Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary-resistant starch improves maternal glycemic control in Goto-Kakizaki rat.

SCOPE Dietary prebiotics show potential in anti-diabetes. Dietary resistant starch (RS) has a favorable impact on gut hormone profiles, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) consistently released, a potent anti-diabetic incretin. Also RS reduced body fat and improved glucose tolerance in rats and mice. In the current project, we hypothesize that dietary-resistant starch can improve insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β cell mass in a type 2 diabetic rat model. Altered gut fermentation and microbiota are the initial mechanisms, and enhancement in serum GLP-1 is the secondary mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, GK rats were fed an RS diet with 30% RS and an energy control diet. After 10 wk, these rats were mated and went through pregnancy and lactation. At the end of the study, pancreatic β cell mass, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic insulin content, total GLP-1 levels, cecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations and butyrate producing bacteria in cecal contents were greatly improved by RS feeding. The offspring of RS-fed dams showed improved fasting glucose levels and normal growth curves. CONCLUSION Dietary RS is potentially of great therapeutic importance in the treatment of diabetes and improvement in outcomes of pregnancy complicated by diabetes.
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Due to Listeria monocytogenes: A Case Report and a Review of Listeria monocytogenes Peritonitis

Enteric gram-negative bacilli such as Escherichia coli are the most common pathogens of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with liver disease, followed by gram-positive organisms such as pneumococci. Listeria monocytogenes is known to cause meningitis, endocarditis, and/or bacteremia in neonates, older persons, and immunocompromised hosts. This organism is a rare pathogen in SBP. We report a 44-year-old man with a history of hepatitis C and alcohol-related liver cirrhosis who presented with L. monocytogenes SBP and provide an updated literature review of Listeria SBP from its first description by Rheingold et al [Ann Intern Med. 1977;87(4):455-456] to one of the largest case series by Nolla-Salas et al [Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(6):1507-1511] and a more recent description by Suarez et al [Med Clin. 2007;129(6):218-221].
Care by Spouses, Care by Children: Projections of Informal Care for Older People in England to 2031

The future market costs of long-term care for older people will be affected by the extent of informal care. This paper reports on projections of receipt of informal care by disabled older people from their spouses and (adult) children to 2031 in England. The paper shows that, over the next 30 years, care by spouses is likely to increase substantially. However, if current patterns of care remain the same, care by children will also need to increase by nearly 60 per cent by 2031. It is not clear that the supply of care by children will rise to meet this demand.
Causal association between adiponectin and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A Mendelian randomization study

Background Numerous observational studies have revealed that circulating adiponectin (ADPN) is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. However, the causality remains unknown. We aimed to assess the causality of circulating ADPN on AD risk using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods Fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with ADPN were selected from publicly available genetic abstract data. We applied these SNPs to two recent large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of AD, one from the FinnGen consortium and the other from a large meta-analysis. The inverse variance weighted method, MR–Egger method, the weighted median method, the Cochran Q statistic, the MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier methods, and the leave-one-out analysis were applied for MR analyses. Results In MR analysis, no significant genetic association was found between plasma ADPN levels and AD risk by analyzing the FinnGen consortium GWAS database in the inverse variance weighted method [odds ratio (OR): 0.874, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.701–1.089, p = 0.230], MR–Egger (OR: 0.944, 95% CI: 0.692–1.288, p = 0.721), and weighted median method (OR: 0.900, 95% CI: 0.678–1.194, p = 0.449). Additionally, the same analysis was conducted for the meta-analysis database, and we found no significant association (OR: 1.000, 95% CI: 0.999–1.001, p = 0.683). Conclusion Our findings reveal no significant causal association between circulating ADPN and AD risk.
Sublethal and intergenerational effects of fipronil on Binodoxys communis larvae based on transcriptome sequencing

Fipronil is widely used in the agricultural world as an efficient phenylpyrazole insecticide to control pests. Binodoxys communis is a key parasitic natural enemy of major homopteran pests and can successfully control the population of pests such as cotton aphids. It has not yet been studied what effects would sublethal doses of fipronil have on Binodoxys communis larvae. Here, this study evaluated the effect of fipronil on Binodoxys communis larvae and analyze the transcriptome results. The results showed that LC10 (1.19 mg/L) and LC25 (1.73 mg/L) had significant negative effects on the survival rate and parasitism rate of F0 generation. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations (LC25) of fipronil still had obvious passive effect on the F1 generation of Binodoxys communis. These results indicated that sublethal doses of fipronil have malignant effects on the biological functions of parasitoids and their offspring. The results of transcriptome analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of Binodoxys communis after LC10 treatment are mainly related to immunity and detoxification. LC25 treatment instead resulted in changes in the expression of genes related to nutrition, energy and metabolism reactions. Seven of the identified DEGs were selected for real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to evaluate the sublethal, intergenerational, and transcriptomic side effects of fipronil on larvae of parasitic natural pest enemies. Our findings provide data to accurately assess the risk of fipronil usage on Binodoxys communis larvae, and provide important theoretical support for the comprehensive prevention and control of natural enemies and pesticides.
Strontium-doped apatitic bone cements with tunable antibacterial and antibiofilm ability

Injectable calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) represent promising candidates for the regeneration of complex-shape bone defects, thanks to self-hardening ability, bioactive composition and nanostructure offering high specific surface area for cell attachment and conduction. Such features make CPCs also interesting for functionalization with various biomolecules, towards the generation of multifunctional devices with enhanced therapeutic ability. In particular, strontium-doped CPCs have been studied in the last years due to the intrinsic antiosteoporotic character of strontium. In this work, a SrCPC previously reported as osteointegrative and capable to modulate the fate of bone cells was enriched with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA-NPs) functionalized with tetracycline (TC) to provide antibacterial activity. We found that HA-NPs functionalized with TC (NP-TC) can act as modulator of the drug release profile when embedded in SrCPCs, thus providing a sustained and tunable TC release. In vitro microbiological tests on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains proved effective bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties, especially for the NP-TC loaded SrCPC formulations. Overall, our results indicate that the addition of NP-TC on CPC acted as effective modulator towards a tunable drug release control in the treatment of bone infections or cancers.
Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill (review)

cal activity were all begun in this time period. There was much left to learn, but great progress had been made. The writing style is a little dry throughout the book, but the attention to detail is praiseworthy. The author sums up his points well and the book’s layout is cohesive and well thought out. Overall, it is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the beginning of modern epileptology.
Platelet aggregation in children with end-stage kidney disease in relation to level of L-arginine as a risk factor for vascular thrombosis

Background: L-arginine is the precursor for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in vascular cells. The sources of L-arginine are endogenous and exogenous. Although macrophages and endothelial cells can generate L-arginine, most synthesis takes place in the liver and kidney. Level of L-arginine as of other amino acids is affected in malnourished patients; NO regulates platelet activation by inhibiting adhesion and aggregation. Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the level of L-arginine in patients of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) under regular hemodialysis and to determine its relation to platelet aggregation as a risk factor for vascular thrombosis which is a very important complication that affects the life span of those patients. In addition, we also tried to establish the relationship between L-arginine, platelet aggregation, and nutritional state of patients with ESKD. Subjects and Methods: Our study was "a case-control study", comparing data between 30 patients with ESKD under treatment with regular hemodialysis-group (A); group A1 (16)-patients with ESKD on regular hemodialysis with malnutrition, group A2 (14)-patients with ESKD on regular hemodialysis with normal nutrition state, and group B 10 subjects as healthy control group, each patient was evaluated for serum arginine level by high-performance liquid chromatography, and platelet aggregation, as well as other routine investigations. A thorough clinical history and examination were performed for all the patients. Results: Our study shows significant higher level of platelet aggregation to ADP in group A than group B (119±11.9% and 81.1±6.5% respectively, P < 0.05), a lower level of serum arginine in group A (71±45.3 μg/L) than in group B (120.5±14.6 μg/L) with P< 0.05. Also our study shows a lower level of serum arginine in group A1 (60.5±12.3 μg/L) than group A2 (83±27 μg/L) and a lower level in group A2 than group B (120.5±14.6 μg//l), and we found a negative correlation between serum arginine level and platelet aggregation expressing a more risk for thrombosis in patients with ESKD specially those with malnutrition. Conclusions: We concluded that patients with ESKD has a low level of L-arginine specially in those with malnutrition and this leads to increase in platelet aggregation and may increase the possibility of thrombus formation in malnourished patients with ESKD. We suggest the use of nutritional supplementation of L-arginine to suppress this process of atherothrombosis.
Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria caused by an IgM‐class Donath–Landsteiner antibody

We report on a 4‐year‐old boy who developed paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) following the first dose of a seven‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. He was admitted because of dark urine after exposure to cold air. Laboratory tests indicated anemia, increased serum indirect bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased serum haptoglobin. Donath–Landsteiner (D‐L) test was positive. The D‐L antibody belonged to the IgM class and exhibited anti‐P specificity. Symptoms and signs subsided after supportive care without any medication. Although PCH is often associated with viral or bacterial infection and is caused by IgG‐class D‐L antibodies with anti‐P specificity, this case was unique because a D‐L antibody of the IgM class with anti‐P specificity caused PCH after immunization with a pneumococcal vaccine.
The Effect of Low Dose Micronized 17β-Estradiol on Bone Turnover, Sex Hormone Levels, and Side Effects in Older Women: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study1

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/day) of micronized 17β-estradiol on bone turnover, sex hormone levels, and side effects compared with placebo in healthy older women. The study design was randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled. The setting was a university clinical research center. Healthy, community-living women over 65 yr of age participated in the study. The main outcome measures were serum and urinary biochemical markers of bone resorption and formation at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks on treatment, and 6 and 12 weeks off treatment. Markers of bone resorption were N-telopeptides of type I collagen, C-telopeptides of type I collagen, and total deoxypyridinoline cross-links; formation markers were bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and N-terminal procollagen peptides. We also measured serum estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels at baseline, 12 weeks on treatment, and 12 weeks posttreatment. All markers of bone reso.
Cocoa flavonoids improve insulin signalling and modulate glucose production via AKT and AMPK in HepG2 cells.

SCOPE Cocoa and (-)-epicatechin (EC), a main cocoa flavanol, have been suggested to exert beneficial effects in diabetes, but the mechanism for their insulin-like effects remains unknown. In this study, the modulation of insulin signalling by EC and a cocoa phenolic extract (CPE) on hepatic HepG2 cells was investigated by analysing key proteins of the insulin pathways, namely insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and 2, PI3K/AKT and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as well as the levels of the glucose transporter GLUT-2 and the hepatic glucose production. METHODS AND RESULTS EC and CPE enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation and total insulin receptor, IRS-1 and IRS-2 levels and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and AMPK in HepG2 cells. CPE also enhanced the levels of GLUT-2. Interestingly, EC and CPE modulated the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a key protein involved in the gluconeogenesis, leading to a diminished glucose production. In addition, EC- and CPE-regulated hepatic gluconeogenesis was prevented by the blockage of AKT and AMPK. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that EC and CPE strengthen the insulin signalling by activating key proteins of that pathway and regulating glucose production through AKT and AMPK modulation in HepG2 cells.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome's New Paradigm: Neural Sensitization and Its Implications for Treatment

Objectives: To provide fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] specialists with an overview of information suitable for the education of primary care physicians about current understanding of the mechanism of and treatments for FMS. Findings: Controlled studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging and other objective markers document FMS as a disorder of increased sensitivity of the central nervous system's pain signaling pathways. This “neural sensitization” model shifts the focus for treatment toward drugs that affect neural pathways. New options include: 5-hydroxytryptamine serotonin receptor antagonists such as odansetron [Zofran], N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists such as Ketamine, growth hormone stimulants such as pyridostigmine [Mestinon], anti-seizure drugs such as gapa-pentin [Neurontin] or pregabalin [Lyrica], gamma hydroxy butyrate-related agonists such as sodium sodium oxybate [Xyrem], and the new serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors-class antidepressants such as duloxetine [Cymbalta] and milnacipran. Also recommended is appropriately graded exercise, i.e., conditioning, work on sleep quality, and cognitive behavioral therapy to support coping skills. Conclusion: Improved understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in FMS and new options for treatment make it imperative that FMS specialists reach out to educate their primary care physician colleagues.
Effects of paternal folate deficiency on the expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 and global DNA methylation in the fetal brain.

SCOPE We examined the effect of paternal folate deficiency on the folate content, the percentage of 5-methycytosine (percentage of 5-mC) in the total DNA, and the protein expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) in the fetal whole brain. METHODS AND RESULTS Rats were mated after males were fed a folic acid deficient (PD) or folic acid supplemented (PS) diet for 4 weeks, and fetuses were killed on day 20 of gestation. The folate content in the fetal liver was significantly lower in the PD group than in the PS group, whereas it did not differ in the fetal whole brain. The percentage of 5-mC and the protein expression of IGF-2 in the fetal whole brain were both lower in the PD group than in the PS group. There were positive correlations between paternal liver and testis folate content and the percentage of 5-mC and IGF-2 expression in the fetal whole brain. CONCLUSION Our results on the folate content, the percentage of 5-mC, and IGF-2 expression in the fetal whole brain show that paternal folate deficiency at mating can influence fetal brain DNA methylation and IGF-2 expression despite an adequate maternal folate status during the gestational period.
Dietary fat increases quercetin bioavailability in overweight adults.

SCOPE Epidemiologic evidence supports that dietary quercetin reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but its oral bioavailability is paradoxically low. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary fat would improve quercetin bioavailability in adults at high risk for CVD and to assess lipid-mediated micellarization of quercetin in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS In a randomized, cross-over study, overweight/obese men and postmenopausal women (n = 4 M/5 F; 55.9 ± 2.1 years; 30.8 ± 1.4 kg/m(2) ) ingested 1095 mg of quercetin aglycone with a standardized breakfast that was fat-free (<0.5 g), low-fat (4.0 g), or high-fat (15.4 g). Plasma was obtained at timed intervals for 24 h to measure quercetin and its methylated metabolites isorhamnetin and tamarixetin. Compared to the fat-free trial, plasma quercetin maximum concentration (Cmax ), and area under curve (AUC0-24 h ) increased (p < 0.05) by 45 and 32%, respectively, during the high-fat trial. During the high-fat trial, isorhamnetin Cmax and AUC0-24 h also increased by 40 and 19%, respectively, whereas Cmax and AUC0-24 h of tamarixetin increased by 46 and 43%, respectively. Dietary fat dose-dependently increased micellarization efficiency of quercetin aglycone in vitro. CONCLUSION Dietary fat improves quercetin bioavailability by increasing its absorption, likely by enhancing its micellarization at the small intestine.
The inhibitory effect of milk on the absorption of dietary phenolic acids and the change in human plasma antioxidant capacity through a mechanism involving both milk proteins and fats.

SCOPE We assessed the effects of milk proteins and fats, alone and in combination, on the absorption of phenolic acids and the change in plasma antioxidant capacity after jujube juice intake in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty volunteers received the following four treatments each in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a minimum 1 week interval: 200 mL of jujube juice plus 200 mL of (1) water; (2) whole milk; (3) skimmed milk; or (4) milk fat. The results showed that skimmed milk extended the time to reach maximum increase of plasma phenolic acids concentrations and plasma antioxidant capacity. However, neither the skimmed milk nor the milk fat had a significant effect on the absorption of phenolic acids. In contrast, whole milk significantly reduced the absorption of phenolic acids and the increase in plasma antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). In vitro results suggested the formation of complexes during digestion that involved milk proteins, milk fats, and phenolic acids, which were responsible for the inhibitory effect of whole milk. CONCLUSION Milk proteins and fats together, but not alone, are responsible for the inhibitory effect of milk on the absorption of phenolic acids and the change in plasma antioxidant capacity.
Fundamental freedoms and the psychology of threat, bargaining, and inequality

Abstract Van de Vliert's findings may be explained by the psychology of threat and bargaining. Poor people facing extreme threats must cope by surrendering individual freedom in service of shared group needs. Wealthier people are more able to flee from threats and/or resist authoritarianism, so their leaders must concede greater freedom. Incorporating these factors (plus inequality) can sharpen researchers' predictions.
AUTOLYSATE THERAPY FOR VERRUCA VULGARIS

2 The literature reveals a wide disparity of opinion in regard to the etiology and methods of treatment of verrucae. Many authors consider the cause to be unknown; some believe that warts are caused by fungi or yeasts. Chavarria 1 isolated a mycotic organism. Bonjour advanced a psychovasomotor theory of etiology and stated the belief that a psychically induced local vasomotor congestion will often cause the lesions to disappear. However, it has been conclusively demonstrated that by far the greatest proportion of verrucae are caused by a filtrable virus, the nature of the further pathogenicity of which is unknown. As early as 1895 Jadassohn 3 suggested that the infectious nature of verrucae was not due to bacteria. In 1907, Ciuffo 4 stated the belief that a virus was the causal agent, and he succeeded in producing a verrucous lesion with autolysate material which had been passed through a Berkefeld filter.
REV-ERB-ALPHA circadian gene variant associates with obesity in two independent populations: Mediterranean and North American.

SCOPE Despite the solid connection between REV-ERB and obesity, the information about whether genetic variations at this locus may be associated with obesity traits is scarce. Therefore our objective was to study the association between REV-ERB-ALPHA1 rs2314339 and obesity in two independent populations. METHODS AND RESULTS Participants were 2214 subjects from Spanish Mediterranean (n = 1404) and North American (n = 810) populations. Anthropometric, biochemical, dietary, and genotype analyses were performed. We found novel associations between the REV-ERB-ALPHA1 rs2314339 genotype and obesity in two independent populations: in Spanish Mediterranean and North American groups, the frequency of the minor-allele-carriers (AA+ AG) was significantly lower in the "abdominally obese" group than in those of the "nonabdominally obese" group (p < 0.05). Minor allele carriers had lower probability of abdominal obesity than noncarriers, and the effect was of similar magnitude for both populations (OR ≈ 1.50). There were consistent associations between REV-ERB-ALPHA1 genotype and obesity-related traits (p < 0.05). Energy intake was not significantly associated with REV-ERB-ALPHA1 rs2314339. However, physical activity significantly differed by genotype. A significant interaction between the REV-ERB-ALPHA1 variant and monounsaturated-fatty-acids (MUFA) intake for obesity was also detected in the Mediterranean population. CONCLUSION This new discovery highlights the importance of REV-ERB-ALPHA1 in obesity and provides evidence for the connection between our biological clock and obesity-related traits.