Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral supplementation with 25(OH)D3 versus vitamin D3: Effects on 25(OH)D levels, lower extremity function, blood pressure, and markers of innate immunity

To test the effect of 25(OH)D3 (HyD) compared to vitamin D3 on serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels (25(OH)D), lower extremity function, blood pressure, and markers of innate immunity. Twenty healthy postmenopausal women with an average 25(OH)D level of 13.2 ± 3.9 ng/mL (mean ± SD) and a mean age of 61.5 ± 7.2 years were randomized to either 20 µg of HyD or 20 µg (800 IU) of vitamin D3 per day in a double‐blind manner. We measured on 14 visits over 4 months, 25(OH)D serum levels, blood pressure, and seven markers of innate immunity (eotaxin, interleukin [IL]‐8, IL‐12, interferon gamma‐induced protein 10 kDa [IP‐10], monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 [MCP‐1], macrophage inflammatory protein beta [MIP‐1β], and “Regulated upon Activation, Normal T‐cell Expressed, and Secreted” [RANTES]). At baseline and at 4 months, a test battery for lower extremity function (knee extensor and flexor strength, timed up and go, repeated sit‐to‐stand) was assessed. All analyses were adjusted for baseline measurement, age, and body mass index. Mean 25(OH)D levels increased to 69.5 ng/mL in the HyD group. This rise was immediate and sustained. Mean 25(OH)D levels increased to 31.0 ng/mL with a slow increase in the vitamin D3 group. Women on HyD compared with vitamin D3 had a 2.8‐fold increased odds of maintained or improved lower extremity function (odds ratio [OR] = 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–6.58), and a 5.7‐mmHg decrease in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.0002). Both types of vitamin D contributed to a decrease in five out of seven markers of innate immunity, significantly more pronounced with HyD for eotaxin, IL‐12, MCP‐1, and MIP‐1 β. There were no cases of hypercalcemia at any time point. Twenty micrograms (20 µg) of HyD per day resulted in a safe, immediate, and sustained increase in 25(OH)D serum levels in all participants, which may explain its significant benefit on lower extremity function, systolic blood pressure, and innate immune response compared with vitamin D3. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Desensitization of β‐adrenergic receptors in lung injury induced by 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, a mustard analog

2‐Choloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide (CEES) exposure causes inflammatory lung diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis. This may be associated with oxidative stress, which has been implicated in the desensitization of beta‐adrenergic receptors (β‐ARs). The objective of this study was to investigate whether lung injury induced by intratracheal CEES exposure (2 mg/kg body weight) causes desensitization of β‐ARs. The animals were sacrificed after 7 days and lungs were removed. Lung injury was established by measuring the leakage of iodinated‐bovine serum albumin ([125I]‐BSA) into lung tissue. Receptor‐binding characteristics were determined by measuring the binding of [3H] dihydroalprenolol ([3H] DHA) (0.5–24 nM) to membrane fraction in the presence and absence of DLDL‐propranolol (10 μ M). Both high‐ and low‐affinity β‐ARs were identified in the lung. Binding capacity was significantly higher in low‐affinity site in both control and experimental groups. Although CEES exposure did not change KD and Bmax at the high‐affinity site, it significantly decreased both KD and Bmax at low affinity sites. A 20% decrease in β2‐AR mRNA level and a 60% decrease in membrane protein levels were observed in the experimental group. Furthermore, there was significantly less stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by both cholera toxin and isoproterenol in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. Treatment of lungs with 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (PDE) could not abolish the difference between the control group and the experimental group on the stimulation of the adenylate cyclase activity. Thus, our study indicates that CEES‐induced lung injury is associated with desensitization of β2‐AR. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:59–70, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20265
Characterization of a novel bacteriophage, Phda1, infecting the histamine‐producing Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae

Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae is a potent histamine‐producing micro‐organism. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize a bacteriophage Phda1 that infected P. damselae subsp. damselae to inhibit its growth and histamine accumulation.
Quantitative x-ray dark-field computed tomography

The basic principles of x-ray image formation in radiology have remained essentially unchanged since Röntgen first discovered x-rays over a hundred years ago. The conventional approach relies on x-ray attenuation as the sole source of contrast and draws exclusively on ray or geometrical optics to describe and interpret image formation. Phase-contrast or coherent scatter imaging techniques, which can be understood using wave optics rather than ray optics, offer ways to augment or complement the conventional approach by incorporating the wave-optical interaction of x-rays with the specimen. With a recently developed approach based on x-ray optical gratings, advanced phase-contrast and dark-field scatter imaging modalities are now in reach for routine medical imaging and non-destructive testing applications. To quantitatively assess the new potential of particularly the grating-based dark-field imaging modality, we here introduce a mathematical formalism together with a material-dependent parameter, the so-called linear diffusion coefficient and show that this description can yield quantitative dark-field computed tomography (QDFCT) images of experimental test phantoms.
Use of Natriuretic Peptides as a Guidance for Treating Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: Unresolved Issues and Novel Insights

Abstract: Serial measurements of natriuretic peptides (NPs), i.e. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or amino-terminal fragment of pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), may serve as an objective guide to modulate the intensity of drug treatment for individuals with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, considerable uncertainty remains about the alleged useful role of NP-guided therapy in this context. Particularly, which NP level should be assumed as optimal target level for therapy is still matter of debate. Actually, a too low predetermined cut off is encumbered with the risk of inducing a dose escalation perhaps not founded on solid rationale but provided with the potential of propitiating adverse medication effects that may be associated with higher doses. Conversely, a too high predetermined level for NP would entail a poor sensitivity, with the potential of excluding from higher doses of medications, that are proven to increase survival, just the patients who above all would have benefitted from this uptitration. Another much debated issue is constituted by possible age-related differences concerning the effects on clinical endpoints of NP-guided therapy. In addition, some Authors dispute about the possible advantages for the cardiovascular system arising from the functional activation of NPs in CHF patients, so denying that their increased levels have to be per se blamed for hemodynamic upheaval, especially in elder CHF patients. After outlining the main RCTs carried out so far, the Authors stress the above reported issues and discuss the sometime contradictory results of the RCTs exploring NPs use as a guidance for therapy.
Neurosjögren: Early Therapy Is Associated With Successful Outcomes

Background Primary Sjögren syndrome (PSS) is a systemic autoimmune condition with an estimated prevalence of 0.6%. The frequency of neurologic manifestations in PSS varies widely from 0% to 60%. Methods We report the characteristics of PSS patients with neurologic involvement seen at a single tertiary hospital in Singapore. Eight consecutive women (median age, 51 years [range, 38–67 years]) with neurologic manifestations of PSS seen between March 2009 to June 2011 were followed up for a mean duration of 19 months from the onset of neurologic manifestations. Results Six of 8 patients with neurosjögren had their neurologic manifestation at time of PSS diagnosis. The lag times of neurologic manifestations from PSS diagnosis for the remaining 2 patients were 9 and 30 years, respectively. Sicca symptoms were not readily volunteered as a presenting complaint in the majority of patients. All our patients received early aggressive therapy with pulse corticosteroids and intravenously administered cyclophosphamide. The mean duration from initial presentation to initiation of treatment was 11 days (1–26 days). All achieved good recovery regardless of the type or site of neurologic involvement, initial erythrocyte sedimentation rate, immunoglobulin and complement levels. Conclusions Neurologic disease, when present, is a strong contributor to disease activity and damage. Confirmatory tests should be conducted early regardless of the presence of sicca symptoms. Vigilance for the development of new neurologic symptoms is imperative even in chronic, apparently stable patients. It is likely that early initiation of treatment contributed to good recovery in our patients.
The cocoa bean fermentation process: from ecosystem analysis to starter culture development

Cocoa bean fermentation is still a spontaneous curing process to facilitate drying of nongerminating cocoa beans by pulp removal as well as to stimulate colour and flavour development of fermented dry cocoa beans. As it is carried out on farm, cocoa bean fermentation is subjected to various agricultural and operational practices and hence fermented dry cocoa beans of variable quality are obtained. Spontaneous cocoa bean fermentations carried out with care for approximate four days are characterized by a succession of particular microbial activities of three groups of micro‐organisms, namely yeasts, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria (AAB), which results in well‐fermented fully brown cocoa beans. This has been shown through a plethora of studies, often using a multiphasic experimental approach. Selected strains of several of the prevailing microbial species have been tested in appropriate cocoa pulp simulation media to unravel their functional roles and interactions as well as in small plastic vessels containing fresh cocoa pulp‐bean mass to evaluate their capacity to dominate the cocoa bean fermentation process. Various starter cultures have been proposed for successful fermentation, encompassing both cocoa‐derived and cocoa nonspecific strains of (hybrid) yeasts, LAB and AAB, some of which have been implemented on farms successfully.
Nonlinear elastic behavior of phantom materials for elastography

The development of phantom materials for elasticity imaging is reported in this paper. These materials were specifically designed to provide nonlinear stress/strain relationship that can be controlled independently of the small strain shear modulus of the material. The materials are mixtures of agar and gelatin gels. Oil droplet dispersions in these materials provide further control of the small strain shear modulus and the nonlinear parameter of the material. Since these materials are mostly water, they are assumed to be incompressible under typical experimental conditions in elasticity imaging. The Veronda–Westman model for strain energy density provided a good fit to all materials used in this study. Materials with a constant gelatin concentration (3.0% dry weight) but varying agar concentration (0.6–2.8% dry weight) demonstrated the same power law relationship between elastic modulus and agar concentration found for pure agar (1.89 ± 0.02), consistent with percolation theory, and provided a consistent nonlinearity parameter of 4.5 ± 0.3. The insights provided by this study will form the basis for stable elastography phantoms with stiffness and nonlinear stress/strain relationships in the background that differ from those in the target.
Domestic violence and abuse

Domestic abuse is a subject that is difficult to deal with for most people. Health professionals often lack confidence when approaching the subject, due to various reasons, such as lack of training, not knowing how to manage the situation or how to communicate with the survivor. However, it is vitally important that awareness is increased at an individual and practice level, so that more survivors can get the help, support and protection they need. This article aims to educate the reader about: what comes under the umbrella term ‘domestic abuse’; how it presents, particularly in general practice; how to break down barriers to disclosure; and what resources are available to help.
Antioxidant protection by β‐selenoamines against thioacetamide‐induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in mice

Thioacetamide (TAA) is a hepatotoxin that rapidly triggers the necrotic process and oxidative stress in the liver. Nevertheless, organic selenium compounds, such as β‐selenoamines, can be used as pharmacological agents to diminish the oxidative damage. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of the antioxidant β‐selenoamines on TAA‐induced oxidative stress in mice. Here, we observed that a single intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg) dramatically elevated some parameters of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as depleted cellular antioxidant defenses. In addition, TAA‐induced edema and morphological changes in the liver, which correlate with high serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities, and a decrease in cell viability. Conversely, a significant reduction in liver lipid peroxidation, ROS production, and edema was observed in animals that received an intraperitoneal injection of β‐selenoamines (15.6 mg/kg) 1 h after TAA administration.
Congenital Infection and Disorders of Brain Development: With Special Reference to Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

ABSTRACT Intrauterine infections of various microorganisms have the potential to induce brain abnormalities in the fetus and newborn infant. Among the infectious pathogens, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most significant infectious cause of brain abnormalities, with variations from fatal cytomegalic inclusion disease to functional brain disorders, such as mental retardation or epilepsy. Here, we present three autopsy cases of congenital CMV infection, and we review the features of the brain abnormalities of congenital CMV infection. A ventriculofugal spread of infection seems to be characteristics of congenital CMV‐infected brains and is suggested to be the cause of neuronal migration disorders, resulting in brain malformations, such as microcephaly, lissencephaly and polymicrogyria. We also present an experimental animal model for congenital CMV infection. With the model we showed that murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in the developing mouse brain caused a disturbance of neuronal migration and neuronal cell loss, detected with morphometric measurements by labeling the neuronal precursor cells with BrdU. As shown by immunohistochemical double staining of BrdU and viral‐antigen, infected neuronal cells constituted only a part of the disordered neuronal cells, suggesting that an indirect effect of vital infection on neuronal cells also contributes the migration disorders presumably mediated by cytokines or the induction of apoptosis. Neuronal migration disorders caused by MCMV infection are also discussed with reference to those caused by X‐irradiation.
The Virtues in Medical Practice

The discipline of medical ethics is at present principle-based ethics, using, among others, the concepts of duty, justice, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and autonomy as precepts. Principles are universal guides to action, and virtues, according to Aristotle, are "a state of character" that "brings into good condition the thing of which it is the excellence and makes the work of that thing to be done well. " In recent years there has begun to appear a reevaluation of virtue-based ethics with a return, as it were, to the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas. Two eminent ethicists, one a physician (Edmund Pellegrino) and one a philosopher (David Thomasma), present to us in this book a lucid, thoughtful, and impressively organized description of the philosophical foundation of virtue-based ethics. Their treatise demonstrates in logical sequence how to relate the virtues of the practice of medicine to the ends of the practice of medicine.
Computer-Based Telecommunication Among an Illness-Related Community: Design, Delivery, Early Use, and the Functions of HIGHnet

This article addresses the implementation and early use of a computer bulletin board for families affected by hemophilia. Trends involving telemedicine and managed health care make investigating new forms of telecommunication within an illness-related community essential. As a result, a text-based com- puter bulletin board, Hemophiliacs In Good Health Network (HIGHnet) was created and its early use studied. Six research questions are posed that address challenges encountered during creation of the system, factors influencing early use, and the functions of postings during early use. Creation of the board entailed design, establishment of sites and users, equipment procurement and distribution, and training. Early use results indicate that type of training has a significant effect on the number of postings sent. However, the demographics of users (age, income, education, sex), the type of user (person with illness, spouse of, caregiver of, etc.), and the site's equipment needs do not influence early use.
Survival of AIDS Patients with Cryptosporidiosis

&NA; Cryptosporidiosis is a potentially life‐threatening complication of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. To ascertain whether cryptosporidiosis is associated with decreased survival in this population, we performed a retrospective case‐control study at four teaching hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. The period of observation extended from January 1986 to December 1995. Thirty‐nine HIV‐infected patients with cryptosporidiosis were compared with HIV‐infected patients without cryptosporidiosis (53 matched on CD4 counts and 40 matched on the presence of chronic diarrhea). Survival in the cryptosporidiosis group (164 days) was shorter (P = .004) than survival for controls (437 days and 485 days, respectively). After diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum infection, patients spent 21% of their survival days in the hospital, compared with 7% and 8% for controls (P < .001). Cryptosporidiosis is associated with decreased patient survival and prolonged hospitalization.
Lumbar iatrogenic spinal instability

Stability of the spine is achieved through a dynamic interaction of several structural systems within the body. One definition of clinical instability was proposed by White and Panjabi as follows: “The loss of the ability of the spine under physiologic loads to maintain its pattern of displacement so that there is no initial or additional neurological deficit, no major deformity, and no incapacitating pain. ” Iatrogenic instability may occur due to discectomy and laminectomy and due to adjacent segment degeneration. The following chapter discusses the possible causes of iatrogenic instability and potential treatments for these occurrences.
FALL-RELATED ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Tears of the rotator cuff tendons may occur as a result of tendon degeneration or from a single traumatic event but commonly a combination of these factors are in play. Rotator cuff tendon degeneration and accidental falls are both known to increase in incidence with increasing age. No study to date has sought to investigate the characteristic of accidental falls as a significant cause of injury in the rotator cuff tear population. We developed a 25 multi-step item questionnaire to investigate the source of injury in sixty rotator cuff tear patients. The majority, 32/60 (53.3%), reported a fall associated with their rotator cuff tear. The tears nearly always occurred on the same side as the fall. Most falls resulting in cuff tears were to the side and front rather than backwards. Our findings highlight that falls are the leading cause of injury in the rotator cuff tear patient population and describe characteristics of the previously under-recognized fall-related rotator cuff tear population.
Spatial Behaviour, Care And Well Being Of The Elderly In Developing Country – Nigeria

The elderly constitute an increasing proportion of Nigeria’s population, and yet the concerns and needs of the elderly are yet to feature prominently in major policy debates. In this contribution I examine spatial behaviour, care, and well-being of the elderly (age > 60 years) (n = 107) in Nigeria. The data used is from a larger household survey carried out by the author in Ibadan, Nigeria. Simple frequency analysis and correlation statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. Analysis of the daily activities of the elderly revealed that they are generally more involved in service to others, followed by household maintenance, domestic chores and social activities. Also, about 50% of the elderly sphere of activities is within 1Km from their house location. Result of the correlation analysis indicates a negative relationship between (i) psychological distress and household income and education level of the elderly and (ii) care of the elderly and their intra-urban travel. It also indicates a positive relationship between psychological distress and intra-urban travel of the elderly. Implications as it relates to the empowerment and enhancing the contributions of older persons to the development of culture, economic, and social activities are discussed in the paper.
Differences in staining intensities affect reported occurrences and concentrations of Giardia spp. in surface drinking water sources

USEPA Method 1623, or its equivalent, is currently used to monitor for protozoan contamination of surface drinking water sources worldwide. At least three approved staining kits used for detecting Cryptosporidium and Giardia are commercially available. This study focuses on understanding the differences among staining kits used for Method 1623.
Biological quality control for extracorporeal photochemotherapy: Assessing mononuclear cell apoptosis levels in ECP bags of chronic GvHD patients

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is a treatment approved by the FDA for cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, and it is currently used off‐label for graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) and other conditions. In agreement with good practices for the therapeutic use of human cells, quality control has to be performed to validate the ECP procedure with the off‐line technique. Since no gold‐standard biological test is available, we assessed the apoptosis generated in the ECP bag using a flow cytometric analysis. Thirty‐one ECP procedures performed on 13 patients with chronic GvHD were studied by monitoring the induction of mononuclear cell (MNC) apoptosis using annexin V/propidium iodide double staining; residual lymphocyte proliferation to standard mitogens was also measured in 17 of the procedures. The kinetics of apoptosis was analyzed at different times in MNCs untreated or treated with 8‐methoxy‐psoralen plus ultraviolet A; the variation (ΔAPOPTOSIS) after 24 h revealed the efficacy of the treatment. In 88.6% of the 31 ECP procedures, ΔAPOPTOSIS was >15% (the “alerting” threshold for ΔAPOPTOSIS was set at 15% on the basis of our data); in the remainder (19.4%), the increment in apoptosis was lower. In four procedures, the proliferation assay was useful for assessing the effect of ECP on the apheretic bag. In conclusion, both flow cytometric assays enabled a biologically significant result to be obtained. In our opinion, the apoptosis test—being faster and easier than the proliferation test—could be a reliable way to validate ECP procedures. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:162–170, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.