Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination Therapy With Various Combinations of Aliskiren, Valsartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide in Hypertensive Patients Not Adequately Responsive to Hydrochlorothiazide Alone

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of several different multi‐drug regimens including aliskiren, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in patients not adequately responsive to HCTZ as monotherapy. After 4 weeks of HCTZ treatment, patients (N=641) whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was ≥95 mm Hg were treated for 8 weeks with either aliskiren/valsartan/HCTZ, aliskiren/HCTZ, valsartan/HCTZ, or HCTZ alone. The primary efficacy variable was change in DBP from baseline to week 8 end point. The aliskiren/valsartan/HCTZ combination produced statistically significant additional reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP)/DBP when compared with other groups. At week 8 end point, reductions in SBP/DBP in the respective treatment groups were 22/16, 15/11, 18/14, or 6/6 mm Hg. Aliskiren/valsartan/HCTZ produced significantly better blood pressure control (SBP/DBP <140/90 mm Hg; 66.7%) compared with other treatment groups (20.5%–48.7%). The safety profile of aliskiren/valsartan/HCTZ was similar to the 2‐drug combinations, with a greater blood pressure–lowering effect in patients who had not responded to HCTZ monotherapy.
The Dietary Constituent Falcarindiol Promotes Cholesterol Efflux from THP-1 Macrophages by Increasing ABCA1 Gene Transcription and Protein Stability

We report increased cholesterol efflux from macrophages in the presence of falcarindiol, an important dietary constituent present in commonly used vegetables and medicinal plants. Falcarindiol (3–20 μM) increased cholesterol efflux from THP-1-derived macrophages. Western blot analysis showed an increased protein level of ABCA1 upon falcarindiol exposure. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that also ABCA1 mRNA level rise with falcarindiol (10 μM) treatment. The effect of falcarindiol on ABCA1 protein as well as mRNA level were counteracted by co-treatment with BADGE, an antagonist of PPARγ. Furthermore, falcarindiol significantly inhibited ABCA1 protein degradation in the presence of cycloheximide. This post-translational regulation of ABCA1 by falcarindiol occurs most likely by inhibition of lysosomal cathepsins, resulting in decreased proteolysis and extended protein half-life of ABCA1. Taken together, falcarindiol increases ABCA1 protein level by two complementary mechanisms, i.e., promoting ABCA1 gene expression and inhibiting ABCA1 protein degradation, which lead to enhanced cholesterol efflux.
Point-of-choice nutrition information for the modification of milk selection.

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a point-of-choice nutrition-information program on one dietary practice, the selection of milk. Students in two dormitory cafeterias were presented with a nutrition-information sign and nutrient display cards (in Dormitory I) or with nutrient display cards only (in Dormitory II), using a multiple-baseline experimental design. The sign provided general nutrition information and recommendations for changing food selection, while the display cards, posted directly on the milk dispensers, indicated the number of calories, milligrams of cholesterol, and percent of calories from fat in a serving of whole, lowfat chocolate, or nonfat milk. The results show that nonfat milk consumption significantly increased in both settings relative to baseline levels, while lowfat chocolate milk consumption declined in Dormitory II, and whole milk consumption declined in Dormitory II. This study demonstrates that providing simple nutrition information at .
Effect of Rehydration on Recovery, Repair, and Growth of Injured Freeze-Dried Salmonella anatum

From 70 to 90% of the Salmonella anatum cells that survived freeze-drying in nonfat milk solids were injured. After rehydration, these injured survivors failed to grow on a selective plating medium containing deoxycholate but could form colonies on a nonselective medium. In a suitable environment after rehydration, injury disappeared in most of these cells. The rate of this repair at 25 C was very rapid initially and, in a medium containing milk solids, was completed within 1 hr after rehydration. The repaired cells initiated growth about 1 hr later than normal cells and grew at a slower rate. In a medium containing milk solids, initial recovery, extent of repair of injury, initiation of growth, and rate of growth were not influenced by supplementation with extra nutrients in other rehydration media. Rehydration controlled by modifying the concentrations of lactose, sucrose, or milk solids in the rehydration medium influenced the recovery of cells and the time that growth was initiated. Glycerol failed to increase recovery. Higher numbers of cells were recovered by rehydrating at 15 to 25 C, but an earlier initiation of growth and more rapid growth were observed at 35 C.
Relationship between Visceral Fat and PAI-1 in Overweight Men and Women before and after Weight Loss

Summary This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between visceral fat accumulation and plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels in healthy, obese men and women undergoing weight loss therapy. The subjects, 25 men and 25 premenopausal women, aged between 26 and 49 years, with an initial body mass index between 28 and 38 kg/m2, received a controlled diet for 13 weeks providing a 4.2 MJ/day energy deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat. Our results show that before weight loss visceral fat was significantly correlated with PAI-1 in men (r = 0.45; p <0.05), but not in women (r = -0.15; ns). The association between visceral fat and PAI-1 in men remained significant after adjustment for age and total fat mass, and multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant independent contribution of visceral fat to plasma PAI-1 levels. Both visceral fat areas and PAI-1 levels decreased significantly with weight loss in both men and women. Changes in visceral fat area were related to changes in PAI-1 in women (r = -0.43; p = 0.05) but not in men (r = -0.01; ns); however, this association in women disappeared after adjustment for total fat mass. We conclude that there is a relationship between visceral fat and PAI-1 in obese men but not in obese women, and that PAI-1 levels decrease substantially (52%) by weight loss, but this change is not related to changes in visceral fat mass per se.
Comparison of Awareness of Patient Parameters between Two Groups of Caregivers in Intensive Care Unit

Aim of the Study: The overlap in the scope of duties performed by two core groups of Intensive Care Unit caregivers, the doctors and nurses may lead to gaps in awareness of patient-related parameters among them. Our study tested the hypothesis that there is no difference in the awareness of patient-related parameters between the two study groups (doctors and nurses). Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study, incorporating various aspects of a patient's medical care was designed. Pro forma for 100 patients was filled by doctors and nurses divided into two groups of 100 each (50 junior residents [JRs] and 50 senior residents [SRs] in the doctors' group). Statistical analysis of categorical data was done by Chi-squared test and interval data by t-test. A subgroup analysis was done for comparison between nurses SRs and JRs as independent groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (doctors and nurses) in terms of percentage of correct responses in the questionnaire (P = 0.655). A highly significant difference between the knowledge of SRs and nurses was found with a P = 0.0001. P < 0.0001 was calculated for the SRs versus JRs which was highly significant. Conclusions: As a group, doctors (SRs and JRs) did not reflect any difference in awareness of patient-related parameters when compared to nurses. However, SRs were more knowledgeable about the patient-related parameters when compared independently with the JRs and the nurses.
Coexistent Circumvallate Placenta and Battledore Insertion of Umbilical Cord Resulting in Grave Obstetric Outcome: A Case Report

Background: Various placental and cord abnormalities have been known to adversely affect the obstetric outcome. Circumvallate placenta and Battledore insertion of the umbilical cord are both rare and known to be associated with poor obstetric outcome individually. Case Presentation: In this case report, the woman presented at 8 months of gestation with preeclampsia with IUFD to North Easter Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Science Shillong on 22/7/16 and delivered a macerated fetus vaginally. After delivery, examination revealed both a circumvallate placenta and Battledore insertion of umbilical cord. This might have attributed to preeclampsia and ultimately IUFD in this case as she had no other identifiable cause for IUFD. Conclusion: If such placental and cord abnormalities are suspected or diagnosed antenatally by ultrasonography, the pregnancy should be regarded as high risk. Such woman would require more stringent follow up in the antenatal period and continuous intrapartum monitoring to avoid any catastrophe and to achieve a favorable maternal and fetal outcome.
Biomechanical design considerations for transradial prosthetic interface: A review

Traditional function and comfort assessment of transradial prostheses pay scant attention to prosthetic interface. With better understanding of the biomechanics of prosthetic interface comes better efficiency and safety for interface design; in this way, amputees are more likely to accept prosthetic usage. This review attempts to provide design and selection criteria of transradial interface for prosthetists and clinicians. Various transradial socket types in the literature were chronologically reviewed. Biomechanical discussion of transradial prosthetic interface design from an engineering point of view was also done. Suspension control, range of motion, stability, as well as comfort and safety of socket designs have been considered in varying degrees in the literature. The human–machine interface design should change from traditional “socket design” to new “interface design. ” From anatomy and physiology to biomechanics of the transradial residual limb, the force and motion transfer, together with comfort and safety, are the two main aspects in prosthetic interface design. Load distribution and transmission should mainly rely on achieving additional skeletal control through targeted soft tissue relief. Biomechanics of the residual limb soft tissues should be studied to find the relationship between mechanical properties and the comfort and safety of soft tissues.
Change of left ventricular geometric pattern after 1 year of antihypertensive treatment: the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study.

BACKGROUND Patients with hypertension have different types of left ventricular (LV) geometry, but the impact of blood pressure (BP) reduction on LV geometry change during antihypertensive treatment remains unclear. METHODS Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms were recorded at baseline in 853 unmedicated patients with stage II to III hypertension and LV hypertrophy determined by electrocardiography (Cornell voltage duration > or =2440 mV x ms or modified Sokolow-Lyon criteria: SV1 + RV5/RV6 >38 mV) after 14 days of placebo treatment. Follow-up echocardiography was done after 1 year of blinded treatment with either losartan or atenolol, in some cases supplemented with thiazide and calcium antagonist to reach target a BP of 140/90 mm Hg. RESULTS Baseline systolic/diastolic BP were reduced from 174 +/- 20/95 +/- 11 to 151 +/- 19/84 +/- 11 mm Hg. LV mass was reduced from 234 +/- 56 to 207 +/- 51 g and relative wall thickness from 0.41 +/- 0.07 to 0.38 +/- 0.06 (all P <.001). Prevalence of concentric LV hypertrophy decreased from 24% to 6%, eccentric LV hypertrophy from 46% to 37%, and concentric LV remodeling from 10% to 6%; normal geometry increased from 20% to 51%. A shift toward lower LV mass and relative wall thickness was found, as approximately 73% of those with concentric LV remodeling at baseline shifted to normal geometric pattern, whereas only 7% of those with normal pattern at baseline shifted to concentric LV remodeling. Of patients with concentric LV hypertrophy at baseline, 34% shifted to eccentric LV hypertrophy, whereas only 3% with eccentric LV hypertrophy at baseline had concentric LV hypertrophy. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that Doppler stroke volume reduction was a significant correlate of LV mass reduction (beta = 0.108, P <.001) independent of BP, heart rate change, and assigned drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS Antihypertensive treatment reduces LV mass and decreases the prevalence of LV hypertrophy and concentric LV remodeling. Additional control of Doppler stroke volume potentiates the effect of BP reduction on LV mass regression independent of the BP reduction per se.
New stimulation pattern design to improve P300-based matrix speller performance at high flash rate

Objective. We propose a new stimulation pattern design for the P300-based matrix speller aimed at increasing the minimum target-to-target interval (TTI). Approach. Inspired by the simplicity and strong performance of the conventional row–column (RC) stimulation, the proposed stimulation is obtained by modifying the RC stimulation through alternating row and column flashes which are selected based on the proposed design rules. The second flash of the double-flash components is then delayed for a number of flashing instants to increase the minimum TTI. The trade-off inherited in this approach is the reduced randomness within the stimulation pattern. Main results. We test the proposed stimulation pattern and compare its performance in terms of selection accuracy, raw and practical bit rates with the conventional RC flashing paradigm over several flash rates. By increasing the minimum TTI within the stimulation sequence, the proposed stimulation has more event-related potentials that can be identified compared to that of the conventional RC stimulations, as the flash rate increases. This leads to significant performance improvement in terms of the letter selection accuracy, the raw and practical bit rates over the conventional RC stimulation. Significance. These studies demonstrate that significant performance improvement over the RC stimulation is obtained without additional testing or training samples to compensate for low P300 amplitude at high flash rate. We show that our proposed stimulation is more robust to reduced signal strength due to the increased flash rate than the RC stimulation.
Novel approaches to the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) continues to be the major problem in long-term survivors of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplants and is the principal cause of morbidity and non-relapse mortality. Over the past twenty years, diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of cGvHD have slowly evolved. An effective therapy for cGvHD is designed to prevent complications through targeting the disease mechanisms. None of the present therapies for cGvHD are successful in the majority of patients. Conventional drugs in different combinations can control the disease in approximately 50% of patients. Attempts to improve survival have led to evaluation of several alternative approaches in the treatment of refractory cGvHD with varying degrees of success. Clinical trials are needed to establish the role of these new approaches in the treatment of cGvHD as first line or salvage therapy without causing significant side effects. This review summarises the currently available knowledge on conventional and new treatment approaches for cGvHD.
Persistent social inequality in life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy: Outlook for a differential pension age in Denmark?

Aims: The state old-age pension in Denmark increases to keep pace with the projected increase in average life expectancy (LE) without any regard to the social gap in LE and expected lifetime in good health. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in LE and disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) between groups of Danes with high, medium and low levels of education. Methods: Nationwide register data on education and mortality were combined with data from the Surveys of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) surveys in 2006–2007, 2010–2011 and 2013–2014 and the DFLE by educational level was estimated by Sullivan’s method for each of these three time points. Results: Between 2006–2007 and 2013–2014, LE among 65-year-old men and women with a low educational level increased by 1.3 and 1.0 years, respectively, and by 1.4 and 1.3 years for highly educated men and women. The gap in LE between people with high and low levels of education remained more than 2 years. In 2006–2007, 65-year-old men with a high level of education could expect 3.2 more years without disability than men of the same age with a low level of education. In 2013–2014, the difference was 2.9 years. For women, the results were 3.7 and 3.4 years, respectively. Conclusions: With the persistent social inequality in LE of more than 2 years and the continuous gap between high and low educational groups in DFLE of about 3 years, a differential pension age is recommended.
Learned Helplessness at Work

The development of theory and research on learned helplessness is reviewed and criticized on some points, e.g., for its reliance on artificial laboratory experiments. Some empirical findings are presented, indicating a connection between certain work characteristics and learned helplessness. Other research traditions have emphasized the importance of job qualifications, freedom of action, and development possibilities for well-being and health. There is, however, hardly any research on learned helplessness at work. Learned helplessness hypotheses should be tested on data from real life; if applied to work environment research, the theory of learned helplessness could generate important results.
Metabolic and circulatory responses to muscular exercise in a subject with glycogen storage disease (McArdle's Disease).

The maximal oxygen uptake of a patient suffering from McArdle's disease was 1.82 1/min, or about 50% of normal value. Neither exhaustive dynamic nor static work resulted in lactate formation. The maximal oxygen debt was 1.87 1, which is 15–20% of normal value. Circulatory and respiratory responses to increasing exercise loads revealed a hyperkinetic circulation which was normalized after glucose medication. There were lack of hyperventilation in strenuous exercise and low functional dimensions in the cardiovascular system.
Incremental accretion of a sandy reef island over the past 3000 years indicated by component‐specific radiocarbon dating

Low‐lying reef islands appear particularly threatened by anticipated sea‐level rise, and determining how they formed and whether they are continuing to accumulate sediment is essential for their sustainable management. Depositional chronology of Warraber Island, a small sand cay in Torres Strait, Australia, is re‐examined based on AMS radiocarbon dating of specific skeletal components. Whereas radiometric dating of bulk sand samples indicated one or more discrete phases of mid‐late Holocene deposition, component‐specific AMS radiocarbon dating of sand grains indicates sustained incremental growth over the past 3000 years. Ages on gastropods that lived on the reef flat around the island indicate continuing sediment production and island progradation, in contrast to bulk ages and other components produced at greater distances. Growth of sand cays depends on the rate and pattern of sediment supply, which are functions of the local ecology of the surrounding reef and reef flat, and hydrodynamic constraints.
The potential of stem cell-based therapy for retinal repair

Like injured neurons in the brain or spinal cord, neurons in the retina are incapable to regenerate following injury and ultimately would lead to irreversible neuronal loss and vision impairment. Over decades, extensive effort has been made to develop strategies to protect retinal neurons from death; however, the outcome is limited (Pettmann and Henderson, 1998; Bahr, 2000; Lagali and Picketts, 2011). Replacing the degenerated retinal neurons by newly generated and functional neurons would be an ideal scenario. The rapid development of stem cell biology has recently demonstrated that stem cells could be a potential source of cells for cell replacement therapy because these cells have the self-renewal capacity and could be differentiated into many cell types. This review will discuss the therapeutic potential of stem cell-based therapy to retinal degenerative diseases.
Addressing the ImageClef 2009 Challenge Using a Patch-based Visual Words Representation

This paper describes our participation at the ImageClef 2009 medical annotation task. In this task we have used the bag-of-words approach for image representation. We submitted one run, using support-vector-machines trained on the visual word histograms in multiple scales. In this task our result ranked first, with error score of 852.8.
Identification of Factors That Disrupt Negative Air Pressurization of Respiratory Isolation Rooms

Abstract Objectives: To investigate the airflow characteristics of respiratory isolation rooms (IRs) and to evaluate the use of visible smoke as a monitoring tool. Methods: Industrial hygienists from the New York State Department of Health evaluated 140 designated IRs in 38 facilities within New York State during 1992 to 1998. The rooms were located in the following settings: hospitals (59%), correctional facilities (40%), and nursing homes (1%). Each room was tested with visible smoke for directional airflow into the patient room (ie, negative air pressure relative to adjacent areas). Information was obtained on each facility's policies and procedures for maintaining and monitoring the operation of the IRs. Results: Inappropriate outward airflow was observed in 38% of the IRs tested. Multiple factors were associated with outward airflow direction, including ventilation systems not balanced (54% of failed rooms), shared anterooms (14%), turbulent airflow patterns (11%), and automated control system inaccuracies (10%). Of the 140 tested rooms, 38 (27%) had either electrical or mechanical devices to monitor air pressurization continuously. The direction of airflow at the door to 50% (19/38) of these rooms was the opposite of that indicated by the continuous monitors at the time of our evaluations. The inability of continuous monitors to indicate the direction of airflow was associated with instrument limitations (74%) and malfunction of the devices (26%). In one facility, daily smoke testing by infection control staff was responsible for identifying the malfunction of a state-of-the-art computerized ventilation monitoring and control system in a room housing a patient infectious with drug-resistant tuberculosis. Conclusion: A substantial percentage of IRs did not meet the negative air pressure criterion. These failures were associated with a variety of characteristics in the design and operation of the IRs. Our findings indicate that a balanced ventilation system does not guarantee inward airflow direction. Devices that continuously monitor and, in some cases, control the pressurization of IRs had poor reliability. This study demonstrates the utility of using visible smoke for testing directional airflow of IRs, whether or not continuous monitors are used. Institutional tuberculosis control programs should include provisions for appropriate monitoring and maintenance of IR systems on a frequent basis, including the use of visible smoke.