Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate assessment and prediction of noise in clinical CT images.

PURPOSE The objectives of this study were (a) to devise a technique for measuring quantum noise in clinical body computed tomography (CT) images and (b) to develop a model for predicting that noise with high accuracy. METHODS The study included 83 clinical image sets at two dose levels (clinical and 50% reduced dose levels). The quantum noise in clinical images was measured by subtracting sequential slices and filtering out edges. Noise was then measured in the resultant uniform area. The noise measurement technique was validated using 17 clinical image cases and a turkey phantom. With a validated method to measure noise in clinical images, this noise was predicted by establishing the correlation between water-equivalent diameter (Dw) and noise in a variable-sized phantom and ascribing a noise level to the patient based on Dw estimated from CT image. The accuracy of this prediction model was validated using 66 clinical image sets. RESULTS The error in noise measurement was within 1.5 HU across two reconstruction algorithms. In terms of noise prediction, across the 83 clinical image sets, the average discrepancies between predicted and measured noise were 6.9% and 6.6% for adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection reconstruction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study proposed a practically applicable method to assess quantum noise in clinical images. The image-based measurement technique enables automatic quality control monitoring of image noise in clinical practice. Further, a phantom-based model can accurately predict quantum noise level in patient images. The prediction model can be used to quantitatively optimize individual protocol to achieve targeted noise level in clinical images.
The Chloride Channel ClC-4 Contributes to Endosomal Acidification and Trafficking*

Mutations in the gene coding for the chloride channel ClC-5 cause Dent's disease, a disease associated with proteinuria and renal stones. Studies in ClC-5 knockout mice suggest that this phenotype is related to defective endocytosis of low molecular weight proteins and membrane proteins by the renal proximal tubule. In this study, confocal micrographs of proximal tubules and cultured epithelial cells revealed that the related protein ClC-4 is expressed in endosomal membranes suggesting that this channel may also contribute to the function of this organelle. In support of this hypothesis, specific disruption of endogenous ClC-4 expression by transfection of ClC-4 antisense cDNA acidified endosomal pH and altered transferrin trafficking in cultured epithelial cells to the same extent as the specific disruption of ClC-5. Both channels can be co-immunoprecipitated, arguing that they may partially contribute to endosomal function as a channel complex. These studies prompt future investigation of the role of ClC-4 in renal function in health and in Dent's disease. Future studies will assess whether the severity of Dent's disease relates not only to the impact of particular mutations on ClC-5 but also on the consequences of those mutations on the functional expression of ClC-4.
The calmodulin inhibitor N‐(6‐aminohexyl)‐5‐chloro‐1‐naphthalene sulphonamide directly blocks human ether à‐go‐go‐related gene potassium channels stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE N‐(6‐aminohexyl)‐5‐chloro‐1‐naphthalene sulphonamide (W‐7) is a well‐known calmodulin inhibitor used to study calmodulin regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signalling‐related process. Here, we have determined whether W‐7 would inhibit human ether gene (hERG or Kv11.1) potassium channels, hKv1.5 channels or hKIR2.1 channels expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells.
EFFECTS OF SUCRALFATE, CIMETIDINE AND RABEPRAZOLE ON MUCOSAL HYDROXYPROLINE CONTENT IN HEALING OF ETHANOL–HCL‐INDUCED GASTRIC LESIONS

1 No general consensus has been reached on the treatment of acute gastric lesions. The aims of the present study were to clarify the effects of sucralfate, cimetidine and rabeprazole monotherapies and combination therapies on acute gastric lesions from the viewpoint of connective tissue regeneration. 2 Gastric lesions were experimentally created by the oral administration of 50% ethanol−0.15 mol/L HCl to rats. After 30 min, the anti‐ulcer agents sucralfate (100 mg/kg), cimetidine (20 mg/kg) and rabeprazole (2 mg/kg) were administered separately or in combination and the stomach was excised at different times to measure the level of hydroxyproline in the gastric mucosa and determine lesion index. Immunostaining against prolylhydroxylase was performed on some specimens. 3 In the control group, lesion index decreased linearly from 30 min after ethanol–HCl administration and the level of mucosal hydroxyproline peaked between 2 and 4 h later. Although sucralfate significantly promoted lesion healing, it had no effect on mucosal hydroxyproline level. Cimetidine suppressed increases in mucosal hydroxyproline and prolonged lesion healing, but these findings were reversed by combining cimetidine and sucralfate. Rabeprazole had no significant effect on lesion healing, but promoted lesion healing in combination with sucralfate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that prolylhydroxylase was expressed in spindle cells that lined the glandular cells in a boundary area between normal and injured tissues. 4 Under conditions in which the effects of intragastric pH are minimal, sucralfate is superior to antisecretory agents in promoting the healing of acute gastric lesions.
ADP-ribosylation Factor-dependent Phospholipase D2 Activation Is Required for Agonist-induced μ-Opioid Receptor Endocytosis*

Agonist exposure of many G protein-coupled receptors induces a rapid receptor phosphorylation and uncoupling from G proteins. Resensitization of these desensitized receptors requires endocytosis and subsequent dephosphorylation. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, the rat μ-opioid receptor (MOR1, also termed MOP) was found to be associated with phospholipase D2 (PLD2), a phospholipid-specific phosphodiesterase located in the plasma membrane, which has been implicated in the formation of endocytotic vesicles. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293 cells coexpressing MOR1 and PLD2 confirmed that MOR1 constitutively interacts with PLD2. Treatment with the μ receptor agonist DAMGO ([d-Ala2, Me Phe4, Glyol5]enkephalin) led to an increase in PLD2 activity, whereas morphine, which does not induce MOR1 receptor internalization, failed to induce PLD2 activation. The DAMGO-mediated PLD2 activation was inhibited by brefeldin A, an inhibitor of ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) but not by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C indicating that opioid receptor-mediated activation of PLD2 is ARF- but not PKC-dependent. Furthermore, heterologous stimulation of PLD2 by phorbol ester led to an accelerated internalization of the μ-opioid receptor after both DAMGO and morphine exposure. Conversely the inhibition of PLD2-mediated phosphatidic acid formation by 1-butanol or overexpression of a negative mutant of PLD2 prevented agonist-mediated endocytosis of MOR1. Together, these data suggest that PLD2 play a key role in the regulation of agonist-induced endocytosis of the μ-opioid receptor.
The Haemodynamic Effects of Propofol and Thiopentone for Induction of Caesarean Section

Forty Chinese women for elective caesarean section received either propofol 2 mg.kg−1 or thiopentone 4 mg.kg1 for induction of general anaesthesia. Systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressures and heart rate were recorded non-invasively every minute for ten minutes. Post-induction arterial pressures were similar to pre-induction values with no differences between thiopentone and propofol. Following intubation, the rise in systolic arterial pressure was greater in the thiopentone group, 32.1 mmHg (SD 23.7) compared with the propofol group, 17.4 mmHg (SD 23.8), (P < 0.05). In the thiopentone group, arterial pressures were slower in returning to baseline values. Heart rate was initially elevated in both groups to the same degree. At caesarean section, induction with propofol causes less variation in arterial pressure than thiopentone. Hypotension is probably prevented by the coincident stimulus of rapid sequence induction. Neonatal Apgar scores were similar between the two groups.
Digital health care--the convergence of health care and the Internet.

The author believes that interactive media (the Internet and the World Wide Web) and associated applications used to access those media (portals, browsers, specialized Web-based applications) will result in a substantial, positive, and measurable impact on medical care faster than any previous information technology or communications tool. Acknowledging the dynamic environment, the author classifies "pure" digital health care companies into three business service areas: content, connectivity, and commerce. Companies offering these services are attempting to tap into a host of different markets within the health care industry including providers, payers, pharmaceutical and medical products companies, employers, distributors, and consumers. As the fastest growing medium in history, and given the unique nature of health care information and the tremendous demand for content among industry professionals and consumers, the Internet offers a more robust and targeted direct marketing opportunity than traditional media. From the medical consumer's standpoint (i.e., the patient) the author sees the Internet as performing five critical functions: (1) Disseminate information, (2) Aid informed decision making, (3) Promote health, (4) Provide a means for information exchange and support--the community concept, and (5) Increase self-care and manage demand for health services, lowering direct medical costs. The author firmly submits the Web will provide overall benefits to the health care economy as health information consumers manage their own health problems that might not directly benefit from an encounter with a health professional. Marrying the Internet to other interactive technologies, including voice recognition systems and telephone-based triage lines among others, holds the promise of reducing unnecessary medical services.
Changes in Plasma Soluble CD26 and CD30 during Pregnancy: Markers of Th1/Th2 Balance?

The theory that the Th1 and Th2 cell ratio shifts towards Th2 dominance during pregnancy may improve fetal survival has gained support from recent studies. Also, the variation in the Th1/Th2 cell ratio is reportedly associated with intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia. On the basis of these findings, the analysis of the Th1/Th2 balance may be useful in predicting severe complications during pregnancy. However, simple methods for the analysis of Th1/Th2 balance are presently not available. Recently, it has been reported that regulation of CD26 cell surface expression correlates with the production of Th1-like cytokines. On the other hand, previous studies proposed that the sCD30 molecule is an activation marker useful for evaluation of a Th2 immune response. It is, therefore, possible that the analysis of the Th1/Th2 balance during pregnancy by measuring plasma sCD26 and sCD30 simultaneously is a simple and useful method. We herein demonstrate that combined analysis of sCD26 and sCD30 is a potent surrogate tool to evaluate the Th1/Th2 balance during pregnancy.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Genetic and Inherited Diseases Brain and Bone Damage in KARAP/DAP12 Loss-of- Function Mice Correlate with Alterations in Microglia and Osteoclast Lineages

From INSERM U433,* Faculté Laennec, Lyon; UMR 5161 CNRS/ ENS, Unité Mixte de la Recherche Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 1237, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Lyon; Plate-forme ANIMAGE (Rhône-Alpes Genopole), Bat. Cermep, Lyon; Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, CNRS-INSERM, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille; and Laboratoire de Biologie du Tissue Osseux INSERM E0366, Faculté de Médecine, Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
Title Zipper-interacting protein kinase promotes epithelial- mesenchymal transition, invasion and metastasis through AKT and NF-kB signaling and is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients

Zipper-interacting Protein Kinase (ZIPK) belongs to the death-associated protein kinase family. ZIPK has been characterized as a tumor suppressor in various tumors, including gastric cancer. On the other hand, ZIPK also promotes cell survival. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that ZIPK promoted cell growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor formation and metastasis in nude mice. ZIPK induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with increasing expression of β-catenin, mesenchymal markers, Snail and Slug, and with decreasing expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, ZIPK activated the AKT/IκB/NF-κB pathway, which can promote EMT and metastasis. Additionally, ZIPK expression was detected in human primary gastric cancer and their matched metastatic lymph node samples by immunohistochemistry. Increased expression of ZIPK in lymph node metastases was significantly associated with stage VI and abdominal organ invasion. Survival analysis revealed that patients with increased ZIPK expression in metastatic lymph nodes had poor disease-specific survival. Taken together, our study reveals that ZIPK is a pro-oncogenic factor, which promotes cancer metastasis.
Systolic time intervals vs invasive predictors of fluid responsiveness after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES Haemodynamic parameters for predicting fluid responsiveness in intensive care patients are invasive, technically challenging or not universally applicable. We compared the initial systolic time interval (ISTI), a non-invasive measure of the time interval between the electrical and mechanical activities of the heart measured by impedance cardiography, with invasively measured haemodynamic parameters in predicting fluid responsiveness after cardiac surgery. METHODS Thirty-two clinically hypovolemic patients admitted to the intensive care unit after coronary artery bypass surgery received 500 ml of gelatine solution in two volume loading steps of 250 ml at an infusion rate of 1000 ml/h. Haemodynamic and biochemical measurements were done at baseline and 15 min after each volume loading step with continuous recording of the impedance cardiogram and electrocardiogram. RESULTS Forty-four percentage (n = 14) of patients showed a stroke volume (SV) index increase >10%. ISTI predicted fluid responsiveness with an optimum threshold of >153 ms (P = 0.023) and a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 78%. The predictive values of ISTI did not differ from those of arterial pressure or SV at baseline. A decrease of ISTI of ≥8.3 ms predicted fluid responsiveness with the highest positive predictive value (88%, P = 0.004) among the variables, and absence thereof virtually excluded fluid responsiveness (specificity 94%). CONCLUSIONS Non-invasively measured ISTI is able to predict and monitor fluid responsiveness after cardiac surgery non-inferiorly to invasively measured haemodynamic indices.
Notch1 Overexpression Correlates to Improved Survival in Cancer of the Oropharynx

Objectives The Notch1 signaling pathway has recently been shown to be highly dysregulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but the value of Notch1 as a predictive biomarker is yet to be elucidated in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The objective of this study is to evaluate Notch1 expression in surgical OPSCC specimens and determine clinicopathologic correlates. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Surgical specimens from 181 patients with OPSCC were collected to create a tissue microarray (TMA). Human papillomavirus (HPV) status and Notch1 expression were determined and correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Results In univariate analysis, Notch1 expression correlated with improved survival as a categorical variable (hazard ratio [HR], 0.346; P < .0001) and correlated with HPV/p16 positivity as a continuous variable (P < .0001). In multivariate analysis, Notch1 expression retained significance in HPV-positive (HR, 0.303; P = .033) and HPV-negative (HR, 0.416; P = .0055) subgroups. Similarly, Notch1 expression positively correlated with survival in p16-positive (HR, 0.469; P = .031) and p16-negative subgroups (HR, 0.310; P = .014). Conclusions In the largest OPSCC cohort to date, we found that Notch1 receptor expression positively correlates with overall survival, regardless of HPV or p16 status. Furthermore, we found higher Notch1 receptor expression in HPV/p16-positive tumors than their HPV/p16-negative counterparts.
African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): III. Ancestry differences in visual function in healthy eyes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate differences in visual function between the healthy eyes of people of African (AD) and European descent (ED). METHODS Visual function was assessed in 393 AD and 367 ED participants selected from the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study and the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study. Participants had normal appearance of the optic disc and intraocular pressure of less than 22 mm Hg. Each participant had 2 reliable 24-2 standard automated perimetry tests, and most had short-wavelength automated perimetry and frequency-doubling technology tests. The generalized estimating equation was used to adjust for intereye correlations. Results were adjusted for age, vertical cup-disc ratio, disc size, central corneal thickness, and presence of high blood pressure. RESULTS The AD participants were younger (mean [SD] age, 46.2 [13.2] years) than the ED participants (age, 49.5 [16.6] years) (P = .003). The AD participants had worse mean deviation and pattern standard deviation and more points triggered as abnormal on the total and pattern deviation plots compared with ED participants on all tests (P < .05). A larger percentage of AD participants had confirmed abnormal glaucoma hemifield test results on standard automated perimetry only. CONCLUSIONS People of AD have significantly worse performance than people of ED on all tests of visual function. Additional research using longitudinal data is needed to determine the cause of these small but significant ancestry differences in visual function.
Left Ventricular Filling Behaviour in Ultra Endurance and Amateur Athletes: A Stress Doppler-Echo Study

To evaluate the impact of different training levels on left ventricular (LV) filling dynamics, Doppler mitral flow was derived in 25 amateur endurance-trained athletes (amateurs) aged 31 +/- 9 years, with a personal marathon record > 200 min, and in 26 ultra endurance athletes (top athletes) aged 32 +/- 8 years, with a personal marathon record < 170 min, during bicycle exercise in supine position. In particular atrial filling fraction as the relative share of atrial contribution to LV filling was measured. During exercise (150 watt) atrial filling fraction increased significantly more in amateurs from 25% to 34% compared to top athletes from 25% to 29% (p < 0.001). Two min post exercise atrial filling fraction already reached baseline values in top athletes (25%), while it remained significantly elevated in amateurs compared to baseline values (29%, p < 0.001). Only ten min post exercise atrial filling fraction showed baseline values in amateurs (26%). Rate pressure product was not significantly different at all levels of exercise. Thus, while atrial filling fraction rose in both study groups during exercise, it returned earlier to baseline values in top athletes than in amateurs. This indicates a better cardiac adaptation to physical stress and a better diastolic performance during exercise in endurance athletes with a higher training level.
Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum

Study Design. Retrospective study of seven cases of ossification of ligamentum flavum from two urban hospitals in a Chinese population. Objectives. To inspect the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathology, and treatment outcome in these Chinese patients with ossification of ligamentum flavum. Summary of Background Data. Ossification of ligamentum flavum involving the lower thoracic region is relatively common in the Japanese population. It is usually presented with myelopathy of progressive nature. Materials and Methods. Five patients were male and two were female. The mean age was 52 years (range 41–73 years). Diagnosis was made by CT scan, MRI, and subsequent histology. Six patients have been treated by laminectomy and one by laminoplasty. The average follow-up duration is 34 months (range 26–44 months). The outcome is evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score. Results. The average time of presentation from the onset of symptoms was 9 months (range 3–12 months). Most of the patients presented with lower limb numbness and gait disturbance. One case was presented after a minor trauma. Mean JOA score was 4.8 (range 2–7, of 11). The lower thoracic level was the most frequently involved region. One case was associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Two patients had transient postoperative neurologic deterioration, which improved subsequently. Mean percentage of recovery after surgery in terms of JOA score is 65% (25–100%), with a mean final JOA score of 7.8. Conclusion. Ossification of ligamentum flavum is an uncommon cause of myelopathy in the Chinese population. It can present acutely after minor trauma. Posterior decompression, especially with en bloc dissection of laminae, gives satisfactory results.
Computed tomography in the evaluation of febrile neutropenic pediatric oncology patients.

AIM To evaluate the diagnostic utility of computed tomography (CT) obtained during prolonged febrile neutropenia in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS We evaluated the medical records of all patients with a malignant disease who had a CT examination during an episode of febrile neutropenia lasting for 4 days or more at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, WA, between January 1, 1997, and June 1, 1999. RESULTS CT was performed on 83 patients to evaluate 109 episodes of prolonged febrile neutropenia. Sixty-eight (62%) of the initial CT scans demonstrated abnormalities, leading to changes in therapy in 42 (39%). The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of CT varied by anatomic site. Abdominal and head/neck CT detected abnormalities in only 19 and 8% of studies, respectively, resulting in therapy changes in 9 and 4%, respectively. Sinus CT demonstrated abnormalities in 41% of cases and altered therapy in 24%. Chest CT had the highest diagnostic utility, with 49% of cases demonstrating abnormalities, leading to therapy alteration in 30%. CT was rarely abnormal in the absence of localizing signs or symptoms. In 55 instances 1 or more follow-up scans were done. Thirteen follow-up CT scans showed abnormalities that led to a change in therapy. CONCLUSIONS CT-detected abnormalities frequently lead to alterations in therapy, particularly sinus and thoracic CT. Most patients with CT-detected abnormalities have symptoms or signs referable to the site of abnormality. Asymptomatic febrile neutropenic children rarely have CT findings that lead to a change in therapy.