Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Underrepresented Minorities in Medical School Admissions: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Phenomenon: This study explored Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino medical students' perceptions of the medical school admissions process. Previous research has explored other elements of the medical education continuum. However, little is known regarding minorities' perceptions of navigating the medical school admissions process. To address this gap in the literature, this exploratory study suggests a conceptual model describing why minorities apply to medical school and the influences affecting their admissions experience. Approach: This qualitative study utilized a grounded theory approach. Between December 2012 and January 2014, the principal researcher conducted one-on-one telephone and in-person small-group interviews, as well as web-based telephone feedback sessions, with Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino medical students. Findings: Thirty-three students participated, including 23 Black/African American and 10 Hispanic/Latino medical students. Participants represented 25 U.S. allopathic medical schools. Emergent themes are categorized under 2 headings: (a) motivations for a career in medicine and (b) barriers and supports. Motivations for a career in medicine include perceived fit, prior experience or knowledge, encouragement and role models, desire to help others, interest in science, and perceived benefits. Barriers and supports included information, guidance and social support, financial and academic factors, and persistence. Insights: Building on theories of student college choice and academic capital formation, the researcher's analysis and interpretations result in the proposal of a conceptual model describing minority applicants' experience in medical school admissions. The study also suggests research and practice implications related to premedical advising, mentoring, financial assistance, information, outreach, and data collection.
Bioequivalence of fixed‐dose combinations of dapagliflozin and metformin with single‐component tablets in healthy subjects and the effect of food on bioavailability

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of dapagliflozin and metformin administered as fixed‐dose combination (FDC) tablets (2.5 mg dapagliflozin/850 mg metformin or 5 mg dapagliflozin/1000 mg metformin) or as separate tablets in healthy subjects were evaluated in 2 separate studies. Study 1 evaluated PK by measuring mean ratios of area under the plasma concentration–time curve (time zero to infinity [AUCinf]), AUC from zero to time of last measurable concentration (AUC0–t), and maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) for single‐component or FDC tablets following a non‐high‐fat meal. Mean ratios of AUCinf, AUC0–t, and Cmax for FDC or single‐component dapagliflozin and metformin tablets were close to unity. In study 2, AUCinf, AUC0–t, and Cmax for the FDC tablet were obtained fasting and after a high‐fat meal. Dapagliflozin 5 mg and metformin 1000 mg geometric mean Cmax was increased in the fasted versus fed state (61.9 vs 43.9 and 1600 vs 1330 ng/mL, respectively), but AUC0–t was similar (267 and 265 and 11 000 and 10 600 ng · h/mL, respectively). In summary, FDC tablets were bioequivalent to single‐component tablets, and total absorption (AUC) was similar for non‐high‐fat and high‐fat meals.
Dermatology in Reptiles

Abstract One of the most common reasons captive reptiles are presented to a veterinarian is for dermatologic disease. The purpose of this article is to provide readers a review of the most current information related to dermatologic diseases commonly diagnosed in captive reptiles. The article is divided into 2 sections to cover the most common groups of reptiles encountered in practice: 1) chelonians and 2) squamates (snakes and lizards). This review offers concise and practical diagnostic and therapeutic medical approaches that can be used when reptiles present with dermatologic abnormalities. Drug contraindications are highlighted to provide a quick and easy reference as to which drugs should not be used in reptiles.
The Use of Vegetables in the Biomonitoring of Cadmium and Lead Pollution in the Environment

Lead and cadmium emitted from various anthropogenic sources have the ability to accumulate in tissues of living organisms. The phenomenon of accumulation of metals in the body is harmful and undesirable. The ability of plants to accumulate heavy metals from the individual elements of the environment has been used in biomonitoring of pollution. Leaves and roots of vegetables have particular predisposition for accumulating toxic metals such as lead and cadmium and therefore can be used for biomonitoring of the environment, mainly as a tool for assessing the extent of soil contamination. The article discusses information in the literature on entry paths of lead and cadmium into the body, toxic effects of lead and cadmium on the human organism, and the use of vegetables as a tool in the biomonitoring of heavy metals in different elements of the environment.
Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy in an Area With Low Seroprevalence: Is Prenatal Screening Still Worthwhile?

Background: The effectiveness of Toxoplasma gondii (Tg) screening during pregnancy in areas with a low prevalence of the infection is debated. We investigate the Tg serological status, the rate of primary infection in a cohort of pregnant women and the rate of congenital toxoplasmosis among their infants during a 3-year period in an urban area with low Tg prevalence. Methods: Demographic and Tg serological data for all pregnant women delivering from January 2009 to December 2011 were collected. All pregnant women with primary Tg infection during pregnancy and their infants were included in the study. Results: In early pregnancy, 10,347 women underwent prenatal screening and 2308 (22.3%) had anti-Tg. The seroprevalence among non-native women was significantly higher than that among native women [32.8% vs. 19.1%, relative risk: 1.71, P < 0.001]. The incidence rate of primary Tg infection during pregnancy was 0.77%. Immigrant women were more likely to be infected during pregnancy than Italian women (relative risk: 4.88, P < 0.001). Tg infection was more frequent in women coming from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. The CT incidence rate was 0.06%. All congenitally infected infants were born to immigrant mothers. Conclusions: Tg infection during pregnancy and congenital disease are more frequent in non-native mothers and their infants. Measures to prevent Tg exposition must be carefully explained to pregnant women, with a focus on specific habits in non-native women. Prenatal screening is still effective to select women for prenatal therapy aiming to decrease vertical transmission and to identify foetuses/newborns with congenital disease that could benefit from pre/postnatal antiparasitic therapy.
The effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on stress in a large urban college population

This study is a randomized controlled clinical tria l to study the effectiveness of acupuncture in the perception of stress in patients who study or w ork on a large urban college campus. The hypothesis was that verum acupuncture would demonst rate a significant positive impact on perceived stress as compared to sham acupuncture. This study included 111 participants with high self -r ported stress levels who either studied or worked at a large urban public university in the so uthwestern United States. 62 participants completed the study. Subjects were randomized into a verum acupuncture o r sham acupuncture group. Both groups received treatment once a week for 12 weeks. The Co hen’s Global Measure of Perceived Stress scale (PSS-14) was completed by each subject prior to treatment, at 6 weeks, at 12 weeks, and 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment completion. While both verum and sham acupuncture patients show ed a substantial initial decrease in perceived stress scores, at 12 weeks post treatment verum acupuncture showed a significantly greater treatment effect than sham acupuncture. This study indicates that acupuncture may be succes sful in decreasing the perception of stress in students and staff at a large urban university and this effect persists for at least 3 months after th completion of treatment.
Trends in Hospitalizations Among Children and Young Adults with Perinatally Acquired HIV

Background: Contemporary trends in hospitalization patterns among perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) patients are unknown. We describe rates and reasons for hospitalizations stratified by age group during 2003–2010 within a large cohort of PHIV patients. Methods: 579 PHIV patients engaged in care at 6 geographically diverse pediatric HIV centers affiliated through the HIV Research Network were included. Modified Clinical Classification Software assigned primary ICD-9 codes into diagnostic categories. Analysis was performed using negative binomial regression with generalized estimating equations. Results: There were 699 all-cause hospitalizations. The overall rate for the full cohort was 19.9/100 person-years, and overall rates for 0–4, 5–16 and 17–24 year-olds were 25.1, 14.7 and 34.2/100 person-years, respectively. Declines were seen in unadjusted all-cause rates for the whole group [incidence rate ratio per year, 0.93 (0.87–0.99)] and for 5–16 [0.87 (0.76–0.99)] and 17–24 year-olds [0.87 (0.80–0.95)]. After adjustment for CD4, HIV-1 RNA and demographics, rates were no longer declining. Non-AIDS-defining infections and AIDS-defining illnesses together caused 349 (50%) admissions. Declines in these categories drove the overall declines in unadjusted rates. No increases over time were seen for cardiovascular, renal or any other diagnostic categories. Conclusions: While the declines in hospitalizations are reassuring, continued efforts are needed to address the persistently high infectious and non-infectious morbidity among PHIV patients. Innovative strategies may be most critical for 17–24 year-olds. Lack of increases in cardiovascular and renal admissions provides modest, preliminary reassurance against severe non-infectious complications from longstanding HIV infection and antiretroviral exposure.
Banana Cultivars, Cultivation Practices, and Physicochemical Properties

The physicochemical (pH, texture, Vitamin C, ash, fat, minerals) and sensory properties of banana were correlated with the genotype and growing conditions. Minerals in particular were shown to discriminate banana cultivars of different geographical origin quite accurately. Another issue relates to the beneficial properties of bananas both in terms of the high dietary fiber and antioxidant compounds, the latter being abundant in the peel. Therefore, banana can be further exploited for extracting several important components such as starch, and antioxidant compounds which can find industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Finally, the various storage methodologies were presented with an emphasis on Modified Atmosphere Packaging which appears to be one of the most promising of technologies.
Debate: When does a seizure imply epilepsy?

Epilepsy recently has been defined conceptually as a condition of at least one seizure, with an enduring predisposition to have seizures. It is not yet clear how to make this definition operational and practical. A diagnosis of epilepsy has potentially serious consequences for health, psychosocial well‐being, and economics, and, therefore, it should be made with a high level of certainty. A definite diagnosis of epilepsy can be made with two unprovoked seizures at least 24 h apart. This method has the benefit of simplicity and consistency with past epidemiologic studies. Nevertheless, certain circumstances suggest a high likelihood of having a second seizure, as evidenced by common clinical practice of considering treatment after a first unprovoked seizure in conjunction with additional risk factors (surrogate markers). One unifying approach is an operational definition of “definite epilepsy” after two unprovoked seizures at least 24 h apart. An operational definition of “probable epilepsy” can be established with one unprovoked seizure and clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), neuroimaging, genetic, or other information to suggest greater than a 50% chance of having another seizure. “Possible epilepsy” operationally would exist with a single unprovoked seizure and insufficient evidence to predict a high likelihood of recurrence. Future clinical and epidemiologic evidence would allow refinements of the operational definitions.
Gastrointestinal Effects of Low-Digestible Carbohydrates

Low-digestible carbohydrates (LDCs) are carbohydrates that are incompletely or not absorbed in the small intestine but are at least partly fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. Fiber, resistant starch, and sugar alcohols are types of LDCs. Given potential health benefits (including a reduced caloric content, reduced or no effect on blood glucose levels, non-cariogenic effect) the prevalence of LDCs in processed foods is increasing. Many of the benefits of LDCs are related to the inability of human digestive enzymes to break down completely the carbohydrates into absorbable saccharides and the subsequent fermentation of unabsorbed carbohydrates in the colon. As a result, LDCs may affect laxation and cause gastrointestinal effects, including abdominal discomfort, flatus, and diarrhea, especially at higher or excessive intakes. Such responses, though transient, affect the perception of the well-being of consumers and their acceptance of food products containing LDCs. Current recommendations for fiber intake do not consider total LDC consumption nor recommend an upper limit for LDC intake based on potential gastrointestinal effects. Therefore, a review of published studies reporting gastrointestinal effects of LDCs was conducted. We included only studies published in refereed journals in English. Additionally, we excluded studies of subjects with incomplete or abnormal functioning gastrointestinal tracts or where antibiotics, stimulant laxatives, or other drugs affecting motility were included. Only in studies with a control period, either placebo treatment or no LDC treatment, were included. Studies must have included an acceptable measure of gastrointestinal effect. Sixty-eight studies and six review articles were evaluated. This review describes definitions, classifications, and mechanisms of LDCs, evaluates published human feeding studies of fifteen LDCs for associations between gastrointestinal effects and levels of LDC intake, and presents recommendations for LDC consumption and further research.
Talampanel suppresses the acute and chronic effects of seizures in a rodent neonatal seizure model

Purpose: To test the efficacy of the novel candidate anticonvulsant talampanel (GYKI 53773) in a rodent model of hypoxic neonatal seizures. Talampanel is a noncompetitive antagonist of the alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid subtype of the glutamate receptor (AMPAR). We have previously shown that AMPARs play a critical role in the generation of acute seizures and later‐life seizure susceptibility in this model of neonatal seizures.
Cinnamon and Health

Cinnamon has been used as a spice and as traditional herbal medicine for centuries. The available in vitro and animal in vivo evidence suggests that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering, and immunomodulatory effects. In vitro studies have demonstrated that cinnamon may act as an insulin mimetic, to potentiate insulin activity or to stimulate cellular glucose metabolism. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated strong hypoglycemic properties. However, there are only very few well-controlled clinical studies, a fact that limits the conclusions that can be made about the potential health benefits of cinnamon for free-living humans. The use of cinnamon as an adjunct to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most promising area, but further research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made.
A two‐tier framework for transmission‐cost minimization of high‐performance communication applications

In two‐tier high‐performance networks (HPNs), some facilities are constructed to form a powerful supercomputing environment, and to alleviate server load. Then, the applications are provided by them in co‐operated, parallel and distributed manners. A proper way to select facilities is crucial to the performance of two‐tier HPNs The problem of selecting facilities can be regarded as a kind of the facility location problem, which is to determine an optimal subset of facilities that will be open to serve users. The traditional facility location problem aims to minimize the incurred costs between the users/servers and their assigned facilities. In two‐tier HPNs, the incurred costs can be regarded as the transmission costs, e.g. transmission latency, bandwidth overhead. We observe that most of the packets are transmitted among the facilities for application servicing and framework maintaining. In this paper, we address the problem of selecting facilities in two‐tier HPNs by minimizing the transmission costs from servers to users by passing through the selected facilities. Our problem is different from the traditional facility location problem, which only considers the transmission costs between the users/servers and their assigned facilities. In our problem, the transmission costs between the selected facilities are further considered. The problem is formulated as a 0/1 integer non‐linear programming (0/1 INLP) and 0/1 integer linear programming (0/1 ILP). Further, a simple heuristic algorithm is proposed for obtaining a feasible solution when the network sizes increase, since solving INLPs and ILPs for large‐scale problems takes long time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Flavonoids and other Polyphenols on Inflammation

Flavonoids are a family of polyphenolic compounds which are widespread in nature (vegetables) and are consumed as part of the human diet in significant amounts. There are other types of polyphenols, including, for example, tannins and resveratrol. Flavonoids and related polyphenolic compounds have significant antiinflammatory activity, among others. This short review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of flavonoids and related polyphenolic compounds on inflammation, with a focus on structural requirements, the mechanisms involved, and pharmacokinetic considerations. Different molecular (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase) and cellular targets (macrophages, lymphocytes, epithelial cells, endothelium) have been identified. In addition, many flavonoids display significant antioxidant/radical scavenging properties. There is substantial structural variation in these compounds, which is bound to have an impact on their biological profile, and specifically on their effects on inflammatory conditions. However, in general terms there is substantial consistency in the effects of these compounds despite considerable structural variations. The mechanisms have been studied mainly in myeloid cells, where the predominant effect is an inhibition of NF-κB signaling and the downregulation of the expression of proinflammatory markers. At present there is a gap in knowledge of in vitro and in vivo effects, although the pharmacokinetics of flavonoids has advanced considerably in the last decade. Many flavonoids have been studied for their intestinal antiinflammatory activity which is only logical, since the gastrointestinal tract is naturally exposed to them. However, their potential therapeutic application in inflammation is not restricted to this organ and extends to other sites and conditions, including arthritis, asthma, encephalomyelitis, and atherosclerosis, among others.
Theobroma cacao L., “The Food of the Gods”: Quality Determinants of Commercial Cocoa Beans, with Particular Reference to the Impact of Fermentation

The quality of commercial cocoa beans, the principal raw material for chocolate production, relies on the combination of factors that include the type of planting material, the agricultural practices, and the post-harvest processing. Among these, the fermentation of the cocoa beans is still the most relevant since it is the process whereby the precursors of the cocoa flavor arise. The formation of these precursors depends on the activity of different microbial groups on the beans pulp. A comparison of fermentations in different countries showed that a well-defined microbial succession does not always take place and that the role of Bacillus spp. in this process remains unclear. Considering the overriding importance of the fermentation to achieve high quality commercial cocoa beans, we discuss the need of addressing the impact of the farming system, the ripeness state of the pods, and the role of microbial interactions on the fermentation in future research. In addition, the problem of high acidification cocoa beans, aspects dealing with the volatile fraction of the flavor, and the cocoa butter properties, all were identified as critical aspects that need further investigation. The standardization of the microbiological methods and the application of metagenomic approaches would magnify the knowledge in this domain.
Refractory status epilepticus: A prospective observational study

Purpose: Status epilepticus (SE) that is resistant to two antiepileptic compounds is defined as refractory status epilepticus (RSE). In the few available retrospective studies, estimated RSE frequency is between 31% and 43% of patients presenting an SE episode; almost all seem to require a coma induction for treatment. We prospectively assessed RSE frequency, clinical predictors, and outcome in a tertiary clinical setting.
Do Large Intestinal Events Explain the Protective Effects of Whole Grain Foods Against Type 2 Diabetes?

Consumption of whole grain foods has been associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Insulin sensitivity and inflammation are key mechanisms in the development of type 2 diabetes, but the cause of the protective effects of whole grains is not known. In this review, we search for evidence to support the hypothesis of a link between whole grains, large intestinal events, and peripheral inflammation. Due to the unique structure and composition of the grain fiber complex, fermentation in the large intestine is probably an important mediator of the effects of whole grains. Fermentation of grain fiber takes place throughout the large intestine affecting beneficially the composition of gut microbiota, hence decreasing the permeability of gut barrier. Improved gut barrier function reduces leaking of endotoxic bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the circulation. Lower concentration of LPS in blood seems to alleviate peripheral inflammation. Fermentation of grain fiber also leads to continuous supply and absorption of metabolites such as short chain fatty acids and ferulic acid derivatives which may have anti-inflammatory effects. These phenomena, mainly based on in vitro and animal studies, are associated with fermentation of grain fiber and improve insulin sensitivity, which over time may decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. To test these mechanisms, more well-designed human studies are needed.
The NHS Diabetes Safe Use of Insulin e‐learning module: is it making a difference to health care professionals?

NHS Diabetes, along with clinical colleagues, established a ‘Safe Use of Insulin’ e‐learning course in response to an alert from the National Patient Safety Agency and supporting data from the National Diabetes Inpatient Audit which demonstrated a worrying scale of insulin errors for in‐patients with diabetes in England. The e‐learning course has been offered freely to all health care professionals across England from June 2010. As of 16 August 2012 (26 months from module launch), there have been 83 986 health care professionals registered, with 58 188 (69%) of these having completed the module.