Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The best source of isolated stromal cells for the artificial ovary: medulla or cortex, cryopreserved or fresh?

STUDY QUESTION What is the best source of ovarian cells for the artificial ovary: medulla or cortex, cryopreserved or fresh? SUMMARY ANSWER Ovarian cells from fresh medullary tissue, which can be isolated in larger numbers, show higher viability and are able to improve graft vascularization. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In a previous study, addition of endothelial cells along with ovarian cells was found to be crucial for formation of a well-vascularized ovary-like structure. This study is the first to evaluate both the effect of cryopreservation and the source of ovarian tissue on isolated ovarian cells. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Prospective experimental study in an academic research unit using ovarian tissue from seven patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic disease. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian tissue was retrieved from seven patients, with one half processed as fresh (fresh group) and the other half frozen and thawed before processing (frozen group). In each group, ovarian cells from the cortex and medulla were isolated separately, and their viability was tested using a calcein AM/ethidium homodimer viability assay. Fifty thousand cells were then encapsulated in fibrin and grafted to peritoneal pockets in nude mice (14 in all). Grafts recovered after 7 days were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of ovarian cells (vimentin), proliferation (Ki67) and graft vascularization (double CD34). Cell apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Cryopreservation decreased ovarian cell yield (-2804 cells/mg, P = 0.015) and viability (-9.72%, P = 0.052) before grafting and had a considerable (5-fold, P = 0.2) but non-significant negative impact on ovarian cell presence in grafts. The medulla yielded many more cells (+3841 cells/mg, P < 0.001) with higher viability (+18.23%, P < 0.001) than did the cortex. Moreover, grafts with cells from the medulla exhibited a statistically significant 6.44- and 2.47-fold increase in human and total vascular surface area, respectively. P-values were adjusted for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg method to achieve a 10% false discovery rate and adjusted P-values < 0.1 were therefore considered significant. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Pilot study involving a limited number of experiments. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Knowing that fresh medullary tissue is the best source of stromal cells is important for construction of the artificial ovary, as isolated follicles require structural support and a rich vascular network for their survival and development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by grants from the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique de Belgique (5/4/150/5 and 7.4518.12F), Fonds Spéciaux de Recherche, Fondation Saint Luc and Foundation Against Cancer, and donations from Mr Pietro Ferrero, Baron Frère and Viscount Philippe de Spoelberch. None of the authors have any conflicting interests to declare.
Intravenous thrombolysis for patients with reverse magnetic resonance angiography and diffusion‐weighted imaging mismatch: SAMURAI and NCVC rt‐PA Registries

The characteristics of reverse magnetic resonance angiography and diffusion‐weighted imaging (MRA‐DWI) mismatch (RMM), defined as a large DWI lesion in the absence of major artery occlusion (MAO), remain unknown, especially in patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA).
A proposal of a standard structure and approach for Pharmaceutical Care Case Reports

Background: Case report is a scientific publication format with qualitative characteristic that describes diseases, rare conditions, complications, alternatives interventions, drug side effects, novelty management and/or results obtained of a patient. Pharmacists’ clinical practice seems to be consolidated and is growing. However, there is an urgent need to communicate what is being done and how it is being done. Aim: To evaluate case reports related to pharmaceutical care regarding its structure and approach and finally propose a logical standard structure and approach. Methods: A systematic literature review using the terms “pharmaceutical care”, “clinical pharmacy” and “pharmaceutical service” limited to a “case report” at MEDLINE, WEB of SCIENCE and SCOPUS data bases. The case reports identified fit into specific criteria of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Thirty four case reports matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The case reports evaluated point to no consensus on items to compose a case report structure. They all were incomplete in the identification of the pharmaceutical care process. Discussion: There are some suggestions to the structure of case reports, but they were limited to the physician point of view and did not identify pharmacist clinical practice. To show the particularities of this practice it is necessary to utilize the practice language to reveal its specific approach. A proposal is subsequently presented and we try to clarify the important points to be addressed in the structure and the specific language to be utilized. Conclusion: Pharmacists should use a standard structure and approach to present or publish case reports contributing to the academic and scientific community and effectively sharing clinical experience in a complete and uniform manner.
Cortical thickness and hippocampal shape in pure vascular mild cognitive impairment and dementia of subcortical type

The progression pattern of brain structural changes in patients with isolated cerebrovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. To investigate the role of isolated CVD in cognitive impairment patients, patterns of cortical thinning and hippocampal atrophy in pure subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) and pure subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) patients were characterized.
Managing in Health and Social Care

Managing in Health and Social Care is about developing skills to manage and improve health and social care services. The focus throughout is on the role that a manager can play in ensuring effective delivery of high-quality services. Examples from social care and health settings are used to illustrate techniques for managing people, resources, information, projects and change. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated, and includes many new case studies and examples, as well as a new chapter on motivation. The authors explore how managers can make a real and positive difference to the work of organisations providing health and social care. They consider what effectiveness means in managing care services, the values that underpin the services, the roles of leaders and managers in developing high-quality service provision, and the necessary skills and systems to enable service users to contribute to planning and evaluation. Managing in Health and Social Care is a practical textbook for students of management in health and social care, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It includes case studies with textual commentary to reinforce learning, activities, key references and clear explanations of essential management tools and concepts.
An association analysis of the rs1572931 polymorphism of the RAB7L1 gene in Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple system atrophy in China

Recently, the rs1572931 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the putative promoter of the member RAS oncogene family‐like 1 (RAB7L1) gene was reported to be associated with reduced risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Ethnic‐specific effects are an important consideration in genome‐wide association studies. Considering that the clinical manifestations and pathological characteristics overlap between PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), the possible associations between the rs1572931 SNP and these three diseases were studied in the Chinese population.
Obstetric and Psychiatric Outcomes in a Sample of Saudi Teen-Aged Mothers -

AIM: To assess the prevalence of adverse obstetric and psychiatric outcomes among primigravid teenagers compared to adult women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, if given equal antenatal care. METHODS: In this comparative study, 168 cases aged 16.6-19.8 years were compared to 632 cases aged 20-29 years. Data collection was done over a six month period in 2007-08. Demographic, antenatal, intranatal and postnatal obstetric events besides the postnatal psychiatric evaluation were done and analyzed using routine statistical tests with significance at P
Changing the focus of care: from curative to palliative care

The improvements in the obstetrical and neonatal diagnosis and therapies have resulted into an increase in the survival rate of infants previously considered as non-viable. Debate is focusing on professionals’ behaviour about withdrawal or withholding of life sustaining treatment (LST) and administration of palliative care for newborns whose conditions are incompatible with a prolonged life. Decisions about treatment should be made jointly by the professionals’ team and the family, placing the interest of the baby at the very heart of the decision process. It is very important that the environment in which the family has to make the decision is characterized by openness, dialogue and frankness. A proper and effective communication with parents is always necessary and can resolve any conflict caused by disagreement. Furthermore, parents need time in the decision making process. Other supports, which could help the family in the final decision are the possibility to ask for a specialist’s second opinion and the involvement of religious leaders and of an indipendent clinical ethics committee. Withholding or withdrawal of LST does not mean cessation of care for the baby, it means to change the focus of care from curative to palliative care. Proceedings of the 10 th International Workshop on Neonatology · Cagliari (Italy) · October 22 nd -25 th , 2014 · The last ten years, the next ten years in Neonatology Guest Editors: Vassilios Fanos, Michele Mussap, Gavino Faa, Apostolos Papageorgiou
Effect of opicapone on levodopa pharmacokinetics, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity and motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease

Opicapone (OPC) is a novel third generation catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that enhances levodopa availability. This study investigated the effects of OPC in comparison with placebo on levodopa pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety, COMT activity and motor response to levodopa in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations.
Vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein gene polymorphisms, race and risk of incident stroke: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Low vitamin D levels, measured by serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], are associated with increased stroke risk. Less is known about whether this association differs by race or D binding protein (DBP) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) status. Our objective was to characterize the associations of and interactions between 25(OH)D levels and DBP SNPs with incident stroke. It was hypothesized that associations of low 25(OH)D with stroke risk would be stronger amongst persons with genotypes associated with higher DBP levels.
Relationship between time to peak torque of hamstrings and sprint running performance

Background: Previous studies have investigated the role of hamstrings and quadriceps absolute and/or relative peak torque at high concentric velocities (240◦ and 300◦/sec) and sprint performance but their findings were inconclusive. However, no study so far has investigated the relationship between time to peak torque (TPT) of hamstrings and quadriceps at high concentric velocity and sprint ability. This parameter may play and important role in sprinting, as it is one of the indicators of the explosive muscular strength that is crucial for sprinting performance. Method: Thirty six healthy physical education students without previous injury voluntarily participated in investigation. The measurements of the sprint times at 5, 10 and 20 meters were carried out using an infrared photocell. Quadriceps and hamstrings strength was tested concentrically at 240◦/sec using Biodex System 3 dynamometer. Linear regression was used to evaluate the influence of hamstrings and quadriceps relative strength and TPT on sprint times at 5, 10 and 20 meters. Results. Hamstrings’ TPT significantly predicted the sprint times at 5, 10 and 20 meters (p values were 0.001, 0.004 and 0.008, respectively). At 5, 10 and 20 meters the model was significant (F = 7.12, p < 0.01; F = 5.31, p < 0.05; F = 4.07, p < 0.05, respectively) while R square values were 0.31, 0.26, and 0.21, respectively. Subjects with hamstrings TPT below 200 ms had significantly shorter sprint times at all sprint distances in comparison with subjects whose hamstrings TPT was above 200 ms. Quadriceps’ TPT was not correlated with sprint times. Conclusion: The ability of the hamstrings to produce torque quickly can significantly influence the sprint times at 20 m sprint. Most of this effect is seen in the initial acceleration phase (first 5 m) while later on (at 10 and 20 m) this influence slightly decreases but remains significant. It seems that not only the absolute amount of strength, but also the rate of strength development within the muscle can influence the sprint times.
Psychopathological comorbidities in medication‐overuse headache: a multicentre clinical study

In medication‐overuse headache (MOH) patients, the presence of psychopathological disturbances may be a predictor of relapse and poor response to treatment. This multicentre study aimed to assess the occurrence of psychopathological disorders in MOH patients by comparing the incidence of psychopathological disturbances with episodic migraine (EM) patients and healthy controls (HC).
Insertable cardiac monitors after cryptogenic stroke – a risk factor based approach to enhance the detection rate for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Recently, the CRYSTAL AF trial detected paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in 12.4% of patients after cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (IS) or cryptogenic transient ischaemic attack (TIA) by an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) within 1 year of monitoring. Our aim was (i) to assess if an AF risk factor based pre‐selection of ICM candidates would enhance the rate of AF detection and (ii) to determine AF risk factors with significant predictive value for AF detection.
Mucosal Barrier Injury and Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

The intensive chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy used to prepare for a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is unfortunately complicated by damage to the mucosa of the digestive tract. The resultant, mucosal barrier injury (MBI) causes painful ulcerations, which are readily apparent in mouth and are known as mucositis. This makes eating and drinking difficult at a time when patients need optimal nutrition. Moreover until very recently there were no specific remedies of proven value. Patients had to rely on pain relief and other palliative measures to alleviate the symptoms of mucositis. MBI is a dynamic and complex pathobiological process consisting of 4 phases; an inflammatory-, epithelial-, ulcerative/infective- and a healing phase. Initially, small intestinal epithelial cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines after exposure to cytotoxic therapy. This phase is mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B activation. Curcumin is able to inhibit this process, resulting in partial amelioration of villous atrophy providing a potentially new approach preventing MBI. MBI was measured among more than 100 HSCT recipients by scoring oral mucositis, determining gut toxicity (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps) and by undertaking a permeability test consisting of four sugars (D-xylose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, L-rhamnose and lactulose). These features of MBI were significantly correlated with each other but each tool measured a different aspect of MBI. Gut integrity and absorption were still abnormal 3 to 4 weeks after transplant. Novel use was also made of serum citrulline to determine intestinal MBI since the amino acid is a marker of small bowel enterocyte mass. The results showed citrulline to be a more sensitive and specific marker of gut MBI than the other tools. A prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with glutamine-dipeptide supplementation failed to ameliorate MBI in HSCT recipients. However it became clear that a significant increase in the levels of inflammatory response markers (IL-8, LBP and CRP) was seen in patients mirroring the pattern of MBI. These markers were already significantly elevated before the onset of fever or bacteraemia during profound neutropenia suggesting that the degree of MBI rather than bacteraemia determines the intensity of this inflammatory response. Hence, aiming either to down-regulate the inflammatory response or at restoring the barrier by stimulating epithelial cell functioning may be more fruitful in protecting HSCT recipients from infectious complications than antimicrobial therapy.
Evaluating Research in Academic Journals: A Practical Guide to Realistic Evaluation (4th edition)

This simple, but detailed and helpful, book is specifically directed towards beginning graduate students in the social and behavioral sciences who are gaining essential skills in reading and evaluating research in academic journals. The book also has utility for students in various health-related fields and those gaining expertise in writing their own work. In the 13 chapters of the text, the author guides the reader through the evaluation of various components of a research article beginning with evaluating titles through the discussion sections, and ending with a chapter titled “Putting It All Together. ” The text also includes four helpful appendices, among them an overview of quantitative and qualitative research, an examination of the validity structure of qualitative research (an excellent and focused discussion), limitations of significance testing, and a summary of questions to be used when evaluating each component of an article. Contrasts between quantitative and qualitative research are highlighted in various places throughout the text, and there is an entire chapter devoted to evaluating the analysis and results sections of qualitative research articles. Even so, the text differentiates qualitative research primarily in how it differs from quantitative methods. One of the most attractive attributes of the text is the step-wise and iterative manner the author uses to illustrate key points of the evaluation
Development of Financial Indicators of Hospital Performance

Purpose: To develop an appropriate set of financial performance indicators for use in Iranian hospitals. Methods: This study consists of three steps. At the first step, using a literature review and three focus group discussions, the financial indicators that had been deemed to be important measures of hospital financial performance were identified. As the second step, a multidisciplinary panel of experts rated the indicators via two-round Delphi technique. Through the third step, the panel assessed the indicators at one consensus meeting. Results: Among 102 indicators identified at the first step, 79 indicators were selected in the Delphi technique. In the panel consensus meeting, the positive consensus was achieved on the 34 indicators. Upon the experts’ opinion, eight indicators were added after few modifications and 13 new indicators were developed. Finally, 55 indicators were selected as financial indicators for assessing the hospital performance. Conclusion: This study developed a set of financial indicators for Iranian hospitals, that helps hospital managers to identify hospital financial trends over a period of time and compare their performance with peer hospitals. The information derived from these indicators, may guide plans and decisions to improve hospital financial performance.
THE ATOPY PATCH TEST—REPRODUCIBILITY AND COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT EVALUATION METHODS

Heinemann C, Schliemann-Willers S, Kelterer D, et al. Allergy. 2002;57:641–645 Atopy patch testing (APT) has been suggested to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of allergy. The purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility of APT results and to compare visual evaluation to chromametry and laser Doppler imaging. Fifty-two patients with …
The Endothelium: Modulator of Cardiovascular Function

Introduction. Methods To Study Endothelium-Dependent Responses. Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor. Physiological Actions. Other Relaxing Substances Released By the Endothelium. Production of Contracting Agents. Local Regulation of Endothelium-Dependent Responses. Neurohumoral Regulation. Heterogeneity and Chronic Modulation. Disease. Therapeutic Implications. References. Subject Index.
The role of seminal plasma for improved outcomes during in vitro fertilization treatment: review of the literature and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND There is a growing body of evidence surrounding the role played by seminal plasma in human implantation. Seminal fluid contains several proteins that interact with cervical and uterine epithelial cells inducing active immune tolerance. We sought to answer the study question: Does exposure to seminal plasma improve pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF? METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for via MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, National Research Register, ISI conference proceedings, ISRCTN register and Meta-register, from 1966 to December 2013. Search terms included: 'seminal plasma', 'seminal fluid', 'sexual intercourse', 'IVF', 'ICSI', 'ART', 'pregnancy rate', 'implantation', 'embryo transfer' and 'live birth'. This analysis included all RCTs comparing the outcome of IVF treatments in patients exposed to seminal plasma near the time of oocyte pickup (OPU) or embryo transfer (ET) with that of placebo controls or controls with no exposure to seminal plasma. The main intervention was exposure to seminal plasma around the time of OPU or embryo transfer during an IVF cycle. The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy and live birth/ongoing pregnancy rates. Data were collected by two independent authors and statistically pooled via meta-analysis following intention to treat and per protocol principles using RevMan (v5.2.10). I(2) statistic, forest plots and chi-squared heterogeneity tests were used. RESULTS In total 2204 patients were included in seven RCTs. Meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06-1.42, P = 0.006) by intention to treat. Per protocol analysis also revealed a statistically significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.07-1.43, P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant improvement seen for the outcome of ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate, but the available data were very limited. The methodology and quality of the studies were variable. CONCLUSIONS There are significantly improved outcomes when women are exposed to seminal plasma around the time of ovum pick-up or embryo transfer, with statistical significance for clinical pregnancy but not for ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates being achieved. This meta-analysis is limited by the small number of studies of variable methodology. Further research is required to determine the effect on live birth rate; however, this meta-analysis indicates a significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate and a potential method for improving IVF outcomes.