Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Value of MR cholangiography in the diagnosis of obstructive diseases of the biliary tree: a study of 58 cases

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of biliary tree obstruction.Methods:Fifty-eight consecutive patients underwent MRC (GYROSCAN ACS II 1.5 Tesla, TSE T2 axial/coronal-MIP sequences) for clinical and biochemical signs of main bile duct obstruction. MRC images were interpreted by two radiologists and consensus was established according to presence or absence of main bile duct dilation, choledocholithiasis, and malignant or benign stricture. MRC was compared to a final diagnosis established by ultrasound and CT in 19 cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 25, intraoperative cholangiography and exploration in 14, and clinical, biochemical, and histological presentation when relevant. Included were single or multiple choledocholithiasis (28, including 11 ≤ 3 mm), malignant (10) and benign (12) strictures, and intrahepatic cholestasis (9). Results:Overall, MRC was sensitive (94%) and specific (92%) in detecting main bile duct dilation and choledocholithiasis (86% and 97%), but was less sensitive (64%) for small stones ≤ 3 mm. Sensitivity for stones > 3 mm was 100%. For benign and malignant strictures, MRC was less sensitive (67% and 80%) but remained specific (98% and 96%). In the detection of normal main bile duct, MRC was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (94%). Diagnostic accuracy ranged from 91% to 98%. Conclusions:MRC appears to be specific for choledocholithiasis and sensitive except for small stones. Results for biliary stricture are less satisfactory, but remain specific. Our data confirm that MRC can be useful in the diagnostic workup of main bile duct obstruction.
Ultrastructural localization of P2X3receptors in rat sensory neurons

WE used isolated IgG antibodies selective for P2X3receptors to study the ultrastructural distribution of these receptors in rat sensory neurons. In trigeminal ganglia, P2X3receptor immunoreactivity occurred in small and large nerve cell bodies and their processes. Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were heavily stained; cytoplasmic matrix was faintly to moderately stained. In synaptic glomeruli in lamina II of cervical dorsal horn, P2X3receptor-immunoreactive core terminals were post-synaptic to unlabelled vesicle-containing dendrites and axons. In the nucleus of the solitary tract, receptor-positive boutons synapsed on dendrites and cell bodies and had complex synaptic relationships with other axon terminals and vesiculated dendrites. These observations identify sites from which ATP could be released to influence sensory signalling within the central nervous system.
Ionotropic glutamate receptors during the development of the chick retina

Glutamate is the main neurotransmitter of photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and ganglion cells of the vertebrate retina. Three main classes of ionotropic glutamate receptors comprising different subunits can be distinguished: AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxasolepropionate), KA (kainate), and NMDA (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate). This study was undertaken to characterize the AMPA (GluR1, GluR2/3, and GluR4), KA (GluR5/6/7), and NMDA (NR1) ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits and to determine their distribution during the development of the chick retina by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting analysis at 1 day after hatching indicated that the antibodies against GluR1, 2/3, 4, and 5/6/7 and NR1 recognized specifically a single band of 100–110 kDa. In turn, immunohistochemistry at P1 showed that all subunits were expressed in cells of the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers of the chick retina, mostly amacrine and ganglion cells, and their processes in the inner plexiform layer. In addition, stained processes in the outer plexiform layer were observed with the antibodies against GluR2/3, GluR4, and GluR5/6/7. Although all subunits appeared around E5–E6 in the prospective ganglion cell layer, and later in the prospective inner nuclear layer, the distribution of cells containing these glutamate receptor subunits revealed distinct ontogenetic patterns. This multiplicity of glutamate receptors may contribute to different processes that occur in the chick retina during development.J. Comp. Neurol. 441:58–70, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A set of van der Waals and coulombic radii of protein atoms for molecular and solvent‐accessible surface calculation, packing evaluation, and docking

We analyze the contact distance distributions between nonbonded atoms in known protein structures. A complete set of van der Waals (VDW) radii for 24 protein atom types and for crystal‐bound water is derived from the contact distance distributions of these atoms with a selected group of apolar atoms. In addition, a set of Coulombic radii for polar atoms is derived from their contacts with water. The contact distance distributions and the two sets of radii are derived in a systematic and self‐consistent manner using an iterative procedure. The Coulombic radii for polar atoms are, on average, 0.18 Å smaller than their VDW radii. The VDW radius of water is 1.7 Å, which is 0.3 Å larger than its Coulombic radius. We show that both the VDW and the Coulombic radii of polar atoms are needed in calculating the molecular and solvent‐accessible surfaces of proteins. The VDW radii are needed to generate the apolar portions of the surface and the Coulombic radii for the polar portions. The fact that polar atoms have two apparent sizes implies that a hydrophobic cavity has to be larger than a polar cavity in order to accommodate the same number of water molecules. Most surface area calculations have used only one radius for each polar atom. As a result, unreal cavities, grooves, or pockets may be generated if the Coulombic radii of polar atoms are used. On the other hand, if the VDW radii of polar atoms are used, the details of the polar regions of the surface may be lost. The accuracy of the molecular and the solvent‐accessible surfaces of proteins can be improved if the radii of polar atoms are allowed to change depending on the nature of their contacting neighbors. The surface of a protein at a protein–protein interface differs from that in solution in that it has to be generated using at least two kinds of probes, one representing a typical apolar atom and the other a typical polar atom. This observation has important implications for docking, which relies on surface complementarity at the interface. Proteins 32:111–127, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Case-Control Analysis of Dietary Folate and Risk of Bladder Cancer

Abstract: Dietary folate, a water-soluble B vitamin found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, is of particular interest as a chemopreventive agent due to its role in DNA methylation and DNA synthesis and repair. We hypothesized that individuals with low folate intake would be at an increased risk for bladder cancer. Using an ongoing case-control study we assessed dietary folate in 409 incident bladder cancer patients and 451 healthy control subjects. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to estimate naturally occurring food folate (μg/kcal/day), dietary folate equivalents (DFE) from food sources (μg DFE/kcal/day), and DFE from all sources (μg DFE/kcal/day). Unconditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Bladder cancer patients reported a statistically significant lower intake of folate than control subjects for food folate and DFE from food sources (P < 0.001) but not for DFE from all sources (P = 0.061). In the highest quartile of food folate intake there was a 54% reduced risk for bladder cancer (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.29-0.73) after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, and total energy intake. Similarly, the highest quartile of intake was associated with a 59% reduced risk for DFE from food sources (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.26-0.65) and a 35% reduced risk for DFE from all sources (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.42-1.00). In the joint-effects analyses using never smokers with high folate intake as the reference group (OR = 1.0), heavy smokers with low food folate intake had a 2.31-fold (95% CI = 1.11-4.82) increased risk, whereas heavy smokers with high folate intake had a reduced OR of 1.31 (95% CI = 0.53-3.26). Although the ORs were not statistically significant, light smokers and high folate intake exhibited a protective effect (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.20-1.94), whereas an increased risk was observed for light smoking and low folate intake (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 0.57-3.45). These patterns were consistent for the joint effects of smoking and DFE from food sources and DFE from all sources. In summary, high intake of dietary folate was associated with an overall decrease in bladder cancer risk. These data may have important implications for cancer prevention; however, large, hypothesis-driven, population-based clinical trials will be required to confirm these findings.
CALL FOR PAPERS Mitochondria in Cardiovascular Physiology and Disease Nox2 as a potential target of mitochondrial superoxide and its role in endothelial oxidative stress

potential target mitochondrial superoxide its oxidative stress. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00063. 2013. —Super-oxide (O 2· (cid:1) ) production by the NADPH oxidases is implicated in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. We have previously shown that activation of NADPH oxidases increases mitochondrial O 2 · (cid:1) which is inhibited by the ATP-sensitive K (cid:2) channel (mitoK ATP ) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoic acid and that scav- enging of mitochondrial or cytoplasmic O 2 · (cid:1) inhibits hypertension. We hypothesized that mitoK ATP -mediated mitochondrial O 2 · (cid:1) poten-tiates cytoplasmic O 2 · (cid:1) by stimulation of NADPH oxidases. In this work we studied Nox isoforms as a potential target of mitochondrial O 2 · (cid:1) . We tested contribution of reverse electron transfer (RET) from complex II to complex I in mitochondrial O 2 · (cid:1) production and NADPH oxidase activation in human aortic endothelial cells. Activation of mitoK ATP with low dose of diazoxide (100 nM) decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester probe) and increased production of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic O 2 · (cid:1) measured by site-speciﬁc probes and mitoSOX. Inhibition of RET with complex II inhibitor (malonate) or complex I inhibitor (rotenone) attenuated the production of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic O 2 · (cid:1) . Supplementation with a mitochondria-targeted SOD mimetic (mitoTEMPO) or a mitochondria-targeted glutathione peroxidase mimetic (mitoEbselen) inhibited production of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic O 2 · (cid:1) . Inhibition of Nox2 (gp91ds) or Nox2 depletion with small interfering RNA but not Nox1, Nox4, or Nox5 abolished diazoxide-induced O 2 · (cid:1) production in the cytoplasm. Treatment of angiotensin II-infused mice with RET inhibitor dihydroethidium (malate) signiﬁcantly reduced blood pressure. Our study suggests that mitoK ATP -mediated mitochondrial O 2 · (cid:1) stimulates cytoplasmic Nox2, contributing to the development of endothelial oxidative stress and hypertension. Statistics. Experiments were analyzed using the Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test, and ANOVA. P levels (cid:6) 0.05 were considered signiﬁcant.
Development of antral follicles in human cryopreserved ovarian tissue following xenografting.

This study reports the first gross morphological and histological evidence of antral follicle development in human ovarian tissue following cryopreservation. Human ovarian tissue was cryopreserved using propanediol and sucrose and grafted under the renal capsule of bilaterally oophorectomized severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Follicles at all stages of development were observed in the grafted tissue whereas, prior to grafting, only primary and primordial follicles were present. Antral follicles were rarely observed on grafts examined <20 weeks after grafting either non-frozen tissue (fresh, 1/7) or cryopreserved tissue (0/11). In contrast, development of at least one antral follicle was evident on the majority of sites > or = 20 weeks after grafting (fresh 7/9, cryopreserved 18/24). Antral follicle diameters ranged from 0.1 to 5.0 mm. Histological examination of these antral follicles indicated normal follicular morphology, i.e. antral cavities encapsulated by concentric layers of theca and granulosa cells. Pedicles containing germinal vesicle oocytes were observed protruding from the granulosa cell layers. The development and morphology of the cryopreserved and fresh tissue following grafting was similar.
Moderate exercise reduces serum triacylglycerol concentrations but does not affect pre-heparin lipoprotein lipase concentrations after a moderate-fat meal in young men

Aerobic exercise has been shown to lower postprandial TAG concentrations after a meal(s) of high-fat content. This study examined the effects of moderate-intensity cycling on postprandial TAG concentrations and pre-heparin lipoprotein lipase concentrations after subjects consumed a meal of moderate-fat content (45 % of total energy). Twelve male subjects, aged 24 (sem 1) years, completed two 2 d trials (exercise and control) at least 1 week apart in a randomised, repeated measures design. On day 1, subjects either cycled for 30 min at 65 % of maximum heart rate in the afternoon or rested (no exercise). On day 2 of both trials, after an overnight stay with an 11 h fast, subjects consumed a test meal of moderate-fat content (0·61 g fat, 1·34 g carbohydrate, 0·37 g protein and 51 kJ energy/kg body mass) for breakfast. Blood samples were collected at baseline (before the exercise or at an equivalent time-point during the control trial on day 1), in the fasted state (0 h) and at 2, 4 and 6 h postprandially on day 2. The total and incremental areas under the serum TAG concentration v. time curve were 30 % (P = 0·039) and 33 % (P = 0·012) lower on the exercise trial compared with the control trial, respectively. Serum pre-heparin lipoprotein lipase concentrations did not differ between the exercise and control trials. These findings demonstrate that 30 min of moderate-intensity cycling performed the day before a meal of moderate-fat content is effective at lowering postprandial serum TAG concentrations but does not affect serum pre-heparin lipoprotein lipase concentrations in young men.
HYPOTHESIS: AN ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME/GENOTYPE, PRESENT IN ONE IN THREE CAUCASIANS, IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED MORTALITY RATE

1 This review argues that the deletion (D) allele of an insertion (I)/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) gene is a marker for a variant associated with increased ACE expression, as well as myocardial infarction (MI) and other life‐threatening conditions. 2 By examination of I/D frequency in different age groups of individuals having well‐known risk factors, it appears that homozygosity for the D allele may be associated with an increased risk of premature death in subjects at high‐risk of cardiovascular events. For the risk factor hypertension, the odds ratio for DD vs II in patients aged ≥60 years was 6.6. 3 Besides in MI itself, the DD genotype appears to be also more prevalent in MI patients who develop restenosis several months after balloon angioplasty, patients with various forms of heart failure, those with ventricular hypertrophy and diabetic patients who develop nephropathy. 4 Particular genotypes of other components of the renin‐angiotensin system may add to the risk conferred by the ACE DD genotype. 5 Emerging evidence therefore suggests that the ACE genotype may eventually be placed on the list of common, well‐known risk factors for fatal cardiovascular events.
MONOTHERAPY WITH PIPERACILLIN/TAZOBACTAM VERSUS CEFEPIME AS EMPIRICAL THERAPY FOR FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA IN PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS: A Randomized Comparison

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of piperacillin/tazobactam with cefepime monotherapy in children with febrile neutropenia. A prospective randomized study in children and adolescent with cancer was conducted. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 80 mg/kg piperacillin/10 mg/kg tazobactam every 6 h (maximum 4.5 g/dose) or cefepime 50 mg/kg every 8 h (maximum 2 g/dose). Treatment modification was defined as all the changes in the empirical antimicrobials after the first 96 h. Overall treatment success was defined as cure of febrile episode with or without modification. Cost of hospitalization, antimicrobial drugs, and supportive therapy were calculated. Fifty febrile netropenic episodes (25 in the piperacillin/tazobactam group, 25 in the cefepime group) in 27 pediatric cancer patients were evaluated. The groups were comparable in terms of age, gender, body weight, primary diagnosis, disease status, initial neutrophil count, and duration of neutropenia. Microbiologically and clinically documented infection rate was 46%. There was no infection-related mortality in the study period. The treatment success of initial empirical therapy without modification was not different in the 2 groups (56% in piperacillin/tazobactam group and 48% in cefepime group). Anti-anaerobic drugs were added more frequently in the cefepime group. Duration of fever, neutropenia, treatment, and cost of therapy were not different in the treatment groups. Piperacillin/tazobactam monoterapy is as effective as cefepime monotherapy in febril neutropenia of pediatric cancer patients.
Architecture and connections of retrosplenial area 30 in the rhesus monkey (macaca mulatta).

Because of the sharp curvature of the retrosplenial region around the splenium of the corpus callosum, standard coronal sections are not appropriate for architectonic analysis of its posteroventral part. In the present study, examination of the posteroventral retrosplenial region of the rhesus monkey in sections that were orthogonal to its axis of curvature (and therefore appropriate for architectonic analysis) has permitted definition of its architecture and precise extent. This analysis demonstrated that areas 29 and 30 of the retrosplenial cortex, as well as adjacent area 23 of the posterior cingulate cortex, extend together as an arch around the splenium of the corpus callosum and maintain their topographical relationship with one another throughout their entire course. Injections of anterograde and retrograde tracers confined to retrosplenial area 30 revealed that this area has reciprocal connections with adjacent areas 23, 19 and PGm, with the mid‐dorsolateral part of the prefrontal cortex (areas 9, 9/46 and 46), with multimodal area TPO in the superior temporal sulcus, as well as the posterior parahippocampal cortex, the presubiculum and the entorhinal cortex. There are also bidirectional connections with the lateroposterior thalamic nucleus, as well as the laterodorsal and the anteroventral limbic thalamic nuclei. The connectivity of area 30 suggests that it may play a role in working memory processes subserved by the mid‐dorsolateral frontal cortex in interaction with the hippocampal system.
Dendritic signals from rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons during coincident pre‐ and post‐synaptic activity: a combined voltage‐ and calcium‐imaging study

The non‐linear and spatially inhomogeneous interactions of dendritic membrane potential signals that represent the first step in the induction of activity‐dependent long‐term synaptic plasticity are not fully understood, particularly in dendritic regions which are beyond the reach of electrode measurements. We combined voltage‐sensitive‐dye recordings and Ca2+ imaging of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons to study large regions of the dendritic arbor, including branches of small diameter (distal apical and oblique dendrites). Dendritic membrane potential transients were monitored at high spatial resolution and correlated with supra‐linear [Ca2+]i changes during one cycle of a repetitive patterned stimulation protocol that typically results in the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP). While the increase in the peak membrane depolarization during coincident pre‐ and post‐synaptic activity was required for the induction of supra‐linear [Ca2+]i signals shown to be necessary for LTP, the change in the baseline‐to‐peak amplitude of the backpropagating dendritic action potential (bAP) was not critical in this process. At different dendritic locations, the baseline‐to‐peak amplitude of the bAP could be either increased, decreased or unaltered at sites where EPSP–AP pairing evoked supra‐linear summation of [Ca2+]i transients. We suggest that modulations in the bAP baseline‐to‐peak amplitude by local EPSPs act as a mechanism that brings the membrane potential into the optimal range for Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptors (0 to −15 mV); this may require either boosting or the reduction of the bAP, depending on the initial size of both signals.
Illusory Conjunctions in the Time Domain and the Resulting Time-Course of the Attentional Blink

Illusory conjunctions in the time domain are errors made in binding stimulus features presented In the same spatial position in Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) conditions. Botella, Barriopedro, and Suero (2001) devised a model to explain how the distribution of responses originating from stimuli around the target in the series is generated. They proposed two routes consisting of two sequential attempts to make a response. The second attempt (sophisticated guessing) is only employed if the first one (focal attention) fails in producing an integrated perception. This general outline enables specific predictions to be made and tested related to the efficiency of focal attention in generating responses in the first attempt. Participants had to report the single letter in an RSVP stream of letters that was presented in a previously specified color (first target, T1) and then report whether an X (second target, T2) was or was not presented. Performance on T2 showed the typical U-shaped function across the T1-T2 lag that reflects the attentional blink phenomenon. However, as was predicted by Botella, Barriopedro, and Suero's model, the time-course of the interference was shorter for trials with a correct response to T1 than for trials with a T1 error. Furthermore, longer time-courses of interference associated with pre-target and post-target errors to the first target were indistinguishable. Se llaman conjunciones ilusorias en el dominio del tiempo a los errores que se producen al combinar rasgos estimulares presentados en la misma posición espacial en condiciones de Presentación Rápida de Series Visuales (PRSV). Botella, Barriopedro y Suero (2001) han formalizado un modelo para explicar cómo se genera la distribución de las respuestas de acuerdo con su posición de origen respecto a la posición del blanco o diana en la serie. Propusieron dos rutas que están constituidas por dos intentos secuenciales de alcanzar una respuesta. El segundo intento (una forma de adivinación sofisticada) sólo se utiliza si fracasa el primero (basado en la atención focal) en su intento por producir un percepto integrado. Esta estructura general permite derivar y poner a prueba predicciones concretas relativas al rendimiento de la atención focal en la generación de respuestas en el primer intento. Los participantes tienen que informar de cuál es la única letra de una serie de letras mostrada en PRSV que apareció en un color previamente especificado (primer blanco, T1) y después indicar si también se presentó una X (segundo blanco, T2). El rendimiento con T2 a través de los diferentes desfases T1-T2 mostró la típica función en forma de U que caracteriza el efecto de attentional blink (AB). Sin embargo, tal y como se predice desde el modelo de Botella, Barriopedro y Suero, el curso temporal de la interferencia fue más corto para los ensayos con una respuesta correcta a T1 que en los ensayos con errores. Además, esos cursos temporales de la interferencia más largos, asociados a los errores pre-blanco y post-blanco al primer blanco, fueron indistinguibles.