Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycoxidative stress-induced damage on lipid profile in a fructose-enriched diet model of insulin resistance in rats

Objective: To study alterations in plasma lipid profile and oxidative damage to lipoprotein fractions (LF) and their fatty acids during an early insulin-resistant and increased oxidative state developed by a fructose-rich diet (FRD). Methods and results: Wistar rats were fed a commercial diet with (FRD) or without (CD) 10% fructose in the drinking water. After 3 weeks, plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), insulin (I), fructosamine (F), free fatty acids (FFA) and lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC] and HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C sub-fractions) were determined. The insulin sensitivity HOMA index was assessed. FRD-fed rats had higher plasma TG, I, and F levels; increased HOMA; decreased HDL-C and LDL-C; augmented VLDL-C and TC/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C atherogenic risk scores. LF of FRD rats had increased oxidative damage on the fatty acyl profile and in copper-induced lipoperoxidation. Conclusions: Fructose feeding early increases the atherogenic risk inducing an insulin resistant-glycoxidative state that affects plasma lipid profiles.
The angiopoietin-Tie2 system as a therapeutic target in sepsis and acute lung injury

Background: Sepsis and acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are life-threatening syndromes characterised by inflammation and increased vascular permeability. Amongst other factors, the angiopoietin–tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 2 (Tie2) system is involved. Objective: To explore whether the angiopoietin–Tie2 system provides suitable targets for the treatment of sepsis and ALI/ARDS. Methods: Original experimental and patient studies on angiopoietins and sepsis/endotoxemia, inflammation, lung injury, hyperpermeability, apoptosis, organ functions and vital outcomes were reviewed. Results/conclusion: The angiopoietin–Tie2 system controls the responsiveness of the endothelium to inflammatory, hyperpermeability, apoptosis and vasoreactive stimuli. Angiopoietin-2 provokes inflammation and vascular hyperpermeability, while angiopoietin-1 has a protective effect. Targeted angiopoietin-2 inhibition with RNA aptamers or blocking antibodies is a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-vascular hyperpermeability strategy in the treatment of sepsis and ALI/ARDS.
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome Associated with Gaucher Disease Type 2

To the Editor, We present the case of a 5.5-month-old female infant hospitalized because of fever, lethargy, pallor, poor feeding, convulsion, and developmental delay. She was the first child of the family and her parents were relatives. Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly, opisthotonus, and pitting edema. Laboratory studies showed pancytopenia (WBC: 3500/mm3, Hb: 6 g/dL, Plt: 40.000/mm3), coagulopathy (PT: 19.4 s, aPTT: 41 s, fibrin degradation products: 1.8 mg/mL, D-dimer: 4 mg/L), AST of 132 U/L, ALT of 107 U/L, ALP of 313 U/L, triglycerides of 280 mg/ dL, and albumin of 2.7 g/dL. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis. Serum ferritin level was 1020 ng/mL and fibrinogen level was 150 mg/dL. Other test results, including renal function tests, electrolytes, serum and urine amino acid chromatography, TORCH study, and virology studies (HIV, HCV, HBV, HAV, EBV), were normal. Blood, urine, stool, CSF, and bone marrow cultures were all negative. Bone marrow examination revealed hemophagocytosis caused by macrophages (Figure 1). It also showed an increase in the number of histiocytic cells, which was not typical of Gaucher disease. However, dried blood spot testing showed a drastic reduction of 8.45 pmol/ spot (normal range: 200-2000 pmol/spot in 20 h) in the betaglucosidase enzyme activity and confirmed the diagnosis of Gaucher disease. Since 6 of the 8 criteria of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) syndrome were observed in the patient, she was subjected to treatment with the HLH 2004 Protocol [2], broad-spectrum antibiotics, and anticonvulsant drugs while supportive measures were also taken. Despite the aforementioned efforts, the patient’s clinical condition gradually worsened and she died 10 days after the beginning of the treatment. It was not possible to study the mutations associated with primary HLH or to measure the level of sIL2R and the activity of NK cells. Informed consent was obtained.
Faith-Health Collaboration in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Study

Purpose. Estimate the prevalence of and identify characteristics associated with religious congregations' collaboration with health agencies. Design. Cross-sectional analyses of self-report data from the National Congregations Study, a random sample of religious congregations generated from the 1998 General Social Survey. Setting. United States. Subjects. Key informants from 1236 congregations. Each respondent described a single congregation. Measures. Respondents provided open-ended descriptions of congregational programs. Researchers coded program descriptions by content (e.g., domestic violence) and whether the program involved collaboration with a secular agency. Other congregational characteristics (e.g., denomination) were measured by validated measures and linked census tract data. Results. Overall, 11.1% of congregations participated in faith-health collaboration (FHC). Logistic regression analyses found that FHC was more common among congregations with more members, with a small proportion of congregants under 35 years, and with a senior pastor with a graduate degree. Other effects were conditional; for instance, denominational differences varied depending on urban/suburban/rural location and the proportion of low-income members. Conclusion. This study provides the first national estimates of the prevalence of FHC. Such collaborative efforts may require different approaches in different areas. These results can help practitioners identify congregations that may be more willing to collaborate.
STUDIES IN BOVINE MASTITIS

1. The principal sources of streptococcic infection, aside from clinical cases, are apparently normal cows which carry the virus in the udder. 2. These carriers may be grouped as follows: (a) those that have been infected recently and have not yet developed symptoms; (b) those that have suffered from inflammation of the udder and after recovery still harbor streptococci; (c) those that have had no clinical history of mastitis. There is some evidence to lead one to regard the latter group as naturally immune. 3. A milker may readily carry streptococci on his hands from an infected to an uninfected cow. 4. The vaginae of 34 of the 64 cows examined contained non-hemolytic streptococci. Of the 34 strains isolated 32 differed in their cultural characters and agglutination affinities from those associated with mastitis. The other two strains may be regarded as of etiological significance. 5. In no instance have hemolytic streptococci been isolated from the vagina.
Ductus Venosus: A Love Story of 14 Years

Ductus venosus is a tiny vessel with a central role in fetal circulation. Combining B-mode with color and pulsed Doppler is feasible to identifythis vessel and evaluate the blood flow waveform at 11 to 13 weeks. The higher prevalence of abnormal A-wave in fetuses with abnormalkaryotype and/or cardiac defects turned DV evaluation into a useful marker for chromosomal abnormalities and cardiopathies. Even whencombined with nuchal translucency (NT) or biochemical markers, DV blood flow evaluation contributes to an increase in sensitivity andreduces false-positive rate. Abnormal ductal flow is also related to a worse fetal and perinatal outcome. In monochorionic twin pregnancies,in addition to NT measurement at 11 to 14 weeks, the Doppler assessment of DV blood flow increases relevantly the performance ofscreening for those at higher risk of developing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This story of 14 years surely contributed to change theway first trimester screening is being implemented.
Linkage Analysis of High-density SNPs Confirms Keratoconus Locus at 5q Chromosomal Region

To confirm this linkageregion we performed a second scan using highdensity single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)and tested them for genetic linkage and associationwith keratoconus in 27 family members includingthose diagnosed with keratoconus denoted by blacksymbols (Figure 1A). The study was approved by theInstitutional Review Board (IRB) and conducted inaccordance with the provisions of the Declaration ofHelsinki. A total of 525K SNPs (HumanOmniExpressBeadChip, Illumina, Inc.) were tested for linkageunder an autosomal dominant model with the sameparameters (phenocopy rate of 0.01 and penetranceof 0.5) and pedigree-splitting method as wasdescribed in our original paper
Australian Teachers' Understandings of the Health Promoting School Concept and the Implications for the Development of School Health

SUMMARY The health promoting school has emerged as a comprehensive framework to enhance the health status and health potential of school students. It requires teachers to be proactive in a number of areas beyond the formal curriculum. The success of health promoting schools will depend largely on what teachers know about its building blocks and the likelihood that they will be adopted. A number of teachers were interviewed and surveyed in a sequential study to ascertain their understanding of what constitutes a health promoting school. The findings indicate that teachers think mainly about school health in terms of the curriculum; have little understanding of how community partnerships might work; are very supportive of the concept; and have limited preservice and inservice training in health issues. It is argued that the growth of health promoting schools will be dependent on comprehensive professional development programmes; the production of resources which link teachers’ perceived core business—teaching the mandated curriculum—to the building blocks of the health promoting school; closer collaboration between the health and education sectors; and a recognition by the community that schools cannot easily address (and solve) society’s health concerns.
Influence of a Tobacco-Free Hospital Campus Policy on Smoking Status of Hospital Employees

Purpose: To examine the influence of a tobacco-free hospital campus (TFHC) policy on employee smoking behavior. Design: Questionnaires immediately prior to, 6 months after, and 1 year after implementation of a TFHC policy. Setting: University-affiliated hospital system. Subjects: A cohort of smokers and recent quitters. Measures: Smoking status, quit attempts, influence of TFHC policy. Analysis: Descriptive. Results: From 2024 employees who responded to an initial online survey prior to implementation of a TFHC policy, 307 respondents reported either current smoking or quitting smoking within the past 6 months. Of these, 210 (68%) agreed to follow-up surveys at 6 and 12 months post-policy implementation. At each of the three times, between 15% and 18.5% of the cohort reported not smoking, with at least 48% of those not smoking reporting 6 to 12 months continuous abstinence. Sixty percent or more of those who reported quit attempts or not smoking indicated that the TFHC policy was influential in their efforts. Conclusions: A TFHC policy may lead to increased employee smoking quit attempts and successful cessation. Health care facilities should broaden smoking restrictions to include the entire workplace campus, not only to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but also to increase tobacco cessation.
The Effectiveness of a Walking Booster Program for Seniors

Purpose. To determine the effectiveness of a 3-month home-based booster program for seniors to increase walking. Design. A longitudinal prospective study. Setting. Perth, Western Australia. Subjects. Of the 177 (of 260) program participants and 236 (of 313) controls who initially completed the neighborhood walking intervention, 114 (64%) and 134 (57%) were available for the booster, and 100 and 131 participants completed the entire program, respectively. Intervention. A 6-month neighborhood walking intervention was followed 12 months later by a 3-month home-based booster program comprised of print-based materials, a pedometer, and two motivational phone calls. Measures. A self-reported questionnaire was administered at four time points: original intervention, baseline (t1) and 6 months (t2); booster, 18 months (t3) and 21 months (t4). Physical activity levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Personal and demographic information was collected. Analysis. Descriptive statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results. The intervention group's mean time spent walking for recreation and mean time spent walking for errands per week showed significant increases between t1 and t2, but the weekly mean time walking for recreation dropped by 52 minutes from t2 to t3. Significant increases were evident from t3 to t4 as a result of the booster. Walking levels for the control group remained stable over the study period. Conclusion. Physical activity levels of seniors revert once an intervention concludes. A home-based booster program can reactivate physical activity levels. Hence, program planners should include booster sessions for program sustainability.
Increased Self-Efficacy for Vegetable Preparation following an Online, Skill-Based Intervention and In-Class Tasting Experience as a Part of a General Education College Nutrition Course

Purpose. Assess the effectiveness of the integration of vegetable demonstration videos and tasting experiences into a college nutrition course to influence students' readiness to change vegetable intake, self-efficacy for vegetable preparation, and usual vegetable intake. Design. Quasiexperimental, preintervention-postintervention comparisons. Setting. College nutrition course. Subjects. Of the 376 students enrolled in the course, 186 completed the online assessments (145 female, 41 male; mean age, 20 years). Intervention. Participants viewed online vegetable preparation videos and participated in vegetable tasting experiences that featured four target vegetables, one vegetable each month for 4 months. Measures. Preintervention and postintervention online surveys determined usual vegetable intake, readiness to change vegetable consumption, and self-efficacy of vegetable preparation. Analysis. Chi-square distribution and paired sample t-tests were used to examine differences preintervention and postintervention. Results. Stage of readiness to change vegetable intake shifted from contemplation toward preparation (p < .001). Self-efficacy of vegetable preparation increased and postintervention self-efficacy was associated with total and target vegetable consumption (p = .001 and p = .005, respectively). The average intake of asparagus, one of four target vegetables, increased (p = .016); similar changes were not observed for target or total vegetable consumption. Conclusion. Online vegetable demonstration videos may be an effective and cost-efficient intervention for increasing self-efficacy of vegetable preparation and readiness to increase vegetable consumption among college students. More research is needed to determine long-term effects on vegetable consumption.
GENETIC ASPECTS OF INTESTINAL SUCRASE‐ISOMALTASE DEFICIENCY

Disaccharidase levels in duodenal biopsy specimens from parents and siblings of 4 children presenting with symptoms of intestinal sucrase and isomaltase deficiency have been compared with those from a group of normal adults and children. The data obtained indicate a recessive mode of inheritance of this double enzyme deficiency.
Wound healing activity of Withania coagulans in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: Withania coagulans Dunal. (Solanaceae) has been shown to possess hypoglycemic, free radical scavenging and wound healing activity. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to study the effect of Withania coagulans in diabetic wound healing. Objective: This study included determination of rate of wound contraction and estimation of various biochemical parameters such as collagen, hexosamine, total protein, total DNA, SOD and CAT levels in the granulation tissues. Materials and methods: The hydroalcoholic fraction of the methanolic extract (standardized by withaferin-A using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) )of Withania coagulans in the form of 10% w/w ointment topically and at a dose of 500 mg/kg per oral (p.o.) was administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results obtained were compared with diabetic control and Aloe barbadensis Miller (syn. Aloe vera L.) (Liliaceae) was used as a reference drug. Results: The amount of withaferin-A present in the methanolic extract was 3.67 mg/g of the extract. The hydroalcoholic fraction in both the forms, i.e., topical (10% w/w ointment) and oral (500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed a significant increase in the rate of wound contraction (83.02% topical and 65.14% oral) topical and 93.18% oral) when compared to diabetic control (66which was further justified with significant increase in the levels of collagen, protein, DNA, SOD, CAT, and decreased level of hexosamine. Discussion and conclusion: The hydroalcoholic fraction of Withania coagulans in oral form is found to be more effective than the topical form. However, further studies are in progress to find the lead molecules responsible for the wound healing effect.
Smoke-Free Workplace Ballot Campaigns: Case Studies from Missouri and Lessons for Policy and Media Advocacy

Purpose. To assess the key components of smoke-free campaigns that may have influenced voting outcomes in three communities. Design. Community case studies with content analysis of tobacco-related newspaper articles. Setting. Three semiurban Missouri communities. Subjects. One hundred eighty-one articles referencing tobacco published during the campaigns and five key informant interviews. Measures. Articles were coded for type, community referenced, tobacco control position, source of quotations, use of evidence, and frame. Semistructured interviews with key informants collected additional information. Analysis. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine media coverage in each community. Key themes and events for each campaign were identified from qualitative interviews. Results. The only community that failed to pass its initiative had the highest proportion of letters to the editor (81.1%), anti–tobacco control articles (34.2%), use of a rights frame (28.8%), no evidence used (36.9%), no neighboring communities with policies, strong Tea Party presence, and no support from the chamber of commerce. Across all communities, more articles incorporating health frames were pro–tobacco control (70.7%) and more articles with a rights frame were anti–tobacco control (62.0%), compared to other positions. Conclusion. Several factors can influence the policy process. Tobacco control policy advocates facing strong opposition should consider the many factors (demographics, proximity to other adopting localities, politics) driving the debate and use media as an avenue to influence the discussion, connect with the public and policymakers, and mobilize proponents.
Campus Food and Beverage Purchases are Associated with Indicators of Diet Quality in College Students Living off Campus

Purpose. To examine the association between college students' dietary patterns and frequency of purchasing food/beverages from campus area venues, purchasing fast food, and bringing food from home. Design. Cross-sectional Student Health and Wellness Study. Setting. One community college and one public university in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Subjects. Diverse college students living off campus (n = 1059; 59% nonwhite; mean [SD] age, 22 [5] years). Measures. Participants self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and frequency of purchasing food/beverages around campus, purchasing fast food, and bringing food from home. Campus area purchases included à la carte facilities, vending machines, beverages, and nearby restaurants/stores. Dietary outcomes included breakfast and evening meal consumption (d/wk) and summary variables of fruit and vegetable, dairy, calcium, fiber, added sugar, and fat intake calculated from food frequency screeners. Analysis. The associations between each purchasing behavior and dietary outcomes were examined using t-tests and linear regression. Results. Approximately 45% of students purchased food/beverages from at least one campus area venue ≥ 3 times per week. Frequent food/beverage purchasing around campus was associated with less frequent breakfast consumption and higher fat and added sugar intake, similar to fast-food purchasing. Bringing food from home was associated with healthier dietary patterns. Conclusion. Increasing the healthfulness of campus food environments and promoting healthy food and beverage purchasing around campuses may be an important target for nutrition promotion among college students.
Identification of ventricular tachycardias by means of fast wavelet analysis

Discrimination of ventricular tachycardias at slow rate from sinus tachycardia still remains a challenge for implantable antitachycardia devices. It was the purpose of this study to assess the feasibility of endocardial signal processing using fast wavelet analysis (FWA) as a novel approach for discrimination of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and normal sinus rhythm (NSR). During an electrophysiological study, bipolar endocardial signals were obtained from the right ventricle in patients with known monomorphic VT. FWA was applied to single endocardial activations. The distribution of energy in the time-scale domain clearly discriminated between endocardial signals obtained during NSR and VT in each particular patient when using an individually adjusted wavelet. In patients with multiple VTs, identification of each VT with different morphology was also achievable.
Iridoid content and biological activities of Veronica cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia and V. cymbalaria

Context: The genus Veronica L. (Plantaginaceae) is represented by 79 species, 26 of which are endemic in Turkey. Some Veronica species are used for the treatment of different inflammatory diseases and cancer in traditional medicine. In addition, chemotaxonomy of the genus is important for the reclassification of the family Plantaginaceae after different phylogenetic studies. Objective: Veronica cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia D. Don and V. cymbalaria Bodard were studied from the view point of iridoid glucosides which are known as chemotaxonomical markers for this genus. Radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities of the extracts were also determined in this study. Material and methods: Major compounds, isolated from iridoid fractions of V. cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia were used as the standard compounds for HPLC after determination of their structures, and investigated for their presence in iridoid fractions of V. cymbalaria. Additionally, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and SO radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities against three cancer and a noncancerous cell lines of both extract were also tested using the MTT method. Results: While aucubin, catalpol, verproside, amphicoside, verminoside, and veronicoside were obtained from V. cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia, two more iridoid glucosides, 6-O-veratroylcatalposide and 6-O-isovanilloylcatalpol, were isolated from V. cymbalaria. Comparing both species, V. cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia showed stronger radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities than V. cymbalaria. Discussion: Our results demonstrated that the iridoid contents of both species were very close to each other confirming to the chemotaxonomic studies on Veronica species and their different bioactivity range make the plants interesting from the view point of natural drug discovery research.