Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dossier: Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases: the rational approach Effects of nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem on serum biochemical parameters and aortic composition of atherosclerotic chickens

Calcium appears to be involved in many of the cellular events, which are thought to be important in atherogenesis. In this study, we examine the effects of three calcium entry blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem at clinical and higher doses) on serum biochemical parameters and aortic calcium, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations of atherosclerotic egg-fed chickens. All egg-fed chickens (treated and non-treated) showed an increase in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides without significant effect when calcium entry blockers were used. Increased HDL values were observed in clinical and high-dose nifedipine and clinical dose verapamil groups. The high-dose diltiazem group presented increased zinc values with respect to the clinical dose diltiazem and control groups. The sodium concentrations were significantly decreased in all the groups of animals treated with calcium entry blockers at high-doses and nifedipine at clinical doses. Measurements of aortic calcium concentration showed a significant decrease in the high-dose nifedipine and verapamil groups. Calcium channel blockers had a tendency to decrease total cholesterol in aortas. The values were statistically significant for the high-dose verapamil, and nifedipine groups. Only nifedipine showed a significant decrease for this parameter at clinical dosages. Triglyceride concentrations in aortas were significantly low in animals fed an atherogenic diet and treated with calcium channel blockers, without differences between drugs or dosages used in the experiment. In addition, the chicken atherosclerosis model has proved itself useful and very suitable for in vivo drug intervention studies. © 2005 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
A Neighborhood Health Center: What the Patients Know and Think of Its Operation

The OEO-funded Rochester Neighborhood Health Center has undertaken as part of its operation to extend its services to the greatest number of eligible individuals. It has attempted this through outreach workers and the development of a system which conforms as well as possible to the general attitudes and expectancies of its patients. The purpose of this study was to gauge the success of these efforts, as well as to define particular life-factors which might predispose the phenomena of satisfaction or dislike. In general, the data support the idea that Neighborhood Health Center care is accepted with enthusiasm by a significant majority of its patients. Nonetheless, about one quarter of the patients do admit to occasionally leaving the system in favor of outside core. The central issues determining patient satisfaction would appear to be the availability and quality of care, as well as the attitudes of Health Center personnel; our sample indicates that the question of community control rates decidedly behind these others in its importance to Neighborhood Health Center patients.
Comparison of Different Strategies to Reduce Acetate Formation in Escherichia coli

E. coli cells produce acetate as an extracellular coproduct of aerobic cultures. Acetate is undesirable because it retards growth and inhibits protein formation. Most process designs or genetic modifications to minimize acetate formation aim at balancing growth rate and oxygen consumption. In this research, three genetic approaches to reduce acetate formation were investigated: (1) direct reduction of the carbon flow to acetate (ackA‐pta, poxB knock‐out); (2) anticipation on the underlying metabolic and regulatory mechanisms that lead to acetate (constitutive ppc expression mutant); and (3) both (1) and (2). Initially, these mutants were compared to the wild‐type E. coli via batch cultures under aerobic conditions. Subsequently, these mutants were further characterized using metabolic flux analysis on continuous cultures. It is concluded that a combination of directly reducing the carbon flow to acetate and anticipating on the underlying metabolic and regulatory mechanism that lead to acetate, is the most promising approach to overcome acetate formation and improve recombinant protein production. These genetic modifications have no significant influence on the metabolism when growing the micro‐organisms under steady state at relatively low dilution rates (less than 0.4 h−1).
Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is positively associated with colorectal neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Helicobacter pylori is a well known precursor to gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This study was to determine whether H. pylori was associated with colorectal neoplasms in Korean subjects undergoing routine checkup. METHODS A total of 10,082 subjects underwent routine checkups from January 2004 to April 2005. A H. pylori IgG test and stool occult blood test were included in the routine checkup program. Colonoscopy was performed if the stool occult blood test was positive or under subject request. Patients who underwent colonoscopy and had histologically confirmed cases of colorectal neoplasms were designanted as the subject group and those without as the control group. RESULTS Of the 10,082 subjects, 597 had full colonoscopy. The results identified 9 colorectal carcinomas and 118 adenomas. H. pylori seropositivity was identified in 6 (66%) subjects with colorectal carcinoma, 81 (68.6%) with colorectal adenoma and 248 (52.8%) controls. Subjects having colorectal neoplasms had a significantly higher H. pylori seropositivity rate compared with the controls (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.28-2.95). This remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, HbA1c and total cholesterol (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.23-2.93). Patients with distal neoplasms also had a significantly higher H. pylori seroposivity rate (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17-3.01) which persisted after multivariate adjustment (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.10-2.94). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with colorectal neoplasms present an increased H. pylori seroprevalence compared with controls.
Socioeconomic and behavioral determinants of tooth brushing frequency: results from the representative French 2010 HBSC cross‐sectional study

OBJECTIVES To describe tooth brushing frequency and its association with a wide range of socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics, using a nationally representative sample of school-aged children in France. METHODS Our sample included 11,337 students aged from 10 to 16 years, who answered the HBSC questionnaire. Some variables were grouped into composite variables, thus generating scores for: eating habits, health and body, relationships with parents, socioeconomic status (SES) of family, and school life. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to study the relationship between these variables and tooth brushing frequency. RESULTS Girls were more likely to brush twice a day than boys [adjusted Odds Ratio: aOR 2.47, 95 percent confidence interval CI95% (1.97; 3.11), aOR 1.89, CI95% (1.56; 2.29), aOR 1.45, CI95% (1.25; 1.68) for low, mid, and high school life score, respectively]. Students were more likely to brush twice a day when they had high (versus low) scores for healthy eating habits [aOR = 1.60; 95 percent CI: (1.40; 1.83)], well-being concerning health and body [aOR = 1.61; 95 percent CI: (1.40; 1.86)] and SES [aOR = 1.25; 95 percent CI: (1.09; 1.43)]. CONCLUSIONS We believe that preventive health campaigns should target school and family environments more specifically to reach the most disadvantaged sections of the population and include promotion of whole health. The messages should be designed to efficiently reach adolescents, e.g., by appealing to their maturity, self-esteem, and emotional factors. Through the incorporation of qualitative research elements, identifying the reasons for not brushing twice a day would also help to develop new prevention programs.
Quinolone Resistance Mechanisms in Salmonella enterica Serovars Hadar, Kentucky, Virchow, Schwarzengrund, and 4,5,12:i:−, Isolated from Humans in Switzerland, and Identification of a Novel qnrD Variant, qnrD2, in S. Hadar

ABSTRACT Human isolates of Salmonella enterica serovars Hadar, Kentucky, Virchow, Schwarzengrund, and the monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar 4,5,12:i:− were examined for mutations within the quinolone resistance target genes gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE and for plasmid-mediated resistance genes. Differences were observed among the serovars. A novel variant of qnrD, qnrD2, was detected in an S. Hadar isolate.
Systemic sclerosis in childhood: clinical and immunologic features of 153 patients in an international database.

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical and immunologic features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a large group of children and describe the clinical evolution of the disease and compare it with the adult form. METHODS Data on 153 patients with juvenile SSc collected from 55 pediatric rheumatology centers in Europe, Asia, and South and North America were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and immunologic characteristics of children with juvenile SSc at the onset, at diagnosis, and during the disease course were evaluated. RESULTS Raynaud's phenomenon was the most frequent symptom, followed by skin induration in approximately 75% of patients. Musculoskeletal symptoms were present in one-third of patients, and the most frequently involved internal organs were respiratory and gastrointestinal, while involvement of renal, cerebral, and cardiovascular systems was extremely rare. Antinuclear antibodies were present in the sera of 81% of patients. Anti-topoisomerase I (Scl-70) and anticentromere antibodies were found to be positive in 34% and 7.1% of patients, respectively. Involvement of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems was more frequent and occurred earlier in patients who died than in those who survived. Compared with the adult form, juvenile SSc appears to be less severe, with the involvement of fewer internal organs, particularly at the time of diagnosis, and has a less characterized immunologic profile. CONCLUSION This study provides information on the largest collection of patients with juvenile SSc ever reported. Juvenile SSc appears to be less severe than in adults because children have less internal organ involvement, a less specific autoantibody profile, and a better long-term outcome.
Colonic Health: Fermentation and Short Chain Fatty Acids

Interest has been recently rekindled in short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with the emergence of prebiotics and probiotics aimed at improving colonic and systemic health. Dietary carbohydrates, specifically resistant starches and dietary fiber, are substrates for fermentation that produce SCFAs, primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, as end products. The rate and amount of SCFA production depends on the species and amounts of microflora present in the colon, the substrate source and gut transit time. SCFAs are readily absorbed. Butyrate is the major energy source for colonocytes. Propionate is largely taken up by the liver. Acetate enters the peripheral circulation to be metabolized by peripheral tissues. Specific SCFA may reduce the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Acetate is the principal SCFA in the colon, and after absorption it has been shown to increase cholesterol synthesis. However, propionate, a gluconeogenerator, has been shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. Therefore, substrates that can decrease the acetate: propionate ratio may reduce serum lipids and possibly cardiovascular disease risk. Butyrate has been studied for its role in nourishing the colonic mucosa and in the prevention of cancer of the colon, by promoting cell differentiation, cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of transformed colonocytes; inhibiting the enzyme histone deacetylase and decreasing the transformation of primary to secondary bile acids as a result of colonic acidification. Therefore, a greater increase in SCFA production and potentially a greater delivery of SCFA, specifically butyrate, to the distal colon may result in a protective effect. Butyrate irrigation (enema) has also been suggested in the treatment of colitis. More human studies are now needed, especially, given the diverse nature of carbohydrate substrates and the SCFA patterns resulting from their fermentation. Short-term and long-term human studies are particularly required on SCFAs in relation to markers of cancer risk. These studies will be key to the success of dietary recommendations to maximize colonic disease prevention.
STOOL BACTERIAL AEROBIC OVERGROWTH IN THE SMALL INTESTINE OF CHILDREN WITH ACUTE DIARRHOEA

Abstract. The aerobic flora of 2 groups of children (normal and with malnutrition) with acute diarrhoea was studied, by intubation of the upper and middle small intestine and by stool culture. All the 27 children studied presented bacterial concentrations of 105 germs/ml at one or both levels studied. In 9 cases enteropathogen bacteriae were isolated from stools, and in 6 of these they were also found in the small intestine. The results show the elevated incidence of overgrowth of the small intestinal aerobic flora in children with acute diarrhoea. This fact is mentioned as another etiological factor to be taken into consideration in this pathology.
Neuropeptide Y secretion from a malignant extraadrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma

A patient with a malignant extraadrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma had elevated levels of immunoreactive neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the peripheral blood (5988 pg/ml; normal, 123 ± 30 pg/ml [mean ± standard error of the mean]). A 6‐month course of chemotherapy allowed surgical removal of the previously unresectable primary tumor. Postoperatively, the plasma NPY level initially fell to 1089 pg/ml; continued chemotherapy caused an additional decrease to 440 pg/ml. Four months after surgery, the plasma NPY level increased to 940 mg/ml, coincident with hepatic metastases. This case is the first report of a NPY‐secreting clinically nonfunctional malignant extraadrenal paraganglioma. Determination of circulating NPY levels may be useful in the diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Cancer 1992; 70:2350‐2353.
Health Status of the New York City Prison Population

During a two-week period in June 1975, all 1,420 prisoners admitted to New York City Correctional Facilities were studied to determine the prevalence of current and past health conditions. Information was obtained from a standard admission health examination. Almost three-quarters of the male and female prisoners were 30 years or less. Of the study population, 57 per cent were black, 24 per cent were Hispanic and 17 per cent were white. Forty-one per cent reported a history of illicit drug use. More than onequarter of the prisoners reported a present illness and three-fifths received at least one diagnosis. Commonly diagnosed conditions included drug abuse, psychiatric disorder, trauma, and alcohol abuse. Seven per cent of male prisoners had a previous psychiatric hospitalization. On examination, new trauma was noted in 10 per cent of the male population. In addition to these findings, a history of seizure disorder was reported in 4 per cent of the male population. Health services within prisons must be able to manage the most pressing problems in this population—substance abuse and psychiatric disorder— and provide care for the range of conditions that is similar to that found in the general population for this age group.
Psychosocial correlates of drug use among Latino youth leading autonomous lives.

Drug use and psychosocial profile of young Central American immigrants in Washington, D.C., were compared to the National Household Survey of Latinos. The immigrants showed: (1) more exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs; (2) interrelated marijuana, cocaine, PCP, and hallucinogenic drug use; and (3) a positive association between psychosocial competency and ratio of perceived supports/threats. Drug involvement intensity was negatively associated with psychosocial competence and positively with instrumental drug use, CAGE scores, and problems. Crisis scores and drug involvement were related only in the high support/threat group. Supportive environments may be more effective than threats in preventing drug use.
Relationship between high-fidelity simulation and patient safety in prelicensure nursing education: a comprehensive review.

Advances in nursing simulation technology raise the question "Are educators feeling pressure to accommodate the learning styles of the techno-age studentry? " This integrative review evaluates the current quantitative evidence from preintervention-postintervention and control-experimental research studies related to the use of simulation in prelicensure nursing education directed at enhancing safety in nursing practice. A thorough review of the available literature using truncated search terms in several databases yielded 258 scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, of which 18 articles directly addressed the posed research question related to simulation and safety. Replete with student reports of simulation as an enjoyable learning activity, the literature does not yet support simulation over other approaches to the teaching-learning of safety competencies in nursing. Therefore, nurse educators must continue to select the most appropriate methods based on the specific course, student, or program type, with concentrated focus on competency-based safety education in nursing.
Dendritic Cell Adhesion to Cerebral Endothelium: Role of Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecules and Their Ligands

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation, and there is evidence that they are recruited to the brain across the blood-brain barrier. The molecular mechanisms mediating DC trafficking to the central nervous system are poorly understood. This study used an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier and monocyte-derived DCs to investigate the role of endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecules and their ligands in the adhesion of immature and mature DCs to cerebral microvascular ECs. Adhesion of DCs to resting brain ECs was minimal, but activation of ECs with tumor necrosis factor significantly upregulated adhesion. Immature DCs adhered to activated ECs more avidly than mature DCs; this correlated with differences in the expression of adhesion molecule ligands between the mature and immature DCs. Blocking studies indicated that adhesion to cytokine-activated blood-brain barrier endothelium is mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, ICAM-2, platelet-EC adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, CD18, and DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) for immature DCs and ICAM-1, CD18, DC-SIGN, and PECAM-1 for mature DCs. These results suggest that DC adhesion to cerebral ECs depends on the maturation state of DCs and the activation state of the endothelium, and that it is regulated by specific receptor-ligand interactions. This study thus further highlights the active role of human brain microvascular ECs in neuroinflammation.
DISTRIBUTION OF MAGNETIC DISCONTINUITIES IN THE SOLAR WIND AND IN MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC TURBULENCE

The statistical properties of magnetic discontinuities in the solar wind are investigated by measuring fluctuations in the magnetic field direction, given by the rotation Δθ that the magnetic field vector undergoes during time interval Δt. We show that the probability density function, P(Δθ), can be described by a simple model in which the magnetic field vector purely rotates with a relative increment ΔB/B that is lognormally distributed. We find that the probability density function of increments, P(ΔB/B), has a remarkable scaling property: the normalized variable x = (ΔB/B) · (Δt/Δt0)−α has a universal lognormal distribution for all time intervals Δt. We then compare measurements from the solar wind with those from direct numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. We find good agreement for P(Δθ) obtained in the two cases when the magnetic guide field to fluctuations ratio B0/brms is chosen accordingly. However, the scale invariance of P(ΔB/B) is broken in the MHD simulations with relatively limited inertial interval, which causes P(Δθ) to scale with measurement interval differently than in the solar wind.
Update in asthma 2011.

The prevalence of asthma in the United States has increased by 12% since 2001 (1). Variability in response to guideline-based therapy has been increasingly recognized. Exciting clinical advances in 2011 related to biomarker-targeted asthma treatment. There were also reports on advances in the understanding of potential immune, cellular, and biochemical mechanisms that contribute to asthma pathobiology, work in defining genetic contributors to asthma, and elucidation of environmental factors that can influence the development or expression of the disease. This review summarizes relevant articles in the Journal, along with several pertinent studies published elsewhere in 2011.
Wastewater treatment in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor

Although most membrane bioreactors are used under aerobic conditions, over the last few years there has been increased interest in their application for anaerobic processes. This paper presents the results obtained when a bench-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor was used for the treatment of wastewaters generated in the agro-food industry. The reactor was fed with synthetic wastewater consisting of cheese whey and sucrose, and volumetric organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 1.5 to 13 kgCOD/(m3*d) were applied. Under the operating conditions studied, the maximum applicable OLR was between 6 and 10 gCOD/(g*L), which fell within the ranges of the high-rate anaerobic wastewater treatment systems, while high concentrations of volatile fatty acids were produced at higher OLR rates. With an OLR of 1.5–10 gCOD/(g*L), the reactor showed 94% COD removal, whereas this value dropped to 33% with the highest applied OLR of 13 gCOD/(g*L). The study therefore confirms that membrane bioreactors can be used for anaerobic wastewater treatment.
Evaluation of Spectra VRE, a New Chromogenic Agar Medium Designed To Screen for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium

ABSTRACT Spectra VRE (Remel, Lenexa, KS) is a chromogenic medium designed to recover and differentiate vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE). This medium was compared to bile esculin azide agar (BEAV) and was 98.2% sensitive and 99.3% specific compared to BEAV, which was 87.6% sensitive and 87.1% specific at 24 h.
A New Modified Technique for Harvest of Calcaneal Bone Grafts in Surgery on the Foot and Ankle *

Reported sites for retrieval of cancellous bone for grafts include the iliac crest, greater trochanter, proximal tibia, and distal tibia. A new lateral technique for retrieval of cancellous bone from the calcaneus is evaluated through anatomic review, quantitative analysis, and retrospective clinical assessment. Of 22 patients managed with this technique over a 2-year period, 17 returned for an evaluation by questionnaire, physical examination, and radiographic follow-up at an average of 7 months after surgery (range, 4–16 months). Complaints/complications were minor: three had minor incisional symptoms, five had medial heel pain (3 caused by plantar fasciitis), and one had unchanged preoperative heel pain secondary to clubfoot deformity. Compared with more extensive bone-grafting procedures, this procedure offers the advantages of bone harvested under local anesthesia using a readily accessible ipsilateral extremity and producing minor complications.