Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Isolated Complex V Inefficiency and Dysregulated Mitochondrial Function in Immortalized Lymphocytes from ME/CFS Patients

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an enigmatic condition characterized by exacerbation of symptoms after exertion (post-exertional malaise or “PEM”), and by fatigue whose severity and associated requirement for rest are excessive and disproportionate to the fatigue-inducing activity. There is no definitive molecular marker or known underlying pathological mechanism for the condition. Increasing evidence for aberrant energy metabolism suggests a role for mitochondrial dysfunction in ME/CFS. Our objective was therefore to measure mitochondrial function and cellular stress sensing in actively metabolizing patient blood cells. We immortalized lymphoblasts isolated from 51 ME/CFS patients diagnosed according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria and an age- and gender-matched control group. Parameters of mitochondrial function and energy stress sensing were assessed by Seahorse extracellular flux analysis, proteomics, and an array of additional biochemical assays. As a proportion of the basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR), the rate of ATP synthesis by Complex V was significantly reduced in ME/CFS lymphoblasts, while significant elevations were observed in Complex I OCR, maximum OCR, spare respiratory capacity, nonmitochondrial OCR and “proton leak” as a proportion of the basal OCR. This was accompanied by a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, chronically hyperactivated TOR Complex I stress signaling and upregulated expression of mitochondrial respiratory complexes, fatty acid transporters, and enzymes of the β-oxidation and TCA cycles. By contrast, mitochondrial mass and genome copy number, as well as glycolytic rates and steady state ATP levels were unchanged. Our results suggest a model in which ME/CFS lymphoblasts have a Complex V defect accompanied by compensatory upregulation of their respiratory capacity that includes the mitochondrial respiratory complexes, membrane transporters and enzymes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation. This homeostatically returns ATP synthesis and steady state levels to “normal” in the resting cells, but may leave them unable to adequately respond to acute increases in energy demand as the relevant homeostatic pathways are already activated.
Promoting access to health information

Describe the design of a health information and technology educational intervention that promotes health information sharing and technology use for older adult African Americans to support access to health information. The paper aims to discuss this issue. ,The study team developed a novel method to design the intervention. It drew upon three approaches: intergenerational technology transfer, participatory design and community-based participatory research. ,Older adult African Americans (55+) with diabetes and young adults (18–54) connected to them via familial or naturally occurring social networks designed the intervention, which was conducted in the two study sites in Michigan, USA. In total, 29 participants helped design the intervention. Four themes emerged concerning factors that promote intergenerational information exchange in the context of technology and health. First, focus on one technology skill. Second, working together in small groups is preferred. Third, patience is essential. Last, physical capabilities (i.e., eyesight, operating on relatively small screens) and literacy levels should be considered. ,This novel method of having participants from the sample population select the health information materials and technology exercises serves as a guide for implementing health information and education interventions aimed at technology use to support self-management for vulnerable patient populations.
Potensi Aloe vera sebagai Pengembangan Modalitas Terapi Antidiabetes, Antioksidan dan Antilipidemik

Populasi penderita DM mencapai 425 juta jiwa dan diprediksi akan terus bertambah menjadi 693 juta jiwa pada tahun 2045. Tingginya prevalensi tersebut mendorong berkembangnya penelitian untuk menemukan modalitas terapi antidiabetes termasuk menggunakan bahan herbal. Aloe vera merupakan bahan herbal yang diyakini memiliki potensi sebagai modalitas terapi antidiabetes. Potensi pengembangan ekstrak Aloe vera sebagai terapi antidiabetes berdasarkan efek hipoglikemik, meningkatkan sensitivitas insulin, antioksidan dan antilipidemik yang dimilikinya. Aloe vera memiliki kandungan alprogen sebagi salah satu bahan aktif yang bekerja menghambat penyerapan glukosa di saluran cerna sehingga dapat menurunkan kadar glukosa darah. Sedangkan efek peningkatan sensitivitas insulin dihasilkan oleh acemannan yaitu kandungan polisakaraida pada Aloe vera. Kandungan lima senyawa turunan phytosterol pada Aloe vera terbukti dapat meningkatkan nilai total oksidan dan kadar nitric oxide. Hal ini memungkinkan untuk menghambat proses stres oksidatif yang merupakan awal kejadian komplikasi pada DM. Selain itu kandungan phytosterol pada Aloe vera dapat menurunkan kadar total kolestrol, LDL dan triglyceride melalui penghambatan mekanisme absorbsi lemak. Kata kunci: Aloe Vera, Antidiabetes, Antilipidemi, Antioksidan
Impact of chronic schistosomiasis and HBV/HCV co-infection on the liver: current perspectives

Abstract Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in many countries. Its prevalence is increasing annually; the current infection rate is one in 30 individuals. The WHO reported that at least 206.4 million people all over the world required preventive treatments for schistosomiasis in 2016. Chronic schistosomiasis, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection are common in countries where schistosomiasis is endemic. The effects of the hepatotropic virus co-infection may modify the Th2-dominated granulomatous phase of schistosomal infection. These viruses induce a strong-specific T cell response, with infiltration of large numbers of specific interferon-γ-producing CD8+ cells into the liver. The outcome of liver diseases depends on the underlying causes, host immune response and concomitant infections. Co-infection of schistosomiasis with HBV/HCV infection causes advanced liver disease and worsens the outcome, especially with higher viral load titers, which increase the mortality rate through an increased incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The exposure risk for HBV in patients with HCV and schistosomiasis was two and half times greater than that in CHC patients without schistosomiasis. Finally, chronic schistosomiasis and HBV/HCV co-infection have serious effects on liver pathology. Co-infection accelerates the progression of liver disease and leads to advanced liver diseases and liver failure.
Evaluating Electrical Activity of Tibialis Anterior Muscle and Balance in Hemiparetic Patients Following Central and Peripheral Electrical Stimulation - Protocol for a Randomized, Double-blinded, Clinical Trial

Concomitant transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is suggested to enhance the functional effects of other physical rehabilitation methods in individuals with motor impairment stemming from a chronic cerebrovascular disease. Thus, the primary aim of the proposed study is to analyze the electrical activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of the paretic limb in stroke survivors following an intervention involving the combination of tDCS over the motor cortex and peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) administered over the paretic TA. The secondary objective is to analyze the effect on dynamic balance. Methods: Thirty-six adult stroke survivors will be randomized into three groups: 1) Active tDCS + active PES; 2) Sham tDCS + active PES and 3) Active tDCS + sham PES. TDCS active will be positioned bilateral over the primary motor cortex of the damaged hemisphere (C1 or C2) and the cathode will be positioned over the primary motor cortex of the undamaged hemisphere (C1 or C2) with a current of 2 mA for 20 minutes. For sham tDCS, will follow the same standarts, however, the equipment will be switched on for only 20 seconds. PES will be administered to the paretic TA at 50 Hz for 30 minutes. Evaluations: the median frequency and root mean square (RMS) of the paretic TA will be analyzed using electromyography (EMG) and dynamic balance will be evaluated using the Mini-Balance Evaluation System (Mini-BESTest) at baseline (pre-intervention), after 10 treatment sessions at a frequency of five times a week for two weeks (post-intervention) and 30 days after the end of the interventions (follow up). Discussion: PES has proven to facilitate the conduction of sensory-motor afferences to the cerebral cortex in stroke survivors. Combining PES with tDCS, which has a direct effect on increasing cortical excitability, could favor motor acquisition and neuronal plasticity in this population.
Comparison of Immediate Effect of New Knee brace and Conventional Three-Points Knee Valgus Brace on Knee Adduction Moment and ROM in Patients with Medial Knee Osteoarthritis

The knee unloader brace can change loading on knee which may be effective in reducing symptoms and progression of disease in people with knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new knee brace during walking in a patient with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Two brace types were used: new brace and conventional brace. A pneumatic cuff of novel brace was fitted in the bottom of the medical slipper that was connected to the cuff section of the knee through the tube. After the knee brace is deployed, its force can vary in different stages of the gait. During the heel strike, the weight of the cuff is compressed on the floor, causing the air to flow inside it and entering the volume of air into the knee pad. The results of using this pneumatic knee brace compared with conventional knee braces on a patient showed that in both cases, the open and closed palatal pump, the adduction moment and ROM was decreased in the stance phase. But the three-point knee pressure, however, was less effective in reducing the adduction moment but also reduced the knee ROM. Using novel brace can eliminate the patient’s need for painful and costly surgery to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Infections respiratoires au cours des aplasies chimio-induites

Damage to local and systemic host defenses of the lung makes the immunocompromised patient vulnerable to inhaled microorganisms. When a pulmonary infiltrate occurs, the array of possibilities is very large including conventional and opportunistic agents. The type of underlying disease and its associated immunodeficiency allow a high degree of accurate pathogen prediction. Neutropenia is associated with Gram-negative bacilli pneumonia. Prolonged neutropenia increases the risk of invasive aspergillosis and other unusual mycotic agents. Cellular immunodeficiency is associated with intracellular microorganisms including Mycobacteria spp. , Nocardia spp. , Legionella spp. , Rhodococcus equi, cytomegalovirus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxoplasma gondii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides spp. , Cryptococcus neoformans and Pneumocystis carinii, parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Strongyloides stercoralis, and virus such as cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex or zoster, adenovirus, respiratory syncitial virus and measles. Humoral immunodeficiency predisposes to infection with encapsulated pathogens such as S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Chest computerized tomography scan and bronchoalveolar lavage are essential procedures for diagnosis. However, despite continuous progress in diagnostic methods, the specific etiology remains often unknown. Successful treatment depends on the type of pathogen, status of host defences and early adequate choice of antibiotic. Enhancement of host defences with growth factors and cytokines may decrease the incidence and improve the final outcome of respiratory infections in the immunocompromised host.
The perspectives of patients and physicians on the role of pharmacists in improving medication adherence in type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study

Background Pharmacy practice has been expanded to include responsibility for the outcomes of medication therapy. However, in developing countries the pharmacist’s role is still limited to dispensing medications. The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of patients and physicians on the pharmacist’s role in improving medication adherence in type 2 diabetes. Methods Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with patients and physicians. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 40 patients and 21 physicians were interviewed. The interviews revealed different pharmacy-related issues that negatively affected patients’ adherence, such as a lack of pharmacist counselling and inappropriate scheduling of refills. Various recommendations to improve adherence were emphasised such as dedicating some pharmacists to counselling patients and providing pharmacists with the appropriate training. Conclusion From the perspectives of patients and physicians, the pharmacist’s role in the management of type 2 diabetes is still limited to dispensing medications. In order to improve medication adherence and consequently patient outcomes, policy-makers need to be aware of the importance of supporting pharmacists and providing them with the appropriate training.
La alimentación con lactancia materna exclusiva es un factor de riesgo para osteopenia en prematuros menores de 1500 gramos y menores de 32 semanas de gestación en comparacion leche materna fortificada o leche de fórmula

Context: Osteopenia or metabolic bone disease of prematurity, consists of an insufficient bone mineralization of multifactorial origin that mainly affects preterm newborns. Purpose: To determine if exclusive breast milk is a risk factor for osteopenia in premature babies less than 1500 grams and less than 32 weeks of gestation. Material and methods: A descriptive, epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional study of two cohorts to compare osteopenia between those who consume exclusive breast milk versus those who receive mixed feeding (breast milk-formula milk). Population 406 cases admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Teaching Hospital of Calderón Hospital Roberto Gilbert Elizalde in April November 2018. It shows 209 premature infants. Results: We analyzed 209 premature infants of low weight <1,500 grams and with gestational age <32 weeks of gestation that were fed with breast milk or mixed, female sex (n = 109, 52.15%) and male sex (n = 100; 47.85%); they received exclusive breast milk (n = 99, 47.37%), while (n = 110, 52.63%) received mixed breastfeeding. We compared the biochemical parameters that are part of the profile of osteopenia among low birth weight premature infants with breastfeeding versus mixed lactation; the results show significant differences for all parameters with p-value of 0.000; where for calcium the average was 9.23 mg in breastfeeding and 10.43 mg in mixed; the average phosphorus was 2.94 mg in breastfeeding and 4.71 mg in mixed; finally, alkaline phosphatase presented an average of 651.85 IU / L in breastfeeding and 395.51 IU / L in mixed; being significant the differences between these groups with p-value 0.000. Conclusion: Preterm infants who received exclusive breast milk presented a higher risk of developing osteopenia in relation to preterm infants who received mixed breastfeeding.
The effect of slalom practice on handgrip strength of water-skiing athletes with paraplegia

In water skiing, people who experience paraplegia ski in a sitting position, and they rely on hand grip strength (HGS) to grab the tow rope handle and run slalom passes. This study evaluated the immediate effects on maximum HGS after the practice of disabled water skiing, a still unknown aspect. In the dominant hand, maximum HGS was measured by hand-grip dynamometry after 14 practices of four male water skiers with complete spinal cord injury participating in a national championship, with mean age (standard deviation) of 37.2 (7.3) years and 2.5 (1.3) years of experience in water skiing. After practice, maximum HGS was reduced (pre-practice: 48.4 (3.6) kg; post-practice: 39.1 (8.7) kg) (p <0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen dz> 1.15). The lowest percentage decrease, 9.8 (8.3)%, was observed for the only skier with advanced level and highest maximum HGS pre-practice, while the skier with lowest maximum HGS pre-practice and an intermediate level showed a reduction of 38.9 (10.6)%. In the set of practices of the four skiers, the maximum HGS reduction after a mean grip time of 20.5 min was 18.5%, with no correlation between these variables (r = 0.49, p = 0.076). Practising slalom water-skiing in sitting position by people experiencing paraplegia leads to a decrease in the maximum HGS of the dominant hand, the percentage decrease may be in relation to competitive level and physical fitness of the skiers.
An Examination of Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Behavior in a Low-Income, Underserved Primary Care Sample

147 Body Text: 6,011 Total Word Count: 9,046 Social Problem Solving and Suicidal Behavior in Low-income Primary Care Patients: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Needs Kristin L. Walker, MA Jameson K. Hirsch, PhD Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University Please address all correspondence to: Jameson K. Hirsch, PhD, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70649, Johnson City, TN, 37614; Phone: (423) 439-4463; E-mail: hirsch@etsu.edu Abbreviated Title: Social Problem Solving and Suicidal Behavior
High mobility group box protein 1 neutralization therapy in ovine bacteremia: Lessons learned from an ovine septic shock model incorporating intensive care support

Sepsis is a highly complex and often fatal syndrome which varies widely in its clinical manifestations, and therapies that target the underlying uncontrolled immune status in sepsis are needed. The failure of preclinical approaches to provide significant sepsis survival benefit in the clinic is often attributed to inappropriate animal disease models. It has been demonstrated that high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) blockade can reduce inflammation, mortality and morbidity in experimental sepsis without promoting immunosuppression. Within this study, we explored the use of ovine anti-HMGB1 antibodies in a model of ovine septic shock incorporating intensive care supports (OSSICS). Results: Septic sheep exhibited elevated levels of HMGB1 within 12 h after the induction of sepsis. In this study, sepsis was induced in six anaesthetized adult Border Leicester × Merino ewes via intravenous instillation of E. coli and sheep monitored according to intensive care unit standard protocols for 26 h, with the requirement for noradrenaline as the primary endpoint. Septic sheep exhibited a hyperdynamic circulation, renal dysfunction, deranged coagulation profile and severe metabolic acidosis. Sheep were assigned a severity of illness score, which increased over time. While a therapeutic effect of intravenous anti-HMGB1 antibody could not be observed in this model due to limited animal numbers, a reduced bacterial dose induced a septic syndrome of much lower severity. With modifications including a reduced bacterial dose, a longer timeframe and broad spectrum antibiotics, the OSSICS model may become a robust tool for preclinical assessment of sepsis therapeutics.
CLEP_A_218110 801..820

1Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Chronic Disease, Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang 110005, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Cardiology, Central Hospital of Ben Xi City, Ben Xi, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Disease Control and Preventive, Central Hospital of Chao Yang City, Chaoyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Chronic Disease, Disease Control and Prevention of Chao Yang City, Chaoyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China Background: To investigate the status of hypertension and related risk factor disparities
Prognosefaktoren im Mammakarzinom und im Ovarialkarzinom unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Cyclooxygenase-2

Molecular prognostic markers can be determined in tumor tissue and can be used – in addition to conventional clinicopathological parameters – to estimate patient prognosis and to plan the therapy of malignant tumors. In this study we have investigated the expression of four different molecular prognostic factors in ovarian carcinoma and partially in breast carcinoma: cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the human ELAV-like protein HuR, the surface antigen CD24, as well as the mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). For further evaluation, we have focused on COX-2, which plays an important role in tumor biology and inflammation. Increased expression of COX-2 in tumor tissue was associated with poor prognosis in ovarian carcinoma and breast carcinoma. In cell culture models, we have used two different strategies for inhibition of COX-2: pharmacological inhibition and RNA interference. We found that COX-2 inhibitors act on other cellular targets in addition to COX-2 and inhibit proliferation of ovarian carcinoma cells by induction of cell cycle arrest. In further studies we could show that the RNA-stabilizing protein HuR is associated with increased COX-2 expression and is an prognostic factor in ovarian carcinoma, as well. These results provide a basis for further evaluation of COX-inhibitors in tumor therapy.
“Tear Drops in the Duodenum": Uncommon Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults

A 64-year-old man presented to the internal medicine resident clinic with fatigue and abdominal pain of six-month duration. He did not have diarrhea, hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia. Physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory findings were consistent with iron deficiency anemia. Upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies revealed normal findings. Duodenal biopsy showed trophozoites (tear-drop-shaped) morphologically consistent with Giardia duodenalis. He was prescribed metronidazole and iron replacement therapy, with a resultant improvement in symptoms as well as lab values at the four-month follow-up visit.