Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in COMT activity impacts learning and dopamine release capacity in the striatum

A common genetic polymorphism that results in increased activity of the dopamine regulating enzyme COMT (the COMT Val158 allele) has been found to associate with poorer cognitive performance and increased susceptibility to develop psychiatric disorders. It is generally assumed that this increase in COMT activity influences cognitive function and psychiatric disease risk by increasing dopamine turnover in cortical synapses, though this cannot be directly measured in humans. Here we explore a novel transgenic mouse model of increased COMT activity, equivalent to the relative increase in activity observed with the human COMT Val158 allele. By performing an extensive battery of behavioral tests, we found that COMT overexpressing mice (COMT-OE mice) exhibit cognitive deficits selectively in the domains that are affected by the COMT Val158 allele, stimulus–response learning and working memory, functionally validating our model of increased COMT activity. Although we detected no changes in the level of markers for dopamine synthesis and dopamine transport, we found that COMT-OE mice display an increase in dopamine release capacity in the striatum. This result suggests that increased COMT activity may not only affect dopamine signaling by enhancing synaptic clearance in the cortex, but may also cause changes in presynaptic dopamine function in the striatum. These changes may underlie the behavioral deficits observed in the mice and might also play a role in the cognitive deficits and increased psychiatric disease risk associated with genetic variation in COMT activity in humans.
Hand eczema in car mechanics

To estimate the prevalence of hand eczema, a questionnaire was distributed to 901 male car mechanics. Of the 801 persons who responded, 15% reported hand eczema on some occasion in the previous 12 months, and 57% admitted dry skin on the hands. In a 2nd part of the study, those who reported hand eczema were examined and patch tested with a standard series and a special “car mechanics' series”. The most common diagnosis was irritant contact dermatitis, 55%, and 2nd was allergic contact dermatitis, 19%. 35/105 (33%) had a total of 51 positive patch test reactions, all to substances in the standard series, except for 2 persons who reacted to oxidized d‐limonene. The most frequent reactions were to thimerosal (9%), nickel (8%) and colophony (5%). One plausible explanation for the high prevalence of nickel allergy was the common use of nickel‐plated tools. 5 individuals had a history of contact urticaria, but scratch tests were negative. It was concluded that car mechanics are at high risk for contact dermatitis on the hands, irritant as well as allergic.
THE ROLE OF DETERMINING THE LEVELS OF SERUM COLLAGEN TYPE IV IN DIAGNOSING EARLY DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

Two molecules of type IV collagen are linked via the COOH-terminal non-collagenous domain (NCl domain). In this way, type IV collagen forms the main framework of basement membrane. We have developed sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for human serum type IV collage peptide monoclonals for CO5 and CO6 recognizing two different determinants on the central triplex of human collagen molecules. Using this, we explored the possibility that serum levels of type IV collagen (Col IV) are an indicator of early diabetic nephropathy (DN). Serum type IV collagen levels were determined by ELISA in 36 patients with diabetic nephropathy. Serum hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) and in twenty-four hour urinary albumin excretion rates (UAER) were measured at the same time. A relationship was found between serum levels of this collagen IV and the presence of diabetic nephropathy. That is, serum levels of type IV collagen in diabetic nephropathy were significantly higher than those found in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients without nephropathy and in healthy subjects (HS). It is possible that an elevated serum collagen type IV level reflects increased synthetic activity in basement membrane collagen type IV. Serum type IV collagen may be a useful marker for monitoring the dynamics of basement membrane metabolism and in this way serve as a clinical indicator of the progression or the activity of diabetic nephropathy and a marker for the assessment of therapeutic effects.
Ophthalmic Considerations in the Management of Tessier Cleft 5/9

Purpose: To describe a patient with Tessier cleft number 5 and 9 and review the literature on the ocular impairment and management of this extremely rare anomaly. Methods: Interventional case report and literature review. Results: The literature review showed that the present patient is the second case with clefts 5/9. The ophthalmic consequences of this rare association are virtually unreported. Our case demonstrates that the presence of cleft number 9 adds a cicatricial component on the upper eyelid that severely impairs the dynamics of this lid. The corneal status of the patient was successfully managed with simultaneous upper eyelid lengthening and facial reconstruction. Conclusion: In order to avoid corneal perforation, simultaneous upper and lower eyelid reconstruction is mandatory in cases of cleft 5/9. The affected patients should be continuously followed in order to prevent amblyopia.
Metastatic tumors in the jaw bones: A retrospective clinicopathological study of 12 cases at Tertiary Cancer Center

Introduction: The metastatic disease of the jaw bones is very uncommon and accounts for approximately 1% of all malignancies of jaw. The most common location is molar region of mandible. Metastasis may go undetected on a routine skeletal survey for assessment of metastasis and rarely includes jaw bones. Aims and Objective: The aim of the study is to analyze primary malignancies in metastatic jaw tumors. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied clinicopathological features of 12 patients of metastasis to jaw bones diagnosed at tertiary cancer center between 2003 and 2011. All H and E and immunohistochemical slides were reviewed by two pathologists and relevant details were noted. Results: There were eight female and four male patients, with age range 12–71 years with metastases to jaws. All of them involved mandible with one case also showing the involvement of frontal sinuses. The types of metastatic tumors include adenocarcinoma (six cases), papillary thyroid carcinoma (four cases), carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (one case) and neuroblastoma (one case). The diagnosis was made on biopsies in eight cases and on hemimandibulectomy in four cases. The primary site was known at the time of presentation only in four cases, all of them being thyroid carcinomas. Primary site was determined in seven cases after immunohistochemical workup on metastatic tumor and further investigations, whereas the primary site of carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation was unknown. Conclusion: Metastasis to jaw bones is rare and may be the first manifestation of unknown primary. A lesion predominantly involving bone with unusual morphology should raise a possibility of metastasis.
Decreased Incidence of Postoperative Delirium in Robot-assisted Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy Compared With Open Transthoracic Esophagectomy

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is one of messy complications related with increased mortality and hospital costs. Patients undergoing esophagectomy are more in danger of delirium than other kinds of surgeries. We investigated the impact of robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy on the incidence of POD compared with open transthoracic esophagectomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was completed for the patients who underwent esophagectomy from December 2, 2012 and April 15, 2015 (n=529). POD was assessed using Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. The comparison of group differences between the robotic esophagectomy group (R group) and the open esophagectomy group (O group) was conducted with and without propensity score (PS) matching method. Univariate model was used for 247 PS-matched patients to calculate the odds ratio of potential risk factors of POD. Results: The incidence rate of POD was significantly lower among R group patients than O group (30% vs. 42%; P=0.035) after PS matching method. The risk of POD in R group was 0.55-fold lower than that of O group. Operative time and intraoperative blood loss were also significantly lower in R group patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, robotic thoracoscopic esophagectomy lowers the incidence of POD 0.55-fold compared with open transthoracic esophagectomy.
Quad‐Site Pacing Using a Quadripolar Left Ventricular Pacing Lead

Pacing the left ventricle (LV) from multiple sites simultaneously may result in a better response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We sought to assess whether multisite pacing using a quadripolar LV lead improves acute hemodynamic response (AHR) to CRT. We paced four ventricular sites simultaneously using two vectors of a Quartet lead, a right ventricular apical lead, and an additional LV lead temporarily placed in an anterior branch of the coronary sinus. Multisite pacing using the Quartet lead alone did not improve the AHR but “quad‐site” pacing using an additional temporary LV lead did increase dP/dtmax. (PACE 2013; 36:e48–e50)
Familial primary biliary cirrhosis in Hiroshima.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies and chronic inflammatory destruction of septal and intrahepatic bile ducts. Although there are no obvious associations of PBC with MHC class I or class II genes, there appears to be a significant increased risk of developing disease within families. Clearly, a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role in disease pathogenesis, although the relative contributions of each are unclear. In this study, we have taken advantage of the well-defined health-care system in Hiroshima prefecture, where PBC is a reportable disease. In the period 1988-1997, 156 new patients with PBC in a total population of 2,873,000 were diagnosed. These patients included 18 subjects that were derived from eight different families in which more than one family member had a history of PBC; this reflects a frequency of 5.1% and further shows that the prevalence of PBC is greatly increased in family members. Of interest, the median age of onset of PBC in second generation patients was much younger (33.4+/-10.8 years) compared to median disease onset in general patients with PBC in Hiroshima (55.6+/-12 years). In fact, it was striking that the onset of disease in family members often occurred within a few years of each other. We also noted that sera of affected members had similar AMA reactive profiles against recombinant PDC-E2, BCKD-E2 and OGDC-E2; the major autoantigens of PBC. Similar HLA types were found within affected members of a pedigree but the data is limited because of absence of similar typing of unaffected members. The increased family history of PBC, and the earlier onset of disease in second generation members, suggests that environmental agents are an important risk factor for the development of disease. We suggest that genomic analysis in familial PBC will be important to identify the mechanisms of genetic susceptibility.
The Contribution of Mangrove Expansion to Salt Marsh Loss on the Texas Gulf Coast

Landscape-level shifts in plant species distribution and abundance can fundamentally change the ecology of an ecosystem. Such shifts are occurring within mangrove-marsh ecotones, where over the last few decades, relatively mild winters have led to mangrove expansion into areas previously occupied by salt marsh plants. On the Texas (USA) coast of the western Gulf of Mexico, most cases of mangrove expansion have been documented within specific bays or watersheds. Based on this body of relatively small-scale work and broader global patterns of mangrove expansion, we hypothesized that there has been a recent regional-level displacement of salt marshes by mangroves. We classified Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper images using artificial neural networks to quantify black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) expansion and salt marsh (Spartina alterniflora and other grass and forb species) loss over 20 years across the entire Texas coast. Between 1990 and 2010, mangrove area grew by 16.1 km2, a 74% increase. Concurrently, salt marsh area decreased by 77.8 km2, a 24% net loss. Only 6% of that loss was attributable to mangrove expansion; most salt marsh was lost due to conversion to tidal flats or water, likely a result of relative sea level rise. Our research confirmed that mangroves are expanding and, in some instances, displacing salt marshes at certain locations. However, this shift is not widespread when analyzed at a larger, regional level. Rather, local, relative sea level rise was indirectly implicated as another important driver causing regional-level salt marsh loss. Climate change is expected to accelerate both sea level rise and mangrove expansion; these mechanisms are likely to interact synergistically and contribute to salt marsh loss.
Endoscopic treatment of large sessile and flat colorectal lesions

Purpose of review With the increased number of colonoscopies performed, many polyps of different sizes and morphology are encountered today. We will reassess endoscopic treatments on large sessile and flat lesions in the colorectum. Recent findings Large lesions are considered to be greater than 2 cm in diameter with a prevalence of 0.8–5.2% in patients undergoing colonoscopy. The prevalence of malignancy in these lesions is 5–22.1%. En-bloc resection is done for lesions smaller than 2 cm in size, and piecemeal resection for those with a larger diameter. The recurrence rate was suggested to be as high as 46%. With repeated endoscopic treatments, the recurrence rate was reduced to 3.8%. Argon plasma coagulation is effective as an adjunct to piecemeal resection. It is essential to have an accurate pretreatment assessment and a proper histological evaluation of resected lesions as the prognosis depends on the depth of invasion, lymphovascular involvement, and histological type. Summary Endoscopic treatment for large sessile or flat lesions is highly successful in patients without the features predicting adverse outcome. Risk stratification is essential for successful outcome. With our continued efforts, improvement of endoscopic technique, and adjunctive therapy, further reduction in recurrence rate may be achieved.
Endothelial ETB Limits Vascular Remodelling and Development of Pulmonary Hypertension during Hypoxia

Background: We hypothesised that the potential protective effects of endothelial ET<sub>B</sub> are important in limiting pulmonary vascular muscularisation, vasoconstriction and the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in response to hypoxia. Methods: EC-specific ET<sub>B</sub> knockout mice (EC ET<sub>B</sub><sup>–/–</sup>) and control mice (ET<sub>B</sub><sup>f/f</sup>) were subjected to hypobaric hypoxic (10% FiO<sub>2</sub>) or normoxic conditions for 14 days before assessment of right ventricular pressure and pulmonary vascular morphology and function. Results: During normoxia, no difference in right ventricular pressure was detected between EC ET<sub>B</sub><sup>–/–</sup> (23.7 ± 1.7 mm Hg) and ET<sub>B</sub><sup>f/f</sup> mice (20.2 ± 1.5 mm Hg). Hypoxia induced an exaggerated increase in right ventricular pressure in EC ET<sub>B</sub><sup>–/–</sup> mice (34.4 ± 1.2 mm Hg vs. 24.6 ± 1.4 mm Hg), accompanied by an increase in right ventricular mass. No effect was observed in ET<sub>B</sub><sup>f/f</sup> mice. Endothelin-1 constricted pulmonary arteries from both groups, although maximum response was similar irrespective of inspired oxygen or genotype. Hypoxia increased the percentage of muscularised vessels in both groups of mice, but the percentage increase was significantly greater in EC ET<sub>B</sub><sup>–/–</sup> mice. Conclusions: The potential protective effects of endothelial ET<sub>B</sub> are important in limiting pulmonary vascular muscularisation and the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in response to hypoxia.
Measurement of Lumbar Lordosis: Evaluation of Intraobserver, Interobserver, and Technique Variability

Study Design Sixty radiographs were measured on two separate occasions by three physicians using four different techniques to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the measurement of lumbar lordosis. Objective To evaluate clinical methods of measuring lumbar lordosis, determining intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Summary of Background Data Several different methods are used to measure lumbar lordosis. The reliability and reproducibility of these has not been well studied. Methods Sixty lateral full spine radiographs were obtained, labeled, and the lumbar lordosis measured independently by three practitioners who routinely perform these measurements. Four measurement techniques were used. These included measurements from the inferior endplate of T12 to the superior endplate of S1; the superior endplate of L1 to the superior endplate of S1; the inferior endplate of T12 to the inferior endplate of L5; and the superior endplate of L1 to the inferior endplate of L5. The measurements then were repeated after relabeling. Results Intraobserver reliability coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.92, indicating excellent reproducibility. Ninety‐two percent of repeat measures were within 10°. High overall and pairwise agreement among the three observers also was present; the interobserver reliability coefficients ranged from 0.81 to 0.92. Conclusions The measurement of lumbar lordosis is reproducible and reliable if the technique is specified and one accepts 10° as acceptable variation. Factors that affect the reproducibility of measurement include end vertebra selection (especially with transitional segments) and vertebral endplate architecture.
Behavioral and cardiopulmonary effects of dexmedetomidine alone and in combination with butorphanol, methadone, morphine or tramadol in conscious sheep.

OBJECTIVE To compare cardiopulmonary and sedative effects following administration of dexmedetomidine alone or with butorphanol, methadone, morphine or tramadol in healthy sheep. STUDY DESIGN Randomized crossover study. ANIMALS Six Santa Inês sheep, five females, one male, aged 12-28 months and weighing 40.1 ± 6.2 kg. METHODS Sheep were assigned treatments of dexmedetomidine (0.005 mg kg(-1) ; D); D and butorphanol (0.15 mg kg(-1) ; DB); D and methadone (0.5 mg kg(-1) ; DM); D and morphine (0.5 mg kg(-1) ; DMO); or D and tramadol (5.0 mg kg(-1) ; DT). All drugs were administered intravenously with at least 7 days between each treatment. Rectal temperature, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR ), invasive arterial pressure, blood gases and electrolytes were measured prior to administration of drugs (baseline, T0) and every 15 minutes following drug administration for 120 minutes (T15-T120). Sedation was scored by three observers blinded to treatment. RESULTS HR decreased in all treatments and fR decreased in DM at T30 and DMO at T30 and T45. PaCO2 was increased in D, DB and DM compared with baseline, and PaO2 decreased in D at T15 and T45; in DB at T15 to T75; in DM at T15 to T60; in DMO at T15; and in DT at T15, T30 and T75. There was a decrease in temperature in D, DB and DM. An increased pH was measured in D at all time points and in DT at T30-T120. HCO3- and base excess were increased in all treatments compared with baseline. There were no statistical differences in sedation scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The combination of dexmedetomidine with butorphanol, methadone, morphine or tramadol resulted in similar changes in cardiopulmonary function and did not improve sedation when compared with dexmedetomidine alone.
Tenofovir DF in antiretroviral-experienced patients: results from a 48-week, randomized, double-blind study

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of once daily doses of tenofovir DF (TDF) administered in combination with other antiretroviral therapy (ART) in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients with incomplete virological suppression. Design One-hundred and eighty-nine subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels between 400 and 100 000 copies/ml and stable ART (⩾ 8 weeks) were randomized (2:2:2:1 ratio) to add TDF 75 mg, 150 mg, or 300 mg or placebo to existing ART in a double-blinded manner. After 24 weeks, patients initially randomized to placebo received blinded TDF 300 mg. Methods Efficacy was analyzed by the mean changes HIV-1 RNA levels (log10 copies/ml plasma; DAVGxx) from week 0 to weeks 4, 24, and 48. Safety was analyzed by incidence of grade 3 or 4 clinical and laboratory adverse events. Results At baseline, patients had mean 4.6 years prior ART use with 94% having HIV-1 with nucleoside-associated resistance mutations. There were statistically significant decreases in DAVG4 and DAVG24 for all doses of TDF compared with placebo, with the greatest effect seen with TDF 300 mg (DAVG4, −0.62, P < 0.001; DAVG24, −0.58;P < 0.001; DAVG48, −0.62). The incidence of adverse events was similar among the TDF groups and placebo through week 24. Throughout the 48-week study, no significant changes in renal function were observed. Conclusions In treatment-experienced patients with baseline nucleoside resistance mutations, TDF provided dose-related, durable reductions in HIV-1 RNA. Through 24 weeks, the safety profile of TDF was similar to that of placebo.
Minimally activated CD8 autoreactive T cells specific for IRBP express a high level of Foxp3 and are functionally suppressive.

PURPOSE Results in previous reports have demonstrated that immunization of the EAU-prone B6 mouse activates both CD4 and CD8 IRBP-specific T cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate structural and functional differences between CD4 and CD8 autoreactive T cells activated by the uveitogenic peptide. METHODS Purified CD4 and CD8 isolated from B6 mice immunized with an uveitogenic peptide, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)1-20, were stimulated in vitro with various doses of immunizing peptide. The activated T cells were determined for cytokine production, expression of Foxp3, and suppressor activity. RESULTS CD4 autoreactive T cells underwent full activation when stimulated with high or medium concentrations of immunizing peptide, whereas a high dose of antigenic peptide resulted in only modest activation of CD8 autoreactive T cells. When stimulated by a low dose (<0.1 microg/mL) of antigen or by of a high dose of antigen and a small amount of TGF-beta1, the minimally activated CD8 T cells expressed a high level of Foxp3 and gained suppressor function. CONCLUSIONS Minimally activated CD8 autoreactive T cells can be functionally suppressive and may neutralize the tissue-damaging effect of the CD4 autoreactive T cells.
Influence of Vitamin D Deficiency on Cardiometabolic Risk in Obesity Journal of Obesity and Chronic Diseases

Edita Stokić1*, Reza Hakkak2,3, Andrea Romani4, Aleksandar Kupusinac5, Esma Isenović6, Dragana Tomić-Naglić1, Biljana Srdić-Galić7, Slađana Pejaković1 and Dragana Radošević7 1Medical Faculty in Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia 2Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA 3Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA 4Case Western Reserve university, Dept. Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4970, USA 5Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia 6Laboratory for Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Institute of nuclear sciences “Vinca”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia 7Medical Faculty in Novi Sad, University of Vojvodina, Department of anatomy, Novi Sad, Serbia