Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of the aqueous humour in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Background/aims Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterised by the production and accumulation of extracellular fibrillar material in the anterior segment of the eye. The pathogenesis of PEX is multifactorial with genetic factors and ageing as contributing factors. Previously, an increased concentration of beta-crystalline B2 (CRYBB2) was observed in the aqueous humour (AH) in eyes with PEX in a pooled material. Here, the protein content was examined on individual basis. Methods During cataract surgery, AH was sampled from patients with and without PEX, 10 eyes in each group. The proteins were digested and labelled with isotopomeric dimethyl labels, separated with high-pressure liquid chromatography and analysed in an Orbitrap mass analyzer. Results The concentration of complement factor 3, kininogen-1, antithrombin III and vitamin D-binding protein was increased in all eyes with PEX. Retinol-binding protein 3, glutathione peroxidase, calsyntenin-1 and carboxypeptidase E were decreased in eyes with PEX. Beta-crystalline B1 and CRYBB2 and gamma-crystalline D were up to eightfold upregulated in 4 of 10 in eyes with PEX. Conclusion The results indicate that oxidative stress and inflammation are contributing factors in the formation of PEX. Knowledge about the proteome in PEX is relevant for understanding this condition.
Combined oral contraceptives: venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND Combined oral contraceptive (COC) use has been associated with venous thrombosis (VT) (i.e., deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). The VT risk has been evaluated for many estrogen doses and progestagen types contained in COC but no comprehensive comparison involving commonly used COC is available. OBJECTIVES To provide a comprehensive overview of the risk of venous thrombosis in women using different combined oral contraceptives. SEARCH METHODS Electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier and ScienceDirect) were searched in 22 April 2013 for eligible studies, without language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA We selected studies including healthy women taking COC with VT as outcome. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The primary outcome of interest was a fatal or non-fatal first event of venous thrombosis with the main focus on deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Publications with at least 10 events in total were eligible. The network meta-analysis was performed using an extension of frequentist random effects models for mixed multiple treatment comparisons. Unadjusted relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were reported.Two independent reviewers extracted data from selected studies. MAIN RESULTS 3110 publications were retrieved through a search strategy; 25 publications reporting on 26 studies were included. Incidence of venous thrombosis in non-users from two included cohorts was 0.19 and 0.37 per 1 000 person years, in line with previously reported incidences of 0,16 per 1 000 person years. Use of combined oral contraceptives increased the risk of venous thrombosis compared with non-use (relative risk 3.5, 95% confidence interval 2.9 to 4.3). The relative risk of venous thrombosis for combined oral contraceptives with 30-35 μg ethinylestradiol and gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, or drospirenone were similar and about 50-80% higher than for combined oral contraceptives with levonorgestrel. A dose related effect of ethinylestradiol was observed for gestodene, desogestrel, and levonorgestrel, with higher doses being associated with higher thrombosis risk. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS All combined oral contraceptives investigated in this analysis were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The effect size depended both on the progestogen used and the dose of ethinylestradiol. Risk of venous thrombosis for combined oral contraceptives with 30-35 μg ethinylestradiol and gestodene, desogestrel, cyproterone acetate and drospirenone were similar, and about 50-80% higher than with levonorgestrel. The combined oral contraceptive with the lowest possible dose of ethinylestradiol and good compliance should be prescribed-that is, 30 μg ethinylestradiol with levonorgestrel.
Bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone outside German Hodgkin Study Group: The Italian experience

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most treatable adult cancers, with long-term cure rates of more than 80% achieved even in patients with advanced disease.1,2 The combination of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD), is currently considered to be the standard treatment for HL worldwide.3 As an improvement on the ABVD combination, other regimens, including Stanford V, MOPPEBVCAD, EVA, VEBEP, and ChlVPP/ABVVP, have been proposed but none have so far been demonstrated to be more effective than ABVD.4-9 In 1990, the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) developed a dose-escalated and accelerated combined modality regimen consisting of bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (BEACOPP), plus radiation therapy (RT). The HD9 trial compared cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone, plus doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (COPP/ABVD) with both standard BEACOPP and escalated BEACOPP. This trial demonstrated the superiority of escalated BEACOPP, both in terms of failure free survival (FFS) and overall survival (OS). 10 Concern about the toxicity of BEACOPP has been raised, however, and further trials designed to identify a therapy with the best risk-to-benefit ratio have been initiated by several Cooperative Groups. One trial by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is currently recruiting and randomizes patients with advanced HL between 4 escalated plus 4 standard courses of BEACOPP versus 8 courses of ABVD.
Refeeding syndrome is uncommon in alcoholics admitted to a hospital detoxification unit

The refeeding syndrome is increasingly recognised. It is a serious change in electrolytes when nutrition is reintroduced to malnourished patients. Alcohol dependence is a risk factor for the refeeding syndrome. We report a prospective cohort study of 36 alcoholics hospitalised for withdrawal management. We found no evidence of refeeding syndrome in any patient after 3 days of hospitalisation, despite hypomagnesaemia, a risk factor for the refeeding syndrome being prevalent (44% of subjects). Low thiamine levels were infrequent affecting 3/29 (10%). We recommend that in alcoholics admitted for managed withdrawal, risk of refeeding syndrome appears to be low, and routine testing of repeat electrolytes appears unnecessary.
Factores de riesgo para infección intrahospitalaria por bacterias multirresistentes a los antibióticos. Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl. Medellín, junio 1998-junio 1999

Introduccion: la infeccion intrahospitalaria (IIH) por bacterias multirresistentes (BMR) a los antibioticos usuales es un problema creciente en los hospitales universitarios, cuyos factores de riesgo (FR) deben ser conocidos e intervenidos para evitar su diseminacion. Objetivos: identificar los principales FR asociadosa la IIH por BMR en el Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paul (HUSVP) de Medellin – Colombia, entre junio de 1998 y junio de 1999. Diseno: se realizo un estudio de casos y controles en el cual se incluyeron 270 pacientes; 103 casos (IIH por BMR), 88 controles(sin IIH) y 79 controles (IIH por bacterias sensibles).
Potential role of coenzyme Q10 in facilitating recovery from statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare, but serious complication of statin therapy, and represents the most severe end of the spectrum of statin‐induced myotoxicity. We report a case where coenzyme Q10 facilitated recovery from statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, which had initially persisted despite statin cessation and haemodialysis. This observation is biologically plausible due to the recognised importance of coenzyme Q10 in mitochondrial bioenergetics within myocytes, and the fact that statins inhibit farnesyl pyrophosphate production, a biochemical step crucial for coenzyme Q10 synthesis. Coenzyme Q10 is generally well tolerated, and may potentially benefit patients with statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis.
In-hospital Death Prediction by Multilevel Logistic Regression in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background: The odds of death of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in non-PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) hospitals in the Czech Republic change depending on a number of factors (age, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, Killip class, the diagnosis, and the number of recommended medications and treatment of ACE-inhibitor or sartan). Objectives: We present a detailed description of multilevel logistic regression applied in the derivation of the conclusion described in the Background, namely we compare multilevel logistic regression with logistic regression. Methods: The above mentioned clinical findings have been derived on the basis of data from the three-year (7/2008-6/2011) registry of acute coronary syndromes ALERT-CZ (Acute coronary syndromes – Longitudinal Evaluation of Real-life Treatment in non-PCI hospitals in the Czech Republic). A total of 32 hospitals contributed into the registry. The number of patients with ACS (n=6013) in the hospitals varied from 15 to 827. Results: The likelihood ratio test showed that the independence of medical outcomes across hospitals cannot be assumed (p<0.001, the variance partition coefficient VPC=8.9%). For this reason, we chose multilevel logistic regression to analyse data, specifically logistic mixed regression (the hospital identity was a random effect). The calibration properties of this model were very good (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p=0.989). The total discriminant ability of the model was 91.8%. Conclusions: Considering some differences among hospitals, it was appropriate to take into account patient affiliation to various hospitals and to use multilevel logistic regression instead of logistic regression.
Ecology and subsistence strategies in the eastern Italian Alps during the Middle Palaeolithic

Italy is very rich in Middle Palaeolithic sites, and the Veneto region ranges among those with the best archaeozoological information. Most of the Middle Palaeolithic sites are located in caves and rock shelters situated at the mouths of the Alpine valleys, in the piedmont slopes. The two sites that offer the best archaeozoological data are Grotta di Fumane and Grotta S. Bernardino. Grotta S. Bernardino was occupied alternately by humans and carnivores, in particular bear. The fauna is largely dominated by ungulate remains, with red and roe deer prevalent over chamois and ibex; elk and giant deer are also present. Among the carnivores, the most frequent species is cave bear followed by lynx and leopard. Furthermore, hare, beaver and marmot are present together with remains of both fish and birds. It is possible that bears or birds of prey introduced the rare fish remains. In the Mousterian levels, hunting of the most common species was mainly directed towards young adult and adult individuals, suggesting the possibility of selective hunting. Marmot, beaver and probably bear, together with some species of birds (ducks, geese and Galliformes) were also hunted. At Grotta Fumane, Mousterian and Aurignacian levels reveal evidence of human activity related to carcass processing and bone exploitation. The most frequent ungulates are red deer, followed by roe deer and ibex; less frequent are chamois, bovids and giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus). Among the carnivores, bears (both Ursus arctos and Ursus spelaeus) are present, as are wolf, red fox and hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Hare and marmot are also present together with abundant bird remains. The most common species of bird are: Tetrao tetrix, Crex crex and Pyrrhocorax graculus. Mortality data for ungulates suggest that young adults and adults were preferentially selected. The faunal assemblage indicates that economic, ecological and climatic changes took place between the Mousterian and the Aurignacian levels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypersensibilité immédiate aux produits de contraste

Le diagnostic etiologique d'une reaction d'hypersensibilite immediate apres injection de produit de contraste (PC) est fonde sur un triptyque associant la description precise des symptomes observes, leur delai de survenue, le bilan biologique au decours de la reaction (histamine, tryptase) et les tests cutanes avec le PC administre. La confrontation de ces arguments permet d'identifier le mecanisme physiopathologique de la reaction et l'agent implique, s'il s'agit d'un mecanisme allergique. Le bilan cutane doit etre realise selon des criteres rigoureux, avec le PC incrimine, qui sera definitivement contre-indique si le test cutane est positif. Les autres PC seront aussi testes, afin de proposer pour les procedures ulterieures un PC donnant un test cutane negatif. L'expression « allergie a l'iode » doit etre bannie du vocabulaire medical, car l'atome d'iode lui-meme n'est pas l'allergene responsable de ces reactions. La premedication ne previent pas la survenue de reactions allergiques graves aux PC.
Estudio de individuos con teniosis y su asociación con enfermos con neurocisticercosis

LA CISTICERCOSIS ES LA PARASITOSIS MAS FRECUENTE DEL SISTEMA NERVIOSO CENTRAL. EL PRINCIPAL FACTOR DE RIESGO PARA ADQUIRIR NEUROCISTICERCOSIS (NCC) ES LA PRESENCIA EN CASA DE UN PORTADOR DEL ESTADIO ADULTO DE LA TAENIA SOLIUM, QUIEN GENERALMENTE ES ASINTOMATICO, AUNQUE SE PUEDEN IDENTIFICAR LOS PROGLOTIDOS EN SU MATERIA FECAL. CON EL PROPOSITO DE IDENTIFICAR A DICHOS PORTADORES SE ESTUDIARON PACIENTES CON NCC QUE ASISTIAN AL SERVICIO DE NEUROLOGIA DEL HOSPITAL DE ESPECIALIDADES DEL CENTRO MEDICO NACIONAL SIGLO XXI, ASI COMO A SUS FAMILIAS. TAMBIEN SE INCLUYERON EN EL ESTUDIO LOS CASOS DE TENIOSIS DEL INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE PEDIATRIA, ASI COMO LOS REPORTADOS POR LOS LABORATORIOS ESTATALES DE SALUD PUBLICA DEL ESTADO DE MEXICO Y DE TLAXCALA. SE ANALIZARON LOS CUADROS CLINICOS DE LOS ENFERMOS CON NCC Y CON TENIOSIS. LAS MANIFESTACIONES CLINICAS DE NCC ENCONTRADAS FUERON SIMILARES A LAS DESCRITAS EN LA LITERATURA. EN PACIENTES CON TENIOSIS, LA CEFALEA, HIPEROREXIA, DOLOR EN HIPOCONDRIO DERECHO Y ESTRENIMIENTO SE PRESENTARON CON SIGNIFICANCIA ESTADISTICA. FUE NOTORIA LA DIFICULTAD TECNICA PARA EL DIAGNOSTICO DE TENIOSIS Y PARA LA OBTENCION DEL PARASITO UNA VEZ ADMINISTRADO EL TRATAMIENTO, ASI COMO LA FALTA DE INFORMACION SOBRE LA ENFERMEDAD, POR PARTE DE LOS PACIENTES CON TENIOSIS Y SUS FAMILIAS.
Transcript levels of the Aspergillus fumigatus Cdc42 module, polarisome, and septin genes show little change from dormancy to polarity establishment

Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common airborne pathogen causing fatal mycoses in immunocompromised patients. During the first 8 hours of development A. fumigatus conidia break dormancy, expand isotopically, establish an axis of polarity, and begin to extend germ tubes in a polar manner. The transition from isotropic to polar growth is critical for tissue invasion and pathogenesis. In the current work, we used two‐color microarrays to examine the A. fumigatus transcriptome during early development, focusing on the isotropic to polar switch. The most highly regulated transcripts in the isotropic to polar switch did not include known polarity genes. Transcripts encoding the Cdc42 module, polarisome components, and septins, known to be critical players in polarity, showed relatively steady levels during the isotropic to polar switch. Indeed, these transcripts were present in dormant conidia, and their levels changed little from dormancy through germ tube emergence. Not only did the isotropic to polar switch show little change in the expression of key polarity genes of the Cdc42 module, polarisome, and septins, it also showed the lowest overall levels of both up‐ and downregulation in early development.
EFEITOS COMPORTAMENTAIS E BIOQUÍMICOS DA DIETA INTERMITENTE NA VIGÊNCIA DE UM ESTÍMULO INFLAMATÓRIO NO HIPOCAMPO DE RATOS

Vasconcelos AR. Behavioral and biochemical effects of intermittent fasting in the presence or absence of an inflammatory stimulus (LPS) in rat hippocampus [Master in Pharmacology]. Sao Paulo: Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo; 2011. Hormesis is an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moderate stress, usually intermittent, which may have many beneficial effects to the biological system. Examples include exposure to low doses of certain phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol and isothiocyanates, exercise and intermittent fasting dietary restriction. The latter, when it does not cause malnutrition, induces a moderate nutritional stress to the organism, which not only stimulates the stress proteins, but also the body's defense mechanisms, making the cell or the organism more resistant to toxic stimuli. In general, intermittent fasting seems to act by mechanisms associated with cell survival and inflammatory response, thereby involving nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) modulation. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved, as well as the involvement of hormesis in signaling pathways important to neurogenesis and neuroprotection, such as the cyclic AMP response element (CREB) and WNT, and its correlation with inflammatory signaling. The present work investigates the effects of intermittent fasting on memory and learning, the signaling mechanisms associated with WNT proteins, CREB and NF-κB transcription factors and gene expression regulated by these transcription factors in rat hippocampus in absence or presence of an inflammatory stimulus, represented by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that intermittent fasting improved performance in Barnes maze and inhibitory avoidance behavioral tests even when treated with LPS. Also, intermittent fasting induced both increase of phosphorylated CREB and canonical WNT signaling pathway, and changes in inflammatory mRNA markers levels, such as, decreasing of toll-like receptor-4 (Tlr-4), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNos) and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2). In addition, intermittent fasting can also increase interleukin (IL)-10/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ratio levels when compared to control group. Taken together, our results suggest that intermittent fasting dietary restriction induces a prevalence of protective signaling cascades in the central nervous system (CNS).
DO WAITING TIMES MATTER IN PRIMARY CARE? GP VISITS AND LIST SIZES IN ENGLAND *

This paper is largely motivated by the empirical observation that GP visits per person under the NHS have increased in England since the mid-1970s, while list sizes have decreased over the same period A hypothesis consistent with this observation is that larger list sizes are associated with longer waiting times, which reduce the demand for GP visits. Using a time series of repeated cross sections from 1972 to 2004, we construct a pseudopanel of synthetic individuals and find very little evidence that list sizes affect visit frequencies. While there are mild associations consistent with the waiting-time hypothesis among working-age women, there are none for men or the elderly, and no associations are robust to the cohort analysis. The demand for GP visits is most likely driven by health status, and for women, childbirth.
Taiwanese preschool teachers' awareness of cultural diversity of new immigrant children: Implications for practice.

This study investigated Taiwanese preschool teachers' awareness of cultural diversity of new immigrant children and how this awareness influences their educational practices. In particular, this study focused on the cultural awareness of preschool teachers who work with young Taiwanese children whose mothers are immigrants from Southeast Asia. This study used quantitative and qualitative methods. One hundred seventy-two Taiwanese preschool teachers from the different geographic areas of Taiwan participated in the study. Data were collected through the use of the Cultural Diversity Awareness Inventory (CDAI) survey and participant interviews. Research results of the study revealed: (a) most Taiwanese preschool teachers had an awareness of cultural diversity, but their perceptions of how to create a multicultural environment need to be improved; (b) Taiwanese preschool teachers' personal experiences with children from different cultures were more associated with their cultural awareness than their ages and educational levels; (c) Geographic location was the factor affecting preschool teachers' awareness of cultural diversity and educational practices. This study is informative to the understanding of Taiwanese preschool teachers' awareness of cultural diversity and the implications of this awareness for classroom practice. In addition, multicultural perspectives of the Taiwan society toward immigrant families and children can benefit from the findings of this study. Future research should include the cultural needs of new immigrant children and the implementation of practices for educating new immigrant children.
Radiological and anatomical evaluation of the cranial nerves running lateral wall of the cavernous sinus

SUMMARY The cavernous sinus is a clinically important structure. Injuries of the cranial nerves running lateral wall of the cavernous sinus may occur during surgery of this region. The descriptions of the sinus and its contents show great variation. To demonstrate the route of cranial nerves within the cavernous sinus with magnetic resonance imaging is useful. In this study the dimension and shape of the cavernous sinuses and courses of the nerves on its lateral wall were investigated radiologically and anatomically. In addition, the trabeculated venous space of the sinus was studied. Fifty magnetic resonance images with normal pituitary gland were chosen for radiological study, and 10 fetal and 5 adult cadavers were used for anatomical study. Asymmetric cavernous sinuses were encountered during magnetic resonance imaging. Differences in the courses of the cranial nerves on the lateral wall of this sinus were identified. The width of the sinus was identified in fetuses and adults. To know the anatomy of the cavernous sinus’s related structures will provide a great benefit in minimizing the rate of complications which may occur during the resection of tumors of the cavernous sinus and the hypophysis, or other surgical procedures at this region.
Green Tea Modulation of Obesity and Breast Cancer Risk

Abstract : Breast cancer continues to be the most common and second deadliest cancer of women living in the United States.1, 2 It is thought that obesity and chronic inflammation play an important role in increasing risk of breast cancer in humans. 3-5 There is evidence suggesting change in dietary habits including drinking green tea may modify the risk of breast cancer development. This decrease in breast cancer risk may be mediated through the proposed effect of green tea intake on body weight and inflammation. 6, 7 The purpose of this training grant is to examine the effects of green tea extract supplementation for one year on obesity-related hormones and inflammatory biomarkers as two of the purported mechanisms by which green tea may result in reducing breast cancer risk. This research study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, doubleblind in a subgroup of 300 healthy postmenopausal obese and overweight women with differing COMT genotypes of the parent grant called Green Tea and Reduction of Breast Cancer Risk . A major up-to-date achievement of this study includes completing the study for 114 subjects. This accounts for 38% of the total sample size. Another achievement includes recruiting and randomizing 108 more subjects into the study. It is anticipated that the recruitment for this training grant will be finished by the end of July 2012. Finally, the analyses of all biological samples are scheduled to take place at the beginning of April 2012.