Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of haematological indices with the degree of microvascular injury in patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), increased neutrophil count has been associated with more severe coronary artery disease and larger infarct size. Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) is also associated with poor clinical outcome and impaired angiographic reperfusion in patients with AMI. However, the associations of neutrophil count and MPV with the indices of tissue level reperfusion were not fully elucidated. Aim: To elucidate the relationship between baseline neutrophil count and MPV on presentation and microvascular injury in patients with anterior AMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: 41 patients with anterior wall AMI treated successfully with pPCI were included. The leucocyte count, neutrophil count and MPV were obtained on admission, and the percentage of neutrophils was calculated. After PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction, grade 3 flow was established in all patients. The coronary flow velocity pattern (diastolic deceleration time (DDT)) was examined with transthoracic echocardiography and measured intracoronary pressures with fibreoptic pressure–temperature sensor-tipped guidewire in the left anterior descending artery within 48 h after pPCI. Thermodilution-derived coronary flow reserve (CFR) was calculated. Index of microvascular resistance (IMR) was defined as simultaneously measured distal coronary pressure divided by the inverse of the thermodilution-derived hyperaemic mean transit time. Subsequently, a short compliant balloon was placed in the stented segment and inflated to measure coronary wedge pressure (CWP). Results: Higher neutrophil counts were strongly associated with higher IMR (r = 0.86, p<0.001), lower CFR (r = −0.60, p<0.001), shorter DDT (r = −0.73, p<0.001) and higher CWP (r = 0.73, p<0.001). Likewise, there were significant correlations among the percentage of neutrophils and CFR (r = −0.34, p = 0.02), IMR (r = 0.46, p = 0.002), DDT (r = −0.36, p = 0.01) and CWP (r = 0.49, p = 0.001). Relationships among leucocyte count and IMR (r = 0.38, p = 0.01), CFR (r = −0.33, p = 0.03), DDT (r = −0.36, p = 0.01) and CWP (r = 0.32, p = 0.026) were slightly significant. Higher neutrophil count remained independently associated with indices of microvascular perfusion in multivariable models controlling for age, smoking habits and time to treatment. Also, higher MPV on admission was strongly associated with higher IMR (r = 0.89, p<0.001), steeper DDT (r = −0.64, p<0.001), lower CFR (r = −0.43, p = 0.004) and higher CWP (r = 0.77, p<0.001). Conclusion: Absolute and relative neutrophilia and higher MPV on admission were independently associated with impaired microvascular perfusion in patients with anterior AMI treated with pPCI. It is possible that neutrophilia and high MPV are simple surrogate markers of worse microvascular injury in patients with AMI.
Systematic pH-measurements in the umbilical artery: Causes and predictive value of neonatal acidosis

Subpartal and neonatal blood gas analyses have attracted increasing interest during the past 20 years. Different studies have been carried out to investigate the causes and immediate consequences of perinatal acidosis. It was the aim of this study to examine the long term outcome of acidotic-born babies. During 16 consecutive months all deliveries in the Obstetric Department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) were investigated with regard to incidence and causes of a perinatal acidosis (pHa.umb. less than 7.15). The psycho-motor development of all acidotic newborns was followed up for an average of 15 months. Out of 1922 deliveries a blood sample was available in all but 11 cases (0.57%). Seven newborns were excluded from the study on the assumption that their acidosis and outcome might be related to the underlying condition (congenital malformation and infection, extreme prematurity) rather than perinatal events. From the remaining 1904 deliveries 6.4% (N = 121) had a pHa.umb. less than 7.15 (Tab. I). The incidence of certain perinatal factors was compared in the acidotic and the non acidotic groups (Tab. II). The percentage of acidotic newborns is significantly higher in primipareae, in deliveries done on peridural analgesia in cord complications and premature rupture of the membranes, and in forceps deliveries. No difference could be found with regard to multiple pregnancies, meconiumstained amniotic fluid, cesarean sections, prematurity of 28-37 weeks, and sex. The relationship between CTG score and pHa.umb. is summarized in Tab. III. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cell death during differentiation of the retina in the mouse

A reproducible pattern of cell death associated with differentiation of the retina in mice was analyzed quantitatively by microscopy. Cell death occurs primarily during the first 2 weeks after birth and is essentially complete by the end of the third week. Death of individual cells involves nuclear condensation and pyknosis (apoptosis), followed by phagocytosis of the cellular remains by adjacent cells or motile phagocytes. From birth through 4 days, an increasing incidence of cell death is observed among ventricular cells. Ganglion cell degeneration is prominent during the first 11 days, peaking on days 2–5. Many presumptive amacrine cells die within the inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers, particularly between 3 and 8 days. Among adjoining bipolar and Müller cells, degeneration reaches a peak at 8–11 days. On day 5, formation of the outer plexiform layer separates the rods into two groups. Rod nuclei situated on the inner side of that layer immediately move across it to enter the outer nuclear layer, but numerous cells die during nuclear migration. Sporadic death of rods continues during the following 2 weeks. Cell death associated with cell differentiation (histogenetic death) is considered to represent a normal developmental process. Possible mechanisms resulting in cell degeneration are discussed. It is suggested that genetically regulated cell death serves to fine‐tune neuronal networks during the terminal stages of development.
Chlorthalidone versus hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension treatment: do we have the evidence to decide?

Originally published online December 12, 2013. Address correspondence to Suzanne Oparil, MD, Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007. E-mail: soparil@uab.edu 2014 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. 0272-6386/$36.00 http://dx.doi. org/10.1053/j.ajkd. 2013.11. 009 Pharmacologic treatment of hypertension, including the use of thiazide-type diuretics, has had a major impact on reducing the risk of stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death in the population. Although it generally is agreed that as a class, thiazide-type diuretics are effective in reducing blood pressure (BP) and preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hypertensive persons, it is not clear whether all drugs in this class are equally safe and effective. This disagreement is reflected in recent hypertension guidelines, some of which specify a preference for certain agents within the class, for example, chlorthalidone or indapamide, whereas others regard all agents in the class as generally equivalent. In the absence of evidence from randomized controlled trials that directly compare different diuretics in the treatment of hypertensive populations, various forms of indirect evidence have been used to inform clinical practice. Several studies, including small trials and one meta-analysis, have demonstrated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles and novel mechanisms of action that favor chlorthalidone over hydrochlorothiazide in reducing BP in hypertensive persons. Similarly, observational cohort studies and network meta-analyses have provided assessments of the comparative effectiveness of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide in everyday practice, as well as indirect comparisons of the effects of chlorthalidone and other low-dose thiazide-type diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide, on CVD outcomes. In this context, a large observational study recently reported head-to-head comparative data on the effects of newly prescribed chlorthalidone versus hydrochlorothiazide on CVD and safety outcomes in elderly patients.
Prevalence of fatty liver disease and its risk factors in the population of South China.

AIM To investigate the population-based prevalence of fatty liver disease (FLD) and its risk factors in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS A cross-sectional survey with multiple-stage stratified cluster and random sampling of inhabitants over 7-year-old was performed in 6 urban and rural areas of Guangdong Province, China. Questionnaires, designed by co-working of epidemiologists and hepatologists, included demographic characteristics, current medication use, medical history and health-relevant behaviors, i.e. alcohol consumption, smoking habits, dietary habits and physical activities. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasonography were carried out. RESULTS Among the 3543 subjects, 609 (17.2%) were diagnosed having FLD (18.0% males, 16.7% females, P > 0.05). Among them, the prevalence of confirmed alcoholic liver disease (ALD), suspected ALD and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were 0.4%, 1.8%, and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence rate (23.0%) was significantly higher in urban areas than (12.9%) in rural areas. After adjustment for age, gender and residency, the standardized prevalence of FLD in adults was 14.5%. Among them, confirmed ALD, suspected ALD and NAFLD were 0.5%, 2.3%, and 11.7%, respectively, in adults and 1.3% (all NAFLD) in children at the age of 7-18 years. The overall prevalence of FLD increased with age in both genders to the peak of 27.4% in the group of subjects at the age of 60-70 years. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in men than in women under the age of 50 years (22.4% vs 7.1%, P < 0.001). However, the opposite phenomenon was found over the age of 50 years (20.6% vs 27.6%, P < 0.05). Multivariate and logistic regression analysis indicated that male gender, urban residency, low education, high blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, serum triglyceride and glucose levels were the risk factors for FLD. CONCLUSION FLD, especially NAFLD, is prevalent in South China. There are many risk factors for FLD.
1,026 Experimental treatments in acute stroke

Preclinical evaluation of neuroprotectants fostered high expectations of clinical efficacy. When not matched, the question arises whether experiments are poor indicators of clinical outcome or whether the best drugs were not taken forward to clinical trial. Therefore, we endeavored to contrast experimental efficacy and scope of testing of drugs used clinically and those tested only experimentally.
Monilias, Yeasts, and Cryptococci : Their Pathogenicity, Classification, and Identification.

QIMPLE funguses reproducing by budding and apparently related . to the yeasts have been found with regularity in thrush and tropical sprue, in cases of bronchitis, meningitis, and in a variety of lesions of the skin and its appendages. Similar forms also grow saprophytically on the skin and in the intestines. In a previous study' of such yeast-like forms from thrush, sprue, and skin lesions it was found that certain simple morphological characteristics could be relied upon for grouping them. This morphological grouping could be confirmed by the agglutination method.
Bioerosion and sediment ingestion by the Caribbean parrotfish Scarus vetula and Sparisoma viride: Implications of fish size, feeding mode and habitat use

Erosion rates and sources of sediment ingested were quantified for the 2 most abundant parrotfish species on a leeward fringing reef of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles: Scarus vetula and Sparisoma viride. Direct estimates of erosion by different size classes were obtained from daily feeding rates and grazing scar frequency, scar volume and substrate density. Foraging preference and distribution of fish on the reef were used to examine patterns of bioerosion at 2 spatial scales: reef zones and individual substrates used for grazing. Sediment mass ingested by fish provided an independent check on erosion rates, and was partitioned according to source. S. vetula, employing a scraping feeding mode, removed less material from grazed substrates than similar sized S. viride, which forages by excavating the substrate. Erosion rates increased strongly with fish size in both species. The (indigestible) carbonate derived from epilithic algae accounted for all sediment ingested by juvenile fish. In adult fish, the proportion of freshly eroded carbonate substrate ingested increased with fish size. The distribution of adults of these large scarids over different reef zones determines the rate of bioerosion on a large spatial scale. The highest bioerosional rates occur on the shallow reef (ca 7 kg m(-2) yr(-1)), and they decrease with depth. Parrotfish foraging preferences, and the effects of food type and skeletal density of substrates on the size of the grazing scars, cause large differences in bioerosional rates on a small spatial scale. The highest rates of bioerosion occur on substrates infested with boring algae and of low skeletal density, while high-density substrates and substrates covered with crustose corallines undergo lower rates. Living coral is rarely eaten by scarids, and largely escapes erosion by grazing.
The Creation and Use of a Reference Terminology for Inter-agency Computer-based Patient Records: The GCPR RTM Demonstration Project

The GCPR The Government Computer-based Patient Record (GCPR) Framework Project is a joint effort of the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service to assemble at the point of care a patient record constructed from available electronic sources. This is achieved through the use of a backbone layer that serves as an information mediator among the various agencies' legacy systems and a Reference Information Model to define the needed data objects and interactions.
Clinical utility of viral load measurements in individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection on antiviral therapy

Summary. Both absolute viral load and log decline in viral load from baseline were found clinically useful in predicting sustained virological response and lack of sustained virological response (non‐sustained virological response, NSVR) to treatment. We assessed the clinical utility of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA quantitation and changes in viral load using the VERSANT® HCV RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) in 351 HCV‐infected individuals treated with interferon plus ribavirin. We show that viral load decision thresholds provided negative predictive values (NPVs) of >95% at week 4 using a 100 000 IU/mL cut‐off and at weeks 8 and 12 using 10 000 IU/mL cut‐offs. A 2‐log decline from baseline provided NPVs >95% at weeks 8 and 12. Combinations of absolute viral loads and changes in viral load from baseline did not enhance the performance of the decision rules for predicting NSVR. The positive predictive values (PPVs) at weeks 8 and 12 were 59.1 and 67.3%. This study highlights the critical importance of viral quantitation in gauging therapeutic response in patients with chronic HCV infection on antiviral therapy. Early changes in viral load, measured as absolute viral loads or change in viral load from baseline, are highly predictive of NSVR at 8 and 12 weeks. PPVs are modest but these data may provide encouragement to patients who are in the early phases of treatment when side effects are frequent. Additionally, we demonstrated the need for cautious interpretation of stopping rules when the values are at or near the decision thresholds.
The Evolution of Health Insurance Institutions : Theory and Four Examples from Latin America

Health care expenses and lost labor earnings due to illness represent a major source of risk for individuals and families. Exposure to such risks is costly in itself (if individuals are risk averse), but can also have long term effects especially on the poor. Selling assets, withdrawing children from school to care for ill parents, and exiting the labor market can leave low incomes families trapped in poverty. Protection against the risks of ill health can be achieved by reducing the size and variability of the underlying stochastic process, for instance by improving public goods that affect health outcomes (pollution, etc.), and by spreading risks across individuals. This paper will address the second of these risk reduction strategies, with particular emphasis on the design and organization of the relevant institutions in Latin America. Given its income, Latin America is on average a relatively healthy part of the world. For example, Figure 1 shows data from 157 countries that reported information on GDP per capita and life expectancy in 1997 (Latin American countries are represented as squares, the others as diamonds2). Visual inspection of the simple logarithmic regression indicates that most Latin American countries have life expectancies at birth equal to or signi¿cantly above those predicted by their income levels.Health outcomes measured by infant mortality rates are less positive however, as shown in Figure 2. Similarly, the distribution of health care services within Latin American countries is skewed to the better off. Recent analysis undertaken by PAHO, UNDP,3 and the World Bank, (Greene et al. (1999)) indicates wide disparities in both health needs and access to medical care across income groups. This, coupled with incomplete and fragmented insurance coverage, led several countries in the region to adopt wide ranging health sector reforms in the latter part of the 1980s and the 1990s that continue today. Large scale changes in health insurance and health care markets inevitably involve signi¿cant public intervention. The purpose of this paper is ¿rst, in section 2, to examine the arguments in favor of such intervention from a public economics perspective. Having iden¿ed market failure and redistributional rationales for public intervention, section 3 addresses the important issue of how the government should intervene. This is effectively a
creening of ferulic acid related compounds as inhibitors of xanthine xidase and cyclooxygenase-2 with anti-inflammatory activity hivraj

The ferulic and gallic acid related compounds from natural origin were studied against xanthine oxidase and cyclooxygenase-2 along with their anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds gallic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid revealed promising anti-inflammatory activity (30–40% TNFand 60–75% IL-6 inhibitory activity at 10 M). Bioavailability of compounds were checked by in vitro cytotoxicity using CCK-8 cell lines and confirmed to be nontoxic, but found toxic at higher concentration (50 M). Gallic, ferulic, caffeic acid was demonstrated potential dual inhibition toward xanthine oxidase allic acid anthine oxidase yclooxygenase AR out and cyclooxygenase-2 as calculated by IC50: 68, 70.2, and 65 g/ml (xanthine oxidase) and 68.5, 65.2, and 62.5 g/ml (cyclooxygenase-2), respectively. The structure activity relationship and in silico drug relevant properties (HBD, HBA, PSA, c Log P, ionization potential, molecular weight, EHOMO and ELUMO) further confirmed that the compounds were potential candidates for future drug discovery study, which was expected for further rational drug design against xanthine oxidase and cyclooxygenase. © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.
DETERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLASMA CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE AND FOETAL DEVELOPMENT DURING NORMAL PREGNANCY

Background: Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and subsequent increase in Cortisol during pregnancy may have adverse effects on foetal development. This study is carried out to determine the relation of CRH level on foetal development during normal pregnancy. Method: This prospective study was done in the department of physiology and clinical lab of Isra University Hyderabad. 50 cases of normal, singleton uterine pregnancy were selected in their 31– 34 weeks of gestation. Blood sample was taken and level of CRH was determined by Elisa method by specific kit. The subjects were followed till delivery. At the time of delivery foetal assessment was done by APGAR score and Ballard maturity chart. Results: Mean CRH value in all subjects was 50.03±9.33 ηg/ml. The mean APGAR score in the same subjects was 7.60±0.49. Mean Ballard score in all subjects was 41.70±3.13. Mean Neuromuscular maturity score in the same subjects was 19.51±3.23 and the mean physical maturity score was 22.86±1.56. CRH level revealed a significant negative correlation with mean Ballard score, neuromuscular maturity score and physical maturity score. CRH value did not show any significant correlation with APGAR score. Conclusion: It is concluded that high levels of CRH have negative impact on foetal development both physical and neuromuscular.
Antimicrobial resistance status of Enterococcus from Australian cattle populations at slaughter

Antimicrobial agents are used in cattle production systems for the prevention and control of bacterial associated diseases. A consequence of their use is the potential development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis that are resistant to antimicrobials are of increased concern to public health officials throughout the world as they may compromise the ability of various treatment regimens to control disease and infection in human medicine. Australia is a major exporter of beef; however it does not have an ongoing surveillance system for AMR in cattle or foods derived from these animals. This study examined 910 beef cattle, 290 dairy cattle and 300 veal calf faecal samples collected at slaughter for the presence of enterococci. Enterococcus were isolated from 805 (88.5%) beef cattle faeces, 244 (84.1%) dairy cattle faeces and 247 (82.3%) veal calf faeces with a total of 800 enterococci subsequently selected for AMR testing. The results of AMR testing identified high levels of resistance to antimicrobials that are not critically or highly important to human medicine with resistance to flavomycin (80.2%) and lincomycin (85.4–94.2%) routinely observed. Conversely, resistance to antibiotics considered critically or highly important to human medicine such as tigecycline, daptomycin, vancomycin and linezolid was not present in this study. There is minimal evidence that Australian cattle production practices are responsible for disproportionate contributions to AMR development and in general resistance to antimicrobials of critical and high importance in human medicine was low regardless of the isolate source. The low level of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus from Australian cattle is likely to result from comprehensive controls around the use of antimicrobials in food-production animals in Australia. Nevertheless, continued monitoring of the effects of all antimicrobial use is required to support Australia’s reputation as a supplier of safe and healthy food.