Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEDICINAL PLANT RESOURCES: MANIFESTATION AND PROSPECTS OF LIFE-SUSTAINING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Medicinal plants are the principal health care resources for the majority of people all over the world. The healing properties of herbal medicines have been recognized in many ancient cultures. The traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani are part of a time-tested culture and honored by people still today. Pharmaceutical importance of plants has led to the discovery and adoption of plant extracts which were commonly used in traditional medicine, as alternative source of remedy. A vast diversity of herbal ingredients, major proportion of which is derived from wild, provide the resource base to the herbal industry. Despite the increasing use of medicinal plants, their future, seemingly, is being threatened by complacency concerning their conservation. Global demand for herbal medicines is accompanied by dwindling supply of medicinal plants due to over-harvesting, habitat loss and agricultural encroachment. As millions of rural households use plants for self-medication community involvement in monitoring use and status of medicinal plants can contribute to effective strategies for their sustainable use. KEYWORDS - Medicinal Plants, Sustainability, indigenous knowledge, Phytomedicines
Prevalencia de obesidad e hiperinsulinemia en una población aparentemente sana de Maracaibo, Venezuela y su relación con las concentraciones de lípidos y lipoproteínas del suero.

Con el proposito de analizar la prevalencia de obesidad e hiperinsulinemia y su asociacion con alteraciones en el perfil de lipidos en individuos aparentemente sanos, se evaluaron 306 hombres y 41 mujeres con edades comprendidas entre 33 y 65 anos de Maracaibo, Venezuela. A los sujetos se les practico una evaluacion cardiovascular y se le realizaron examenes de laboratorio, despues de un ayuno de 10-12 horas, que incluian glicemia, colesterol total (CT), trigliceridos (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C y VLDL-C. Ademas, se les determino insulina por radioinmunoanalisis. El 74% de los hombres y 56,1% de las mujeres mostraron obesidad. Los hombres presentaron concentraciones elevadas de TG (47,8%), CT (40,2%), VLDL-C (48,3%) y LDL-C (33,9%), y bajos niveles de HDL-C (48%). En las mujeres las alteraciones mas frecuentes en los lipidos fueron altas concentraciones de colesterol total (46%) y de LDL-C (51,2%). Las concentraciones de insulina en los hombres fueron significativamente superiores a las de las mujeres (p 25 Kg/m2 para hombres y mujeres) presentaban mayor prevalencia de alteracion en el metabolismo de los lipidos. Asi mismo, el promedio de las concentraciones de insulina de los obesos fue significativamente superior (Hombres: 17,4 _ 0,6 vs 11,4 _ 0,6 _U/mL; p
Application of Pharmacokinetics to Improve Antiretroviral Treatment.

The introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) has allowed for treatment of HIV-infected patients with 'highly active antiretroviral treatment' (HAART). The studies in this thesis aimed to optimize dosage regimens for PIs and NNRTIs by the assessment and interpretation of the pharmacokinetic characteristics of these agents.The thesis first presents a review of the literature on analytical methods for measurement of PIs in plasma, and a review of the practice of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) for antiretroviral drugs. Subsequently an international interlaboratory quality control (QC) program was developed for measurement of antiretroviral drugs in plasma. The program revealed large variability in the ability of laboratories to measure PIs and NNRTIs accurately. By participating in the program, laboratories were alerted to previously unknown errors in their methods. A series of pharmacokinetic studies evaluated undesirable pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretroviral drugs, food and other drugs. One study revealed that indinavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg BID) should preferably be administered with food to reduce high, nephrotoxic peak plasma (Cmax) values of indinavir. Based on other studies it was concluded that the addition of efavirenz to indinavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg BID) results in significant decreases in plasma concentrations of indinavir. These decreases are not strong enough to warrant dose modifications of the indinavir/ritonavir combination in treatment-naive HIV-infected patients. A low-dose of ritonavir (100 mg BID) appeared to exert a modest inhibitory effect on the activity of CYP2D6 in extensive metabolizers for CYP2D6. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies were performed that evaluated the interaction between PIs and low-dose ritonavir as a means to achieve once-daily dosing for PIs. It was assessed that both nelfinavir and indinavir can be combined with low-dose ritonavir to yield adequate trough (Cmin) levels during a once-daily 24-h dosing interval.
Do women grow out of risky drinking? A prospective study of three cohorts of Australian women.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS To examine women's drinking behaviour relative to Australian guidelines and identify associated factors over the lifespan. DESIGN AND METHODS Data came from three prospective cohorts of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health aged 18-23 (n = 14,247), 45-50 (n = 13,715) and 70-75 years (n = 12,432) when first surveyed in 1996. The same women were re-surveyed at roughly 3-year intervals until 2012. At each survey, four drinking behaviours were based on two guidelines: long-term drinking (no more than two standard drinks per day) and episodic drinking (no more than four standard drinks on an occasion): (i) no risk (within both guidelines); (ii) low episodic risk (less than once a month); high episodic risk (at least once a month); long-term risk (more than two drinks per day regardless of episodic drinking). RESULTS No risk drinking increased with age, low episodic risk drinking remained almost constant between ages 18 and 39, and high episodic risk drinking declined rapidly. Few women drank at long-term risk. Factors associated with risky drinking varied with age; however, being a past or current smoker consistently increased the risk, and risks for smokers increased with age. Risky drinking was less likely to be practised by women providing care and needing help with daily tasks, or by pregnant women and those living with children. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Risky drinking behaviour should be addressed in younger women and in those who smoke. Interventions to reduce risky drinking, possibly in combination with reducing smoking, could be offered through general practice centres.
Adjunctive and novel therapies for sepsis

Abstract Primary goals of sepsis therapy include early, appropriate antimicrobial therapy and prompt recognition and reversal of shock. Despite these measures, however, sepsis remains an important source of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Here we review rationale and existing evidence in support of adjunctive sepsis therapies including extracorporeal support, immunomodulation, and mitochondria-targeted therapies. While each of these therapeutic modalities shows promise, additional studies are urgently needed to identify the right patients, the right timing, and the right context for these interventions.
Do some implant too many defibrillators or others too few?

Since the landmark trials MADIT II, SCD-HeFT, and COMPANION have reported their positive results in 2002–05,1–3 the indications for the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have substantially broadened. However, the ‘MADIT II shock’ affected many physicians and it has repeatedly been questioned if and how these results should be translated into daily clinical practice. Major concerns are listed in Table 1 . View this table: Table 1 Objective and subjective reasons for not providing patients with an indication for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death with an ICD Some more recent publications have fuelled the impression that at least in Europe and the USA, there may be too many ICD implantations. An important post hoc analysis of MADIT II suggests that patients who are (apart from their severely depressed left ventricular function) ‘too healthy’ and those who have too many co-morbidities (renal failure, atrial fibrillation, etc.) may not benefit from ICD implantation.4 Also in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function after myocardial infarction, it seems as if all-cause mortality cannot be reduced significantly if the ICD is implanted within the first month after the event.5 In addition, device and lead recalls and safety alerts question the safety of ICD therapy. Finally, a post hoc analysis of SCD-HeFT found an association between ICD shock discharges and mortality.6 Therefore, the euphoria about ICD therapy for primary prevention of … *Corresponding author. Tel: +49 521 772 77525, Fax: +49 521 772 77526, Email: c.w. israel{at}em.uni-frankfurt.de
Alcohol and violence in nightlife and party settings: A qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS In 'binge drinking' cultures, there is a strong association between alcohol consumption and violence. At the same time, several studies suggest that this link is cultural and contextual. We explore the role of alcohol in incidents of violence in nightlife settings. DESIGN AND METHODS We used qualitative interviews with 104 Norwegians (52 men and 52 women, mean age 25 years) who binge drink and party in nightlife settings. RESULTS Alcohol both sparks and constrains violence in these contexts. When participants use alcohol, they expect conflicts to occur and blame alcohol intoxication for such behaviour. The packed settings of nightlife and parties combined with the effects of alcohol can induce violence through personal affronts, heightened emotions and jealousy. At the same time, nightlife settings constrain violence. That is, binge drinkers excuse misbehaviour when it is attributed to alcohol. In addition, audiences in these setting often go to great lengths to stop fights. Combined, these factors help explain why violence occurs and why it usually does not escalate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The association between alcohol and violence can be understood by more closely examining the cultural and situational context where the events occur. This link is not primarily related to the psychopharmacological properties of alcohol, but rather it is associated with situational factors and cultural norms regarding how to behave while intoxicated. Strategies aiming at reducing violence in nightlife should take such factors into consideration. [Pedersen W, Copes H, Sandberg S. Alcohol and violence in nightlife and party settings: A qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:557-563].
Impact of the HEROS (Healthy Eating to Reduce Obesity through Schools) study on healthy food choices and obesity among middle school students in Guilford County (NC) schools

"The prevalence of overweight among adolescents in the U.S. has increased rapidly over the past two decades. This problem is closely related to poor dietary behaviors. Two preliminary, school-based studies were conducted in Guilford County Schools, which demonstrated that: 1) cafeteria environments do not foster healthy eating, and 2) a milk promotion program is a feasible intervention. These studies provided the rationale for the HEROS (Healthy Eating to Reduce Obesity through Schools) Study. The central hypotheses were that by increasing the availability of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products (FVD) and the awareness of the health benefits of choosing FVD: 1) intake would increase; and 2) the prevalence of obesity would decrease among middle school students. Participants were 489 seventh grade students from six schools (e.g., paired for socioeconomic status and ethnicity). The schools were randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. Intervention components were implemented over 23 weeks. Intervention components included: 1) nutrition education through curriculum, school dinners, and mailing information to families and 2) changes to cafeteria environments to increase the availability and awareness of FVD. Outcome measures were taken pre- and post-intervention and included: 1) estimated FVD intake at school lunch using the O'Connell School Food Diary; 2) estimated overall daily FVD intake using the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire; and 3) overweight and obesity prevalence using body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness. Analysis of variance and Chi-square analyses were used to test for significant differences between groups at baseline. Change scores were calculated for pre- and post-intervention measures. A general linear model was used to test for intervention effects on these outcome variables. Significance was identified at p < 0.05. The intervention group significantly increased their vegetable intake at school lunch by 1/5 of a serving (0.19 + 0.14, p < 0.04), whereas the control group decreased their intake by 1/7 of a serving (-0.14 + 0.07). African Americans in the intervention group significantly increased their daily vegetable intake by 1/3 of a serving (0.33 + 0.25, p < 0.001), compared to their control counterparts who decreased their intake by 1/3 of a serving (-0.34 + 0.22). No significant improvements were found for fruit or dairy product consumption or the prevalence of overweight or obesity. It was concluded that the HEROS intervention increased vegetable consumption both at school and throughout the entire day, indicating a promising school-based approach for improving the eating habits of adolescents, especially African Americans"--Abstract from author supplied metadata.
Essentials of Exercise Physiology

Part 1 Energy transfer and physical activity: biology and chemistry basics for exercise physiology energy transfer in the body energy transfer during exercise energy expenditure at rest and during physical activity energy generating capacities of humans. Part 2 Nutrition for physical activity: the macro- and micro-nutrients and water food energy and sports nutrition. Part 3 The physiologic support systems: the pulmonary system and exercise the cardiovascular system and exercise the neuromuscular system and exercise hormones, exercise and training. Part 4 Exercise training and functional capacity: training the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems training muscles to become stronger. Part 5 Factors affecting physiologic function, energy transfer and performance: ergogenic aids environmental factors and exercise. Part 6 Body composition, weight control and the age- and health-related aspects of exercise: the composition of the human body obesity, exercise and weight control exercise, ageing and cardiovascular health.
Predicting abstinence from methamphetamine use after residential rehabilitation: Findings from the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS We previously found that residential rehabilitation increased continuous abstinence from methamphetamine use 1 year after treatment. We examine what client and treatment characteristics predict this outcome. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants (n = 176) were dependent on methamphetamine and entering residential rehabilitation for methamphetamine use. Simultaneous logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of continuous abstinence from methamphetamine use at 1 year follow-up. Measures included demographics, drug use, psychiatric comorbidity (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, major depression, social phobia, panic disorder, schizophrenia, mania and conduct disorder), symptoms of psychosis and hostility, readiness to change, motivations for treatment and treatment characteristics (duration, rapport, group and individual counselling). RESULTS Participants stayed in treatment for a median of 8 weeks; 23% remained abstinent at 1 year. The only independent predictors of abstinence were more weeks in treatment [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.2, P < 0.001], better rapport with treatment providers (AOR 2.4, P = 0.049) and receipt of individual counselling (AOR 3.7, P = 0.013), whereas injecting methamphetamine predicted not achieving abstinence (AOR = 0.25, P = 0.002). Individual counselling and good rapport increased abstinence to 45%; for injectors, longer stays in treatment (13+ weeks) were additionally needed to produce similar abstinence rates (43%). DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Abstinence from methamphetamine use following residential rehabilitation could be significantly increased by providing individual counselling, maintaining good rapport with clients and ensuring longer stays for people who inject the drug. [McKetin R, Kothe A, Baker AL, Lee NK, Ross J, Lubman DI. Predicting abstinence from methamphetamine use after residential rehabilitation: Findings from the Methamphetamine Treatment Evaluation Study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:70-78].
Use of and mortality after bilateral mastectomy compared with other surgical treatments for breast cancer in California, 1998-2011.

IMPORTANCE Bilateral mastectomy is increasingly used to treat unilateral breast cancer. Because it may have medical and psychosocial complications, a better understanding of its use and outcomes is essential to optimizing cancer care. OBJECTIVE To compare use of and mortality after bilateral mastectomy, breast-conserving therapy with radiation, and unilateral mastectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Observational cohort study within the population-based California Cancer Registry; participants were women diagnosed with stages 0-III unilateral breast cancer in California from 1998 through 2011, with median follow-up of 89.1 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Factors associated with surgery use (from polytomous logistic regression); overall and breast cancer-specific mortality (from propensity score weighting and Cox proportional hazards analysis). RESULTS Among 189,734 patients, the rate of bilateral mastectomy increased from 2.0% (95% CI, 1.7%-2.2%) in 1998 to 12.3% (95% CI, 11.8%-12.9%) in 2011, an annual increase of 14.3% (95% CI, 13.1%-15.5%); among women younger than 40 years, the rate increased from 3.6% (95% CI, 2.3%-5.0%) in 1998 to 33% (95% CI, 29.8%-36.5%) in 2011. Bilateral mastectomy was more often used by non-Hispanic white women, those with private insurance, and those who received care at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center (8.6% [95% CI, 8.1%-9.2%] among NCI cancer center patients vs 6.0% [95% CI, 5.9%-6.1%] among non-NCI cancer center patients; odds ratio [OR], 1.13 [95% CI, 1.04-1.22]); in contrast, unilateral mastectomy was more often used by racial/ethnic minorities (Filipina, 52.8% [95% CI, 51.6%-54.0%]; OR, 2.00 [95% CI, 1.90-2.11] and Hispanic, 45.6% [95% CI, 45.0%-46.2%]; OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.13-1.20] vs non-Hispanic white, 35.2% [95% CI, 34.9%-35.5%]) and those with public/Medicaid insurance (48.4% [95% CI, 47.8%-48.9%]; OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.05-1.11] vs private insurance, 36.6% [95% CI, 36.3%-36.8%]). Compared with breast-conserving surgery with radiation (10-year mortality, 16.8% [95% CI, 16.6%-17.1%]), unilateral mastectomy was associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35 [95% CI, 1.32-1.39]; 10-year mortality, 20.1% [95% CI, 19.9%-20.4%]). There was no significant mortality difference compared with bilateral mastectomy (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.94-1.11]; 10-year mortality, 18.8% [95% CI, 18.6%-19.0%]). Propensity analysis showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Use of bilateral mastectomy increased significantly throughout California from 1998 through 2011 and was not associated with lower mortality than that achieved with breast-conserving surgery plus radiation. Unilateral mastectomy was associated with higher mortality than were the other 2 surgical options.
Advances in the Clinical Management of Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest constitutes an extremely life-threatening condition that inevitably and promptly results in death if left untreated. Cardiac arrest outcomes still remain very poor, especially when the presenting cardiac rhythm is nonshockable. Important, recent, clinical research has focused on the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the mechanical augmentation of the circulation during CPR, CPR drugs, and therapeutic hypothermia. Chest compression depth of at least 51 mm increases the probability of neurologically favorable survival. Despite initially promising results, a large effectiveness study failed to confirm the efficacy of the mechanical augmentation of the circulation. Epinephrine has finally been shown to slightly improve functional outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, especially when given early. In a recent, in-hospital study of 268 patients, the addition of vasopressin and methylprednisolone during CPR and the administration of hydrocortisone in postresuscitation shock improved functional outcome after vasopressor-requiring cardiac arrest; however, corticosteroid efficacy still needs to be separately confirmed in a large, international trial. Lastly, preliminary human data may support the conduct of high quality trials evaluating the efficacy of beta adrenergic antagonists in shockable cardiac arrest. The purpose of this paper is to review these potentially important advances in the management of cardiac arrest.
Effects of rehabilitation program on functional scores and isokinetic torques of knee medial plica-operated patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week rehabilitation program on functional scores and isokinetic torques of the knee joint in patients with an arthroscopic excision to the medial plica. Twenty-eight young individuals 16 men and 12 women aged 20.4 (± 3.21) and 21.0 (± 1.41) years, respectively. The independent variables in this study were knee sides (involved and uninvolved) and times (pre-test and post-test). The rehabilitation program consisted of physical and exercise therapies. The latter composed of a warm-up, work-out, and cool-down. The work-out was followed by 1 st phase (1 day∼ 2 weeks), 2 nd phase (2∼6 weeks), and 3 rd phase (6∼12 weeks). The results indicate that 12 weeks post-operatively the Lyslome and Tegner scores were almost fully normalized. Furthermore, both score and level which related to knee discomfort and functional activity were improved within the abovementioned program compared to a 6-week rehabilitation program. Especially, the Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity levels of female group were higher than those of male group around 12 weeks. Such a result suggest that the both scores in the male group were pitched at too low levels compared to those of female group at the baseline. However, the scores of male group improved and were close to the levels of female group after 12 weeks. The isokinetic extensor absolute and normalized PT at 180 ◦ /s in the involved side of both groups, were significantly lower compared to the sound side at 6 week but were normalized at the termination of the program. At 60 ◦ /s the findings of the male group were still not significant. We think that these results were affiliated with pre-status of males' symptom or activity level. However, in spite of the inter-gender differences there was a general improvement following 12 weeks. It is concluded that a 12-week rehabilitation program can reduce knee discomfort, improve knee functional activity, and enhance isokinetic torques of the major muscles following excision of the medial plica.
Nail psoriasis – a treatment challenge

Nail involvement in psoriasis is common and mostly occurs with other lesions but can also occur alone. Besides psychosocial and aesthetic impairments, patients often complain about functional impairment. Nail psoriasis is a predictor for more severe psoriasis, decreased quality of life, and a higher risk for the development of psoriatic arthritis. Onychomycosis and other differential diagnoses should be excluded prior to treatment. This article presents an overview of different clinical appearances of nail psoriasis, the essential diagnostic assessment before treatment, important differential diagnoses, and published data on treatment options for nail psoriasis.