Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aminated β‐1,3‐d‐glucan improves wound healing in diabetic db/db mice

Delayed wound healing in diabetes is caused by neuropathy, vascular changes, and impaired cellular response to the injury. Macrophages are crucial in normal wound healing, and impaired functions of these cells have been shown in diabetes. β‐1,3‐d‐glucans stimulate macrophage function. This open‐label study was performed to see if aminated β‐1,3‐d‐glucan (AG) stimulates wound healing in diabetes. Four groups (1–4) of diabetic db/db mice and one nondiabetic control group, db/+(5) were studied: group 1 (n=11): topical AG; group 2 (n=10): topical AG and subcutaneous insulin; group 3 (n=14): topical placebo and subcutaneous insulin; group 4 (n=10): diabetic control (placebo); group 5 (n=12): normal control (placebo). At the end of the experiments fasting blood glucose and A1C were (mean ± SE) as follows: Group 1: 30.5 ± 1.9 mmol/L and 11.3 ± 0.6%; group 2: 12.0 ± 1.7 mmol/L and 8.0 ± 0.6%; group 3: 15.4 ± 2.4 mmol/L and 7.4 ± 0.3%; group 4: 32.6 ± 2.6 mmol/L and 12.3 ± 0.6%; group 5: 7.2 ± 0.4 mmol/L and 3.9 ± 0.04%, respectively. The closed wound area was the same in group 1 (AG alone) and group 2 (AG plus insulin) after 17 days, 57.3 ± 4.7 vs. 50.1 ± 4.9% (p=0.7). The results of these two groups were superior to group 3 (insulin treatment alone, 32.0 ± 4.3%, p<0.001) and diabetic controls (38.2 ± 5.1%, p=0.001). The macrophage‐stimulant AG improves wound healing in db/db mice.
New perspectives on the vitamin D binding protein

The serum vitamin D binding protein (DBP), also known as GC‐globulin, is a multifunctional protein known for its role in the transport of vitamin D metabolites. DBP also binds fatty acids and actin monomers, preventing their polymerization that could be detrimental in the circulatory system. DBP may have immune functions independent of its role as a transporter of vitamin D. Because of the abundance of DBP, many aspects of its basic biochemistry were quickly established. Other features of vitamin D action, particularly transcriptional mechanisms of regulation, received greater focus and early interest in DBP centred on its value as a tool for population genetics because of its intriguing genetic variations. Nonetheless, knowledge of DBP mechanisms in physiology was obtained, and functions beyond vitamin D ligand binding were identified. With the recent increased attention regarding the benefits of vitamin D (bone health and immunological regulation), there has been a resurgence of interest in DBP. Because DBP is the primary transporter of vitamin D, it has a role in maintaining the total levels of vitamin D for the organism and in regulating the amounts of free (unbound) vitamin D available for specific tissues and cell types to utilize. This review will describe the findings on the basic biochemistry and molecular biology of DBP, the studies that elucidated its biological functions and highlight these results in light of the current renewed interest in vitamin D and human health, as well as the debate over what constitutes sufficient levels of vitamin D. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wadenkrämpfe (Krampi) - Differenzialdiagnose und Therapie

Calf cramps are defined as abrupt, involuntary and painful contractions of the whole calf musculature, or parts of it. They are visible, can last a few seconds to minutes, and will then subside spontaneously. These cramps can appear sporadically and, in that case, are called common calf cramps. In diseases of the peripheral and the central nervous system they appear to be symptomatic. Furthermore, they occur in illnesses accompanied with metabolic disorders. Then, the cramps are more extensive, more severe and will last longer. Moreover, the cramp-fasciculation-myalgia-syndrome is characterized by paresthesias and other signs of hyperexcitability of peripheral nerves. According to the level of pain, an oral dose of quinine and/or botulinum toxin treatment is suggested. During pregnancy both preparations are contraindicated; therefore, probationary doses of magnesium are advisable.
Sorption of fenamiphos to different soils: The influence of soil properties

Fenamiphos (0-ethyl-0(3-methyl-4-methylthiophenyl)-isopropylamido-phosphate) is a widely used nematicide and insecticide in bowling greens and agriculture, but information on its sorption including its metabolites is limited. Hence, the sorption of fenamiphos (nematicide) and its major degradation products fenamiphos sulfoxide (FSO) and fenamiphos sulfone (FSO2) were determined in thirteen contrasting soils collected from Australia and Ecuador. The sorption coefficients (Kd) exhibited a wide range of variation from 2.48 to 14.94 L/Kg for fenamiphos; from 0 to 7.42 L/Kg for FSO and from 0 to 9.49 L/Kg for FSO2.The sorption affinity of the three compounds for all soils tested was as follows: fenamiphos > fenamiphos sulfone > fenamiphos sulfoxide. The results showed that the sorption of fenamiphos and its metabolites in some soils is very low, and in one case is nonexistant for the metabolites. This is of particular concern as due to its low sorption coefficient, the compound could easily migrate and contaminate water bodies. Fenamiphos and its oxidation products have been reported to be highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates and therefore, the information generated in this study assumes great importance in the risk assessment of fenamiphos and its metabolites in the environment.
Necrotic and apoptotic cells serve as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

A close relationship between cell death and pathological calcification has recently been reported, such as vascular calcification in atherosclerosis. However, the roles of cell death in calcification by osteoblast lineage have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated whether cell death is involved in the calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) under osteogenic culture in vitro. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred in an osteogenic culture of hMSC, and cell death preceded calcification. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, and caspase‐3 activation increased in this culture. A pan‐caspase inhibitor (Z‐VAD‐FMK) and anti‐oxidants (Tiron and n‐acetylcysteine) inhibited osteogenic culture‐induced cell death and calcification. Furthermore, calcification was significantly promoted by the addition of necrotic dead cells or its membrane fraction. Spontaneously dead cells by osteogenic culture and exogenously added necrotic cells were surrounded by calcium deposits. Induction of localized cell death by photodynamic treatment in the osteogenic culture resulted in co‐localized calcification. These findings show that necrotic and apoptotic cell deaths were induced in an osteogenic culture of hMSC and indicated that both necrotic and apoptotic cells of osteoblast lineage served as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of hMSC in vitro. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thyroid hormones differentially regulate phosphorylation of ERK and Akt via integrin αvβ3 receptor in undifferentiated and differentiated PC‐12 cells

The effects of 3,5,3′‐triiodo‐l‐thyronine (T3) and l‐thyroxine (T4) on the integrin αvβ3 receptor of thyroid hormones (TH) were investigated in pheochromocytoma PC‐12 cells. Differentiation was induced by treatment of PC‐12 cells with fisetin and the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt in cytoplasm, as well as the content of FoxO6 transcription factor in nuclei was analysed in undifferentiated and differentiated conditions. We have found that in undifferentiated PC‐12 cells, tetraiodothyroacetic acid (TETRAC), a known inhibitor of binding of T4 and T3 to plasma membrane integrin αvβ3 receptor inhibits T4‐dependent phosphorylation of ERK, whereas in differentiated PC‐12 cells, TETRAC abolishes the effect of T3. In undifferentiated PC‐12 cells, both TH increase the level of p‐Akt, and this enhancement is not sensitive to TETRAC. In differentiated PC‐12 cells, both TH increase the level of p‐Akt; however, only T3‐dependent activation of Akt is sensitive to the TETRAC. Furthermore, our results have shown that in differentiated PC‐12 cells, the expression of FoxO6 was higher than in undifferentiated PC‐12 cells, and this elevation has not changed under the action of TH. Only in undifferentiated PC‐12 cells the T3‐dependent expression of FoxO6 was sensitive to the TETRAC. We propose that PC‐12 cells contain integrin αvβ3 receptor, which T3 and T3/T4 sites are differentially regulated by TH in undifferentiated and differentiated conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward DSM-V: an item response theory analysis of the diagnostic process for DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Item response theory analyses were used to examine alcohol abuse and dependence symptoms and diagnoses in adolescents. Previous research suggests that the DSM-IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms in adolescents may be characterized by a single dimension. The present study extends prior research with a larger and more comprehensive sample and an examination of an alternative diagnostic algorithm for AUDs. METHOD Approximately 5,587 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years from adjudicated, clinical, and community samples were administered structured clinical interviews. Analyses were conducted to examine the severity of alcohol abuse and dependence symptoms and the severity of alcohol use problems (AUDs) within the diagnostic categories created by the DSM-IV. RESULTS Although the DSM-IV diagnostic categories differ in severity of AUDs, there is substantial overlap and inconsistency in AUD severity of persons across these categories. Item Response Theory-based AUD severity estimates suggest that many persons diagnosed with abuse have AUD severity greater than persons with dependence. Similarly, many persons who endorse some symptoms but do not qualify for a diagnosis (i.e., diagnostic orphans) have more severe AUDs than persons with an abuse diagnosis. Additionally, two dependence items, "tolerance" and "larger/longer," show differences in severity between samples. CONCLUSIONS The distinction between DSM-IV abuse and dependence based on severity can be improved using an alternative diagnostic algorithm that considers all of the alcohol abuse and dependence symptoms conjointly.
Relationship of body mass index with 1,600 m running, 50 m swimming, and pull-ups performance in army cadets

Context: While the importance of physical fitness for cadets is well-documented, no study has ever been conducted to investigate if there is an optimal body mass index (BMI) for physical fitness in army cadets. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the association between BMI and physical fitness in cadets. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Male army cadets (n = 196, aged 18-19 years) were examined for weight and height, their BMI was calculated, and they performed three tests: 1,600 m running, 50 m swimming, and pull-ups. Statistical analysis used: Student′s t-test was used to examine differences between normal weight and overweight cadets, while a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined differences between BMI quartiles with regard to physical fitness. Results: BMI was directly related to running (r = 0.30, P < 0.001) and inversely related to pull-ups (r = −0.22, P = 0.002), while there was no significant correlation between BMI and swimming time (r = −0.05, P = 0.517). The comparison between normal weight and overweight (n = 54, 27.6%) participants revealed differences with regard to running (t192= −2.86, P = 0.005) and pull-ups (t194 = 2.41, P = 0.017), but not in swimming (t193 = 0.52, P = 0.605). One-way ANOVA revealed also differences between BMI quartiles with regard to running (F3,190 = 3.91, P = 0.010) and pull-ups (F3,192 = 5.73, P = 0.001), but not for swimming (F3,191 = 0.74, P = 0.528). Conclusions: In summary, the correlation analysis revealed that the higher the BMI, the lower the performance in running and pull-ups. Normal weight performed better in these tests than overweight participants, but BMI did not influence performance in swimming. Our findings confirmed previous observations about the negative effect of overweight on physical fitness. However, since the best performances in running and in pull-ups were achieved by different BMI quartiles, we concluded that the optimal BMI depends on the physical fitness parameter that one is interested in.
Multiresidue analysis of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides in ground beef meat by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method was developed and optimized for the identification/quantification of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and pyrethroids (PYRs) in beef meat samples. Samples extraction was performed by an automated solvent extractor and the extracts were cleaned-up by a tandem-cartridge system consisting of an Extrelut NT3 combined with a Sep-Pack C18 cartridge and a florisil minicartridge. Analysis was finally carried out by gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The performance of the method was investigated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limit (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ). Good linearity was obtained, with correlation coefficients (r2) higher than 0.98. Mean recoveries were found in the ranges 70–110 % and 84–99 % for the investigated OCPs and PYRs, respectively, with the exception of extremely volatile hexachlorobenzene (HCB). RSD% turned out to range from 2 to 15 %. LOQ values were in the range 0.005–0.1 mg/kg for either class of compounds. The method developed was successfully tested on 50 commercial beef meat samples from the market area of Rome (Italy), proving to be a useful tool in routine multiresidue analysis of OCPs and PYRs for monitoring purposes. None of the compounds of interest were observed above their respective LOQ.
Increased intrasubject variability in response time in youths with bipolar disorder and at-risk family members.

OBJECTIVE Deficits in sustained attention may represent an endophenotype for bipolar disorder (BD). One heritable measure of sustained attention is intrasubject variability in response time (ISV-RT). We tested the hypothesis that, compared with controls, both youths with BD and those at familial risk for the disorder would have increased ISV-RT. METHOD Subjects were 28 patients with BD, 26 unaffected youths with a first-degree relative with BD, and 24 control youths without an affected relative, all aged 7 to 17 years. Subjects completed the Flanker Continuous Performance Test. RESULTS Bipolar disorder and at-risk youths had increased ISV-RT, compared with the controls. Differences were independent of comorbid psychopathology in youths with BD and present in psychiatrically healthy at-risk youths. CONCLUSIONS Increased ISV-RT may be a risk marker for BD. Further research is needed to investigate the neural and genetic underpinnings of this deficit, as well as the specificity of the finding to BD.
Six-month persistence of sleep problems in young children with autism, developmental delay, and typical development.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the persistence of sleep problems in preschool children with autism and two matched comparison groups: children with developmental delay without autism and typically developing children. Sleep problems were defined subjectively by parent report, by the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), and objectively by quantitative Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) derived from actigraphic recordings. METHOD Children were studied on three occasions, each separated by a 3-month interval. At each assessment, the children were recorded actigraphically for 1 week, and parents completed sleep-wake diaries and the CSHQ. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios were used to assess the occurrence and stability of sleep problems within children and across groups and to explore how actigraph- and CSHQ-defined sleep problems affect parental sleep problem reports. RESULTS Parent reports of a generic sleep problem were more prevalent than RDC- and CSHQ-defined sleep problems, especially for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. For all groups, objectively measured sleep problems were rarely persistent during the 6-month period. The children in both neurodevelopmental groups, however, had more sleep problems on one or two occasions, using actigraph and the CSHQ, than typically developing children. CONCLUSIONS Objective and subjective measures of sleep problems in preschool-aged children produce different results. In a community sample, the rate of actigraph- and CSHQ-defined sleep problems in children with autism did not differ from rates for typically developing children, although the parent report of a generic sleep problem was significantly greater.
Web-based screening and advice for hazardous drinkers: use of a Spanish site.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS A website for implementing screening and brief intervention on alcohol was launched in Barcelona, Spain, in October 2006. Its aim was to reach hazardous drinkers who probably would not ask for advice. This article describes use of the site, profiles users and discusses limitations concerning screening. DESIGN AND METHODS The website included screening, advice and information. Demographic and self-screening data (typical weekly consumption and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT) were examined. RESULTS In a 12 month period, 12,138 visitors entered the website, 2574 started self-assessment, 1342 completed the table and 724 of these participants completed the AUDIT. These users had a mean age of 27.6 years, one-third of them drank above recommended weekly limits and 84.1% of those who completed the AUDIT (n = 724) scored positive (> or =5); a total of 70.3% of identified at-risk drinkers entered the advice section. Among visitors to the site, risk factors for hazardous drinking were: being male, > or =35 years of age, and drinking heavily at weekends. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The percentage of hazardous drinkers accessing the site was high, and visitors reported that they liked the design, that it was easy to use and that it provided relevant information. Most of those who had sought advice considered it to be helpful. The website seems to be an accessible and useful tool for young people and might be used in youth centres as well as in health-care settings, such as primary care and emergency centres, where it could contribute to health promotion and constitute an easier alternative to screening and brief intervention given by the staff.
Benzodiazepine use among heroin users: baseline use, current use and clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Benzodiazepine use is associated with elevated levels of harm. The current study aimed to ascertain the long-term nature of the relationship between benzodiazepine use and clinical profile among heroin users. DESIGN AND METHODS Longitudinal cohort, with follow-up at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months. Participants were 615 heroin users recruited for the Australian Treatment Outcome Study. RESULTS At baseline, current benzodiazepine users were more likely to be committing crime, had poorer psychological health and poorer physical health. Baseline benzodiazepine use was not associated with the likelihood across follow-up of heroin use (P = 0.44), committing crime (P = 0.17), poorer psychological health (P = 0.31) or poorer physical health (P = 0.48). Current benzodiazepine use was, however, associated with a greater likelihood of concurrent heroin use (OR 2.77), crime (OR 2.04), poorer psychological health (beta = -4.47) and poorer physical health (beta = -2.33). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should be aware that reductions in benzodiazepine use are associated with reductions in harm, and that baseline benzodiazepine status does not equate to poor long-term outcome.
Bioaccessibility of arsenic in various types of rice in an in vitro gastrointestinal fluid system

Rice can be a major contributor to dietary arsenic exposure because of the relatively high total arsenic concentration compared to other grains, especially for people whose main staple is rice. This study employed in vitro gastrointestinal fluid digestion to determine bioaccessible or gastrointestinal fluid extractable arsenic concentration in rice. Thirty-one rice samples, of which 60 % were grown in the United States, were purchased from food stores in New York City. Total arsenic concentrations in these samples ranged from 0.090 ± 0.004 to 0.85 ± 0.03 mg/kg with a mean value of 0.275 ± 0.161 mg/kg (n = 31). Rice samples with relatively high total arsenic (>0.20 mg/kg, n = 18) were treated by in vitro artificial gastrointestinal fluid digestion, and the extractable arsenic ranged from 53 % to 102 %. The bioaccessibility of arsenic in rice decreases in the general order of extra long grain, long grain, long grain parboiled, to brown rices.
Changes in Cerebral Function Associated with Oral Pain Caused by Dentures

Objective measurement of pain may be useful for dental diagnosis and therapy. The purpose of this study is to measure reactions to pain in the cerebral cortex during dental treatment using NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy), and to assess potential applications of this measuring system in the field of dentistry. Oxygen exchange in the cerebral cortex (oxygenated Hb, deoxygenated Hb and total Hb) was measured to indicate brain function, with and without pain. Also, measured data were mapped using a COE (Cerebral functional mapping of Oxygen Exchange) system. We obtained the following results: (1) reactions in the cerebral cortex apparently related to dental pain were measured, (2) these reactions varied associated with the degree of pain, (3) these measurement responses were quick and reactions could be shown within a few seconds during an event, and (4) the reactions also disappeared quickly after the pain disappeared. The results of this research indicated that this measuring system of brain function has a high potential for use in dentistry.
Introducing nurse prescribing in a memory clinic

Nurse prescribing has become increasingly important in allowing nurses to assume more proactive roles in ways designed to promote better self-care and concordance with medications by service users. At the moment, there is little evidence of how this can be accomplished in work with older people with cognitive impairments. In this article we consider the experiences of service users and family carers, based on a small-scale qualitative research study carried out during the early stages of implementing nurse prescribing from a memory clinic in Doncaster, UK. We conclude by reviewing the lessons learned from this formative evaluation.
Policy, Community and Kin: Interventions That Support Rural Healthy Aging

This study examines the interventions that enable rural seniors to remain within their homes and communities as they age. Through semi-structured interviews with 40 rural seniors, the findings reveal a number of actions that facilitate rural aging. This study has important implications for a range of stakeholders from policy makers to community leaders by identifying policy, community, and kin-level interventions that support rural healthy aging in place. In identifying interventions that support rural seniors’ needs, this study provides a fundamental basis to better allocate resources, plan programs, and develop policies that reflect the needs of an aging population.