Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cementless total hip arthroplasty in posttraumatic osteoarthritis hip

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) relieves pain and functional disability experienced by patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip, and it improving their quality of life. Relieve of the pain, while maintaining both mobility and stability of the joint are the indicator of success of THA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of primary cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis hip. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with posttraumatic hip Osteoarthritis that were treated with cementless total hip arthroplasty were included in the study. This was a prospective study with the mean follow-up period was 54 months (range, 48 to 72 months). The pre-operative and post-operative pain and functional status was compared using Harris hip score. Patients: Thirty-eight patients (26 males, 12 females) with mean age of 36 years (range 31 to 46 years) with 16 patients fracture neck femur, 14 patients with malunited fracture acetabulum and 8 patients with fracture head femur. From all twenty-four had avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) were operated on in the period from January 2009 to May 2017. Unilateral cementless total hip arthroplasty was performed in all patients. Indications for surgery were severe pain and loss of function in the hip. Plain X-ray was used for the diagnosis in all cases, and CT scan was needed in cases of acetabular fractures. Results: The mean Harris Hip Score was 80 that was improved from 38 (preoperatively) to 93 (3 years postoperative). Ten patients had excellent, Twenty good, Five fair, and three patients with poor score. Improvements were seen in the range of motion in all patients as compared to preoperative range. Conclusion: The management of posttraumatic arthritis of the hip in young and active patients continues to be a difficult challenge. Results of cementless hip Arthroplasty are good and encouraging in treating this group of patients.
Developing an induced pluripotent stem cell model of pulmonary arterial hypertension to understand the contribution of BMPR2 mutations to disease-associated phenotypes in smooth muscle cells

This thesis project was supported by British Heart Foundation (BHF) PhD Studentship grant FS/13/51/30636, with work in the lab also being funded by BHF project grant PG/14/31/30786 and programme grant RG/13/4/30107, the Dinosaur Trust, Fondation Leducq, the Medical Research Council, Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK and Fight for Sight and the Robert McAlpine Foundation.
Use of medicinal plants in the treatment of erysipelas: A review

Erysipelas infection is caused by Gram-positive bacteria, in particular, β-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes streptococci (B, C, and G). Typically treated with benzathine penicillin, the bacterial resistance and entry points in the skin favor disease recurrence. The use of herbs is a widespread traditional practice in the general population as an alternative method for curing diseases and symptoms with subsequent improvement in quality of life. It represents a more affordable treatment for the lower-class population. This article reviews the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of erysipelas. A review was conducted identifying medicinal plants that can be used for the treatment of erysipelas. The search was conducted from publications from 1980 to 2016 by combining the search terms “medicinal plant” and “erysipelas. ” The databases used in the research were PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Data from the included articles are summarized in two tables with ethnopharmacological and pharmacological information. In this review, 30 articles were included. The selected plants have different popular indications of use, for example, to combat fever, inflammatory processes, and skin problems. The pharmacological studies evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, toxicological, immunomodulatory, and antiprotozoal properties of plants using in vitro and in vivo methods. The plants mentioned in this study are reported as viable possibilities for the treatment of erysipelas. Future research may be carried out to elucidate the active principles, mechanisms of action, and pharmacodynamic aspects and thus propose a new treatment.
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2019; 163:XX

Aims. Granulation tissue (GT) and specialized pro‐resolving mediators such as lipoxins and resolvins are key elements in the successful resolution of periodontitis. Aspirin‐triggered lipoxins and resolvins are even more powerful than their natural analogues. Their biosynthesis can be accelerated by omega‐3 fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of GT enriched by aspirin and omega‐3 fatty acids during the surgical treatment of periodontitis in an experimental animal model (rabbit). Methods. In each of 24 rabbits, two experimental periodontal defects were created. In total, 47 defects were treated with open‐flap debridement and one of three procedures: (1) GT extracted and soaked with aspirin and omega‐3 fatty acids (ASA+OMEGA3 group); (2) GT soaked with saline (PLACEBO group); or (3) GT left untreated (CONTROL group). Then, the GT was replaced in situ. Primary evaluated criteria were the probing pocket depth (PPD) and the clinical at‐ tachment level (CAL). Necropsies were harvested 2, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery. The samples were used for histological and molecular biological assessment. Results. A trend of greater PPD and CAL in the ASA+OMEGA3 group was observed at 6 weeks. However, there was no significant difference between them. During the observation period, tissue levels of FGF‐7, IL‐1β and TIMP‐1 showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.05). For the other variables, the ASA+OMEGA3 group was comparable with the PLACEBO and CONTROL groups. Conclusion. This experiment did not demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach. However, the enriched granulation tissue did not impair healing outcomes.
Awareness and practice of animal bite management among patients attending rabies clinic of a tertiary hospital, Burdwan, India

Introduction: Rabies is a neglected disease of poor and vulnerable populations whose deaths are rarely reported. Although rabies is 100% fatal, it is 100% preventable also, but unfortunately, lots of death is occurring around the year. With this, the present study was performed to assess the sociodemographic profile and awareness and practice regarding management of animal bite among patients attending Rabies Clinic of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital (BMC&H), Burdwan, India. Methodology: This study was conducted among 220 patients in Rabies Clinic of BMC&H, Burdwan, India, between July and December 2012. Information about sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, and practices of animal bite were collected. Results: More than half (120, 54.6%) of the participants got animal bite-related information from health personnel (doctors, nurses, etc.). Dog bite was seen in 80% (176) of the cases; interestingly, monkey bite was seen in 4.1% (9) of the cases. Nearly sixty-six percent (65.8%) patients were classified as Category III according to the World Health Organization classification of the severity of wounds. Almost half of the victims (102, 46.3%) washed wound with soap under running tap water, whereas 12.9% (28) had taken no action. Most of the animal bite victims (177, 80.5%) received injection of tetanus toxoid and anti-rabies vaccine following animal bite. Conclusion: The present study showed that more than half of the participants got animal bite-related information from health personnel (doctors, nurses, etc.) and 12.9% (28) had taken no action after animal bite. These indicate proper control of stray animals as well as right medical advice and adequate treatment of animal bite cases can reduce the incidence of rabies.
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers as Prognostic Indicators of Severity in Patients With Dengue

There is evidence for the role of oxidative stress in severe dengue pathogenesis. However, previous observational studies presents certain methodological limitations, which may affect its internal and external validity. This study was a case-control analysis of patients with severe dengue and dengue with warning signs, to evaluate the serum protein carbonyls-PCOs and lipid hydroperoxides-LOOHs levels and activities of superoxide dismutases-SODs (MnSOD, Cu/ZnSOD and total SOD), as potential prognosis indicators of severity in dengue patients, using binary logistic regression analysis and strategy of double cross-validation. Therefore, the study population was subdivided into a derivation group (pediatric patients, Barranquilla-Colombia) and an external validation group (children and adults patients, National Institute of Health of Peru). PCOs was the only oxidative stress markers that showed a strongest association with the severity of dengue, both in children and adults. In the derivation group, the optimal cut-off point was estimated at 5.29 nmol/mg of protein, and in the external validation group, it was 5.77 nmol/mg of protein. The prognostic models based on these two diagnostic thresholds showed a high discriminatory capacity of dengue severity, external reproducibility, geographic transportability, and typical characteristics of diagnostic validity and safety of screening tests.
An update on cancer prevention approaches

Majority of human cancers are caused, mediated and modified by environmental and lifestyle factors; and the multi-factorial, multi-step and multi-path process of carcinogenesis involves a series of genetic and epigenetic events. In spite of tremendous advancement in understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and identification of several environmental carcinogens, avoidance of exposure to carcinogens and early detection and/or successful treatment for most cancers have met with limited success. Based on the susceptibility to modulations of the multi-step process of carcinogenesis by a multitude of environmental compounds, lifestyle changes and host factors, and the demonstrated success of prevention of certain infectious diseases and cardiovascular events, cancer preventive interventions are receiving increasing attention. Several cancer preventive interventions such as vaccination, chemoprevention, weight control and lifestyle changes have been implemented. The current review focuses on several approaches and agents that have been scrutinized by way of randomized clinical trials in humans for their cancer prevention potential. Successful chemopreventive agents include selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, the 5-α-reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for colorectal lesions and vaccines for viruses that are associated with cervical and liver cancers. Several experimentally proven chemopreventive agents have been observed to lack efficacy with and without toxicity. In spite of numerous chemoprevention trials, the number of successful agents is rather small. Identifying novel approaches and chemopreventives holds tremendous potential for reducing the burden of cancer.
In vitro propagated Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds and antioxidant activity of its essential oil

Abstract Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds is an aromatic plant used for its medicinal values. This study aims to select appropriate conditions for in vitro propagation of M. rotundifolia (L.) Huds and to evaluate yield and antioxidants activity of its essential oils (EOs). The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations of growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Gibberellin (GA3). Hydrodistillated EOs obtained from acclimatized and mother plant, were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Tests were performed on DPPH free radical-scavenging, ABTS and CUPRAC assays. Shoot induction and multiplication were successfully carried out on MS medium supplemented with the following hormones combinations: 1 mg/l BAP, 1 mg/l GA3 and 0.5 mg/l BAP, 0.5 mg/l GA3, respectively. Stem length, nodes and leaves number measured from development vitroplant were 6.89 cm, 5.22 nodes and 11.92 leaves per vitroplant, respectively. In vitro rooted plants were successfully acclimatized at a temperature of 23 ± 2°C and a long day photoperiod with a total survival rate exceeding 95%. EO yield of acclimated plant varied between (0.88-1.49 ml/100 g dry matter) compared to wild plant (0.73 ml/100 g dry matter). The antioxidant potential of EOs from acclimated plant showed on DPPH free radical-scavenging, ABTS and CUPRAC assays values of (IC50: 4.18-24.93 mg/ml), (IC50: 0.51-1.56 mg/ml) and (A0.50: 0.34-2.71 mg/ml), respectively. In contrast, the wild plant exhibited on the same tests the values of (IC50: 10.35 mg/ml), (IC50: 0.12 mg/ml) and (A0.50: 0.99 mg/ml), respectively. The results suggest that micropropagation of M. rotundifolia (L.) Huds can be an interesting alternative for producing important plant material with the possibility to modulate EO yield and its antioxidant potential for future commercial purposes.
The role of feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance in optimising response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) forms part of the established treatment for heart failure, but individual response is variable. Deformation imaging permits assessment of myocardial mechanics. Echocardiography-based techniques are unable to refine patient selection for CRT, although can identify preferential late mechanically activated (LMA) targets for lead placement. Feature-tracking (FT) is a rapid cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) deformation technique performed on standard acquisition, overcoming the limitations of myocardial tagging (MT). This work aims to validate FT-CMR against MT and establish its role in patient selection and left ventricular (LV) lead deployment in the context of CRT.A validation study performed on healthy volunteers and cardiomyopathy patients demonstrated good intra- and inter-observer variability, and reasonable agreement compared with MT. In a retrospective observational study of CRT recipients, greater baseline dyssynchrony did not predict LV reverse remodelling (LVRR) or symptomatic response at 6 months, but low strain was associated with a high risk of cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, lead deployment over non-scarred, LMA myocardium, assessed using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and FT-CMR was associated with better LVRR and long term survival. FT-CMR showed no ability to enhance patient selection for CRT but, coupled with LGE CMR, has a role in guiding LV lead deployment.
Factors Associated With Academic Nonprescribed Stimulant Use Among College Students

Nonprescribed stimulant use (NPSU), defined in the present study as someone taking stimulant medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin that have not been prescribed, is becoming a norm—especially on college campuses. This study evaluated possible predictive factors of academic NPSU in college students. We hypothesized that students would be more likely to misuse stimulants if they (a) perceived NPSU to be safe, (b) perceived NPSU to be ethical, (c) were academically extrinsically motivated, (d) perceived their college environments to be competitive, and (e) perceived NPSU to be common. Participants (N = 270; 59% women, 41% men) were undergraduate students at a small, Christian, liberal arts university in Southern California, recruited from an online research participation management system. Spearman Rho correlations were calculated, and significant relationships were found between NPSU and perceptions of NPSU commonality (r = .18, p = .006) as well as NPSU ethicality (r = .20, p < .001). These relationships remained significant even when controlling for the covariate of age: NPSU commonality, r(226) = . 15, p = . 03; NPSU ethicality, r(226) = -. 14, p = . 04. The implications of these findings are discussed. https://doi.org/10.24839/2325-7342.JN23. 5.341 Open Data, Open Materials, and Preregistration badges earned for transparent research practices. Data, materials, and preregistration data collection and analysis plans are available at https://osf.io/j2g7t/.
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Water-Extract (Danshen) Has No Beneficial Effect on Cardiovascular Risk Factors. A Randomized Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial

Purpose Danshen is the dried root extract of the plant Salvia Miltiorrhiza and it is used as traditional Chinese medicinal herbal product to prevent and treat atherosclerosis. However, its efficacy has not been thoroughly investigated. This study evaluates the effect of Danshen on hyperlipidemia and hypertension, two well known risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Methods This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study performed at a tertiary referral center. Participants were recruited by newspaper advertisement and randomized to treatment with Danshen (water-extract of the Salvia Miltiorrhiza root) or placebo for 4 consecutive weeks. There was a wash out period of 4 weeks. Of the 20 analysed participants, 11 received placebo first. Inclusion criteria were: age 40-70 years, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. At the end of each treatment period, plasma lipids were determined (primary outcome), 24 hours ambulant blood pressure measurement (ABPM) was performed, and vasodilator endothelial function was assessed in the forearm. Results LDL cholesterol levels were 3.82±0.14 mmol/l after Danshen and 3.52±0.16 mmol/l after placebo treatment (mean±SE; p<0.05 for treatment effect corrected for baseline). Danshen treatment had no effect on blood pressure (ABPM 138/84 after Danshen and 136/87 after placebo treatment). These results were further substantiated by the observation that Danshen had neither an effect on endothelial function nor on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, hemostasis and blood viscosity. Conclusion Four weeks of treatment with Danshen (water-extract) slightly increased LDL-cholesterol without affecting a wide variety of other risk markers. These observations do not support the use of Danshen to prevent or treat atherosclerosis. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01563770
Longevity of Amalgam Build-Up Restorations in Endodontically Treated Teeth

Background and Aim: Restoration of endodontically treated teeth is one of the most important and challenging topics in restorative dentistry. Longevity of such restorations is an essential factor in treatment planning. Amalgam build-up is a conservative method for restoration of endodontically treated teeth. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the longevity of this type of restoration in endodontically treated molar teeth. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 110 endodontically treated molar teeth of 98 patients that had received amalgam build-up restorations with at least one cusp coverage with 3-10 years of longevity were evaluated. The restorations included mesio-occluso-distal (MOD;40%), disto-occlusal (DO;23%), mesio-occlusal (MO;17%) and complex amalgam restorations (20%). Binary logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of all restorations, cracks were observed in 22.7% of restorative materials and 10.9% of teeth. Secondary caries was found in 29% of the teeth. Based on binary logistic regression, MOD restorations had significantly higher rate of marginal fracture and recurrent caries (P<0.05). Teeth with one or four built-up cusps were significantly more resistant to fracture compared to other groups. Patients, who regularly used dental floss had significantly lower rate of secondary caries and restoration fracture (P=0.032). Conclusion: The average longevity of amalgam build-up restorations was 8.45 years, which is comparable to minimum longevity of casting restorations. Thus, amalgam restorations seem to be an acceptable conservative method for restoration of endodontically treated teeth.
The effects of topiramate on cognitive functions of patients with focal epilepsy - a follow-up study in a Serbian sample

Introduction/Objective. The aim of this follow-up study was to determine the effects of topiramate therapy on cognitive functions in patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy. Methods. The study sample comprised of 40 topiramate naive patients. The topiramate starting dose was 25 mg, with a fortnightly titration schedule of 25 mg. A wide range of cognitive functions was evaluated through extensive neuropsychological testing at baseline and six months after reaching the target dose (200 mg/day). Results. The most common side effects following the introduction of topiramate were cognitive impairments, reported by 45% of the participants. The neuropsychological scores on attention, executive function, verbal content recall, improved cognitive flexibility, as well as visuospatial ability and speech, obtained at six-month follow-up were significantly lower than at baseline. However, statistically significant correlation between neuropsychological scores and the number of antiepileptic drugs taken alongside topiramate could not be established. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were noted between the percentage of reduced neuropsychological scores at follow-up pertaining to patients with lower and higher baseline cognitive performance. Moreover, regression analysis indicates that the percentage change in the majority of cognitive scores is unrelated to the age at the epilepsy onset, epilepsy duration, presence of brain pathology on magnetic resonance imaging and percentage change in the depression scale score. Conclusion. Despite slow introduction and administration of a relatively small dose, topiramate exhibits adverse effects on a wide range of cognitive functions, which appear unrelated to the number of additional antiepileptic drugs, baseline cognitive functioning, age at the onset of epilepsy and its duration, presence of brain pathology and the extent of depressive symptoms.
Opioid cessation and chronic pain: perspectives of former opioid users

Abstract Current guidelines for addressing opioid cessation in the context of chronic pain management recommend that opioids be discontinued if the risks outweigh the benefits. However, few studies have focused on understanding opioid cessation from the perspective of individuals with chronic pain. This mixed-method study included 49 former opioid users with chronic pain and used quantitative survey data and qualitative focus group data to identify themes pertaining to former opioid user's experience before, during, and after opioid cessation. Participants described several reasons for wanting to stop opioids including lack of efficacy, impact on quality of life, and concerns about addiction. Barriers to cessation included concerns about inadequate pain management and concerns about the impact of stopping opioids on mood. After opioid cessation, the sample was mixed regarding the benefit of cessation. Half of the former opioid users reported their pain to be better or the same after stopping opioids; however, 47% of the sample reported feeling worse pain since stopping their opioids. As the pendulum swings from pain control to drug control, we must ensure that the response to the opioid epidemic does not cause harm to individuals with chronic pain. Novel opioid cessation interventions are needed in combination with methods of addressing individual challenges and barriers to adequate pain relief including access to and provision of nonopioid alternatives for pain management.