Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment of acne vulgaris with 2% topical tea lotion.

OBJECTIVE To use 2% tea lotion as natural plant remedy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS We conducted this study in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq during the period between October 2002 and October 2004. In this single blind randomly controlled therapeutic study, we enrolled 60 patients, their ages ranged from 14-22 years. There were 35 females and 25 males. We divided the patients equally into 2 groups; we instructed group A to use freshly prepared 2% tea lotion twice daily for 2 months, while group B used a control solution. We graded the acne vulgaris as mild and moderate acne by counting the number of papules and pustules. We carried out statistical analysis by computer using t-test, f-test, and chi-square when needed. RESULTS Forty-nine patients completed the study. In group A (25 patients), we noted a significantly reduced mean lesion count of papules and pustules after 2 months of therapy. The response of patients to treatment was good in 64%, moderate in 24% and no response in 12%. The satisfaction of patients with treatment was full in 64%, partial in 24%, and no satisfaction in 12%. In group B (24 patients), the lesions showed no significant reduction after 2 months and the response of patients to treatment was good in 20.8%, moderate in 45.8%, and no response in 33.4%. The satisfaction of patients with treatment in this group was full in 4.2%, partial in 12.5%, and no satisfaction in 83.3%. The mean difference in outcome after 8 weeks between the 2 study groups was statistically significant. CONCLUSION The 2% tea lotion has proved its efficacy as a topical therapy for acne vulgaris. This is a new natural plant extract, which lacks any side effects.
A C-Peptide-Based Model of Pancreatic Insulin Secretion in Extremely Preterm Neonates in Intensive Care

Background: Model-based glycemic control relies on sufficiency of underlying models to describe underlying patient physiology. In particular, very preterm infant glucose-insulin metabolism can differ significantly from adults, and is relatively unstudied. In this study, C-peptide concentrations are used to develop insulin-secretion models for the purposes of glycemic control in neonatal intensive care. Methods: Plasma C-peptide, insulin, and blood glucose concentrations (BGC) were retrospectively analyzed from a cohort of 41 hyperglycemic very preterm (median age 27.2 [26.2-28.7] weeks) and very low birth-weight infants (median birth weight 839 [735-1000] g). A 2-compartment model of C-peptide kinetics was used to estimate insulin secretion. Insulin secretion was examined with respect to nutritional intake, exogenous and plasma insulin concentration, and BGC. Results: Insulin secretion was found to be highly variable between patients and over time, and could not be modeled with respect to age, weight, or protein or dextrose intake. In 13 of 54 samples exogenous insulin was being administered, and insulin secretion was lower. However, low data numbers make this result inconclusive. Insulin secretion was found to increase with BG, with a stronger association in female infants than males (R2 = .51 vs R2 = .13, and R2 = .26 for the combined cohort). Conclusions: A sex-based insulin secretion model was created and incorporated into a model-based glycemic control framework. Nutritional intake did not predict insulin secretion, indicating that insulin secretion is a complex function of a number of metabolic factors.
Viral Interaction and Responses in Chronic Hepatitis C and B Coinfected Patients with Interferon-Alpha plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy

Background/aims We conducted a case-control study to investigate the efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C and B virus (HCV/HBV) coinfection and to elucidate the interaction of these two viruses. Methods Forty-two chronic HCV/HBV-coinfected patients (29 IFN-naive, 13 IFN-relapsed) and 84 HCV-monoinfected controls, matched for age, sex and previous history of IFN-α therapy, were enrolled. All patients were treated with IFN-α-2b 6 MU three-times weekly plus ribavirin 1000–1200 mg daily for 24 weeks. Serum HCV RNA and HBV DNA were determined every 24 weeks for 72 weeks. Results The rate of HCV sustained virological response (SVR) was comparable among IFN-naive and IFN-relapsed HCV/HBV-coinfected patients and IFN-naive and IFN-relapsed HCV-monoinfected patients (69.0%, 69.2%, 67.2% and 57.7%, respectively; intention-to-treat analysis). HCV genotype 1b, high pretreatment HCV RNA levels and liver fibrosis were significantly associated with a lower HCV SVR. Of 16 baseline HBV viraemic patients, five (31.3%) achieved HBV SVR, which correlated negatively to HCV genotype non-1b and HCV SVR. Only one (6.3%) had simultaneous seroclearance of HCV and HBV. Antibodies to HBV surface antigen seroconversion developed in five (11.9%) patients during long-term follow-up. HCV responders had significantly higher rates of HBV DNA resurgence than HCV non-responders during and after treatment. Reciprocal viral interference was noted between HCV and HBV after IFN-α/ribavirin therapy. Conclusions IFN-α/ribavirin combination therapy is effective for HCV/HBV-coinfected patients in eradicating HCV infection and might promote HBV seroclearance, and there is a mutual viral response and reciprocal viral interaction between HBV and HCV.
Cationic ferritin changes outflow facility in human eyes whereas anionic ferritin does not.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of charged moieties within the outflow pathway on aqueous outflow facility in human eyes. METHODS After baseline facility measurement in human eye bank eyes (n = 10 pairs), one eye of each pair received anterior chamber exchange and continued perfusion with medium containing 10 mg/ml cationic ferritin. Contralateral eyes were treated in a similar manner with anionic ferritin (10.0 or 102 mg/ml). Eyes were fixed by anterior chamber exchange and perfusion with universal fixative at 8 mm Hg (corresponding to a physiologic pressure of 15 mm Hg in vivo) and examined by transmission electron microscopy. In a second series of human eyes (n = 8 pairs), facility was measured before and after anterior chamber exchange, with a solution containing 0.1 U/ml neuraminidase. RESULTS Perfusion of eyes with anionic ferritin at either 10.0 or 102 mg/ml caused a negligible 2% increase in facility, whereas cationic ferritin perfusion reduced facility by 66% (P < 0.00001). Perfusion with fixative reduced facility by approximately 60% in both cationic and anionic ferritin-perfused eyes, relative to facilities after perfusion with ferritin. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the distribution of ferritin was segmentally variable. Cationic ferritin consistently labeled the luminal surface of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal, and variably labeled the juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT) and trabecular beam surfaces. Anionic ferritin was more prominent in the JCT and intertrabecular spaces and less so on the luminal surface of Schlemm's canal. By scanning electron microscopy, cationic ferritin was seen to accumulate at intercellular margins of the inner wall. Neuraminidase perfusion had no significant effect on outflow facility. CONCLUSIONS Cationic ferritin reduces outflow facility, presumably by binding to negatively charged sites in the outflow pathway. A possible mechanism is partial or complete blockage of intercellular clefts in the inner wall of Schlemm's canal by the ferritin that accumulates on the luminal surface of the inner wall. Although they are possible targets for ferritin binding, sialyl residues themselves seem to have little direct effect on outflow facility. Our data indicate that positively charged molecules, especially if they can interact with inner wall pores, have the potential to markedly alter outflow facility.
THE ROLE OF STUDENT SATISFACTION AT PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

This study aimed to test an empirical manner on the role of student satisfaction at Private Universities through the study on private university students in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia. The research was done on 5 private universities in Bandar Lampung. Questionnaires were distributed to 500 respondents as samples to be taken by using purposive sampling technique. To analyze the data Structural Equation Model was used as a method and analysis of data processed using software lisrel 8.80 statistics for windows. The results of the study found that student’s perceived value had some positive effects significantly to student satisfaction, and it was sufficiently significant to affect the Student loyalty. It was concluded that student satisfaction is the influence of full mediating between student perceived value against student loyalty. The results of the research also found that student perceived value influential positive and significant against student loyalty. Therefore it was concluded that Student satisfaction was full mediating effect between Students perceived value to Student loyalty. To increase the student loyalty it was better for the institution to have good communication to student, asked the lecturer to help students to overcome difficulties in their lectures and give the same service to all students . Further research was suggested to add variables or another dimension into a model of student loyalty or using different respondents characteristic in the form of national universities/Private Universities which was more complete and more extensive research areas. Besides that it was suggested also to conduct a research in the scope of more widely education, ranging from basic education, secondary education, higher education and vocational education, so as expected to get a student loyalty model for all kinds of level of education.
Diagnosis of West Nile Virus Infection in Horses

The North American West Nile virus (WNV) epizootic, which began in 1999, has caused significant morbidity and mortality in horses. Because experimental infection has failed to consistently produce encephalitis in inoculated horses, investigation of naturally occurring cases was used to optimize strategies for diagnosis of this disease. Although WNV RNA could be detected by reverse transcriptase—polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on whole blood collected from both clinically affected horses and unaffected herdmates, the diagnostic sensitivity of this approach was low compared with IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, it was observed that 18.5% of herdmates of clinically ill horses seroconverted to WNV yet exhibited no overt clinical signs of WNV encephalitis. West Nile viral RNA was detected in neural tissue of 46 of 64 dead horses that were suspected of having WNV encephalitis. Some of these animals were IgM negative or had not been tested serologically. A primary cause of death other than WNV encephalitis was identified in 15 of the 64 cases, whereas the final diagnosis for 3 of these cases remains unresolved. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of neural tissue from WNV RNA—positive horses demonstrated that the medulla contained the highest mean concentration of viral RNA and that WNV RNA could be detected in samples extracted from formalin-fixed neural tissue. A comparison of WNV RT-PCR amplification strategies found that nested RT-PCR improved diagnostic sensitivity only slightly over a single round of amplification and that a quantitative (TaqMan) assay had sensitivity and specificity that were equivalent to those of nested amplification.
Simplest Normal Forms of Hopf-neimark-sacker bifurcations

According to [Yu, 1999], at most two terms remain in the amplitude equation of the normal form of a continuous system, expressed in polar coordinates, with a Hopf or Generalized Hopf singularity, if we (only) apply specific nonlinear transformation to the conventional normal form; but, at least one remains in the phase equation. In this paper we show that, using a particular nonlinear scaling, these terms in the phase equation can be eliminated, which simplifies the (diffeomorphic) normal form given by [Yu, 1999]. Besides, we have also treated the Neimark–Sacker and Generalized Neimark–Sacker bifurcations, the corresponding discrete cases of the Hopf and Generalized Hopf, obtaining results which are similar to the continuous ones.
Airway inflammation after removal from the causal agent in occupational asthma due to high and low molecular weight agents.

In order to determine 1) the features of airway inflammation after removal from exposure to high (HMW) and low (LMW) molecular weight agents 2) if there are any differences in the pattern of inflammation induced by these two types of agents, we studied 18 subjects with a recently confirmed diagnosis of occupational asthma (OA) due to HMW (n = 11) and LMW (n = 7) agents. The duration of asthma symptoms varied from 2 to 108 months (mean 33 months), and withdrawal from exposure to the sensitizing agent from 3 to 24 weeks (mean 10 weeks). All subjects underwent measurements of expiratory flow rates, methacholine inhalation tests, and a flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial biopsies. Endoscopic findings were compared with a group of 10 normal subjects. At the time of the bronchoscopy, asthma symptoms were minimal in most subjects. Although 15/18 subjects had normal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 > 80% pred), all subjects had increased airway responsiveness to methacholine (provocation concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1 = 0.2-10.0 mg.ml-1). BAL analysis showed similar median percentages of the total number of cells and differentials in control subjects and those exposed to HMW and LMW agents. Bronchial biopsies showed that mean inflammatory cell count, both epithelial and sub-epithelial, was similarly raised in OA subjects exposed to either HMW or LMW agents, compared to controls, except for epithelial lymphocyte count. In contrast to the controls, bronchial biopsy of both groups with OA also showed other changes such as extensive epithelial desquamation, ciliary abnormalities of the epithelial cells, smooth muscle hyperplasia and subepithelial fibrosis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Development affects in vitro vascular tone and calcium sensitivity in ovine cerebral arteries

We have shown recently that development from neonatal to adult life affects cerebrovascular tone of mouse cerebral arteries through endothelium‐derived vasodilatory mechanisms. The current study tested the hypothesis that development from fetal to adult life affects cerebral artery vascular smooth muscle (VSM) [Ca2+]i sensitivity and tone through a mechanism partially dependent upon endothelium‐dependent signalling. In pressurized resistance sized cerebral arteries (∼150 μm) from preterm (95 ± 2 days gestation (95 d)) and near‐term (140 ± 2 days gestation (140 d)) fetuses, and non‐pregnant adults, we measured vascular diameter (μm) and [Ca2+]i (nm) as a function of intravascular pressure. We repeated these studies in the presence of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; with l‐NAME), cyclo‐oxygenase (COX; with indomethacin) and endothelium removal (E–). Cerebrovasculature tone (E+) was greater in arteries from 95 d fetuses and adults compared to 140 d sheep. Ca2+ sensitivity was similar in 95 d fetuses and adults, but much lower in 140 d fetuses. Removal of endothelium resulted in a reduction in lumen diameter as a function of pressure (greater tone) in all treatment groups. [Ca2+]i sensitivity differences among groups were magnified after E–. NOS inhibition decreased diameter as a function of pressure in each age group, with a significant increase in [Ca2+]i to pressure ratio only in the 140 d fetuses. Indomethacin increased tone and increased [Ca2+]i in the 140 d fetuses, but not the other age groups. Development from near‐term to adulthood uncovered an interaction between NOS‐ and COX‐sensitive substances that functioned to modulate artery diameter but not [Ca2+]i. This study suggests that development is associated with significant alterations in cerebral vascular smooth muscle (VSM), endothelium, NOS and COX responses to intravascular pressure. We speculate that these changes have important implications in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the developing organism.
Presentation of abdominal tuberculosis to general surgeons

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) continues to give rise to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A total of 24 patients with abdominal TB who presented to general surgeons over a 9‐year period have been reviewed. Most (92 per cent) of these patients were Asian; only one had a past history of pulmonary TB. The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain in 21 patients (88 per cent) with the associated symptoms of weight loss in 18 (75 per cent), anorexia in 15 (62 per cent) and night sweats in 13 (54 per cent). A tissue diagnosis was obtained in 18 patients (75 per cent) and 17 patients (71 per cent) underwent laparotomy. These results show that the diagnosis of abdominal TB is still difficult to establish, and that many patients undergo laparotomy despite the existence of less invasive diagnostic procedures.
Adipose tissue dysregulation in patients with metabolic syndrome.

CONTEXT The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Numerous groups have shown increased circulating biomarkers of inflammation in MetS. However, there are scanty data on the cellular sources contributing to this low-grade inflammation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the role of sc adipose tissue (SAT) biology in nascent MetS without concomitant diabetes or CVD. PATIENTS AND METHODS Subjects with MetS and controls were recruited after informed consent. Fasting blood was collected, and SAT was obtained by biopsy. RESULTS Circulating biomarkers of inflammation and insulin resistance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), IL-6, IL-1β, leptin, serum amyloid A, and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) concentrations were significantly higher in the MetS subjects than controls, whereas adiponectin concentrations were lower. In SAT, leptin, RBP-4, CRP, serum amyloid A, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly higher in MetS than controls. These differences except for RBP-4 persisted after adjusting for waist circumference. In addition, there were significantly increased numbers of macrophages infiltrating the SAT of MetS and increased numbers of crown-like structures compared with controls. hsCRP correlated positively with homeostasis model assessment and SAT MCP-1 and negatively with adiponectin. Homeostasis model assessment correlated positively with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, RBP-4, and SAT MCP-1. CONCLUSIONS We make the novel observation that SAT of MetS has increased macrophage recruitment with cardinal crown-like structure features and contributes to the increased cellular inflammation that produces increased levels of biomarkers that are correlated with both insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. These aberrations could contribute to the progression of MetS and the increased risk for diabetes and CVD.
An overview of obesity and diabetes in the diverse populations of the Pacific.

BACKGROUND Pacific islanders (PI) have some of the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the world. Data related to PI are often reported as though the group is an aggregate; however, PI are a group of very diverse peoples. OBJECTIVE To explore the obesity problem in PI by: 1) characterizing the major ethnic groups in the Pacific; 2) describing the most recent US census data on PI and their recent immigration patterns; and 3) synthesizing the literature on obesity in PI and type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS Census information and anthropologic resources on the Pacific Islands and its peoples were obtained through an Internet search. Literature on obesity, diabetes, and body composition in PI were obtained through a systematic analysis of citations listed on Medline. RESULTS Pacific Islanders (PI) are diverse people, culturally, biologically, and linguistically. Polynesians and some Micronesians have a very high prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Melanesians are among the most diverse ethnic groups in the world. Body mass index (BMI) cut-point values for Polynesians may be inaccurate. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The cause of obesity and diabetes in PI is unclear. Some factors involved are related to urbanization and migration. Obesity research should distinguish between island ethnicities and not aggregate all PI together. Research is needed to define body fat distribution of Polynesians in relationship to obesity co-morbidities, to determine normal growth of Polynesian children, to determine the relationship between growth abnormalities and adult obesity, and to determine the impact of immigration on PI.
Arterial stiffness alone does not explain arteriovenous fistula outcomes

Introduction: Marked arterial adaptation is critical in permitting and sustaining the increased blood flow within an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The aim of this investigation was to evaluate markers of arterial disease and their association with the early post-operative AVF outcomes. Methods: We included all patients in whom an AVF had been performed after enrolment to the Renal Impairment In Secondary Care (RIISC) study. Primary AVF failure (PFL) was defined as thrombosis at six-week review. All patients underwent BP Tru and Vicorder pulse wave analysis assessments and also had assays of advanced glycation end-products prior to AVF formation. These were correlated with the short-term AVF outcomes. Results: One hundred and eight AVFs were created in 86 patients. The primary patency (PPT) group were found to have significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.01). Intraluminal vein diameter was significantly greater in the PPT group than the PFL group (p≤0.01). Mean augmentation index and augmentation index 75 was significantly higher in the PPT group than the PFL group (p = 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). Aortic pulse wave velocity was slower in the PPT group at 10.2 m/s than the PFL group at 10.8 m/s (p = 0.32). Advanced glycation end-product measurements did not vary significantly between the PPT and PFL groups (p = 0.4). Logistic regression analysis provided a predictive model, which demonstrated a predictive value of 78.1% for AVF patency at 6 weeks. Conclusions: All patients in this end-stage renal disease cohort have significant aortic stiffness. The results for pulse wave velocity were slower in the PPT group suggesting a tendency towards stiffer vessels and PFL.
Procoagulant phospholipid concentration in canine erythrocyte concentrates stored with or without prestorage leukoreduction.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate canine erythrocyte concentrates (ECs) for the presence of procoagulant phospholipid (PPL), determine whether PPL concentration changes during the course of storage of ECs, and ascertain whether prestorage leukoreduction (removal of leukocytes via gravity filtration) reduces the development of PPL. SAMPLE 10 whole blood units (420 g each) collected from 10 random-source, clinically normal dogs (1 U/dog). PROCEDURES The dogs were randomized to 1 of 2 groups. Of the 10 whole blood units collected, 5 were processed through a standard method, and 5 underwent leukoreduction. Whole blood units were processed to generate ECs, from which aliquots were aseptically collected from each unit weekly for 5 weeks. Supernatants from the concentrates were evaluated for procoagulant activity, which was converted to PPL concentration, by use of an automated assay and by measurement of real-time thrombin generation. RESULTS Supernatants from stored canine ECs contained procoagulant activity as measured by both assays. In general, the PPL concentration gradually increased during the storage period, but leukoreduction reduced the development of increased procoagulant activity over time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The presence of PPL in canine ECs may be associated with procoagulant and proinflammatory effects in vivo, which could have adverse consequences for dogs treated with ECs.