Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prepare the patient for future challenges when facing hemodialysis: nurses' experiences

Chronic kidney disease is a major health problem due to the significant financial burden for the healthcare system and likewise for the patient who needs the treatment. The patient's whole life situation is turned upside down with chronic kidney disease when they are confronted with the forced change to start treatment with hemodialysis. Patients with chronic kidney disease experience a lack of adequate emotional support from nurses during the transition to hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’ experiences of giving support to patients during the transition to hospital-bound hemodialysis. The study had a qualitative descriptive design with a content analysis approach; eight nurses from four hospitals in the south of Sweden participated. The results showed that the nurses gave threshold support with an openness and awareness of the patient's individual needs during the transition, except that there seemed to be a lack of knowledge and ability to provide emotional support. Patient support during the transition could therefore be absent. Education, at local and national levels, is needed for the nurse to be able to give professional emotional support. Further research is also desired in order to provide nurses with the tools they need to give emotional support, which is of utmost importance.
Inflammatory markers are increased in youth with type 1 diabetes: the SEARCH Case-Control study.

CONTEXT Increased inflammation may contribute to type 1 diabetes (T1D) complications. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the association of inflammation with obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in youth with T1D. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study of youth with and without T1D. SETTING The study was conducted in Colorado and South Carolina. PATIENTS SEARCH Case-Control participants with T1D [n = 553, mean age 15 yr (range 10-22), median duration 2.7 yr] and without diabetes [n = 215, mean age 15 yr (range 10-22)]. INTERVENTION This was an observational study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, and leptin were measured. RESULTS Inflammatory markers were evaluated by diabetes status, quartiles of glycated hemoglobin, and obesity using multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, study site, race/ethnicity, T1D duration, body mass index, and pubertal status. Compared with controls, youth with T1D had higher IL-6 and fibrinogen levels at all levels of glycemia and obesity, and hsCRP levels were significantly higher in youth with T1D in the top three quartiles of glycated hemoglobin (> or = 7.2%) and among normal-weight subjects. Leptin was lower in youth with poor glycemic control. Higher hsCRP and fibrinogen were correlated with higher total and LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B in youth with T1D, whereas higher fibrinogen was correlated with higher LDL and apolipoprotein B in controls. CONCLUSIONS T1D is characterized by excess inflammation, independent of adiposity and glycemic control. Even T1D youth in good glycemic control had higher levels of IL-6 and fibrinogen than controls. Elevated inflammatory markers were associated with an atherogenic lipid profile, which may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in youth with T1D.
Research on Sensing Detection Technology in the Automotive Electronic Program Design

with the rapid development of information technology, the deepening of sensing detection and automobile electronic technology, the safety and reliability of vehicle electronic control has been the core problem to be solved in the automotive electronic control system. Sensor detection technology has become an important part of the development of automotive technology. This paper first analyzes the automobile electronic detection technology and sensing detection applications. Based on this, the theoretical framework principle model of automotive electronic software program design has been further deepened, so as to take the electronic program design of automotive anti-collision radar as the empirical analysis example. Finally, the optimization of automotive electronic program software design provides scientific basis and practice way to a certain extent in this field research.
The effect of n - 3 PUFA/gamma-cyclodextrin complex on serum lipids in healthy volunteers--a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to examine whether serum triglyceride concentrations were decreased by administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) complex-containing capsules as reported previously with n-3PUFA without gamma-CD. STUDY DESIGN A placebo-controlled double-blind study with healthy subjects (n=35) and hypertriglyceridemic subjects (n=7) of 35-66 years of age was performed. The subjects were randomized to a group (n-3 group) supplemented with n-3PUFA/gamma-CD-containing capsules (660 mg EPA + 280 mg DHA/day) or a control group supplemented with capsules containing essentially no n-3 PUFA for 8 weeks with stratification by sex, age, and serum triglyceride levels in a double blind manner. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the start of administration and 4 and 8 weeks afterward. RESULTS EPA concentrations in the total phospholipid fraction of red blood cells increased significantly in all subjects in the n-3 group, whereas no changes were seen in the control group. Triglyceride levels were significantly decreased (-17%) in the n-3 group compared with the control group at week 8. The following serum lipids did not significantly change over time: total-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Only two subjects in the n-3 group guessed at the end of the study that their capsules were active. CONCLUSION n-3 PUFA/gamma-CD complex lowered triglyceride levels in normal and slightly hypertriglyceridemic subjects. There was a possibility that gamma-CD might at least partly cover the smell and aftertaste of fish oil.
Achievement of dietary fatty acid intakes in long-term controlled intervention studies: approach and methodology

Abstract Objectives: To describe the calculations and approaches used to design experimental diets of differing saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) compositions for use in a long-term dietary intervention study, and to evaluate the degree to which the dietary targets were met. Design, setting and subjects: Fifty-one students living in a university hall of residence consumed a reference (SFA) diet for 8 weeks followed by either a moderate MUFA (MM) diet or a high MUFA (HM) diet for 16 weeks. The three diets were designed to differ only in their proportions of SFA and MUFA, while keeping total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), trans-fatty acids, and the ratio of palmitic to stearic acid, and n – 6 to n – 3 PUFA, unchanged. Results: Using habitual diet records and a standardised database for food fatty acid compositions, a sequential process of theoretical fat substitutions enabled suitable fat sources for use in the three diets to be identified, and experimental margarines for baking, spreading and the manufacture of snack foods to be designed. The dietary intervention was largely successful in achieving the fatty acid targets of the three diets, although unintended differences between the original target and the analysed fatty acid composition of the experimental margarines resulted in a lower than anticipated MUFA intake on the HM diet, and a lower ratio of palmitic to stearic acid compared with the reference or MM diet. Conclusions: This study has revealed important theoretical considerations that should be taken into account when designing diets of specific fatty acid composition, as well as practical issues of implementation.
Anaerobic capacity of physically active eumenorrheic females at mid-luteal and mid-follicular phases of ovarian cycle.

AIM The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anaerobic capacity in repeated sprint cycling bouts during mid-luteal (ML) and mid-follicular (MF) phases of ovarian cycle. METHODS Twelve physically active females aged 22.41±1.68 years, with normal regular menstrual cycle and VO2max of 34.92±4.85 mL·kg-1·min-1 volunteered as subjects in this study. The menstrual phases were verified through daily basal body temperature recording and serum progesterone analysis. Anaerobic capacity was quantified by measuring maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD). In this study, MAOD was measured following well established method. Initially, the VO2max of the subjects was measured following a graded exercise protocol on a cycle ergometer. On separate days, the subjects performed sub-maximal cycling exercise at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of VO2max for 10 minutes. The linear regression determined from the sub-maximal VO2-power relationship was used to estimate the supra-maximal power output at 120% VO2max. The subjects performed repeated sprint cycling for 3 times at 120% of VO2max with 20 minutes rest between consecutive sprints during MF and ML phases. RESULTS Results indicated there was no significant difference in maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and sprint performance between MF and ML phases in repeated sprint cycling. Serum progesterone was significantly lower in luteal phase after repeated sprints. CONCLUSION Hence, it is concluded that the anaerobic capacity is unaffected by ovarian phases in women with regular menstrual cycle. Lower serum progesterone after repeated sprints might be due to the repeated anaerobic activity.
Induction of CTLA-4-Mediated Anergy Contributes to Persistent Colonization in the Murine Model of Gastric Helicobacter pylori Infection1

Helicobacter pylori infection induces gastric inflammation but the host fails to generate protective immunity. Therefore, we evaluated the immunologic mechanisms that contribute to the failure of the T cells to promote active immunity to H. pylori in the mouse model of H. pylori infection. Spleen cells from infected C57BL/6 mice underwent significantly less proliferation and cytokine production than cells from immune mice upon in vitro stimulation with H. pylori lysate. Similar results were observed when stimulating with Ag-pulsed macrophages demonstrating that hyporesponsiveness was not due to a direct effect of H. pylori virulence factors on the T cells. Ag-specific hyporesponsiveness could be reversed by the addition of high-dose IL-2 but not by removal of CD4+CD25+ T cells, indicating that hyporesponsiveness was due to anergy and not due to active suppression. Cells from infected mice lacked significant suppressor activity as shown by the failure to reduce the recall response of cells from immune mice in coculture at physiologic ratios. Direct blockade of CTLA-4 using anti-CTLA-4 Fabs or indirect blockade using CTLA-4 Ig plus anti-CD28 Ab resulted in significantly increased T cell activation in vitro. The importance of CTLA-4 in establishing anergy was confirmed in an in vivo model of H. pylori infection in which mice that received anti-CTLA-4 Fabs responded to H. pylori challenge with significantly greater inflammation and significantly reduced bacterial load. These results suggest that CTLA-4 engagement induces and maintains functional inactivation of H. pylori-specific T cells during H. pylori infection resulting in a reduced immune response.
Defective expression of cellular retinol binding protein type 1 and retinoic acid receptors α2, β2, and ǵ2 in human breast cancer cells

Because the retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, inactivation of genes integral to the pathway represents a potential mechanism of carcinogenesis. We have studied in human breast cancer cells (T47D, MCF‐7, ZR75‐1, MDA‐MB‐231, and BT20) the expression of a subset of retinoid signaling genes that are themselves transcriptionally up‐regulated by RA, the cellular retinol binding protein type I (CRBPI) and the RA receptors (RARs) (α2, β2, and ǵ2. We find that constitutive expression of these genes is low or undetectable, and that expression levels are seldom responsive to 24 h treatment with 1 μM all‐trans or 9‐cis RA (Northern blot analysis). This is in contrast to breast fibroblasts, which show RA‐de‐ pendent expression of all four genes under the same conditions. Moreover, normal human breast epi‐thelial cells express CRBPI and RARβ2 at the mRNA level, suggesting that loss of expression of these genes is tied to malignant transformation. RARβ2, but not CRBPI, was also expressed in RA‐treated MTSV1‐7 cells, an immortalized but nontumorigenic luminal epithelial cell line. Lack of CRBPI and RARβ2 expression in cancer cells was not due to general impairment of RA signaling, as shown by RA activation of a RARE3‐tk‐CAT reporter in a subclone of MDA‐MB‐231 cells that did not express either CRBPI or RARβ2. These results suggest that at least two independent defects in the expression of proteins that function in retinoid signaling may be involved in breast carcinogenesis. —Jing, Y. , Zhang, J., Blei‐ weiss, I. J., Waxman, S. , Zelent, A. , and Mira‐y‐ Lopez, R. Defective expression of cellular retinol binding protein type I and retinoic acid receptors a2, β2, and ǵ2 in human breast cancer cells. FASEB J. 10,1064‐1070 (1996)
Two Corticosteroid-Free Regimens—Tacrolimus Monotherapy after Basiliximab Administration and Tacrolimus/Mycophenolate Mofetil—in Comparison with a Standard Triple Regimen in Renal Transplantation: Results of the Atlas Study

Background. The side effects associated with corticosteroids have led to efforts to minimize their use in renal transplant patients. In this study we compared two corticosteroid-free tacrolimus-based regimens with a standard triple therapy. Methods. This was a 6-month, phase III, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study. The total analysis set comprised 451 patients, randomized (1:1:1) to receive tacrolimus (Tac) monotherapy following basiliximab (Bas) administration (n=153), Tac/mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n=151), or, Tac/MMF/corticosteroids triple therapy as a control (n=147). Results. The study was completed by 91.2% (triple therapy), 94.7% (Tac/MMF), and 82.4% (Bas/Tac) of patients. Patient baseline characteristics were similar in all groups. The incidences of biopsy-proven acute rejection were 8.2% (triple therapy), 30.5% (Tac/MMF), and 26.1% (Bas/Tac), p<0.001 (multiple test for comparison with triple therapy); Bas/Tac vs. Tac/MMF, p=ns. The incidences of corticosteroid-resistant acute rejection were 2.0%, 4.0%, and 5.2%, p=ns. Graft survival (95.9%, 96.7%, and 94.7%, p=ns) and patient survival (100%, 99.3%, and 99.3%, p=ns) were similar in all groups. Median serum creatinine at month 6 was 123.0 &mgr;mol/L (triple therapy), 134.7 &mgr;mol/L (Tac/MMF) and 135.8 &mgr;mol/L (Bas/Tac). The overall safety profiles were similar; differences (p<0.05) were reported for anaemia (24.5% vs. 12.6% vs. 14.5%), diarrhoea (12.9% vs. 17.9% vs. 5.9%), and leukopenia (7.5% vs. 18.5% vs. 5.9%) for the triple therapy, Tac/MMF, and Bas/Tac group, respectively. The incidences of new-onset diabetes mellitus were 4.6%, 7.1%, and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusion. Corticosteroid-free immunosuppression was feasible with the Bas/Tac and the Tac/MMF regimens. Both corticosteroid-free regimens were equally effective in preventing acute rejection, with the Bas/Tac therapy offering some safety benefits.
Cytokines, cytokine antagonists and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with ocular Behçet's disease treated with human recombinant interferon-alpha2a. Results of an open study and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the influence that interferon-alpha exerts on the cytokine network in active ocular Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS Fifty patients with active ocular BD were treated with human recombinant interferon-alpha2a (rhIFN-alpha2a). Serum was analysed for the presence of IL-10, TNF-alpha, IL-8, IL-6, sIL-2R, IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-12, IL-4, sTNFRI (p55), sTNFRII (p75), IL-1RA, G-CSF, sE-selectin, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and neopterin before initiation of and at several time points during IFN treatment and compared to 21 healthy controls. RESULTS The levels of IFN-alpha IL1-RA and sTNFRII were significantly increased in the patients at baseline in comparison to healthy controls. During treatment with rhIFN-alpha2a, when remission was achieved as defined by the scoring system used, a significant increase in levels of IFN-alpha, IL-2R, TNF-alpha, sTNF-RII, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, neopterin in the serum was observed, with a tendency towards increased IL-1RA as well. In contrast, leuko- and thrombocyte counts and sE-selectin serum levels significantly decreased. Positive correlations were found between IFN dosage or serum levels and sVCAM-I, neopterin, sTNF-RII and sIL-2R, between sVCAM-1, sIL-2R, TNF-alpha, sTNF-RII and neopterin, sICAM-I and sVCAM-1, sIL2-R and sTNF-RII, and, finally, between sIL2-R and sICAM-I. CONCLUSIONS IFN-alpha exerts diverse influences mainly on cytokine antagonists and soluble adhesion molecules. Because sTNF-RII and IL-1RA were increased by IFN-alpha treatment, these might be interesting alternative treatment options in refractory BD. Some of the side-effects of IFN-alpha may be caused by activation of monocytes, which is reflected by an increase in neopterin serum levels.
Parallel attribute-weighted fuzzy c-means algorithm for clustering

Due to energy and bandwidth constraints, traditional data clustering approaches are challenging when the communication to a central processing unit is discouraged in Wireless Sensor Networks. In this paper, a new parallel attribute-weighted fuzzy c-means (PWFCM) algorithm is proposed, in which parallel clustering solution can be achieved by exchanging the centroid messages among single-hop neighbours only. At the same time, the important features can be extracted based on the attribute weight entropy regularization. Experiments on real and synthetic datasets have demonstrated the suitability and efficiency of the presented algorithm.
Quality assurance ofallergen-specific immunotherapy during a national outbreak of anaphylaxis: results of a continuous sentinel event surveillance system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective treatment for patients with allergic asthma and rhinitis. SCIT may be performed in many different ways and good safety profiles have been published. Other studies, however, have reported high frequencies of severe adverse events (SAEs) but without identifying the causes. After an increase in SCIT-related SAEs in Denmark between 2003 and 2004, strict performance regulations were imposed by the authorities. Because safety data from national databases were not available, we implemented a surveillance system aimed at identifying the causes of SAEs. METHODS We prospectively registered the number of injections and SAEs during SCIT. A slow up-dosing regimen was used and adherence to international standards was optimized. RESULTS No SAEs were observed with 28 992 injections. The maximal risk per injection was calculated at < 1.3 per 10 000 injections. DISCUSSION Our results confirm the good safety profile of SCIT. We applied a sentinel SCIT surveillance system that may offer a means of guaranteeing safety by providing online feedback to all participating clinics when SAEs occur in order to explore their causes by root course analyses performed by all participants. Furthermore, such quality assurance documentation may facilitate wider acceptance of SCIT by health care administrators, clinicians, and patients.
Mortality in inflammatory bowel disease in the Netherlands 1991–2002: Results of a population‐based study: The IBD South‐Limburg cohort†

Background: The aim was to evaluate overall and disease‐specific mortality in a population‐based inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort in the Netherlands, as well as risk factors for mortality. Methods: IBD patients diagnosed between 1 January 1991 and 1 January 2003 were included. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated overall and with regard to causes of death, gender, as well as age, phenotype, smoking status at diagnosis, and medication use. Results: At the censoring date, 72 out of 1187 patients had died (21 Crohn's disease [CD], 47 ulcerative colitis [UC], and 4 indeterminate colitis [IC] patients). The SMR (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 1.1 (0.7–1.6) for CD, 0.9 (0.7–1.2) for UC and 0.7 (0.2–1.7) for IC. Disease‐specific mortality risk was significantly increased for gastrointestinal (GI) causes of death both in CD (SMR 7.5, 95% CI: 2.8–16.4) and UC (SMR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.4–7.0); in CD patients, especially in patients <40 years of age at diagnosis. For UC, an increased SMR was noted in female patients and in patients <19 years and >80 years at diagnosis. In contrast, UC patients had a decreased mortality risk from cancer (SMR 0.5, 95% CI; 0.2–0.9). Conclusions: In this population‐based IBD study, mortality in CD, UC, and IC was comparable to the background population. The increased mortality risk for GI causes might reflect complicated disease course, with young and elderly patients at diagnosis needing intensive follow‐up. Caution in interpreting the finding on mortality risk from cancer is needed as follow‐up was probably to short to observe IBD‐related cancers. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Using Results From Infectious Disease Modeling to Improve the Response to a Potential H7N9 Influenza Pandemic

Abstract As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government agencies prepared for a possible H7N9 pandemic, many questions arose about the virus's expected burden and the effectiveness of key interventions. Public health decision makers need information to compare interventions so that efforts can be focused on interventions most likely to have the greatest impact on morbidity and mortality. To guide decision making, CDC's pandemic response leadership turned to experts in modeling for assistance. H7N9 modeling results provided a quantitative estimate of the impact of different interventions and emphasized the importance of key assumptions. In addition, these H7N9 modeling efforts highlighted the need for modelers to work closely with investigators collecting data so that model assumptions can be adjusted as new information becomes available and with decision makers to ensure that the results of modeling impact policy decisions.