses up to 1800 mg daily. This is in accordance with previous pharmacokinetic studies that found hypericin serum and skin levels after oral ingestion of Hypericum extract always to be lower than the assumed phototoxic hypericin threshold level of 1000 ng/mL. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of an expenditure cap on low-income seniors' drug use and spending in a state pharmacy assistance program.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the impact of a soft cap (a ceiling on utilization beyond which insured enrollees pay a higher copayment) on low-income elders' use of prescription drugs. DATA SOURCES AND SETTING Claims and enrollment files for the first year ( June 2002 through May 2003) of the Illinois SeniorCare program, a state pharmacy assistance program, and Medicare claims and enrollment files, 2001 through 2003. SeniorCare enrolled non-Medicaid-eligible elders with income less than 200 percent of Federal Poverty Level. Minimal copays increased by 20 percent of prescription cost when enrollee expenditures reached $1,750. RESEARCH DESIGN Models were estimated for three dependent variables: enrollees' average monthly utilization (number of prescriptions), spending, and the proportion of drugs that were generic rather than brand. Observations included all program enrollees who exceeded the cap and covered two periods, before and after the cap was exceeded. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS On average, enrollees exceeding the cap reduced the number of drugs they purchased by 14 percent, monthly expenditures decreased by 19 percent, and the proportion generic increased by 4 percent, all significant at p<. 01. Impacts were greater for enrollees with greater initial spending, for enrollees without one of five chronic illness diagnoses in the previous calendar year, and for enrollees with lower income. CONCLUSIONS Near-poor elders enrolled in plans with caps or coverage gaps, including Part D plans, may face sharp declines in utilization when they exceed these thresholds.
Effectiveness of penicillin, dicloxacillin and cefuroxime for penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a retrospective, propensity-score-adjusted case-control and cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES Penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates account for a fifth of cases of S. aureus bacteraemia (SAB) in Denmark, but little is known about treatment outcomes with penicillins or other antimicrobials. Here we compare penicillin, dicloxacillin and cefuroxime as definitive treatments in relation to 30 day mortality. METHODS A retrospective chart review of 588 penicillin-susceptible S. aureus cases at five centres from January 1995 to December 2010. Data on demographics, antimicrobial treatment, clinical signs and symptoms, and mortality at day 30 were collected. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs associated with mortality were modelled using propensity-score-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Propensity-score-matched case-control studies were carried out. RESULTS Definitive therapy with cefuroxime was associated with an increased risk of 30 day mortality compared with penicillin (adjusted HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.49-4.32). Other variables that were statistically significantly associated with 30 day mortality included increasing age, disease severity and a primary respiratory focus. Osteomyelitis/arthritis was associated with a lower risk of death than were other secondary manifestations. Propensity-score-matched case-control studies confirmed an increased risk of 30 day mortality: cefuroxime treatment (39%) versus penicillin treatment (20%), P = 0.037; and cefuroxime treatment (38%) versus dicloxacillin treatment (10%), P = 0.004. CONCLUSIONS Definitive therapy for penicillin-susceptible SAB with cefuroxime was associated with a significantly higher mortality than was seen with therapy with penicillin or dicloxacillin.
Affirmative action and other special consideration admissions at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine.

CONTEXT The use of race as a criterion for admission to medical schools and other professional schools has become increasingly controversial. This study documents the experience of students at one medical school, admitted through a special admissions process that included race as one consideration. OBJECTIVE To examine the medical school, postgraduate training, and career experiences of students admitted by a special consideration admission program that included traditional affirmative action admissions. DESIGN Twenty-year, retrospective, matched-cohort study. SETTING A public medical school. STUDY POPULATION All affirmative action and other special consideration admissions between 1968 and 1987 (20 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Academic progress, national board examination scores, graduation, residency evaluations, and practice characteristics. RESULTS During the study period, 20% of students were special consideration admissions (range, 10%-45% per year). Of special consideration admissions, 53.5% were minority students, while 19% of regular admissions were minority students. When only underrepresented minority groups are analyzed, 42.7% of special consideration admissions and 4.0% of regular admissions were minorities. Of special consideration admissions, 94% graduated vs 97% of regular admissions. Regular admission students were more likely to receive honors or an A grade on core basic and clinical science courses. There was no difference in failure rates of core courses. Regular admission students had higher scores on Parts I and II of the National Board of Medical Examiners examination, and special consideration students were more likely to repeat the examination to receive a passing grade. Following graduation, the experience of the special consideration admission students was very similar to that of regular admission students. There was no difference in completion of residency training or evaluation of performance by residency directors. Both populations selected primary care disciplines at the same rate. The practice characteristics of the 2 populations were remarkably similar. CONCLUSIONS Criteria other than undergraduate grade point average and Medical College Admission Test scores can be used in predicting success in medical school. An admissions process that allows for ethnicity and other special characteristics to be used heavily in admission decisions yields powerful effects on the diversity of the student population and shows no evidence of diluting the quality of the graduates.