Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rational pain management in complex regional pain syndrome 1 (CRPS 1)--a network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Guidelines for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) 1 advocate several substance classes to reduce pain and support physical rehabilitation, but guidance about which agent should be prioritized when designing a therapeutic regimen is not provided. Using a network meta-analytic approach, we examined the efficacy of all agent classes investigated in randomized clinical trials of CRPS 1 and provide a rank order of various substances stratified by length of illness duration. DESIGN In this study a network meta-analysis was conducted. PATIENTS The participants of this study were patients with CRPS 1. METHOD Searches in electronic, previous systematic reviews, conference abstracts, book chapters, and the reference lists of relevant articles were performed. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials comparing at least one analgesic agent with placebo or with another analgesic and reporting efficacy in reducing pain. Summary efficacy stratified by symptom duration and length of follow-up was computed across all substance classes. Two authors independently extracted data. RESULTS In total, 16 studies were included in the analysis. Bisphosphonates appear to be the treatment of choice in early stages of CRPS 1. The effects of calcitonin surpass that of bisphosphonates and other substances as a short-term medication in more chronic stages of the illness. While most medications showed some efficacy on short-term follow-up, only bisphosphonates, NMDA analogs, and vasodilators showed better long-term pain reduction than placebo. LIMITATION For some drug classes, only a few studies were available and many studies included a small group of patients. Insufficient data were available to analyze efficacy on disability. CONCLUSION This network meta-analysis indicates that a rational pharmacological treatment strategy of pain management should consider bisphosphonates in early CRPS 1 and a short-term course of calcitonin in later stages. While most medications showed some efficacy on short-term follow-up, only bisphosphonates, NMDA analogs and vasodilators showed better long-term pain reduction than placebo.
Spatiotemporal risk mapping of hand, foot and mouth disease and its association with meteorological variables in children under 5 years

SUMMARY Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) risk has become an increasing concern in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, which is the biggest urban agglomeration in north-eastern Asia. In the study, spatiotemporal epidemiological features of HFMD were analysed, and a Bayesian space–time hierarchy model was used to detect local spatial relative risk (RR) and to assess the effect of meteorological factors. From 2009 to 2013, there was an obvious seasonal pattern of HFMD risk. The highest risk period was in the summer, with an average monthly incidence of 4·17/103, whereas the index in wintertime was 0·16/103. Meteorological variables influenced temporal changes in HFMD. A 1 °C rise in air temperature was associated with an 11·5% increase in HFMD (corresponding RR 1·122). A 1% rise in relative humidity was related to a 9·51% increase in the number of HFMD cases (corresponding RR 1·100). A 1 hPa increment in air pressure was related to a 0·11% decrease in HFMD (corresponding RR 0·999). A 1 h increase in sunshine was associated with a 0·28% rise in HFMD cases (corresponding RR 1·003). A 1 m/s rise in wind speed was related to a 6·2% increase in HFMD (corresponding RR 1·064). High-risk areas were mainly large cities, such as Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang and their neighbouring areas. These findings can contribute to risk control and implementation of disease-prevention policies.
Radiation budget changes with dry forest clearing in temperate Argentina

Land cover changes may affect climate and the energy balance of the Earth through their influence on the greenhouse gas composition of the atmosphere (biogeochemical effects) but also through shifts in the physical properties of the land surface (biophysical effects). We explored how the radiation budget changes following the replacement of temperate dry forests by crops in central semiarid Argentina and quantified the biophysical radiative forcing of this transformation. For this purpose, we computed the albedo and surface temperature for a 7‐year period (2003–2009) from MODIS imagery at 70 paired sites occupied by native forests and crops and calculated the radiation budget at the tropopause and surface levels using a columnar radiation model parameterized with satellite data. Mean annual black‐sky albedo and diurnal surface temperature were 50% and 2.5 °C higher in croplands than in dry forests. These contrasts increased the outgoing shortwave energy flux at the top of the atmosphere in croplands by a quarter (58.4 vs. 45.9 W m−2) which, together with a slight increase in the outgoing longwave flux, yielded a net cooling of −14 W m−2. This biophysical cooling effect would be equivalent to a reduction in atmospheric CO2 of 22 Mg C ha−1, which involves approximately a quarter to a half of the typical carbon emissions that accompany deforestation in these ecosystems. We showed that the replacement of dry forests by crops in central Argentina has strong biophysical effects on the energy budget which could counterbalance the biogeochemical effects of deforestation. Underestimating or ignoring these biophysical consequences of land‐use changes on climate will certainly curtail the effectiveness of many warming mitigation actions, particularly in semiarid regions where high radiation load and smaller active carbon pools would increase the relative importance of biophysical forcing.
Genetic epidemiology of major depression: review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a meta-analysis of relevant data from primary studies of the genetic epidemiology of major depression. METHOD The authors searched MEDLINE and the reference lists of previous review articles to identify relevant primary studies. On the basis of a review of family, adoption, and twin studies that met specific inclusion criteria, the authors derived quantitative summary statistics. RESULTS Five family studies met the inclusion criteria. The odds ratios for proband (subjects with major depression or comparison subjects) versus first-degree relative status (affected or unaffected with major depression) were homogeneous across the five studies (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio=2.84, 95% CI=2.31-3.49). No adoption study met the inclusion criteria, but the results of two of the three reports were consistent with genetic influences on liability to major depression. Five twin studies met the inclusion criteria, and their statistical summation suggested that familial aggregation was due to additive genetic effects (point estimate of heritability of liability=37%, 95% CI=31%-42%), with a minimal contribution of environmental effects common to siblings (point estimate=0%, 95% CI=0%-5%), and substantial individual-specific environmental effects/measurement error (point estimate=63%, 95% CI=58%-67%). The literature suggests that recurrence best predicts the familial aggregation of major depression. CONCLUSIONS Major depression is a familial disorder, and its familiality mostly or entirely results from genetic influences. Environmental influences specific to an individual are also etiologically significant. Major depression is a complex disorder that does not result from either genetic or environmental influences alone but rather from both. These findings are notably consistent across samples and methods and are likely to be generally applicable.
Caries prevention with fluoride varnish in a socially deprived community.

UNLABELLED It has been suggested that specific preventive programs be developed for children with high caries risk. One possibility is to consider whole classes in socially deprived schools as caries-risk groups and perform an intensified preventive program for the entire class. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of such a program which includes the application of a fluoride varnish (Duraphat). METHODS The application of the varnish was offered three to four times a year in a community with low socio-economic status and a generally high caries level. Two hundred and sixty-nine children in six primary schools of Linden/Limmer, a district in Hannover, Germany, were allocated to a test or a control group. The test group received the fluoride varnish for 4 years whereas the control group received no professional fluoride application. DMFT was recorded at the beginning of the study and after 4 years. RESULTS At the end of the study, children who had received a minimum of two fluoride applications per year showed a significantly lower caries increment in comparison with the control group (0.88 DMFT vs 1.39 DMFT, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that a minimum of two applications of the fluoride varnish Duraphat per year may be an effective measure in preventing caries in socially deprived children with high caries activity.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSES OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL BEE KEEPING ENTREPRENEURSHIPS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the comparative analyses of modern and traditional bee keeping in Abia State, Nigeria. It considered as objectives the comparative analyses of costs and returns, technical and profit efficiencies and evaluation of the major constraints associated with both bee keeping practices. A sample size of 120 bee keepers comprising 80 modern and 40 traditional bee keepers were examined respectively in this study. The tools of data collection were structured questionnaire and oral interviews. Analytical tools used included Cobb Douglas production function, descriptive statistics and income statement analysis. The result shows that modern bee keeping generates more income than traditional bee farming despite its production cost. Investment in bee keeping, especially with respect to modern bee keeping approach increased tremendously with expanded access to cheap and flexible credit which is presently a limiting factor in traditional bee keeping. Further, man days of labour and quantity of baiting materials increased the production of modern bee keepers while expenses on labour and apiaries limited their profitability even among traditional bee keepers. Thus, it is recommended that the modern bee keepers should be encouraged with financial incentives that will help them boost number of labourers and local policies which will reduce labour cost and other inputs should also be encouraged. Key words: comparative, analyses, modern, traditional, bee-keeping
Dynamics of nitrate and nitrite content during storage of home-made and small-scale industrially produced raw vegetable juices and their dietary intake

The influence of storage conditions on nitrate and nitrite contents, pH, and total viable bacterial count of raw vegetable juices was studied. Three different types of juices from an Estonian small-scale producer and five different types of home-made juices were analysed. Analyses were performed immediately after opening the commercial juice packages and immediately after preparation of a home-made juice. Additionally, samples were taken after open storage of a juice at the refrigerator and ambient temperatures during 24 and 48 h. The biggest changes in nitrate and nitrite contents were found during storage of carrot, beetroot and radish juices. During 48 h of storage at ambient temperature, the mean increases of nitrite content in home-made carrot, beetroot and radish juices were from 0.1 to 187, from 2.1 to 578, and from 0.5 to 259 mg l−1, respectively. In the case of commercial lightly pasteurized products, the biggest increase of nitrite content, from 3.2 to 11 mg l−1, was found in red beetroot juice. After 48 h of storage at refrigerator temperature, the changes of nitrite and nitrate were smaller. In the case of consumption of 300 ml of home-made carrot juice, with a nitrate and nitrite content of 64 and 110 mg l−1, respectively, stored for 24 h at ambient temperature, the average intake was 8% and 846% of the acceptable daily intake of nitrates and nitrites, respectively. After consumption of 50 ml of the same carrot juice by children (1–2 years of age) the average intake of nitrates and nitrites was 7% and 733% of the acceptable daily intake, respectively.
Can a Short Video Improve Apixaban Knowledge in an Inpatient Setting?

PURPOSE To increase patient knowledge about apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb) using an educational video delivered in an urban inpatient setting. METHODS This prospective, quasi-experimental study evaluated knowledge gain and retention in patients receiving apixaban after viewing a short educational video. Knowledge was assessed with a questionnaire immediately before, immediately after, and one month following the educational video. RESULTS After 33 patients watched the video, scores increased by 19.7% from the pre-test to the immediate post-test time point (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.5-24.9; P < 0.001). Patients previously receiving apixaban or another anticoagulant were less likely to improve scores compared with new patients (P < 0.05). Twenty-two of the 33 patients (66.7%) completed the one-month follow-up. No difference in scores from pre-test to one month post-test were noted (6.4%; 95% CI, 1.6-14.5; P = 0.11). CONCLUSION The apixaban educational video led to improvements in short-term knowledge; however, patients did not retain this knowledge at one month. Future studies should seek ways to improve long-term knowledge retention.
Detection of local mast-cell activity in patients with food hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND Mast cells play a central role in many inflammatory diseases and assessment of their activation may be of use to provide objective confirmation of the outcome of food challenge in the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity. However, to date, assessment of mast-cell activation using serum markers has been unsuccessful. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore whether locally released tryptase could be detected in stool samples from patients with food hypersensitivity. METHODS Nine patients (median age, 55 years; range, 26 - 68 years) with food hypersensitivity confirmed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge were included in the study. Tryptase concentration was assessed in stool samples collected before and after an open food challenge at home and symptoms were recorded throughout the study. Tryptase concentration was also assessed in stool samples from 16 apparently healthy individuals (median age, 44 years; range, 27 - 72 years). RESULTS Measurement of fecal tryptase levels in 16 healthy control subjects revealed an upper limit of the normal range (mean + 2 SD of log transformed data) of 10 ng/g. Fecal tryptase levels exceeded 10 ng/g in 7 out of 9 patients in one or more samples obtained during the study. The tryptase levels varied between patients in response to the food challenge and the individual mean levels of tryptase correlated with the corresponding levels of the inflammatory marker eosinophil protein X (rho = 0.7500, P = .02). CONCLUSION Measurement of tryptase levels in stool samples is feasible using the method described here. Our results revealed elevated concentrations of fecal tryptase in patients with food hypersensitivity. However, several factors, including food exposure, may account for the increase in fecal tryptase and further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of mast cells in food hypersensitivity.
Comparative effects of halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane on the electroencephalogram of the rat

Summary Inhalant anaesthetic agents are commonly used in studies investigating the electroencephalographic (EEG) effects of noxious stimuli in animals. Halothane causes less EEG depression than isoflurane, however, the EEG effects of halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane have not been compared in the same model. This study aimed to compare the EEG effects of these inhalational agents in the rat. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups and anaesthetized with halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane. EEG was recorded from the left and right somatosensory cortices for 5 min at three different multiples of minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) (1.25, 1.5 and 1.75). Median, 95% spectral edge frequency and total power were derived and a single mean value for each was calculated for the first 60 s of each recording period. When the raw EEG contained burst suppression (BS), the BS ratio (BSR) over 60 s was calculated. No BS was found in EEG recorded from the halothane group at any concentration. BS was present at all concentrations with the other anaesthetic agents. BS was almost complete at all concentrations of isoflurane, whereas BSR increased significantly with increasing concentrations of sevoflurane and desflurane. No significant differences were found between the BSR due to the 1.75 MAC multiple of isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane. Halothane causes significantly less depression of cortical activity than the newer inhalant agents at equivalent multiples of MAC. These data support the hypothesis that halothane has a fundamentally different mechanism of action than the other inhalant agents.
The influence of recovery posture on post-exercise hypotension in normotensive men.

PURPOSE Postexercise hypotension may be the result of an impaired vasoconstrictor response. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the central and peripheral hemodynamic responses during supine and seated recovery after maximal upright exercise. METHODS After supine or seated baseline measurements, seven normotensive male volunteers completed a graded upright cycling protocol to volitional exhaustion. This was immediately followed by either supine or seated recovery. Measurements of pulsatile arterial blood pressure and central and peripheral hemodynamic variables recorded 30 min before exercise were compared with those taken throughout 60 min of recovery. RESULTS Compared with baseline, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced after exercise (P < 0.05) although the degree of change was not different between the supine (-9 +/- 4 mm Hg) and seated positions (-6 +/- 2 mm Hg). This change in MAP was associated with a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05) and arterial pulse pressure (APP) (P < 0.01) for the supine and seated positions, respectively. The reduction in APP during seated recovery was accompanied by a decline in stroke volume (SV) (P < 0.05), not seen in the supine position, that limited the contribution of cardiac output (CO) to the maintenance of MAP. This effect of seated recovery was compensated by greater systemic (SVR) and regional vascular resistances in the forearm (FVR) and the forearm skin (SkVRA). There was also evidence of an augmented return of FVR and SkVRA to resting levels in the seated position after exercise. CONCLUSION The lower peripheral resistance in the supine compared with seated recovery position suggests there is potential for greater vasoconstriction, although this is not evoked to increase blood pressure. This further suggests that the arterial baroreceptor reflex is reset to a lower operating pressure after exercise.
Dynamics of Mitochondrial RNA-Binding Protein Complex in Trypanosoma brucei and Its Petite Mutant under Optimized Immobilization Conditions

ABSTRACT There are a variety of complex metabolic processes ongoing simultaneously in the single, large mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei. Understanding the organellar environment and dynamics of mitochondrial proteins requires quantitative measurement in vivo. In this study, we have validated a method for immobilizing both procyclic stage (PS) and bloodstream stage (BS) T. brucei brucei with a high level of cell viability over several hours and verified its suitability for undertaking fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), with mitochondrion-targeted yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). Next, we used this method for comparative analysis of the translational diffusion of mitochondrial RNA-binding protein 1 (MRP1) in the BS and in T. b. evansi. The latter flagellate is like petite mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae because it lacks organelle-encoded nucleic acids. FRAP measurement of YFP-tagged MRP1 in both cell lines illuminated from a new perspective how the absence or presence of RNA affects proteins involved in mitochondrial RNA metabolism. This work represents the first attempt to examine this process in live trypanosomes.
The effects of diet and physiological stress on the evolutionary dynamics of an enzyme polymorphism

In the northern acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides, polymorphism at the mannose–6–phosphate isomerase (Mpi) locus appears to be maintained by distinct selection regimes that vary between intertidal microhabitats. The goal of the present experiment was to elucidate the mechanism of selection at the Mpi locus by examining the relationship between genotype and fitness–related life–history traits in laboratory manipulations. When barnacles were cultured on a mannose–supplemented diet and exposed to thermal stress, different Mpi genotypes exhibited differences in the rate of growth that predicted survivorship. In contrast, no such relationship was observed in control or fructose–supplemented dietary treatments either in the presence or in the absence of stress. Similarly, the phenotype and survivorship of genotypes at another allozyme locus and a presumably neutral mitochondrial DNA marker were homogeneous across all treatments and unaffected by experimental manipulations. These results suggest that the differential survivorship of Mpi genotypes in the field and laboratory results from a differential ability to process mannose–6–phosphate through glycolysis. The widespread polymorphism at Mpi observed in marine taxa may reflect the interaction between dietary composition and environmental heterogeneity in intertidal habitats.
No Association between Apolipoprotein A-IV Codon 360 Mutation and Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in the Japanese Population

Human apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) is genetically polymorphic, the apoA-IV polymorphism being controlled by two alleles, apoA-IV1 and apoA-IV2. The association between the apoA-IV2 allele and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) has been reported in Caucasian populations. We investigated the codon 360 mutation of the apoA-IV gene allele frequency in 173 LOAD and in 158 age-matched control subjects of the Japanese population, and we found that the allele frequency of apoA-IV2 in the Japanese population was very rare and was extremely lower than in Caucasian populations. We conclude that there was no association between apoA-IV genotype and LOAD in the Japanese population.
Chronic Exposure of a Canadian Aboriginal Community to Uranium in Drinking Water : Chemical Toxicity and Radiation Dose

A study of an aboriginal community was conducted to determine if kidney function had been affected by the chronic ingestion of uranium in drinking water from drilled wells whose uranium concentrations varied from <1 to 1,418 ppb. This non-invasive study relied on the measurement of a combination of indicators of kidney function and markers for cell toxicity measured in urine samples collected from 39 females and 15 males. Ages ranged from 12 to 73 years. Correlation of uranium excreted in urine with bio-indicators at p # 0.05 indicates interference with the kidney’s reabsorptive function. Because of the community’s concerns regarding cancer incidence, cumulative radiation doses were also calculated using uranium intake in drinking water over the preceding 15-year period. The average dose was 0.2 mSv and the highest dose, 1.7 mSv with the risk of cancer from the former being 1.4 in 100,000 while that from the latter is 12 in 100,000. Both would be difficult to detect in the community studied (population: 1,480).