Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Normal-weight obesity syndrome: diagnosis, prevalence, and clinical implications.

The growing concern about the impact of overweight on health has led to studies that shed light on types of obesity other than the classic model based on body mass index. Normal-weight obesity syndrome is characterized by excess body fat in individuals with adequate body mass index (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)). This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and other conditions associated with chronic diseases, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The aims of this review are to define the diagnostic criteria for normal-weight obesity syndrome and to examine the risks associated with this condition in order to promote preventive measures and early treatment for affected individuals.
Elimination of dioxins in milk by dairy cows after the long-term intake of contaminated sugar beet pellets

ABSTRACT Dried feed materials, such as sugar beet pellets, may be a source of high levels of PCDD/Fs. The studies followed up dioxin congener elimination from contaminated milk (5.02 ± 1.39 pg WHO PCDD/F-PCBs-TEQ g−1 fat) up to 338 days after withdrawal of polluted feed ingredient (4.37 ± 0.25 ng PCDD/F/DL-PCBs-TEQ kg−1 feed). The main objectives of the study were to estimate the length of the time needed to achieve an acceptable PCDD/F milk level as set by European Union law, to track the fate of the PCDD/F congeners, and to assess the potential risk for consumers associated with long-term consumption of contaminated milk. After approximately 200 days, the PCDD/F levels reached ML (2.5 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 fat), then decreased to the action level after more than 300 days (1.75 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 fat) for most of cows. The potential risk of PCDD/F/DL-PCBs intake was characterised by comparing the theoretically calculated weekly and monthly intakes with the toxicological reference values (TRVs). The dioxin intake for the average adult and high-milk consumers did not exceed half of any of the TRVs applied (TWI, PTMI). The consumption of milk by children in the amount recommended by nutritionists (500 ml day–1) resulted in an exposure equal to 317% TWI and 275% PTMI. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Rotating alfalfa with dry bean as an alternative to corn-soybean rotations in organic systems in the Upper Midwest

Abstract Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) can be grown as a local food source and as an alternative to soybean (Glycine max) to diversify organic crop rotations. To understand the benefits of diversification of organic cropping systems, the effects of preceding alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and corn (Zea mays) crops on yields of five dry bean types and one soybean type, and the effect of bean type on following spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields, were tested at four Minnesota locations. Dry bean and soybean yields following alfalfa were 25% greater than yields following corn at two of four locations, though bean yields following corn were greater at one location. A preceding alfalfa crop benefited bean yields at locations where hog manure or no manure was applied to corn, whereas bean yields following corn fertilized with cow manure were similar to or greater than bean yields following alfalfa. Among dry bean types, black bean yielded similarly to soybean at three of four locations, but dark red kidney bean consistently yielded 25–65% lower than soybean. Navy, pinto and heirloom dry bean types yielded similarly to soybean at two of four locations. Across locations, weed biomass was 3–15 times greater in dry bean than in soybean and dry bean yield response to weed competition varied among bean types. However, dry bean, regardless of the preceding crop, demonstrated the potential to produce yields comparable with soybean in organic systems and the substitution of dry bean for soybean did not affect subsequent wheat yields. More studies are needed to identify nitrogen fertility dynamics in organic systems as they relate to dry bean yield.
Outcomes of Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Transplantation in Relation to a High Level of Preformed Donor-Specific Antibodies

Background The protective effect of the liver allograft when simultaneously transplanted with a kidney in the setting of allosensitization is unclear. Methods We analyzed the significance of sensitization, defined based on positive cytotoxicity crossmatches, positive flow cytometry crossmatches, and/or the presence of high levels of donor-specific antibodies, on the outcomes of simultaneous liver and kidney (SLK) transplantation. We reviewed 56 SLK performed at our center through December 31, 2011 and identified 13 patients who met high sensitization criteria. Results Median patient survival was not significantly different: 86 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 47–135) for nonsensitized patients versus 151 months (95% CI, 4 to ∞) for sensitized patients (P=0.5). The 5-year survival was 67% (95% CI, 0.5–0.8) in the nonsensitized group and 64% (95% CI, 0.3–0.9) in the sensitized group. There were six renal allograft failures in the nonsensitized group but none in the sensitized group. The adjusted hazard ratios associated with the risk of death or the combined risk of death or renal allograft failure were 0.7 (95% CI, 0.1–3.8) and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.1–2.2) for sensitized versus nonsensitized patients. There were significantly more renal allograft rejections in the sensitized group (5 vs. 1; P=0.002) in the first year after transplantation, only one showing C4d positivity. Creatinine levels at 1 year after transplantation were similar: 1.5 mg/dL in the nonsensitized group versus 1.36 mg/dL in the sensitized group (P=0.6). Conclusion Sensitization does not appear to have a significant negative impact on the survival of SLK patients.
Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-6 on periodontal wound healing in a fenestration defect of rats.

BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) may play significant roles in bone formation. The ability of BMP-6 to promote wound healing has been chosen as the subject of this investigation. In this study, a synthetic rat BMP-6 polypeptide was applied to a periodontal fenestration defect in rats to elucidate the effects of BMP-6 on periodontal wound healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS Following surgery to create a bony window on the buccal aspects of mandibular molar roots, 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups according to BMP application (0, 1, 3 and 10 microg, respectively). Animals were killed after 28 days and the mandible taken for histological examination. Histometric measurements were performed on sections selected from three levels (coronal, middle and apical levels; with 240 microm apart from the central) of the defect. New bone and cementum formation (including area and thickness) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS In general, minimal new bone was observed on the surgically created defects in the non-BMP group, whereas a complete osseous healing occurred in all BMP-6 treated animals. New bone formation (both in area and thickness) was significantly influenced by both the dosage and the examining level, whereas new cementum formation was affected by dosage only. An increase in bone and cementum formation was noted in all three BMP groups when compared with the control group at all examined levels. Among the BMP groups, greatest new bone and cementum formation were noted in the 3 microg group. New cementum thickness increased on the cementum surfaces of the defects compared with the dentinal surfaces in all study groups. CONCLUSION An increase in new bone and cementum formation was noted after applying a synthetic BMP-6 polypeptide to a periodontal fenestration defect in rats. Therefore, we suggest that BMP-6 may play a certain role in periodontal regeneration.
Polymorphism of the 5`-Upstream Region of the Human SNAP-25 Gene:An Association Analysis with Schizophrenia

Recent studies have suggested that synaptic abnormalities may be part of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kD) is one of the synaptic proteins responsible for presynaptic neurotransmission, axonal elongation and synaptogenesis. Genetic variation in the 5′-upstream region of the SNAP-25 gene was analyzed in 87 unrelated schizophrenic patients and 100 healthy controls. A novel polymorphic (TAAA)n tandem repeat was identified in the 5′-upstream region. There were no significant differences between the patient and the control groups in the distribution of repeat numbers of alleles or genotypes. In addition, no associations were found between the polymorphism for subtypes, longitudinal courses or positive family history of the patients. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in the 5′-upstream region of the SNAP-25 gene have no association with schizophrenia.
Comparison of Nasal Mucociliary Function before and after Septorhinoplasty Surgery Using Saccharin Test

Background: This study was carried out to compare mucociliary function (MCF) of nasal cavity before and after septorhinoplasty surgery by saccharin test. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 70 patients who needed septorhinoplasty surgery in Kashani and Alzahra Hospital during 2013–2014 to measure MCF. Saccharin test was performed on the patients before surgery and on three more intervals 1 day, 1 week, and on month after ward and the readings were recorded. Saccharin test is performed by placing saccharin granules on the anterior part of inferior turbinate and the time the patient feels the sweet taste is recorded the normal range is below 30 min. Results: Mean of test for each time interval was obtained and comparison of measurements was made reading were mean of saccharin test before surgery (7.74 ± 1.65 min) the day after surgery (7.75 ± 1.7 min), on week after surgery (15.04 ± 3.4), and 1 month after surgery (8.49 ± 2.08 min). The readings before surgery did not have statistically significant difference with the readings 1 day after surgery P = 0.99, but comparison of test results at other time intervals were significant (P < 0.001). A relative increase in saccharin test time was seen in a period of 1 month after surgery the rise was more noticeable in the 1st week compared to 1 month after surgery. Conclusion: This study in the period after septorhinoplasty surgery MCF undergoes slight impairment that gradually progresses to normal values during 1 month after surgery.
Thromboelastography predicts risks of obstetric complication occurrence in (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia patients under non‐pregnant state

Congenital (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia patients may have obstetric complications during their pregnancies. This study aimed to evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) as a potential tool for assessing the tendency for obstetric complications in those patients in a non‐pregnant state. A total of 22 female subjects with congenital (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia were recruited. Nine subjects had histories of obstetric complications and the other 13 subjects had at least one uneventful pregnancy without obstetric complications as yet. Detailed clinical investigation and phenotype/genotype detection were carried out, and both kaolin‐activated TEG and functional fibrinogen TEG (FF‐TEG) were applied in all subjects. Significant differences were identified in all TEG parameters except for R and angle between these two groups (P < 0.05) by covariance analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of discrimination between these two groups of patients was performed for TEG parameters. Significantly high odds ratio (OR) of obstetric complications occurrence were demonstrated in K ≥ 3.8 min, maximum amplitude (MA) ≤ 54.2 mm, comprehensive index (CI) ≤ −3 (11.67, 95% CI 1.527–89.121, P < 0.05 in all), and MA‐CFF ≤ 12.1 mm (20.00, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.967–203.322, P = 0.002). Moreover, MA‐CFF had better prognostic performance, with a corresponding area under the receiver operating curve of 0.923 (range 0.815–1.031, P = 0.001). This study suggests that (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia patients with values outside of the cut‐off values of TEG assays under non‐pregnant state may have a higher risk of obstetric complications occurring when they are pregnant. No parameters under non‐pregnant state in clinical laboratory have ever been reported to be risk factors for obstetric complication occurrence in (hypo)dysfibrinogenemia patients. This study explored such parameters in TEG assays and found that parameters of TEG assays under non‐pregnant status might predict the occurrence of obstetric complications, which could provide physicians with important information about whether fibrinogen replacement therapy is required, so as to prevent the occurrence of obstetric complications, especially for patients who are asymptomatic in daily life.
The effectiveness of interregional security cooperation: evaluating the joint engagement of the EU and the AU in response to the 2013 crisis in the Central African Republic

ABSTRACT African Union (AU)–European Union (EU) interregional security cooperation has not so far been analysed systematically with regard to its effectiveness despite the substantial support of African capacity building by the EU and joint peacekeeping of the partners. Assessing AU–EU cooperation in the Central African Republic (CAR), this paper examines to what extent and under which conditions EU–AU efforts are effective. Concerning the dependent variable, the presented conceptualisation of effectiveness includes both internal (goal attainment) and external (problem-solving) perspectives. The independent variable draws on two strands of literature that barely speak to each other: interregionalism and inter-organisationalism. It focuses on the conditions of effectiveness which include both internal (RO-specific) and interregional factors. The findings suggest that AU–EU engagement in the CAR was effective in the medium term. Strong incentives of the partners, the French leading role and the convergence of the partners are identified as factors conducive to a medium to high effectiveness of the engagement.
Value of [11C]choline-positron emission tomography for re-staging prostate cancer: a comparison with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography.

PURPOSE We compared [11C]choline-positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET for re-staging prostate cancer in a group of 100 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 consecutive patients referred for whole body [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET for clinical prostate re-staging after radical treatment for prostate cancer were retrospectively included in the study. Mean prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 6.57 ng. /ml. In all cases [11C]choline-PET was also performed. PET studies were done with a multiring device 5 minutes after intravenous injection of approximately 370 MBq. [11C]choline and 60 minutes after injection of approximately 370 MBq. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose. PET findings were compared with those obtained with different conventional imaging and with PSA assessed at the time of PET and 1 year later. RESULTS Areas of abnormal focal increases were noted in 47% of patients on [11C]choline-PET and in 27% on [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET. Of the 100 patients 49 had positive conventional imaging findings. All except 14 [11C]choline-PET findings were concordant with conventional imaging, including 6 negative and 8 positive conventional imaging results. All except 1 [11C]choline-PET negative cases also had negative conventional imaging after 1 year. PSA at 1 year remained stable or decreased in 80% and 62% of [11C]choline-PET negative and positive cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS [11C]choline-PET seems to be useful for re-staging prostatectomy cases with increasing serum PSA levels. It is superior to [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-PET and complementary to conventional imaging but with the advantage of staging disease at a single step.
The Effect of Photofrin on DNA Strand Breaks and Base Oxidation in HaCaT Keratinocytes: A Comet Assay Study¶

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) kills cells via the production of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species. PDT causes chromosomal damage and mutation to cultured cells. However, DNA damage does not contribute to the phototoxic effect. To study the effect of Photofrin-PDT–induced DNA damage, we used the comet assay in combination with endonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase and a human keratinocyte cell line to investigate photogenotoxicity and its prevention by tocopherol (TOC). This study shows that PDT induced DNA damage in HaCaT cells at doses allowing cells to survive 7 days after irradiation. α-TOC did not prevent the acute cell lysis caused by Photofrin-PDT but did prevent Photofrin-PDT–induced DNA damage. However, the concentration of TOC that conferred protection (100 μM) was higher than is detected in human serum. Base oxidation was also measured using the comet assay. Although TOC could prevent frank DNA strand breaks caused by PDT, it was unable to decrease the level of base oxidation as revealed by enzyme-sensitive sites. It is suggested that the potential genotoxic risk from laser-PDT could be low, and that topical α-TOC at a high concentration may be useful in preventing some types of DNA damage without preventing acute photolysis after Photofrin-PDT.
The possible role of catecholamines in the protective effect of general anesthetics against kidney lesions in rats subjected to hemorrhagic hypotension.

Dibenamine, 15 mg/kg, injected i.p. in rats anesthetized with ketamine, 60 min before bleeding for 60 min against 40 mm Hg, significantly reduced the severity of kidney lesions. The maximum bleeding volume was reduced by 14%. Adrenalectomy also reduced the bleeding volume but all animals died within 24 hr. In unanesthetized rats bled against 40 mm Hg, plasma adrenaline and nor-adrenaline rose approximately tenfold as compared with unbled animals. Comparable marked increases in plasma adrenaline and somewhat smaller increases in plasma nor-adrenaline were observed after bleeding rats anesthetized with ketamine and ethylurethane, anesthetics which protect only slightly against the occurrence of kidney lesions. The rise in plasma adrenaline and nor-adrenaline was significantly lower after bleeding rats anesthetized with the highly protective anesthetics Na-pentobarbital, halothane and methoxyflurane. If, however, rats anesthetized with Na-pentobartical were bled for 40 min against 25 mm Hg, a situation in which the occurrence of kidney lesions is not prevented, the plasma concentration of both catecholamines was as high as in unanesthetized rats bled against 40 mm Hg. It is concluded that vasoconstriction due to the release of catecholamines is an important factor in the generation of kidney lesions during hypotension in rats and that the protective effect of a number of general anesthetics largely depends on their ability to suppress the release of catecholamines.
Clinical and economic outcomes of Acinetobacter vis a vis non-Acinetobacter infections in an Indian teaching hospital

Context: Acinetobacter infections are a major nosocomial infection causing epidemics of infection in the Intensive Care Units (ICU). Aims: This study estimates the clinical and economic outcomes of Acinetobacter infections and compares them with those of non-Acinetobacter bacterial infections. Settings and Design: Prospective cross-sectional observational study carried out for 6 months in the medicine ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Patients were divided in two groups, one group with Acinetobacter infections and the other with non-Acinetobacter infections. The data was collected for infection, length of stay (LOS), mortality and cost along with patient demographics from the hospital records for analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 15.0. The LOS and cost of treatment (COT) for the two groups were compared using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: A total of 220 patients were studied out of which 91 had Acinetobacter infections. The median LOS was 20 days in Group-A and 12 days in Group-B (P < 0.0001). The median COT was INR 125,862 in Group-A and INR 68,228 in the Group-B (P < 0.0001). Mortality in Group-A and Group-B was 32.97 and 32.56 (P = 0.949) respectively. Conclusion: The burden of Acinetobacter infections in ICUs is increasing with the increase in LOS and COT for the patients. The infection control team has to play a major role in reducing the rate of nosocomial infections.
Repeated bouts of sprint running after induced alkalosis.

Seven healthy male subjects performed 10 maximal 6-s sprints, separated by 30-s recovery periods, on a non-motorized treadmill. On two occasions, separated by 3 days, the subjects ingested a solution of either sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; alkaline) or sodium chloride (NaCl; placebo), 2.5 h prior to exercise. The doses were 0.3 g kg-1 body mass for the alkaline treatment and 1.5 g total for the placebo, dissolved in 500 ml of water. The order of testing was randomly assigned. Pre-exercise blood pH was 7.43 +/- 0.02 and 7.38 +/- 0.01 for the alkaline and placebo trials respectively (P less than 0.01). Performance indices (i.e. mean and peak power outputs and mean and peak running speeds) were significantly reduced as a result of the cumulative effects of successive sprints, but not significantly affected by the treatments. However, the total work done (i.e. mean power output) in the alkaline condition was 2% higher than that achieved in the placebo condition. Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were higher for the alkaline treatment than for the placebo condition (15.3 +/- 3.7 vs 13.6 +/- 3.0 mM respectively; P less than 0.01), but blood pH was similar in both conditions (alkaline: 7.15 +/- 0.13; placebo: 7.09 +/- 0.11). In both conditions, a relationship was found between post-exercise blood lactate and mean power output (alkaline: r = 0.82, P less than 0.01; placebo: r = 0.79, P less than 0.01). No significant differences were found in VE, VO2 and VCO2 between the two experimental conditions. This study demonstrates that alkali ingestion results in significant shifts in the acid-base balance of the blood, but has no effect on the power output during repeated bouts of brief maximal exercise.
Role of the 14–3–3 protein in carbon metabolism of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans

We previously demonstrated that the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans effectively adapts to utilize L‐sorbose (Sou+) by a novel mechanism based on the loss of one copy of chromosome 5, probably due to the reduction of copy number of a negative regulator located on this chromosome. We report here another negative regulator of L‐sorbose utilization, an orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae BMH1 gene, which encodes the evolutionarily conserved protein 14–3–3. This essential gene is located on chromosome 1, does not have paralogues, and is supposedly a component of the regulatory network. Experiments involving disruption of one allele of BMH1 and overexpression of BMH1 revealed that BMH1 represses the transcription of SOU1, which is responsible for the utilization of L‐sorbose. Although the exact mechanism of the interaction between BMH1 and SOU1 is not known, it is clear that the control is based on the ratio of gene copy number, and that BMH1 does not control the loss of chromosome 5, the major mechanism producing Sou+ mutants. We propose that function of BMH1 as a negative regulator of SOU1 contributes to a general cellular homeostasis. This is a first report on the role of the C. albicans essential gene BMH1 as a negative regulator of the utilization of secondary carbon source in yeast, which further substantiates the involvement of 14–3–3 proteins in diverse functions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.