Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chitosan as an adjuvant for a Helicobacter pylori therapeutic vaccine

The aim of the present study was to delineate the therapeutic effect of a Helicobacter pylori vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant, as well as to identify the potential mechanism against H. pylori infection when compared with an H. pylori vaccine, with cholera toxin (CT) as an adjuvant. Mice were first infected with H. pylori and, following the establishment of an effective infection model, were vaccinated using an H. pylori protein vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant. Levels of H. pylori colonization, H. pylori-specific antibodies and cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The TLR4 and Foxp3 mRNA and protein levels were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. It was identified that the H. pylori elimination rate of the therapeutic vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant (58.33%) was greater than the therapeutic vaccine with CT as an adjuvant (45.45%). The therapeutic H. pylori vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant induced significantly greater antibody and cytokine levels when compared with the control groups. Notably, the IL-10 and IL-4 levels in the groups with chitosan as an adjuvant to the H. pylori vaccine were significantly greater than those in the groups with CT as an adjuvant. The mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and Foxp3 were significantly elevated in the mice that were vaccinated with chitosan as an adjuvant to the H. pylori vaccine, particularly in mice where the H. pylori infection had been eradicated. The H. pylori vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant effectively increased the H. pylori elimination rate, the humoral immune response and the Th1/Th2 cell immune reaction; in addition, the therapeutic H. pylori vaccine regulated the Th1 and Th2 response. The significantly increased TLR4 expression and decreased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell number contributed to the immune clearance of the H. pylori infection. Thus, the present findings demonstrate that in mice the H. pylori vaccine with chitosan as an adjuvant exerts an equivalent immunotherapeutic effect on H. pylori infection when compared with the H. pylori vaccine with CT as an adjuvant.
Maternal Risk Factors for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Gathering information about drinking during pregnancy is one of the most difficult aspects of studying fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This information is critical to linking specific risk factors to any particular diagnosis within the FASD continuum. This article reviews highlights from the literature on maternal risk factors for FASD and illustrates that maternal risk is multidimensional, including factors related to quantity, frequency, and timing of alcohol exposure; maternal age; number of pregnancies; number of times the mother has given birth; the mother’s body size; nutrition; socioeconomic status; metabolism; religion; spirituality; depression; other drug use; and social relationships. More research is needed to more clearly define what type of individual behavioral, physical, and genetic factors are most likely to lead to having children with FASD.
Phase II Study of Bolus 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin Combined with Weekly Paclitaxel as First-Line Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin combined with weekly paclitaxel (FLTAX) in advanced gastric cancer (GC) patients. Methods: Patients with untreated stage IV GC received paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 as a 1-hour infusion, followed by 5-FU 600 mg/m2 as a bolus infusion and L-leucovorin 250 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on days 1, 8 and 15. Treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days. The primary endpoint was response rate. Results: Thirty-five patients were enrolled. The median age was 62 years (range 34–75). Twenty-one patients (60%) had diffuse-type cancer and 11 had peritoneal metastasis. The confirmed response rate was 43% (95% CI 26–61) with 15 partial responses. Stable disease was observed in 16 (46%) patients. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.8 months (95% CI 5.8–7.4) and 16.2 months (95% CI 10.0–22.8), respectively. Grade 3–4 adverse events were: neutropenia (54%), febrile neutropenia (3%), diarrhea (6%) and sensory neuropathy (11%). Conclusion: FLTAX showed a desirable safety profile, and the efficacy against advanced GC was encouraging. FLTAX may be a good option for GC patients with deteriorated general condition, and a randomized clinical trial in such patients is currently underway.
Comparative Effectiveness of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Elderly Colon Cancer Patients

Introduction: We assessed whether older patients experience the same treatment benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy in a real-world setting as younger patients in clinical trials. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis used the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. The analysis included 3,390 patients, >65 years, diagnosed with stage II or III colon cancer between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2007. Patients were enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and had undergone adjuvant treatment with fluorouracil plus leucovorin (5-FU/LV; n=1,368), 5-FU/LV plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX; n=1,398), capecitabine (CAP; n=507), or CAP plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX; n=117) within 3 months of surgery. Differences in patient demographics and disease characteristics by treatment were assessed by chi-square test and ANOVA or t-test. Cox proportional hazards regression and propensity score-weighted analyses were used to measure the relative risk of death associated with each treatment. Results: Median time from surgical resection to initiation of treatment was similar across cohorts (44-48 days). Mean treatment duration was longer for 5-FU/LV (149 days) and FOLFOX (144 days) than CAP (121 days) and CAPOX (111 days); p<. 0001. In the propensity score-adjusted survival models, patients treated with FOLFOX (HR=0.70; 95%CI=0.55-0.90) and CAPOX (HR=0.44; 95%CI=0.20-0.98) had a significantly lower risk of death than 5FU/LV, while risk of death was similar between CAP and 5-FU/LV. Conclusions: Elderly patients with colon cancer have similar benefits from adjuvant chemotherapies in real-world settings as demonstrated in younger patients in clinical trial settings.
The effect of a 12-week supervised multicomponent exercise program on knee OA in Turkish women

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of a 12-week supervised multicomponent exercise program in women with knee OA. This prospective randomised controlled trial was performed in Antalya, Turkey. Thirty four of 136 patients diagnosed for knee OA were included and divided into exercise group (EG) and control group (CG). Outcome measures were collected before exercise (baseline) by five blinded trained assistants before randomisation, and at six week (mid-training) and also at 12th week (posttraining). A 12-week exercise program was supervised three times per week. Primary outcome measure was perceived quality of life as measured by the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form (SF-36) and secondary outcome measures were Body Mass Index (BMI), walking Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and physical performance such as chair-stand, chair sit-and-reach, and 6-minute walk distance. Results revealed an improvement in chair stand, walking VAS and in all the domains of SF-36 in EG (p < 0.004). In conclusions, a 12 week multicomponent exercise program, could improve physical performance, primarily lower extremity strength and all dimensions of health related quality of life might improve and walking pain decrease.
Thirteen microsatellites developed by SSR-enriched pyrosequencing for Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae) and related species.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Microsatellite markers were developed using second-generation sequencing in Solanum rostratum as a tool to study the reproductive biology and genetic structure of this invasive species. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirteen microsatellites were successfully discovered and amplified in a single multiplexed PCR. All loci showed genetic variation in S. rostratum. Cross-amplification in five closely related taxa was successful for a subset of loci. CONCLUSIONS The set of 13 microsatellite markers developed here provides a time-effective and cost-effective genetic tool to study the reproductive biology of S. rostratum. The demonstrated transferability of the PCR multiplex to related taxa also highlights its usefulness for evolutionary studies across Solanum sect. Androceras.
Animal Models of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Illuminating the Pathogenesis of Colitis, Ileitis and Cancer

Background/Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing diseases of unknown origin. In spite of improved options for therapy, many patients with IBD have an impaired quality of life and require hospitalization or surgery. Animal models of IBD might help to obtain new insights into the pathogenesis of these diseases and may be used to test innovative approaches for therapy. Methods: Review of the literature using PubMed. Results: Numerous new animal models of IBD have been developed in recent years. Although none of these models provides a full reflection of the IBD pathogenesis in humans, they have provided fascinating new insights into the pathogenesis of gut inflammation. In addition to models of acute and chronic colitis, recent studies have described new models of chronic ileitis and IBD-associated cancer. Furthermore, various new approaches for IBD therapy have been developed in animal models, including strategies against proinflammatory cytokines, signaling pathways and adhesion molecules. Conclusion: New animal models of IBD have illuminated some aspects of IBD pathogenesis and suggest new avenues for therapy of IBD.
Intracranial arteriovenous malformation: time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR angiography with combination of parallel imaging, keyhole acquisition, and k-space sampling techniques at 1.5 T.

PURPOSE To prospectively compare the agreement between digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and time-resolved magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with sensitivity encoding (SENSE) in combination with keyhole acquisition and contrast material-enhanced robust-timing angiography (CENTRA) k-space sampling techniques for the characterization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review board approved the study; informed consent was obtained from all patients (or their parents). Twenty-eight patients (15 male, 13 female; mean age, 38.6 years; age range, 16-61 years) with 29 previously diagnosed, untreated intracranial AVMs who were referred for stereotactic gamma knife radiosurgery were evaluated. Preinterventional imaging included intraarterial DSA and time-resolved MR angiography. The time-resolved MR angiography sequence included SENSE with a 1.5-T imager and was optimized by applying keyhole acquisition and CENTRA techniques. Time-resolved MR angiograms were reviewed by two independent raters and compared with DSA images with regard to arterial feeders, nidus size, and venous drainage. kappa Statistics were applied to determine interobserver and intermodality agreement. RESULTS MR angiography enabled time-resolved (1.7 seconds per volume) visualization of cerebral vessels from axis to vertex at high spatial resolution (true voxel size, 1 x 1 x 2 mm). All 25 nidi detected at intraarterial DSA were visualized at time-resolved MR angiography. Intermodality agreement was excellent for arterial feeders (kappa = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.786, 1.000) and venous drainage (kappa = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.814, 1.000) and was good for nidus size (kappa = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.562, 0.950). CONCLUSION The agreement (good to excellent) between time-resolved MR angiographic and DSA findings suggests that time-resolved MR angiography is a reliable tool for the characterization of intracranial AVMs with respect to arterial feeders, nidus size, and venous drainage.
Portfolios: Portraits of Our Professional Lives

This article aims to explore how occupational therapists might demonstrate their continuing competence to practise in the light of new regulatory requirements. The capacity of therapists to fulfil their obligations depends on a number of factors, including their ability to reflect on practice in a critical way, their commitment to learning and their desire for personal and professional growth. Portfolio development is likely to be the means by which therapists demonstrate their efforts to remain competent. Portfolios will become the canvas on which personal, professional and career initiatives are displayed as evidence of continuing professional development. A review of the literature supports an exploration of these various themes.
Practicing Risk Control in a Socially Disapproved Area: Swedish Socially Integrated Drug Users and Their Perception of Risks

Based on socio-cultural theories of risk and through individual conversational interviews with socially integrated drug users in Stockholm, Sweden, this article examines the informants' perception of drug-related risk and risk management. The analysis further examines these perceptions in relation to core Swedish cultural ideals of conscientiousness. The research shows that the informants have a sophisticated system of controlling their drug use and that this is based on a modified form of core Swedish cultural ideals. The article proposes that this has bearing for prevention policies which often neglect the cultural and social context connected to drug related risks perception and management.
Predictors of outcome in acute traumatic central cord syndrome due to spinal stenosis.

OBJECT the objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between admission demographic data, validated injury severity measures on imaging studies, and clinical indicators on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), manual dexterity, and dysesthetic pain at least 12 months after surgery for acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) due to spinal stenosis. METHODS over a 100-month period (January 2000 to April 2008), of 211 patients treated for ATCCS, 59 cases were due to spinal stenosis, and these patients underwent surgical decompression. Five of these patients died, 2 were lost to follow-up, 10 were not eligible for the study, and the remaining 42 were followed for at least 12 months. RESULTS in the cohort of 42 patients, mean age was 58.3 years, 83% of the patients were men, and 52.4% of the accidents were due to falls. Mean admission ASIA motor score was 63.8 (upper extremities score, 25.8 and lower extremities score, 39.8), the spinal cord was most frequently compressed at skeletal segments C3-4 and C4-5 (71%), mean midsagittal diameter at the point of maximum compression was 5.6 mm, maximum canal compromise (MCC) was 50.5%, maximum spinal cord compression was 16.5%, and length of parenchymal damage on T2-weighted MR imaging was 29.4 mm. Time after injury until surgery was within 24 hours in 9 patients, 24-48 hours in 10 patients, and more than 48 hours in 23 patients. At the 1-year follow-up, the mean ASIA motor score was 94.1 (upper extremities score, 45.7 and lower extremities score, 47.6), FIM was 111.1, manual dexterity was 64.4% of baseline, and pain level was 3.5. Stepwise regression analysis of 10 independent variables indicated significant relationships between ASIA motor score at follow-up and admission ASIA motor score (p = 0.003), MCC (p = 0.02), and midsagittal diameter (p = 0.02); FIM and admission ASIA motor score (p = 0.03), MCC (p = 0.02), and age (p = 0.02); manual dexterity and admission ASIA motor score (p = 0.0002) and length of parenchymal damage on T2-weighted MR imaging (p = 0.002); and pain level and age (p = 0.02) and length of parenchymal lesion on T2-weighted MR imaging (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS the main indicators of long-term ASIA motor score, FIM, manual dexterity, and dysesthetic pain were admission ASIA motor score, midsagittal diameter, MCC, length of parenchymal damage on T2-weighted MR imaging, and age, but different domains of outcome were determined by different predictors.
Does the use of high fidelity human simulation enhance the acquisition of physical assessment skills in first year associate degree nursing students

The purpose of this prospective study will be to determine the effectiveness of high fidelity human simulation (HFHS) on first year associate degree nursing students’ ability to perform basic physical assessment skills. Dependent variables will include the student’s accuracy and efficiency with auscultation of heart sounds, lungs sounds, bowel sounds, and the palpation of peripheral pulses at the patient’s bedside. Consequently, the research will be to examine if a relationship between student clinical performance and the use of HFHS exists.
Completeness theorems for non-cryptographic fault-tolerant distributed computation

Every function of <italic>n</italic> inputs can be efficiently computed by a complete network of <italic>n</italic> processors in such a way that:<list><item>If no faults occur, no set of size <italic>t</italic> < <italic>n</italic>/2 of players gets any additional information (other than the function value), </item><item>Even if Byzantine faults are allowed, no set of size <italic>t</italic> < <italic>n</italic>/3 can either disrupt the computation or get additional information. </item></list> Furthermore, the above bounds on <italic>t</italic> are tight!
Factors affecting utilization of medical diagnostic equipment: A study at a tertiary healthcare setup of Chandigarh

Context: A quality patient diagnosis and clinical management are largely depending upon the availability of reliable medical diagnostic equipment. However, in Indian scenario, the lack of preventive maintenance, nonavailability of technology and spare parts, and nonavailability of required funds for maintenance are mainly responsible for the failure of equipment maintenance, and hence, their proper utilization. Aims: This study was focused to find out the deficiency in the utilization coefficient (UC) of medical diagnostic equipment and the various factors causing the under-utilization of these equipment. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary health care setup at Chandigarh. Approximately, 30 medical diagnostic equipment were studied for their UC and simultaneously a perception based analysis was conducted, where the faculty and staff members concerned with the administrative matters and use of that particular medical diagnostic equipment were concerned. Factors such as low accessibility, obsolescence, break-down, affordability, availability of trained manpower, nonavailability of consumables and spares, maintenance delays, limited working hours, and restricted availability were taken into account. Results: On an average, 23% of these medical diagnostic equipment were not adequately utilized due to one reason or the other. Conclusions: It was concluded that the most crucial factors affecting the utilization of medical diagnostic equipment as per the perception of the respondents were obsolescence, nonavailability of spares, and maintenance delays.
Surfactant protein-D and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase concen- trations in patients with septic acute respiratory distress syndrome

Purpose: Inhibition of surfactant activities by the protein in pulmonary edematous fluid plays a role in the occurrence of respiratory failure in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase may be involved in surfactant-mediated damage. Accordingly, the concentrations of surfactant protein-D (SP-D) and PMN elastase were determined in patients with sepsis, and the associations of these two factors with the occurrence of ARDS and prognosis were examined. Methods: Blood samples from 33 patients with sepsis and with or without ARDS were assayed. The SP-D and PMN elastase levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: SP-D levels in groups with and without ARDS were 493.9 ± 373.3 ng/ml and 91.8 ± 30.1 ng/ml, respectively. The level in the ARDS group was significantly higher than that in the group with
Time course of muscle hypertrophy, strength, and muscle activation with intense eccentric training

Early strength increase with training is normally attributed to neural adaptations but recent evidence suggests that muscle hypertrophy occurs earlier than previously thought. The purpose of this study was to examine the time course of adaptation through 20 days of training and 5 days of detraining. Twenty-two untrained subjects trained one arm every 2nd day for 20 days. Subjects performed isokinetic eccentric biceps training at 90°/s (6 sets of 8 reps). Muscle thickness (reported in cm) via ultrasound, strength (reported in Nm) and muscle activation (electromyography) were measured before, during and after training (9 time points). Muscle thickness increased after 8 days of training (3.66±0.11 to 3.90±0.12; p
Competencias en proceso de enfermería en estudiantes de práctica clínica

Introduction: The nursing process is a method that involves knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and values acquired during training, so it is essential to ensure the achievement of this competition in clinical practice. The aim was to assess the level of compliance and scope of the Nursing Process skills in nursing students. Materials and Methods: Sectional design, with a sample being all the students’ enrolled (73 students) in IV and VI level nursing program in the city of Bucaramanga that rotated through clinical and community areas. Results: In the opinion of the students, the skills of the nursing process were reached between 2.63 % to 100 % and a level of compliance with 2.7 and 4, which according to the scale established are fair to very good. The skill “provides careusingthe nursing process” wascommon amongrotationsin IV leveland were found no differencesin theperceived level ofachievement (p=0.3180ANVOVAtest), but there were also significant differences between the level reached between IV and VI semesters. Discussion: Although there are few studies on the measurement of skills in nursing process for university level education, a large number of scientific publications have made evident the results of the application of this method in clinical practice. Conclusions: Knowing the extent to which nursing skills are being achieved and at what level, makes easy to adjust curricular aspects of the study program.
Influence of Muscle Afferents on Cutaneous and Muscle Vessels in the Dog

In 13 anesthetized dogs with their vagi cut and their carotid sinuses kept at constant pressure, the gracilis artery, cranial tibial artery, and lateral saphenous vein of the left hind limb were isolated and perfused at constant flow. In the right hind limb, muscle afferents were stimulated by electrodes in the thigh muscles. At 5 Hz, aortic blood pressure decreased 45 ± 8 mm Hg; perfusion pressure decreased in the gracilis muscle and the paw (26 ± 6 mm Hg and 26 ± 5 mm Hg, respectively) and increased in the saphenous vein (13 ± 3 mm Hg). These effects were not prevented by paralysis of the stimulated muscles, beta-receptor blockade, or administration of atropine or antihistaminic drugs. At 40 Hz, aortic blood pressure increased 29 ± 8 mm Hg; perfusion pressure increased in the gracilis muscle and the paw (33 ± 5 mm Hg and 33 ± 3 mm Hg, respectively) and decreased in the saphenous vein (20 ± 2 mm Hg). These effects were prevented or reversed by paralysis of the stimulated muscles. Similar effects were obtained by central stimulation of the femoral nerve. Left sympathectomy or alpha-receptor blockade abolished the responses in the isolated vascular beds. Thus, muscle contraction is necessary only to activate the muscle afferents which cause constriction of resistance vessels in muscle and paw and dilation of cutaneous veins.