Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The northward spread of leishmaniasis in Italy: evidence from retrospective and ongoing studies on the canine reservoir and phlebotomine vectors

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) incidence has been increased in Italy in humans and dogs since the 1990s, with new foci being detected within traditional boundaries of endemic transmission but also in northern regions previously regarded as non‐endemic. To monitor the putative VL spreading, surveillance was implemented in northern continental Italy comprising: analysis of human cases recorded from 1990 through 2005; retrospective literature analysis of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and phlebotomine sandfly records through 2002; prospective investigations in dogs from 2003 through 2005 and surveys on sandflies in 2003 and 2004. Two‐hundred‐thirty human cases (11% of Italian cases) were recorded. Their stratification by age and HIV status disclosed a sharp decrease of HIV/VL co‐infections paralleled by concomitant increase of paediatric and HIV‐negative adult patients during the study period. Four patients had no travel history. Seven leishmaniasis foci were retrospectively identified since 1990, whereas prospective investigations in dogs disclosed 47 autochthonous clinical cases and 106 autochthonous seropositives among 5442 dogs (2.1%) from 16 foci of six regions. Parasites were typed as Leishmania infantum MON‐1. Four vector species were identified among 1696 Phlebotomus (Larroussius) collected specimens. Comparisons with historical data showed that P. perniciosus and P. neglectus have increased in density and expanded their geographic range in the study area. Northern continental Italy is now focally endemic for VL and a moderate risk for human disease does exist, although the intensity of transmission seems to be lower than in traditional settings of Mediterranean VL.
The neglected ‘m’ in MCH programmes – why mental health of mothers is important for child nutrition

In most societies, mothers are the primary providers of nutrition and care to young children. This is a demanding task, and poor physical or mental health in mothers might be expected to have adverse consequences on their children’s health, nutrition and psychological well‐being. Child nutrition programmes do not adequately address maternal mental health. In this article, we consider the evidence from less developed countries on whether maternal mental health influences child growth, with respect to evidence from both observational studies and from clinical trials. We estimate how much of the burden of undernutrition might be averted in one setting, and propose that promoting maternal mental health and treating maternal mental illness offer important new opportunities to tackle the twin scourges of maternal ill‐health and child undernutrition.
Selensupplementation durch Selenhefe und Natriumselenit: Analyse des Selenstatus sowie Risiken des Mangels und der Intoxikation. Selenium Supplementation by Selenium Yeast and Sodium Selenite: Analysis of the Selenium Status as well as Risks of Deficiency and Intoxication

Since selenium has been identified as an essential trace element, numerous studies have been carried out concerning the determination of the individual selenium status and threshold levels of selenium deficiency or excess. Furthermore, the effect of selenium supplementation on healthy individuals or patients affected by different pathological conditions have been examined. Up to now, however, there are only recommendations about the safe daily intake levels which vary in the range of 20 to 600 g/day, based on different study design or country where the study had been taken place. The selenium metabolism has not been elucidated entirely: differences in bioavailability, physiological effects or toxicity of various selenium compounds have not been clarified in detail. The determination of the individual selenium state remains difficult as no single parameter can be applied to give reliable data on the whole body selenium supply. Information about selenium intoxication is restricted to studies in countries with high selenium concentrations in soil or to accidental acute or chronic intake of high selenium doses. Clinical symptoms of selenosis are not very specific. Nevertheless, the number of available compounds for food supplementation is steadily increasing as more and more people are aware that selenium is an essential trace element and the 'selenium supply in Germany has been classified as low. This paper presents an overview about the current knowledge of the risks of selenium supplementation with special consideration of selenium yeast. Intoxication by the available selenium yeast or sodium selenite compounds is not likely if they are applied as recommended.
In Vitro Comparison of the Effects of Clinically Available Ophthalmic Solutions of Gatifloxacin 0.3% and Moxifloxacin 0.5% on Human Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Adhesion and Migration and on Collagen Type IV Protein Expression

Purpose: To compare the effects of clinically available ophthalmic solutions of gatifloxacin 0.3% (Zymar; Allergan) and moxifloxacin 0.5% (Vigamox; Alcon) on measures of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell function that are important for ocular healing. Methods: Human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and the HC0597 human conjunctival cell line were exposed to media control or various dilutions (1:200, 1:100, 1:50, and 1:25) of gatifloxacin 0.3% or moxifloxacin 0.5%. Boyden chamber migration and rapid cell adhesion assays were conducted, and results were read by a masked observer. A western blot was used to visualize the expression of the collagen type IV in both cell types, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for this protein was conducted in HC0597 cells and for fibronectin in both cell types. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The Boyden assay revealed significantly more HC0597 cell migration with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:50 and 1:25 dilutions. The rapid cell adhesion assay with HC0597 cells revealed significantly greater adhesion with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% after 30 minutes at 1:100 and 1:25 and after 90 minutes at 1:200 and 1:25. This assay with HCECs after 60 minutes revealed significantly greater adhesion with gatifloxacin 0.3% than with moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:25. Moxifloxacin 0.5% at 1:25 produced visibly less expression of collagen type IV on western blot both of HC0597 cells and HCECs compared with gatifloxacin 0.3% and vehicle. ELISA results revealed significantly less expression of this protein in HC0597 cells and of fibronectin in both cell types. Conclusion: Overall, gatifloxacin 0.3% was significantly less toxic than moxifloxacin 0.5% at the 1:25 and 1:50 dilutions by most measures in this study.
5C.09: HERITABILITY OF RENAL FUNCTION PARAMETERS AND ELECTROLYTE LEVELS IN THE SWISS POPULATION

Objective: Electrolytes handling by the kidney is essential for volume and blood pressure (BP) homeostasis but their distribution and heritability are not well described. We estimated the heritability of kidney function as well as of serum and urine concentrations, renal clearances and fractional excretions for sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphate and magnesium in a Swiss population-based study. Design and method: Nuclear families were randomly selected from the general population in Switzerland. We estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI and MDRD equations. Urine was collected separately during day and night over 24-hour. We used the ASSOC program (S.A.G.E.) to estimate narrow sense heritability, including as covariates in the model: age, sex, body mass index and study center. Results: The 1128 participants (537 men and 591 women from 273 families), had mean (sd) age of 47.4(17.5) years, body mass index of 25.0 (4.5) kg/m2 and CKD-EPI of 98.0(18.5) mL/min/1.73 m2. Heritability estimates (SE) were 46.0% (0.06), 48.0% (0.06) and 18.0% (0.06) for CKD-EPI, MDRD and 24-hour creatinine clearance (P < 0.05), respectively. Heritability [SE] of serum concentration was highest for calcium (37%[0.06]) and lowest for sodium (13%[0.05]). Heritabilities [SE] of 24-h urine concentrations and excretions, and of fractional excretions were highest for calcium (51%[0.06], 44%[0.06] and 51%[0.06], respectively) and lowest for potassium (11%[0.05], 10%[0.05] and 16%[0.06], respectively). All results were statistically different from zero. Figure. No caption available. Conclusions: Serum and urine levels, urinary excretions and renal handling of electrolytes, particularly calcium, are heritable in the general adult population. Identifying genetic variants involved in electrolytes homeostasis may provide useful insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in common chronic diseases such as kidney diseases, hypertension and diabetes.
Plant polyphenols in cancer and heart disease: implications as nutritional antioxidants

Abstract Certain dietary antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C are important for maintaining optimum health. There is now much interest in polyphenolic products of the plant phenylpropanoid pathway as they have considerable antioxidant activity in vitro and are ubiquitous in our diet. Rich sources include tea, wine, fruits and vegetables although levels are affected by species, light, degree of ripeness, processing and storage. This confounds the formulation of databases for the estimation of dietary intakes. Most attention to date has focused on the flavonoids, a generic term which includes chalcones, flavones, flavanones, flavanols and anthocyanins. There is little convincing epidemiological evidence that intakes of polyphenols are inversely related to the incidence of cancer whereas a number of studies suggest that high intakes of flavonoids may be protective against CHD. In contrast, numerous cell culture and animal models indicate potent anticarcinogenic activity by certain polyphenols mediated through a range of mechanisms including antioxidant activity, enzyme modulation, gene expression, apoptosis, upregulation of gap junction communication and P-glycoprotein activation. Possible protective effects against heart disease may be due to the ability of some polyphenols to prevent the oxidation of LDL to an atherogenic form although anti-platelet aggregation activity and vasodilatory properties are also reported. However, some polyphenols are toxic in mammalian cells. Thus, until more is known about their bioavailability, metabolism and intracellular location, increasing intakes of polyphenols by supplements or food fortification may be unwise.
China’s new strategy to block Schistosoma japonicum transmission: experiences and impact beyond schistosomiasis

Despite sustained efforts for its control made over the past 50+ years, the re‐emergence of schistosomiasis in China was noted around the turn of the new millennium. Consequently, a new integrated strategy was proposed to stop the contamination of schistosome eggs to the environment, which emphasizes health education, access to clean water and adequate sanitation, mechanization of agriculture and fencing of water buffaloes, along with chemotherapy. Validation of this integrated control strategy in four pilot counties in the provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Jiangxi revealed significant reductions in the rate of Schistosoma japonicum infection in humans and intermediate host snails. Importantly, this strategy showed an impact on diseases beyond schistosomiasis, signified by concomitant reductions in the prevalence of soil‐transmitted helminth infections. In view of China’s new integrated strategy for transmission control of schistosomiasis showing an ancillary benefit on other helminthic diseases, we encourage others to investigate the scope and limits of integrated control of neglected tropical diseases.
Patterns of house infestation dynamics by non‐domiciliated Triatoma dimidiata reveal a spatial gradient of infestation in rural villages and potential insect manipulation by Trypanosoma cruzi

Objective Chagas disease is a major vector‐borne parasitic disease in Latin America, primarily transmitted to humans by triatomine vectors. Non‐domiciliated triatomine species such as Triatoma dimidiata in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, can transiently invade houses and are emerging as a major challenge to control Trypanosoma cruzi transmission to humans. We analyzed the spatio‐temporal spreading of house infestation by T. dimidiata in four rural villages.
Conjugated linoleic acid: a novel therapeutic nutrient?

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a group of fatty acid isomers of linoleic acid. Recent research shows that CLA affects body composition, lipoprotein metabolism, inflammationand carcinogenesis. Therefore, CLA may have potential as a therapeutic nutrient with respect to many common diseases, including obesity, atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. Animal studies show that CLA is a potent anti-adipogenic nutrient, reducing adipose tissue mass and increasing lean mass. However, the effect of CLA on body composition in human subjects has been less spectacular. Several studies have demonstrated that CLA significantly improves plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol metabolism in a number of animal models. These studies also showed that CLA inhibits the progression and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Whilst CLA has also been shown toimprove triacylglycerol metabolism in human subjects, it has not been determined whether CLA affects atherogenesis. Animal models show that CLA-rich diets modulate the inflammatory response and preliminary trials with human subjects show that CLA affects the cell-mediated immune response. The molecular basis of the health effects of CLA has not been elucidated, but it is probable that CLA mediates its effect in a number of ways including altered eicosanoid or cytokine metabolism and/orby a direct effect of dietary fats on gene transcription. Most of our knowledge is based on in vitro and animal studies; the challenge is to define the nature and molecular basis of any health effects of CLA in human subjects.
Comparative mammalian choline metabolism with emphasis on the high-yielding dairy cow

Abstract The present review examines the importance of choline in dairy cow nutrition. Choline is an essential nutrient for mammals when excess methionine and folate are not available in the diet. The requirement for choline can be met by dietary choline and by transmethylation reactions. Two types of functions for choline are known: functions of choline per se; functions as a methyl donor. The two principal methyl donors in animal metabolism are betaine, a metabolite of choline, and S-adenosyl-methionine, a metabolite of methionine. Choline and methionine are interchangeable with regard to their methyl group-furnishing functions. In adult ruminants, choline is extensively degraded in the rumen; for this reason dietary choline contributes insignificantly to the choline body pool and methyl group metabolism is generally conservative with a relatively low rate of methyl catabolism and an elevated rate of de novo synthesis of methyl groups via the tetrahydrofolate system. In dairy ruminants, the dietary availability of choline is still low, but the output of methylated compounds in milk is high, and precursors from the tetrahydrofolate pathway are limiting, especially at the onset of lactation. Therefore choline may be a limiting nutrient for milk production in high-yielding dairy cows.
Tracking a sample of patients lost to follow‐up has a major impact on understanding determinants of survival in HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in Africa

Objective To date, data regarding the determinants of mortality in HIV‐infected patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa have been primarily derived from routine clinical care settings practicing the public health approach. Losses to follow‐up, however, are high in these settings and may lead to bias in understanding the determinants of mortality.
Tuberculosis research update

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major challenge to global public health in the 21st century. In 2007, there were an estimated 9.27 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths among HIV‐negative patients with TB. The HIV‐associated TB epidemic, drug‐resistant disease, the need for better diagnostic assays and the limited efficacy of Bacille Calmette–Guerin vaccination are four important obstacles to further progress in global TB control. In this brief review, we provide a focused update on these four key areas of TB research.
Antiplatelet therapy and prevention of ischaemic events: CAPRIE

The long-term administration of clopidogrel to patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease – manifested as either recent ischaemic stroke, recent myocardial infarction (MI) or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – is more effective than the use of aspirin in reducing the combined risk of ischaemic stroke, MI and vascular death. The overall safety profile of clopidogrel is at least as good as that of medium-dose aspirin.
Copolymerization of Ethylene and Polar Monomers by Using Ni/IzQO Catalysts.

The replacement of precious metals in catalysis by earth-abundant metals is currently one of the urgent challenges for chemists. Whereas palladium-catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene and polar monomers is a valuable method for the straightforward synthesis of functionalized polyolefins, the corresponding nickel-based catalysts have suffered from poor thermal tolerance and low molecular weight of the polymers formed. Herein, we report a series of neutral nickel complexes bearing imidazo[1,5-a]quinolin-9-olate-1-ylidene (IzQO) ligands. The Ni/IzQO system can catalyze ethylene polymerization at 50-100 °C with reasonable activity in the absence of any cocatalyst, whereas most known nickel-based catalysts are deactivated at this temperature range. The Ni/IzQO catalyst was successfully applied to the copolymerization of ethylene with allyl monomers to obtain the corresponding copolymers with the highest molecular weight reported for a Ni-catalyzed system.
History of Solid Organ Transplantation at the University of Liège

Doctor Georges Lejeune, who was just graduated MD and was working in the laboratory of Pr Albert, read in 1953 the paper published by Pr P. B. Medawar in Nature, and entitled : “Actively acquired tolerance to foreign cells”. Following this paper, regular contacts were conducted with Pr P. B. Medawar, and in 1959 an International Symposium on “Biological problems of grafting” was organised in Liège under the presidence of Pr P. B. Medawar (Fig. 1). Most participants were well known, as for example Pr Owen, Pr Simonsen, Pr Trentin and Pr Voisin. The proceedings of this symposiHistory of Solid Organ Transplantation at the University of Liège
Evaluation du statut nutritionnel et biologique d’un échantillon de personnes atteintes de glaucome à angle ouvert dans une population togolaise

Ce travail est une etude prospective menee d’octobre 2009 a juillet 2010. L’objectif a ete d’evaluer dans un echantillon de population togolaise les facteurs biologiques et nutritionnels des patients atteints de glaucome a angle ouvert. L’etude a porte sur deux groupes d’individus des deux sexes : 35 patients ayant un glaucome a angle ouvert et 27 temoins. L’âge, le poids, la taille et l’IMC moyens ont ete similaires entre les deux groupes. Les sujets ont tous subi le meme bilan biologique. Le t-test a ete utilise pour l’evaluation statistique. Les resultats ont revele que chez les patients, les taux moyens de glycemie, de cholesterol total, des triglycerides, de HDL-cholesterol et de LDL-cholesterol ont ete plus eleves (p < 0,001) comparativement a ceux des temoins. Le taux moyen de la creatinine chez les patients a ete similaire a celui des temoins. Il en est de meme pour les taux moyens de la protidemie. En ce qui concerne les transaminases et la GGT, les taux moyens chez les patients ont ete plus eleves que chez les temoins (p < 0,05). Il ressort de ces resultats que la glycemie, le cholesterol total, les HDL, les LDL, les triglycerides, les transaminases et la GGT pourraient etre inclus dans les facteurs de risque du glaucome a angle ouvert. L’augmentation du taux de ces differents parametres serait probablement d’origine alimentaire. Mots cles : Glaucome a angle ouvert, alimentation, bilan biologique.
Antidiarrheal and thrombolytic effects of methanol extract of Wikstroemia indica (L.) C. A. Mey leaves

Context: Medicinal plants contribute as potential sources of therapeutic uses. Wikstroemia indica, a traditional medicinal plant, has long been used as anti‑inflammatory, antiviral, antimalarial, anti‑mitotic, antitumor, and anti‑HIV in different parts of the world. Aims: The aim was to investigate the antidiarrheal and thrombolytic effect of W. indica leaf extract. Settings and Design: Sample collection, identification, solvent extraction, and crude extract preparations were led to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect in in vivo model and the thrombolytic effect in in vitro model. Materials and Methods: Castor oil‑induced diarrhea and enteropooling assays and gastrointestinal motility tests were used to examine the in vivo antidiarrheal activity in Wistar albino rat. In vitro clot lysis model was undertaken to investigate the thrombolytic action of the extract. Data were analyzed using statistical software (Statistical Package for Social Science, SPSS, version 19.0, SPSS Inc., USA). Results: The diarrheal episode was inhibited by 18.64% and 28.96% for the methanol extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the intestinal volume and intestinal transit in comparison to control. The extract also reduced the rate of defecation, accumulation of fluid, and transit of charcoal oil. The extract showed a moderate thrombolytic effect compared to the reference control. Conclusion: Methanol extract of W. indica might be triggered the premonition of novel drug discovery in the future due to its antidiarrheal effect in the animal model. Key words: Antidiarrheal, castor oil, streptokinase, thrombolytic, Wikstroemia indica
Aid effectiveness from Rome to Busan: some progress but lacking bottom‐up approaches or behaviour changes

The Busan partnership adopted at the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness at the end of last year is a significant step forward towards the improvement of aid quality and the promotion of development. In particular, the inclusiveness achieved in Busan and the shift in discourse from ‘aid effectiveness’ to ‘development effectiveness’ are emblematic. However, key challenges still remain. Firstly, decision‐making should be more bottom‐up, finding ways to take into account the populations’ needs and experiences and to enhance self‐learning dynamics during the policy process. Today, it is particularly necessary to define what ‘development’ means at country level, according to the aspirations of particular categories of people and meeting operational and local expectations. Secondly, changes in language should be followed by a real change in mindset. Development stakeholders should further adapt their procedures to the reality of complex systems in which development interventions are being dealt with.