Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute effects of ambient ozone on daily hospital admissions and daily mortality for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among residents of Bangkok, Thailand

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of ambient ozone (O3) exposure on health outcomes among residents of Bangkok, Thailand. The health outcomes were defined as daily hospital admissions for pneumonia, asthma, myocardial infarction (MI), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) between September 2002 to September 2004, and mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and unclassified causes between January 2001 and December 2004. A negative binomial regression model was used to conduct a time-series analysis of the counts. The effects of time trend, seasonality, day of the week, temperature, and relative humidity were adjusted and overdispersion was corrected. Daily 1-hour maximum concentrations of O3 were averaged from eleven monitoring stations throughout Bangkok. Relative risks (RRS) of health outcomes (per 10 ppb increase in air pollutant concentration) were calculated. A 10-ppb increase in daily 1-hour maximum O3 was statistically significantly associated with estimated increases in daily all-cause mortality of 0.5-0.7% for all-age group (lag of 0-, 1-, 2and 3-day) and 0.6-0.7% for the 55-79 age group (lag of 0and 3day). Daily O3 concentrations were positively associated with daily mortality from cardiovascular diseases among both all-age group and the 55-79 age group, but this association was not significant. There was only a marginally significant association between daily O3 concentration (lag of 2-day) and daily mortality from respiratory diseases in the 55-79 age group (2.1% increase per 10-ppb increment, 95% CI = 1.000,
The effect of Echinacea on kidney and liver after experimental renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rats

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of Echinacea on kidney and liver against oxidative stress during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, by determining biochemical parameters and evaluating histological examinations. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated in five groups (each group consists of 8 animals). Group 1 (Control; non-ischemic animals); Group 2 (renal I/R injury+saline), Group 3 (renal I/R injury + Echinacea, 25 mg/kg), Group 4 (renal I/R injury + Echinacea, 50 mg/kg) Group 5 (renal I/R injury+ Echinacea, 100 mg/kg) were designed to evaluate effects of Echinacea in renal I/R injury on the morphological changes in kidney and liver. A right nephrectomy was performed for I/R injury. On the 15th day following nephrectomy, ischemia and reperfusion was performed. Echinacea was administered intraperitoneally. Left kidney and liver were taken after 24 h of reperfusion period for histopathological examinations. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities were determined from tissue homogenates. In the study, Echinacea administration in renal ischemia-reperfusion decreased MDA in kidney and liver. SOD activity was decreased with low and high doses of Echinacea treatment in both kidney and liver. Echinacea administration decreased CAT levels in kidney and no difference was observed between Echinacea doses. CAT was increased in liver low dose group. But CAT was decreased in high doses of Echinacea. Histopathological examinations showed partial improvement in the damages seen in I/R injury after Echinacea administration at both kidney and liver. Echinacea may be effective in preventing oxidative injury. Key words: Echinacea, ischemia-reperfusion, kidney, liver, antioxidant enzyme.
Grading and staging chronic hepatitis C and its relation to genotypes and epidemiological factors in brazilian blood donors

Progression of chronic hepatitis C is known to be associated with some factors, but influence of HCV genotypes is still controversial. Association between HCV genotypes and other risk factors was examined to determine which factors are associated with progression of infection. One hundred consecutive anti-HCV positive volunteer blood donors were evaluated for several risk factors, examined for HCV genotypes, and submitted to hepatic biopsy and biochemical exams.HCV genotyping were carried out in 89 patients and hepatic biopsy in 78. Transmission routes were found to be illicit intravenous drug use (26%), Gluconergan use in a non-safe manner (48%) and blood transfusion (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 45%, 3 in 40%, and it was not associated with the stage of fibrosis or with inflammatory activity. There was no significant association of factors related to infection, chronic alcohol use, or duration of illness, with progression of the lesion. There was a significant association of aminotransferase levels and the fibrosis stage. Univariate analysis showed that the age at contamination, patient's age, GT-gamma, and aminotransferase levels over three times the upper normal limits, were associated with fibrosis stages 2 to 4. Multivariate analysis detected age (odds ratio=1.19), and GT-gamma (odds ratio=2.02) as independent factors.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Anthropometric Measures as Risk Factors for Diabetes

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to examine the impact of race/ethnicity on associations between anthropometric measures and diabetes risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 136,112 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years participating in the Women’s Health Initiative without baseline cancer or diabetes were followed for 14.6 years. BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured in all participants, and a subset of 9,695 had assessment of whole-body fat mass, whole-body percent fat, trunk fat mass, and leg fat mass by DXA. Incident diabetes was assessed via self-report. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess associations between anthropometrics and diabetes incidence. RESULTS During follow-up, 18,706 cases of incident diabetes were identified. BMI, WC, and WHR were all positively associated with diabetes risk in each racial and ethnic group. WC had the strongest association with risk of diabetes across all racial and ethnic groups. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, associations with WC were weaker in black women (P < 0.0001) and stronger in Asian women (P < 0.0001). Among women with DXA determinations, black women had a weaker association with whole-body fat (P = 0.02) but a stronger association with trunk-to-leg fat ratio (P = 0.03) compared with white women. CONCLUSIONS In postmenopausal women across all racial/ethnic groups, WC was a better predictor of diabetes risk, especially for Asian women. Better anthropometric measures that reflect trunk-to-leg fat ratio may improve diabetes risk assessment for black women.
Elevated Serum Uric Acid Is Associated With Greater Risk for Hypertension and Diabetic Kidney Diseases in Obese Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes: An Observational Analysis From the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) Study

OBJECTIVE Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for kidney disease in adults with diabetes, but data in youth are limited. We hypothesized that elevated SUA predicts development of elevated urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and hypertension over time in teens with type 2 diabetes (T2D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Serum creatinine, cystatin C, SUA, and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were assessed in 539 obese youth, ages 12–17 years, with T2D duration <2 years at baseline in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using creatinine and cystatin C. Hypertension was defined as systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥130/80 mmHg and elevated UAE as UACR ≥30 mg/g. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the relationship between SUA and outcome variables longitudinally over an average follow-up of 5.7 years, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, HbA1c, eGFR, ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use, and TODAY treatment group assignment. RESULTS At baseline, hyperuricemia (≥6.8 mg/dL) was present in 25.6% of participants, hypertension in 18.7%, and elevated UAE in 6.1%. During follow-up of up to 7 years, hypertension developed in 37.4% and UAE in 18.0%. Higher baseline SUA increased the risk of incident hypertension (hazard ratio [HR] 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.38, per 1 mg/dL increase in SUA) and elevated UAE (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03–1.48) in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS Hyperuricemia was common in youth with T2D. Higher baseline SUA independently increased the risk for onset of hypertension and elevated UAE. Research is needed to determine whether SUA-lowering therapies can impede development of diabetic kidney disease and hypertension in T2D youth.
Sleep apnea syndrome in diabetic patients

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) represents an important co-morbidity in diabetic patients that is frequently under-diagnosed. If left untreated, SAS significantly increases their morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of SAS in diabetic subjects admitted in the clinical wards of the National Institute of Diabetes "NC Paulescu" and to identify clinical and laboratory parameters correlated with the presence of SAS. The study group comprised 101 diabetic subjects aged 22-81 years. Continuous nocturnal pulse oximetry was used in order to identify desaturation events suggestive of SAS. Overall 47.5% of patients presented with oxygen saturation patterns suggestive for SAS. The main predictors were age and weight, with the highest prevalence recorded in male subjects aged 50-69 years and with BMI 30-35 kg/m 2 . Despite the fact that
First Database Report on Cardiothoracic Surgery in Tehran Heart Center

Background: The use of cardiac surgical database is necessary for evaluating and improving the quality of care. The aim of this report was to provide useful information for surgeons in Iran and other countries for their daily practice. Methods: We analyzed data from 14288 consecutive patients in four different types of procedures, namely isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), combined CABG and valve (CABG-V), only valve (V), and other adult cardiac surgical operations from 2002 to 2006. Results: The activity load increased from 1765 in 2002 to 3309 surgical operations in 2006 with almost 87.2% of activity being isolated CABG. The mortality rate for CABG was 1%, which decreased from 1.7% to 0.9% over the five years. The mortality rates for CABG-V and V were 5.8% and 4.8% in the last year of the study, respectively. Over the 5 yr period, the proportion of urgent operations increased substantially from 4% to 24.5% (P< 0.0001), causing a reduction in elective operations. The mean length of hospital stay for the entire population was 8.38±5.74 d, which remained almost steady during the study period. Conclusion: This database can serve as a valuable resource of preoperative measurers and surgical outcomes for surgeons and researchers with a view to improving overall surgical performance.
Cataract significantly influences quantitative measurements on swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography imaging

Purpose To analyze retinal blood flow before and after cataract surgery using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Methods Prospective observational study. Consecutive patients were recruited and scanned using SS-OCTA before and after cataract surgery. Laser flare photometry were performed post-surgery. Perfusion and vessel density of superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexuses (DCP) of the 3 × 3 mm images as well as foveal avascular zone (FAZ) measurements were assessed. Vessel continuity, vessel visibility and presence of artefacts were evaluated by two blinded graders using a predefined grading protocol. Results Thirteen eyes of 12 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a significant increase of perfusion and vessel densities in both the SCP and the DCP after cataract surgery within the 3 × 3 mm images. Significantly better distinguishability of FAZ border was observed postoperatively in both SCP and DCP, however, FAZ area and perimeter measurements did not significantly change after cataract surgery. Mean number of motion artifacts in SCP and DCP numerically decreased by 37% (P = .089) and 42% (P = .080). Conclusions Lens opacities have a significant influence on retinal blood flow measurements in SS-OCTA and should be considered in quantitative vessel analysis. Inflammation may also impact the assessment of density parameters. FAZ measurements seems to be the most robust parameters in terms of media opacity.
In vitro and ex-vivo evaluation of topical formulations designed to minimize transdermal absorption of Vitamin K1

Topical application of Vitamin K1 has been demonstrated to effectively treat papulopustular skin rash, a serious and frequently encountered side effect of Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibitors (EGFRIs). Systemic absorption of vitamin K1 from skin and the resultant consequence of antagonizing EGFRIs anticancer effects jeopardizes the clinical acceptability of this rather effective treatment. The purpose of the present study was to rationally formulate and evaluate the release rate and transdermal absorption of a wide range of Vitamin K1 dermal preparations with a variety of physiochemical properties. A library of 33 formulations with were compounded and tested for Vitamin K1 permeation using hydrophobic membranes and porcine skin mounted in a Fran diffusion cells. Our results demonstrate the lowest diffusion for water-in-oil emulsions, which also demonstrated a negligible transdermal absorption. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between in vitro and ex vivo results. While viscosity did not have a significant impact on the diffusion or absorption of vitamin K1, an increase in the lipid content was correlated with an increase in transmembrane diffusion (not with transdermal absorption). Overall, formulation design significantly impacts the release rate and transdermal absorption of vitamin K1, and confirms the possibility of minimal systemic distribution of this vitamin for this specific purpose.
Alpha-amylase reactivity and recovery patterns in anhedonic young adults performing a tandem skydive

Background Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) is characterized by low responsiveness to rewards and, by virtue of being one of the two core symptoms of depression, by altered responses to stress. We investigated the effect of an acute stress experience (i.e., a tandem skydive) that was expected to elicit both intense fear and intense euphoria in a sample of anhedonic young adults. Objective (1) To examine individual differences in alpha-amylase reactivity to and recovery from a tandem skydive in anhedonic young adults; (2) to investigate whether trait depressive and anxiety problems, trait positive affect (PA), i.e., level of pleasure and reward responsiveness, and state anxiety, PA and self-esteem prior to the skydive were associated with alpha-amylase reactivity and recovery patterns; (3) to investigate whether alpha-amylase reactivity and recovery patterns were associated with pre- to post-jump changes in state anxiety, PA, and self-esteem. Method Participants were 61 individuals with persistent anhedonia (Mage = 21.38, 78.7% female), who filled out a baseline questionnaire at the start of the study, and momentary questionnaires (3 times per day) before and after the tandem skydive. Alpha-amylase was measured at four time points by means of salivettes (2 before and 2 after the skydive). Results Alpha-amylase reactivity and recovery patterns were highly similar across individuals, although mean levels varied greatly. No associations were found between any of the trait and state measures and reactivity and recovery. Only state self-esteem was affected by the reactivity and recovery patterns, in that individuals who showed high reactivity and low recovery experienced decreases in self-esteem after the skydive. Conclusions Alpha-amylase patterns following a tandem skydive in anhedonic individuals are highly similar to patterns previously found in healthy individuals. Although replication is warranted, our findings tentatively suggest that a strong stress response that cannot be downregulated well predicts a decrease in self-esteem.
Therapeutic Effect of Aegiceras corniculatum in Chronic Granulomatous Inflammation and Arthritis

Objective: Chronic inflammation is a result of long lasting of acute inflammation, if not treated or resolved,this condition is a cause of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Aegiceras corniculatum a mangroveplant has been using for many years for the treatment of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases likeatherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and is well known as a folklore medicine constituting variousnovel chemical constituents. Methodology: Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts derived from A. corniculatum were evaluated againstchronic inflammation by using cotton pellet induced granuloma and Adjuvant induced arthritis models in rats.Vascular permeability and leukocyte migration were studied in the presence of extracts. Results: In cotton pellet granuloma, both the methanol and ethanol extracts were found to highly effectivein reducing granulomatous tissue formation in a dose dependent manner. These extracts also suppressed thepaw thickness induced by using adjuvant in rat arthritis model, at maximum oral dose of 50 mg/kg methanolextract inhibited swelling in paw by 67%, whereas ethyl acetate extract caused 75% of inhibition in pawswelling at 200 mg/kg. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract has shown inhibition in leukocytes migration (63%at 50 mg/kg) against LTB4 and carrageenan. However, methanol extract failed to produce inhibitory effectagainst cell infiltration induced by LTB4. Interestingly, methanol and ethyl acetate extract has shown remarkablereduction in the acetic acid induced vascular permeability. Conclusion: A. corniculatum extracts has shown remarkable effect as an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatoryagent to combat with chronic inflammatory diseases, this study provides significant justification for its folkloremedical use against rheumatism interfering with inflammatory and cellular immune responses.
Closing the Loop on Managing Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Children Are Not Just Small Adults

As hybrid closed-loop (HCL) insulin delivery systems permeate clinical practice, it is critical to ensure all with diabetes are afforded the opportunity to benefit from this technology. Indeed, due to the suboptimal control achieved by the vast majority of youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), pediatric patients are positioned to see the greatest benefit from automated insulin delivery systems. To ensure these systems are well poised to deliver the promise of more targeted control, it is essential to understand the unique characteristics and factors of childhood. Herein, the developmental and physiological needs of youth with T1D are reviewed and consideration is given to how HCL could address these issues. Studies of HCL technologies in youth are briefly reviewed. As future-generation closed-loop systems are being devised, features that could make this technology more attractive to youth and to their families are discussed. Integration of HCL has the potential to minimize the burden of this chronic medical condition while improving glycemic control and ultimately allowing our pediatric patients to fulfill the primary goal of childhood, to be a kid.
Dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes: epidemiology and biochemistry

Lipid abnormalities in type 2 diabetes are characterised by high triglyceride concentrations, low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, and normal total and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations. LDL particles, however, are small and dense. Epidemiological evidence for these lipid abnormalities, and for the associations between lipid abnormalities and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes, are presented. Most, of the lipid abnormalities in type 2 diabetes can be explained by reduced action of insulin at the tissue level. The biochemical and metabolic mechanisms underlying the lipid abnormalities are discussed. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2003;3:184‐9
Associations of lack of voluntary private insurance and out-of-pocket expenditures with health inequalities. Evidence from an international longitudinal survey in countries with universal health coverage

Objectives In countries with universal health coverage (UHC), national public health insurances cover 70% of health expenditures on average, but health care user fees and out-of-pocket expenditures have been neglected in empirical patient-centered health inequality research. This study is the first to investigate how health care-related factors are associated with health status among middle-aged and elderly people—vulnerable groups for the burden of illness—in countries with UHC. Design Longitudinal observational cohort study. Setting Population-based cohort Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in twelve countries with UHC. Participants Non-institutionalized people aged 50 and older (n = 29,260). Two subsamples were also used: participants without global activity limitation at baseline (n = 16,879) and participants without depression at baseline (n = 21,178). Main outcome measures Risk of death, risk of global activity limitations, and risk of depression. We used mixed-effects Cox proportional hazards regressions to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality, physical limitations, and depression. Results Having a voluntary private insurance to cover health expenses not included in the public health care system (44.1% of the total sample) was a protective factor for all outcomes (HR≤0.91), controlling for a large range of socio-economic variables. On the contrary, having out-of-pocket expenditures (62.4%) was a risk factor (HR≥1.12). Conclusions UHC systems are not free from health inequalities: there is a potential effect of lack of voluntary private insurance and out-of-pocket expenditures on mortality and health. Health care-related factors should be at focus in future researches designed to understand and address health inequalities. Reducing out-of-pocket expenditures and developing voluntary private insurance may protect against premature illness and death.
Positioning SGLT2 Inhibitors/Incretin-Based Therapies in the Treatment Algorithm

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the most recent addition to the therapeutic options available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and became available after the introduction of incretin-based therapies, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These agents have potential advantages with regard to their weight loss–promoting effect, low risk of hypoglycemia, reduction in blood pressure, and reduction in cardiovascular events in high-risk patients (with empagliflozin). Apart from these clinically important outcomes, they may also correct core defects present in type 2 diabetes (i.e., improvement in β-cell function and insulin sensitivity). They do, however, have some adverse effects, notably, nausea with GLP-1 RAs and genital tract infections and potential for volume depletion with SGLT2i. Whether incretin-based therapies are associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis is unclear. Most recently, diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported with SGLT2i. Therefore, a key clinical question in relation to guidelines is whether these clinical advantages, in the context of the adverse effect profile, outweigh the additional cost compared with older, more established therapies. This article reviews the therapeutic rationale for the use of these newer drugs for diabetes treatment, considers their place in current guidelines, and discusses how this may change as new data emerge about their long-term efficacy and safety from ongoing outcome trials.