Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Menopausal symptoms and quality of life during the menopausal transition in Sri Lankan women

Objective: To assess the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in a population of Sri Lankan women and the relationship with their health-related quality of life. Design: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 683 women ages 45 to 60 years living in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. A cluster sampling method was used for recruitment of the sample. Information was collected on demographic, socioeconomic, menstrual, and reproductive history using structured interviews. The Menopause Rating Scale was used to assess menopausal symptoms and the Short Form 36 health survey was used to assess the health-related quality of life. Results: Of the sample, 59.4% were postmenopausal and 18.4% were perimenopausal; 90% of the sample had one or more menopausal symptoms. The most prevalent menopausal symptoms were joint and muscular discomfort (74.7%), physical and mental exhaustion (53.9%), and hot flushes (39.1%). Hot flushes, sleep problems, and joint/muscular discomfort showed an increase in prevalence from the premenopausal category to the postmenopausal category (P < 0.05 for all). Chronic illness in the women was significantly associated with the presence of menopausal symptoms (P < 0.01). Women with menopausal symptoms had significantly lower (P < 0.05) quality-of-life scores in most of the domains of the Short Form 36 compared with women without symptoms. Conclusions: The majority of these Sri Lankan women reported one or more menopausal symptom. Chronic illness was significantly associated with these symptoms. The presence of menopausal symptoms was significantly associated with a decreased health-related quality of life in the women.
Signal transduction involved in CTGF-induced production of chemokines in mesangial cells

Objective and design. This study investigates the regulatory role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on production of fractalkine, monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in human mesangial cells, and explore the mechanisms of CTGF action. Methods. Cultured human mesangial cells were treated with CTGF. Expressions of mRNA and proteins of fractalkine, MCP-1 and RANTES were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Expressions of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) and protein kinase B (PKB) were assessed by Western blotting. Activities of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were determined by NF-κB luciferase reporter assay. Results. CTGF enhanced the mRNA expressions and protein release of fractalkine, MCP-1 and RANTES, and the expressions of phosphorylated ERK1/2, PI3-K and PKB, and activities of NF-κB. Blockade of ERK1/2 inhibited the CTGF-induced expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and NF-κB, and partially decreased the expressions of the above chemokines. PI3-K blockade downregulated the CTGF-stimulated expressions of phosphorylated PI3-K, PKB and NF-κB but not phosphorylated ERK1/2, partially decreased the expressions of the above chemokines. NF-κB blockade abrogated the CTGF-activated NF-κB and partially decreased the expressions of the above chemokines. Soluble heparin and K252a, an inhibitor of Trk, blocked CTGF-induced production of the above chemokines and the activation of the above signaling proteins. Conclusion. These results demonstrated that CTGF induces production of fractalkine, MCP-1 and RANTES via ERK1/2 and PI3-K/PKB/NF-κB-dependent signal pathway mediated by cell surface heparin sulfate proteoglycans and the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA in human mesangial cells.
Current therapeutic procedures in Dravet syndrome

Dravet syndrome is a highly pharmaco‐resistant form of epilepsy. Valproate and benzodiazepines are the first‐line treatment but are usually insufficient therapeutic options. Lamotrigine, carbamazepine and high doses of intravenous phenobarbital can aggravate seizures and should be avoided. Topiramate, levetiracetam, bromide and ketogenic diet also provide substantial efficacy as adjunctive therapy and procedures. Stiripentol is the only new drug to demonstrate efficacy when combined with valproate and clobazam, as shown in two independent double‐blind controlled trials dedicated to Dravet children. In order to avoid side effects (mainly loss of appetite and loss of weight) resulting from the inhibition of cytochromes P450 by stiripentol, the prescribed doses of valproate and clobazam should be reduced. Stiripentol has a proper antiepileptic effect and enhances GABAergic neurotransmission by acting on the alpha‐3 subunit of GABAA receptors. Stiripentol was approved as an orphan drug in Europe in 2007 for adjunctive therapy in Dravet syndrome. More than 500 Dravet patients have currently been satisfactorily treated and recent experiments in Japan have confirmed stiripentol’s benefit. In practice, valproate should be initiated at the first onset of complicated febrile seizure in Dravet patients. Relapses justify the addition of clobazam and stiripentol when available. Topiramate and a ketogenic diet are alternatives in pharmaco‐resistant cases.
Enhanced skin deposition and delivery of voriconazole using ethosomal preparations

Abstract Despite its broad-spectrum antifungal properties, voriconazole has many side effects when administered systemically. The aim of this work was to develop an ethosomal topical delivery system for voriconazole and test its potential to enhance the antifungal properties and skin delivery of the drug. Voriconazole was encapsulated into various ethosomal preparations and the effect of phospholipid and ethanol concentrations on the ethosomes properties were evaluated. The ethosomes were evaluated for drug encapsulation efficiency, particle size and morphology and antifungal efficacy. Drug permeability and deposition were tested in rat abdominal skin. Drug encapsulation efficiency of up to 46% was obtained and it increased with increasing the phospholipid concentration, whereas the opposite effect was observed for the ethanol concentration. The ethosomes had a size of 420–600 nm and negative zeta potential. The particle size of the ethosomes increased by increasing their ethanol content. The ethosomes achieved similar inhibition zones against Aspergillus flavus at a 2-fold lower drug concentration compared with drug solution in dimethyl sulfoxide. The ex vivo drug permeability through rat abdominal skin was ∼6-fold higher for the ethosomes compared with the drug hydroalcoholic solution. Similarly, the amount of drug deposited in the skin was higher for the ethosomes and was dependent on the ethanol concentration of the ethosomes. These results confirm that voriconazole ethosomal preparations are promising topical delivery systems that can enhance the drug antifungal efficacy and improve its skin delivery.
Definitive structural assessment of enterococcal diheteroglycan.

Enterococcus faecalis is one of most important nosocomial and often multi-antibiotic resistant pathogens responsible for infections that are difficult to treat. Previously, a cell-wall polysaccharide termed diheteroglycan (DHG) was isolated and characterized as a promising vaccine candidate. However, the configuration of its lactic acid (LA) residue attached to the galactofuranoside unit was not assessed, although it influences conformation of DHG chain in terms of biological recognition and immune evasion. This study proves the R configuration of the LA residue by means of chemical analysis, investigation of intramolecular NMR nuclear Overhauser effects and molecular dynamics simulations of native DHG and corresponding R and S models, which were obtained by using pyranoside-into-furanoside rearrangement. As alternative treatment and prevention strategies for E. faecalis are desperately needed, this discovery may offer the prospect of a synthetic vaccine to actively immunize patients at risk.
Exercise effects in plantar pressure of postmenopausal women

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-month moderate-to-vigorous exercise program on plantar pressure among postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 121 white postmenopausal women participated in a randomized controlled trial (60 women in the exercise group and 61 women in the control group). Women in the exercise group attended training sessions of 60 minutes, 3 days per week, on nonconsecutive days. Weight and basal metabolic rate were evaluated by bioimpedance, and height was evaluated with a stadiometer. Plantar pressure data were collected using the Footscan platform and Software 7.1. Results: After the 1-year intervention, women from the exercise group had (1) lower body mass index, (2) equal basal metabolic rate, (3) lower peak pressures, and (4) lower absolute impulses compared with the women from the control group. Interaction between the exercise group and practice time was found for most of the maximal peak pressure areas (except for metatarsal 4), for all absolute impulse values, and for relative impulses in the hallux, metatarsal 4, midfoot, and medial heel. Conclusions: This study seems to prove that women who exercise have decreased loading of maximal peak pressures and absolute impulses and, consequently, self-reported pain, soreness, and discomfort in the lower extremity. An interaction effect between group and practice time was found for most of the variables considered, meaning that this 12-month exercise program is effective in the improvement of the biomechanic parameters of plantar pressure.
Measures of menopause driven differences in levels of blood lipids, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone in women aged 35 to 60 years: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 study

Objective:The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association of the menopausal transition with differences in lipid and endogenous hormone levels in normal [18.5 kg/m2 ≤ body mass index (BMI) ≤ 24.99 kg/m2] and overweight (BMI >24.99 kg/m2) women. Methods:The study was conducted on women age 35 to 60 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey surveys conducted between the years 1999 and 2002. Menstrual cycle-based menopause status was defined for women who had not had surgical menopause, did not use contraceptives, did not smoke, and did not breast-feed during the examination, by months since the last period (<2, 2-12, and >12 mo for premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause, respectively). Results:There were no significant differences in age-adjusted total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels among the menopausal periods in the normal BMI class. The pattern of differences in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level differed between the normal and obese BMI classes. The activity of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone was statistically different between premenopause and perimenopause and premenopause and postmenopause in the normal BMI class. A different picture was observed for the analysis of differences in raw parameters. In this case more differences between menopausal phases were observed for all of the studied parameters. Conclusions:Aging plays a role at least as important as menopause during the menopausal transition. However, at the current stage, it is impossible to assess the relative weights of aging and the menopausal transition on the differences in the studied parameters.
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

The cDNAs of two turkey cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13, were cloned using oligonucleotide primers designed from their chicken orthologues. The coding regions of the chicken and turkey genes are highly conserved, with IL-10 and IL-13 exhibiting 94.1% and 90% nucleotide and 92% and 79.9% amino acid identity respectively. Both showed consistent mRNA expression in turkey lymphoid and gut tissues. Expression in non-lymphoid tissues was more variable but generally highest in the skin and trachea. Recombinant turkey IL-10 was expressed and bioactivity demonstrated by inhibition of IFNsynthesis from activated splenocytes. Chicken and turkey IL-10 cross-reacted in functional assays. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cognitive‐behavioral phenotype or comorbid disorder? The case of attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder in neurofibromatosis type 1

conclude that symptoms of atten-tion-deﬁcit disorder with or without hyperactivity have a non-speciﬁc negative impact on the cognitive proﬁle of patientswith neuroﬁbromatosis type 1 (NF1). NF1 is a single-genedisorder; mutations of the NF1 gene, whichislocated onchro-mosome 17 (17q11.2), lead to a lack or shortage of the proteinneuroﬁbromin, which is involved in Ras GTPase activation.
The Surgical Treatments Outcomes Project for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: summary of an Agency for Health Research and Quality-sponsored randomized trial of endometrial ablation versus hysterectomy for women with heavy menstrual bleeding

Surgical Treatments Outcomes Project for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding is an agency for the Healthcare Research and Quality project built around a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing hysterectomy and endometrial ablation (EA) for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding unrelated to structural causes. For inclusion, women self-defined their complaint, and the endometrial cavity was evaluated to exclude structural lesions. The primary outcomes were bleeding and major problem "solved" at 24 months, with length of institutional stay, surgical complications, quality of life, and reoperation included as secondary outcomes. Also measured was the baseline economic impact of heavy menstrual bleeding. The randomized controlled trial enrolled 237 women. Institutional stay was longer, and perioperative adverse events were more common and severe for those randomized to hysterectomy. At 24 months, 94.4% and 84.9% of women randomized to hysterectomy and EA, respectively, considered their major problem to be solved; at 48 months, the numbers were similar at 98.0% and 85.1%. Postprocedure quality-of-life measures (SF-36, EuroQOL) improved similarly in both groups, but reoperation was more common for women undergoing EA (34, or 30.9%, at 60 mo), with most (32 of 34) selecting hysterectomy. At baseline, women reported missed work as well as activity and leisure limitations. Excess monetary costs were $306 per patient-year (95% CI, $30-$1,872). Excess work and home management loss costs were $2,152 (95% CI, $1,862-$2,479). It was estimated that successful treatment, regardless of the type of intervention, could result in a gain of 1.8 quality-adjusted life years. Future studies will examine and compare the impact of the study interventions on economic outcomes.
Sponsor-Imposed Publication Restrictions Disclosed on ClinicalTrials.gov

ABSTRACT We investigated whether sponsor-imposed publication restrictions for ClinicalTrials.gov trials were reasonable, based on consistency with Good Publication Practice 2 (GPP2). ClinicalTrials.gov trial record data were electronically imported (October 7, 2012) and screened for eligibility (phase 2–4, interventional, recruitment closed, results available, first received for registration after November 10, 2009, any sponsor type, investigators not sponsor employees). Two authors categorized restrictions information as consistent or not consistent with GPP2, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Of the eligible trials (388/484, n = 81,768 participants), 80.7% (313/388) had restrictions disclosed, and 92.5% (311/388) were industry-sponsored. Significantly more trials had restrictions that were consistent with GPP2 than not (74.1% [232/313], n = 55,280 participants vs. 25.9% [81/313], n = 19,677 participants; P < .001). Reasons for inconsistency were insufficient, unclear, or ambiguous information (48.1%, 39/81), sponsor-required approval for publication (35.8%, 29/81), sponsor-required text changes (8.6%, 7/81), and outright bans (7.4%, 6/81). Follow-up of trials with insufficient information and a contact email (response rate, 46.9% [15/32]) revealed 2 additional bans. A total of 776 participants had consented to trials that had publication bans. Many, but not all, sponsor-imposed publication restrictions disclosed on ClinicalTrials.gov may be considered reasonable. Sponsors should ensure restrictions are appropriately disclosed. Volunteers should be alerted to any restrictions before consenting to participate in a clinical trial.
Physical activity and sex hormone levels in estradiol- and placebo-treated postmenopausal women

Objective:Postmenopausal changes in the hormonal milieu in women with or without hormone therapy are hypothesized to be the pathway for a number of menopause-associated modifications in physiology and disease risk. Physical activity may modify these changes in women's hormone profiles. The crucial yet complex relationship between physical activity and physiologic and pharmacologic sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women has not been investigated sufficiently. Methods:Using structured recall, physical activity was assessed longitudinally during a period of 2 years in 194 postmenopausal women (90 randomized to 1 mg 17&bgr;-estradiol treatment daily and 104 randomized to placebo) in the Estrogen in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Trial. The levels of physical activity were correlated with the serum sex hormone and the serum hormone-binding globulin levels in each treatment group. Results:Among the placebo-treated women, total energy expenditure was positively associated with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG; P < 0.001) and inversely associated with testosterones (total, bioavailable, or free) and androstenedione (P < 0.001 for all), as well as with estradiol (P = 0.02). In estradiol-treated women, estradiol levels were inversely associated with total energy expenditure (P = 0.002) and weekly hours spent in moderate or more vigorous physical activity (P = 0.001). Conclusions:Physical activity is associated with lower serum levels of estradiol in both hormone therapy-treated and untreated women. In placebo-treated women only, physical activity is associated with reduced androgen levels and elevated SHBG levels.
Faith-based orphan care: Addressing child-oriented goals and child rights in HIV/AIDS-affected communities

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has had a profound effect on children and families in sub-Saharan Africa, increasing the need for effective support. Because the large number of children affected by AIDS (CABA) often exceeds the capacity of local families to care for them, state agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and a wide variety of community-based organizations (CBOs) have become essential partners in caring for HIV/AIDS affected children. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are a primary source of care for many children, yet relatively little is known about FBOs’ specific approaches and services. National governments are also relying increasingly on FBOs to help them meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and fulfill their responsibilities under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This article looks at two FBOs in South Africa providing care to HIV-affected families and children and explores the extent to which each addresses the objectives of the MDGs and CRC. Both organizations provide important services with regard to the MDGs and Article 6 of the CRC, which relates to life, survival and development. However, the extent to which the two organizations respected Article 3 of the CRC, which relates to prioritizing the nuclear family and preserving the identity of the child, differed.
Association of leisure physical activity and sleep with cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined associations of leisure-time physical activity and sleep with cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. MethodsWe analyzed 48-month cross-sectional follow-up data from 393 participants of the Women on the Move Through Activity and Nutrition Study, a behavioral weight loss trial. Leisure-time physical activity data were collected with the past-year Modifiable Activity Questionnaire, whereas sleep data were collected with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We compared physical activity and sleep categories using analysis of variance, post hoc Scheffe tests, and multivariate analyses based on groups above/below the median leisure-time physical activity level, above/below the sleep quality value of 5, and above/below the sleep duration of 7 hours/day. ResultsThe average sleep quality and sleep duration did not significantly differ between women with high and women with low physical activity levels. When women with good sleep quality were compared, higher physical activity levels were associated with lower body mass index (2.0 kg/m2; 25, 75 quartiles, 0.3, 3.6), waist circumference (6.3 cm; 1.7, 10.9), and total body fat (2.1%; 0.3, 4.0; P < 0.05). When participants with poor sleep quality were compared, highly active women had lower trunk fat, total body fat, and insulin levels than less active women did (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, physical activity was significantly associated with high-density lipoprotein level, trunk fat, and total body fat after controlling for sleep quality, sleep duration, age, hormone therapy and smoking status, and body mass index. ConclusionsThe combined associations of leisure-time physical activity and sleep suggest that cardiovascular risk factors are more favorable in highly active women relative to less active women regardless of sleep.
Optimal waist circumference cutoff value for defining the metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal Latin American women

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine an optimal waist circumference (WC) cutoff value for defining the metabolic syndrome (METS) in postmenopausal Latin American women. MethodsA total of 3,965 postmenopausal women (age, 45-64 y), with self-reported good health, attending routine consultation at 12 gynecological centers in major Latin American cities were included in this cross-sectional study. Modified guidelines of the US National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III were used to assess METS risk factors. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to obtain an optimal WC cutoff value best predicting at least two other METS components. Optimal cutoff values were calculated by plotting the true-positive rate (sensitivity) against the false-positive rate (1 − specificity). In addition, total accuracy, distance to receiver operator characteristic curve, and the Youden Index were calculated. ResultsOf the participants, 51.6% (n = 2,047) were identified as having two or more nonadipose METS risk components (excluding a positive WC component). These women were older, had more years since menopause onset, used hormone therapy less frequently, and had higher body mass indices than women with fewer metabolic risk factors. The optimal WC cutoff value best predicting at least two other METS components was determined to be 88 cm, equal to that defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III. ConclusionsA WC cutoff value of 88 cm is optimal for defining METS in this postmenopausal Latin American series.