Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adverse events in gynaecology at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa

Summary Audit of the quality of gynaecological care is essential so that errors due to medical interventions can be reduced to the bare minimum. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and nature of adverse gynaecological events. The clinical records of all women admitted with gynaecological conditions over 9 months were assessed for adverse events, defined as an injury caused by medical management rather than the underlying disease. Adverse events occurred in 11.7% of admissions and 52% were avoidable. The majority of adverse events were minor (disability lasting less than 6 months). Mortality accounted for 17.7% of adverse events and 2.1% of all admissions. The death rate was higher in the elective admissions. The frequency of adverse events increased with age, the presence of co-existing illnesses, and severity of the illness on admission. Therapeutic mishaps (n = 67; 8%) were the most common type of adverse event. Lessons learnt from audit should reduce adverse events considerably.
Microbial Culturomics Application for Global Health: Noncontiguous Finished Genome Sequence and Description of Pseudomonas massiliensis Strain CB-1T sp. nov. in Brazil.

Culturomics is a new postgenomics field that explores the microbial diversity of the human gut coupled with taxono-genomic strategy. Culturomics, and the microbiome science more generally, are anticipated to transform global health diagnostics and inform the ways in which gut microbial diversity contributes to human health and disease, and by extension, to personalized medicine. Using culturomics, we report in this study the description of strain CB1T ( = CSUR P1334 = DSM 29075), a new species isolated from a stool specimen from a 37-year-old Brazilian woman. This description includes phenotypic characteristics and complete genome sequence and annotation. Strain CB1T is a gram-negative aerobic and motile bacillus, exhibits neither catalase nor oxidase activities, and presents a 98.3% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with Pseudomonas putida. The 4,723,534 bp long genome contains 4239 protein-coding genes and 74 RNA genes, including 15 rRNA genes (5 16S rRNA, 4 23S rRNA, and 6 5S rRNA) and 59 tRNA genes. Strain CB1T was named Pseudomonas massiliensis sp. nov. and classified into the family Pseudomonadaceae. This study demonstrates the usefulness of microbial culturomics in exploration of human microbiota in diverse geographies and offers new promise for incorporating new omics technologies for innovation in diagnostic medicine and global health.
To erect temples to virtue and dig dungeons for vice: an advertising reductionist framework for enhancing the persuasiveness of warning messages

This research investigates the impact of the nature (material vs. social) and framing (losses vs. gains) of gambling consequences in responsible gambling ads. Two experimental studies were conducted to assess (1) the construal level of gambling consequences, and (2) the influence of the nature and framing of gambling consequences on advertising effectiveness for both recreational and problem gamblers. The results show that, compared to material consequences, social consequences are at a higher construal level and thus more effective in reducing the propensity to gamble. This differential impact of social versus material consequences is stronger among problem gamblers (vs. recreational gamblers) and when the consequences are presented as losses (vs. gains). Implications for public health agencies, social marketers and future research are discussed.
Frank-Starling mechanism retains recirculation fraction of myocardial Ca(2+) in the beating heart.

Myocardial Ca(2+) handling in excitation-contraction coupling is the second primary determinant of energy or O(2) demand in a working heart. The intracellular and extracellular routes remove myocardial Ca(2+) that was released into the sarcoplasma with different Ca(2+): ATP stoichiometries. The intracellular route is twice as economical as the extracellular route. Therefore the fraction of total Ca(2+) removed via the sarcoplasmic reticulum, i.e., the recirculation fraction of intracellular Ca(2+) (RF), determines the economy of myocardial Ca(2+) handling. RF has conventionally been estimated as the exponential decay rate of postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP). However, we have found that PESP usually decays in alternans, but not exponentially in the canine left ventricle beating above 100 beats/min. We have succeeded in estimating RF from the exponential decay component of an alternans PESP. We previously found that the Frank-Starling mechanism or varied ventricular preload did not affect the economy of myocardial Ca(2+) handling. Then, to account for this important finding, we hypothesized that the Frank-Starling mechanism would not affect RF at a constant heart rate. We tested this hypothesis and found its supportive evidence in 11 canine left ventricles. We conclude that RF at a constant heart rate would remain constant, independent of the Frank-Starling mechanism.
Corneal Curvature Stability With Increased Intraocular Pressure

Purpose. To examine the corneal shape and ocular refraction under conditions of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and to consider the possible influences of direct digital forces, corneal thickness, limbal and scleral rigidity, and the duration and frequency of IOP loading on the results. Methods. Forces applied digitally to the temporal sclera were used to obtain 15 optimized videokeratographic records for two subjects under different levels of IOP loading. Stability of refraction was also examined under the same conditions. Results. Relative to normal IOP, four levels of IOP increments were induced: 43% to 61% (from a normal 18.8 mm Hg to approximately 28.6 mm Hg), 119% to 153% (from a normal 12.2 mm Hg to approximately 28.8 mm Hg), 181% to 213% (from a normal 18.8 mm Hg to approximately 55.8 mm Hg), and 374% to 443% (from a normal 12.2mm Hg to approximately 62.1 mm Hg). Significant changes in response to IOP loading were few in number and of a minor degree. For example, the maximum simulated keratometry change was 0.20 diopters (D), and the maximum change in refractive error recorded was 0.625 D in cylinder. Conclusions. Corneal shape and refraction were found to show only minor evidence of instability under conditions of IOP loading. The small number and minor degree of corneal changes recorded under IOP loading suggest that under these conditions of measurement, corneal stability may be the result of stress stiffening. However, mechanisms for corneal shape changes that depend on limbal and scleral rigidity may also contribute to corneal shape stability.
Preterm Delivery After Surgical Treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE: To study whether a treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is associated with an adverse outcome in the subsequent pregnancies. METHODS: This study is a register-based retrospective cohort study from Finland. National data of 25,827 women having a surgical treatment of the cervix for CIN in 1986–2003 and their 8,210 subsequent singleton births in 1987–2004 were studied. Main outcome measures were preterm birth rate, low birth weight rate, and perinatal mortality rate. RESULTS: The risk of any preterm delivery (less than 37 weeks of gestation), especially the risk of very preterm delivery (28–31 weeks of gestation), and extremely preterm delivery (less than 28 weeks of gestation) was increased after cervical conization (relative risk [RR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81–2.20; RR 2.86, 95% CI 2.22–3.70; and RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.47–2.99, respectively). After cervical ablation, the risk of preterm delivery was also increased. The risk of low birth weight and perinatal death was increased after conization (RR 2.06, 95% CI 1.83–2.31 and RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.30–2.32, respectively). Adjusting for maternal age, parity, and maternal smoking did not affect our results. CONCLUSION: Any treatment for CIN, including loop electrosurgical excision procedure, increases the risk of preterm delivery. It is important to emphasize this when treating young women with CIN. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Characterisation of antioxidant compounds in sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under organic and conventional growing systems.

BACKGROUND Sweet red bell pepper is one of the best sources of ascorbic acid and carotenoids as well as phenolic compounds important in the human diet. There have been some studies showing a higher level of bioactive compounds in organic bell pepper fruits compared with conventional fruits, but not all studies have been consistent in this respect. The levels of carotenoids and phenolics are very variable and may be affected by ripeness, genotype and cultivation. RESULTS The results obtained in this study showed that an organic growing system affected the level of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and polyphenols) in sweet bell pepper fruits cultivated in Poland. Organic bell pepper fruits contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, total carotenoids, β-carotene, α-carotene, cis-β-carotene, total phenolic acids (as well as individual gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin D-glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol) compared with conventional fruits. The bell pepper variety also affected the level of antioxidant compounds in fruits. CONCLUSION Organic growing increased the level of antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamin C in sweet bell pepper. The second significant factor affecting the antioxidant compound content of sweet bell pepper was variety. It would be necessary to continue this study as a long-term experiment in order to eliminate the influence of seasonality.
A conjugate of doxorubicin with lactosaminated albumin enhances the drug concentrations in all the forms of rat hepatocellular carcinomas independently of their differentiation grade

Abstract: Background/Aims: Doxorubicin (DOXO) was coupled to lactosaminated human serum albumin (L‐HSA) in order to enhance the drug concentration in the well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), which can accumulate L‐HSA through the asialoglycoprotein receptor. In the present experiments we compared the DOXO concentrations produced by this conjugate (L‐HSA–DOXO) and by the uncoupled drug in the well, moderately, and poorly differentiated rat HCCs.
Development of a Population Pharmacokinetic Model Characterizing the Tissue Distribution of Azithromycin in Healthy Subjects

ABSTRACT Recent clinical trials indicate that the use of azithromycin is associated with the emergence of macrolide resistance. The objective of our study was to simultaneously characterize free target site concentrations and correlate them with the MIC90s of clinically relevant pathogens. Azithromycin (500 mg once daily [QD]) was administered orally to 6 healthy male volunteers for 3 days. The free concentrations in the interstitial space fluid (ISF) of muscle and subcutaneous fat tissue as well as the total concentrations in plasma and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMLs) were determined on days 1, 3, 5, and 10. All concentrations were modeled simultaneously in NONMEM 7.2 using a tissue distribution model that accounts for nonlinear protein binding and ionization state at physiological pH. The model performance and parameter estimates were evaluated via goodness-of-fit plots and nonparametric bootstrap analysis. The model we developed described the concentrations at all sampling sites reasonably well and showed that the overall pharmacokinetics of azithromycin is driven by the release of the drug from acidic cell/tissue compartments. The model-predicted unionized azithromycin (AZM) concentrations in the cytosol of PMLs (6.0 ± 1.2 ng/ml) were comparable to the measured ISF concentrations in the muscle (8.7 ± 2.9 ng/ml) and subcutis (4.1 ± 2.4 ng/ml) on day 10, whereas the total PML concentrations were >1,000-fold higher (14,217 ± 2,810 ng/ml). The total plasma and free ISF concentrations were insufficient to exceed the MIC90s of the skin pathogens at all times. Our results indicate that the slow release of azithromycin from low pH tissue/cell compartments is responsible for the long terminal half-life of the drug and thus the extended period of time during which free concentrations reside at subinhibitory concentrations.
Standardisation of Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor in Plasma: Calibration of the 4th International Standard (97/586)

Summary The 4th International Standard (IS) Factor VIII/von Willebrand Factor (FVIII/VWF) plasma was calibrated in 25 laboratories by assay against the 3rd IS plasma and fresh normal plasma pools. Five parameters were measured, FVIII:coagulant activity (FVIII:C), FVIII:Antigen (FVIII:Ag), VWF:Antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF:Ristocetin Cofactor (VWF:RCof), and a new parameter, VWF:collagen binding (VWF:CB). Mean potency estimates for the 4th IS, calculated relative to the 3rd IS, were significantly greater than the mean estimates calculated relative to the fresh normal pools by 15, 14 and 20% respectively for FVIII:C, VWF:Ag and VWF:RCof. These results indicate a drift in the International Unit away from the fresh plasma unit. Partial rectification of this drift was achieved by assigning the mean of the estimates calculated relative to the 3rd IS and the fresh plasma pools, i.e. FVIII:C 0.57 IU/ampoule, VWF:Ag 0.79 IU/ampoule and VWF:RCof 0.73 IU/ampoule. This represents a shift in the IU between the 3rd and 4th IS of 7.5% for FVIII:C, 7% for VWF:Ag and 10% for VWF:RCof. Mean estimates of FVIII:Ag relative to the 3rd IS and the fresh normal pools agreed to give an assigned value of 0.89 IU/ampoule. Excessive inter-laboratory variability and a low number of estimates (n = 6) precluded the assignment of a potency for VWF:CB. The 4th IS Factor VIII/VWF plasma (97/586) was established in October 1998.
Dynamic server allocation in a real-life deployable communications architecture for networked games

Several propositions have been made in the last few years on what the optimal type of network architecture should be for networked games. Solutions range from pure peer-to-peer architectures to the classic client/server architecture with server allocation based on a fixed spatial subdivision scheme. In this paper, we elaborate on the design of ALVICNG, an extensible client/server architecture which allows for dynamic allocation of server capacity, combined with extensive means for player activity management and moderation. The framework has been designed in such a way that practical network issues such as NAT traversal are minimized. This is achieved by introducing an extra layer in the architecture, consisting of several proxy servers that channel the messages sent over the network. Besides a theoretical discussion, we will also go into the design of the simulation setup. By using this type of setup, we are able to provide actual figures that demonstrate the viability of the proposed solution.
A Conceptual and Statistical Framework for Adaptive Radiations with a Key Role for Diversity Dependence

In this article we propose a new framework for studying adaptive radiations in the context of diversity-dependent diversification. Diversity dependence causes diversification to decelerate at the end of an adaptive radiation but also plays a key role in the initial pulse of diversification. In particular, key innovations (which in our definition include novel traits as well as new environments) may cause decoupling of the diversity-dependent dynamics of the innovative clade from the diversity-dependent dynamics of its ancestral clade. We present a likelihood-based inference method to test for decoupling of diversity dependence using molecular phylogenies. The method, which can handle incomplete phylogenies, identifies when the decoupling took place and which diversification parameters are affected. We illustrate our approach by applying it to the molecular phylogeny of the North American clade of the legume tribe Psoraleeae (47 extant species, of which 4 are missing). Two diversification rate shifts were previously identified for this clade; our analysis shows that the first, positive shift can be associated with decoupling of two Pediomelum subgenera from the other Psoraleeae lineages, while we argue that the second, negative shift can be attributed to speciation being protracted. The latter explanation yields nonzero extinction rates, in contrast to previous findings. Our framework offers a new perspective on macroevolution: new environments and novel traits (ecological opportunity) and diversity dependence (ecological limits) cannot be considered separately.
Impact of Land Use on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Rural Canada

ABSTRACT The influence of land use on soil bio-resources is largely unknown. We examined the communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in wheat-growing cropland, natural areas, and seminatural areas along roads. We sampled the Canadian prairie extensively (317 sites) and sampled 20 sites in the Atlantic maritime ecozone for comparison. The proportions of the different AM fungal taxa in the communities found at these sites varied with land use type and ecozones, based on pyrosequencing of 18S rRNA gene (rDNA) amplicons, but the lists of AM fungal taxa obtained from the different land use types and ecozones were very similar. In the prairie, the Glomeraceae family was the most abundant and diverse family of Glomeromycota, followed by the Claroideoglomeraceae, but in the Atlantic maritime ecozone, the Claroideoglomeraceae family was most abundant. In the prairie, species richness and Shannon's diversity index were highest in roadsides, whereas cropland had a higher degree of species richness than roadsides in the Atlantic maritime ecozone. The frequencies of occurrence of the different AM fungal taxa in croplands in the prairie and Atlantic maritime ecozones were highly correlated, but the AM fungal communities in these ecozones had different structures. We conclude that the AM fungal resources of soils are resilient to disturbance and that the richness of AM fungi under cropland management has been maintained, despite evidence of a structural shift imposed by this type of land use. Roadsides in the Canadian prairie are a good repository for the conservation of AM fungal diversity.
Electromotive administration of oxybutynin into the human bladder wall.

PURPOSE To compare concentrations of oxybutynin in the human bladder wall after either passive delivery (PD) or electromotive administration (EMDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Tissue sections of human bladder were inserted into a diffusion cell with urothelium exposed to the donor compartment containing oxybutynin (4.5 mg. in 100 ml. NaCl 0.45%) and an anode. Twelve paired experiments, "current 5 mA/no current", were conducted over 15 minutes. Oxybutynin tissue contents were measured and tissue viability, morphology and oxybutynin stability were assessed. RESULTS Mean oxybutynin tissue concentrations were 3.84 micrograms. /gm. in samples exposed to EMDA and 0.87 microgram. /gm. in samples exposed to PD (p = 0.0006). The mean coefficients of variation were 57.85% in EMDA experiments and 89.78% in PD experiments. Tissues were viable and undamaged histologically and no oxybutynin structural modification was observed. CONCLUSIONS EMDA enhances oxybutynin administration into viable bladder wall and reduces the variability in drug delivery rate.
Radioimmunoassay of serum alpha‐fetoprotein in patients with different malignant tumors

The level of serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was estimated by radioimmunoassay in 153 normal healthy Malaysians of different ethnic groups. The mean level was 7.5 InU/ml (SD 2.28 InU/ml). Among 330 patients with malignant tumors, 11 had increased levels of AFP. The only patient who had hepatoma had a very high level of serum AFP. High levels were also found in three of four patients with dysgerminoma of the ovary, in the only two patients with carcinoma of the testis, and in one patient with secondary carcinoma of the humerus of unknown origin. Lower, but significantly increased levels were observed in one patient (of 48) with breast carcinoma, one patient (of 8) with basal cell carcinoma of the nose, one patient (of 27) with carcinoma of the lung, and one patient (of 59) with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
From genetic studies to precision medicine in alcohol dependence

Genetic factors contribute to more than 50% of the variation in the vulnerability to alcohol dependence (AD). Although significant advances have been made in medications for AD, these medications do not work for all people. Precise tailoring of medicinal strategies for individual alcoholic patients is needed to achieve optimal outcomes. This review updates the most promising information on genetic variants in AD, which may be useful for improving diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring strategies. We describe genetic candidates of various neurotransmitter and enzyme systems. In addition to biological and allelic associations with AD, genetic effects on AD-related phenotypes and treatment responses have also been described. Gene–gene and gene–environment interactions have been considered. Potential applications of genomewide and epigenetic approaches for identifying genetic biomarkers of AD have been discussed. Overall, the application of genetic findings in precision medicine for AD will likely involve an integrated approach that distinguishes effect sizes of specific genetic predictors with regard to sex, pharmacotherapy, ethnicity, and AD-related aspects and considers gene–gene and gene–environment interactions. Our work may pave the way toward more precise treatment for AD that could ultimately improve clinical management and interventions.