Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gadopentetate but not gadobutrol accumulates in the dentate nucleus of multiple sclerosis patients

Background: Previous studies have postulated an association between dentate nucleus T1 hyperintensity and multiple sclerosis (MS)-related progressive neurodegeneration. Therefore, MS patients have been excluded from most studies investigating brain deposition of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Objective: To study the hypothesis that dentate nucleus T1 hyperintensity in MS patients is associated with GBCA administration. Methods: In a cohort of 97 MS patients, the dentate-to-pons signal intensity ratio (DPSIR) was calculated for 265 consecutive T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) scans (including sessions with and without the administration of GBCA). Patients exclusively received either gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA, linear) or gadobutrol (Gd-BT-DO3A, macrocyclic). Results: In patients receiving Gd-DTPA, DPSIR increased significantly between the first and the last scan (+0.009, p < 0.001), and following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Gd-DTPA administration as compared to following an MRI without Gd-DTPA administration (+0.005 vs −0.001; p = 0.022). Additionally, there was a positive linear relationship between the number of Gd-DTPA administrations and the increase in DPSIR (p = 0.017). No DPSIR increase was observed after Gd-BT-DO3A administration. Conclusion: Dentate nucleus T1 hyperintensity in MS patients is associated with Gd-DTPA (but not Gd-BT-DO3A) administration, suggesting an alternative explanation for the association of T1 hyperintensity with disease duration and severity.
Adaptation and the Boundary of Multinational Firms

Abstract This paper offers the first empirical analysis of the impact of adaptation on the boundary of multinational firms. To do so, we develop a ranking of sectors in terms of “routineness” by merging two sets of data: ratings of occupations by their intensities in solving problems from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network and U.S. employment shares of occupations by sectors from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. Using U.S. Census trade data, we demonstrate that the share of intrafirm trade tends to be higher in less routine sectors.
Association between hepatitis B and hearing status.

OBJECTIVE This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the chronic hepatitis B virus infection and hearing status. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the chronic hepatitis B virus infection and hearing status. PATIENTS AND METHODS This research was based on 76 hepatitis-B infections as the case group (including 35 HBV carriers and 41 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients) and 54 normal cases as the control group. They were selected sequentially and audiologic tests were performed on the participants. RESULTS The average hearing thresholds (HTs) of control group and hepatitis-B infection were 10.70 and 12.42 dBHL respectively with statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). Frequency-specific HT of 114 ears in control group and hepatitis-B infection were found statistical differences for hearing frequency ranged 250 to 8000 (p < 0.05), and statistically significant differences for 250, 2000 and 4000 Hz (p < 0.01). Significant differences were only measured for HT at 250 Hz frequencies between control and HBV carriers (p < 0.01), while for control and CHB group, the differences were detected for all tested frequency (p < 0.01). The SNR for f2 frequencies (553, 1105, 2211, 3125, 4416, 4416, 6250 Hz) of the CHB patients and HBV carriers were compared with statistical differences (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the hepatitis-B patients were more prone to hearing loss and that the hepatitis B disease can cause hearing loss. The infection of the inner ear and the pathological changes of the patients with HBV infection still need to be further explored.
Maternal Effects in Relation to Helper Presence in the Cooperatively Breeding Sociable Weaver

In egg laying species, breeding females may adjust the allocation of nutrients or other substances into eggs in order to maximise offspring or maternal fitness. Cooperatively breeding species offer a particularly interesting context in which to study maternal allocation because helpers create predictably improved conditions during offspring development. Some recent studies on cooperative species showed that females assisted by helpers produced smaller eggs, as the additional food brought by the helpers appeared to compensate for this reduction in egg size. However, it remains unclear how common this effect might be. Also currently unknown is whether females change egg composition when assisted by helpers. This effect is predicted by current maternal allocation theory, but has not been previously investigated. We studied egg mass and contents in sociable weavers (Philetairus socius). We found that egg mass decreased with group size, while fledgling mass did not vary, suggesting that helpers may compensate for the reduced investment in eggs. We found no differences in eggs’ carotenoid contents, but females assisted by helpers produced eggs with lower hormonal content, specifically testosterone, androstenedione (A4) and corticosterone levels. Taken together, these results suggest that the environment created by helpers can influence maternal allocation and potentially offspring phenotypes.
Ivabradine: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

Ivabradine is a selective I f current inhibitor that is used to lower the heart rate (HR) of patients with angina and/or heart failure. It is approved for use in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The drug was studied in several clinical trials, and it exhibited beneficial effects on the approved indicators. However, there are some concerns with the safety profile of this drug, especially its effect in reducing HR and causing severe bradycardia. Therefore, the current review assessed the benefit–risk balance of ivabradine. A literature review of the major published studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of ivabradine was performed. The online VigiBase adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system was also accessed to investigate reports associated with this drug. A full benefit–risk assessment was performed using the collected data from the above-mentioned resources. Most of the reviewed studies concluded that ivabradine exerted beneficial effects with a tolerable safety profile. Specifically, a favorable benefit–risk profile was found when ivabradine was used for patients with an HR ≥70 beats per minute. Reports revealed that the most common ADR was bradycardia, which was expected. Other safety risks or ADRs were comparable to other prescribed drugs. This review presents an up-to-date analysis of ivabradine from the latest literature and reports. These studies suggest that ivabradine exhibits an acceptable and favorable benefit–risk profile, and this drug should be considered as a viable option in patients with angina pectoris and chronic heart failure.
Pre–Endoscopy Screening of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Implication and Advantages

Over the last 30 years, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has become the investigation of choice for patients with symptoms referable to upper gastrointestinal tract. Owing to the increasing number of patients who should be undergone endoscopy with a consequent high cost and a marked workload and medical expenses for the hospitals, it has been recommended that pre-endoscopy screening strategies might identify patients at low risk of having major pathology. These patients could avoid prompt endoscopy and might safely undergo different management.
The human thymus perivascular space is a functional niche for viral-specific plasma cells

The human thymus perivascular space houses viral-specific plasma cells and memory B cells producing protective antibodies. Not in the thymic house The human thymus is the seat of T cell production, and thymic infection can alter both thymopoiesis and tolerance. Circulating antibodies from bone marrow–resident plasma cells have been shown to help protect the thymus from infection; however, the contribution of thymic-resident B cells has remained unclear. Now, Nuñez et al. report that plasma cells reside in the human thymus and that these plasma cells produce antibodies reactive to common viral proteins. These cells inhabit the thymic perivascular space, located between the thymic epithelial areas and the circulation, and therefore may fortify the thymus against pathogen invasion. These cells are maintained in aging individuals, suggesting that thymic plasma cells play a key role in thymic protection throughout the human life span. The human thymus is susceptible to viral infections that can severely alter thymopoiesis and compromise the mechanisms of acquired tolerance to self-antigens. In humans, plasma cells (PCs) residing primarily in the bone marrow confer long-lasting protection to common viruses by secreting antigen-specific antibodies. Because the thymus also houses B cells, we examined the phenotypic complexity of these thymic resident cells and their possible protective role against viral infections. Using tissue specimens collected from patients ranging in age from 5 days to 71 years, we found that, starting during the first year of life, CD138+ PCs begin accumulating in the thymic perivascular space (PVS), where they constitutively produce immunoglobulin G (IgG) without the need for additional stimulation. These thymic PCs almost exclusively secrete IgG1 and IgG3, the two main complement-fixing effector IgG subclasses. Moreover, using antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assays, we demonstrated that thymic PCs include a high frequency of cells reactive to common viral proteins. Our study reveals an unrecognized role of the PVS as a functional niche for viral-specific PCs. The PVS is located between the thymic epithelial areas and the circulation. PCs located in this compartment may therefore provide internal protection against pathogen infections and preserve the integrity and function of the organ.
Contextual Social Cognition Impairments in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Background The ability to integrate contextual information with social cues to generate social meaning is a key aspect of social cognition. It is widely accepted that patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders have deficits in social cognition; however, previous studies on these disorders did not use tasks that replicate everyday situations. Methodology/Principal Findings This study evaluates the performance of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders on social cognition tasks (emotional processing, empathy, and social norms knowledge) that incorporate different levels of contextual dependence and involvement of real-life scenarios. Furthermore, we explored the association between social cognition measures, clinical symptoms and executive functions. Using a logistic regression analysis, we explored whether the involvement of more basic skills in emotional processing predicted performance on empathy tasks. The results showed that both patient groups exhibited deficits in social cognition tasks with greater context sensitivity and involvement of real-life scenarios. These deficits were more severe in schizophrenic than in bipolar patients. Patients did not differ from controls in tasks involving explicit knowledge. Moreover, schizophrenic patients’ depression levels were negatively correlated with performance on empathy tasks. Conclusions/Significance Overall performance on emotion recognition predicted performance on intentionality attribution during the more ambiguous situations of the empathy task. These results suggest that social cognition deficits could be related to a general impairment in the capacity to implicitly integrate contextual cues. Important implications for the assessment and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, as well as for neurocognitive models of these pathologies are discussed.
Stable Isotope Labeled n-Alkanes to Assess Digesta Passage Kinetics through the Digestive Tract of Ruminants

We describe the use of carbon stable isotope (13C) labeled n-alkanes as a potential internal tracer to assess passage kinetics of ingested nutrients in ruminants. Plant cuticular n-alkanes originating from intrinsically 13C labeled ryegrass plants were pulse dosed intraruminally in four rumen-cannulated lactating dairy cows receiving four contrasting ryegrass silage treatments that differed in nitrogen fertilization level (45 or 90 kg nitrogen ha−1) and maturity (early or late). Passage kinetics through the gastrointestinal tract were derived from the δ13C (i.e. the ratio 13C:12C) in apparently undigested fecal material. Isotopic enrichment was observed in a wide range of long-chain n-alkanes (C27–C36) and passage kinetics were determined for the most abundant C29, C31 and C33 n-alkanes, for which a sufficiently high response signal was detected by combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Basal diet treatment and carbon chain length of n-alkanes did not affect fractional passage rates from the rumen (K 1) among individual n-alkanes (3.71–3.95%/h). Peak concentration time and transit time showed a quantitatively small, significant (p≤0.002) increase with carbon chain length. K 1 estimates were comparable to those of the 13C labeled digestible dry matter fraction (3.38%/h; r = 0.61 to 0.71; p≤0.012). A literature review has shown that n-alkanes are not fermented by microorganisms in the rumen and affirms no preferential depletion of 13C versus 12C. Our results suggest that 13C labeled n-alkanes can be used as nutrient passage tracers and support the reliability of the δ13C signature of digestible feed nutrients as a tool to measure nutrient-specific passage kinetics.
Orthodontic treatment simultaneous to or after periodontal cause‐related treatment in periodontitis susceptible patients. Part I: Clinical outcome. A randomized clinical trial

AIM To compare two treatment strategies regarding the effect of orthodontic treatment on periodontal status in patients with plaque-induced periodontitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This was a randomized clinical trial. Fifty periodontal patients were randomly assigned to the test or control groups according to periodontal treatment timing. All patients received supra- and subgingival debridement following baseline examination. Control group patients received cause-related periodontal treatment before the start of orthodontic treatment and which was performed simultaneous to orthodontic treatment for the test group patients. RESULTS No difference between the test and control groups was found regarding change of clinical attachment level (CAL) after periodontal-orthodontic treatment. Fewer sites with initial pocket depth (PD) of 4-6 mm healed after periodontal-orthodontic treatment in the test group (20.5%, IQR = 11.9%) in comparison with controls (30.4%, IQR = 27.1%) (p = .03). Anterior teeth [OR 2.5] and teeth in male patients [OR 1.6] had a greater chance for PD improvement ≥2 mm. Total periodontal-orthodontic treatment duration was significantly longer for the control group (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Both groups showed a gain of CAL and a reduction in sites with PD ≥ 4 mm. Orthodontic treatment, simultaneously to the periodontal treatment, could be used in the routine treatment of patients with plaque-induced periodontitis.
Superconductor Electronics Fabrication Process with MoNx Kinetic Inductors and Self-Shunted Josephson Junctions

<? Pub Dtl? >Recent progress in superconductor electronics fabrication has enabled single-flux-quantum (SFQ) digital circuits with close to one million Josephson junctions (JJs) on <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> ${\text{1}}\hbox{-}{\text{cm}}^{2}$</tex-math></inline-formula> chips. Increasing the integration scale further is challenging because of the large area of SFQ logic cells, mainly determined by the area of resistively shunted Nb/AlO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>–Al/Nb JJs and geometrical inductors utilizing multiple layers of Nb. To overcome these challenges, we are developing a fabrication process with self-shunted high-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$J_{{\rm{c}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> JJs and compact thin-film MoN<italic><sub>x</sub> </italic> kinetic inductors instead of geometrical inductors. We present fabrication details and properties of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text{MoN}}_{x}$</tex-math></inline-formula> films with a wide range of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{\rm{c}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, including residual stress, electrical resistivity, critical current, and magnetic field penetration depth <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{0}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. As kinetic inductors, we implemented Mo<sub>2 </sub>N films with <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{{\rm{c}}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> about 8 K, <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda _{0}$</tex-math></inline-formula> about 0.51 μm, and inductance adjustable in the range from 2 to 8 pH/sq. We also present data on fabrication and electrical characterization of Nb-based self-shunted JJs with AlO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic> tunnel barriers and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$J_{{\rm{c}}}= {\text{0.6}}\,{\text{mA}}{/}\mu{\text{m}}^{2}$</tex-math> </inline-formula>, and with 10-nm thick Si<sub>1−</sub><italic><sub>x</sub></italic>Nb<italic><sub>x</sub> </italic> barriers, with <italic>x</italic> from 0.03 to 0.15, fabricated on 200-mm wafers by co-sputtering. We demonstrate that the electron transport mechanism in Si<sub>1−</sub><italic><sub>x</sub></italic>Nb<italic><sub> x</sub></italic> barriers at <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$x< {{0.08}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> is inelastic resonant tunneling via chains of multiple localized states. At larger <italic>x</italic>, their Josephson characteristics are strongly dependent on <italic>x</italic> and residual stress in Nb electrodes, and in general are inferior to AlO<italic><sub>x</sub></italic> tunnel barriers.
Pregnant sheep develop hypoxaemia during short-term anaesthesia for caesarean delivery

Short-term anaesthesia of the pregnant ewe may be required for caesarean delivery of a preterm foetus within a research protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the acid-base and haematological status of the ewe and foetus at the time of surgical delivery by collecting maternal and foetal arterial blood samples. Fifteen date-mated singleton-pregnant merino cross ewes at 122.0 (±0.5) days of gestation were anaesthetised with a combination of midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (10 mg/kg) by intravenous injection. A subarachnoid injection of lidocaine (60 mg) was given to desensitise the caudal abdomen. Supplemental oxygen was not provided, and an endotracheal tube was not placed in the ewe’s trachea. The development of maternal respiratory acidosis (hypercapnia) and hypoxaemia was anticipated. Samples of arterial blood for blood gas analyses were collected simultaneously from the radial artery of the ewe and the umbilical artery of the foetus immediately after delivery. The results from the maternal blood samples were within the normal range for pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2), base excess, glucose, lactate, haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration. The maternal partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) revealed hypoxaemia: 45.2 (41.1–53.4) mmHg. Foetal arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxaemia (15.0 ± 3.1 mmHg) and hypoglycaemia (0.1 (0.1–1.1) mmol/L). The benefit of providing supplemental oxygen and/or placing an endotracheal tube must be carefully weighed against the benefit of saving time when prompt delivery of the foetus is planned. In this study the pregnant ewe developed severe hypoxaemia, and this abnormality may have contributed to a low foetal PaO2.
Protocol for the economic evaluation of a complex intervention to improve the mental health of maltreated infants and children in foster care in the UK (The BeST? services trial)

Introduction Children who have experienced abuse and neglect are at increased risk of mental and physical health problems throughout life. This places an enormous burden on individuals, families and society in terms of health services, education, social care and judiciary sectors. Evidence suggests that early intervention can mitigate the negative consequences of child maltreatment, exerting long-term positive effects on the health of maltreated children entering foster care. However, evidence on cost-effectiveness of such complex interventions is limited. This protocol describes the first economic evaluation of its kind in the UK. Methods and analysis An economic evaluation alongside the Best Services Trial (BeST? ) has been prospectively designed to identify, measure and value key resource and outcome impacts arising from the New Orleans intervention model (NIM) (an infant mental health service) compared with case management (CM) (enhanced social work services as usual). A within-trial economic evaluation and long-term model from a National Health Service/Personal Social Service and a broader societal perspective will be undertaken alongside the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)–Public Health Research Unit (PHRU)-funded randomised multicentre BeST? BeST? aims to evaluate NIM compared with CM for maltreated children entering foster care in a UK context. Collection of Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the recent mapping of PedsQL to EuroQol-5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) will facilitate the estimation of quality-adjusted life years specific to the infant population for a cost–utility analysis. Other effectiveness outcomes will be incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-consequences analysis (CCA). A long-term economic model and multiple economic evaluation frameworks will provide decision-makers with a comprehensive, multiperspective guide regarding cost-effectiveness of NIM. The long-term population health economic model will be developed to synthesise trial data with routine linked data and key government sector parameters informed by literature. Methods guidance for population health economic evaluation will be adopted (lifetime horizon, 1.5% discount rate for costs and benefits, CCA framework, multisector perspective). Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained by the West of Scotland Ethics Committee. Results of the main trial and economic evaluation will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal as well as published in the peer-reviewed NIHR journals library (Public Health Research Programme). Trial registration number NCT02653716; Pre-results.
Cardiovascular Responses to Resistance Exercise Performed with Large and Small Muscle Mass

Abstract Prior research about the effects of the amount of exercised muscle mass upon cardiovascular responses (CVR) has neglected a potential bias related to total exercise and concentric/eccentric duration. Autonomic responses and perceived exertion (RPE) were compared in resistance exercises performed with larger and smaller muscle mass and matched for total exercise and concentric/eccentric duration. Twelve men performed 4 sets of 12 repetitions of unilateral (UNI) and bilateral (BIL) knee extensions at 70% of 12RM. Increases in CVR were always greater at the last set of BIL over UNI, as were SBP (35% vs. 23%), DBP (36% vs. 23%), HR (40% vs. 26%), RRP (90% vs 53%) and CO (55% vs 39%). No difference between protocols was found for autonomic modulation before and after exercise, but BIL induced significantly greater changes than UNI from baseline for R-R intervals (−13% vs. −7%), SDNN (−38% vs. −17%) and rMSSD (−41% vs. −21%). The rate of perceived exertion in the last set was higher in BIL than UNI (7.6±0.5 vs. 6.6±1.4 OMNI-RES; P<0.05) and did not correlate with any CVR. Thus, CVR were greater in resistance exercise performed with larger than smaller muscle mass. This information is relevant for patients with high cardiovascular risk.