Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Early Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: An Overview

Diabetes has emerged as a major public health problem in India. It is estimated that there were 40 million persons with diabetes in India in 2007 and this number is predicted to rise to almost 70 million by 2025. The impact of rapid urbanization, industrialization and lifestyle changes has led to an increasing trend in prevalence of diabetes and its associated complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, vascular diseases (cardiac, cerebral and peripheral) and retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a important cause of avoidable blindness in India. Treatment interventions at early stages of diabetic retinopathy can reduce burden of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. With the available cost-effective methods of early screening, appropriate strategies/models need to be developed. Such models need to have a well-developed mode for screening, diagnosis and referral at each hierarchal level beginning from primary health centers to specialized institutes for eye care. The National Program for Control of Blindness of India recommends opportunistic screening for identification of diabetic retinopathy. Every opportunity of contact with high-risk cases for diabetes and/or diabetic retinopathy should be utilized for screening, diagnosis and referral. All the stakeholders including the private sector will need to play a role. Along with this, awareness generation and behavior change amongst the diabetics and care support systems should also be part of the overall model. A major role can be played by community participation and improving the health seeking behavior among diabetics in order to reach a larger population and increasing the compliance for continued care.
Lifestyle and Gallstone Disease: Scope for Primary Prevention

Objective: To study the antecedent risk factors in the causation of gallstone disease in a hospital-based case control study. Materials and Methods: Cases (n = 150) from all age groups and both sexes with sonographically proven gallstones were recruited over a duration of 3 months from the surgical wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Modes of presentation were also noted among cases. Age- and sex-matched controls (n = 150) were chosen from among ward inmates admitted for other reasons. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for selected sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle-related variables. Results: Females had a higher prevalence of gallstone disease than males (P < 0.01). Among males, the geriatric age group (<60 years) was relatively more susceptible (28%). Prepubertal age group was least afflicted (3.3%). Univariate analysis revealed multiparity, high fat, refined sugar, and low fiber intakes to be significantly associated with gallstones. Sedentary habits, recent stress, and hypertension were also among the significant lifestyle-related factors. High body mass index and waist hip ratios, again representing unhealthy lifestyles, were the significant anthropometric covariates. However, only three of these, viz., physical inactivity, high saturated fats, and high waist hip ratio emerged as significant predictors on stepwise logistic regression analysis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Gallstone disease is frequent among females and elderly males. Significant predictor variables are abdominal adiposity, inadequate physical activity, and high intake of saturated fats; thus representing high risk lifestyles and yet amenable to primary prevention.
Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in dogs from the coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

ABSTRACT. - Da Silva R.C. , Lima V.Y. , Tanaka E.M. , Da Silva A.V. , Souza L.C. & LangoniH. 2010. Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in dogsfrom the coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(2):161-166 . Departamento de Higiene Veterinaria e Saude Publica, Faculdade de MedicinaVeterinaria e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubiao Junior s/n,Botucatu, SP 18618-000, Brazil. E-mail: silva_rcd@yahoo.com. brToxoplasmosis is caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasmagondii and affects warm-blooded vertebrates, including pets and man. Dogs are epidemio-logically important since they act as sentinels for the infection in humans. The presentstudy aimed to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in 205 serum samplesfrom dogs in Ubatuba, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, through indirect immunofluorescencereaction (IFAT), as well as the risk factors related to toxoplasmosis in the animals suchas breed, age, sex, access to outdoors, homemade food ingestion, access to untreatedwater, and contact with rodents. Toxoplasmosis-positive samples accounted for 52/205(25.4%), with titers ranging from 16 to 256. The serological results presented significantassociation (
Efficacy of communication amongst staff members at plastic and reconstructive surgery section using smartphone and mobile WhatsApp

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of smartphone and its WhatsApp application as a communication method amongst the staff of plastic and reconstructive surgery section at tertiary care health facility. Materials and Methods: From January 2012 onwards, the authors used smartphones and its WhatsApp application as a communication method amongst their team for various aspects of patient management and as a tool for academic endorsements. Results: During the period of this study, there were 116 episodes regarding patient management, which were handled, in a timely fashion by using this application. In addition opinion of rotating residents in the section was sought regarding the efficacy of this method of communication. Overall majority of residents were satisfied with this mode of communication. Conclusions: This new method of communication is an effective method for clinical and academic endorsements. The method is cheap and quick and easy to operate.
Impacto em cuidadores de idosos com demência atendidos em um serviço psicogeriátrico

OBJETIVO: O numero de idosos com demencia no Brasil esta crescendo rapidamente, e ha carencia de dados empiricos sobre o impacto em cuidadores informais. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o impacto sobre cuidadores informais de pacientes com sindrome demencial. METODOS: Estudo de corte transversal foi conduzido em um servico psicogeriatrico da cidade de Sao Paulo, Brasil. Entrevistas estruturadas e semi-estruturadas foram aplicadas em 49 idosos com demencia e em seus cuidadores informais. O impacto em cuidadores foi avaliado com a Zarit Burden Interview. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes eram em sua maioria do sexo feminino, apresentavam escore medio no mini exame do estado mental de 12,2 e alta frequencia de transtornos de comportamento. Os cuidadores eram predominantemente mulheres, filhas ou esposas, e co-residiam com seus pacientes. A media de impacto foi de 32,4 (dp: 16,7). As variaveis estatisticamente associadas a niveis de impacto foram o grau de parentesco do cuidador com o paciente (p=0,011), sintomas psiquiatricos do cuidador (p<0,001) e tempo em que o cuidador exercia o papel de cuidar (p=0,001). CONCLUSOES: Observou-se alta media de impacto em cuidadores de idosos, com demencia, que necessitam de atendimento psicogeriatrico. E necessario que os profissionais de saude estejam aptos a prover suporte adequado a esses cuidadores, com o objetivo de minimizar problemas tanto para pacientes, quanto para cuidadores.
Combinatorial cytotoxic effects of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale on the PC-3M prostate cancer cell line

Abstract Background: Many plant-derived products exhibit potent chemopreventive activity against animal tumor models as well as rodent and human cancer cell lines. They have low side effects and toxicity and presumably modulate the factors that are critical for cell proliferation, differentiation, senescence and apoptosis. The present study investigates the effects of some medicinal plant extracts from generally recognized as safe plants that may be useful in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Methods: Clonogenic assays using logarithmically-growing cells were performed to test the effect. The cytotoxic effects of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale were studied using sulforhodamine B assay, tetrazolium dye assay, colony morphology and microscopic analysis. Results: Out of the 13 lyophilized plant-derived extracts evaluated for growth-inhibitory effects on the PC-3M prostate cancer cell line, two extracts derived from C. longa and Z. officinale showed significant inhibitory effects on colony-forming ability. The individual and augmentative effects of these two extracts were tested for their narrow range effective lower concentration on PC-3M in clonogenic assays. At relatively lower concentrations, C. longa showed significant inhibition of colony formation in clonogenic assays; whereas at same concentrations Z. officinale showed only moderate inhibitory effects. However, when both the agents were tested together at the same concentrations, the combined effects were much more significant than their individual ones. On normal prostate epithelial cells both C. longa and Z. officinale had similar effects but at a lower magnitude. These observations were confirmed by several cytotoxicity assays involving the morphological appearance of the colonies, microscopic observations, per cent inhibition in comparison to control by sulforhodamine B and tetrazolium dye assay. Conclusions: From these observations, it was concluded that the combined effects of C. longa and Z. officinale are much greater than their individual effects, suggesting the role of multiple components and their synergistic mode of actions to elicit stronger beneficial effects.
Toxicological evaluations of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves in liver and kidney of male Wistar rats

Abstract Background: This study was conducted to investigate toxicological effects associated with prolonged consumption of Moringa oleifera leaves as a beverage. Methods: Thirty rats were used in this study. They were grouped into five groups of six rats. Rats in group I received 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.) of corn oil (vehicle). Animals in groups II, III, IV and V received 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of M. oleifera (MEMO) for 8 weeks. Serum collected was analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum total protein and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. Rats that received MEMO at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine which pointed to hepatic and kidney damage. All experimental animals that received MEMO had a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: This study therefore confirms for the first time that chronic administration of M. oleifera leaves might predispose to hepatic and kidney damage.
Jobelyn® pretreatment ameliorates symptoms of psychosis in experimental models

Abstract Background: Psychosis is a chronic neurological disorder and it remains a major medical and social problem in most African countries. Individuals with psychotic illness in this region tend to seek help from traditional medical practitioners, who prescribe herbal remedies as alternative forms of treatment for the disease. Jobelyn® (JB) is a commercial polyherbal formulation that has been acclaimed to show beneficial effects in neurological disorders. However, its usefulness in psychosis has not been scientifically validated. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate its effects on animal models predictive of human psychosis. Methods: Antipsychotic activity of JB was assessed based on the inhibition of stereotyped behavior induced by amphetamine or apomorphine in mice. Amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and lethality in aggregated mice were additional tests employed to further evaluate the antipsychotic property of JB. The effect of JB on catalepsy was also assessed, using the inclined plane paradigm. Results: JB (5–50 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited stereotypy induced by amphetamine (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or apomorphine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), which suggests antipsychotic activity. Furthermore, JB (5–50 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced lethality in aggregated mice and inhibited hyperactivity induced by amphetamine, respectively. However, JB (5–50 mg/kg, p.o.) did not cause cataleptic behavior, as it failed to alter the duration of stay of the animals on the inclined plane. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that JB exhibits antipsychotic-like activity, devoid of the adverse effect of cataleptic behavior, and may offer some beneficial effects in the symptomatic relief of psychotic ailments.
Minor Influence of Lifelong Voluntary Exercise on Composition, Structure, and Incidence of Osteoarthritis in Tibial Articular Cartilage of Mice Compared with Major Effects Caused by Growth, Maturation, and Aging

We investigated the effects of lifelong voluntary exercise on articular cartilage of mice. At the age of 4 weeks C57BL mice (n = 152) were divided into two groups, with one group serving as a sedentary control whereas the other was allowed free access to a running wheel from the age of 1 month onward. Mice were euthanized at four different time points (1, 2, 6, and 18 months of age). Articular cartilage samples were gathered from the load-bearing area of the tibial medial plateaus, and osteoarthritis was graded. Additionally, the proteoglycan content distribution was assessed using digital densitometry, collagen fibril orientation, and parallelism with polarized light microscopy, and collagen content using Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy. The incidence of osteoarthritis increased with aging, but exercise had no effect on this trend. Furthermore, the structure and composition revealed significant growth, maturation, and age-dependent properties. Exercise exerted a minor effect on collagen fibril orientation in the superficial zone. Fibril orientation at 2 months of age was more perpendicular to surface (p < 0.05) in controls compared with runners, whereas the situation was reversed at the age of 18 months (p < 0.05). The collagen content of the superficial zone was higher (p < 0.01) at the age of 18 months in controls compared with runners but the proteoglycan content did not display any exercise-dependent changes. In conclusion, growth, maturation, and aging exerted a clear effect on integrity, structure, and composition of medial tibial plateau articular cartilage in mice, whereas lifelong voluntary exercise had only a minor effect on collagen architecture and content.
Quantitative Determination of Morphological and Territorial Structures of Articular Cartilage from Both Perpendicular and Parallel Sections by Polarized Light Microscopy

In order to investigate the three-dimensional structure of the collagen fibrils in articular cartilage, full-thickness canine humeral cartilage was microtomed into perpendicular sections that included both the articular surface and the subchondral bone and approximately 100 successive parallel sections that were each 6 μm thick and from a different cartilage depth. Each section was imaged using polarized light microscopy with a 5× objective (2.0 μm pixel size), generating two quantitative images (angle and retardation). Selected sections were also imaged using a 40× objective (0.25 μm pixel size). At an increased depth from the articular surface, the angle and retardation results in the perpendicular sections showed the well-known 90° change in fibril orientation between the surface and the deep cartilage. In contrast, the retardation results of the parallel sections decreased from the articular surface and remained approximately 0 through most of the radial zones, while the angle results of the parallel sections only changed about 30°. The territorial matrix morphology surrounding 61 chondrocyte clusters was quantified by its length, aspect ratio, and orientation. The cellular clusters in the surface cartilage were ellipsoidal in both parallel and perpendicular sections. In the radial zone, the cellular clusters were oriented in vertical columns in the perpendicular sections and as circular groupings in the parallel sections. This orthogonal imaging technique could provide a better understanding of the three-dimensional territorial and interterritorial fibrils in articular cartilage, the disturbance of which could signify the onset of degenerative cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis.
A mechanism-based pharmacological evaluation of efficacy of Flacourtia indica in management of dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract Background: Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. is a medicinal plant indigenous to India and is broadly used worldwide for the treatment of a variety of health ailments. The present study was experimented on hyperlipidemic Charles Foster rats with the aim to explore the possible mechanism responsible for the antidyslipidemic activity of the hydromethanolic extract from F. indica leaves (FIL). Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of Triton WR-1339 in Charles Foster rats. The plasma lipid levels were estimated in control and treated groups. The antioxidant potential of F. indica was assessed in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. An acute toxicity study of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fingerprinted extract was carried out in Swiss albino mice. Results: The F. indica extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg significantly lowers the plasma level of total cholesterol (17%), triglycerides (13%), and phospholipids (16%) by increasing post-heparin lipolytic activity (19%) and lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity (20%) in Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. In addition, the F. indica extract showed significant in vitro antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activity. HPLC analysis indicates the presence of flavanones and flavones in the extract, and the extract was found to be non-toxic up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in the acute oral toxicity study. Conclusions: These finding suggest that F. indica holds significant potential in preventing clinical deterioration induced by dyslipidemia along with oxidative stress.
Disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: validation of the Slovene version of the Oswestry Disability Index

Disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: validation of the Slovene version of the Oswestry Disability Index Aim: To validate the Slovene version of the Oswestry Disability Index. Method: A case series study of 129 adult patients with non-specific chronic low back pain attending a 10-day physical therapy programme. Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), Euroqol questionnaire (EQq), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used at the beginning and at the end of the physical therapy programme. Results: Cronbach's a of the Slovene ODI was 0.876 at the beginning of the physical therapy programme and 0.901 at the end of the programme. All items of the questionnaire loaded on the same factor. A significant positive correlation existed between the Slovene ODI and VAS, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS at the beginning of the physical therapy programme (r=0.630, p<0.001; r=0.657, p<0.001; r=-0.510, p<0.001, respectively), as well as at the end of the programme (r=0.491, p<0.001; r=0.725, p<0.001; r=-0.648, p<0.001, respectively). The difference between ODI scores obtained at the first and at the second interview was 2.7 ± 5.2 (p<0.001), and the difference between ODI disability scores was 5.4 ± 10.5 (p<0.001). The effect size of the Slovene ODI questionnaire was 0.30. Conclusions: The Slovene ODI questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing outcomes of physical therapy in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Oviranost Bolnikov s Kronično Enostavno Bolečino v Križu: Ovrednotenje Slovenske Različice Vprašalnika Oswestry Disability Index Namen: Z raziskavo smo želeli ovrednotiti slovensko različico vprašalnika Oswestry Disability Index. Metode: Izvedli smo raziskavo na 129 odraslih bolnikih s kronično enostavno bolečino v križu, ki so se udeležili 10-dnevne ambulantne fizioterapije. Prvi in zadnji dan fizioterapije so izpolnili bolečinsko lestvico VAS, vprašalnik EuroQol (EQ) in vprašalnik Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Rezultati: Cronbachov koeficient α pri slovenski različici ODI na začetku fizioterapije je znašal 0,876, na koncu pa 0,901. Vsa vprašanja vprašalnika so tvorila en sam faktor. Korelacija med ODI in VAS, EQ-5D ter EQ-VAS na začetku fizioterapije je bila statistično značilna: r=0,630, p<0,001; r=0,657, p<0,001; r=-0,510, p<0,001. Korelacija med ODI in VAS, EQ-5D in EQ-VAS na koncu fizioterapije je bila prav tako statistično značilna: r=0,491, p<0,001; r=0,725, p<0,001; r=-0,648, p<0,001. Razlika med seštevkom točk na vprašalniku ODI na začetku in na koncu fizioterapije je bila 2,7 ± 5,2 točk (p<0,001); med točkami, ki označujejo oviranost na vprašalniku ODI, pa 5,4 ± 10,5 točk (p<0,001). Ocena učinka slovenske različice vprašalnika ODI je bila 0,30. Sklepi: Slovenska različica vprašalnika ODI je zanesljivo in veljavno orodje za ugotavljanje učinka fizioterapije pri bolnikih s kronično enostavno bolečino v križu.
A mechanical refractory period of chondrocytes after dynamic hydrostatic pressure

Abstract Purpose: Mechanical stimulation, a crucial factor for maintaining the cartilaginous phenotype and promoting the chondrogenesis, has been widely used in autologous chondrocyte transplantation. This study was designed to investigate a novel concept of mechanical refractory period of chondrocytes after dynamic hydrostatic pressure (dHP). Materials and methods: dHP protocols (0.1 Hz, 2 MPa) were applied. The variation in type II collagen (Col II) expression induced by each dHP unit was measured. The dynamic remodeling of F-actin during the mechanical protocols was observed morphologically and mechanically by laser confocal microscopy and optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC), respectively. About 20 ng/ml VEGF was used to stabilize the F-actin and restrain the mechanical refractory period. Results: Compared with the remarkable increase of Col II (16-fold) induced by the initial dHP unit, the chondrocytes entered a mechanical refractory period and the second unit hardly elevated Col II expression (only 2.9-fold). This refractory period recovered partially within 2 h. The uniform, parallel, and coarse fibers of F-actin before dHP became thin, sparse, and disordered, and the cell stiffness decreased concomitantly. The variations in both the morphology and the mechanical property of F-actin were highly synchronous to the mechanical refractory period and recovered in a time-dependent manner. VEGF postponed the appearance of this refractory period and maintained the high expression of Col II by VEGF/p38/MAPKAPK-2/LIMK/cofilin pathway. Conclusion: A mechanical refractory period of chondrocytes has been discovered and defined in this study. The F-actin depolymerization is the putative mechanism, and this refractory period can be postponed by VEGF-induced F-actin stabilization.