Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
I. FACTORS AFFECTING THE MOTHER'S CHOICE OF INFANT FEEDING METHOD

Bloom, K. , Goldbloom, R. B. , & Stevens, F. E. (Departments of Psychology, Pediatrics & Obstetrics, Dalhousie University, Grace Maternity Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia). Breast vs. formula feeding: I. mother's choice. Acta Paed Scand, Suppl. 300:3, 1982. —539 mothers of healthy newborn infants were surveyed to determine demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with the decision to feed by breast or formula. Compared with formula‐feeding mothers, breast feeders were older and of higher socioeconomic status. The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to parity, prior abortions, prepregnancy employment, obstetrical condition or behavior at first contact with infants. Infants in the two groups showed no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight or Apgar scores. Compared with formula‐feeding mothers, breast feeders showed significantly greater tendencies to use advice or literature in choosing breast feeding; they make their feeding choice before pregnancy, and do not consider an alternative feeding method. They more frequently attend pre‐natal classes, have a higher degree of coincidence between their choice (to breast feed) and preferences of their husbands and physicians. These differences were independent of age and of socioeconomic status. Breast feeders’mothers and female relatives were more likely to have breast fed their own infants, but these characteristics were not independent of socioeconomic status and age. These data help in understanding social and cultural aspects of the choice of method for infant feeding, and may be useful in designing programs to increase the prevalence of breast‐feeding.
CYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF INTRAPERITONEAL AND ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (SHO-SAIKO-TO) ON THE D-GALACTOSAMINE-INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY OF RATS

The effect of “Sho-saiko-to” (TJ-9), a traditional Chinese medicine, on the D-galactosamine (D-Gal)-induced hepatic injury of rats was estimated from morphological and cytochemical aspects, comparing the methods of administration of TJ-9.A single administration of D-Gal to rats resulted in a hepatic injury with some morphological and histo-cytochemical changes. Both light and electron microscopy showed a disorder in the hepatic lobular structure and configuration of hepatic cords, retention of lipid droplets in hepatocytes, infiltration of inflammatory cells, a decrease in the number of sinusoidal microvilli, dilatation of bile canaliculi, etc. Cytochemical observation showed a remarkable decline of activities of 5′-nucleotidase (5′Nase), a plasma membranous enzyme, and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), an endoplasmic membranous enzyme, in the liver cells injured by D-Gal. However, in the rats receiving prophylaxis or therapeutic treatment with TJ-9 by intraperitoneal or oral administration, neither severe morphological changes nor a remarkable decline of the enzyme activities was observed. These results suggest that the prophylaxis with TJ-9 prevents the occurrence of hepatic injury, and therapeutic treatment improves the pathological changes induced by D-Gal. Comparing the methods of TJ-9 administration to the rats, intraperitoneal administration was more effective than oral on the hepatic injury.Enzyme cytochemical changes in the liver could be regarded as a useful hallmark for estimating the effect of a drug and the degree of hepatic dysfunction, as well as structural changes in the liver tissue. The present study provided morphological and cytochemical evidence supporting the fact that TJ-9 is efficacious in the treatment of human hepatitis.
Bariatric Surgery Among Kidney Transplant Candidates and Recipients: Analysis of the United States Renal Data System and Literature Review

Background. Limited data exist on the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with kidney failure. Methods. We examined Medicare billing claims within USRDS registry data (1991–2004) to identify BS cases among renal allograft candidates and recipients. Results. Of 188 BS cases, 72 were performed pre-listing, 29 on the waitlist, and 87 post-transplant. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most common procedure. Thirty-day mortality after BS performed on the waitlist and post-transplant was 3.5%, and one transplant recipient lost their graft within 30 days after BS. BMI data were available for a subset and suggested median excess body weight loss of 31%–61%. Comparison to published clinical trials of BS in populations without kidney disease indicates comparable weight loss but higher post-BS mortality in the USRDS sample. Conclusions. Given the substantial contributions of obesity to excess morbidity and mortality, BS warrants prospective study as a strategy for improving outcomes before and after kidney transplantation.
Increasing Utilization of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus (+) Donors in Liver Transplantation: Is it Safe?

Background. Liver transplantation is the best treatment option for endstage liver disease. The human T-cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV) has been associated with leukemia/lymphoma and progressive neurologic disease. There has, however, been an increased utilization of HTLV (+) grafts with little data available to support or discourage their use. Methods. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses related to graft and patient survival for recipients of HTLV (+) donors and compared them with recipients of HTLV (−) donors using the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Complete analysis of recipient and donor clinical and demographic factors was performed. Results. There were 81 adult recipients of HTLV (+) donors and 29,747 HTLV (−) donor recipients. HTLV (+) donors were more likely to be older, women, and black, with a higher average donor risk index and creatinine, and were more likely to be shared nationally. Recipients of HTLV (+) organs were at slightly elevated risk of graft failure (HR=1.39, 95% CI 0.91–2.11) and death (HR=1.20, CI 0.71–2.02) relative to HTLV (−) donor recipients (P=0.12 and 0.5, respectively). The risk decreased after multivariate analysis - graft survival (HR=1.20, CI 0.79–1.83) and patient survival (HR=1.06, CI 0.63–1.79). Conclusion. Our analysis reveals no statistically significant difference in graft or patient survival between recipients of HTLV (+) and (−) donors. Serious limitations of these data are that serologic testing for HTLV has a high false positive rate and that there was a short follow-up period. Until these issues are addressed, extreme caution should be exercised when using these organs.
Management of Side Effects of Sirolimus Therapy

Sirolimus (SRL) has been shown to improve long-term graft survival in several calcineurin inhibitor avoidance/minimization protocols. Although SRL has been suggested to reduce the progression of chronic renal graft damage and to prevent the development of neoplasia, two of the most prominent challenges in the field of transplantation, its use is significantly limited by an extremely high incidence of side effects. Some of the side effects are directly linked to the antiproliferative action of SRL, whereas the mechanisms underlying most of the undesired effects of the drug are still far from being clarified. Nevertheless, there is an increasing body of evidence linking most these drug-associated events to SRL dose. In addition, it is now possible to identify well-defined risk factors for most of these effects. Thus, to limit SRL-related side effects the two golden rules are (1) accurate selection of patients to be treated and (2) avoidance of high SRL doses.
Predictive factors for cytomegalovirus reactivation in cytomegalovirus‐seropositive kidney‐transplant patients

The aims of the present study were to assess the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, and to determine the predictive factors for CMV reactivation in CMV seropositive kidney‐transplant patients. One hundred ninety CMV seropositive kidney‐transplant patients were included in this study; of these, 39 patients had received CMV prophylaxis. CMV DNAemia was assessed by real‐timepolymerase chain reaction assay every 2 weeks until day 120, then every 3–4 weeks until day 180, and then every month until day 365. One hundred seven patients (56.3%) had at least one positive CMV DNAemia within the first year. The time between renal transplantation and the first positive CMV DNAemia was 59 ± 5 days. The number of positive CMV DNAemia/patient was 3.28 ± 0.22. CMV viral load at first positive CMV DNAemia was 704 (10–742,000) copies/ml. The donor CMV seropositivity, the absence of CMV prophylaxis, and the occurrence of acute rejection before CMV reactivation were independent factors associated with CMV reactivation within the first year after kidney transplantation. Hence, CMV reactivation is frequent after kidney transplantation. CMV prophylaxis in CMV seropositive kidney‐transplant patients should be offered to avoid CMV‐related side‐effects. J. Med. Virol. 80:1012–1017, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pretransplant Predictors of Posttransplant Adherence and Clinical Outcome: An Evidence Base for Pretransplant Psychosocial Screening

Introduction. There is growing awareness, yet scant prospective evidence that pretransplant (TX) psychosocial factors may predict post-TX outcome. We examined which pre-TX psychosocial factors predict post-TX nonadherence with immunosuppression (NA) and clinical outcomes in heart, liver, and lung TX. Methodology. We prospectively followed 141 patients (28 heart, 61 liver, and 52 lung) from pre-TX until 1 year post-TX. Multivariable analyses determined which pre-TX factors (i.e., anxiety, depression, personality traits, social support, adherence with medication, and smoking status) predict poor post-TX outcome (i.e., NA, late acute rejection, graft loss, and resource utilization), controlling for medical predictors of poor outcome. Results. Pre-TX self-reported medication nonadherence (odds ratio [OR]=7.9), lower received social support (OR=0.9), a higher education (OR=2.7), and lower “conscientiousness” (OR=0.8) were independent predictors of post-TX NA. Not living in a stable relationship predicted graft loss (OR=4.9). Pre-TX medication NA was the only predictor for presence of late acute rejection (OR=4.4). No other pre-TX predictors for poor outcome could be found. Conclusion. This is the first prospective study demonstrating that selected pre-TX psychosocial factors predict post-TX NA and poor clinical outcome, implying that pre-TX screening should include this set of factors in addition to traditional medical criteria.
A simple one‐step real‐time RT‐PCR for diagnosis of dengue virus infection

Dengue is the most important arbovirus disease in tropical and sub‐tropical countries, and can be caused by infection with any of the four‐dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. Infection with DENV can lead to a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from sub‐clinical infection or an influenza‐like disease known as dengue fever (DF) to a severe, sometimes fatal, disease characterized by hemorrhage and plasma leakage that can lead to shock, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). The diagnosis of dengue is routinely accomplished by serologic assays, such as IgM and IgG ELISAs, as well as HI tests, analyzing serum samples obtained from patients with at least 7 days of symptoms onset. These tests cannot be used for diagnosis during the early symptomatic phase. In addition, antibodies against dengue are broad reactive with other flaviviruses. Therefore, a specific diagnostic method for acute DENV infection is of great interest. In that sense, the real‐time RT‐PCR has become an important tool that can be used for early and specific detection of dengue virus genome in human serum samples. This study describes a simple, specific, and sensitive real‐time RT‐PCR for early diagnosis of dengue virus infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:1426–1433, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE REGULATION OF PINOCYTOSIS IN MOUSE MACROPHAGES

The pinocytosis-inducing effect of a number of molecular species was studied in cultures of mouse macrophages. Agents were added to a basal medium containing 1% NBCS-No. 199 and allowed to interact with cells for 150 min. Vesicle counts were then performed and compared to control cells in the basal medium. Certain proteins, i.e. albumin and fetuin, with isoelectric points of five and below were found to be potent stimulators of vesicle formation. Basic proteins including lysozyme, histone, and protamine had little influence at sublethal concentrations. The pinocytosis-stimulating activity of bovine plasma albumin could be markedly depressed by removal of bound fatty acids. The addition of either oleic or linoleic acid to de-fatted albumin restored its inducing properties to initial levels. The activity of fetuin could be abolished by either mild acid hydrolysis or neuraminidase digestion. Both procedures removed the majority of the sialic acid content of fetuin. The D and L isomers of polyglutamic acid were found to produce a marked increase in pinosome production. In contrast, poly-DL-lysine was not effective. Neutral and basic amino acids were without significant effect on pinocytosis, whereas aspartic and glutamic acids were stimulatory. The amides of glutamic and aspartic acid did not induce pinocytosis. The unnatural D isomers of glutamic, aspartic, leucine, and phenylalanine inhibited pinocytosis. The inhibition by D-glutamic acid could be reversed with the L isomer. A number of acid mucopolysaccharides, including heparin, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate, were excellent inducers. High molecular weight dextran was without significant stimulatory effect whereas dextran sulfate was very active. Both desoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid enhanced pinosome formation. A number of low molecular weight anions including N-acetylneuraminic acid were found to enhance vesicle formation. In general, anionic molecules were better inducers than either neutral or cationic species. The minimum effective dose of macroanions was a function of molecular weight and their activity appeared unrelated to specific chemical groupings.
Impaired Effector Memory T-Cell Regulation Facilitates Graft Versus Host Disease in CCR7-Deficient Bone Marrow Transplant Chimeras

Background. The development of graft versus host disease (GvHD) is one of the major challenges of bone marrow transplantations (BMTs). Although clinical symptoms of GvHD share many features with auto immune diseases, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we examined the effects of hematopoietic CC-chemokine receptor (CCR)7 deficiency on the development of GvHD. Methods. Lethally irradiated C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with bone marrow cells derived from wild-type or CCR7−/− C57BL/6 donor mice. Results. Unlike littermate controls, CCR7−/− chimeras develop overt GvHD-like symptoms within 6 weeks after transplantation. Circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations of CCR7−/− chimeras were enriched in effector memory T cells. CCR7− CD62L+ regulatory T-cell expansion, which typically occurs after BMT was markedly delayed in CCR7−/− chimeras. Furthermore, GvHD-like reactions did not occur after cotransplantation of wild-type and CCR7−/− bone marrow, showing that CCR7 is critically required for tolerance induction and prevention of GvHD. Conclusions. We are the first to demonstrate that lack of CCR7 results in delayed regulatory T-cell expansion. This results in insufficient control of effector memory T-cell expansion, which eventually leads to severe tissue damage. Conceivably, therapies aimed at boosting CD4+ CD62L+ regulatory T-cell expansion after BMT could help to control GvHD.
New approaches to treating primary effusion lymphoma

Introduction: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is rare and aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that presents with malignant effusions without tumor masses. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus/human herpes virus-8 is universally associated with the pathogenesis of PEL. It is generally resistant to chemotherapy with a short median survival of < 6 months. The optimal treatment for PEL is not well defined and there is a need to establish a standard therapy. Areas covered: This review summarizes the disease features, pathogenesis, diagnosis and current and new targeted treatments for PEL. A literature search on PubMed has been undertaken and the most relevant references have been considered. Expert opinion: Initiating or continuing combination antiretroviral therapy is recommended for HIV-infected PEL patients; however, there is no standard chemotherapy for PEL due to its low incidence and the lack of a large clinical study. PEL is resistant to conventional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP)-like chemotherapy. Thus, therapeutic approaches that target aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant nature in PEL are considered for treatment. In the use of novel agents, further clinical studies on resistant hematological malignancy, such as multiple myeloma, would provide evidence for their clinical use.
Thai herbal formulas used for wound treatment: a study of their antibacterial potency, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity effects.

AIM This present work was aimed to investigate wound healing-related biologic activities of traditional herbal formulas used for wound treatment in southern Thailand. METHODS Water and ethanol extracts of the formulas (THR-SK004, THR-SK010, and THR-SK011) were tested for their antibacterial potency against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and -susceptible S. aureus. Anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were assessed by detection of the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. Anti-oxidant activities and cytotoxicity of the extracts were also measured. RESULTS Among the tested formulas, ethanol extract of THR-SK010 consisting of four herbs: Curcuma longa L. , Areca catechu L. , Oryza sativa L. , and Garcinia mangostana L. , was found to possess promising antibacterial activities with MIC90 of 4 μg mL(-1) against MRSA isolates. This ethanol extract offered the highest anti-inflammatory activity as well as DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. CONCLUSIONS Remarkable antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities as well as low toxicity on Vero cells of THR-SK010 ethanol extract provide scientific information to support the topical use of the formula for wound treatment. This information proposes the potential to develop a new generation of phytopharmaceuticals based on traditional knowledge.
Absence of genotypic drug resistance and presence of several naturally occurring polymorphisms of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 CRF06_cpx in treatment‐naive patients in Estonia

All non‐B HIV‐1 subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) are characterized by several polymorphisms in protease (PR) region. In addition, in recent years the increasing use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) has rapidly raised the spread of transmitted drug resistance. We aimed to determine the presence of naturally occurring polymorphisms and transmitted drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in ART naïve HIV‐1‐positive subjects in Estonia. A total of 115 drug‐naive HIV‐1‐infected subjects (mean age 27 years; 70% male; 65% infected via intravenous drug use and 34% by heterosexual contact) were enrolled. Viral genomic RNA from plasma was directly sequenced in PR, revertase (RT), and envelope (env) regions. Phylogenetic analysis of RT and env regions revealed that 89% and 3% of sequenced viruses belonged to CRF06_cpx and subtype A1, respectively, and 6% were described as unique recombinants (signed A1‐06) between CRF06_cpx and subtype A1 viruses. No primary DRMs were found in PR or RT regions indicating the absence of transmitted drug resistance. The most common polymorphisms in the PR region were K14R, M36I, H69K, and L89M seen in 96%, 100%, 99%, and 100%, respectively. The clinical relevance of these polymorphisms in terms of success of ART has to be monitored in future clinical studies. J. Med. Virol. 81:953–958, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of the anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of extracts from commonly used medicinal plants.

BACKGROUND Resurgences of Staphylococcus aureus infection continue globally, with antibiotic resistance increasing dramatically, making these infections more difficult to treat. S. aureus epidemics impose public health threats, and economic burdens on health care costs worldwide, presenting challenges modern medicine struggles to control. OBJECTIVE In order to answer today's call for effective treatments against S. aureus, we evaluated and compared various botanical extracts that have historically been suggested as useful for their antimicrobial properties against S. aureus. DESIGN Briefly, S. aureus cultures were treated with selected botanical extracts and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined. In addition, to obtain more quantitative measures on bacterial growth, 24-hour growth studies were done to examine the temporal activity and stability of various botanicals on bacterial replication. RESULTS The antimicrobial activity observed for the botanical extracts used in this comparative evaluation of efficacy included both bacteriostatic and bacteriocidal activity against S. aureus. Highly effective botanicals including Salvia officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus, Coleus forskohlii, Coptis chinensis, Turnera diffusa, and Larrea tridentata exhibited MIC values ranging from 60 to 300 μg/mL and a 10(6)-fold reduction in bacterial replication. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Allium sativum were slightly less effective, exhibiting MIC values ranging from 90 to 400 μg/mL and a 10(5)-fold reduction, while Anemopsis californica gave MIC value of 360 μg/mL and a 10(4)-fold reduction in bacterial replication. Many botanicals, especially at lower doses, had an initial inhibitory effect followed by a recovery in bacterial replication. Such botanicals included E. globulus, C. chinensis, T. diffusa, A. californica, and Berberis vulgaris. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that S. officinalis, E. globulus, C. forskohlii, A. uva-ursi, C. chinensis, T. diffusa, A. californica, A. sativum, and L. tridentata all show promising direct antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. For many of these botanicals, strong bacteriocidal activity was observed at higher concentrations, but even at lower concentrations, bacteriostatic activity was evident. Other botanicals including B. vulgaris, Baptisia tinctoria, and Glycyrrhiza glabra showed moderate activity against S. aureus, while Schisandra chinensis, Echinacea angustifolia, and Polygonum multiflorum were shown to be ineffective.