Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies on Trichophyton tonsurans. I. The taxonomy of T. tonsurans.

Ringworm infections due to Trichophyton tonsurans are becoming an increasingly important public health problem in the United States (15). Since the clinical aspects of the disease have been discussed in recent publications (22, 23, 35, 36), they will not be reviewed here. In general, the fungus invades the skin, hair, and nails of both children and adults and produces chronic, superficial, or acute suppurative infections. These infections may simulate other dermatological conditions such as seborrhea, eczema, lupus erythematosus, or acute bacterial infections. Accurate diagnosis is dependent upon direct examination of infected hairs, skin, or nail scrapings for the presence of fungus elements, fol? lowed by the isolation and identification of the causative agent. The various factors and problems involved in these laboratory procedures are presented in this report, along with a discussion of the classification and synonymy of the fungus, T. tonsurans.
Limited correction of lumbar lordosis in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis

Abstract Background: Patients suffering from degenerative scoliosis (DS) were commonly associated with coronal and sagittal imbalance which made deformity correction surgery necessary. The study aimed to explore the efficacy and feasibility of the limited correction of lumbar lordosis (LL) in the treatment of patients with DS. Methods: This was a retrospective study including 58 DS patients who underwent spinal deformity correction surgery and were followed up at least 2 years between January 2013 and January 2017. According to the difference of postoperative LL, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the limited correction group: Pelvic incidence(PI)–18°≤ LL<PI–9° and the control group: PI–9°≤ LL<PI+9°. There were 31 patients in the limited group, and 27 patients in the control group. The clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared preoperatively and at the last follow-up evaluation. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups preoperatively (P > .05). In terms of surgery, the limited group had less intra-operative blood loss and operation time (P < .05). At the last follow-up, significant differences were found in terms of LL(−38.2 ± 4.7° and -46.9 ± 4.7°), PT (18.8 ± 5.2° and 11.1 ± 3.6°), sacrum slope (33.7 ± 7.0° and 41.4 ± 6.1°) (P < .05), while there were no significant differences in terms of lumbar Cobb angle (10.5 ± 9.3°and 8.3 ± 6.7°), Oswestry Disability Index scores (25.6 ± 10.2 and 26.4 ± 12.1), and JOA scores (23.6 ± 5.2 and 22.3 ± 5.7) (P > .05). Conclusion: Limited correction of LL in the treatment of DS patients can achieve favorable clinical outcomes including effective Cobb angle correction with less blood loss and operative time.
Postoperative outcomes after total hip arthroplasty in patients with Parkinson disease

Abstract Background: Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease associated with bradykinesia, tremor, and postural instability. We aimed to compare outcomes and complications of total hip arthroplasty (THA) between patients with PD and those without. Methods: A single institution retrospective cohort from 2000 to 2018 was reviewed. PD patients were matched 1:2 with non-PD control patients for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and body mass index using a propensity score matching procedure. The primary outcome measures were postoperative complications and revision between PD and cohort groups. Secondary outcome measures were Harris Hip Score, hip range of motion, patient satisfaction, and surgery time. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between PD and surgical outcomes in the matched cohort. Results: Using prospectively collated data, we identified 35 PD patients after primary THA. A control cohort of 70 primary THA patients was matched. Conclusion: Our hypothesis was that PD would have adverse impact on complication rates, range of movement, or improvement in functional outcome after subsequent THA. Trial registration: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry5446).
Interim PET Evaluation in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Using Published Recommendations: Comparison of the Deauville 5-Point Scale and the ΔSUVmax Method

The value of interim 18F-FDG PET/CT (iPET)–guided treatment decisions in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been the subject of much debate. This investigation focuses on a comparison of the Deauville score and the change-in-SUVmax (ΔSUVmax) approach—2 methods to assess early metabolic response to standard chemotherapy in DLBCL. Methods: Of 609 DLBCL patients participating in the PET-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas trial, iPET scans of 596 patients originally evaluated using the ΔSUVmax method were available for post hoc assessment of the Deauville score. A commonly used definition of an unfavorable iPET result according to the Deauville score is an uptake greater than that of the liver, whereas an unfavorable iPET scan with regard to the ΔSUVmax approach is characterized as a relative reduction of the SUVmax between baseline and iPET staging of less than or equal to 66%. We investigated the 2 methods’ correlation and concordance by Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the agreement in classification, respectively. We further used Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression to assess differences in survival between patient subgroups defined by the prespecified cutoffs. Time-dependent receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis provided information on the methods’ respective discrimination performance. Results: Deauville score and ΔSUVmax approach differed in their iPET-based prognosis. The ΔSUVmax approach outperformed the Deauville score in terms of discrimination performance—most likely because of a high number of false-positive decisions by the Deauville score. Cutoff-independent discrimination performance remained low for both methods, but cutoff-related analyses showed promising results. Both favored the ΔSUVmax approach, for example, for the segregation by iPET response, where the event-free survival hazard ratio was 3.14 (95% confidence interval, 2.22–4.46) for ΔSUVmax and 1.70 (95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.24) for the Deauville score. Conclusion: When considering treatment intensification, the currently used Deauville score cutoff of an uptake above that of the liver seems to be inappropriate and associated with potential harm for DLBCL patients. The ΔSUVmax criterion of a relative reduction in SUVmax of less than or equal to 66% should be considered as an alternative.
Impact of Thermal Stress Exposure on Seminal Quality, Antioxidant Defense System, TNF-α and TIMP-3 in Ossimi Ram.

Heat stress (HS) occupies huge importance nowadays as it leads to severe economic losses especially in livestock. Sheep preserving against HS is one of the governmental scope where it represents huge percentage of global ruminant. The present research was conducted to study semen quality, some stress and inflammatory markers in Ossimi rams under both hot and mild climatic conditions. Current study was conducted on selected 46 ram samples divided into two groups during summer and winter. Semen analysis, testestrone (TES), cortisol (COR) and blood glucose (BG) levels and lipid and protein profiles were done. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3), nitric oxide (NO), malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and specific activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed. The results in summer compared to winter revealed significant elevation of total defects and number of dead sperms, however there was reduction in sperm total motility and concentration and external epididymal tail duct diameter. Histological study of epididymal tail lumen exhibited azospermia. Further, TES, TIMP-3 and GSH levels were decreased and COR, TNF-α, NO and MDA were raised. Specific activities of GPx and SOD were also declined. Additionally, there was significant increase in concentrations of BG and protein and lipid profiles except high density lipoprotein. Our data concluded that there was new insights into TNF-α and TIMP-3 as biomarkers can be used in diagnosis of sheep suffer from HS, but further studies are recommended to do in future work about such aspect.
Prevalence and Determinants of Antibiotic Consumption in the Elderly during 2006–2017

Elderly people are a particularly important population with regard to antibiotic overuse, using around 50% more antibiotics per capita than younger adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence, associated factors and evolution over time of antibiotic consumption among the Spanish population aged ≥ 65 years from 2006 to 2017. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Spanish National Health Survey in 2006, 2011/2012 and 2017, and from the European Health Survey in Spain in 2009 and 2014. The sample consisted of 26,891 non-institutionalized individuals ≥ 65 years. Antibiotic consumption was the dependent variable, and sociodemographic variables, lifestyle habits and health status were analyzed using a logistic regression model. The prevalence of antibiotic consumption was 4.94%, with a marked increase from 2006 (4.64%) to 2017 (5.81%) (p < 0.0001). Higher antibiotic consumption was associated with poor or very poor self-perceived health status, no polypharmacy and not having been in hospital during the previous twelve months, while a lower consumption was linked to being limited but not severely due to a health problem and not being at all limited.
Determination of Total Silicon and SiO2 Particles Using an ICP-MS Based Analytical Platform for Toxicokinetic Studies of Synthetic Amorphous Silica

Synthetic amorphous silica (SAS), manufactured in pyrogenic or precipitated form, is a nanomaterial with a widespread use as food additive (E 551). Oral exposure to SAS results from its use in food and dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. Recent evidence suggests that oral exposure to SAS may pose health risks and highlights the need to address the toxic potential of SAS as affected by the physicochemical characteristics of the different forms of SAS. For this aim, investigating SAS toxicokinetics is of crucial importance and an analytical strategy for such an undertaking is presented. The minimization of silicon background in tissues, control of contamination (including silicon release from equipment), high-throughput sample treatment, elimination of spectral interferences affecting inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) silicon detection, and development of analytical quality control tools are the cornerstones of this strategy. A validated method combining sample digestion with silicon determination by reaction cell ICP-MS is presented. Silica particles are converted to soluble silicon by microwave dissolution with mixtures of HNO3, H2O2 and hydrofluoric acid (HF), whereas interference-free ICP-MS detection of total silicon is achieved by ion-molecule chemistry with limits of detection (LoDs) in the range 0.2–0.5 µg Si g−1 for most tissues. Deposition of particulate SiO2 in tissues is assessed by single particle ICP-MS.
Long-term effect of middle ear disease on temporal processing and P300 in two different populations of children

Background/objective The effects of otitis media on the function of the central auditory nervous system in different populations is unknown. Understanding how the history of otitis media affects children from different nations will guide health professionals worldwide on the importance of adequate auditory stimulus in childhood. For this reason, the aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term auditory effects of middle ear disease on temporal processing and P300 in two different populations of children: Australian and Brazilian. Methods Temporal processing tests (Frequency Pattern Tests–FPT and Gaps in noise—GIN) and P300 were measured in 68 Brazilian and Australian children, aged between 8 to 14 years. The Brazilian otitis media group (BrOM) and Australian otitis media group (AusOM) consisted of 20 children each who had a documented history of otitis media. Control groups of 14 children (BrControl and AusControl) were also recruited from each country, all with no documented history of otitis media. Results The BrOM group showed significantly poorer performance (p<0.001) for FPT and the GIN compared to BrControl. The P300 response showed significantly longer mean latencies (p = 0.02) compared to BrControls. The AusOM group also showed significant delayed latency of P300 (p = 0.04) compared to the AusControl. The FPT showed significantly poorer performance (p = 0.04) compared to AusControls. The two otitis media groups showed no significant differences between each other on P300. Significant differences were seen however in temporal processing tests performance between the two cohorts for the otitis media groups. The BrOM group had significantly poorer responses (p<0.001) for FPT and GIN compared to the AusOM group. Conclusions These findings support that although differences exist between BrOM and AusOM groups, otitis media can be demonstrated to affect the underlying mechanisms of the P300 measures and behavioral auditory responses in two different populations of children.
The Insular Cortex, Alzheimer Disease Pathology, and Their Effects on Blood Pressure Variability

Recent findings indicate that the human cardiovascular system is regulated by a cortical network comprised of the insular cortex (Ic), anterior cingulate gyrus, and amygdala which is necessary for the regulation of the central autonomic network system. Alzheimer disease (AD) affects the Ic at a preclinical stage. The pathology of AD at the Ic is suggested to predispose the cardiovascular system to detrimental changes such as increased blood pressure variability (BPV). In this review article, we focus on the physiology of the Ic in the relationship between the central autonomic network and BPV. We provide a summary of the published evidence regarding the relationship between Ic damage and exaggerated BPV in the context of AD pathology.
Combined treatment with epoxyeicosatrienoic acid analog and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid antagonist provides substantial hypotensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVES The global morbidity and mortality related to hypertension and associated disorders increases continuously and novel therapeutic strategies are still in high demand. Increasing evidence suggests the important role in blood pressure regulation of cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolites of arachidonic acid. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) induce vasodilation and natriuresis, and have renoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. 20-HETE is an arachidonic acid metabolite with both prohypertensive and antihypertensive activities. To explore the pathophysiological role of arachidonic acid metabolites in more detail, we examined the antihypertensive efficiency of EET-A, a stable analog of 14,15-EET, and of AAA, a novel antagonist of the 20-HETE receptors. METHODS Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated for 5 weeks with EET-A, AAA or the combination; age-matched untreated SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats served as controls. EET-A and AAA were administered in drinking water at 10 mg/kg/day each. SBP was measured by telemetry and urine, blood, and tissue samples were collected for relevant analyses. RESULTS EET-A or AAA given alone had no significant effect on SHR blood pressure. In contrast, combined treatment with AAA and EET-A was significantly antihypertensive, causing a decrease in SBP from 180 ± 3 to 160 ± 5 mmHg (P < 0.05). Additionally, the combined treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, decreased kidney ANG II level, increased natriuresis, and increased the excretion of nitric oxide metabolites. CONCLUSION Considering the beneficial impact of the combined treatment with EET-A and AAA on SHR blood pressure and cardiovascular and renal function, we suggest that the treatment is a promising therapeutic strategy for human hypertension.
Antioxidant Capacity and Quercetin Levels in Alaska Wild Berries

Abstract Alaska wild berries were harvested in 2003 to evaluate levels of antioxidants in non-cultivated fruit. Berries were stored frozen for up to 20 months until analysis for levels of quercetin and hydrophilic oxygen radical absorbance capacity (H-ORACFL). H-ORACFL levels were highest in lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (119-320, average 203 µmol of Trolox Equivalents (TE)/g fresh weight (FW), n = 13). H-ORACFL levels in other berries from interior Alaska averaged 174 µmol TE/g for highbush cranberry Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. , 107µmol of TE/g for crowberry Empetrum nigrum L. , and 77 µmol of TE/g for bog blueberry Vaccinium uliginosum L. Quercetin levels ranged from 0.5 to 14.6 µg/g FW in these 4 species from interior Alaska. Lingonberry and bog blueberry had higher levels of quercetin than most other berries tested. Alaskan wild berries are rich sources of antioxidants.
Handgrip Strength Asymmetry and Weakness Are Differentially Associated with Functional Limitations in Older Americans

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a convent measure of strength capacity and associated with several age-related health conditions such as functional disability. Asymmetric strength between limbs has been linked to diminished function. Therefore, both HGS asymmetry and weakness could be associated with functional disability. We examined the associations of HGS asymmetry and weakness on functional limitations in a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Methods: Data were analyzed from 2689 adults ≥ 60 years who participated in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weakness was defined as HGS < 26 kg for men and < 16 kg for women. Asymmetry was determined from the ratio of the dominant and non-dominant HGS. Those with HGS ratio 0.9–1.1 were considered as having HGS symmetry, and those outside this range had asymmetry. Results: Compared to those with symmetric HGS and were not weak, those with weakness alone, and both weakness and HGS asymmetry had 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–5.35) and 3.93 (CI: 1.18–13.07) greater odds for functional limitations, respectively. However, HGS asymmetry alone was not associated with functional limitations (odds ratio: 0.80; CI: 0.62–1.03). Conclusion: The use of HGS asymmetry in protocols could improve the prognostic value of handgrip dynamometers.
New Rare Ent-Clerodane Diterpene Peroxides from Egyptian Mountain Tea (Qourtom) and Its Chemosystem as Herbal Remedies and Phytonutrients Agents

Genus Stachys, the largest genera of the family Lamiaceae, and its species are frequently used as herbal teas due to their essential oils. Tubers of some Stachys species are also consumed as important nutrients for humans and animals due to their carbohydrate contents. Three new neo-clerodane diterpene peroxides, named stachaegyptin F-H (1, 2, and 4), together with two known compounds, stachysperoxide (3) and stachaegyptin A (5), were isolated from Stachys aegyptiaca aerial parts. Their structures were determined using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including HR-FAB-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR (1H, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY) analyses. Additionally, a biosynthetic pathway for the isolated compounds (1–5) was discussed. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated diterpenoids of S. aegyptiaca in comparison to the previous reported ones from other Stachys species was also studied.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC LOCALIZATION OF ENDOTOXIC LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE IN GRAM‐NEGAGIVE ORGANISMS

Endotoxicity and 0-antigenic specificity has been ascribed to the cell-walls of Gram-negative bacteria. Chemically, the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria have been separated into an outer lipoprotein coat soluble in phenol, which is separated by a less dense layer from an inner mucopolypeptide layer termed the “R layer” which appeared dense in the electron microscope (Weidel et al., 1960). This latter layer contained the polysaccharide-lipid complex which was water-soluble after phenol extraction of cells, and was thought to be the site of endotoxicity. A phenol-water extract of a human oral strain of a Gram-negative, anaerobic coccus (Veillonella paruula) exhibited biological and immunological activities characteristic of somatic 0-lipopolysaccharides or endotoxins (Mergenhagen et al., 1961; Mergenhagen and Varah, 1963; Mergenhagen, 1965). This high-molecular-weight endotoxin was composed chiefly of lipid bound to a polysaccharide whose monosaccharide constituents were identified as glucose, glucosamine, galactosamine, and methyl pentose. In an electron microscopic investigation of this endotoxin and of the ultrastructure of V. paruula, results were obtained which suggested a morphological correlation of the outer membrane of the cell with particles observed in phenol-water extracts (endotoxin) (Bladen and Mergenhagen, 1964). When extracted with phenol, the outer membrane was removed and the cell retained its shape, owing to an inner solid membrane, which was sensitive to lysozyme. The results of the aforementioned study are summarized in this report in addition to a recent collaborative effort on the use of ferritin-conjugated rabbit anti-lipopolysaccharide globulins to localize endotoxic lipopolysaccharide in this organism.
Repurposing of Alexidine Dihydrochloride as an Apoptosis-Initiator and Cell Cycle Inhibitor in Human Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND Highly aggressive and resistant to chemotherapy, pancreatic cancers are the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the western world. The absence of effective chemotherapeutics is leading researchers to develop novel drugs or repurpose existing chemicals. Alexidine Dihydrochloride (AD), an orally bioavailable bisbiguanide compound, is an apoptosis stimulating reagent. It induces mitochondrial damage by inhibiting a mitochondrial-specific protein tyrosine phosphatase, PTPMT1. The aim of this study was to test AD as a novel compound to induce apoptosis in a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines, Panc-1, MIA PaCa-2, AsPC-1, and Psn-1. METHODS After IC50 value of the AD was determined by cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis was observed by a variety of methods including the detection of early apoptosis marker Annexin V and the proteomic profile screening by apoptosis array. Multicaspase and mitochondrial depolarization were measured and changes in cell cycle were analyzed. RESULTS AD is found to initiate apoptosis by activating the intrinsic pathway and inhibit cell cycle in pancreatic cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS As a conclusion, considering its anti-cancer properties and bioavailability, Alexidine dihydrochloride can be considered as a potential candidate against pancreatic adenocarcinomas.