Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anticonvulsant effects of linolenic acid are unrelated to brain phospholipid cell membrane compositions

Purpose: Recent studies have revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anticonvulsive properties. Clinical trials using PUFAs reported conflicting results. It was suggested that PUFAs have anticonvulsant effects via modifications of brain phospholipids. Moreover, some authors suggested that the effect of the ketogenic diet (KD) leads to a high PUFA content. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of a mixture containing α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and linolenic acid (LA).
Socioeconomic deprivation independent of ethnicity increases status epilepticus risk

Background: A higher incidence of convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) has been reported in nonwhite compared to white populations. Socioeconomic factors can be intricately involved in observed ethnic “effects,” and the importance of socioeconomic status on health conditions is widely recognized. Understanding the effect of socioeconomic factors on CSE would provide insights into etiology and management, leading to the development of novel prevention strategies.
Interventions Using Electronic Medical Records Improve Follow Up of Infants Born to Hepatitis C Virus Infected Mothers

Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody testing for all HCV- exposed infants at age ≥ 18 months. However, many of these infants are not appropriately tested. In 2006, the pediatric infectious disease service (PIDS) at our institution implemented interventions using electronic medical records (EMR) to improve appropriate HCV testing for HCV-exposed infants. Methods: Two-part study: During the first period (January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2005), medical records of all infants born to mothers with HCV were retrospectively reviewed for patient’s demographics and infant’s HCV testing. PIDS interventions included contacting the primary care physician through EMR requesting HCV testing for children without proper testing. During the second period (January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2011), interventions using EMR were implemented prospectively, including PIDS consultations during birth hospitalization for all HCV-exposed infants, addition of HCV exposure to the EMR problem list and communication with PCPs via the EMR to assure appropriate HCV testing. Results: About 67,112 infants were born during the study period; 280 had maternal HCV infection and 193 continued to receive medical care at our institution. PIDS interventions using EMR resulted in a significant improvement of appropriate HCV testing among HCV-exposed infants from 8% (10/121) to 50% (36/72); P <0.0001. It also resulted in the identification of 5 new HCV-infected children; 3 of them were born before 2006 and previously undiagnosed. Conclusions: Interventions using EMR improved the identification and appropriate HCV follow up of infants born to HCV-infected mothers.
Superstitions and nutrition among pregnant women in Nwangele local government area of Imo state, Nigeria

The effects of traditional belief and taboos on the feeding practices and nutritional status of pregnant women in Nwangele Local Government Area Imo state were assessed. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, food taboos and feeding practices of the subjects. Anthropometric indices of the subjects were also assessed using weighing scale, height measuring rod and tape. The results of the survey show that 54% of the subjects receive less than N5,000.00 per month;15% of the pregnant women adhere to traditional beliefs and food taboo; 38% of the women were malnourished and 62% were within the range of the expected body weight. Nutrition education should be intensified in health centres and different villages in the local government to help teach pregnant women on healthy food selection and importance of nutrition during pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Pneumococcal Carriage in Day Care Centers: A Retrospective Study During a 10-year Period

In this retrospective epidemiologic study, we present pneumococcal carriage data from 109 Swedish day care centers over a period of 10 years. Aspects of season, age, personnel and group size were studied. We found a significant seasonal variation in pneumococcal carriage. Group size was a significant risk factor for pneumococcal carriage. Pneumococcal carriage was 4.5 % in personnel.
Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated in Serial Cultures From the Respiratory Tract of Children with Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Little is known about strain relatedness of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) isolated at serial time points from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The objectives are to interrogate the genetic diversity of MRSA recovered in serial cultures from children with CF and to correlate strain relatedness with clinical characteristics. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of children with CF from whom MRSA was isolated from serial respiratory cultures from 2005 to 2011. Within individual patients, relatedness of isolated strains was determined by repetitive-sequence polymerase chain reaction, and the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type of each isolate was characterized. Medical records corresponding to the MRSA cultures were reviewed. Results: We identified 54 CF patients with serial MRSA cultures (145 distinct cultures). Over time, 45 (83%) patients maintained the same strain type and 9 (17%) possessed at least 2 distinct strain types. A total of 91 pairs of isolates were analyzed for strain relatedness. Of these, 81 (89%) were identical and 10 (11%) were distinct strain types. About 117 (83%) isolates were staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type II, 24 (17%) were staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV and 4 were other types not resolvable with our assay. Clinical factors, including time interval and prescription of antibiotics effective against MRSA between positive cultures, did not correlate with acquisition of a distinct MRSA strain by individual patients. Conclusions: Our data suggest that sustained presence of MRSA in CF patients is most commonly attributable to identical strain types. Acquisition of distinct MRSA strains in the airway is infrequent.
Nd:YAG laser treatment in patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma stage A

This paper describes laser irradiation in the prostatic adenocarcinoma of stage A. Prostatic adenocarcinoma is an unsuspected prostatic tumor, incidentally discovered during an hystologic examination after TURP or adenectomy, limited to the prostate. Sixteen patients with hystological diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma of stage A (12 A1 and 4 A2) entered the trial. After ultrasound control of the reduced prostatic tissue to a thin residual capsule an endoscopic and percutaneous irradiation with endoscopic Nd:YAG laser was performed. Average follow-up is 18 months (range 6-48). All patients had negative biopsies. No tumor had progressed. There were no side effects, both potency and continence were unchanged. The results are promising and comparable to short-term results obtained with conventional treatment.
The Effect of Birth Month on the Risk of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization in the First Year of Life in the United States

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of severe respiratory illness in infants. To help direct targeted interventions and future RSV vaccine programs, we examined risk of RSV-related hospitalization by infant age and birth month. Methods: We conducted Poisson regression analyses to evaluate birth month as a risk factor for RSV-related pediatric hospitalizations (identified by any mention of ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes: 466.11, 480.1 or 079.6) from State Inpatient Data in Arizona, Iowa, New York, Oregon and Wisconsin between July 1996 and June 2006. We used an age cohort approach to compute total relative risk of RSV during the first year of life. Results: We identified 82,296 RSV-related infant hospital admissions, corresponding to 13.9 per 1000 person-years among infants <12 months of age. Of these, 42% of the patients were female and 73% were <6 months old. One-month-old infants born in January were ~10 times more at risk for RSV-related hospitalization than 1-month-old infants born in October [relative risk: 9.8 (7.8–12.4)]. Across the first year of life, infants born in December and January had a 2- and 3-fold higher risk, respectively, of an RSV-related hospitalization event than infants born in July. Conclusions: Birth month and age at admission impacted the risk of RSV-related hospitalization within the first year of life in 5 states we investigated. As RSV vaccine candidates are currently under investigation in clinical trials, our findings help identify ideal RSV vaccine schedules to prevent early and severe events while improving the use of expensive prophylactic drugs.
How Safe is Vitamin E Supplementation?

The safety of large doses of vitamin E went virtually unquestioned until the early 2000s, when several studies were published showing that consumption of vitamin E from dietary supplements increased mortality, as well as the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and heart failure. These studies prompted numerous letters to the editors of medical journals and widespread coverage in the media. Both the medical community and the general public became confused and concerned about the use of vitamin E supplements. The purpose of this article is to review the medical literature and to explain these unusual findings. First we provide an overview of the earlier literature on vitamin E. Second, we provide a critical assessment of three meta-analyses that were neutral or negative toward vitamin E supplementation. Third, we review the limitations of meta-analyses in general. Fourth, we assess the individual studies that comprised one of the three meta-analyses. Since all three meta-analyses used many of the same studies, the individual critique should further the understanding of the limitations of these meta-analyses, and the meta-analysis approach in general. Lastly, we offer some guidance for healthcare professionals to give to the general, healthy public and those with chronic conditions who are no doubt left puzzled as to what to do regarding vitamin E supplementation.
Occurrence of 3 Bordetella Species During an Outbreak of Cough Illness in Ohio: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, Laboratory Findings and Antimicrobial Susceptibility

Background: An increase in laboratory diagnosis of pertussis was noted in central Ohio during 2010. Diagnosis was made using a polymerase chain reaction assay targeting the multicopy insertion sequence IS481, which is found in both Bordetella pertussis (Bp) and Bordetella holmesii (Bh). An increase in specimens testing positive for Bordetella parapertussis (Bpp) using insertion sequence IS1001 was also noted. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab specimens submitted April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, were tested using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for Bp/Bh (IS481) and Bpp followed by singleplex assays for Bp and Bh. A subgroup of specimens was also cultured for Bordetella species, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on recovered organisms. Demographic and clinical features were compared for patients with Bp, Bh and Bpp. Results: Of 520 IS481-positive specimens, 214 (41.1%) were positive for Bp, 79 (15.2%) were positive for Bh and 5 (1.0%) were positive for both Bp and Bh; 222 (42.7%) were negative for both targets. An additional 220 specimens were positive for Bpp. Among a sample of 155 IS481-positive specimens, 40, 15 and 0 were culture positive for Bp, Bh and Bpp, respectively. Among a sample of 55 BparaIS1001-positive (Bpp) specimens, 22, 0 and 0 were culture positive for Bpp, Bp and Bh, respectively. All Bordetella species were susceptible to macrolide antibiotics. Patients with Bh were older than patients with Bp, who were older than those positive for Bpp (mean ages: 12.0, 8.0 and 4.2 years, respectively; P < 0.001). One or more classic signs of pertussis (ie, paroxysmal cough, whoop, post-tussive emesis) were seen in 55.9% of 263 patients (59 Bp, 24 Bh, 80 Bpp and 100 negative for Bordetella species), but did not differ statistically among the groups (&khgr;2 = 5.1, P = 0.17). Conclusions: All 3 Bordetella species, Bp, Bh and Bpp, were detected during on outbreak of pertussis-like cough illness. There were noted differences in age and seasonality, but clinical features at the time of presentation did not allow clear differentiation of these infections. All Bordetella species recovered from culture and tested were susceptible in vitro to macrolide antibiotics. Additional study is necessary to further characterize epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of Bh-associated cough illness and to determine potential co-occurrence of Bordetella species with other bacterial and viral respiratory tract pathogens.
Discordance of Cognitive and Academic Achievement Outcomes in Youth With Perinatal HIV Exposure

Background: To evaluate achievement in youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) compared with HIV-exposed uninfected peers (HEU) and to examine differential effects of HIV on cognition-achievement concordance. Methods: Cognition and achievement were assessed using standardized measures. Intelligence quotient-derived predicted achievement scores were subtracted from observed achievement scores to calculate discrepancy values. Linear regression models were used to compare achievement discrepancies between PHIV and HEU, adjusting for demographic covariates. Results: Participants: 295 PHIV and 167 HEU youth; 71% black, 48% male, mean age 13.1 and 11.3 years, respectively. PHIV youth were relatively healthy (mean CD4%, 32%; viral load ⩽400 copies/mL, 72%). PHIV and HEU youth had cognitive and achievement scores significantly below population norm means (P < 0.001), but did not differ in cognition (mean full scale IQ = 86.7 vs. 89.4, respectively). In unadjusted models, HEU outperformed PHIV youth on total achievement (mean = 89.2 vs. 86.0, P = 0.04) and numerical operations (mean = 88.8 vs. 82.9, P < 0.001); no differences remained after adjustment. Mean observed-predicted achievement discrepancies reflected “underachievement”. History of encephalopathy predicted poorer achievement (P = 0.039) and greater underachievement, even after adjustment. PHIV showed greater underachievement than HEU for numerical operations (P < 0.001) and total achievement (P = 0.03), but these differences did not persist in adjusted models. Conclusions: Both PHIV and HEU youth demonstrated lower achievement than normative samples and underachieved relative to predicted achievement scores. Observed-predicted achievement discrepancies were associated with prior encephalopathy, older age and other non-HIV factors. PHIV youth with prior encephalopathy had significantly lower achievement and greater underachievement compared with PHIV without encephalopathy and HEU youth, even in adjusted models.
Risk Factors for Critical Disease and Death from Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Background: There has been a high mortality and morbidity rate of critical and fatal patients from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in China in recent. Causes for development of critical and fatal disease remain unclear. Methods: We performed a case-control study to assess the association between use of drugs and development of critical disease and death from HFMD. Results: We found that glucocorticoids treatment was associated with a greater incidence of severe HFMD, whereas andrographolides treatment was associated with a protective effect when they are used for treatment within 48 hours after onset or before being diagnosed as critical. Conclusions: We recommend that glucocorticoids should not be used for mild HFMD and andrographolides should undergo clinical trials for treatment of enterovirus 71 infections.
New onset seizures in HIV—Seizure semiology, CD4 counts, and viral loads

Thirty‐seven HIV‐positive patients with new‐onset seizures (NOS) were prospectively identified during a 1‐year study period. The patients were categorized according to the different mechanisms causing NOS in HIV, namely focal brain lesion (FBL) in 21 patients (57%), meningitis in 6 patients (16%), metabolic derangement (no patient), and no identified cause (NIC) other than HIV itself (10 patients, 27%). Seizure semiology, CD4 counts, and blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) viral loads were studied to identify any special characteristics of the different categories. With respect to seizure semiology, all NIC patients had generalized seizures. Two‐thirds of the meningitis patients had generalized seizures with one‐third having focal seizures. Half of the patients with FBL had generalized seizures and one‐third had focal seizures. Status epilepticus was strongly associated with FBL. No significant difference could be detected between the subgroups with respect to CD4 counts and serum and CSF viral loads. The median CD4 count in all patients was 108 cells/ml, indicating advanced immunosuppression. In the FBL group this was 104 cells/ml. In the meningitis group the median CD4 count was 298 cells/ml, and in the NIC group this was 213 cells/ml. Similarly, no differences were noted in the NOS categories with respect to serum and CSF viral loads. Seizures in HIV are a nonspecific manifestation of the seizure mechanism.
Phytochemicals of Cranberries and Cranberry Products: Characterization, Potential Health Effects, and Processing Stability

Emerging evidence is elucidating how non-nutrient phytochemicals underlie the health promotion afforded by fruits and vegetables. This review focuses on Vaccinium macrocarpon, the American cranberry, compiling a comprehensive list of its known phytochemical components, and detailing their prevalence in cranberry fruit and its products. Flavonoids, especially colored anthocyanins, abundant flavonols, and unique proanthocyanidins, have attracted major research attention. Other notable active components include phenolic acids, benzoates, hydroxycinnamic acids, terpenes and organic acids. Health effects of cranberries, cranberry products, and isolated cranberry components in humans and animals, as well as in vitro, are debated. Evidence for protection from several bacterial pathogens, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation is compelling, while neuroprotection and anti-viral activity also have begun to draw new consideration. Emerging bioavailability data is considered and potential molecular mechanisms are evaluated, linking phytochemicals to health effects through their biochemical properties and reactions. Finally, the effects of processing and storage on cranberry phytochemicals is discussed, with a focus on identifying research gaps and novel means to preserve their natural, health-promoting components.
Chronic and Acute Flexibility of Men and Women Using Three Different Stretching Techniques

Abstract This investigation compared chronic and acute range of motion (ROM) changes of hip flexion and shoulder extension between men and women using three stretching techniques and a control group during a 12-week program. The treatment groups performed either static stretching (SS), contract-relax (CR), or contract-relax with agonist-contraction (CRAC) stretching techniques. The ROM measurements were obtained before beginning any treatment, then once every 3 weeks thereafter. All treatment groups significantly increased ROM compared with the control group. Although women possessed greater ROM than men throughout the program, their comparative increases were not significantly different from the men's increases. It was concluded that the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques (i.e., CR and CRAC) were more effective than the SS method for increasing ROM for both hip flexion and shoulder extension for both sexes. Men derived better overall effects using the CRAC method while women showe.
New Developments in Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology.

This is a three-volume publication containing over 2,000 pages in 170 chapters, based largely on papers read at the Brussels International Congress of Electromyography in September 1971. Each article has been updated to 1972. Volumes 1 and 2 deal with clinical electromyography and nerve conduction studies. The chapters are arranged in sections dealing with such topics as the anatomy and physiology of the motor unit and the motor end-plate, ultrastructural changes in human neuropathies, experimental neuropathies, quantitative electromyography, electromyographic kinesiology, EMG examination of sphincter muscles, nerve conduction studies in normals, as well as clinical application in the neuropathies, muscular dystrophies, myotonias, and in the myasthenic syndromes. Volume 3 starts with a brief introduction to the clinical terminology of motor disorders followed by a detailed consideration of the neurophysiology of reflexes. The editor has attempted to produce an up-to-date account of those aspects of electromyography that are of current interest, emphasizing
Elevated Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index in Perinatally HIV-Infected Children in the United States

Elevated aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index may signal liver fibrosis. Among 397 US children with perinatal HIV infection, at baseline was >1.5 in 0.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.2–2.2%) and >0.5 in 6.5% (95% CI, 4.3–9.4%); incidence on study was 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2–1.2) and 6.4 (95% CI, 4.8–8.3) per 100 person-years, respectively. Long-term liver outcomes after perinatal HIV infection warrant further study.
Prebiotic and Other Health-Related Effects of Cereal-Derived Arabinoxylans, Arabinoxylan-Oligosaccharides, and Xylooligosaccharides

Arabinoxylans (AX) from cereals are cell wall components that constitute an important part of the dietary fiber intake in humans. Enzymatic hydrolysis of AX yields arabinoxylan-oligosaccharides (AXOS), consisting of arabinoxylooligosaccharides and xylooligosaccharides (XOS). This reaction takes place in the production of AXOS and of cereal-derived food products such as bread and beer, as well as in the colon upon ingestion of AX. This review mainly focuses on the available evidence that AXOS and XOS exert prebiotic effects in the colon of humans and animals through selective stimulation of beneficial intestinal microbiota. In addition, in vitro experiments and in vivo intervention studies on animals or humans are discussed that have investigated potential health-related effects resulting from the dietary intake of AX, AXOS, or XOS.