Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall. A number of phenotypic cell changes occur during the development and progression of atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression that act at the post-transcriptional level. They have been implicated in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of our knowledge about the expression and the roles of miRNAs in different cell types involved in atherosclerosis, with a focus on experimental strategies to modulate miRNA expression and their therapeutic effects in animal models of atherosclerosis. miRNA expression is regulated by inflammatory conditions and by shear stress in endothelial cells. Therapeutic approaches using antagomiR and miRNA mimic delivery and have been shown potentially effective in atherosclerosis. Moreover, a large body of evidence exists supporting a role for not only intracellular miRNA, but also miRNA carried by extracellular vesicles that are involved in inter-cellular communication through the transfer of miRNA. Expert opinion: Modulation of miRNA expression could represent novel innovative therapeutic approaches to treat atherosclerosis by targeting a single cell type or specific pathways. Future challenges will consist in deciphering the mechanisms involved in miRNA regulation and in improving cell-specific delivery of ‘miR-drugs’ by alternative strategies, including miRNA-enriched micro vesicles.
Non-NMDAR neuronal Ca2+–permeable channels in delayed neuronal death and as potential therapeutic targets for ischemic brain damage

Introduction: Transient cerebral ischemia represents the most common cause of complex chronic disability in adults due to delayed neuronal death as a result of aberrant post-ischemic increases in the [Ca2+]c and [Zn2+]c. A number of Ca2+-permeable channels are engaged in transient ischemia-induced neuronal death. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the GluA2-lacking AMPARs, acid-sensing ion channel 1a, melastatin-related transient receptor potential 2 (TRPM2), TRPM7 and store-operated Ca2+ channels expressed in ischemia-vulnerable neurons, and focus on the studies using in vitro and in vivo models of transient ischemia that supports a significant role for these channels in inducing increases in the [Ca2+]c and/or [Zn2+]c and delayed neuronal death, and their potential as therapeutic targets. Expert opinion: Non-NMDAR Ca2+-permeable channels are important mechanisms mediating delayed neuronal death and cognitive dysfunctions after transient ischemia. Identification of such Ca2+-permeable channels significantly improves our understanding of the molecular events leading to ischemic brain damage and provides promising novel targets for post-ischemic therapeutics treating ischemic brain damage.
Effective presentations: how can we learn from the experts?

Although the health care community expects its members to make effective presentations, presentation strategies are seldom explicitly taught.Those who do attempt to systematically teach or learn these skills soon realize that 'how to' guides for making effective presentations contain useful, but not sufficient, information. To become an effective presenter, it is necessary to understand not only the generic strategies that characterize effective presentations, but also the context-specific presentation strategies of a particular practice community.The framework for making effective presentations proposed in this paper is grounded in the knowledge of how experts acquire and use strategy knowledge, and takes into account not only the 'how to' of making presentations, but the circumstances and belief systems that determine effective presentation strategies in varying contexts.The framework is designed to make presentation strategy knowledge more transparent, and to permit presenters to learn from every prese.
Hyaluronic Acid: A Boon in Periodontal Therapy

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring linear polysaccharide of the extracellular matrix of connective tissue, synovial fluid, and other tissues. Its use in the treatment of the inflammatory process is established in medical areas such as orthopedics, dermatology, and ophthalmology. The Pubmed/Medline database was searched for keywords “Hyaluronic acid and periodontal disease” and “Hyaluronic acid and gingivitis” which resulted in 89 and 22 articles respectively. Only highly relevant articles from electronic and manual search in English literature were selected for the present review article. In the field of dentistry, hyaluronic acid has shown anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Due to its tissue healing properties, it could be used as an adjunct to mechanical therapy in the treatment of periodontitis. Further studies are required to determine the clinical efficacy of hyaluronic acid in healing of periodontal lesion. The aim of the present review, article is to discuss the role of hyaluronic acid in periodontal therapy.
Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among HIV Positive Patients Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common serious opportunistic infection in HIV positive patients and is the manifestation of AIDS in more than 50% of cases in developing countries. TB can occur at any time during the course of HIV infection. Aim: To describe the socio-demographic profile and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (HIV/TB co-infection) among HIV positive patients been attended at the antiretroviral therapy clinic (ART) clinic at tertiary care teaching hospital of western Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the ART clinic of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, from June 2011 to May 2012. A total of 1012 HIV positive patients, who attended ART clinic, receiving ART treatment during the study period, were included in the analysis. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (Version 17.0). Results: This study showed 1012/172 (17%) prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among HIV positive patients, of which 87 (50.58%) were males and 85 (48.42%) were females. Low CD4 count (< 50/μl) had statistically significant association with HIV/TB co-infection as compared to HIV infection only (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The study showed that 17% of HIV infected persons had tuberculosis co-infection. More strategic preventive measures that enhance body immunity among HIV patients are highly needed as early as possible before they develop active tuberculosis.
Bombesin related peptides/receptors and their promising therapeutic roles in cancer imaging, targeting and treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Despite remarkable advances in tumor treatment, many patients still die from common tumors (breast, prostate, lung, CNS, colon, and pancreas), and thus, new approaches are needed. Many of these tumors synthesize bombesin (Bn)-related peptides and over-express their receptors (BnRs), hence functioning as autocrine-growth-factors. Recent studies support the conclusion that Bn-peptides/BnRs are well-positioned for numerous novel antitumor treatments, including interrupting autocrine-growth and the use of over-expressed receptors for imaging and targeting cytotoxic-compounds, either by direct-coupling or combined with nanoparticle-technology. Areas covered: The unique ability of common neoplasms to synthesize, secrete, and show a growth/proliferative/differentiating response due to BnR over-expression, is reviewed, both in general and with regard to the most frequently investigated neoplasms (breast, prostate, lung, and CNS). Particular attention is paid to advances in the recent years. Also considered are the possible therapeutic approaches to the growth/differentiation effect of Bn-peptides, as well as the therapeutic implication of the frequent BnR over-expression for tumor-imaging and/or targeted-delivery. Expert opinion: Given that Bn-related-peptides/BnRs are so frequently ectopically-expressed by common tumors, which are often malignant and become refractory to conventional treatments, therapeutic interventions using novel approaches to Bn-peptides and receptors are being explored. Of particular interest is the potential of reproducing with BnRs in common tumors the recent success of utilizing overexpression of somatostatin-receptors by neuroendocrine-tumors to provide the most sensitive imaging methods and targeted delivery of cytotoxic-compounds.
Factors Associated with the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in Portland, Jamaica

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide and is the leading cause of deaths in developing countries. Despite the strong evidence that cervical cancer screening results in decreased mortality from this disease, the uptake for cervical screening among Jamaican women remains low. Aims : This study was carried out to identify factors associated with Jamaican women′s decisions to screen for cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study of 403 women aged 19 years and older from Portland, Jamaica. An interviewer-administered questionnaire assessed the women′s cervical cancer screening history, as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the disease and screening. Results: Of the 403 women interviewed, 66% had a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and only 16% had a Pap test within the past year. Significant predicators of uptake of screening were being married, age, parity, discussing cancer with health provider, perception of consequences of not having a Pap smear, and knowing a person with cervical cancer. Women who did not know where to go for a Pap smear were 85% less likely to have been screened (prevalence odds ratio (POR): 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.52). Conclusions: This study showed suboptimal uptake of cervical cancer screening among Jamaican women. Multipronged approaches are needed to address barriers to screening, as well as identify and support conditions that encourage women′s use of reproductive health services, thereby reducing incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer.
VALIDITY AND REPEATABILITY OF DUAL DIGITAL INCLINOMETER IN MEASURING THORACIC KYPHOSIS IN WOMEN OVER 45 YEARS

Objective:Accurate measurement of the Thoracic Kyphosis Angle (TKA) has great value for both evaluating patients and monitoring treatment progress. Dual Digital Inclinometer (DDI) has introduced as a non-invasive device that can measure the kyphosis angle. Because of lack of sufficient data, this study was aimed to determine the validity and the reliability of the DDI in measuring TKA in a group of women. Materials and Methods:In this study, TKA was measured by DDI three times in 20 women aged 45-70 years. The first two measurements were taken with an hour apart in the same day, to assess the within -day and the third measurement was taken a day later to assess the between-day reliability. Finally, the validity of obtaining values of the TK with DDI compared with Cobb's angle as a gold standard. Results:The ICC between the measurements from the Cobb’s angle and DDI method was 0.86. TKA measurements using DDI were shown to be reliable with high Inttraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values, 0.92 and 0.87 for within- day and between- day respectively. Conclusion:According to the present study, the DDI is a valid and reliable device for non-invasive and clinical measurement of TKA in women over 45 years.
Pegylated-interferon-α2a in clinical practice: how to manage patients suffering from side effects

Introduction: The goal of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C is to slow or halt the progression of fibrosis and prevent the development of cirrhosis. Accordingly, antiviral treatment is proposed for a large population of patients with chronic hepatitis. Areas covered: The standard-of-care for chronic hepatitis C is the combination of pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin. The use of these drugs has been correlated with a range of adverse effects, including influenza-like symptoms, hematological changes and neuropsychiatric disturbances. The effects of these adverse events associated with PEG-IFN therapy are manifold and are a major reason why patients decline or stop therapy. This review addresses the screening for adverse event risk factors and guides the patient to success with adherence strategies. Expert opinion: Knowledge of the side effects correlated with PEG-IFN is very relevant for clinicians because it can allow them to arrange the best methods for treating these effects and avoid the discontinuation of antiviral treatment. Moreover, the use of new antiviral drugs will considerably shorten treatment periods reducing many of the above-described side effects and, thus, increase adherence to scheduled therapy.
The Importance of Complete Sepsis Workup in Healthy Jaundiced Neonates

Objectives: To evaluate the importance of doing complete sepsis workup including blood culture and suprapubic urine culture (S/P) as an initial evaluation for healthy neonates presenting with jaundice early in life. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 699 full-term asymptomatic infants presenting to Queen Alia Military Hospital (QAMH) in Amman, Jordan between July 2000 till January 2003 with jaundice at ages between 2-15 days. 161 neonates were excluded due to at least one exclusion criteria. Each neonate was examined by the same pediatrician in order to determine his health status, after which the samples of blood and S/P urine culture were taken under proper asepsis techniques. Results: Of the 538 neonates; 268 (48%) were females and 270 (52%) were males. None of them had a positive blood culture and only two had positive urine cultures (0.37%). Conclusion: Doing complete sepsis workup in otherwise healthy jaundiced neonates as a routine initial evaluation or workup is not mandatory and it is money and effort consuming.
Prevelence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Older Adults in an Area of India with a High Cataract Surgical Rate

Background: The cataract surgical rate (CSR) in Gujarat, India is reported to be above 10,000 per million population. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and causes of vision impairment/blindness among older adults in a high CSR area. Methods: Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting persons ≥ 50 years of age in Navsari district. Subjects in 35 study clusters were enumerated and invited for measurement of presenting and best-corrected visual acuity and an ocular examination. The principal cause was identified for eyes with presenting visual acuity < 20/32. Results: A total of 5158 eligible persons were enumerated and 4738 (91.9%) examined. Prevalence of presenting visual impairment < 20/63 to 20/200 in the better eye was 29.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.5–31.2) and 13.5% (95% CI: 12.0–14.9) with best correction. The prevalence of presenting bilateral blindness (< 20/200) was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.7–8.1), and 3.1% (95% CI: 2.5–3.7) with best correction. Presenting and best-corrected blindness were both associated with older age and illiteracy; gender and rural/urban residence were not significant. Cataract in one or both eyes was the main cause of bilateral blindness (82.6%), followed by retinal disorders (8.9%). Cataract (50.3%) and refractive error (35.4%) were the main causes in eyes with vision acuity < 20/63 to 20/200, and refractive error (86.6%) in eyes with acuity < 20/32 to 20/63. Conclusions: Visual impairment and blindness is a significant problem among the elderly in Gujarat. Despite a reportedly high CSR, cataract remains the predominant cause of blindness.
Validação de um protocolo para o teste de caminhada de seis minutos em esteira para avaliação de pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar

OBJETIVO: Elaborar e validar um protocolo para teste de caminhada de seis minutos em esteira (TC6est) para a avaliacao de pacientes com hipertensao arterial pulmonar (HAP). METODOS: A populacao do estudo foi composta por 73 pacientes com HAP diagnosticados atraves de cateterismo cardiaco direito, com ou sem inalacao de NO. Todos os pacientes realizaram um TC6 em solo e tres TC6est baseados em um protocolo de incremento de velocidade pre-determinado e intercalados por um periodo de repouso. Os pacientes que haviam realizado o teste hemodinâmico com inalacao de NO realizaram o terceiro TC6est com a inalacao da mesma dose de NO utilizada durante o cateterismo. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram uma correlacao da distância caminhada no TC6est com os dados hemodinâmicos, assim como com a classe funcional e com a distância caminhada no solo. Alem disso, a distância percorrida no TC6est apresentou uma correlacao significativa com a sobrevida, confirmando, portanto, sua correlacao com a gravidade da doenca. A inalacao de NO durante o TC6est levou a variacoes compativeis com as variacoes hemodinâmicas frente a mesma dose de NO, sugerindo que o protocolo em questao pode refletir o efeito de intervencoes terapeuticas. CONCLUSOES: Concluimos que a distância percorrida no TC6est e um marcador funcional e prognostico na avaliacao de rotina de pacientes com HAP.
Factors of success in endurance sports: Changing of muscle fiber type

Endurance is one of the factors which considerably influences performance of sportsmen. One important factor is a change in muscle fiber type. The latter is determined by the speed of contraction and histochemical analysis of the muscle fiber. The typology of muscle fibers is divided into three aspects: histochemical aspect (I, IIa and IIb), mechanical aspect (slow oxidative - SO, fatigue resistant - FR, and fatigable fibers - FF) and biological aspect (slow aerobic, fast aerobic, fast glycolytic). A human is born, on average, with a higher ratio (50-55%) of slow muscle fibers. During development, the share varies by type of activity that might occur. It is assumed that athletes who perform short abrupt action need more of the fast glycolytic IIb fibers than other athletes. On the other hand, endurance sports require a higher ratio of slow oxidative type I muscle fiber from athletes. Characteristics of specific adjustments depending on the type of exercise have been recognized. Prolonged endurance exercise elicits different metabolic and morphological changes including mitochondrial biogenesis, transforming fast into slow muscle fibers and metabolism substrate. In contrast, heavy exercise stimulates the synthesis of proteins responsible for contractive muscle hypertrophy and increases maximum contraction. Acta Medica Medianae 2013;52(4):6974.
Assessment of Health-related Quality of Life after Radiofrequency Ablation or Laparoscopic Surgery for Small Renal Cell Carcinoma: a Prospective Study with Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during follow-up period in patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or laparoscopic surgery for small renal cell carcinoma. Methods: From December 2004 through September 2006, for 37 consecutive patients, who were diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and underwent percutaneous RFA (n ¼ 20) or laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (n ¼ 17) at our institution,. HRQoL was evaluated prospectively using SF-36 Health survey pre- and post-operatively (1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery). Results: Four of the eight scale scores of SF-36 were significantly lower pre-operatively in the RFA group than in the laparoscopic surgery group. The QoL scores in physical functioning, role-physical functioning and role-emotional functioning were significantly reduced one week after laparoscopic surgery. However, there was no reduction of the SF-36 QoL scores one week after operation in the RFA group. Furthermore, HRQoL scores in the RFA group showed a tendency to improve during follow-up periods. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate HRQoL changes (up to 24 weeks) in patients who have undergone RFA or laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for small renal cell carcinoma. No reduction, but rather an improvement, in HRQoL was seen in the RFA group during follow-up periods. From the point of view of QoL, RFA could be a viable alternative treatment for selected patients with small renal cell carcinoma.RFA could be a viable alternative treatment for the selected patients with small renal cell carcinoma
Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Shanxi Province, China

Abstract Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in Shanxi Province, China. Methods: Data were obtained from the Second National Sampling Survey of Disability conducted in 2006. Blindness and visual impairment were defined as best corrected visual acuity <3/60 and <6/18, respectively, in the better-seeing eye. Standardized ophthalmologic examinations were administered to participants aged 0–80 years in 2006. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using a Standard Logarithmic Visual Acuity E chart (Snellen) for subjects aged 7 years and older. Participants younger than 7 years were examined using special experiments or the Childhood Graphical Visual Chart. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in Shanxi was estimated to be 0.6% (466/75,016) among persons up to 80 years old. The prevalence in rural areas (0.7%; 351/48,137) was significantly higher than that in urban areas (0.4%; 115/26,879) and was higher in females (0.8%; 298/36,933) than in males (0.4%; 168/38,083). The most common cause of visual impairment and blindness was cataract (44.9%), followed by retinopathy and choroidopathy (12.5%), hereditary and developmental disorders (10.3%), corneal disease (5.2%), and refractive error (4.9%). Conclusion: Prevalences of visual impairment and blindness in women and in rural areas were higher than in men and urban areas, and increased with age. Cataract was the most prevalent cause of visual impairment and blindness. Based on the findings from this study, we suggest that provision of support and welfare services should be organized.
Image fusion pitfalls for cranial radiosurgery

Stereotactic radiosurgery requires imaging to define both the stereotactic space in which the treatment is delivered and the target itself. Image fusion is the process of using rotation and translation to bring a second image set into alignment with the first image set. This allows the potential concurrent use of multiple image sets to define the target and stereotactic space. While a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence alone can be used for delineation of the target and fiducials, there may be significant advantages to using additional imaging sets including other MRI sequences, computed tomography (CT) scans, and advanced imaging sets such as catheter-based angiography, diffusor tension imaging-based fiber tracking and positon emission tomography in order to more accurately define the target and surrounding critical structures. Stereotactic space is usually defined by detection of fiducials on the stereotactic head frame or mask system. Unfortunately MRI sequences are susceptible to geometric distortion, whereas CT scans do not face this problem (although they have poorer resolution of the target in most cases). Thus image fusion can allow the definition of stereotactic space to proceed from the geometrically accurate CT images at the same time as using MRI to define the target. The use of image fusion is associated with risk of error introduced by inaccuracies of the fusion process, as well as workflow changes that if not properly accounted for can mislead the treating clinician. The purpose of this review is to describe the uses of image fusion in stereotactic radiosurgery as well as its potential pitfalls.