anthonyyazdaniml/gliner-biomed-curated-corpus huggingface dataset:
OBJECTIVE: Non-specific features of spondylodiscitis lead to a delay and challenge in the diagnosis/differential diagnosis/treatment processes, and thus, serious complications may arise. This study aims to compare brucellar, pyogenic, and tuberculous types of spondylodiscitis, considering their demographic, clinical, and laboratory differences. This may provide more rapid management and good outcomes.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 131 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis were included in the study. The patients were divided into brucellar (n=63), pyogenic (n=53), and tuberculous (n=15) types of spondylodiscitis and compared for demographic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging features.
RESULTS: Tuberculous spondylodiscitis had higher scores for weight loss, painless palpation, thoracic spine involvement, and psoas abscess formation than other spondylodiscitis. Also, tuberculous spondylodiscitis had higher rates of neurologic deficit and lower rates of lumbar involvement than brucellar spondylodiscitis. Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is more likely to occur in patients who have a history of spine surgery compared to other forms of spondylodiscitis. Also, pyogenic spondylodiscitis had higher rates of fever, erythema, paraspinal abscess, white blood cell (WBC), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than brucellar spondylodiscitis. On the other hand, brucellar spondylodiscitis had higher rates of rural living and sweating than pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss, painless palpation, involved thoracic spine, psoas abscess, and neurologic deficit are symptoms favoring tuberculous spondylodiscitis. History of spine surgery, high fever, skin erythema, and paraspinal abscess are findings in favor of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Rural living, sweating, and involved lumbar spine are symptoms that indicate brucellar spondylodiscitis. These symptoms can be used to distinguish the types of spondylodiscitis.
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of dietary nitrate ingestion through l-arginine supplementation or dehydrated beet consumption on endothelial function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The secondary outcome was to analyze arterial stiffness, plasma nitrate, and nitrate/protein concentration.
METHODS: In this randomized crossover study, subjects with COPD underwent three series of supplementation: (1) l-arginine, (2) dehydrated beetroot, and (3) a placebo that appeared like the other supplements. Each intervention lasted 14 days, with a 7-day washout period between series. Participants underwent endothelial function assessment using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and plasma nitrate levels were measured at the end of each supplementation series.
RESULTS: Seventeen subjects (twelve male) completed the study protocol. Only five subjects presented endothelial dysfunction (RHI ≤0.51) at baseline. The mean baseline characteristics included age 66.5 ± 9.4 years, BMI 27.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2, FEV1, 0.79 (0.67-1.06) L. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between the groups or from pre-to post-interventions for RHI and arterial stiffness index (AIx) values, as well as parameters of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, such as blood flow velocity (BFV), shear stress, shear rate, FMD (mm), and FMD%. There was also no differences (p > 0.05) between the groups or from pre-to post-interventions plasma nitrate levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Acute dietary supplementation with nitrates, at the doses provided, did not show a significant improvement in endothelial function assessed by FMD, EndoPAT, or plasma nitrate levels in COPD. These findings suggest that a higher dose or prolonged supplementation might be required to achieve a therapeutic effect.
A formulated cannabis product includes a cannabinoid mix and carrier processed by nano-emulsification. The cannabinoid mix in one embodiment includes between 0.1 -0.3% Cannabinol (CBN). This cannabinoid mix is processed into a product yielding between 10- 100μg of CBN in each dose. The cannabinoid mix can include primary cannabinoids extracted from  cannabis sativa  (hemp or marijuana) plant material including tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and combinations thereof. The cannabinoid mix includes isolated terpenes selected from the group consisting of, D-Limonene, α-Pinene, Myrcene, Linalool, and combinations thereof. These terpenes have a purity of 99% or greater. The isolated terpenes are from  cannabis sativa  plant material comprising between 0.2 - 10% of the cannabinoid mix. In another embodiment, at least a portion of these terpenes are derived from plants other than  cannabis sativa . In a further embodiment, the formulated product includes a terpene rich essential oil derived from peppermint.
CONTEXT.—: Increased band neutrophils in blood smear differential counts ("bandemia") are entrenched in medicine as a flag for sepsis. However, laboratory hematology experts have long advocated for discontinuation of reporting bands separately from segmented neutrophils because of poor sensitivity and specificity, poor interobserver agreement, and availability of alternative biomarkers for sepsis.
OBJECTIVE.—: To describe band neutrophil reporting practices and reproducibility of band classification among laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) proficiency testing (PT) program.
DESIGN.—: A survey questionnaire was distributed to hematology PT participants. A subsequent morphologic challenge included 12 preselected cell identifications of segmented neutrophils, bands, and metamyelocytes, and a 100-cell manual differential count of a digitally scanned blood smear.
RESULTS.—: Among laboratories that reported manual differentials, most respondents reported bands (4554 of 5268; 86.4%). Only 3222 of 4412 respondents (73.0%) provided band reference ranges. Though participants classified "easy" band neutrophils well (78.0%-98.3%), categorization of cell identifications for "moderate" and "difficult" bands was poor (3.1%-39.0% of laboratories), with classification instead as segmented neutrophils. This pattern was seen regardless of laboratory demographic characteristics. Marked variability in band counts was observed on the 100-cell differential count for both CAP PT participants and CAP Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Committee (HCMC) members (coefficients of variation, 55.8% and 32.9%, respectively). Variability was significantly improved when segmented and band neutrophils were grouped together (coefficients of variation, 6.2% and 5.0%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS.—: Most CAP PT-participating laboratories report band counts, many without reference ranges. The survey confirms significant interlaboratory variability of band enumeration when bands are separately identified from segmented neutrophils. This study reaffirms the CAP Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Committee's strong recommendation to group segmented and band neutrophils together in manual differential counts.
Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the most common and serious complication of diabetes, and its incidence, disability, and mortality rates are increasing worldwide. The pathogenesis of DFU is associated with dysregulated inflammation mediated by abnormal immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation. In this study, we developed a comprehensive method for IgG N-linked glycosylation in the serum of DFU patients. Through analysis, we identified 31 IgG1 glycans, 32 IgG2 glycans, and 30 IgG4 glycans in the DFU serum. Furthermore, 13 IgG1 glycans, 12 IgG2 glycans, and 5 IgG4 glycans in the DFU groups were found to be significantly different from those of the control groups (p < 0.05). Of these, compared with the control group, one glycan was unique to DFU patients, and seven glycans were not detected in the DFU group. In terms of glycan characteristics, we observed a substantial decrease in galactosylation, sialylation and bisecting GlcNAcylation, and a significant increase in agalactosylation. Abnormal IgG N-glycosylation modifications were significantly associated with the chronic inflammation that is characteristic of DFU. Further, this is the first comprehensive analysis of subclass-specific IgG N-glycosylation in DFU patients, which not only fills the gap of DFU in terms of the pathological mechanisms related to IgG glycosylation but also may provide valuable clues for the immunotherapeutic pathway of DFU.
The proposed research program encompasses several study designs to evaluate the effectiveness and potential implementation of the TPSP across Ontario. The investigators will use three approaches to create a comprehensive evidence-base that can be used to guide future policy and programs related to the management of surgical patients with complex pain and chronic opioid use. In the first phase, a multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 6 hospital sites to evaluate the effectiveness and potential implementation of TPSP across Ontario. The aim is to recruit a total of 210 patients who are currently taking opioids and also undergoing a surgical intervention. The randomized controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of the TPSP at weaning patients completely off opioids while still managing pain after one year. Secondly, an economic and healthcare utilization analysis of the program via linkage to provincial administrative databases will be carried out to understand the impact the TPSP program has on the healthcare system as a whole. Lastly, a qualitative study will be conducted on both the treatment and control groups. The investigators hope to capture further insight to understand patients and providers experiences of the TPSP intervention.
The invention relates to a compound cordyceps preparation having functions of nourishing the liver and kidney, benefiting essence and blood and resisting fatigue and a method for preparing the same. The preparation is prepared from cornel, ginseng, leek seeds, and cordyceps. The preparation method comprises the following steps of: rinsing the cordyceps, grinding the cordyceps, and screening the ground cordyceps to obtain 120-mesh powder of cordyceps; and performing refluxing extraction of the cornel, ginseng and leek seeds by ethanol twice, filtering the solution, keeping filtrate and discarding dregs of decoction, mixing the filtrate obtained by the twice refluxing extraction, condensing the mixed solution into clear paste, decompression-drying and grinding the paste to obtain dry paste powder, and evenly mixing the dry paste powder and the powder of cordyceps to obtain the preparation. The preparation can nourish the liver and kidney and invigorate vital energy and yang, thereby achieving an aim of alleviating fatigue. In the preparation method, the cornel, ginseng and leek seeds undergo the refluxing extraction by ethanol to obtain the effective components having the function of alleviating fatigue, and the cordyceps serving as an excipient can be directly used in the compound cordyceps preparation. The preparation process is reasonable and practicable, the product quality is relatively stable and controllable and the preparation can be industrially produced.
A novel mechanism by which after-depolarization occurs in cardiac myocytes has been discovered, involving calcium influx through the arachidonate-regulated calcium channel (ARCC) and the store-operated calcium channel (SOCC). Because after-depolarization of the myocyte is a major cause of cardiac arrhythmia, this discovery provides new approaches for treating and preventing heart disease. By down-regulating the activity of the ARCC or the SOCC, after-depolarization can be decreased and cardiac arrhythmia can be prevented, reduced, or eliminated. This can be accomplished using pharmaceuticals containing inhibitors of the ARCC or the SOCC, or by genetically modifying cells to reduce ARCC or SOCC activity. In addition, assays are disclosed using the ARCC or SOCC to discover potential anti-arrhythmic agents. Cellular and animal models of arrhythmia are disclosed in which the activity of the ARCC or SOCC is increased to promote after-depolarization and induce arrhythmia.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The occurrence and development of hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is closely related to the immune pathway. We explored the heterogeneity of peripheral blood T cell subsets and the characteristics of exhausted T lymphocytes, in an attempt to identify potential therapeutic target molecules for immune dysfunction in ACLF patients.
METHODS: A total of 83,577 T cells from HBV-ACLF patients and healthy controls were screened for heterogeneity by single-cell RNA sequencing. In addition, exhausted T-lymphocyte subsets were screened to analyze their gene expression profiles, and their developmental trajectories were investigated. Subsequently, the expression of exhausted T cells and their capacity in secreting cytokines (interleukin 2, interferon γ, and tumor necrosis factor α) were validated by flow cytometry.
RESULTS: A total of eight stable clusters were identified, among which CD4+ TIGIT+ subset and CD8+ LAG-3+ subset, with high expression of exhaust genes, were significantly higher in the HBV-ACLF patients than in normal controls. As shown by pseudotime analysis, T cells experienced a transition from naïve T cells to effector T cells and then exhausted T cells. Flow cytometry confirmed that the CD4+TIGIT+ subset and CD8+LAG-3+ subset in the peripheral blood of the ACLF patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. Moreover, in vitro cultured CD8+LAG-3+ T cells were significantly fewer capable of secreting cytokines than CD8+LAG-3- subset.
CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood T cells are heterogeneous in HBV-ACLF. The exhausted T cells markedly increase during the pathogenesis of ACLF, suggesting that T-cell exhaustion is involved in the immune dysfunction of HBV-ACLF patients.
CONTRAVE extended-release tablets contain naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride.

Naltrexone hydrochloride, USP, an opioid antagonist, is a synthetic congener of oxymorphone with no opioid agonist properties. Naltrexone differs in structure from oxymorphone in that the methyl group on the nitrogen atom is replaced by a cyclopropylmethyl group. Naltrexone hydrochloride is also related to the potent opioid antagonist, naloxone, or n-allylnoroxymorphone.

Naltrexone hydrochloride has the chemical name of morphinan-6-one, 17-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4,5-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-, hydrochloride, (5α)-. The empirical formula is C20H23NO4•HCl and the molecular weight is 377.86. The structural formula is:

Naltrexone hydrochloride is a white to yellowish, crystalline compound. It is soluble in water to the extent of about 100 mg/mL.

Bupropion hydrochloride is an antidepressant of the aminoketone class. Bupropion hydrochloride closely resembles the structure of diethylpropion. It is designated as (±)-1-(3 chlorophenyl)-2-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-1-propranone hydrochloride. It is related to phenylethylamines. The empirical formula is C13H18ClNO•HCl and the molecular weight is 276.2. The structural formula is:

Bupropion hydrochloride powder is white, crystalline, and highly soluble in water.

CONTRAVE is available for oral administration as a round, bi-convex, film-coated, extended-release tablet. Each tablet has a trilayer core composed of two drug layers, containing the drug and excipients, separated by a more rapidly dissolving inert layer. Each tablet contains 8 mg of naltrexone hydrochloride and 90 mg of bupropion hydrochloride. Tablets are blue and are debossed with NB-890 on one side. Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose anhydrous, L-cysteine hydrochloride, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, edetate disodium, lactose monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide, Opadry II Blue and FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake.
BACKGROUND: A congenital constriction band (CCB) is a relatively common anomaly among limb malformations. However, the number of cases treated at a given center is limited and differences in techniques used by surgeons at each facility have a significant impact on the treatment outcomes. Several surgical methods have been reported, but a standard technique that yields consistent satisfactory results is still needed. Here, we introduce a novel technique for the treatment of CCB syndrome that uses a combination of wave-like skin incision and Z-axis Z-plasty.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A wave-like incision was used for skin incision with the goals of achieving an accordion effect and a less noticeable post-operative scar. After the fibrous constriction band was completely excised, a Z-plasty of sufficient size in the Z-axis direction was performed on the dermis-inclusive adipose tissue. For over 10 years, this technique was applied to 11 sites in 6 patients. A retrospective study of the characteristics of these cases was performed, including age at surgery, gender, type of deformity, degree of constriction, types of examination, number of surgeries, and post-operative outcomes.
RESULTS: In all patients, a normal contour of the limbs was achieved and the hourglass-like deformity caused by the constriction band was satisfactorily improved. No additional corrective surgeries were needed, there was no abnormal growth of the treated limbs, and scarring was aesthetically acceptable in all cases.
CONCLUSION: The novel technique described here uses deep subcutaneous fat to correct the hourglass-like deformity and restores a normal limb contour, while the wave-like skin incision minimizes post-operative scarring.
OBJECTIVES: Ceftazidime/avibactam is a key antibiotic for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) Gram-negative infections, but current dosing may be suboptimal to grant activity. This study explores the population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of continuous infusion (CI) ceftazidime/avibactam for maximizing treatment efficacy in critically ill patients.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of adult patients receiving CI ceftazidime/avibactam and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of both compounds was performed. Population PK/PD modelling identified the most accurate method for estimating ceftazidime/avibactam clearance based on kidney function and Monte Carlo simulations investigated the relationship between various CI dosing regimens and aggressive joint PK/PD target attainment of ceftazidime/avibactam.
RESULTS: The European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation best described kidney function for ceftazidime/avibactam clearance. The findings challenge the current approach of only reducing the ceftazidime/avibactam dose based on kidney function by identifying dose adjustments in patients with augmented kidney function. Our CI ceftazidime/avibactam dosing strategies, adjusted by TDM, showed promise for achieving optimal aggressive joint PK/PD targets and potentially improving clinical/microbiological outcomes against KPC- and OXA-48-producing Enterobacterales. The risk of neurotoxicity associated with these strategies appears acceptable.
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that adjusting ceftazidime/avibactam dosing regimen based solely on eCLcr might be suboptimal for critically ill patients. Higher daily doses delivered by CI and adjusted based on TDM have the potential to improve aggressive joint PK/PD target attainment and potentially clinical/microbiological outcomes. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these findings and establish optimal TDM-guided dosing strategies for ceftazidime/avibactam in clinical practice.
The treatment of parapneumonic infections (infection in the pleural space) at the Denver Health Medical Center is not standardized, and timing for advanced interventions such as fibrinolytic therapy or surgical decortication remain unclear. The definitive treatment strategy in these patients may be sub-optimal, and lead to prolonged hospitalization and morbidity. This is concerning as the mortality rate of community acquired pneumonia triples in the presence of a parapneumonic process (5-15%) and can reach over 25% if it becomes bilateral(1). Prompt recognition of pleural space infections is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality. This is attributable to the progression of the disease from a simple fluid collection amenable to pleural space drainage, to necrotizing empyema requiring thoracotomy decortication and open drainage. The keys to management of parapneumonic effusions are early diagnosis, appropriate therapeutic intervention, and recognition of failure of conservative management. The investigators propose that a standardized pathway for identifying and treating parapneumonic effusions will be an important quality improvement. A key gap in the literature remains if patients with parapneumonic infections that cannot be drained with a chest tube should undergo a trial in intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, or if they should go directly to video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for decortication of all infectious material.
PURPOSE: A process of extracting an active component of Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. by optimizing the extraction condition thereof is provided. By this method, the Taxus cuspidata extract is better antioxidant effects than a green tea extract, it can be effectively used as a raw material of anti-skin aging cosmetic. CONSTITUTION: About 10 to 40% by weight of leaves and stems of Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc., and a mixture thereof are extracted in 60 to 90% by weight of a solvent selected from the group consisting of purified water, methanol, butanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, hexane, propanol, butylene glycol and propylene glycol at 20 to 65deg,.C while agitating at 200 to 800rpm for 1 to 15 days and filtered under vacuum after cooling to 30deg.C.
With the increasing prevalence of obesity, the prevalence of OSA is also rising, ranging from 9% to 25% in the general adult population. Patients with OSA have features of an anatomically tricky airway due to a crowded collapsible pharyngeal space, compounded by physiological problems related to lower functional residual capacity and increased oxygen consumption, leading to faster oxygen desaturation. Meanwhile, patients with OSA, compared to patients without OSA, have a 3-4 times higher risk of difficult intubation, difficult mask ventilation, or both. Apnoea time is a potentially hazardous period during induction of anesthesia and it is particularly so in patients with OSA. OSA patients undergoing general anesthesia gave rise to many concerns and challenges, and strategies to extend the apneic time were required. Identifying the most effective method of oxygenating OSA patients can therefore significantly improve the safety of delivering general anaesthesia to these patients.
A new non-invasive, non-toxic, non-sedating method for treatment migraine, tension and post-traumatic headache, atypical facial pain, and cervical muscle hyperactivity (spasm) is presented. This method comprises the application of cold, through the use of a portable thermoelectric cooler, to an intra-oral area of tenderness which has been found to be associated with the above conditions. New portable thermoelectric cooler devices for use with the intended treatment methods are also presented. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric cooling units are directly housed in the U-shaped mouthpiece. In another embodiment, water is chilled thermoelectrically in a container and circulated through the U-shaped mouthpiece. Alleviation of pain is noted within a short period of the onset of the treatment. Repeated treatment even during pain-free periods offers protracted benefits, i.e., prevention or amelioration of the headaches or other conditions.
Programming parameters will be set to the lowest possible level and minimal power will be generated. Subjects will remain in this group for 3 weeks. If subject cannot tolerate this frequency, he/she will meet with the clinical designee for reprogramming.