Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rate of hypertension in HIV-infected patients: the HIV-HY study.

BACKGROUND We aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension in an unselected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population and to identify factors associated with hypertension prevalence, treatment, and control. METHODS We used a multicenter, cross-sectional, nationwide study that sampled 1,182 unselected, consecutive, HIV-infected patients. Office blood pressure was accurately measured with standard procedures. RESULTS Patients were 71% men and 92% white, with a median age of 47 years (range = 18-78); 6% were antiretroviral treatment naive. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 29.3%; high-normal pressure accounted for an additional 12.3%. Among hypertensive subjects, 64.9% were aware of their hypertensive condition, 52.9% were treated, and 33.0% were controlled (blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg). Blood pressure-lowering medications were used in monotherapy in 54.3% of the subjects. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers were the most frequently used drugs (76.1%: monotherapy = 39.1%, combination treatment = 37.0%). In multivariable regression models, hypertension was independently predicted by traditional risk factors, including age ≥50 years, male sex, family history of cardiovascular disease, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, previous cardiovascular events, diabetes, central obesity, and metabolic syndrome, as well as by duration of HIV infection, duration of antiretroviral therapy, and nadir CD4+ T-cell count <200/μl. The choice of protease inhibitors vs. nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors as a third antiretroviral drug was irrelevant. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension affects nearly 30% of HIV adult outpatients in Italy. More than one-third of the hypertensive subjects are unaware of their condition, and more than two-thirds are uncontrolled. A higher level of attention to the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension is mandatory in this setting.
Genetic variation of PSCA gene is associated with the risk of both diffuse‐ and intestinal‐type gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), a member of the LY‐6/Thy‐1 family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored cell surface proteins, is considered to be involved in the cell‐proliferation inhibition and/or cell‐death induction activity. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2976392 and rs2294008) in the PSCA gene were recently identified as the susceptibility loci of gastric cancer, especially in diffuse type. Therefore, this study was to investigate whether these 2 SNPs were associated with the risk of gastric cancer in Chinese population. We genotyped rs2976392 and rs2294008 in PSCA in a case–control study including 1,053 incident gastric cancer patients and 1,100 cancer‐free controls in a high‐risk Chinese population. We found that variant genotypes of rs2976392 (GA/AA) were associated with a significantly 37% increased risk of gastric cancer (adjusted OR =1.37, 95% CI = 1.15–1.62), compared with variant homozygote GG, and the associations were all consistently significant in both intestinal and diffuse subtypes, and among different subgroups stratified by age, sex, drinking or smoking status. Interestingly, a significant multiplicative interaction between rs2976392 (GA/AA) and alcohol drinking was detected on the development of intestinal‐type gastric cancer (p = 0.009). However, rs2294008 variant genotypes (CT/TT) were associated with a nonsignificant increased risk of gastric cancer (adjusted OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.96–1.36). A small meta‐analysis including 5 case–control studies showed undoubtedly associations between PSCA rs2294008 and rs2976392 and gastric cancer risk (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.29–2.60 and OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.33–2.56, respectively). These findings provide further evidence supporting that the genetic variants of PSCA gene may contribute to the gastric carcinogenesis.
Plesiomonas shigelloides Infection, Ecuador, 2004–2008

Diarrheal risk associated with Plesiomonas shigelloides infection was assessed in rural communities in northwestern Ecuador during 2004–2008. We found little evidence that single infection with P. shigelloides is associated with diarrhea but stronger evidence that co-infection with rotavirus causes diarrhea.
Consistent Association Between Mixed Lateral Preference and PTSD: Confirmation Among a National Study of 2490 US Army Vietnam Veterans

Objective: To evaluate the research-based association between mixed lateral preference for handedness and risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a large-scale sample of US Army Vietnam veterans exposed to war zone stressors. Method: We used a national sample of 2490 male US Army veterans, who completed the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI), a measure ranging from −100 (pure left-handedness) to +100 (pure right-handedness). We developed several classifications representing levels of mixed laterality: a) an EHI −70 to +70 (EHI 70, moderate mixed); b) an EHI −50 to +50 (EHI 50, consistent mixed); and c) an EHI 0, plus reports of using either hand on ≥50% of the tasks assessed (EHI 0+, extreme mixed). We controlled for intelligence, race, Army entry age, and Army volunteer status, and we assessed the impact of combat exposure. Results: Although all three handedness measures were associated with current PTSD in bivariate analyses, only Edinburgh 0+ was associated with PTSD in the multivariate model (odds ratio (OR) = 2.1; p = . 021). However, when we classified handedness by high combat exposure, all three measures were associated with PTSD, with ORs = 2.5, 2.8, and 4.7 for EHI 70, EHI 50, and EHI 0+, respectively (all p < .001). Veterans with mixed laterality and high combat exposure also had significantly increased PTSD symptoms (all p < .001). Conclusion: Our study confirmed findings reported among mostly smaller clinical samples and suggested that mixed lateral preference was associated with PTSD, especially among those individuals exposed to more severe psychological trauma. EHI = Edinburgh Handedness Inventory; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; DIS = Diagnostic Interview Schedule; NSS = neurological soft signs; RTI = Research Triangle Institute
Brucella abortus induces a novel cytokine gene expression pattern characterized by elevated IL-10 and IFN-gamma in CD4+ T cells.

Immunization of BALB/c mice with killed Brucella abortus (BA) has previously been shown to increase serum IgG2a levels and long-term T cell clones from these mice secrete Th1-associated cytokines: IFN-gamma and IL-2 but not IL-4 or IL-5. We analyzed cytokine gene expression following primary immunization with BA to determine when CD4+ T cells first express cytokine genes and whether specific hypothesized cytokine patterns (e.g. Th precursor, Th0) could be identified prior to a Th1-like pattern. Our results demonstrated a highly consistent and novel pattern of Th1/Th2 cytokine gene expression characterized by elevated IL-10 and IFN-gamma in CD4+ T cells which rapidly manifests itself and is sustained for at least 10 days after immunization. No elevation in IL-2 cytokine gene expression was observed and treatment of BA-immunized mice with blocking anti-IL-2 antibodies had no effect on the cytokine gene expression pattern, although treatment with anti-IFN antibodies resulted in increased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-9 cytokine gene expression, in the absence of any change in IFN-gamma or IL-10 as early as 4 days after immunization. These results suggest that a whole pathogen may trigger sufficient costimulatory signals to rapidly induce effector T cells in the absence of elevated IL-2 and that IL-10 is specifically elevated in certain Th1-like responses.
Normal Development of Bimanual Coordination: Visuomotor and Interhemispheric Contributions

The corpus callosum is one of the last cortical pathways to develop, continuing to myelinate through the end of the first decade of life. However, the functional consequences of this late development are not entirely known. The importance of callosal development for bimanual motor coordination is suggested by the fact that bimanual coordination in younger children is similar to that of persons with commissurotomy or callosal agenesis. This study focused on the development of bimanual coordination in 67 normally developing children between 6 and 15 years of age using the computerized Bimanual Coordination Test (cBCT). Results indicated that right- and lefthand unimanual motor speed was significantly correlated with age (r = -.26 and -.44, respectively). Age was also significantly associated with accuracy of performance on trials demanding both symmetric (r = -.46) and asymmetric (r = -.50) bimanual responding. The correlation with asymmetric bimanual responding (requiring greater interhand coordination) remained significant when covarying performance on symmetric response trials. Accuracy on asymmetric bimanual trials requiring greater left- than right-hand speed accounted for the largest portion of this unique, age-related variance. Thus, cBCT performance reveals child development in motor speed and visuomotor processing, as well as the unique contributions of interhemispheric interactionsto bimanually coordinated motor activity.
Orthotopic transplantation model of human gastrointestinal cancer and detection of micrometastases.

AIM To establish a relevant animal model of human gastrointestinal cancer, which can be used for repetitive investigations, so as to improve our understanding and management of carcinogenesis and cancer metastasis. METHODS Intact tissues of human colorectal and pancreatic cancers were transplanted in nude mice. The biological characteristics of the original and the corresponding transplanted tumors were investigated by HE staining, PAS staining and immunostaining. The metastases in the livers and lungs of nude mice were investigated by immunostaining with biotinylated mab KL-1 and by RT-PCR using CK20 specific primers. RESULTS There were totally 9 of 16 surgical specimens growing in nude mice subcutaneously and/or orthotopically (4 of 6 colorectal and 5 of 10 pancreatic cancer). Tumor cell content of the specimens and freezing of tissue specimens are important factors influencing the growth of transplanted tumor. In the group of fresh tumor tissues with greater than 50% tumor cell content, the success rate of the transplantation was 100% (3 cases of pancreatic cancer and 3 cases of colorectal cancer). The orthotopically trans-planted tumors resemble the original tumor morphologically and biologically, including TAA expression such as CEA by immunohistochemistry, and CEA level in the serum of mice. Ki-67 labeling index and the expression of TAA especially K-ras, 17-1A and RA-96, are associated with the potential of tumor growth in nude mice. Micrometastases in the lungs and livers of tumor bearing mice can be detected by immunostaining with biotinylated mab KL-1 and CK20-specific RT-PCR. CONCLUSION An orthotopic transplantation model for human colon and pancreatic cancer in nude mice has been set up. We have also established sensitive detection methods with CK-immunohistochemistry and CK20-RT-PCR to study xenotransplanted human cancer and its metastatic cancer cells in the liver and lung of nude mice. This study may be helpful in understanding the mechanism of cancer metastasis and in developing new diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for metastases including micrometastases.
Low-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Inferior to Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treating Depression

Objectives: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a potential new antidepressant method and alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The efficacy of right prefrontal low-frequency rTMS was shown in a previous placebo-controlled, randomized study but has never been compared with ECT. The aim of this study was to compare the antidepressant efficacy and adverse effects of right prefrontal low-frequency rTMS with that of ECT. Methods: Sixty inpatients with major depression were randomized to 15 days of 1-Hz right prefrontal rTMS or 9 unilateral ECTs. Depressive symptoms and adverse effects were recorded using the Hamilton Scale for Depression and the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser side effect scale, supplied by neuropsychological assessment of cognitive functions. Results: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was significantly less effective than ECT. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed a 26% (confidence interval, 3%-51%) higher rate of partial remission (P = 0.035) by the end of week 3. There was no difference found between the 2 methods on the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser rating scale. However, psychological examination revealed ECT to have more adverse effects on cognitive functions, whereas the rTMS group improved particularly with respect to visual memory. Conclusions: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was significantly less effective than ECT, but ECT had more adverse effects on cognitive function. The outcome does not point to right frontal low-frequency rTMS using the present stimulus design as a first-line substitute for ECT, but rather as a treatment option for patients with depression who are intolerant to other types of treatment or not accepting ECT.
Improvements in psoriasis within different body regions vary over time following treatment with ixekizumab

Abstract Background: Ixekizumab is a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17 A. Objective: Examine the efficacy of ixekizumab in clearing psoriasis within different body regions. Methods: Data from 3 placebo- (PBO) or PBO- and etanercept (ETN)-controlled trials were integrated. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized to 12 weeks of PBO (UNCOVER-1, -2, -3, N = 792; UNCOVER-2, -3, N = 361), 50 mg ETN twice weekly (N = 740), or 80 mg ixekizumab every 2 (IXE Q2W; N = 1169; N = 736) or 4 weeks (IXE Q4W; N = 1165; N = 733) after a 160-mg starting dose. Results: Mean percent improvements in regional Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were noted at Week 1 and increased through Week 12 in the IXE Q2W (approved dosing regimen) group for each body region. Week 12 improvements were 91.4% (head/neck); 92.8% (trunk); 89.9% (arms); and 88.7% (legs) (all regions p < .001 vs. PBO). Mean regional PASI improvements at Week 12 were ≥84.2% for ixekizumab versus ≤70.9% for ETN in all regions (p < .001). Scaling and thickness reduced faster than erythema. Conclusions: Within 12 weeks of ixekizumab treatment, all signs of psoriasis across all body regions reached clinically meaningful improvements, with the head/neck and trunk responding quicker than psoriasis of the arms and legs, especially with reduced scaling and thickness.
Insulin Antagonizes Thrombin-Induced Microvessel Leakage

Sustained increase in microvessel permeability results in cell and tissue damage. To date, it has not been possible to safely and specifically block increased microvessel permeability in vivo. We showed that insulin stimulates angiogenesis and that the new microvessels are associated with more αSMA-producing cells, suggesting greater stability. In this study, we show that local injection of insulin under the skin of mice significantly inhibits thrombin-induced microvessel permeability and that insulin improves the barrier function of primary human endothelial cells under conditions that mimic endothelium in vivo. These findings indicate that insulin antagonizes thrombin-induced microvessel permeability. At the cell and molecular levels, we show that insulin interferes with thrombin-induced VE-cadherin signaling by decreasing the ability of thrombin to induce VE-cadherin translocation to the cytoskeleton/nuclear compartment, leading to microvessel leakage. Simultaneously, the rapid activation of Src by insulin followed by the activation of Rac1, a small GTPase involved in cytoskeletal reorganization, leads to the maintenance of endothelial barrier, short-circuiting the slower thrombin-induced Src-RhoA signaling that leads to endothelial permeability. This novel mechanism by which insulin inhibits thrombin-induced permeability provides support for the use of insulin treatment in pathological conditions that involve blood-barrier dysfunction, especially as resuscitation treatment methods for extensive burns, sepsis, and other severe pathological conditions.
Combined Treatment Potentiates the Developmental Toxicity of Ibuprofen and Acetazolamide in Rats

Aspirin (ASA), an irreversible cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, induces ventricular septal defect (VSD) and diaphragmatic hernia (DH) in rat fetuses when administered on gestation days (GDs) 9–10, a critical period for cardiovascular (CV) and midline development. Evaluation of a spectrum of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; reversible COX inhibitors) showed that while some NSAIDs induced VSD in rats, none of the NSAIDs evaluated produced DH. In addition to inhibiting COX, ASA also inhibits carbonic anhydrase. The purpose of this study was to determine whether concurrent inhibition of COX and carbonic anhydrase would produce a teratogenic profile that includes both VSD and DH. To inhibit both COX and carbonic anhydrase, ibuprofen (COX inhibitor) and acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) were coadministered on GDs 9–10. Groups of 20 female Crl:CD(SD)IGS BR rats were given either 300 mg kg− 1 day− 1 ibuprofen, 1000 mg kg− 1 day− 1 acetazolamide, or both (combination of ibuprofen and acetazolamide). Fetuses were evaluated on GD 21 for external and visceral development. Ibuprofen induced VSD in 3.7% of fetuses per litter; no defects in appendicular skeletal development were noted. Acetazolamide induced VSD in 5.9% of the fetuses per litter and appendicular defects in 41% of the fetuses per litter. Coadministration of ibuprofen and acetazolamide produced VSD in 18.7% of the fetuses per litter and appendicular defects in 77% of the fetuses per litter; however, there were no DH. Therefore, while concurrent inhibition of COX and carbonic anhydrase did not produce DH, potentiation was noted for the induction of VSD and appendicular anomalies.
The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus Among the Métis of Western Canada

Objectives. To examine the impact of diabetes mellitus on the lives of the Métis of western Canada, and to determine the extent of co-morbidity among Métis with diabetes. Design. The source of data was the Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS), conducted by Statistics Canada in 1991. The survey was administered to a representative sample of Aboriginal peoples throughout Canada. Analysis was completed on self-identified Métis participants from the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Results. Métis participants with diabetes were more likely than those without diabetes to report their health status as poor. Significantly greater numbers of Métis with diabetes reported activity limitations at work, at home and in leisure activities, the need for assistance with activities of daily living and difficulties with ambulation than did those without diabetes. The extent of co-morbidity was also significant. Métis with diabetes were almost three times more likely to report hypertension and heart problems and twice as likely to report sight impairments than were those without diabetes. Conclusions. This research represents the first account of the effects of diabetes on the lives of the Métis. The APS data have provided a clear picture of the impairments in physical functioning experienced by the Métis with diabetes and the impact upon quality of life. In addition, the strong associations between diabetes and hypertension, heart problems and sight impairments suggest profound morbidity in this population that warrants prompt attention.
Evaluation of insulin resistance in obese women with and without acanthosis nigricans

Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by hyperpigmented velvety plaques of body folds and neck. Insulin could be a responsible factor in the pathogenesis of this condition and hyperinsulinemia: a consequence of insulin resistance stimulates the formation of these characteristic plaques. In this study, insulin resistance was compared in obese women with and without acanthosis nigricans. This was a cross‐sectional study. Sixty‐six obese women (32 patients with acanthosis nigricans and 34 patients without acanthosis nigricans) were selected randomly. Levels of fasting serum insulin and fasting blood glucose were measured in both groups and insulin resistance was determined using homeostasis model assessment. Glucose tolerance test also was performed for all of participants. Five (15.6%) patients with acanthosis nigricans and no (0%) patient without acanthosis nigricans had insulin resistance (P < 0.05). Six (18.7%) patients with acanthosis nigricans and one (2.9%) patient without acanthosis nigricans had impaired glucose tolerance test (P < 0.05). The mean levels of fasting serum insulin were 15.7 ± 8.7 and 12.2 ± 4.1 µm/mL (P < 0.05) and the mean values of insulin resistance index were 3.5 ± 1.9 and 2.6 ± 0.9 µm/mL between patients with and without acanthosis nigricans, respectively (P < 0.05). In Iranian obese women, acanthosis nigricans is a marker of insulin resistance.
Relationship between sex ratio and time of insemination according to both time of ovulation and maturational state of oocyte

The aim of this study was to explore how some reproductive methodologies may affect the sex ratio. We first confirmed the association between the maturation stage of bovine oocytes at the time of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the sex ratio of in vitro-derived embryos. Secondly, we studied whether the time of insemination, prior to or after ovulation, could alter the sex ratio in sheep. In the first experiment, bovine oocytes were matured in vitro for 16 h; then oocytes were either fertilised in vitro immediately after extrusion of the first polar body or IVF was delayed for 8 h. The proportion of cleaving embryos and their development to the 8-cell stage was enhanced with delayed insemination. Moreover, delaying IVF produced a male-to-female sex ratio of 1.67:1.00, which was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (p < 0.05), whereas more female embryos were produced when oocytes were fertilised in vitro immediately after polar body extrusion (sex ratio of 1.00:0.67; p < 0.05). In the second experiment, 380 ewes were inseminated at different times before or after ovulation, producing 537 lambs. Significant differences in the sex ratio were obtained when we compared the sex of the offspring of ewes inseminated during the 5 h preceding ovulation (more females) with those inseminated during the 5 h after ovulation (more males). Our results suggest that the differential ability of X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa to fertilise oocytes depending either on time of insemination or oocyte maturation state, may be due, at least partially, to ‘intrinsic’ differences in the physiological activity of X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa before fertilisation.