Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Properties and Substrate of Slow Pathway Exposed with a Compact Node Targeted Fast Pathway Ablation in Rabbit Atrioventricular Node

Selective Slow Nodal Pathway Model. Introduction: The properties and substrates of slow and fast AV nodal pathway remain unclear. This applies particularly to the slow pathway (SP), which is largely concealed by fast pathway (FP) conduction. We designed a new FP ablation approach that exposes the SP over the entire cycle length range and allows for its independent characterization and ablation.
Synaptic relationships between axon terminals from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus and γ‐aminobutyric acidergic cortical cells in the prelimbic cortex of the rat

Although the reciprocal interconnections between the prefrontal cortex and the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) are well known, the involvement of inhibitory cortical interneurons in the neural circuit has not been fully defined. To address this issue, we conducted three combined neuroanatomical studies on the rat brain. First, the frequency and the spatial distribution of synapses made by reconstructed dendrites of nonpyramidal neurons were identified by impregnation of cortical cells with the Golgi method and identification of thalamocortical terminals by degeneration following thalamic lesions. Terminals from MD were found to make synaptic contacts with small dendritic shafts or spines of Golgi‐impregnated nonpyramidal cells with very sparse dendritic spines. Second, a combined study that used anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) and postembedding γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunocytochemistry indicated that PHA‐L‐labeled terminals from MD made synaptic junctions with GABA‐immunoreactive dendritic shafts and spines. Nonlabeled dendritic spines were found to receive both axonal inputs from MD with PHA‐L labelings and from GABAergic cells. In addition, synapses were found between dendritic shafts and axon terminals that were both immunoreactive for GABA. Third, synaptic connections between corticothalamic neurons that project to MD and GABAergic terminals were investigated by using wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase and postembedding GABA immunocytochemistry. GABAergic terminals in the prelimbic cortex made symmetrical synaptic contacts with retrogradely labeled corticothalamic neurons to MD. All of the synapses were found on cell somata and thick dendritic trunks. These results provide the first demonstration of synaptic contacts in the prelimbic cortex not only between thalamocortical terminals from MD and GABAergic interneurons but also between GABAergic terminals and corticothalamic neurons that project to MD. The anatomical findings indicate that GABAergic interneurons have a modulatory influence on excitatory reverberation between MD and the prefrontal cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 477:220–234, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
… But Does It Stick? Evaluating the Durability of Improved Knowledge Following an Undergraduate Experiential Geriatrics Learning Session

Canada's aging population, fewer medical students training in geriatric medicine, and inadequate geriatric curricula require that medical schools immediately address how future physicians will be able to care for older people effectively. The medical literature suggests that experiential learning strategies improve undergraduate medical students' knowledge of and interest in less‐popular subjects, but the durability of improvements resulting from these resource‐intensive learning approaches remains unclear.
Diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate factors affecting the diagnostic yield of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). DESIGN Retrospective analysis of bronchoscopies performed over a 4-year period. SETTING A tertiary teaching hospital. PATIENTS One hundred seventy-seven patients with pulmonary nodules without endobronchial lesions who underwent bronchoscopy with brushing, washing, and transbronchial biopsy. RESULTS There were 151 malignant and 26 benign lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy in malignant and benign lesions were 64% (97 of 151) and 35% (9 of 26), respectively. The yield of bronchoscopy was directly related to lesion size (p < 0.001, chi(2)). When lesions were grouped according to distance from the hilum, yields of bronchoscopy in central, intermediate, and peripherally located lesions were 82, 61, and 53%, respectively (p = 0.05, chi(2)). When we stratified distance from the hilum by lesion size, the difference in yield was not significant. However, lesions </= 2 cm had a diagnostic yield of 14% (2 of 14) when located in the peripheral third vs 31% (5 of 16) when located in the inner two thirds of the lung. There was a trend toward higher combined diagnostic yield in right middle and lingular lobes when compared to all other segments (p = 0.09, chi(2)). Transbronchial biopsy, washing, and brushing were complementary in improving the yield of bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS Size is the strongest determinant of diagnostic yield in bronchoscopy when evaluating SPNs. The yield of bronchoscopy is particularly low in lesions </= 2 cm that are located in the outer third of the lung. Thus, alternative diagnostic approaches may be preferable in this situation.
Human Parainfluenza Viruses hPIV1 and hPIV3 Bind Oligosaccharides with α2-3-Linked Sialic Acids That Are Distinct from Those Bound by H5 Avian Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

ABSTRACT We investigated the binding of human parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3 (hPIV1 and hPIV3, respectively) to the glycan array of the Consortium for Functional Glycomics and binding and their release from erythrocytes under conditions where neuraminidase is inactive or active. hPIV1 and hPIV3 bind modifications of Neu5Acα2-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc, including the sialyl-Lewisx motif and structures containing 6-sulfogalactose. hPIV1 and hPIV3 thus bind typical N-linked glycans, in contrast to avian influenza virus H5 hemagglutinin (J. Stevens, O. Blixt, T. M. Tumpey, J. K. Taubenberger, J. C. Paulson, and I. A. Wilson, Science 312:404-410, 2006), which binds less-common motifs. While the receptor is not the sole determinant of tropism, hPIV or H5 influenza virus infection of specific cells that express receptors may contribute to their different pathologies.
English Language Teacher Education in Turkey: Why Do We Fail and What Policy Reforms Are Needed?

With the changing paradigms in mainstream educational sciences identifying teacher education as a relatively independent area, approaches and policies in second language teacher education have undergone significant reforms throughout the world in the last two decades. Turkey, as a country in the midst of both social and cultural changes due to stream of events around it, has also attempted for such reforms in its English Language Teacher Education (ELTE) policies since the foundation of Higher Education Council leading to a unified model of pre-service teacher education. Teacher education, however, has always been one of the highly debated and criticized issues in the country by all the stakeholders. This paper scrutinizes the current ELTE policies in both pre-service and in-service levels in Turkey. The pre-service ELTE programs and how teachers are trained after graduation are presented focusing on the weaknesses and the drawbacks of the programs addressing to the relevant literature. Finally, the necessary policy reforms at all levels of teacher education are suggested by referring to the implementations of countries with high-quality teacher education systems.
Selfies, Policies, or Votes? Political Party Use of Instagram in the 2015 and 2016 Spanish General Elections

Do parties in Spain use Instagram and for what purpose? What characterizes posts that are effective at engaging the electorate? This article examines the use of Instagram during the Spanish general elections of 2015 and 2016. Content analysis of party publications on Instagram was carried out to test whether parties use the application to broadcast their policy positions, mobilize voters, or to promote their main party candidate. Regression estimation models are then used to explain the varying levels of user engagement with party posts. The findings illustrate that the new challenger parties, Podemos and Ciudadanos, use the social media app in a systematic way that is distinct from the traditional mainstream parties in Spain. Moreover, party newness, attempts at mobilization, and the promotion of the main party candidate are found to be important explanations for party success on Instagram.
Thymus Activity, Vitamin D, and Respiratory Infections in Adolescent Swimmers.

BACKGROUND Several studies have identified associations between low vitamin D concentrations and risk of upper respiratory infections (URI). T lymphocytes have a major anti-viral role, are affected by vitamin D metabolism, and may mediate the link between vitamin D and URIs. Competitive swimmers have a relatively high rate of URIs, alongside a high prevalence of low vitamin D concentration. OBJECTIVES To examine the associations linking T cell receptor excision circles (TREC, markers of thymus activity), circulating 25(OH)D concentrations and the effect of vitamin D supplementation, and URI symptoms in young competitive swimmers. METHODS We tested 82 adolescent swimmers for serum 25(OH)D and TREC concentrations and found that 55 had vitamin D insufficiency. Randomized supplementation of either vitamin D3 or placebo was given for 12 winter weeks. URI symptoms were recorded weekly. The associations between TREC copy numbers, vitamin D and URI burden were examined. RESULTS TREC concentrations decreased with the participants' age (r = -0.346, P = 0.003), with no significant between-gender difference. TREC concentrations did not materially differ among subjects with normal, insufficient or deficient vitamin D status, and were not affected by vitamin D supplementation. No significant correlations were found between TREC levels or their changes during the study period, and mean URI severity or duration. CONCLUSIONS Thymus activity, represented by higher TREC levels, was not related to vitamin D concentrations or status, and was not affected by vitamin D supplementation in adolescent swimmers. TREC concentrations were not associated with URI severity or duration in this population.
Survival Value and Sugar Access of Four East African Plant Species Attractive to a Laboratory Strain of Sympatric Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Mosquitoes derive energy from plant sugar, thereby promoting survival and reproduction. Its survival value to females plays a key role in the vectorial capacity of mosquito populations. Previous olfactometry assays of responsiveness demonstrated that Senna didymobotrya Fresenius, Parthenium hysterophorus, L. Senna occidentalis, (L) and Lantana camara L were among the most attractive plants for the Mbita strain of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles in eastern Africa. Here, we provide experimental evidence that three of these four species also provide varying but substantial amounts of sugar for mosquito survival, whereas a fourth does not. Rank order of survival of both sexes of mosquitoes housed with these plants was as follows: S. didymobotrya was highest, followed by S. occidentalis and L. camara, whereas survival on P. hysterophorus was only slightly better than on only water. A positive control group, housed with 10% sucrose, survived well but fell significantly short of those with S. didymobotrya. A causal connection between survival and sugar availability was established by exposing mosquitoes to plants overnight, and then testing them for the presence and amount of undigested fructose. Fructose positivity was most frequent in those exposed to L. camara, whereas greatest amounts of fructose were obtained from S. occidentalis and S. didymobotrya. Parthenium hysterophorus scored lowest in both categories. We conclude that attractiveness and sugar availability are often, but not always, concordant. It remains unclear why P. hysterophorus should be attractive if it offers little sugar and does not prolong survival. Furthermore, the cause behind the superior survival benefit of S. didymobotrya, compared with 10% sucrose, is unknown.
Wide variation in adenoma detection rates at screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Wide between-center variation in adenoma detection rates (ADRs) was observed in the U.K. Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Trial (overall, 12.1%; range, 8.6%-15.9%; P < 0.0001). The aim of this study was to determine whether the observed differences could be attributed to varying performance by endoscopists, to examine the effect of experience on performance, and to identify an attainable, standard ADR to which endoscopists could aspire. METHODS Thirteen medical endoscopists, one per trial center, each performed about 3000 examinations (200 per month) using the same equipment and protocol. Overall and monthly ADRs were compared using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Differences in ADRs were not explained by patient characteristics, incidence of colorectal cancer in the local population, or the endoscopists' medical specialty or previous experience. Average ADRs increased significantly with screening experience (up to 400 examinations). Endoscopists were classified as higher, intermediate, or lower adenoma detectors, and performance levels were maintained over time. Higher detectors had ADRs of 15% overall (men, 20%; women, 10%) and also detected more adenomas per case (higher/lower detectors, 21.7/10.4 adenomas per 100 examinations). CONCLUSIONS The differences in ADRs were due to variation in performance of the endoscopists. Long-term follow-up will determine whether this variation is clinically important. We suggest that the standards in higher detecting centers should be achievable by all endoscopists screening unscreened populations aged older than 55 years. Endoscopists should aim to stay above the lower 95% confidence interval band for 200 examinations (10% overall; 5% in women, 15% in men).
A 78-joints ultrasonographic assessment is associated with clinical assessments and is highly responsive to improvement in a longitudinal study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis starting adalimumab treatment

Objectives To examine associations between ultrasonography (US) assessments (B-mode (BM) and power Doppler (PD)) of a large number of joints and traditional assessments of disease activity, and to examine the sensitivity to change of the US scores and clinical measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Twenty patients with RA initiating adalimumab treatment were examined at baseline and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months with US (BM and PD) using an Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trial semiquantitative scoring (0–3) of 78 joints as well as assessment of clinical and laboratory variables with calculation of composite indexes. Results The US scores were associated with composite scores as well as clinical and laboratory variables (r=0.41–0.84, p<0.05–0.001 at 12-months' follow-up). Compared with clinical assessments, US detected higher numbers of inflamed joints. The US scores decreased after 1 and 3 months (p<0.005) and PD showed the highest percentage improvement. Both BM and PD had high standardised response means throughout the study (−0.83 to −1.27), of similar magnitude to composite indexes, but higher than the clinical and laboratory variables. Conclusions The comprehensive US assessments were associated with clinical and laboratory variables of disease activity and were highly sensitive to change during treatment with biological agents.
Social Support, Medication Compliance and HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT Social work practitioners and researchers have greatly understudied the idea of how social support correlates with combination therapy medication compliance, in people living with HIV disease. Meanwhile, such data could help health social workers better assist HIV-infected people who want to cope well, live long, and avoid drug resistance. Therefore, this article presents findings from a three-stage empirical secondary data analysis that examined seven specific types of social support, psychological history and stage of illness variables, and sociodemographics and their connection to medication compliance ratings. A sub-sample of 179 HIV-infected clinical trial study participants enrolled in a federally funded combination therapy treatment study and a nested compliance study were analyzed. Analysis of 14 bivariate hypotheses and 20 predictor variables at the multivariate level revealed that having emotional support and being employed seemed to be predictive of being a “Good Complier. ” Also, having higher levels of HIV symptoms appeared to be associated with being a “Poor Complier. ”
Characterization of New Cell Permeable C3-like Proteins That Inactivate Rho and Stimulate Neurite Outgrowth on Inhibitory Substrates*

The activation state of Rho is an important determinant of axon growth and regeneration in neurons. Axons can extend neurites on growth inhibitory substrates when Rho is inactivated by C3-ADP-ribosyltransferase (C3). We found by Rho-GTP pull-down assay that inhibitory substrates activate Rho. To inactivate Rho, scrape-loading of C3 was necessary because it does not freely enter cells. To overcome the poor permeability of C3, we made and characterized five new recombinant C3-like chimeric proteins designed to cross the cell membrane by receptor-independent mechanisms. These proteins were constructed by the addition of short transport peptides to the carboxyl-terminal of C3 and tested using a bioassay measuring neurite outgrowth of PC-12 cells plated on growth inhibitory substrates. All five constructs stimulated neurite outgrowth but with different dose-response profiles. Biochemical properties of the chimeric proteins were examined using C3-05, the most effective construct tested. Gel shift assays showed that C3-05 retained the ability to ADP-ribosylate Rho. Western blots and immunocytochemistry were used to verify the presence of C3 inside treated cells. C3-05 was also effective at promoting neurite outgrowth in primary neuronal cultures, as well as causing the disassembly of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions complexes in fibroblasts. These studies demonstrate that the new C3-like proteins are effective in delivering biologically active C3 into different cell types, thereby, inactivating Rho.
Antimicrobial substances from the rare actinomycete Nonomuraea rhodomycinica NR4-ASC07T

Abstract Nonomuraea rhodomycinica NR4-ASC07T is a rare actinomycete isolated from soil in Sirindhorn peat swamp forest. The crude extract of its culture broth exhibited antimicrobial and anticancer against diverse human pathogens and cancer cells. The chemical investigation of the crude extract led to the isolation of two new metabolites named nonomuric acid (1) and 3-hydroxy deoxydaunorubicinol aglycone (2), along with two known bioactive compounds [ε-rhodomycinone (3) and 7-deoxy-13-dihydrocarminomycinone (4)]. Compounds 1 and 3 showed antimalarial activity with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 8.00 and 8.88 μg mL−1, respectively. Compound 4 inhibited growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bacillus cereus at the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 50.0 and 12.50 μg mL−1, respectively. Every compound exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells tested at IC50 ≥ 6.34 μg mL−1. These finding are the first report of bioactive metabolites produced by strain NR4-ASC07T, suggesting that rare actinomycetes are yet promising sources for novel drug discovery.
Cobalt-57 and technetium-99m-HMPAO-labeled leukocytes for visualization of ischemic infarcts.

UNLABELLED Previous studies have shown the usefulness of divalent cobalt isotopes to visualize cerebral damage after stroke. The site of accumulation of cobalt ion is unknown but may be explained by neuronal influx, analogous to that of calcium ion. Additionally, uptake may be due to infiltrating leukocytes or protein-bound cobalt. The aims of this study were to compare 57Co-SPECT with leukocyte SPECT and to compare the SPECT findings with clinical outcome as scored by the Orgogozo scale. MATERIALS Ten patients with a CT scan positive for middle cerebral artery infarcts were included in the study (7 men, 3 women; mean age 70 yr). Technetium-99m leukocyte and cobalt-SPECT (interval 2-4 days) were made with a double-headed gamma camera, after the injection of 10-15 mCi 99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocytes and 0.4 mCi 57Co, respectively. Scans were performed within 5-30 days after onset of the first symptoms. Regions of interest (ROI) containing the area of infarction in the slices displaying enhanced radioactivity or the middle cerebral artery (MCA) region in four successive slices were defined for calculating enhancement ratios. The 99mTc leukocyte enhancement ratio (LER) and cobalt enhancement ratio (CER) were defined as the quotient of radioactivity in the ROI and an identical contralateral ROI. The MCA stroke-scale according to Orgogozo was used to assess neurological deficits at the time of scanning and discharge. RESULTS Cobalt-57 and 99mTc-HMPAO showed uptake in the infarcted brain area in five patients; the quantitative uptake in the infarcted brain area of the two tracers correlated significantly (p < 0.05). Both the LER and the CER correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with the Orgogozo score at the time of scanning. Only the LER correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with the Orgogozo score at discharge. CONCLUSION Uptake of cobalt and leukocytes in the peri-infarct tissue suggests that 57Co may visualize a component of the inflammatory response. Divalent 57Co may be convenient to predict clinical prognosis after stroke.
18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected recurrent or metastatic well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

UNLABELLED PET using 18F-FDG has been shown to effectively detect various types of cancer by their increased glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of coregistered PET and CT (PET/CT) in patients with suspected thyroid cancer recurrence. METHODS After total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine ablation, 61 consecutive patients with elevated thyroglobulin levels or a clinical suspicion of recurrent disease underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT. Of these, 59 patients had negative findings on radioiodine (131I) whole-body scintigraphy (WBS). Fifty-three of the 61 patients had both negative 131I WBS findings and elevated thyroglobulin levels. PET/CT images were acquired 60 min after intravenous injection of 400-610 MBq of 18F-FDG using a combined PET/CT scanner. Any increased 18F-FDG uptake was compared with the coregistered CT image to differentiate physiologic from pathologic tracer uptake. 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were correlated with the findings of histology, postradioiodine WBS, ultrasound, or clinical follow-up serving as a reference. The diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT was evaluated for the entire patient group and for those patients with serum thyroglobulin levels of less than 5, 5-10, and more than 10 ng/mL. RESULTS Thirty patients had positive findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT; 26 were true-positive and 4 were false-positive. In 2 patients, increased 18F-FDG uptake identified a second primary malignancy. 18F-FDG PET/CT results were true-negative in 19 patients and false-negative in 12 patients. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 68.4%, 82.4%, and 73.8%, respectively. The sensitivities of 18F-FDG PET/CT at serum thyroglobulin levels of less than 5, 5-10, and more than 10 ng/mL were 60%, 63%, and 72%, respectively. Clinical management changed for 27 (44%) of 61 patients, including surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Coregistered 18F-FDG PET/CT can provide precise anatomic localization of recurrent or metastatic thyroid carcinoma, leading to improved diagnostic accuracy, and can guide therapeutic management. In addition, the findings of this study suggest that further assessment of 131I WBS-negative, thyroglobulin-positive patients by 18F-FDG PET/CT may aid in the clinical management of selected cases regardless of the thyroglobulin level.