Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant M odulating effect of Olea europeaea leaf E xtract on Superoxide dismutase (SOD) A ctivity in Streptozotocin induced diabetes

Oxidative stress concern one of the most common causes of chronic diseases worldwide. Earli er clinical studies reported that oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis and development of complications of both types of diabetes mellitus (DM). Most of the synthetic diabetic drugs failed to minimize the side effects. Hence, now a days natural antioxidants gaining popularity in the treatment of diabetes to overcome the adverse effects of synthetic diabetic drugs. The purpose of the current work was to investigate the modulating effect of Olea europeaea leaf extract on antioxidativ e enzyme (Superoxide dismutase) activity in Streptozotocin ( STZ ) induced diabetes . Oral administration of Olea europaea methanolic leaf extract (OEMLE) at the doses 250, 500 mg/kg, p.o respectively was studied in STZ induced diabetic mice. Oral glucose tolerance, blood glucose level as well as liver and kidney and serum superoxide dismutase activit ies were studied. After treatment with OEMLE 250, 500 mg/kg, p.o for 15 days there was a significant decrease in blood glucose levels and Oral glucose tolerance test reviled maximum blood glucose levels after oral glucose challenge after 30 min. The activity of SOD in serum, liver and kidney activity was significantly increase (p < 0.05 ) after the oral treatment with OEMLE (250, 500 mg/ kg b.w) . We concluded that OEMLE (250, 500 mg/kg, b.w) doses are effective in the protection of oxidative damage in diabetes. The effectiveness is does dependent manner. Our study suggest that OEMLE 500mg/kg , b.w was more effective dose. Keyw ords: Oxidative stress , Superoxide dismutase , Olea europeaea leaf , diabetes mellitus .
ELEVATED SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN INHALED CORTICOSTEROID-NAÏVE CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

Objective-Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was determined in inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-naive and ICS-inhaling asthmatic children to understand the inflammatory process (es) in asthma. The latex agglutination test was performed for determining the serum CRP concentration among 87 asthmatic children. The limitation of detection of the test was less than 6 mg/L. Further, CRP was treated as a categorical variable: elevated (≥ 6 mg/L) and normal (< 6 mg/L). Among 87 asthmatic children, 15 children were ICS-naive and 72 were ICS-inhaling. The elevated serum CRP concentration was detected in 13 (86.7%) ICS naive-children and in only 3 (4.2%) ICS-inhaling children. The CRP concentration was significantly elevated in the serum of ICS-naive sub-group of asthmatic children (p < 0.001). This study suggests that the asthmatic inflammation is associated with the elevation of serum CRP concentration and the ICS, which has the anti-inflammatory properties, might have played a role in reducing the CRP concentration in the ICS-inhaling children.
Alternative explanations about HIV and AIDS: re-examining distrust among young adults in Cape Town, South Africa

Alternative beliefs about HIV – such as the man-made origins of the virus or the existence of a cure – can undermine trust in and engagement with HIV prevention and treatment initiatives. It is therefore crucial to study the reasons why these beliefs are plausible to some individuals, and how we might better address them in future prevention and treatment campaigns. This study contributes to understanding these beliefs by examining the explanations provided by African respondents in Khayelitsha Township for the plausibility of alternative beliefs about HIV and AIDS. Drawn from a sub-selection of over 2900 respondents to the Cape Area Panel Study, ten focus group discussions (n=47) were held with African men and women from the township of Khayelitsha. Previous studies maintain that the experience of apartheid, of former President Mbeki’s AIDS denialism, and of the unsettling transformations of globalisation have negatively influenced the South African public’s trust in biomedical claims. This paper argues that in addition to these explanations, individuals express distrust about HIV science because certain aspects of these scientific explanations do not ‘add-up’, particularly when considered in light of their everyday observations and experiences. These disjunctures in information do not simply reflect a lack of HIV knowledge or rejection of scientific principles. Rather, in drawing on past and present experiences, individuals demonstrate their commitment to “street-level epistemologies of trust”, an informal manner of empirically engaging with science’s rationale. HIV prevention campaigns should draw on experiential aspects of HIV and AIDS to lend credibility to scientific claims and recognize that some doubts about science are a form of skeptical engagement rather than an outright rejection.
TRAIL-induced variation of cell signaling states provides nonheritable resistance to apoptosis

This work summarizes cellular apoptotic and signaling response to TRAIL across 10 cell lines and for the first time links signaling diversity to nongenetic resistance. This high-dimensional, single-cell approach toward TRAIL resistance sets a standard in studying nongenetic resistance. TNFα-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), specifically initiates programmed cell death, but often fails to eradicate all cells, making it an ineffective therapy for cancer. This fractional killing is linked to cellular variation that bulk assays cannot capture. Here, we quantify the diversity in cellular signaling responses to TRAIL, linking it to apoptotic frequency across numerous cell systems with single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF). Although all cells respond to TRAIL, a variable fraction persists without apoptotic progression. This cell-specific behavior is nonheritable where both the TRAIL-induced signaling responses and frequency of apoptotic resistance remain unaffected by prior exposure. The diversity of signaling states upon exposure is correlated to TRAIL resistance. Concomitantly, constricting the variation in signaling response with kinase inhibitors proportionally decreases TRAIL resistance. Simultaneously, TRAIL-induced de novo translation in resistant cells, when blocked by cycloheximide, abrogated all TRAIL resistance. This work highlights how cell signaling diversity, and subsequent translation response, relates to nonheritable fractional escape from TRAIL-induced apoptosis. This refined view of TRAIL resistance provides new avenues to study death ligands in general.
Pulmonary Subtypes Exhibit Differential Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Spirometry Stage Progression: The COPDGene® Study.

Rationale We classified individuals into pulmonary disease subtypes based on 2 underlying pathophysiologic disease axes (airway-predominant and emphysema-predominant) and their increased mortality risk. Our next objective was to determine whether some subcomponents of these subtypes are additionally associated with unique patterns of Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) spirometry stage progression. Methods After accounting for intra-individual measurement variability in spirometry measures between baseline (Phase 1) and the 5-year follow up (Phase 2) of the COPD Genetic Epidemiology (COPDGene®) study, 4615 individuals had complete data that would characterize patterns of disease progression over 5 years (2033 non-Hispanic whites; 827 African Americans; 48% female). Individuals could express increased risk for mortality on one or both of the primary subtype axes (airway-predominant or emphysema-predominant) and thus they were further classified into 6 groups: high-risk airway-predominant disease only (APD-only), moderate-risk airway-predominant disease only (MR-APD-only), high-risk emphysema-predominant disease only (EPD-only), combined high-risk airway- and emphysema-predominant disease (combined APD-EPD), combined moderate-risk airway- and emphysema-predominant disease (combined MR-APD-EPD), and no high-risk pulmonary subtype. Outcomes were dichotomized for GOLD spirometry stage progression from Phase 1 to Phase 2. Logistic regression of the progression outcomes on the pulmonary subtypes were adjusted for age, sex, race, and change in smoking status. Results The MR-APD-only group was associated with conversion from GOLD 0 to preserved ratio-impaired spirometry (PRISm) status (odds ratio [OR] 11.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7-22.1) and GOLD 0 to GOLD 2-4 (OR 6.0, 95% CI 2.0-18.0). The EPD-only group was associated with conversion from GOLD 0 to GOLD 1 (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-4.6), and GOLD 1 to GOLD 2-4 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9). Conversion between PRISm and GOLD 2-4 (31%-38%) occurred in both the APD-only and the MR-APD-only groups. Conclusion Differential conversion occurs from GOLD 0 to PRISm and GOLD 0 to GOLD 1 based on groups expressing airway-predominant disease or emphysema-predominant disease independently or in combination. Airway-predominant and emphysema-predominant subtypes are highly important in determining patterns of early disease progression.
Improving outcomes of infections in cystic fibrosis in the era of CFTR modulator therapy

Currently, available single and dual‐combination cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies have favorably altered the life course of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) by decreasing morbidities and increasing survival. However, even with CFTR modulator use, questions and challenges remain to optimize the management of lung infections. This review (a) identifies these ongoing challenges and discusses the current understanding of the potential impact of CFTR modulator therapy on infections; (b) describes ongoing research to optimize detection, diagnosis, and treatment of CF microorganisms; and (c) discusses strategies to develop new anti‐infective therapies. The CF Foundation has launched the Infection Research Initiative to fund research that will improve our understanding of the complex microbial ecology within the CF lung, improve detection of CF pathogens, optimize current treatment, including long‐term chronic therapies, and develop new anti‐infective therapies. Ongoing clinical trials to determine the optimal duration of treatment of pulmonary exacerbations and to diagnose and treat nontuberculous mycobacteria represent clinical research paradigms that could be used to answer other complex treatment questions. The anti‐infective pipeline includes both existing anti‐infective and non‐anti‐infective agents, many of which are proposed to have unique mechanisms of action in CF. Future studies plan to evaluate short‐ and long‐term clinical effectiveness and impact on infections, of the next generation of CFTR modulator therapy, the highly effective triple‐combination therapy, for individuals with CF, homozygous or heterozygous for F508del.
Parasite Infiltration and Apoptosis in Spleen upon Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Toxoplasma gondii infection induces parasite infiltration and apoptosis in the spleen. However, dose-dependent parasite infiltration, apoptosis, body weight alternations and survival in mice remain largely unknown. In this study, mice were intraperitoneally infected with 10, 30 or 100 tachyzoites of T. gondii, respectively. Parasite infiltration and apoptosis in the spleen were analyzed on days 3, 7, and 9 post-infection by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Significantly higher levels of T. gondii infiltration and apoptosis in the spleen were found in 30 and 100 tachyzoites infected mice compared to 10 tachyzoites infected mice on days 7 and 9 post-infection. Although 30 and 100 tachyzoites infected mice showed significant body weight loss compared to 10 tachyzoites infected mice, all of the 100, 30, and 10 tachyzoites infected mice died by days 12, 15, and 17, each respectively. Interestingly, T. gondii infiltration in 10 tachyzoites infected mice were limited to capsule area of the spleen on day 9 post-infection. Several areas of parasite infiltrations were found in the 30 tachyzoites infected mice, where noticeable levels of splenic capsule de-adhesion occurred. These results indicated that parasite infiltration and apoptosis in the spleen, as well as body weight loss (survival) are closely correlated with infection dosage. The level of T. gondii infiltration and apoptosis in the spleen and splenic de-adhesion were dependent on the parasite dose.
Correlation between Haemoglobin Level and Anthropometric Variables: A Study on Women of Reproductive Age Group, West Bengal

Abstract The recent study attempts to find the association between haemoglobin level and different anthropometric indices among the women belonging to reproductive age group with low socio-economic status. In this study haemoglobin level of 353 women belonging to the reproductive age group (15 years to 45 years) residing in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India was measured. The socio-economic status of the women in this study was assessed by revised Kuppuswami’s socio-economic status scale. Analysis of the data revealed a significant (p<0.05) correlation between haemoglobin level in this group of women with their corresponding anthropometric parameters like weight, height, waist circumference (WC), Waist-hip ratio (WHR) while the basal metabolic rate was found to be strongly correlated (r=0.172; p<0.001) with haemoglobin level. Approximately 3 out of 4 women belonging to the reproductive age group with low socio-economic status in Paschim Medinipur district had low haemoglobin levels and positive association were noted between weight, height, WC, WHR of these women.
Clinical Investigations Association between Systemic Calcified Atherosclerosis and Bone Density

Both atherosclerosis and osteoporosis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, are independent predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, and may share common regulatory mechanisms as well as histopathology. Multiple reports of weak or null relationships between traditional CVD risk factors and calcified atherosclerosis have heightened interest in novel predictors of arterial calcium. One such hypoth- esis is for an inverse relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and calcified coronary atherosclerosis. Although contrary findings have been reported, the majority of cross-sectional and all prospective studies have demonstrated a significant inverse association be- tween arterial calcium deposits and BMD. The few studies that include men are equivocal, and, to date, no study has investigated the relationship between BMD and systemic arterial calcium. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lumbar BMD is significantly associated with the presence of arterial atherosclerotic calcium in the carotid, coronary, and iliac vascular beds as well as the aorta.
Use of Advance Care Planning Billing Codes in a Tertiary Care Center Setting

Introduction: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the final payment rules for reimbursement of advance care planning (ACP) effective January 2016. In its first year, 23,000 providers nationwide submitted 624,000 claims using the Current Procedural Terminology codes 99497 and 99498. The objectives of our study were to 1) assess the frequency of ACP codes used at a single academic tertiary care center in Iowa, 2) determine when and by whom the codes were used, and 3) summarize ACP clinical notes. Methods: Using the electronic medical record data warehouse from a single tertiary teaching hospital and affiliated clinics, date of service, department where service was provided, provider name and type, patient medical record number, date of birth, and gender linked to the ACP codes 99497 and 99498 were collected. The content of ACP clinical notes were reviewed and summarized. Study period was from January 1, 2016 through September 19, 2018. Results: During the 33 months, code 99497 was used 17 times and code 99498 was never used. Code 99497 was successfully reimbursed 4 times. Discussion: Charges were not reimbursed if the ACP visits did not meet the minimum time requirement or were conducted by an individual not considered a qualified health care professional per Medicare rules. Conclusion: ACP codes 99497 and 99498 were very rarely used at this tertiary care center during the initial 33-months after the Medicare rules went into effect. Interventions are needed to promote the use of ACP codes, so the time spent in important ACP discussions are properly compensated.
An open challenge to advance probabilistic forecasting for dengue epidemics

Significance Forecasts routinely provide critical information for dangerous weather events but not yet for epidemics. Researchers develop computational models that can be used for infectious disease forecasting, but forecasts have not been broadly compared or tested. We collaboratively compared forecasts from 16 teams for 8 y of dengue epidemics in Peru and Puerto Rico. The comparison highlighted components that forecasts did well (e.g., situational awareness late in the season) and those that need more work (e.g., early season forecasts). It also identified key facets to improve forecasts, including using multiple model ensemble approaches to improve overall forecast skill. Future infectious disease forecasting work can build on these findings and this framework to improve the skill and utility of forecasts. A wide range of research has promised new tools for forecasting infectious disease dynamics, but little of that research is currently being applied in practice, because tools do not address key public health needs, do not produce probabilistic forecasts, have not been evaluated on external data, or do not provide sufficient forecast skill to be useful. We developed an open collaborative forecasting challenge to assess probabilistic forecasts for seasonal epidemics of dengue, a major global public health problem. Sixteen teams used a variety of methods and data to generate forecasts for 3 epidemiological targets (peak incidence, the week of the peak, and total incidence) over 8 dengue seasons in Iquitos, Peru and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Forecast skill was highly variable across teams and targets. While numerous forecasts showed high skill for midseason situational awareness, early season skill was low, and skill was generally lowest for high incidence seasons, those for which forecasts would be most valuable. A comparison of modeling approaches revealed that average forecast skill was lower for models including biologically meaningful data and mechanisms and that both multimodel and multiteam ensemble forecasts consistently outperformed individual model forecasts. Leveraging these insights, data, and the forecasting framework will be critical to improve forecast skill and the application of forecasts in real time for epidemic preparedness and response. Moreover, key components of this project—integration with public health needs, a common forecasting framework, shared and standardized data, and open participation—can help advance infectious disease forecasting beyond dengue.
Effect of Clinical Decision-Support Systems

BACKGROUND Despite increasing emphasis on the role of clinical decision-support systems (CDSSs) for improving care and reducing costs, evidence to support widespread use is lacking. PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of CDSSs on clinical outcomes, health care processes, workload and efficiency, patient satisfaction, cost, and provider use and implementation. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science through January 2011. STUDY SELECTION Investigators independently screened reports to identify randomized trials published in English of electronic CDSSs that were implemented in clinical settings; used by providers to aid decision making at the point of care; and reported clinical, health care process, workload, relationship-centered, economic, or provider use outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION Investigators extracted data about study design, participant characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and quality. DATA SYNTHESIS 148 randomized, controlled trials were included. A total of 128 (86%) assessed health care process measures, 29 (20%) assessed clinical outcomes, and 22 (15%) measured costs. Both commercially and locally developed CDSSs improved health care process measures related to performing preventive services (n= 25; odds ratio [OR], 1.42 [95% CI, 1.27 to 1.58]), ordering clinical studies (n= 20; OR, 1.72 [CI, 1.47 to 2.00]), and prescribing therapies (n= 46; OR, 1.57 [CI, 1.35 to 1.82]). Few studies measured potential unintended consequences or adverse effects. LIMITATIONS Studies were heterogeneous in interventions, populations, settings, and outcomes. Publication bias and selective reporting cannot be excluded. CONCLUSION Both commercially and locally developed CDSSs are effective at improving health care process measures across diverse settings, but evidence for clinical, economic, workload, and efficiency outcomes remains sparse. This review expands knowledge in the field by demonstrating the benefits of CDSSs outside of experienced academic centers. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Time trends between 2002 and 2017 in correlates of self-reported sitting time in European adults

Background This study explores trends in the prevalence of high sitting time and its correlates among “high sitting” and “high sitting-least active” European adults from 2002 to 2017. Both groups have merit for future public health interventions to prevent development of a range of prevalent non-communicable diseases. Methods Data collected in the 2002 (15 countries), 2005 (30 countries), 2013 (28 countries) and 2017 (28 countries) Eurobarometer surveys were used, including around 15,000 respondents in 2002 and >26,000 respondents in the other years. Sitting time and moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity were measured with the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short. High sitting was defined as >7.5 hours per day. Respondents in the lowest quartile of total reported days of physical activity (i.e. days walking, days in moderate activity, and days in vigorous activity) were defined as least active. Multivariate odds ratios of high sitting, and high sitting-least active were assessed by country and socio-demographic characteristics for each survey year using binary logistic regression analyses. Results Trends in sitting time were relatively stable over a 15-year period, although this time trend was limited by a change in the sitting question between 2005 and 2013. Men, higher educated people, students, retired people, white collar workers, people living in urban areas, people with lower physical activity levels, and people living in the Czech Republic, Denmark or the Netherlands were consistently more likely to be in the high sitting group across all four survey years. Similarly, men, students, retired people, unemployed people, white collar workers, and people living in the Czech Republic or Denmark were consistently more likely to be in the high sitting-least active group across all four surveys. Conclusion This study identified population sub-groups that need special attention in public health interventions to lower total sitting time.