Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Hypoglycemic Agent and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Therapy Synergistically Ameliorates Blood Glucose, Serum Lipid and Inflammatory Response in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder where its prevalence has steadily been on the increase all over the world. It is characterized by increased generation of free oxygen radicals leading to oxidative stress. Hence supplementation of dietary antioxidants especially in the hypoglycemic therapy presents good prospects in its management. Aim: To evaluate the synergistic effect of ascorbic acid supplementation of a hypoglycemic agent on blood glucose, lipid profile and inflammatory response in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. Methods: A total of 160 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Patients were divided into 4 groups of 40 patients each. Anthropometric characteristics of all patients were measured at baseline. Control group received randomly glibenclamide 5mg daily, the first experimental groups received 5mg of glibenclamide with 600mg (0.6g) of ascorbic acid orally daily, the second group received 5mg of glibenclamide with 1,200mg (1.2g) of ascorbic acid orally while the third group received 5mg of glibenclamide with 1,800mg (1.8g) of ascorbic acid. The treatment lasted for nine weeks after which serum biochemical parameters of all patients were determined and recorded. Results: Our results showed that ascorbic acid supplementation caused a significant decrease (p 0.05) in between the groups. However, the HDL recorded a significant increase (p<0.05) in the treatment group supplemented with 1,800mg (1.8g) of ascorbic acid at the end of the 9th week compared to the control and the other ascorbic acid supplemented groups. In addition, there was a significant reduction in the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the 1.2g and 1.8g ascorbic acid supplemented groups at the end of the sixth week. Further progressive reduction at the end of the ninth week in all ascorbic acid supplemented group was also observed. Similar results were obtained for the other inflammatory biomarkers; leptin and adiponectin. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in a dose of between 1.2g and 1.8g per day as add on therapy to oral hypoglycemic agent synergistically causes an improvement in blood glucose, lipid profile and inflammatory response to the desirable levels hence mitigating the risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus complications.
Dieta baja en oligosacáridos, disacáridos, monosacáridos y polioles fermentables y calidad de vida en pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable en Colombia

Introduction: A growing body of evidence has pointed out the effectiveness of a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. However, there are no local studies to estimate the effects of this strategy on the symptoms and the health-related quality of life in these patients in Colombia or Latin America. Objective: To determine the effect of a diet low in FODMAP on the quality of life and the severity of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Colombia. Materials and methods: We collected clinical and demographic information of all patients at the time of inclusion. Immediately afterwards, a trained interviewer applied the IBS-QoL survey to estimate the quality of life of patients. Then, we evaluated the intensity of the symptoms using an analogue visual scale, before and after the diet low in FODMAP. Results: We included 50 subjects in the final analysis. We observed an increase in all the IBS-QoL scales (average increase in overall summary: 14.7 points, 95% CI: 9.4 to 20.1; p<0.001) and a significant reduction in all symptoms (-19.8 mm; 95% CI: 23.4 mm 16.2 mm; p<0.001). Sex, age, body mass index, socioeconomic status and the health care provider were not associated with the improvement in the health-related quality of life. Conclusion: A low diet in FODMAP reduced symptoms and improved quality of life in Colombian patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Controlled studies taking into account other factors linked to the severity of irritable bowel syndrome are required.
Assessment of the Styloid Process by Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Objective the aim of the study was to assess the length angulations and the pattern of ossification of the Styloid process SP and to know if any correlation exists between them Method patients of CBCT TMJ views were considered a total of tmjs were viewed using ORTHOPHOS XG D X ray system The length mediolateral MLA anteroposterior angulation APA was measured The morphology was identified on D images Person rsquo s Correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis Result f the scan The Mean length of SP in males was mm and in females was mm There was no statistical significance between sides and between the length and age The mean MLA in males was and in females it was MLA on right was and left was the mean APA in males and females was and respectively In this study we found no correlation between length age and agulation of the styloid process Conclusion This study indicates that with an increase in length there is no significant increase in angulations Age and gender showed no correlation with length During evaluation of the Stylohyoid complex SHC length angulations and morphology should be considered
Postoperative Outcomes in Graves' Disease Patients: Results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database.

BACKGROUND Current surgical indications for Graves' disease include intractability to medical and/or radioablative therapy, compressive symptoms, and worsening ophthalmopathy. Total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease may be technically challenging and lead to untoward perioperative outcomes. This study examines outcomes in patients with Graves' disease who underwent total thyroidectomy and assesses its safety for this patient population. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2006 to 2011. Total thyroidectomy performed in patients with Graves' disease, benign multinodular goiter (MNG), and thyroid cancer was identified. Demographic factors, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Chi-square, one-way analysis of variance, and risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS Of 215,068 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy during the study period, 11,205 (5.2%) had Graves' disease, 110,124 (51.2%) MNG, and 93,739 (43.6%) thyroid malignancy. Patients with Graves' disease were younger than MNG and thyroid cancer patients (Mage = 42.8 years vs. 55.5 and 51.0 years; p < 0.01). The Graves' disease group included a higher proportion of women (p < 0.01) and nonwhites (p < 0.01). Postoperatively, Graves' patients had significantly higher rates of hypocalcemia (12.4% vs. 7.3% and 10.3%; p < 0.01), hematomas requiring reoperation (0.7% vs. 0.4% and 0.4%; p < 0.01), and longer mean hospital stay (2.7 days vs. 2.4 and 2.2 days; p < 0.01) compared to MNG and thyroid cancer patients, respectively. On risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression, Graves' disease was independently associated with a higher risk of vocal-cord paralysis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36 [confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.69]), tracheostomy (OR = 1.35 [CI 1.1-1.67]), postoperative hypocalcemia (OR = 1.65 [CI 1.54-1.77]), and hematoma requiring reoperation (OR = 2.79 [CI 2.16-3.62]) compared to MNG patients. High-volume centers for total thyroidectomy were independently associated with lower risk of postoperative complications, including in patients with Graves' disease. CONCLUSIONS Despite low overall morbidity following total thyroidectomy, Graves' disease patients are at increased risk of postoperative complications, including bleeding, vocal-cord paralysis, tracheostomy, and hypocalcemia. These risks appear to be lower when performed at high-volume centers, and thus referral to these centers should be considered. Total thyroidectomy may therefore be a safe treatment option for appropriately selected patients with Graves' disease when performed by experienced surgeons.
Extremely high isolated maternal alkaline phosphatase serum concentration -2 case reports

Alkaline phosphatises (ALP) are a group of isoenzymes produced by liver (isoenzymes ALP1-1), bones (isoenzymes ALP2), kidneys, small intestine and placenta (isoenzymes ALP-3) [1,2]. The serum ALP level represents the total amounts of isoenzymes that are released from the tissues into the bloodstream. Placenta ALP is physiologically produced by placenta at the brush border membranes of the syncytiotrophoblast, and its’ major function is thought to aid in metabolism and facilitate transport across cell membranes [3]. It appears in maternal serum between the 15th and the 26th weeks and increases during the third trimester. Usually, ALP production in maternal serum is not major and total serum ALP level remains normal. The mechanism of serum placental ALP increase is not well understood. In postpartum period, ALP isoenzyme activity decreases to the normal level at about 20 weeks after delivery. Marked elevation of serum ALP may be caused by liver or bone pathology such as malignancy, extra hepatic biliary obstruction, and intrahepatic cholestasis [2]. We report 2 cases of markedly elevated placental isoenzymes of ALP in the third trimester in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies. In both cases, serum ALP returned to normal level after delivery.
Modified Shock Index as a Predictor of In-Hospital Outcome in Cases of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com 8]. The concept of shock index, defined as the ratio of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, first introduced by Allgower et al, in 1967 as a simple and effective means for gauging the degree of hypovolemia in hemorrhagic and infectious shock states [9]. Subsequently, experimental and clinical studies demonstrated that SI was inversely related to physiologic parameters, such as cardiac index, stroke volume, left ventricular stroke work, and mean arterial pressure [10].
Iodine deficiency has recurred in Istanbul, Turkey

Iodine is an essential nutrient required by the thyroid gland to produce triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Thyroid hormones have pleiotropic effects, affecting multiple biological processes. Various international agencies are working with governments to reduce iodine deficiency globally since the 1990s. Turkey has been considered iodine sufficient since mandatory iodination of table salt in 1998. In 2007, national survey results demonstrated a gradual improvement (median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) 130μ/L) in the country [1]. However, today iodized table salt intake accounts for small amount of daily salt intake, cause of public health messages that have encouraged reductions in salt intake, and a general lack of awareness within the population about the importance of iodine in the diet and desire of natural food consumption have also led people to use Himalayan salt and rock salt etc. instead of iodized salt.
Panretinal Photocoagulation versus Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the main cause of late onset visual loss of diabetic retinopathy and without treatment 50% of patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy will loss vision within 5 years [1], Pan retinal laser photocoagulation has been treatment of choice for PDR in the past decades, but PRP can cause peripheral visual field loss while intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade agents has proven it safety and efficacy for treatment of central diabetic macular edema, it has been noted that those agents has reduced PDR worsening and maybe improvement. Protocol S by DRCR.net [2] has shown that receive Ranibizumab as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy with deferred panretinal photocoagulation are non-inferior to those in eyes that receive standard prompt PRP therapy, however with some visual functional benefits and less complications with Ranibizumab arm. Applying Protocol S in real world scenario may add cost burden to the patient as patients need about 7 injections per year which will cost the patient about 7000 US dollars a year as minimum. The primary objective of this protocol is to determine the visual acuity outcomes at 1 year in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using Bevacizumab 1.25 mg instead of Ranibizumab to lower the cost burden
Differences in Brain Architecture in Remote Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is brain trauma from an external impact with a loss of consciousness less than 30 min. Mild TBI results in several biopsychosocial impairments, with pronounced cognitive deficits thought to resolve within 3 months of injury. Previous research suggests that these impairments are due to a temporary inability to appropriately allocate neural resources in response to cognitive demands. Our study questioned this assumption and instead hypothesized that mTBI was associated with long-term neural disruptions and compromised brain structure integrity. By extension, we investigated the likelihood that functional restitution and cognitive resolution following mTBI may be due to some form of neurofunctional reorganization. To this end, we examined abnormalities in resting state functional connectivity and structure (volume, thickness, and fractional anisotropy) in two groups of mTBI-those with 1-10 years time post-injury (mTBI1-10), and those with 20-65 years time post-injury, relative to age-, sex-, and education-matched controls. We observed abnormalities in brain architecture only in the mTBI1-10 group, characterized by functional hypo-activation in the right frontal pole, smaller frontal pole volume, and lesser fractional anisotropy in the genu of the corpus callosum that extended near the right frontal pole. This frontal region is laterally specialized to regulate function specific to socio-emotional processes. Collectively, neural disruptions and structural insult in mTBI may persist up to 10 years following injury, but injury-related pathology may resolve with longer recovery time. Disruption to frontal-dependent function that supports socio-emotional processes also may interfere with cognitive functioning, as in the case of chronic mTBI.
Outpatient Closed-Loop Control with Unannounced Moderate Exercise in Adolescents Using Zone Model Predictive Control.

BACKGROUND The artificial pancreas (AP) has the potential to improve glycemic control in adolescents. This article presents the first evaluation in adolescents of the Zone Model Predictive Control and Health Monitoring System (ZMPC+HMS) AP algorithms, and their first evaluation in a supervised outpatient setting with frequent exercise. MATERIALS AND METHODS Adolescents with type 1 diabetes underwent 3 days of closed-loop control (CLC) in a hotel setting with the ZMPC+HMS algorithms on the Diabetes Assistant platform. Subjects engaged in twice-daily exercise, including soccer, tennis, and bicycling. Meal size (unrestricted) was estimated and entered into the system by subjects to trigger a bolus, but exercise was not announced. RESULTS Ten adolescents (11.9-17.7 years) completed 72 h of CLC, with data on 95 ± 14 h of sensor-augmented pump (SAP) therapy before CLC as a comparison to usual therapy. The percentage of time with continuous glucose monitor (CGM) 70-180 mg/dL was 71% ± 10% during CLC, compared to 57% ± 16% during SAP (P = 0.012). Nocturnal control during CLC was safe, with 0% (0%, 0.6%) of time with CGM <70 mg/dL compared to 1.1% (0.0%, 14%) during SAP. Despite large meals (estimated up to 120 g carbohydrate), only 8.0% ± 6.9% of time during CLC was spent with CGM >250 mg/dL (16% ± 14% during SAP). The system remained connected in CLC for 97% ± 2% of the total study time. No adverse events or severe hypoglycemia occurred. CONCLUSIONS The use of the ZMPC+HMS algorithms is feasible in the adolescent outpatient environment and achieved significantly more time in the desired glycemic range than SAP in the face of unannounced exercise and large announced meal challenges.
Central and Peripheral Modulation of Visceral Pain and Visceral Hypersensitivity by the CRF-CRFR System

Visceral pain is defined as the pain sensed as arising from the internal organs of the body. It has five clinical characteristics, including not being evoked from all viscera, not always being linked to injury, poor localization, referred pain and being accompanied with motor and autonomic reflexes [1]. Etiological factors are, but not limited to, inflammation, mechanical disruption, neoplasms, and alterations in neurotransmission from the viscera, and ischemia [2]. Visceral hypersensitivity refers to the altered pain sensation to physiological stimuli, consisting of allodynia and visceral hyperalgesia [3]. Visceral pain and visceral hypersensitivity is the common feature of many disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), interstitial cystitis/ painful bladder syndrome, pancreatitis, and many gastrointestinal functional diseases, especially irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Tone sandhi, prosodic phrasing, and focus marking in Wenzhou Chinese

In most languages, focus (i.e. highlighting information) is marked by modifying the melody of the sentence. But how is focus marked in a Chinese dialect with eight different citation tones and a complex tonal phonology? This thesis investigates the connection between tonal realization and tone change (tone sandhi) in Wenzhou Chinese, and whether and how such a connection is conditioned by prosodic structure and focus marking. Experiments were conducted with young speakers of Wenzhou Chinese, whose speech was acoustically analyzed so as to investigate the application domain of tone sandhi and the influence of focus thereon, the tonal realization on the word and phrase level and its interaction with focus, the pre-planning of sentential pitch, as well as the realization of referents with different information statuses. The experimental findings suggest that the application, but not the implementation, of tone sandhi is independent of focus, and that focus and prosodic structure have similar but independent effects on the realization of lexical tones. It is also shown that pitch scaling is sensitive to syntactic structure and complexity, and that the marking of givenness, broad focus, and narrow focus leads to discrete levels along the same acoustic parameters. These findings are of interest to researchers working on lexical tone, prosodic structure, and how information structure categories such as focus affect tonal realization and prosodic phrasing.
Uterine Rupture following Laparoscopic Myomectomy: An Overview

Minimal Access Surgery is increasingly becoming popular in almost all areas of surgery. Likewise laparoscopic myomectomy in carefully selected cases is becoming the method of choice over the conventional open approach for treatment of uterine myoma. The advantages of Laparoscopic myomectomy cannot be over emphasized [1,2]. However, the main concern has been the integrity of the scar in subsequent pregnancies and labor since myomectomy is mainly performed to preserve uterus for future pregnancy [3].
Determination of above ground carbon in Canada's forests-a multi-source approach

Canada is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and must report on reforestation, afforestation and deforestation activities since 1990. Reporting commitments also include a baseline estimate of forest carbon stocks in 1990 and the monitoring of changes in carbon stocks leading up to the reporting period 2008 to 2012. Canada has 10% of the world's forests (418 million hectares), which account for a significant amount of stored carbon. The determination of above-ground carbon stocks in the forest can be based on several sources: remote sensing, models of vegetation growth, book-keeping carbon models, and traditional forest inventories. Estimating above-ground carbon with remote sensing requires the fusion and integration of remote sensing data with topographic, forest cover and other geospatial information. Multi-temporal LANDSAT TM imagery was used in conjunction with GIS data to compute above-ground biomass from which the carbon content is determined. In addition to biomass, other key factors, which play a role in the determination of carbon stocks, include species and age distribution, forest structure, and climate variables. The paper reports on remote sensing experiments to determine the above-ground carbon stocks for a test site near Hinton, Alberta, Canada. It is expected that this approach will be useful in supporting Canada's reporting commitments on the sustainability its forest resources.
Factors Associated with Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Transgender Women Receiving HIV Medical Care in the United States.

PURPOSE We examined factors associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among transgender women living with HIV (TWLWH). METHODS We used combined data from the 2009 to 2013 cycles of Medical Monitoring Project, an HIV surveillance system designed to produce nationally representative estimates of the characteristics of HIV-infected adults receiving HIV medical care in the United States. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with dose adherence (defined as taking 100% of prescribed ART doses in the past 3 days). RESULTS Among TWLWH who reported current ART use, an estimated 80.5% self-reported dose adherence. Multivariable factors independently associated with lower (<100%) dose adherence were younger age (30-39 vs. 40 and over), not having health insurance coverage, depression, lower self-efficacy to take medication as prescribed, and having greater than one daily ART dose. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest several ways to potentially improve ART adherence of TWLWH including tailoring efforts to address the needs of TWLWH under age 40, increasing access to health insurance coverage, addressing mental health morbidities, building skills to improve medication adherence self-efficacy, and simplifying ART regimens when possible.
Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis with BEAST

Preface Acknowledgements Part I. Theory: 1. Introduction 2. Evolutionary trees 3. Substitution and site models 4. The molecular clock 5. Structured trees and phylogeography Part II. Practice: 6. Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling trees 7. Setting up and running a phylogenetic analysis 8. Estimating species trees from multilocus data 9. Advanced analysis 10. Posterior analysis and post-processing 11. Exploring phylogenetic tree space Part III. Programming 12. Getting started with BEAST 13. BEAST XML 14. Coding and design patterns 15. Putting it all together Bibliography List of authors List of subjects.
On the packet error probability of coded frequency-hopped spread-spectrum systems with codeword interleaving

The author discusses the multiple access capability of an asynchronous frequency-hopped spread-spectrum communication system using error correcting codes. The spread spectrum system under consideration uses error correcting codes with more than one code symbol per dwell interval and packets that consist of more than one codeword. A method to compute the packet error probability when the codewords of the packet are interleaved to a degree dictated by the number of code symbols per dwell interval is presented. The performance superiority of the fully interleaved spread spectrum system compared to a spread spectrum system with no interleaving is demonstrated quantitatively. <<ETX>>