Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal stability of high concentration lysozyme across varying pH: A Fourier Transform Infrared study

AIM: The current work is aimed at understanding the effect of pH on the thermal stability of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) at high concentration (200 mg/mL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy with modified hardware and software to overcome some of the traditional challenges like water subtraction, sample evaporation, proper purging etc., are used in this study. RESULTS: HEWL was subjected to thermal stress at pH 3.0-7.0 between 25°C and 95°C and monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. Calculated Tm values showed that the enzyme exhibited maximum thermal stability at pH 5.0. Second derivative plots constructed in the amide I region suggested that at pH 5.0 the enzyme possessed higher amount of α-helix and lower amount of aggregates, when compared to other pHs. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the fact that HEWL has attractive applications in various industries and being processed under different experimental conditions including high temperatures, our work is able to reveal the reason behind the pH dependent thermal stability of HEWL at high concentration, when subjected to heat denaturation. In future, studies should aim at using various excipients that may help to increase the stability and activity of the enzyme at this high concentration.
Association of C-reactive protein with surrogate measures of insulin resistance among nondiabetic US from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002.

BACKGROUND Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with increased rates of adverse cardiovascular events. We sought to examine the relationship of CRP with surrogate measures of IR among nondiabetic adults in the US. METHODS We conducted analyses using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 2514 men and nonpregnant women age > or = 20 years who were non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, or Mexican American. RESULTS After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, and serum concentrations of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride, CRP was significantly associated with 10 IR measures (all P values <0.01). The strength of the association attenuated after further adjustment for waist circumference (change in adjusted regression coefficients ranging from 60.0% to 75.1%). The association of CRP with each IR surrogate was similar (standardized regression coefficient ranges from 0.06 to 0.09). The association of CRP (>3 vs <1 mg/L) with the homeostasis model for assessment of IR (> or = 75th vs <75th percentile) was statistically significant among people with a body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2) (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1) or with a body mass index <25 kg/m(2) (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.5-4.2). CONCLUSIONS CRP was significantly associated with the surrogate measures of IR among nondiabetic adults. Obesity may play an important role in the association of CRP with IR in this nationally representative sample.
Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: First Report from Central Africa

Background: Information on presentation and outcome of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is limited from Africa. The demographic characteristics, distribution of different subtypes were noted and compared with published reports from other parts of the world. Methods: The study was conducted in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo between January 2002 and December 2012. Results: A total of 63 cases of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. This cohort represents the largest series of pediatric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented from sub-Saharan Africa. Median age was 8.7±3.6 years. There were 43 (68.3%) males. A mean of 82 ± 59 days passed from detection of the first sign to referral to oncology unit. Morphology distribution showed that 42 cases (66.7%) had a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma, 16 cases (25.4%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 5 cases (7.9%) had NHL-not otherwise specified. The majority of patients (82.5%) had advanced stage (stage III and IV). Immunohistochemistry findings were available for 32 biopsy samples. All (100%) cases were B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and immunohistochemistry had identified 18 (56.3%) cases of Burkitt lymphoma. In our cohort, 22 of 32 cases expressed positive bcl-2 and 12 (37.5%) were found to be positive for bcl-6. Thirty-one (96.7%) cases were positive for high Ki-67 antigen expression. Assuming that cases lost to follow-up worsened and died, the mortality would be 98.4%. Conclusion: In comparison to western data, we observed higher proportion of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Burkitt Lymphoma and patients with bcl-2 expression.
In silico designing and molecular docking of a potent analog against Staphylococcus aureus porphobilinogen synthase

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, there is an urgent need for the development of new antimicrobials which are narrow and pathogen specific. Aim: In this context, the present study is aimed to have a control on the staphylococcal infections by targeting the unique and essential enzyme; porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS) catalyzes the condensation of two molecules of δ-aminolevulinic acid, an essential step in the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. Hence developing therapeutics targeting PBGS will be the promising choice to control and manage the staphylococcal infections. 4,5-dioxovalerate (DV) is known to inhibit PBGS. Materials and Methods: In view of this, in this study, novel dioxovalerate derivatives (DVDs) molecules were designed so as to inhibit PBGS, a potential target of S. aureus and their inhibitory activity was predicted using molecular docking studies by molecular operating environment. The 3D model of PBGS was constructed using Chlorobium vibrioform (Protein Data Bank 1W1Z) as a template by homology modeling method. Results: The built structure was close to the crystal structure with Z score − 8.97. Molecular docking of DVDs into the S. aureus PBGS active site revealed that they are showing strong interaction forming H-bonds with the active sites of K248 and R217. The ligand–receptor complex of DVD13 showed a best docking score of − 14.4555 kcal/mol among DV and all its analogs while the substrate showed docking score of − 13.0392 kcal/mol showing interactions with S199, K217 indicating that DVD13 can influence structural variations on the enzyme and thereby inhibiting the enzyme. Conclusion: The substrate analog DVD13 is showing significant interactions with active site of PBGS and it may be used as a potent inhibitor to control S. aureus infections.
Psoriatic arthritis: current therapy and future directions

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) once regarded as an auto-inflammatory arthritis that involves the skin is proving to be more complex with a different driver of disease process compared to rheumatoid arthritis. As growing differences emerge between PsA and rheumatoid arthritis so have the experiences and responses to therapeutics used in both disease processes. Areas covered: This review highlights articles of interest in the past 10 years in the OVID and PubMed database and focuses on major concepts regarding current disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in PsA as well as newer target agents. Expert opinion: Presently, it is agreed upon that use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) has greatly changed our ability to manage varying aspects of disease in PsA. However, there remain many unanswered questions in which research in PsA is mirroring RA work, these include: i) the need for outcome measures that are more specific to PsA, ii) the concept of early and treat to target, iii) the role of highly sensitive imaging, and iv) efficacy of combination therapy and further targets in those unable to tolerate or fail TNFi.
Quantification and phenotype of regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis according to Disease Activity Score-28

Here we studied and characterized different peripheral blood (PB) regulatory T cell (Treg) subsets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and tested the hypothesis that changes in these cells can be linked to the degree of inflammation and relapsing/remission periods. PB cells were examined from RA subjects (n = 60) with different disease activity score-28 (DAS28) and from healthy controls (n = 40). Frequencies of Treg subsets expressing characteristic membrane antigens, FoxP3 or intracellular cytokines were quantified by flow cytometry. We observed a decrease in the percentages of CD4+CD25high, CD4+CD25int, CD4+CD25int/highFoxP3+, CD4+CD38+, CD4+CD62L+, CD8+CD25highCD45RA+ and CD8+CD25intCD45RA+ T cells in PB of RA patients compared to healthy controls. In addition, we found increased percentages of cells expressing membrane/intracellular regulatory antigens such as OX40 (CD134), CD45RBlow or CTLA-4 (CD152), and a higher proportion of other T cell subsets including CD4+CTLA-4+, CD4+IL10+, CD4+CD25intIL10+, CD4+CD25int TGFβ+, CD4+CD25low TGFβ+ and CD8+CD28− . We show that most of these changes parallel the intensity of inflammation, with lowest or highest values in patients with moderately/very active disease compared to healthy controls and at times to patients with inactive RA. The balance between these cell subsets and their antigen expression would determine the inflammation levels and could thus be linked to the relapsing/remission periods of the disease.
Prevention of blood transfusions in oncologic surgery

The central theme of the studies presented in this dissertation is: prevention of blood transfusions in oncologic surgery and the consequences of such therapy. The first 3 Chapters of this dissertation, are an introduction to the two experimental parts. Chapter 1 summarizes the risks associated with blood transfusions, with emphasis on their immune-suppressive action and Chapter 2 discusses the process of erythropoiesis after acute blood loss. The purpose and design of the two clinical studies is expounded in Chapter 3. In the "Autologous Blood Transfusion Trial", patients were randomized for autologous or allogeneic blood transfusion therapy during surgery. The patients randomized for autologous blood transfusions donated 2 units of blood, 14 and 10 days before surgery. In the "EPO trial" patients were randomized for perioperative treatment with recombinant Human Erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) or no treatment. In vitro immunologic studies were conducted in both patients groups, in patients with a metastazised carcinoma and in healthy blood donors. The results are of these immunologic studies are given in the first experimental part (Chapters 4-6), which deal with the effect of cancer, blood donation, surgery and blood transfusion upon the immune system and upon tumor growth. In the second experimental part (Chapter 7-10) the results of two techniques to prevent blood transfusions in cancer patients are discussed: 1) pre-operative autologous blood donation, and 2) treatment with r-HuEpo.
Surgeon-Delivered Sedation for Outpatient Cosmetic Surgery

Introduction: Sedation is a valuable anesthetic technique used in settings ranging from hospitals to physicians' offices. This article describes more than 200 sedations given under the direct supervision of the operating surgeon. The main objectives are to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this technique and to determine whether individualized sedation results in significant differences in medications given. In addition, pre-sedation evaluation, paying particular attention to upper airway assessment, is discussed. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed on 150 patient records from a private cosmetic surgery practice. Results: For the period studied, 218 surgeon-supervised sedations provided adequate and safe anesthesia for outpatient facial and body cosmetic surgical procedures. Breast surgeries required significantly higher doses of ketamine and propofol compared with the other procedures. The lowest amounts of ketamine and propofol were used during facial surgeries. Conclusions: In select patients, surgeon-supervised sedations are safe and effective for outpatient cosmetic surgical procedures. Less intense sedation is required for facial surgeries than for other procedures. A pre-sedation evaluation, paying particular attention to upper airway assessment, should be completed by the surgeon.
Ulcerative proctitis: an update on the pharmacotherapy and management

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) presents as proctitis in approximately a quarter of the patients. It may progress into left-sided or extensive colitis in up to 50% of cases upon long-term follow-up. Areas covered: Currently available data on ulcerative proctitis are summarized and critically reviewed. Extensive literature search (MEDLINE) was performed to identify relevant articles up to March 2014. Expert opinion: The short-term goal of the treatment in UC is to induce remission, whereas long-term goals are to maintain remission and prevent disease progression. Topically administered 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) and corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of proctitis, although they seem to be underused in everyday practice. Locally administered 5-ASA preparations are more effective than oral compounds. The combination of topical and oral 5-ASA and steroids should be considered for escalation of treatment. Refractory patients should be re-evaluated to exclude for compliance failures, infections or proximal disease extent. True refractory or steroid-dependent patients may require immunomodulators or biological therapy. Alternative medicine can be used complementarily, while experimental approaches are reserved for patients failing conventional medication. Proctocolectomy may be the last resort of treatment. Upon long-term, 5-ASA maintenance treatment is indicated in all UC cases to prevent relapse and disease progression.
Efetividade da reabilitação pulmonar como tratamento coadjuvante da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

3Introducao: O paciente portador de DPOC diminui sua atividade fisica global devido a piora progressiva da funcao pulmonar como consequencia de qualquer forma de esforco fisico por ele realizado. A reabilitacao pulmonar (RP) e utilizada nos EUA e Europa como alternativa terapeutica no tratamento da DPOC. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade do programa de RP como tratamento coadjuvante da DPOC. Pacientes e metodos: 30 pacientes prospectivamente submetidos ao programa de RP desenvolvido em seis semanas com frequencia semanal de tres sessoes. A avaliacao compos-se da historia clinica e exame fisico completos, do teste de caminhada de seis minutos, do teste de carga maxima sustentada pelos MMSS, do teste de potencia maxima de MMII, do questionario de percepcao de esforco fisico e espirometria e gasometria. Resultados: No que se refere as variaveis espirometricas e gasometricas pre e pos-programa de RP, nao houve alteracoes estatisticamente significativas (p > 0,05). Observaram-se diferencas estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) nos periodos pre e pos-programa de RP em relacao a diminuicao da percepcao do esforco fisico e aumento da capacidade fisica funcional, do teste de carga maxima para MMSS e testes incrementais de MMII. Conclusoes: Para o grupo estudado, os autores concluem que o programa de RP aumentou a sua capacidade fisica, carga maxima sustentada pelos MMSS e nao alterou as variaveis espirometricas e gasometricas. (J Pneumol 2002;28(2):65-70) The effectiveness of the pulmonary rehabilitation program as an ancillary treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
National level promotion of physical activity: results from England's ACTIVE for LIFE campaign

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a national campaign on awareness of the campaign, change in knowledge of physical activity recommendations and self reported physical activity. DESIGN three year prospective longitudinal survey using a multi-stage, cluster random probability design to select participants. SETTING England. PARTICIPANTS A nationally representative sample of 3189 adults aged 16–74 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Awareness of the advertising element of the campaign, changes in knowledge of physical activity recommendations for health and self reported physical activity. RESULTS 38% of participants were aware of the main advertising images, assessed six to eight months after the main television advertisement. The proportion of participants knowledgeable about moderate physical activity recommendations increased by 3.0% (95% CI: 1.4%, 4.5%) between waves 1 and 2 and 3.7% (95% CI: 2.1%, 5.3%) between waves 1 and 3. The change in proportion of active people between baseline and waves 1 and 2 was −0.02 (95% CI: −2.0 to +1.7) and between waves 1 and 3 was −9.8 (−7.9 to −11.7). CONCLUSION The proportion of participants who were knowledgeable about the new recommendations, increased significantly after the campaign. There was however, no significant difference in knowledge by awareness of the main campaign advertisement. There is no evidence thatACTIVE for LIFE improved physical activity, either overall or in any subgroup.
Patients with unstable angina pectoris show an increased frequency of the Fc gamma RIIa R131 allele

Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) carry an increased risk for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The R131 allele of the Fc gamma receptor IIa (FcγRIIa) is associated with SLE incidence and disease severity but also with CAD. Compared to stable angina pectoris (SAP) the unstable angina (UAP), as a manifestation of destabilizing CAD, is associated with increased risk of persistent instability, myocardial infarction, and death. Identification of clinically relevant determinants for unstable angina promises reduction of UAP-associated mortality in patients with SLE. We conducted a clinical study among 553 consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris (n = 330) and unstable angina pectoris (n = 223). All patients were genotyped for a frequent functional variant at position 131 of the mature FcγRIIa. UAP, but not SAP was significantly associated with the R/R131 genotype (P < 0.001). In troponin-negative patients with angina carrying the R/R131 genotype the odds ratio for suffering from UAP was 4.02 (95% confidence interval, 2.52–6.41) compared to those with non-R/R131 genotypes. In a multivariable analysis, the R/R131 genotype independently predicted the risk for development of UAP in a model adjusted for classical atherogenic risk factors. Our data imply that risk stratification of SLE- and other high risk patients with troponin-negative angina could be significantly improved by FcγRIIa genotyping.
Treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiovascular patients

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated syndrome associated with heparin exposure, a falling platelet count and a high risk of thrombosis. Cardiovascular patients are at increased risk of HIT due to wide use of heparin in this population. Should HIT be suspected, heparin must be avoided in most situations, and anticoagulation with an alternative anticoagulant should be instituted. Preferred agents include the direct thrombin inhibitors argatroban and lepirudin, whilst bivalirudin or desirudin (other direct thrombin inhibitors) can be used in some situations. The indirect thrombin inhibitors, danaparoid and fondaparinux, can also be considered at times. These agents and their use in cardiac patients, including patients with acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary interventions, acute ST elevation myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, will be reviewed.
Food allergies and hypersensitivity: a review of pharmacotherapy and therapeutic strategies

Background: Food allergy is a major cause of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions. Food-induced anaphylaxis is the most common reason for someone to present to the emergency department for an anaphylactic reaction. At present, the avoidance of the allergenic food is the only method of preventing further reactions for allergic patients. Objective: With better characterization of allergens and an understanding of the immunologic mechanism involved in this reaction, investigators have developed several therapeutic modalities potentially applicable to the treatment and eventual prevention of food allergy. This review identifies and discusses the potential treatment options for food allergy that are under development. Methods: Relevant articles are reviewed pertaining to the treatment of food allergy. Results/conclusion: Among the therapeutic options currently under investigation are anti-IgE therapy, peptide immunotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, mutated protein immunotherapy, DNA immunization and immunization with immunostimulatory sequences linked to allergens. These novel forms of treatment for allergic disease hold promise for the safe and effective treatment of food-allergic individuals and the prevention of food allergy in the future.
Identificación precoz e intervención breve en lesionados de tráfico con presencia de alcohol: primeros resultados

Objetivo: comprobar la efectividad de la intervencion breve para reducir el consumo de alcohol en accidentados de trafico con alcoholemia positiva, sin dependencia del alcohol. Metodologia: cribado de los lesionados de trafico que acuden a urgencias de traumatologia mediante un test de alcohol en saliva e intervencion sobre los pacientes positivos. Los pacientes son evaluados y aleatoriamente distribuidos en grupos de Intervencion Breve e Intervencion Minima. El seguimiento telefonico se hace al mes 3, 6 y 12. Resultados: Hasta el 30 de Octubre de 2002, se incluyeron en el estudio 709 lesionados, habiendose realizado la prueba del alcohol en 696. 93 pacientes dieron positivo (13,4%) y pudo intervenirse en 66 de ellos. El 50% puntuaba positivo en el test AUDIT (puntuacion media: 7,6). Los pacientes fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente entre intervencion breve (30) e intervencion minima (36). El 77% de pacientes tiene seguimiento. El 79,4% de los pacientes intervenidos ha reducido el consumo de alcohol, a los 3 meses y el 66,7%%, al ano. Sobre todo disminuye el binge drinking (consumo copioso concentrado), el mas peligroso para la conduccion. A los 3 meses, ha reducido su consumo un porcentaje superior (en el limite de la significacion estadistica) de pacientes en el grupo de Intervencion Breve. Al ano, no se observan diferencias entre ambos grupos de intervencion. La magnitud de la reduccion es significativamente mayor en quienes tenian un resultado basal positivo en el test AUDIT. Conclusiones: Aunque las muestras son homogeneas, es prematuro dar resultados de efectividad tanto por el tamano aun reducido de los grupos estudiados, como porque todavia se incluyen pacientes y se estan siguiendo los ya incluidos.