Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Zealand Bitter Hops Extract Reduces Hunger During a 24 h Water Only Fast

Intermittent fasting improves metabolic and cardiac health. However, increased hunger towards the end of the fasting period may affect compliance and limit its application. Our aim was to determine the effect of anorexigenic agent co-therapy on subjective ratings of appetite during the 16–24 h period of a day-long water-only intermittent fast. Thirty adult men were recruited and required to fast for 24 h from 18:00 h to 18:00 h on the same day of the week for three subsequent weeks. Treatments of either a placebo or one of two doses (high dose; HD: 250 mg or low dose; LD: 100 mg) of a bitter hops-based appetite suppressant (Amarasate®) were given twice per day at 16 and 20 h into the fast. From 18–24 h of the 24 h fast, both the HD and LD treatment groups exhibited a statistically significant (p < 0.05) > 10% reduction in hunger. Additionally, the expected lunchtime increase in hunger that was present in the placebo group (12:00 h) was absent in both the HD and LD groups. These data suggest that appetite suppressant co-therapy may be useful in reducing hunger during intermittent fasting, and show that bitter compounds may regulate appetite independently of meal timing.
Evaluation of Tear Fluid and Aqueous Humor Concentration of Clusterin as Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome and Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma

ABSTRACT Purpose Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an age-related disorder of the extracellular matrix characterized by the accumulation of fibrillary deposits in the anterior chamber of the eye, which leads to the development of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG). Early identification of subjects with higher susceptibility to PEX and PEG development is very important so that these conditions are managed at earlier stages, which requires that an objective biomarker is defined. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to determine if aqueous humor and tear fluid concentrations of clusterin, an extracellular chaperone, are objective biomarkers for PEX and PEG risk. Methods Tear fluid was obtained from 80 patients with PEG, 80 patients with PEX, and 80 controls, using Schirmer strips. Aqueous humor was also collected during cataract surgery from 12 patients with PEG, 17 patients with PEX, and 22 controls, who also gave tear samples. Clusterin concentration was determined by ELISA. Results Clusterin concentration in aqueous humor was significantly higher in patients with PEG than in PEX cases (P = .002) and controls (P = .004). Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that this parameter is a robust classifier to distinguish PEG and PEX cases. Tear fluid clusterin concentrations did not differ significantly between groups. Aqueous humor and tear fluid levels of clusterin were not significantly correlated. Conclusions In conclusion, tear fluid clusterin level in patients with PEG and PEX was determined for the first time, which showed no difference between study groups. Aqueous humor clusterin level was markedly higher in patients with PEG.
Muscle-Specific Modulation of Spinal Reflexes in Lower-Limb Muscles during Action Observation with and without Motor Imagery of Walking

Action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) are useful techniques in neurorehabilitation. Previous studies have reported that AO and MI facilitate corticospinal excitability only in those muscles that are active when actually performing the observed or imagined movements. However, it remained unclear whether spinal reflexes modulate multiple muscles simultaneously. The present study focused on AO and MI of walking and aimed to clarify their effects on spinal reflexes in lower-limb muscles that are recruited during actual walking. Ten healthy males participated in the present study. Spinal reflex parameters evoked by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation were measured from five lower-limb muscles during rest, AO, and AO combined with MI (AO + MI) conditions. Our results showed that spinal reflexes were increased in the tibialis anterior and biceps femoris muscles during AO and in the tibialis anterior, soleus, and medial gastrocnemius muscles during AO + MI, compared with resting condition. Spinal reflex parameters in the vastus medialis muscle were unchanged. These results indicate the muscle-specific modulations of spinal reflexes during AO and AO + MI. These findings reveal the underlying neural activities induced by AO, MI, and their combined processes.
Adolescent maturation of the prefrontal cortex: Role of stress and sex in shaping adult risk for compromise

Adolescence is a highly dynamic period of development, which includes the final organizational phases of neural maturation within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The organizational events of neural pruning and myelination occur in a sex‐specific manner, potentially giving rise to the disparities in mood disorders in adulthood. Because of the extended developmental time period of the PFC, environmental insults, including psychosocial stressors, may play a major role in steering the maturation of this region. In this review, the literature surrounding the sex specific alterations that occur in the PFC in rodent models following adolescent stress will be discussed. This will be complimented by a brief review on the state of human research in PFC sex differences in the development of white matter and cytoarchitecture across the lifespan. Taken together, the impact of developmental psychosocial stress on the circuitry of the PFC and resulting adult phenotypes will be summarized with a focus on the importance of considering sex differences in order to build a better understanding of developmental influences on adult disorders.
Experiences of lifestyle change among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): A behavioural diagnosis using the COM-B model in a low-income setting

Background Lifestyle change can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). While understanding women’s lived experiences and views around GDM is critical to the development of behaviour change interventions to reduce this risk, few studies have addressed this issue in low- and middle- income countries. The aim of the study was to explore women’s lived experiences of GDM and the feasibility of sustained lifestyle modification after GDM in a low-income setting. Methods This was a descriptive qualitative study on the lived experiences of women with prior GDM, who received antenatal care at a public sector tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Nine focus groups and five in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of thirty-five women. Data were analysed using content analysis and the COM-B (Capabilities, Opportunities, Motivations and Behaviour) model to identify factors influencing lifestyle change during and beyond the GDM pregnancy. Results The results suggest that the COM-B model’s concepts of capability (knowledge and skills for behaviour change), opportunity (resources for dietary change and physical activity) and motivation (perception of future diabetes risk) are relevant to lifestyle change among GDM women in South Africa. The results will contribute to the design of a postpartum health system intervention for women with recent GDM. Conclusion Our findings highlight the need for health services to improve counselling and education for women with GDM in South Africa. Support from family and health professionals is essential for women to achieve lifestyle change. The experience of GDM imposed a significant psychological burden on women, which affected motivation for lifestyle change. To achieve long-term lifestyle change, behaviour interventions for women with prior GDM need to address their capability, opportunity and motivation for lifestyle change during and beyond pregnancy.
Lost in Classification: Lower Cognitive Functioning in Apparently Cognitive Normal Newly Diagnosed RRMS Patients

Cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is usually related to the classic, dichotomic classification of impaired vs. unimpaired cognition. However, this approach is far from mirroring the real efficiency of cognitive functioning. Applying a different approach in which cognitive functioning is considered as a continuous variable, we aimed at showing that even newly diagnosed relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) patients might suffer from reduced cognitive functioning with respect to a matched group of neurologically healthy controls (HCs), even if they were classified as having no cognitive impairment (CI). Fifty newly diagnosed RRMS patients and 36 HCs were tested with an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. By using Z-scores applied to the whole group of RRMS and HCs together, a measure of cognitive functioning (Z-score index) was calculated. Among the 50 RRMS patients tested, 36 were classified as cognitively normal (CN). Even though classified as CN, RRMS patients performed worse than HCs at a global level (p = 0.004) and, more specifically, in the domains of memory (p = 0.005) and executive functioning (p = 0.006). These results highlight that reduced cognitive functioning can be present early in the disease course, even in patients without an evident CI. The current classification criteria of CI in MS should be considered with caution.
A Bourdieusian approach to class‐related inequalities: the role of capitals and capital structure in the utilisation of healthcare services in later life

Abstract This paper draws on Bourdieu's theory of economic, social and cultural capital to understand the relative effect of the volume and the composition of these capitals on healthcare service use in later life. Based on data from the fifth wave of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (n = 64,840), we first look at the contribution of each capital in the use of three healthcare services (general practitioner, dentist and hospital). Using cluster analysis, we then mobilise Bourdieu's concept of habitus to explain how the unequal distribution of material and non‐material capitals acquired in childhood lead to different levels of health and hospital care utilisation in later life. After controlling for demographic and health insurance variables, our results show that economic capital has the strongest individual association among the three capitals. However, the results of a cluster analysis used to distinguish between capital structures show that those with high non‐material capital and low material capital have higher levels of primary healthcare utilisation, and in turn lower levels of hospital use. Bourdieu's approach sheds light on the importance of capitals in all forms and structures to understand the class‐related mechanisms that contribute to different levels of healthcare use.
VOICE RESTORATION FOLLOWING TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY BY TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL PROSTHESIS: INITIAL EXPERIENCE AT KING HUSSEIN MEDICAL CENTER

Objective: This study presents preliminary results of using a tracheoesophageal prosthesis for voice restoration following total laryngectomy at King Hussein Medical Center. Our measures include patients' satisfaction, and perceptual ratings by family members, clinicians as well as the mean life time of the prosthesis. Methods: Patients included twelve laryngectomees two months to 15 years following total laryngectomy. A tracheoesophageal puncture was placed in each patient, followed by fitting with voice prosthesis. Tracheoesophageal prosthesis speakers were asked to rate their satisfaction with their new speech on a 10-point rating scale, while a close family member was asked to judge the three parameters of patients' everyday speech as good, fair, or poor. Audiorecordings of tracheoesophageal prosthesis speech were rated by a panel of 24 students in a speech pathology undergraduate training program according to general intelligibility and six other parameters of voice on a 7-point rating scale. Results: Our entire cohort was able to phonate and speak immediately after the insertion of the tracheoesophageal prosthesis with minimal training. All patients reported high satisfaction with their new speech and were quite cooperative during regular visits and follow ups for trouble shooting. The only factor that affected the patients' satisfaction was the need to use one hand to close the stoma. The primary complication was leakage through the prosthesis due to fungal infections. Most family members rated the quality, loudness, and intelligibility of tracheoesophageal prosthesis speech as fair to good. Listeners' ratings of quality, pitch, and prosody of tracheoesophageal prosthesis speech were relatively low, while their ratings of rate, articulation accuracy, and general intelligibility were higher. Conclusion: Although the quality of tracheoesophageal speech was not good, speech rate, articulation, and general intelligibility were near normal. Tracheo-esophageal speech was highly accepted by Jordanian laryngectomees and their families. This is very significant, because other forms of voice restoration have not been acceptable to most Jordanian patients.
Microwave Pulse-Coherent Technique-Based Clock With a Novel Magnetron-Type Cavity

We report a high-performance pulsed optically pumped (POP) Rb clock based on a novel magnetron-type microwave cavity. The cavity has a volume of 30 mL, enabling a highly homogenous microwave field distribution. With the laser frequency tuning to the ground-state hyperfine level <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${F}= {2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${D}_{{2}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> line, we observe a Ramsey fringe contrast of 52% in terms of optical absorption detection. The resultant shot noise limit is estimated to be <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${1.6} \,\times \, {10}^{-{14}}{\tau }^{-\text {1/2}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The clock frequency stability is measured as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${2.3}\,\times \, {10}^{-{13}}\tau ^{-\text {1/2}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (1–100 s), which is limited by the relative intensity noise of the light.
Semiconductor Work and the Risk of Spontaneous Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: In the semiconductor industry, female workers were identified as having an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (SA). To date, the association between semiconductor work and SA is controversial. We aimed to assess the association between semiconductor work and specific processes and SA, in the semiconductor industry. (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and other core databases, from the date of inception of these databases to 31 July 2019. Studies that identified SA risk in female workers in the semiconductor industry were included. (3) Results: We identified 529 studies, of which six studies were included in the meta-analysis. During 1980–1993, the risk of SA in fabrication (Fab) workers was significantly higher than non-Fab workers (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.57). Photolithography workers had a higher SA risk than non-process and office workers (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.13–1.77). (4) Conclusion: Meta-analysis indicates a statistically significant association between Fab-work and SA. Specific process and chemical exposure meta-analyses need to be interpreted carefully considering bias. Because of the rapid change in the semiconductor industry, it is necessary to conduct an elaborate cohort study taking into consideration the current working environment.
A Case Report Presenting an Undifferentiated Pancreatic Carcinoma with Osteoclastic-Like Giant Cells with an Unusual Indolent Course

Patient: Male, 77 Final Diagnosis: Undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells like tumor Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Surgery Objective: Rare disease Background: Undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells represents less than 1% of pancreatic cancers. Histogenesis and prognosis are still debated. Three subtypes are defined by the World Health Organization: osteoclastic, pleomorphic, and mixed. The differential diagnosis of a pancreatic tumor with giant cells varies from a benign osteoclastoma to an undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclastic-like cells. The specimen should be carefully examined to rule out conventional pancreatic adenocarcinoma even in the presence of the giant cells. Case Report: A 77-year-old male was diagnosed with a pancreatic tail tumor with osteoclastic like cells revealed by a biopsy done by echo-endoscopy; the patient was lost to follow up for 24 months before he was admitted to our institute for severe abdominal pain. A computed tomography showed the same lesion without progression. He was operated on using laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Pathology analysis revealed the presence of osteoclast-like giant cells without pleomorphic cells. Mutated KRAS on molecular study confirmed the diagnosis of undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. The patient was in good performance status and disease-free 19 months after surgery without any sign of progression. Conclusions: Undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like cells has a challenging pathology diagnosis. Molecular and immunostaining are essential to diagnosis. The absence of pleomorphic cells in the present case has classified it into the osteoclastic subtype. Further cases and studies are needed to confirm the heterogeneity of the malignant course between subtypes.
Intraoperative Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant (Ozurdex) in Vitrectomy Surgery for Epiretinal Membrane

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the effectiveness and safety of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg (Ozurdex®) in vitrectomy surgery for epiretinal membrane. Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, pilot study. Inclusion criteria included visually significant (<20/50) idiopathic epiretinal membrane. All patients underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling and Ozurdex implant injection. The primary outcome measure was best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included BCVA at 6 months and changes in central retinal thickness (CRT). Intraocular (IOP) changes were monitored and cataract progression in phakic patients was documented. Results: 15 patients were enrolled in the study, 12 eyes of 12 patients were included in the analysis. Mean preoperative BCVA was 50.67 ETDRS letters and improved significantly to 63.67 (+12.91 letters, p = .008) at 3 months. Mean CRT improved from 548 to 409 microns (p = .002) at 3 months. The IOP showed mild elevation at months 1 and 2 and returned almost to baseline at month six. There were no complications related to the steroid implant injection procedure in an air-filled eye. Conclusions: Intra-operative injection of Ozurdex® at the conclusion of PPV can be done safely. The peak IOP and lowest CRT after 2 months strengthens the findings of prior studies demonstrating Ozurdex activity up to 3 months in vitrectomized eyes.
Comparative analysis of anterior corneal curvature and astigmatism measurements obtained with three different devices

Background The objective of this study was to compare the central corneal curvature and astigmatism measurements obtained with three different systems in healthy eyes and to assess the level of interchangeability between them. Methods This was a comparative study examining 30 healthy eyes of 30 patients (age 15–53-years). A complete eye examination was performed in all cases including analysis of anterior corneal curvature and astigmatism with three devices: the colour‐LED topography system Cassini (i‐Optics) (CAS), the Scheimpflug‐based system Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte) (PTC) and the optical biometer IOL‐Master 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) (IOLM). Differences between devices in terms of curvature in the flattest (flat K) and steepest meridians (steep K) as well as in the magnitude (AST) and power vector components of astigmatism (J0 and J45) were evaluated. The interchangeability between devices was evaluated with the Bland–Altman method. Results Statistically significant differences between devices were found in steep K and flat K (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences between devices were found in AST (p = 0.057) and J0 power vector (p = 0.185). However, differences between devices in J45 did reach statistical significance (p = 0.039). Ranges of agreement for curvature measures ranged from 0.123 (flat K, CAS‐PTC) to 0.165-mm (steep K, CAS‐PTC). Ranges for the magnitude of astigmatism were 0.868, 1.059 and 0.739 D in CAS‐IOLM, PTC‐IOLM and CAS‐PTC comparisons, respectively. For J0 and J45, ranges of agreement were below 0.522 D. Conclusions Measurements of central corneal curvature and astigmatism obtained with the three devices evaluated cannot be used interchangeably.
Smoking and other determinants of bone turnover

The balance between bone resorption and formation may be assessed by measurement of bone turnover markers (BTMs), like carboxyl-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-1) and procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP). Smoking has been shown to influence bone turnover and to reduce bone mass density (BMD), the exact mechanism for this is, however, not settled. In this post-hoc study including 406 subjects (mean age 51.9 years), we aimed to study the impact of smoking on bone turnover. Moreover, we wanted to assess the inter-correlation between substances regulating bone metabolism and BTMs, as well as tracking over time. BMD measurements and serum analyses of CTX-1, P1NP, osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor ĸB ligand (RANKL), Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), sclerostin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and leptin were performed. Repeated serum measurements were made in 195 subjects after four months. Adjustments were made for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, insulin resistance, serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and creatinine. Smokers had higher levels of DKK1 and OPG, and lower levels of RANKL, as reflected in lower BTMs and BMD compared to non-smokers. There were strong and predominantly positive inter-correlations between BTMs and the other substances, and there was a high degree of tracking with Spearman’s rho from 0.72 to 0.92 (P < 0.001) between measurements four months apart. In conclusion, smokers exhibited higher levels of DKK1 and OPG and a lower bone turnover than did non-smokers. The strong inter-correlations between the serum parameters illustrate the coupling between bone resorption and formation and crosstalk between cells.
Antifungal Susceptibly Testing by Concentration Gradient Strip Etest Method for Fungal Isolates: A Review

Antifungal susceptibility testing is an important tool for managing patients with invasive fungal infections, as well as for epidemiological surveillance of emerging resistance. For routine testing in clinical microbiology laboratories, ready-to-use commercial methods are more practical than homemade reference techniques. Among commercially available methods, the concentration gradient Etest strip technique is widely used. It combines an agar-based diffusion method with a dilution method that determinates a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) in µg/mL. Many studies have evaluated the agreement between the gradient strip method and the reference methods for both yeasts and filamentous fungi. This agreement has been variable depending on the antifungal, the species, and the incubation time. It has also been shown that the gradient strip method could be a valuable alternative for detection of emerging resistance (non-wild-type isolates) as Etest epidemiological cutoff values have been recently defined for several drug-species combinations. Furthermore, the Etest could be useful for direct antifungal susceptibility testing on blood samples and basic research studies (e.g., the evaluation of the in vitro activity of antifungal combinations). This review summarizes the available data on the performance and potential use of the gradient strip method.