Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pubertal development among girls with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia initiated on treatment at different ages

Introduction: Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) provide us an opportunity to study the clinical effects of androgen excess in humans. We studied the sequence of pubertal development in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia initiated on treatment at different ages, to assess the effects of androgen exposure on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) axis. Materials and Methods: Girls more than 18 years of age, with CAH, on follow-up at this hospital were the subjects for this study. Details of history, physical findings, laboratory evaluation, and medication were noted from their case records and verified from the patients and their / parents, in addition to assessment of their present health status. Result: We studied 24 patients of classical CAH (SW-2, SV-22, average age – 24.5 ± 6.6 years). All had varying degrees of genital ambiguity (Prader stage 3 (n = 13), Prader stage 2 (n = 10), Prader stage 1 (n = 1). Among them were13 girls, who were started on steroids after eight years of age. Girls who received treatment from infancy and early childhood had normal pubertal development (mean age at menarche 11.4 ± 1.7 years). Hirsutism was not a problem among them. Untreated children had progressive clitoral enlargement throughout childhood, developed pubic hair at around three to six years of age, and facial hair between nine and eleven years. Plasma testosterone ranged from 3 to 6 ng / ml prior to treatment. Six of the 13 untreated CAH girls had subtle breast development starting at ages 11 – 16 years and three had spontaneous infrequent vaginal bleeding starting at ages 11 – 17. Steroid supplementation initiated pubertal changes in older girls in two-to-six months’ time. Conclusion: There was a delay in HPO axis maturation (as evidenced by delayed pubertal development) in the absence of treatment in girls with CAH. This could be corrected with steroid supplementation.
Journal of Biometrics

The Journal of Biometrics, ISSN: 2229–6689 & E-ISSN: 2229–6697, aims to publish all the latest and outstanding research articles, reviews and letters in all areas of Biometrics. Each issue contains a series of timely, in-depth written articles by leaders in the field, covering a wide range of the integration of multidimensional challenges of research including integration issues of Biometrics.
Multipronged approach for engineering novel peptide analogues of existing lantibiotics

Introduction: Lantibiotics are a class of ribosomally and post-translationally modified peptide antibiotics that are active against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive bacteria. Great efforts have been made to promote the production of these antibiotics, so that they can one day be used in our antimicrobial arsenal to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Areas covered: This review provides a synopsis of lantibiotic research aimed at furthering our understanding of the structural limitation of lantibiotics as well as identifying structural regions that can be modified to improve the bioactivity. In vivo, in vitro and chemical synthesis of lantibiotics has been useful for engineering novel variants with enhanced activities. These approaches have provided novel ways to further our understanding of lantibiotic function and have advanced the objective to develop lantibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases. Expert opinion: Synthesis of lantibiotics with enhanced activities will lead to the discovery of new promising drug candidates that will have a long lasting impact on the treatment of Gram-positive infections. The current body of literature for producing structural variants of lantibiotics has been more of a ‘proof-of-principle’ approach and the application of these methods has not yet been fully utilized.
Appropriate models for novel osteoporosis drug discovery and future perspectives

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength and increased fracture risk. It is becoming a growing health-economic problem worldwide. Over the past two decades, there has been considerable progress in the availability of compounds with antiresorptive or anabolic activity on bone. However, existing therapeutic strategies still have limitations. Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize past and current approaches for the development of antiresorptive and anabolic agents for osteoporosis together with their mechanisms of action. They also provide discussion on the application of new technologies for novel osteoporosis drug discovery. Expert opinion: Thanks to the recent advances in molecular biology over the past few years, novel therapeutic targets for antiresorptive or anabolic compounds have been discovered and several promising new drugs are in preclinical and clinical development. Despite these advances, the current understanding of the mechanisms regulating bone remodeling is far from complete, leaving significant drawbacks to the discovery and the clinical development of novel therapeutic agents. Hopefully, improvements in functional genomics and bioinformatics, along with new technological approaches such as RNA silencing, quantitative proteomics, metabolomics, and the use of mesenchymal stem cells, will address these issues and widen our options for treating several disorders of bone metabolism, including osteoporosis.
Occupational Therapy Predischarge Home Visits for Patients with a Stroke: What is National Practice?

Background: Little is known about day-to-day procedures in conducting predischarge home visits in occupational therapy. The aim of this study was to identify current practice in relation to people with stroke. Method: A questionnaire was designed and piloted; 184 were posted to stroke units in England. Results: Responses were analysed from 85 stroke units from 10 regions. The main reason for conducting visits was to ‘assess or practise activities of daily living in the home environment’ (93%), closely followed by to ‘identify or address safety issues’ (92%). Wide variations exist in time spent on the actual visit (range 10–135 minutes), with a mean time of 63 minutes (SD 20.36), and a mean time of 61 minutes (SD 33.13) for writing a report. Visits were generally conducted by an occupational therapist, with an occupational therapy/physiotherapy assistant. The majority (95%) of therapists reported having a home visit bag and the most common item included was incontinence pads (83%). Conclusion: This research has provided valuable information on, and highlights the variation in, day-to-day predischarge home assessment visits for patients after stroke. The next step must be to use this knowledge to evaluate patient selection and to examine the costs and effectiveness of such visits.
Development of floating chitosan-xanthan beads for oral controlled release of glipizide

Introduction: The aim of the present work was to develop controlled release, floating and mucoadhesive beads of glipizide by using the polyionic complexation technique. Plasma half-life of glipizide being 2–4 h was selected for development of controlled release dosage form. Methods: Formulation batches were designed by employing chitosan as cationic and xanthan gum as anionic polymers. In vitro drug release was evaluated for the period of 24 h in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Results: Sustained release of drug was observed in all formulation batches with % drug release ranging from 87.50% to 100.67%, no significant effect on the drug release was observed after varying chitosan to xanthan gum ratio. Encapsulation efficiency was found to be in the range of 79.48 ± 1.10–94.48 ± 1.52. In vitro bioadhesion studies showed that beads had satisfactory bioadhesive strength ranging from 67.11% ± 1.73% to 93.12% ± 1.56%. Buoyancy studies revealed that beads possess comparable floating capacity in the gastric fluids. Swelling kinetics was carried in pH 1.2 and 7.4 buffers. Significant difference (P < 0.05) in swelling kinetics was observed. Drug to polymer interaction was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry studies. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed that formed beads were discrete with rough and wrinkled surfaces. Conclusions: In conclusion, beads were successfully formed by employing chitosan and xanthan gum and showed to possess sustained release effect. Beads also showed pH dependent swelling kinetics, this property can also be applied for the drugs which are susceptible to the acidic environment in the stomach, and comparable bioadhesive and floating properties were also observed.
Non-lipid Actions of Statins

Introduction HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) promote reduction in plasma levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a primary risk factor in coronary artery disease. Numerous primary and secondary prevention trials confirm clinical benefits with this class of agents (1-4). The mechanisms involved have largely been attributed to the ability of these agents to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis (2), leading to up-regulation of hepatic LDL receptors and corresponding reductions in circulating levels of LDL and very high density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles by increasing catabolism (2). Additionally, significant increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) is produced which ultimately results in favourable lipid ratio (2,4). All these lipid actions have been strongly suggested to result in higher percentage of patients to achieve National Cholesterol Education Program and European LDL cholesterol goals (2, 3). However, a growing body of evidence suggest that some of the clinical benefits of statin therapy may be attributed to mechanisms independent of their cholesterol lowering effects.
Meglumine antimoniate is more effective than sodium stibogluconate in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract Sodium stibogluconate (SSG, Pentostam) and meglumine antimoniate (MA, Glucantime) are two antimonials that are widely used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), but the relative efficacies of these treatments are not clear. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of intralesional SSG with intralesional MA therapy in the treatment of CL. One month after completion of the therapy, 1431 of 1728 patients (82%) who received intralesional MA showed complete clinical cure compared to 1157 of 1728 patients (67%) in the SSG group. Patients who did not respond to the first round of therapy were re-administered the same treatment but with twice weekly injections. Following completion of the second course of therapy, 237 of 297 patients (80%) in the MA group and 407 of 561 patients (72%) in the SSG group healed their lesions by 1-month post-treatment. At both times, the differences in cure rates between MA and SSG groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Cure rates in the MA group were always significantly higher than SSG groups irrespective of other parameters including age, gender, lesion site and type of lesion. Intralesional MA is more effective than intralesional SSG in the treatment of CL.
Application of case discussions to improve anatomy learning in Syria

Abstract Aims: Designing a new approach for learning gross anatomy to improve students′ motivation to study anatomy and to enable them to learn independently through case discussion. Materials and Methods: The study included newly registered students in the first academic year. The total number of students was 165, who were divided by alphabetical order into 15 groups of 11 students. Each group was led by one faculty member and each faculty member lead 3 groups. Each group met twice a week for 2 weeks to discuss one case related to the upper limb anatomy. Students took pre- and posttests and completed an opinion questionnaire about the case discussions. Results: The pretest score shows that 20% of the students received grades of 60% or above and that 80% received grades less than 60%. The posttest showed that 45% of the students received grades of 60% or above and that 55% received grades less than 60%. There was a significant difference between the pre- and posttest for grades <60% (P = 0.0000) and less significant for grades >60% (P = 0.0023). In addition, 17% of students achieved the same results (less than 60%) in both the pre- and posttests. The questionnaire revealed that all students stated that the discussion method was useful in their learning process, helped them to increase their motivation to study anatomy (85%), know the usefulness of studying anatomy (84%), and understand the problems (91%). Conclusions: The implementation of the case discussion in teaching anatomy can increase the students′ understanding and motivate them to learn.
Nicotinic receptors as targets for therapeutic discovery

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) represent a class of therapeutic targets with the potential to impact numerous diseases and disorders where significant unmet medical needs remain. The latter include cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases; psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia; acute nociceptive, neuropathic and inflammatory pain; affective disorders, such as depression and inflammation, where nAChR subtypes modulate key cellular pathways involved in anti-inflammatory processes as well as cell survival. Our increased understanding of the heterogeneity of nAChR targets is defining the relationship of biologic effects to specific receptor subtypes, which in turn, will allow further refinement of desired therapeutic activities. Both preclinical and clinical evidence support the notion that novel compounds targeting specific nAChR subtypes will offer increased potency and efficacy, longer lasting effects, fewer side effects and a more rapid onset of action and less dependence, compared with existing therapies. Clinical proof-of-concept is rapidly emerging and will solidify the position of this new therapeutic approach.
Correctional Administrators’ Perceptions of Prison Nurseries

As more pregnant women are incarcerated, states are forced to determine the most cost-efficient methods of addressing childbirth and motherhood in prison. Traditionally, newborn babies are removed from the prison setting, and their mothers, within a few days. Research shows that women who are allowed to keep their babies with them in the correctional setting have reduced recidivism rates. This study explores perceptions of the prison nursery as a form of correctional programming. Correctional administrators from all 8 states currently operating nursery programs were interviewed, as were administrators from 20 states that do not have prison nurseries (N = 28). Findings indicate that barriers to the implementation of prison nursery programs include a lack of knowledge about these programs and the impact they have on recidivism rates, concerns about legislative budgeting given current economic conditions, and for a small number of administrators, the consequences of housing infants within the prison environment.
Mucoadhesive microparticulate drug delivery system of curcumin against Helicobacter pylori infection: Design, development and optimization

The purpose of the present research was to develop and characterize mucoadhesive microspheres of curcumin for the potential use of treating gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric and duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori. Curcumin mucoadhesive microspheres were prepared using ethyl cellulose as a matrix and carbopol 934P as a mucoadhesive polymer by an emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. Response surface methodology was used for optimization of formulation using central composite design (CCD) for two factors at three levels each was employed to study the effect of independent variables, drug:polymer:polymer ratio (curcumin:ethylcellulose:carbopol 934P)(X1) and surfactant concentration (X2) on dependent variables, namely drug entrapment efficiency (DEE), percentage mucoadhesion (PM), in vitro drug release and particle size (PS). Optimized formulation was obtained using desirability approach of numerical optimization. The experimental values of DEE, PM, % release and PS after 8 h for the optimized formulation were found to be 50.256 ± 1.38%, 66.23%±0.06, 73.564 ± 1.32%, and 139.881 ± 2.56 μm, respectively, which were in close agreement with those predicted by the mathematical models. The drug release was also found to be slow and extended more than 8 h and release rates were fitted to the Power law equation and Higuchi model to compute the diffusional parameters. The prolonged stomach residence time of curcumin mucoadhesive microspheres might make a contribution to H. pylori complete eradication in combination with other antimicrobial agents.
Advantages and application of label-free detection assays in drug screening

Background: Adoption is accelerating for a new family of label-free optical biosensors incorporated into standard format microplates owing to their ability to enable highly sensitive detection of small molecules, proteins and cells for high-throughput drug discovery applications. Objective: Label-free approaches are displacing other detection technologies owing to their ability to provide simple assay procedures for hit finding/validation, accessing difficult target classes, screening the interaction of cells with drugs and analyzing the affinity of small molecule inhibitors to target proteins. Methods: This review describes several new drug discovery applications that are under development for microplate-based photonic crystal optical biosensors and the key issues that will drive adoption of the technology. Results/conclusions: Microplate-based optical biosensors are enabling a variety of cell-based assays, inhibition assays, protein–protein binding assays and protein–small molecule binding assays to be performed with high-throughput and high sensitivity.
Radio-induced brain lesions

Abstract Introduction : Radiotherapy, an important tool in multimodal oncologic treatment, can cause radio-induced brain lesion development after a long period of time following irradiation. Material and method : We report 4 cases with radio-induced brain lesions, admitted into the Fourth Department of Neurosurgery, Emergency Clinical Hospital Bagdasar-Arseni, during a 4 years period of time. Results : Two patients had meningiomas and two had unruptured cavernomas. Other side effects of radiotherapy, such as diffuse brain atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, optic atrophy, panhypopituitarism were also noted. The two patients with large meningiomas underwent surgery, with good outcome. Observation was the choice for the two asymptomatic cavernomas. Panhypopituitarism needed synthetic hormonal replacement therapy. Conclusions : Radiotherapy can cause long-term complications and can induce development of new brain lesions into previous radiation area. Meningiomas and cavernomas can be radio-induced brain lesions. Meningiomas can grow to large size, requiring surgery. Unruptured asymptomatic cavernomas can be left in place and patients are followed clinical and with serial imaging. Other findings after radiotherapy are diffuse brain atrophy, leukoencephalopathy, optic atrophy and panhypopituitarism.
The effects of acute exposure to magnetic fields on morphometric characteristics of bombyxin-producing neurosecretory neurons in gypsy moth caterpillars

Purpose: To examine the effects of acute exposure to strong static magnetic fields and extremely low frequency magnetic fields, on neurosecretory neurons which synthesise insulin-like neurohormone. Materials and methods: Immunocytochemical detection of bombyxin-like material in the protocerebral neurosecretory neurons of Lymantria dispar caterpillars was performed using a monoclonal antibody directed against a synthetic dekapeptide corresponding to the N-terminus of the bombyxin A-chain. Caterpillars were exposed to strong static magnetic fileds (235 mT) and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (2 mT) for three days after moulting into the 4th instar. Results: We report the presence of immunoreactive molecules in A2 type of medial neurosecretory neurons (nsn) in caterpillars' brain of L. dispar. The three-day exposure of caterpillars to stresogenic external magnetic fields changed the size of A2 type nsn, their nuclei and the intensity of protein band in the region of bombyxin molecular mass (4–6 kD) after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in comparison to control group and group treated by strong static magnetic fields. Conclusion: These are the first data on the influence of external magnetic fields on the polyphagous phytophagous forest pest L. dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantridae) indicating an intensive synthesis of insulin-like neurosecretory material.
Molecular biomarkers in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND After more than two decades of clinical use, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has increased the early diagnosis of prostate cancer, detecting the disease even when small volumes are present. Although stage migration of prostate cancer has occurred, PSA has well-known limitations, despite attempts at refinement and modification, such as the use of PSA velocity, which have been used to improve it. New biomarkers for prostate cancer have been discovered, with promising early results. OBJECTIVE/METHODS This article reviews the ubiquitous current literature on biomarkers in prostate cancer. A search using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed and those articles reporting biomarkers in prostate cancer with clinically significant findings in terms of detection were analyzed. Immunohistochemical markers were not considered for this review. RESULTS/CONCLUSION Despite many markers being promising, no single marker has satisfied the criteria as a perfect candidate. Limited clinical use of IL-6, TGF-β1 and PCA3 has commenced, and further widespread availability of these tests is expected in the coming years. The future lies in artificial neural networks and panels of markers instead of individual assays. Although PSA has some well-known limitations, it is at present the best marker available for prostate cancer when used in conjunction with nomograms or risk calculators.
The prevalence of asthma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

BACKGROUND Most of the studies that have explored the relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and asthma have focused on the prevalence of snoring and OSA symptoms in patients with asthma. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to measure the reverse relationship - the prevalence of asthma in patients with diagnosed OSA. METHODS We assessed the prevalence of asthma in all patients diagnosed polysomnographically to have OSA during the study period. A logistic regression model was developed to assess the predictors for asthma in patients with OSA. RESULTS Six-hundred-and-six patients with OSA with a mean age of 40+/-14.5 yr (66.7% males) were included. Asthma was present in 213 OSA patients - a prevalence of 35.1%. Body mass index (>35 kg/m2) was the only predictor of asthma. CONCLUSIONS Physicians should keep in mind the link between OSA and asthma. When one of these disorders is diagnosed, clinicians should consider the possible presence of the other.