bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress, plasma/salivary antioxidant status detection and health risk factors
Authors: Maria Vadala , Beniamino Palmieri , Andrea Malagoli , Carmen Laurino 
Published: January 2017

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, neurodegeneration.Aims and Objectives: Our study evaluated the oxidant/antioxidant status on a cohort of healthy patients matched with some independent variables as a basic individual redox balance monitor on a disease-prevention perspective.Materials and Methods: The anecdotic, retrospective and observational study included 200 apparently healthy volunteers after formal informed consent release whose personal history and physical examination had been recorded specifically on the following items: age, previous diseases, sport activities, smoking habit, balanced/unbalanced nutrition, current absence/presence of inflammatory processes, oral health hygiene, administration of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. No drug treatment was admitted in the recruited patients, up to 6 months before the evaluation. The laboratory instruments used were Point of care FRAS 4 Evolvo (H&D, Parma, Italy) measuring the oxidative stress in plasma samples and antioxidant capacity in plasma and saliva samples.Results: Two-hundred patients were recruited. Statistically relevant differences were observed in oxidative stress-related variables, namely a significant relationship between plasma oxidative stress level and female gender (p<0.01), between saliva antioxidant level and age (p=0.01), between plasma antioxidant level and unbalanced diet (p<0.01), between plasma oxidative stress level and inflammation in the oral cavity (p=0.04), and between saliva antioxidant level and inflammation in the oral cavity (p<0.01).Conclusions: A relationship between oxidative/antioxidant status and health risk factors has been outlined in our study; the achieved data are quite helpful, in the clinical practice, providing additional information on individual general health conditions, putatively related to prevention diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment effectiveness in some specific diseases.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 32-41
A clinico-mycological study of onychomycosis at a tertiary care center
Authors: Iqbal Attar Farhana , Mahesh Tendolkar Uma , Mukesh Baveja Sujata , Rachita Dhurat , Meghna Phiske 
Published: January 2017

Background: Onychomycosis continues to be worldwide problem constituting a large bulk of cases attending the dermatology outpatient department. Fungal infections of nails have been partly studied,because it has been considered more of a cosmetic problem than a health problem. Although not life threatening, onychomycosis may have significant clinical consequences such as secondary bacterial infection, chronicity, therapeutic difficulties and disfigurement, in addition to serving as reservoir of infection. Aims and Objectives: To find out the prevalence, etiology and clinico-mycological correlation of onychomychosis among clinically suspected cases.To compare the microscopy findings using potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation with potassium hydroxide- dimethyl sulfoxide (KOH-DMSO/DMSO) preparation.To compare demographic and clinical data inonychomycosis and fungus negative groupsMaterial and Methods: The study was conducted from October 2011 to October 2013, in the department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, including 204 patients clinically suspected of onychomycosis. Nail scrapings were collected depending upon site, type of nail involvement and subjected for microscopic examination using 20% KOH and KOH DMSO (10-40%), followed by fungal culture.Results: Out of 204 patients, 78 (38.2 %) were diagnosed having onychomycosis, 72 (92.3%) patients were positive by direct microscopy and 45 (57.7%) by culture. DMSO preparation offered a faster clearing of background but in KOH preparation fungal morphology was better maintained even after 24 hours. In culture positive cases, isolation of dermatophytes was most common (42.2%), followed by Candida species (31.1%) and nondermatophytes (26.7%).Conclusion: This concludes that laboratory diagnosis of onychomycosis is essential as many conditions of nail mimic onychomycosis. Though commonest causative agents of onychomycosis are dermatophytes, number of cases caused by Candida species and nondermatophytesare on the rise.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 48-57
Breakthrough in Heart Failure therapy: LCZ696 combining ACE-Neprilysin inhibition
Authors: Lahiry Sandeep , Sinha Rajasree , Choudhury Shouvik , Mukherjee Ayan 
Published: January 2017

Background: Current Heart failure (HF) pharmacotherapy has been unsatisfactory in halting disease progression completely.Aims and Objective: To evaluate the role of LCZ696, a recent FDA-approved ACE -Neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) in the management of HF from available trial data.Materials and Methods: Trial data on ‘LCZ696’ was assessed using PubMed search. Methodological filters were applied to limit retrieval to ‘Randomized Controlled Trial’ (RCT). Bibliographic databases with ‘Human’ data were selected. Trial data comparing ‘LCZ696’ to other drugs or placebo were accessed in full-text. CONSORT guidelines were used for quality assessment. Incomplete methodology, results in abstract form, duplicate publications were excluded. Data extraction forms were piloted and used to obtain uniform quality of data.Results: Multi-centric trial data (n=2) revealed noticeable benefits with ‘LCZ696’ in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), reducing cardiovascular death or hospitalization for HF by 20%; cardiovascular deaths by 20%; hospitalization for HF by 21% ; all cause mortality reduction by 20% as compared to ACE inhibitors (ACEi) (PARADIGM-HF; n=8442). Angioedema was notably absent. Decrease in high sensitivity Troponin-T, improvement in N-terminal-pro-BNP and left atrial dimensions suggested reduction of myocardial injury in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (PARAMOUNT trial; n=301).Conclusion: There is convincing evidence of the role of novel ARNi (Angiotensin receptor – Neprilysin Inhibitors) in HF pharmacotherapy. Its role in other cardiovascular conditions merits assessment.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 1-4
Clinical and endoscopic evaluation of dyspeptic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in South India: A prospective study
Authors: Manappallil Robin George , Alexander Thomas 
Published: January 2017

Background: The incidence of dyspepsia has been increasing all over the world; with some having an organic cause while others have functional dyspepsia. Helicobacter pylori infection is also contributory factor. These dyspeptic patients also show a wide spectrum of symptoms.Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to clinically and endoscopically evaluate the patients with dyspepsia; and also to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori.Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 100 dyspeptic patients who were advised an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy based on clinical grounds atPondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India.Results: Of the 100 dyspeptic patients evaluated inthis study, the mean age was 42 years, with 54% belonging to 20 to 40 years, 35% to 41 to 60 years and 11% above 60 years age groups. 61% were males and 39% females. They belonged to various occupation groups with majority leading a retired life or as homemakers (36%), followed by those with white collar jobs or as students (29%), unskilled workers (26%) and skilled workers (9%). Majority of these patients were non vegetarians (83%). Smokers and alcoholics comprised of 38% and 43% of the subjects respectively; and 31% had history of NSAID consumption. Epigastric pain and epigastric burning sensation were the main complaints among dyspeptic patients. Heartburn was more common among smokers and alcoholics; and epigastric pain among NSAID users. The main endoscopic abnormalities were erythematous and erosive gastritis (42% and 21% respectively), followed by duodenal ulcer (18%) and erosive duodenitis (15%). Duodenal ulcers were more common among males (89%). Duodenitis (89%) and duodenal ulcers (67%) were mainly seen in alcoholics. 18% of our study patients had a normal endoscopic finding. Helicobacterpylori was present in 35% of the subjects. Epigastric pain and epigastric burning sensation were the main symptoms among these patients; with erythematous gastritis being the main endoscopic finding.Conclusion: Dyspepsia was more common among younger age groups. Epigastric pain and epigastric burning sensation were the most common symptoms. Erythematous gastritis followed by erosive gastritis was the common endoscopic abnormality. Some patients also had normal findings on endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori was present in a significant number of patients. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 58-63
Primary extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma: A rare cutaneous malignancy
Authors: Shirazi Nadia , Jindal Rashmi , Ahmad Sohaib , Chauhan Neena 
Published: January 2017

Extranodal Natural Killer cell/T cell lymphomas are subcategorized into ENK/T-nasal and ENK/T-nasal type. These lymphomas presenting as initial involvement of skin are unusual and are known as Primary cutaneous NK/T – nasal type lymphomas.We present a rare case of a middle aged female presenting with rapidly developing skin nodules and ulcers. This case highlights the fact that adequate work up should be done in all such cases to avoid erroneous diagnosis and subsequent inadequate treatment of primary cutaneous lymphoma patients.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 91-93
The intraoperative pathological findings in cases of chronic suppurative otitis media with central perforation of tympanic membrane at a tertiary care centre in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Thakur Sanjeev Kumar , Ghimire Nisha , Acharya Rabin , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Afaque Anwar 
Published: January 2017

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft. The atticoantral type is called unsafe type because of the associated complications due to granulations and cholesteatoma which may be life-threatening. CSOM with central perforation (tubotympanic type) is usually not associated with major complications such as cholesteatoma formation.Aims and Objectives: To find out the intraoperative pathological findings in cases of CSOM with central perforation (tubotympanic type)Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross sectional study has been conducted in the Department of Ear, Biratnagar Eye Hospital in Nepal over 2 years. Study group includes 172 patients having CSOM with central perforations in the tympanic membranes who underwent different types of procedures. Preoperatively, all the patients were evaluated with otoscopy, microscopy, pure-tone audiometry, and some patients with computed tomography scan. The pathological findings were confirmed with biopsy. The findings were tabulated and analysed.Results: 21(12.2%) patients were having dry central perforation with normal Eustachian tube function. 95 patients, i.e., 55.23% were having granulations in attic, aditus, antrum. 25 (14.53%) cases were having ossicular erosion.5 (2.9%) cases had tympanosclerosis in middle ear. 1 (0.58%) case had facial nerve dehiscence. 16 (9.3%) cases had oedema of middle ear mucosa/aural polyp from middle ear. Surprisingly 9 patients, i.e., 5.23% were having cholesteatoma which was confirmed by histopathological study.Conclusion: This study shows that cholesteatoma can be found in tubotympanic type of CSOM, along with other pathological findings. Hence it is on the part of the surgeon to be careful while planning surgery on their patients with CSOM (tubotympanic type), remembering that all safe CSOM might not always be safe. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 42-47
Comparison of performance in physiology subject assessed by short essay type questions and multiple choice questions of first year medical students
Authors: Kumar Pradeep , Ghildiyal JP , Rajpoot Ravindra Singh , Kumar Sanjeev 
Published: January 2017

Background: Assessment and evaluation in the curriculum of medical education plays an important role to enhance the learning ability of medical students and should provide the level of actual performance as well as the capacity to improve overall performance.Aims and Objectives: In the present study, the performance of medical students in Physiology was assessed by conventional type short essay questions (SEQ) and multiple choice questions (MCQ).Materials and Methods: This prospective (observational) study was conducted in the subject of Physiology, A total of 380 samples were taken from students enrolled for the 1st year medical curriculum in year 2013 to 2015. The subjects were divided in two groups: subjects of this group-I was assessed with two theory papers consist of short essay question (SEQ), practical exam without OSPE. The subjects of group-II were assessed their theory part only by MCQs and maximum part of practical exam by objective structured practical examination (OSPE).Results: The theory performance was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group-II students assessed by totally MCQ based two system tests and one terminal exams as compared to conventional type (SEQ). While the marks obtained in practical was assesses by six lab leaving tests, one terminal practical exam (OSPE) was also significantly high (p<0.005) as compared to group-I. Our data showed that the performance of two problem solving tests (one long clinical case) and grant viva (oral) was significantly less in group-II(table-I).Conclusion: The objectivity of questions prefers over short essay questions by students as they scores well in theory as well as in practical exams , while they poorly performed in clinical exam (the assessment of higher cognitive functions). The objectivity may eliminate the subjective difference in conventional type of evaluation.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(1) 2017 82-84
Self-awareness rehabilitation after Traumatic Brain Injury: A pilot study to compare two group therapies
Authors: Rigon Jessica , Burro Roberto , Guariglia Cecilia , Maini Manuela , Marin Dario , Ciurli Paola , Bivona Umberto , Formisano Rita 
Published: January 2017

Background and Purpose: Deficits of self-awareness (SA) are very common after severe acquired brain injury (sABI), especially in traumatic brain injury (TBI), playing an important role in the efficacy of the rehabilitation process. This pilot study provides information regarding two structured group therapies for disorders of SA. Methods: Nine patients with severe TBI were consecutively recruited and randomly assigned to one SA group therapy programme, according either to the model proposed by Ben-Yishay & Lakin (1989) (B&L Group), or by Sohlberg & Mateer (1989) (S&M Group). Neuropsychological tests and self-awareness questionnaires were administered before and after a 10 weeks group therapy. Results: Results showed that both SA and neuropsychological functioning significantly improved in both groups. Conclusion: It is important to investigate and treat self-awareness, also to improve the outcome of neuropsychological disorders. The two group therapies proposed seem to be specific for impulsivity and emotional dyscontrol and for cognitive disorders.
Twist and turn into chronic disorders of consciousness: Potential role of the auditory stapedial reflex
Authors: Naro Antonino , Bruno Rocco , Leo Antonino , Russo Margherita , Salviera Carlo , Bramanti Alessia , Bramanti Placido , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore 
Published: January 2017

Background: Patients suffering from chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC), including minimally conscious state (MCS) and unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS), typically show an awareness impairment paralleled by a significant reflex hyper-excitability, which depend on the cortical deafferentation following brain-damage-induced thalamocortical system deterioration. Nonetheless, recent studies have shown a residual preservation of cortico-subcortical pathways that may sustain residual fragments of awareness in some DOC patients. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess whether the cortical modulation of auditory stapedial reflex (ASR) could be a marker of a higher degree of brain network connectivity, which is a fundamental prerequisite for awareness generation and maintenance. Methods: We applied a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol over the primary auditory area and measured the neuromodulation effects on ASR threshold (ASRt) in a DOC sample and a healthy control group (HC). Results: We observed an ASRt reduction in all the HC and MCS individuals, in parallel to a better sound-induced motor responsiveness in MCS sample, while all the UWS patients, but two, did not show any significant ASRt modulation. Conclusion: We hypothesize that our conditioning protocol may have entrained and potentiated some spared cortico-subcortical networks that sustained the clinical and electrophysiological amelioration we found. Our data electrophysiologically demonstrate for the first time that primary the auditory area can influence ASR elicitation, and such finding may support the DOC differential diagnosis.
Recent progress in translational research on neurovascular and neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Demuth Hans-Ulrich , Dijkhuizen Rick M. , Farr Tracy D. , Gelderblom Mathias , Horsburgh Karen , Iadecola Costantino , Mcleod Damian D. , Michalski Dominik , Murphy Tim H. , Orbe Josune , Otte Willem M. , Petzold Gabor C. , Plesnila Nikolaus , Reiser Georg , Reymann Klaus G. , Rueger Maria A. , Saur Dorothee , Savitz Sean I. , Schilling Stephan , Spratt Neil J. , Turner Renée J. , Vemuganti Raghu , Vivien Denis , Yepes Manuel , Zille Marietta , Boltze Johannes ,   ISN&N meeting contributors, Bauer Adam Q. , Giffard Rona G. , Gounis Matthew J. , Gröger Victoria , Henrich-Noack Petra , Von Hörsten Stephan , Howells David D. , Kempski Oliver , Kim Yun-Hee , Lambertsen Kate L. , Lee Jin-Moo , Leonard Anna , Liesz Arthur , Macrae I Mhairi , Mays Robert W. , Mcleod Damian D. , Neumann Jens , Nudo Randolph J. , Offner Halina , Rossner Steffen , Selim Magdy , Sohrabji Farida , Yin Kejie , Walter Jochen , Ziemann Ulf 
Published: January 2017

The already established and widely used intravenous application of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator as a re-opening strategy for acute vessel occlusion in ischemic stroke was recently added by mechanical thrombectomy, representing a fundamental progress in evidence-based medicine to improve the patient’s outcome. This has been paralleled by a swift increase in our understanding of pathomechanisms underlying many neurovascular diseases and most prevalent forms of dementia. Taken together, these current advances offer the potential to overcome almost two decades of marginally successful translational research on stroke and dementia, thereby spurring the entire field of translational neuroscience. Moreover, they may also pave the way for the renaissance of classical neuroprotective paradigms. This review reports and summarizes some of the most interesting and promising recent achievements in neurovascular and dementia research. It highlights sessions from the 9th International Symposium on Neuroprotection and Neurorepair that have been discussed from April 19th to 22nd in Leipzig, Germany. To acknowledge the emerging culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and research, special emphasis is given on translational stories ranging from fundamental research on neurode- and -regeneration to late stage translational or early stage clinical investigations.
Crocin protects against cerebral- ischemia-induced damage in aged rats through maintaining the integrity of blood-brain barrier
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Fan Zhixin , Jin Ting 
Published: January 2017

Background: A clear relationship exists between oxidative stress and disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) during cerebral ischemia, in which aging may exacerbate the extent of leakage. Here, we aim to examine the potential role of a water-soluble carotenoid-based antioxidant crocin on BBB damage in aged rats following cerebral ischemia. Methods: A two months oral administration of crocin was applied to 24-month-old rats followed by an induction of brain ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Brain infarction volume, water content, and neurological behavior assessments were measured in these animals at 24 hours after MCAO as compared to vehicle-treated controls. Evans blue dye extravasation assay was used to evaluate the BBB integrity. The levels of tight junction proteins, oxidative stress, and MMP (matrix metalloproteinases) activities were also determined in the ipsilateral brains of the MCAO-treated rats. Results: MCAO-induced brain injury was alleviated by the pretreatment of crocin. Crocin-treated animals also showed the preserved BBB function in the presence of ischemic injury. The loss of tight junction proteins and enhanced NADPH oxidase in the ipsilateral brains of the MCAO-treated rats were both reduced by crocin. Finally, the induction of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by cerebral ischemia was partially blocked by crocin in aged rats. Conclusion: These findings indicate that crocin or related antioxidants may protect against cerebral ischemia of elderly patients by maintaining the integrity of BBB in aged rats, an effect likely through repressing the activation of matrix metalloproteinase pathway.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INNER DISK AROUND HD 141569 A FROM KECK/NIRC2 L-BAND VORTEX CORONAGRAPHY
Authors: Mawet Dimitri , Choquet Élodie , Absil Olivier , Huby Elsa , Bottom Michael , Serabyn Eugene , Femenia Bruno , Lebreton Jérémy , Matthews Keith , Gonzalez Carlos A. Gomez , Wertz Olivier , Carlomagno Brunella , Christiaens Valentin , Defrère Denis , Delacroix Christian , Forsberg Pontus , Habraken Serge , Jolivet Aissa , Karlsson Mikael , Milli Julien , Pinte Christophe , Piron Pierre , Reggiani Maddalena , Surdej Jean , Catalan Ernesto Vargas 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
HD 141569 A is a pre-main sequence B9.5 Ve star surrounded by a prominent and complex circumstellar disk, likely still in a transition stage from protoplanetary to debris disk phase. Here, we present a new image of the third inner disk component of HD 141569 A made in the L′ band (3.8 μm) during the commissioning of the vector vortex coronagraph that has recently been installed in the near-infrared imager and spectrograph NIRC2 behind the W.M. Keck Observatory Keck II adaptive optics system. We used reference point-spread function subtraction, which reveals the innermost disk component from the inner working distance of ≃23 au and up to ≃70 au. The spatial scale of our detection roughly corresponds to the optical and near-infrared scattered light, thermal Q, N, and 8.6 μm PAH emission reported earlier. We also see an outward progression in dust location from the L′ band to the H band (Very Large Telescope/SPHERE image) to the visible (Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/STIS image), which is likely indicative of dust blowout. The warm disk component is nested deep inside the two outer belts imaged by HST-NICMOS in 1999 (at 406 and 245 au, respectively). We fit our new L′-band image and spectral energy distribution of HD 141569 A with the radiative transfer code MCFOST. Our best-fit models favor pure olivine grains and are consistent with the composition of the outer belts. While our image shows a putative very faint point-like clump or source embedded in the inner disk, we did not detect any true companion within the gap between the inner disk and the first outer ring, at a sensitivity of a few Jupiter masses.