Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using 80 kVp versus 120 kVp in perfusion CT measurement of regional cerebral blood flow.

Perfusion CT studies of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), involving sequential acquisition of cerebral CT sections during IV contrast material administration, have classically been reported to be achieved at 120 kVp. We hypothesized that using 80 kVp should result in the same image quality while significantly lowering the patient's radiation dose, and we evaluated this assumption. In five patients undergoing cerebral CT survey, one section level was imaged at 120 kVp and 80 kVp, before and after IV administration of iodinated contrast material. These four cerebral CT sections obtained in each patient were analyzed with special interest to contrast, noise, and radiation dose. Contrast enhancement at 80 kVp is significantly increased (P < .001), as well as contrast between gray matter and white matter after contrast enhancement (P < .001). Mean noise at 80 kVp is not statistically different (P = .042). Finally, performance of perfusion CT studies at 80 kVp, keeping mAs constant, lowers the radiation dose by a factor of 2.8. We, thus, conclude that 80 kVp acquisition of perfusion CT studies of rCBF will result in increased contrast enhancement and should improve rCBF analysis, with a reduced patient's irradiation.
Rehabilitation Services in Saudi Arabia: An Overview of its Current Structure and Future Challenges

Saudi Arabia is the largest state in Middle East and is a major force in the Arab world due to its oil wealth. The prevalence of disability is growing rapidly in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The government has taken number of reforms to improve health care system. As a consequence health care services improved significantly in recent decades. There is still greater requirement for rehabilitation services due to reasons such as growing population, change in life style leading to greater incidence of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, increased road traffic accidents leading to head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury etc. This paper focuses on the current structure and future challenges of tertiary care in the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
Orphan Receptor Promiscuity in the Induction of Cytochromes P450 by Xenobiotics*

The mechanisms by which different classes of chemicals induce the same cytochrome P450 (CYP) or the same chemical differentially induces more than one CYP are not well understood. We show that in primary hepatocytes and in vivo in liver (transfected by particle-mediated delivery) two orphan nuclear receptors, constitutive androstane receptor and pregnane X receptor (PXR1), transactivate a CYP gene via the same response element in a xenobiotic-specific manner. The constitutive androstane receptor mediates the barbiturate activation of expression of CYP2B1 and CYP3A1. PXR1 activates both genes in response to synthetic steroids. To exert their effect the receptors bind to the same direct repeat site (DR4) within the phenobarbital response element of the CYP2B1 promoter and to the same DR3 site in the pregnane X response element of CYP3A1. The receptors are therefore promiscuous with respect to DNA binding but not ligand binding. Differences in enhancer half-site spacing may influence the efficiency of interactions between the receptor and the transcription machinery and hence form the basis for the differential induction of CYP2B1 and CYP3A1 in response to barbiturates and synthetic steroids.
The Neural Substrate of Disappointment Revealed?

Dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) transiently increase their firing rates after presentation of an unexpected reward ([Schultz et al., 1997][1]). Reward-predicting cues produce a temporal shift in the dopaminergic response such that phasic DA cell
Microbial Keratitis Pathogens and Antibiotic Susceptibilities: A 5-Year Review of Cases at an Urban County Hospital in North Texas

Purpose.To review the epidemiology, risk factors, microbiologic spectrum, and outcomes of microbial keratitis and to compare cases in which a causative organism is identified to those determined to be sterile during a 5-year period at a large county hospital in north Texas. Methods.A retrospective chart review of cases of microbial keratitis at Parkland Memorial Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. Results.During this 5-year period, 132 eyes of 131 patients underwent 139 corneal scrapings for presumed microbial keratitis and an organism was reported in 73 (52.5%) cultures. Including abnormal confocal microscopy results, a causative organism was determined in 78 (56.1%) cases. At least one risk factor was present in 115 (87.1%) cases, with the most common risk factors being preexisting ocular disease, contact lens wear, and a history of trauma. Nearly 5% of patients reported a history of cocaine use. Gram staining correctly identified the organism in 20 (28.6%) culture-positive cases, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common isolate, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. The rate of S. aureus resistance to fluoroquinolones (15.4%) was similar to rates previously reported from the early to mid 1990s, but less than those reported from the late 1990s. Severe complications were more common in the nonsterile subgroup (34.2%) than in the sterile (16.9%) subgroup (P=0.041). Although the rate of acute intervention was higher in the nonsterile subgroup (27.4%) than in the sterile subgroup (20.3%), this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.461). Mean logMAR visual acuity was 1.451 (Snellen equivalent, 20/563) at presentation and 1.062 (20/231) at the last follow-up visit (P<0.001). Presenting and final visual acuities were significantly better in the sterile subgroup than in the nonsterile subgroup (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions.When a causative organism is not identified in microbial keratitis, visual acuity is not as severely affected, and fewer severe complications occur. Antibiotic resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, though not common, still deserves consideration in the treatment of microbial keratitis.
Attitude Coordinated Control of Multiple Underactuated Axisymmetric Spacecraft

Attitude coordinated control of multiple underactuated spacecraft is studied in this paper. We adopt the parametrization proposed by Tsiotras et al. (1995) to describe attitude kinematics, which has been shown to be very convenient for control of underactuated axisymmetric spacecraft with two control torques. We first propose a partial attitude coordinated controller with angular velocity commands. The controller is based on the exchange of each spacecraft's information with local neighbors and a self-damping term. Under a necessary and general connectivity assumption and by use of a novel Lyapunov function, we show that the symmetry axes of all spacecraft are eventually aligned. Full attitude control of multiple underactuated spacecraft is also considered and a discontinuous distributed control algorithm is proposed. It is shown that the proposed algorithm succeeds in achieving stabilization given that control parameters are chosen properly. Discussions on the cases without self damping are also provided for both partial and full attitude controls. Simulations are given to validate the theoretical results and different steady-state behaviors are observed.
Tolerability of oral ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.

OBJECTIVE This study characterizes the tolerability of ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. METHOD Sixty-three subjects (aged 10-17 years) entered an open-label study consisting of a 3-week fixed-dose period (Period 1) and a subsequent 24-week flexible-dose period (Period 2). In Period 1, subjects received ziprasidone 80 or 160 mg/d in two divided doses, titrated over 10 days. In Period 2, subjects received flexible doses (20-160 mg/d). Tolerability was evaluated using movement rating scales, laboratory tests, and electrocardiograms. Clinical response was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored Version, and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity scale. RESULTS Adverse events (AEs) occurred mostly during dose titration and in the high-dose (160 mg/d) group. The most common AEs during Period 1 were sedation (32%), somnolence (30%), and nausea (25%) and during Period 2 were sedation (30%), somnolence (30%), and headache (25%). The incidence of movement disorder AEs was 22% and 16% during Periods 1 and 2, respectively. Six percent of study participants discontinued study participation due to AEs during Period 1 and 20% discontinued in Period 2. Thirty-three percent of subjects gained >or=7% of their baseline weight. No Fridericia-corrected QT (QTcF) intervals of >450 ms were observed during Period 1 and only one occurred during Period 2. No QTcF increase >or=60 ms from baseline was observed. Symptom reductions were observed in all patient groups. CONCLUSIONS No unexpected tolerability findings were observed in this prospective trial of ziprasidone in children and adolescents with bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. On the basis of the results, a starting dose of 20 mg/d titrated to between 80 and 160 mg/d over 1-2 weeks appears optimal for most patients.
Phenotypic Determination and Characterization of Nestin-Positive Precursors Derived from Human Fetal Pancreas

Demand for donations to meet the requirements of pancreas or islet transplantation has prompted the search for alternative sources of β-cell replacement therapy. Earlier studies identified nestin-positive islet-derived progenitor cells (NIPs) residing in human pancreas. In the present study, we isolated and cultured human fetal NIPs that express stem cell marker ABCG2/BCRP1. In confluent cultures, NIPs formed three-dimensional islet-like cell clusters (ICCs). During differentiation, NIP-derived ICCs showed numerous pancreatic lineage transcripts including insulin, whereas ABCG2 and nestin expression fell concomitantly. In addition, ICCs displayed the ability to reverse hyperglycemia in diabetic NOD-SCID mice, as well as infiltrate and form well-differentiated structures in normal mice. These cells can be cloned repeatedly and maintained in long-term culture. Our studies are the first to show NIPs derived from human fetal pancreas, which may have significant implications for future applications in stem cell therapy of diabetes.
Effect of Allogeneic Schwann Cell Transplantation on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Transplantation of allogeneic Schwann cells (SC) would make it feasible to reconstruct immediately peripheral nerve defects, compared to using autologous SC; however, this treatment modality has not been adequately evaluated. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of allogeneic versus syngeneic SC transplantation following peripheral nerve injury. Polyhydroxybutyrate conduits were used to bridge a 10-mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. The conduits were filled with alginate hydrogel with or without cultured allogeneic or syngeneic genetically labeled SC, without the use of immunosuppressive therapy, and examined after 2, 3, and 6 weeks with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl-beta-D-galactosidase chemical staining and immunohistochemistry to quantify SC migration into the conduit, axonal regeneration, the state of SC differentiation, and the expression of major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) I and II, as well as to quantify macrophage and B- and T-lymphocyte infiltration. Allogeneic SC were rejected by 6 weeks, whereas syngeneic SC could still be identified. Allogeneic and syngeneic SC equally enhanced the axonal regeneration distance but the quantity of axons was greater using syngeneic SC. The ingrowth of SC into the conduits containing allogeneic SC was similar to that observed in the presence of syngeneic SC, indicating the absence of deleterious immune response. SC continued to express phenotypic markers of nonmyelination and these were highest in conduits with allogeneic SC. Expression of MHC I and II was higher in the conduits with allogeneic SC at 3 weeks and without significant difference in the number of macrophages and lymphocytes, except at 6 weeks, when there was a larger number of lymphocytes using syngeneic SC. In conclusion, allogeneic SC enhanced axonal regeneration distance and did not induce a deleterious immune response. In a clinical setting the immediate availability of allogeneic SC for transplantation may compensate for the better outcome achieved by the use of autologous SC that require a longer preparation time in culture.
The matched pairs design in the case of all-or-none responses.

The properties of the matched pairs design in the case of all-or-none responses have been the object of an increasing research interest. Wald ([1947] p. 108) pointed out that pairing on the basis of some irrelevant criterion leads to a loss of efficiency in small samples. This matter was later scrutinized by Youkeles [19631 who concluded that the loss vanishes as the sizes of the comparison series become 30 or more. A condition on which matching produces a gain in efficiency was derived by Worcester [1964]. Empirical work on the efficiency of the design was conducted by Billewicz [1964, 1965]. M\Iiettinen [1966] derived asymptotic results for power, sample size, and efficiency, but the nature of the approach limnits the applicability of the results to the vicinity of the null state. In the present work, general asymptotic results for power, sample size, and efficiency are derived for fixed sample size procedures inl the case of all-or-none responses. Application to an epidemiologic problem is shown.
ERK1/2 but not p38 MAP kinase is essential for the long‐term depression in mouse cerebellar slices

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is essential for synaptic plasticity and learning. In the hippocampus, three different MAPK subfamilies, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal protein kinase (JNK), selectively regulate activity‐dependent glutamate receptor trafficking during long‐term potentiation (LTP), long‐term depression (LTD), and depotentiation after LTP, respectively. Although LTP and LTD at cerebellar parallel fibre (PF)–Purkinje cell synapses are thought to be controlled by glutamate receptor trafficking, the involvement of MAPK subfamilies has not been systemically studied in cerebellar slice preparations. To clarify the role of the MAPK cascade in cerebellar LTD, we performed biochemical and electrophysiological analyses using ICR mouse cerebellar slices. Immunoblot analyses using phosphorylation‐specific antibodies for MAPKs revealed that among the three MAPKs, ERK1/2 was specifically activated by phorbol ester, which could induce LTD in cerebellar slices. In addition, U0126, a specific inhibitor of the MAPK kinase‐ERK1/2 pathway, abrogated the induction of LTD in cerebellar slices, whereas SB203580 and SP600125, specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK and JNK, respectively, had no effect. Although metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) has been suggested as a possible downstream target of ERK1/2 in cell‐culture preparations, mGluR1‐activated slow excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were not affected by U0126 treatment in slices. These findings indicate that unlike hippocampal LTD mediated by p38 MAPK, glutamate receptor trafficking during cerebellar LTD was regulated by a distinct mechanism involving ERK1/2 in slice preparations.
Comment on “On the Metropolis-Hastings Acceptance Probability to Add or Drop a Quantitative Trait Locus in Markov Chain Monte Carlo-Based Bayesian Analyses”

AS Jean-Luc Jannink and Rohan L. Fernando ([Jannink and Fernando 2004][1]) nicely illustrated, when applying Markov chain Monte Carlo methods in a form where the dimension [the number of quantitative trait loci (QTL)] is not fixed, it can sometimes be hard to establish the correct form of the
Differential regulation of hepatic bile salt and organic anion transporters in pregnant and postpartum rats and the role of prolactin

We characterized expression and activity of the bile salt transporters Na+/taurocholate (TC) cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), and bile salt export pump (Bsep), and the expression of organic anion transporting polypeptides 1 and 2 (Oatp1 and 2) and multidrug resistance associated protein‐2 (Mrp2) in pregnancy and throughout lactation in rats. The Vmax for Na+/TC cotransport in basolateral liver plasma membrane was increased 1.7‐fold in 2 days postpartum relative to control and pregnant rats. This correlated well with an increase in Ntcp messenger RNA (mRNA) and a 2‐fold increase in Ntcp protein. Ntcp mRNA remained significantly elevated until 14 days postpartum but had begun to decline by 21 days postpartum. The maximal secretory rate (nmol/min/g liver) for TC in the single pass isolated perfused liver was also increased by 10%, 31%, and 24% at 2, 14, and 21 days postpartum and correlated with increased expression of Ntcp and Bsep mRNA and protein. Infusion of ovine prolactin (oPRL) to ovariectomized rats increased expression of both Ntcp and Bsep mRNA and protein. These data indicate a coordinate increased expression of bile salt transporters postpartum and by PRL. Mrp2 mRNA was stable in pregnancy and postpartum, whereas Mrp2 protein expression decreased significantly in pregnancy, but returned to control levels postpartum. Organic anion transporting polypeptide 2 (Oatp2) mRNA was decreased in pregnancy and increased postpartum, but changes in Oatp2 protein were not significant. Oatp1 mRNA and protein were unchanged in pregnancy and postpartum.
Allelic recombination between distinct genomic locations generates copy number diversity in human β-defensins

β-Defensins are small secreted antimicrobial and signaling peptides involved in the innate immune response of vertebrates. In humans, a cluster of at least 7 of these genes shows extensive copy number variation, with a diploid copy number commonly ranging between 2 and 7. Using a genetic mapping approach, we show that this cluster is at not 1 but 2 distinct genomic loci ≈5 Mb apart on chromosome band 8p23.1, contradicting the most recent genome assembly. We also demonstrate that the predominant mechanism of change in β-defensin copy number is simple allelic recombination occurring in the interval between the 2 distinct genomic loci for these genes. In 416 meiotic transmissions, we observe 3 events creating a haplotype copy number not found in the parent, equivalent to a germ-line rate of copy number change of ≈0.7% per gamete. This places it among the fastest-changing copy number variants currently known.
Effects of Addition of Sprint, Strength and Agility Training On Cardiovascular System in Young Male Field Hockey Players: An Echocardiography Based Study

To find training related physiological and cardiovascular changes and adaptations in field hockey players, this interventional study was conducted with 30 male field hockey trainees (age: 15.7±1.55 years, range: 13-20 years) undergoing training in preparation phase. In addition to the their usual routine of 2 hours per day, 6 times a week of aerobic, anaerobic and skill training session of field hockey; a specialized additional training of 2 hours per day- 3 times a week, consisting of sprint, strength-power and agility was incorporated in the schedule. Selected variables measured before and after the 6 week training were compared with paired t test. Upon analysis we found that lean body mass (LBM) of the participants showed significant improvement (P<0.05) after the 6 week training. Significant reduction (P<0.05) was observed in resting heart rate, resting systolic blood pressure, resting diastolic blood pressure, resting double product or rate pressure product. We also found significant changes (P<0.05) in the echocardiographic parameters - increase in left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular ejection fraction; and decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume. However when these parameters were expressed relative to LBM, no significant change was seen. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and volume, body weight and body mass index too did not change significantly after the training. This 6 week specialized additional training resulted in improvement of body composition and cardiovascular functions of the participants, indicating favorable physiological, morphological and functional adaptations.
Determination of a steroid profile in heel prick blood using LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to improve the sensitivity of the congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) neonatal screening by including second-tier steroid profiling on a DBS using LC-MS. RESULTS We developed a method to measure the steroid profile in DBS and established gestational age-specific reference ranges of cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, Δ4-androstenedione, corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone using 450 heel prick samples of neonates, participating in the Dutch Screening Program. Analyzing 92 cards with a positive CAH screening showed that only 21-deoxycortisol was 100% specific for diagnosed CAH patients. CONCLUSION Steroid precursors can be measured in DBS and we suggest to implement the method as a second tier testing for CAH in The Netherlands.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Intestinal homeostasis results from a complex mutualism between gut microbiota and host cells. Defining the molecular network regulating such mutualism is currently of increasing interest, as its deregulation is reported to lead to increased susceptibility to infections, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer. Until now, the focus has been on the mechanism, by which the composition of indigenous microbiota shapes the immune system. In a recent study, we have shown that dietary compounds have also the ability to affect innate immune system. This regulation involves aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a sensor of plant-derived phytochemicals, which mediates the maintenance of Retinoic acid related orphan receptor γ t-expressing innate lymphoid cells (RORγt+ ILC) in the gut and consequently formation of postnatal lymphoid follicles. Thus, AhR represents the first evidence of a molecular link between diet and immunity at intestinal mucosal surfaces.
The Multicultural Identity Integration Scale (MULTIIS): Developing a comprehensive measure for configuring one's multiple cultural identities within the self.

OBJECTIVES The research investigating how one's multiple cultural identities are configured within the self has yet to account for existing cultural identity configurations aside from integration, and for identifying with more than 2 cultural groups at once. The current research addresses these issues by constructing the Multicultural Identity Integration Scale (MULTIIS) to examine 3 different multicultural identity configurations, and their relationship to well-being based on Amiot and colleagues' (2007) cognitive-developmental model of social identity integration (CDSMII). METHOD Diverse samples of multicultural individuals completed the MULTIIS along with identity and well-being measures. (Study 1A: N = 407; 1B: N = 310; 2A = 338 and 2A = 254) RESULTS: Reliability and confirmatory factorial analyses (Studies 1A and 2A) all supported the factorial structure of the MULTIIS. Regression analyses (Studies 1B and 2B) confirmed that the integration subscale of the MULTIIS positively predicted well-being, whereas compartmentalization negatively predicted well-being. Categorization was inconsistently related to well-being. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the CDSMII and the usefulness of the MULTIIS measure, and suggest that each identity configuration is uniquely related to well-being outcomes.