Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid screening for the adulterants of Berberis aristata using direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry and principal component analysis for discrimination

Adulteration or substitution of commercial Berberis aristata and its herbal products with inferior-quality substituents is very common. Metabolic profiling of B. aristata, along with its common adulterants/contaminants/substituents such as B. asiatica, Mahonia borealis and Coscinium fenestratum, was rapidly carried out using direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART MS) to generate the chemical fingerprints for the differentiation of these species. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of mainly alkaloids. The identified alkaloids were berberrubine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, ketoberberine, palmatine, dihydropalmatine or 7,8-dihydro-8-hydroxyberberine, berbamine and pakistanamine. Berberine, which was mainly reported from the root and stem bark of B. aristata, was also identified in the leaf along with chlorogenic acid. The DART MS data have been subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The resulting score plots showed clustering and clear differentiation of the species and plant parts. It is thus apparent that the technique of DART MS followed by PCA is a quick and reliable method for the direct profiling of B. aristata and its adulterant plants and plant parts. The study reports the rapid analytical method to identify the possibility of illegal adulteration/contamination/substitution in potential plant materials and herbal extracts. Graphical Abstract
Apparent Epinephrine Toxicity in the Treatment of Anaphylaxis: A Patient Case of Prolonged Hypotension

Background The emergent nature of anaphylaxis creates an environment of heightened risk for epinephrine medication misadventures that may occur in any health care setting. Literature to date has focused on the immediate adverse outcomes associated with epinephrine dosing and administration errors, with a lack of data available on prolonged consequences. Objective We present a unique case of refractory hypotension associated with the administration of high-dose epinephrine for the treatment of anaphylaxis that prompted a comprehensive safety evaluation and implementation of a process improvement plan for all patients experiencing an anaphylactic reaction in our institution. Case Report A 29-year-old female presented to an immediate care facility for treatment of anaphylaxis including 2 doses of epinephrine 1 mg (1:1000) intramuscularly. The patient was subsequently transported to our adult emergency department and developed isolated hypotension refractory to fluid resuscitation. The patient was then admitted to the medical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of epinephrine toxicity. The prolonged hypotensive response seen in this patient is believed to be a result of residual stimulation of the more sensitive beta receptors by high doses of epinephrine administered to the patient, resulting in a prolonged vasodilatory response. Conclusion Epinephrine is a high-alert medication used for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Proactive evaluation of current processes among institutions is recommended in order to minimize dosing and administration errors with epinephrine as these errors can lead to substantial harm to patients.
Vitamin B6: Beyond Adequacy

There is good agreement concerning average requirements and reference intakes for vitamin B6 but less agreement over safe upper levels from supplements. High-dose supplements cause sensory nerve damage. Supplements of vitamin B6 have been advocated for treatment of the premenstrual syndrome, with little evidence of efficacy. There are plausible mechanisms for an antidepressant action and protection against steroid hormone—dependent cancers but no evidence from clinical trials. Pyridoxamine reduces the glycation of proteins and so could be beneficial in preventing the adverse effects of poor glycemic control in diabetes. There are plausible mechanisms for an antihypertensive action but only suggestive evidence from small intervention trials. There is no evidence that supplements of vitamin B6 have any beneficial effect in hyperhomocysteinemia. There is neither a plausible mechanism nor any evidence from controlled trials for any effect of supplements of vitamin B6 in preventing a decline in cognitive function with aging, amelioration of dementia or autism, or improvement of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
Photocatalytic Activity and Related Surface Properties of Transparent ZnO Films Prepared by a Low‐temperature Aqueous Route

Transparent ZnO were prepared using solutions with various trisodium citrate concentrations by a spin‐spray method at 90°C. The morphological and structural characteristics, as well as photocatalytic activity of the resulting ZnO films were examined with respect to the added trisodium citrate concentration. Photocatalytic activities of the ZnO films were evaluated from photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. With increasing citrate concentrations, the ZnO films came to have higher transmittances in visible region but lower MB decomposition rate. Both high transmittance and high photocatalytic activity were achieved in the ZnO film prepared in the citrate concentration of 0.5 mm. The possible mechanism for the difference in photocatalytic activity by the samples prepared with the various concentrations of citrate was discussed from the viewpoint of film texture, crystal orientation and surface chemical state.
Acute Stroke Phase Voluntary Cough and Correlation with Maximum Phonation Time

Objective This study aimed to assess cough effectiveness after a stroke and to propose a bedside screening test. Design Patients who had had ischemic hemispheric stroke were recruited and followed up for 2 mos. Maximum phonation time (MPT) was assessed during the first 10 days. Aspiration was evaluated on days 2 and 10 after stroke. Lung function testing was performed on day 10. Peak cough flow less than 160 liters/min was defined as the criterion for cough ineffectiveness. Correlation between peak cough flow and MPT was determined, and the optimal cutoff value relating MPT to effective cough was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis when referring to peak cough flow. Results Of the 70 patients, 6 developed pneumonia (mean time, 1.7 ± 2.4 days). Lung function assessment in 32 cases revealed general reduced cough effectiveness. MPT was correlated with peak cough flow (r = 0.413, P = 0.025), and an MPT cutoff of 10 secs was identified. Forty-seven patients were able to perform MPT on day 2; 49 were able to perform on day 10. Patients with MPT of 10 secs or longer had less frequent aspiration on both day 2 (5.9% vs. 36.7%, P = 0.034) and day 10 (2.9% vs. 26.6%, P = 0.026). Conclusions Cough effectiveness was reduced at the time of greatest risk for pneumonia. MPT provides a reliable bedside screening test of cough effectiveness.
OBSERVATIONS ON SINO-AURICULAR HEART BLOCK

Heart block is ordinarily understood to be a condition in which there is impairment in the conduction of impulses from auricles to ventricles. The first stage of this process is represented by a mere delay in the conduction time recognized by an increase in the a-c interval in jugular tracings and in the P-R time in electrocardiograms. In this condition all impulses reach the ventricle; but if the delay is sufficient or if the heart rate is rapid, an impulse may occasionally fail to reach the ventricle, giving partial heart block. Finally, there is a condition in which none of the auricular impulses reach the ventricle, and the auricles and ventricles each beat of their own rhythm and independently of one another. These three stages may be termed, first,delayed conduction, second, partial heart block, and third, complete heart block. The cause of this disturbance in
Photodynamic Antifungal Chemotherapy †

The growing resistance against antifungal drugs has renewed the search for alternative treatment modalities, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) seems to be a potential candidate. Preliminary findings have demonstrated that dermatophytes and yeasts can be effectively sensitized in vitro and in vivo by administering photosensitizers (PSs) belonging to four chemical groups: phenothiazine dyes, porphyrins and phthalocyanines, as well as aminolevulinic acid, which, while not a PS in itself, is effectively metabolized into protoporphyrin IX. Besides efficacy, PDT has shown other benefits. First, the sensitizers used are highly selective, i.e., fungi can be killed at combinations of drug and light doses much lower than that needed for a similar effect on keratinocytes. Second, all investigated PSs lack genotoxic and mutagenic activity. Finally, the hazard of selection of drug resistant fungal strains has been rarely reported. We review the studies published to date on antifungal applications of PDT, with special focus on yeast, and aim to raise awareness of this area of research, which has the potential to make a significant impact in future treatment of fungal infections.
Exposure estimate for FD&C colour additives for the US population

ABSTRACT Dietary exposures to the seven food, drug, and cosmetic (FD&C) colour additives that are approved for general use in food in the United States were estimated for the US population (aged 2 years and older), children (aged 2–5 years) and teenage boys (aged 13–18 years) based on analytical levels of the FD&C colour additives in foods. Approximately 600 foods were chosen for analysis, based on a survey of product labels, for the levels of FD&C colour additives. Dietary exposure was estimated using both 2-day food consumption data from the combined 2007–10 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and 10–14-day food consumption data from the 2007–10 NPD Group, Inc. National Eating Trends – Nutrient Intake Database (NPD NET-NID). Dietary exposure was estimated at the mean and 90th percentile using three different exposure scenarios: low exposure, average exposure and high exposure, to account for the range in the amount of each FD&C colour additive for a given food. For all populations and all exposure scenarios, the highest cumulative eaters-only exposures in food were determined for FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6. In addition, the eaters-only exposure was estimated for individual food categories in order to determine which food categories contributed the most to the exposure for each FD&C colour additive. Breakfast Cereal, Juice Drinks, Soft Drinks, and Frozen Dairy Desserts/Sherbet (also referred to as Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Sherbet (including Bars, Sticks, Sandwiches)) were the major contributing food categories to exposure for multiple FD&C colour additives for all three populations.
Low‐Level Laser Therapy Restores the Oxidative Stress Balance in Acute Lung Injury Induced by Gut Ischemia and Reperfusion

It remains unknown if the oxidative stress can be regulated by low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) in lung inflammation induced by intestinal reperfusion (i‐I/R). A study was developed in which rats were irradiated (660 nm, 30 mW, 5.4 J) on the skin over the bronchus and euthanized 2 h after the initial of intestinal reperfusion. Lung edema and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils were measured by the Evans blue extravasation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity respectively. Lung histology was used for analyzing the injury score. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by fluorescence. Both expression intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐y (PPARy) were measured by RT‐PCR. The lung immunohistochemical localization of ICAM‐1 was visualized as a brown stain. Both lung HSP70 and glutathione protein were evaluated by ELISA. LLLT reduced neatly the edema, neutrophils influx, MPO activity and ICAM‐1 mRNA expression. LLLT also reduced the ROS formation and oppositely increased GSH concentration in lung from i‐I/R groups. Both HSP70 and PPARy expression also were elevated after laser irradiation. Results indicate that laser effect in attenuating the acute lung inflammation is driven to restore the balance between the pro‐ and antioxidants mediators rising of PPARy expression and consequently the HSP70 production.
Skin Cancer Risks Avoided by the Montreal Protocol—Worldwide Modeling Integrating Coupled Climate‐Chemistry Models with a Risk Model for UV

The assessment model for ultraviolet radiation and risk “AMOUR” is applied to output from two chemistry‐climate models (CCMs). Results from the UK Chemistry and Aerosols CCM are used to quantify the worldwide skin cancer risk avoided by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments: by the year 2030, two million cases of skin cancer have been prevented yearly, which is 14% fewer skin cancer cases per year. In the “World Avoided,” excess skin cancer incidence will continue to grow dramatically after 2030. Results from the CCM E39C‐A are used to estimate skin cancer risk that had already been inevitably committed once ozone depletion was recognized: excess incidence will peak mid 21st century and then recover or even super‐recover at the end of the century. When compared with a “No Depletion” scenario, with ozone undepleted and cloud characteristics as in the 1960s throughout, excess incidence (extra yearly cases skin cancer per million people) of the “Full Compliance with Montreal Protocol” scenario is in the ranges: New Zealand: 100–150, Congo: −10–0, Patagonia: 20–50, Western Europe: 30–40, China: 90–120, South‐West USA: 80–110, Mediterranean: 90–100 and North‐East Australia: 170–200. This is up to 4% of total local incidence in the Full Compliance scenario in the peak year.
Criteria to define a more relevant reference sample of titanium dioxide in the context of food: a multiscale approach

ABSTRACT Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a transition metal oxide widely used as a white pigment in various applications, including food. Due to the classification of TiO2 nanoparticles by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as potentially harmful for humans by inhalation, the presence of nanoparticles in food products needed to be confirmed by a set of independent studies. Seven samples of food-grade TiO2 (E171) were extensively characterised for their size distribution, crystallinity and surface properties by the currently recommended methods. All investigated E171 samples contained a fraction of nanoparticles, however, below the threshold defining the labelling of nanomaterial. On the basis of these results and a statistical analysis, E171 food-grade TiO2 totally differs from the reference material P25, confirming the few published data on this kind of particle. Therefore, the reference material P25 does not appear to be the most suitable model to study the fate of food-grade TiO2 in the gastrointestinal tract. The criteria currently to obtain a representative food-grade sample of TiO2 are the following: (1) crystalline-phase anatase, (2) a powder with an isoelectric point very close to 4.1, (3) a fraction of nanoparticles comprised between 15% and 45%, and (4) a low specific surface area around 10 m2 g–1. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit amyloid-β aggregation

The neurotoxic and proinflammatory actions of the Alzheimer peptide amyloid-β (Aβ) are dependent on its aggregation and β-sheet conformation. Chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin for arthritis decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) by unknown mechanisms. We report that these drugs inhibit human Aβ aggregation in vitro and reverse the β-sheet conformation of preformed fibrils at clinically relevant doses. Aspirin prevented enhanced Aβ aggregation by aluminum, an environmental risk factor for AD. This anti-aggregatory effect was restricted to NSAIDs and was not exhibited by other drugs used in AD therapy. NSAIDS may have a role in the prevention and treatment of AD, in addition to a number of age-related disorders such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Lycopene, tomato products and prostate cancer‐specific mortality among men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort

While dietary lycopene and tomato products have been inversely associated with prostate cancer incidence, there is limited evidence for an association between consumption of lycopene and tomato products and prostate‐cancer specific mortality (PCSM). We examined the associations of prediagnosis and postdiagnosis dietary lycopene and tomato product intake with PCSM in a large prospective cohort. This analysis included men diagnosed with nonmetastatic prostate cancer between enrollment in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort in 1992 or 1993 and June 2011. Prediagnosis dietary data, collected at baseline, were available for 8,898 men, of whom 526 died of prostate cancer through 2012. Postdiagnosis dietary data, collected on follow‐up surveys in 1999 and/or 2003, were available for 5,643 men, of whom 363 died of prostate cancer through 2012. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for PCSM. Neither prediagnosis nor postdiagnosis dietary lycopene intake was associated with PCSM (fourth vs. first quartile HR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.78–1.28; HR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.91–1.64, respectively). Similarly, neither prediagnosis nor postdiagnosis consumption of tomato products was associated with PCSM. Among men with high‐risk cancers (T3–T4 or Gleason score 8–10, or nodal involvement), consistently reporting lycopene intake ≥ median on both postdiagnosis surveys was associated with lower PCSM (HR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.17–0.99, based on ten PCSM cases consistently ≥ median intake) compared to consistently reporting intake < median. Future studies are needed to confirm the potential inverse association of consistently high lycopene intake with PCSM among men with high‐risk prostate cancers.
A Control Study of the Physical and Mental Health of Residents Living Near a Large-scale Swine Operation

This article presents the results of a study assessing the physical and mental health of residents living in the vicinity of a large-scale swine confinement operation. Physical and mental health data were collected via personal interviews from a sample (n = 18) of all neighbors living within a two-mile radius of a 4,000-sow swine production facility. Results were compared to similar data collected from a random sample of demographically comparable rural residents (n = 18) living near minimal livestock production. Results indicate that neighbors of the large-scale swine operation reported experiencing significantly higher rates of four clusters of symptoms known to represent toxic or inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract. These clusters of symptoms have been well-documented among swine confinement workers. There was no evidence to suggest that neighbors of the large-scale swine operation suffered higher rates of psychological health problems manifested as anxiety or depression. A larger population-based study is needed to test the hypothesis that neighbors of large-scale swine operations experience elevated rates of physical health symptoms comparable to interior confinement workers.
Sexual Functioning After Cancer in Sexual Minority Women

Abstract:During the past decade, increased research attention has brought female sexual function to the forefront as one of the side effects of cancer. A similar level of information is needed for a subpopulation of women, that is, sexual minority women with cancer. To make the needed information available, we review the literature regarding sexual functioning in SMW after cancer and explore reasons why it may differ from that of heterosexual women. Sparse, available data suggest that there are some similarities and differences between sexual minority and heterosexual women with cancer. There are tentative suggestions that sexual minority women may enjoy less disruption in their sexual relationship, fewer sexual problems such as lubrication, achieving orgasm, better body image, and more understanding and supportive partners compared with heterosexual women. Areas of greater vulnerability and risk for sexual minority women survivors compared with heterosexual survivors are some maladaptive coping and problems obtaining information and support from medical professionals with respect to sexual functioning. Sexual functioning may be worse among subgroups of sexual minority women. We identify critical areas that merit further clinical and research attention and point to methodological challenges for future research on sexual functioning in sexual minority women.
KRAS Mutations and Susceptibility to Cetuximab and Panitumumab in Colorectal Cancer

Recent retrospective evidence from several randomized studies has established that advanced colorectal cancer patients with tumors harboring a mutation in the KRAS gene do not derive benefit from the administration of epidermal growth factor receptor-directed monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab or panitumumab. This represents a paradigm-changing event and will have substantial impact on current and future anticancer drug development. These results add to the economic and ethical considerations involved in the development of novel targeted therapies and should increase our scrutiny of mechanisms of resistance and predictive biomarkers while in earlier developmental stages. In this article, we will review the available clinical data and discuss the implications for future drug development in colorectal cancer.
Psychosomatic Aspects of Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome [PFS]

Objectives: The importance of psychosomatic factors in Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome [PFS] is discussed with regard to the controversy about the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and psychological dysfunction. Methods: In a multicenter controlled study we investigated the psychological and organic factors of 65 patients with PFS and 53 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Results: Pain behavior, psychological distress and psychiatric disorders differed significantly between PFS and RA patients. PFS patients were generally more disturbed and had more developmental risk factors [for example loss of parents or family violence] in their childhood. Conclusions: Nevertheless, PFS does not seem to be a psychogenic disease. According to a bio-psychosocial model, psychosomatic factors play a different etiological role within the different subgroups. This prospective investigation was designed to better elucidate these interconnections.