Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
α-Tocopherol, β-carotene, lutein, squalene and secoiridoids in seven monocultivar Italian extra-virgin olive oils

Abstract Fatty acids and bioactive lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds (tocopherols, β-carotene, lutein, squalene, total polyphenols and secoiridoids) in monocultivar Italian extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples produced from the Leccino cultivar and six other yet uncharacterised cultivars (Rustica, Carpinetana, Dritta, Gentile di Chieti and Intosso) were analysed, also taking into account the effect of the type of decanter used for the oil extraction. Significant differences among cultivars were found for α-tocopherol and squalene, but not for carotenoids. Among phenols, cultivars significantly influenced oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones contents, but not those of the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethyl elenolic acid linked neither to tyrosol nor hydroxytyrosol. As previously reported, phenol is quantitatively affected by the type of decanter used for oil extraction. Accordingly, we found that the two-phases decanter preserved in the oil 1.5 times more phenolic compounds as compared with three-phases, whereas it did not influence the amount of lipophilic compounds. Moreover, our data statistically support the finding that type of decanter affects phenols also qualitatively. In fact, the two-phases decanter preferably preserved more the hydroxytyrosol secoiridoid derivatives than the tyrosol ones. Our results from one hand characterise for the first time oils previously unreported, from the other give some new indications on the relative role of factors relevant for the achievement of biologically active extra-virgin oil, i.e. the cultivar and technological ones.
Effect of various diets on biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome

Abstract The impact of the normal whole diet in different countries and of special types of diet on the biomarkers of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is reviewed. Diet type, specification, risk of MetS and studied biomarkers, as far as could be traced, are included. Critical points in published studies are mentioned. Description of the traditional dietary patterns for the various countries is not always well-defined and numbers of persons in the studied population are sometimes quite limited, which hamper drawing definite conclusions. Since a Nordic diet, a dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH), and especially a Mediterranean diet are quite promising, due to its health claims, the food pattern is studied more in detail and a large spectrum of vegetarian diets are included as well. Most of the time lipid profile and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are the studied biomarkers in response to diet intake.
Men and infant feeding: perceptions of embarrassment, sexuality, and social conduct in white low-income British men.

BACKGROUND The views of fathers have been shown to be important determinants of infant feeding decisions, but men's perceptions of breastfeeding and formula feeding are rarely explored. Our objectives were to address this gap and examine cultural associations and beliefs concerning infant feeding practices among men. METHODS Five focus groups were conducted with low-income men (n = 28) living in areas of social deprivation in Leeds, northeast of England, and low-income areas of Glasgow, west of Scotland. Participants were white British men, aged between 16 and 45 years, and included fathers, expectant fathers, and potential fathers. RESULTS Overarching themes concerning sexuality, embarrassment, and social conduct were identified across all groups. Participants perceived breastfeeding as "natural" but problematic, whereas formula feeding was mainly considered as convenient and safe. Participants without direct experience of breastfeeding assumed that it involved excessive public exposure and attracted unwanted male attention. Underpinning these fears were strong cultural associations between breasts and sexuality and anxieties concerning appropriate gender roles. CONCLUSIONS In some communities few opportunities may occur to witness breastfeeding, and thus existing fears concerning the activity as attracting predatory male attention remain unchallenged. Perceptions of breastfeeding as a sexual activity and the dominant mass media emphasis on breasts as a sexual site may present additional obstacles to breastfeeding. Antenatal or perinatal education with men should address not only practical issues but also provide advice on tackling problems generated by wider sociocultural issues of sexuality and masculinity.
Uptake and Release Phenomena in Contact Lens Care by Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

Abstract: Contact lens solutions are highly complex mixtures of biocides (preservatives), surfactants, and other agents designed to disinfect, clean, and wet contact lenses. The commercialization of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) lenses has resulted in unique challenges to the manufacturers of contact lens solutions, because the properties of these materials differ markedly from those seen previously with poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate–based hydrogels. Historically, hydrogel lens uptake and release of low-molecular weight preservatives such as chlorhexidine and thimerosal were known to result in allergic reactions, resulting in corneal irritation, stinging, conjunctival hyperemia, development of corneal infiltrates, palpebral lid changes, and corneal staining. However, little is known about the interaction of modern care systems with modern soft lens materials. Factors to be considered when evaluating the uptake and release of care components include the water content, charge, relative hydrophobicity, surface treatment, and porosity of the lens material, in conjunction with the concentration, charge/molecule, ionicity in the product matrix, molecular weight, and hydrophobicity of the care component in question. These factors control the sorption of the solution components by lenses, resulting in a variety of differences in the amount of the component taken up into the lens material and the amount and rate of subsequent release onto the ocular surface. Because both natural (ocular) and environmental biota become part of the solution–lens system during regimen use of any lens care product, these extraneously introduced substances should also be considered regarding their potential for uptake and either subsequent release onto the ocular surface or functioning as a scaffold for the adhesion of microbes. This article will review current knowledge concerning these interactions and investigate what clinically observable complications may arise from these interactions. It also reviews whether current methods to determine these interactions could be improved on.
Contact Lens In Vitro Wettability by Interferometry Measures of Drying Dynamics

Purpose: To develop with a thin film interferometer new parameters to describe the drying properties of contact lenses; these are: time to first break-up (onset latency), duration of lens surface drying (drying duration), maximum speed of increase in the drying area (maximum speed), and the time to reach maximum drying speed (peak latency). These new parameters were compared with the contact angle (CA) measurement of contact lenses by the captive bubble (CB) technique. Methods: A thin film interferometer was connected to a digital camera, which captured images of the pre-lens liquid film of seven soft contact lenses in vitro: 1-Day Acuvue Moist, ACUVUE Oasys (Johnson & Johnson Vision Care); SofLens 38, PureVision (Bausch & Lomb); AirOptix Night & Day, AirOptix Aqua (CIBA Vision, Corp); and Proclear (Cooper Vision). The images were obtained from the lens surface when it was wet until it became dry (7 images per second) to generate video clips. A program was created in MATLAB to analyze the results. The CAs of the lens surfaces were measured by the CB technique with an OCA-20 contact angle analyzer (Data Physics Instruments). Results: There were no significant relationships found between the CA and the new drying parameters (P > 0.05). Analysis of the results using analysis of variance and post hoc tests showed that the surface drying dynamics measures effectively differentiated between more of the soft lenses than the CA. Conclusions: A new technique is described for assessing the drying characteristics of contact lenses by observations of the pattern, size, and speed of pre-lens liquid film break-up observed by a thin film interferometry. The interferometry method allowed evaluation and differentiation between lens materials. This new technique has the major advantage that it can be applied to evaluate contact lens wettability in vivo and in vitro.
Which AML subsets benefit from leukemic cell priming during chemotherapy? Long‐term analysis of the ALFA‐9802 GM‐CSF study

Priming with granulocytic hematopoietic growth factors may modulate cell cycle kinetics of leukemic cells and render them more susceptible to phase‐specific chemotherapeutic agents. In a first report, we have shown that priming with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) may enhance complete remission (CR) rate and event‐free survival (EFS) in younger adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for adult refugees and asylum seekers

Abstract Background: Europe is in the midst of the largest refugee migration since the Second World War; there is an urgent need to provide an updated systematic review of the current best evidence for managing mental distress in refugee populations. Aims: The aim of this review is to provide an exhaustive summary of the current literature on psychosocial interventions, both trauma- and non-trauma-focused, for refugee populations experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive or anxiety symptoms. To produce recommendations for future research and current clinical practice. Method: Searches were conducted in PubMed, PsychINFO (Hosted by Ovid), PILOTS and Social Services Abstracts; 5305 articles were screened and 40 were included. Results: This review found medium to high quality evidence supporting the use of narrative exposure therapy (NET). A lack of culturally adapted treatments was apparent and there was less evidence to support standard cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and multidisciplinary treatments. Conclusion: NET produced positive outcomes in refugees from a diverse range of backgrounds and trauma types. There is a general dearth of research in all intervention types: further research should include more “real-world” multidisciplinary interventions that better model clinical practice. Recommendations for evaluating local need, and creating a culturally sensitive workforce are discussed.
Clinical Aspects of Gastric Cancer and Helicobacter pylori– Screening, Prevention, and Treatment

Gastric cancer still represents a global health care burden, and in the absence of strategies implemented for early detection, the disease continues to have a dismal prognosis. Patients presenting with clinical manifestations of gastric cancer have limited options for cure. Thus, early detection and prevention play a key role in the fight against gastric cancer. Serologic‐based test methods have the potential to detect a subset of patients at high risk of gastric cancer that require a close clinical and endoscopic follow‐up. More data have been produced to support Helicobacter pylori eradication as an efficient strategy to prevent gastric cancer. Treatment options for patients with an advanced disease are still limited, but the introduction of new agents opens a more optimistic perspective for the future.
Men and suicide prevention: a scoping review

Abstract Background: Male suicide rates are higher than their female counterparts in almost every country around the world. Several developed countries have attempted to implement suicide prevention programmes, but few have specifically targeted men. Aims: To identify what is currently known about suicide prevention strategies, programmes, and interventions of relevance to men. Method: A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley’s five-stage framework. Results: Twenty-two studies were included. Thematic analysis identified three categories: (i) male suicide prevention interventions; (ii) factors or coping strategies that interrupt the suicidal process in men; (iii) men’s perspectives on service provision. Interventions included awareness campaigns; training of community “gatekeepers”; psychological support; and educational initiatives targeted to either GPs or depressed or suicidal men. Men emphasised the need to receive support from a trusted and respected individual, preferably in an informal setting. Connecting with others, reframing help-seeking as masculine, and the use of emotional regulation techniques were all identified as factors with potential to interrupt the suicidal process. Conclusions: This review demonstrates the need for further research examining the perspectives of suicidal middle-aged men and their close family and friends.
The Role of Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Abstract: Invasive lobular carcinoma has been associated with an increased risk of contralateral breast disease. Controversy exists regarding the use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy versus careful observation of the contralateral breast. Our objective was to determine the incidence of occult cancer in the contralateral breast and to assess whether contralateral prophylactic mastectomy improves patient survival. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 133 patients treated surgically for invasive lobular carcinoma between January 1, 1978, and December 31, 1993. The median age was 54 years (range, 24–82 years). The distribution of patients by stage was as follows: stage 1, 29%; stage IIa, 36%; stage IIb, 20%; stage IIIa, 11%; stage IIIb, 3%; and unknown, 1%. The median follow‐up was 68 months (range, 13–178 months). Group comparisons were performed using log‐rank analysis and survival curves were constructed by the method of Kaplan and Meier. Eighteen patients underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Among these patients there were no cases of invasive cancer and only 3 (17%) cases of lobular carcinoma in situ in the contralateral breast. Three patients who underwent contralateral prophylactic mastectomy later developed distant metastases from the original ipsilateral breast cancer. Of the 115 patients managed conservatively, 3 (3%) developed contralateral disease at 11, 34, and 101 months. Twenty‐five patients developed distant disease. Overall survival in the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy group did not differ significantly from the group treated conservatively (p = 0.90). We conclude that careful observation with a yearly mammogram and physical examination of the contralateral breast is appropriate management for patients with invasive lobular carcinoma.
Helicobacter Pylori and the Birth Cohort Effect: Evidence for Stabilized Colonization Rates in Childhood

Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori has declined over recent decades in developed countries. The increasing prevalence with age is largely because of a birth cohort effect. We previously observed a decline in H. pylori prevalence in 6‐ to 8‐year‐old Dutch children from 19% in 1978 to 9% in 1993. Knowledge about birth‐cohort‐related H. pylori prevalence is relevant as a predictor for the future incidence of H. pylori‐associated conditions.
Prospective, Multicenter, Clinical Evaluation of Point-of-Care Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Test for Confirming Dry Eye Disease

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the negative and positive agreement of a point-of-care matrix metalloproteinase-9 test in confirming the diagnosis of dry eye and to evaluate the ease of use by untrained ophthalmic technicians. Methods: The study was a prospective, sequential, masked, clinical trial with 4 clinical trial sites. The InflammaDry test was compared with the clinical assessment of tear break-up time, Schirmer tear testing, and corneal staining for the confirmation of dry eye, both with and without the inclusion of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), as a confirmatory test. Results: The study enrolled 237 patients. If the OSDI is included in the definition for mild dry eye, the InflammaDry test was shown to have a total positive agreement of 81% (127/157) and a negative agreement of 98% (78/80). The removal of the OSDI shifted the categorization of 11 patients previously considered positive for dry eye to become categorized as negative for dry eye. If the OSDI is excluded from the definition of dry eye, the InflammaDry test demonstrates a positive agreement of 86% (126/146) and a negative agreement of 97% (88/91) against the clinical assessment. Conclusions: The InflammaDry test demonstrates a high positive and negative agreement for confirming suspected dry eye disease. In addition, the test was safely and effectively performed by untrained operators. These findings support the intended use of the InflammaDry test as an aid in the diagnosis of dry eye.
Retinal oximetry in glaucoma

Retinal oximetry is an emerging technology which holds promise across in range of eye disease. Intra‐vascular retinal oximetry measurements have been obtained using both dual wavelength, and hyper‐spectral techniques. Retinal oximetric abnormalities have been demonstrated in central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. Abnormalities have also been described in glaucoma patients: 1) Elevated retinal venous saturation, especially in eyes with reduced visual function, when compared to normal control eyes, possibly secondary to reduced inner retinal oxygen consumption. 2) Reduced arterial saturation at the optic nerve head (ONH) in animal models with acutely elevated intra‐ocular pressure, possibly related to reduced ONH perfusion. The elevated venous oxygen saturation found in retinal vessels in eyes with glaucoma damage may represent an objective measure of inner retinal function, and may hold promise as an index of ganglion cell health/remaining functional cell mass, and may therefore allow insights into the impact of therapeutic intervention eg IOP reduction, or neuro‐protective agents. The available evidence for a role for retinal oximetry in glaucoma will be presented.
Poor functional status immediately after discharge from an intensive care unit

Purpose. To evaluate the functional status of patients within the first week of discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU), and to identify predictors and explanatory factors of functional status. Methods. A prospective, observational, cohort study was conducted with consecutive ICU patients who had stayed in a mixed, closed-format, university-level ICU for longer than 48 h. Results. Between 3 and 7 days of discharge from the ICU, functional status (as primary outcome), walking ability, muscle strength, and sensory and cognitive functioning were assessed in 69 survivors. The overall functional status was poor (median Barthel Index 6). In their ability to perform basic activities of daily living, 67% percent were severely dependent, 15% were moderately dependent, and 9% were slightly dependent on other people. Independent walking was impossible for 73% of participants, grip strength was reduced for 50%, and 30% had cognitive impairments. Duration of ventilation was associated with functional status after ICU discharge. Reduced grip strength and walking ability were identified as explanatory factors for poorer functional status shortly after discharge from the ICU. Conclusion. In the first week after discharge from the ICU, the majority of the patients had substantial functional disabilities in activities of daily living. These disabilities were more severe in patients who experienced ventilation for a longer period of time. There is a need for prospective studies focusing on functional recovery to support informed decision-making concerning the care of critically ill patients after ICU discharge.
The effect of stress-deprivation and cyclic loading on the TIMP/MMP ratio in tendon cells: An in vitro experimental study

Purpose. To determine the effect of stress deprivation and cyclic loading on TIMP-1/MMP-13 mRNA expression ratio in rat tail tendon (RTT) cells. Method. Adult RTTs were stress-deprived for 0, 24, 48, or 72 hours in the presence or absence of a MMP inhibitor (ilomastat), or subjected to 1%, 3%, or 6% strain for 24 h under tissue culture conditions. TIMP-1 and MMP-13 (rat interstitial collagenase) mRNA expression were measured using quantitative PCR and TIMP/MMP ratios were calculated for each group. Results. The ratio of TIMP-1 to MMP-13 in control RTTs was 3.73:1 ± 0.73. Stress deprivation for 24 h significantly decreased the TIMP-1/MMP-13 ratio (0.25:1 ± 0.04) and MMP-13 expression continued to increase significantly with time of stress deprivation. Inhibition of MMP-13 mRNA expression with ilomastat in stress-deprived samples did not alter TIMP-1 expression when compared to normal controls. Cyclic loading significantly increased TIMP-1/MMP-13 expression at all strain levels examined. Conclusions. RTTs normally have a positive TIMP-1/MMP-13 expression ratio. While cyclic loading increased the TIMP-1/MMP-13 ratio, loss of cellular homeostatic tension inversed this ratio through a significant increase in MMP-13 mRNA expression rather than a decrease in TIMP expression. A negative TIMP/MMP ratio has been implicated in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Increasing the TIMP/MMP ratios in these patients through exercise may be beneficial in the management of tendinopathy.
Novel approaches to tendinopathy

Purpose. The last decade has seen an evolution in the thinking of tendinopathy from inflammatory to degenerative and hence a change in approaches to treatment. Method. We review the literature in this field to highlight the possibility of neural and neural-induced inflammation in this field. Results. Neuropathy is a possible source of pain in tendinopathy. Conclusion. Further work is required to develop the neuropathic model of tendinopathy, and to determine whether these neuropathic factors are responsible. The concept of neoneurovascularization being the issue in tendinopathy is established. The underlying mechanisms for the process require further evaluation.
A Grounded Theory Analysis of the Occupational Impact of Caring for a Partner who has Multiple Sclerosis

Chronic progressive conditions such as multiple sclerosis impact engagement in and orchestration of daily occupations by people with the condition, and their family members. This qualitative study addressed the way in which multiple sclerosis can affect family life, particularly exploring how it affects the occupations of the partner of a person with the condition. The study involved in-depth interviewing and grounded theory analysis to explore the occupational nature of being a partner of someone who has multiple sclerosis. Findings reveal how partners' occupations are affected over time, with occupational opportunities inspired by multiple sclerosis and occupational constraints provoked by the disorder, including nostalgia for an multiple sclerosis free existence, the transition to being a carer and an occupationally uncertain future.