Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cimetidine, Metoclopramide, or Placebo in the Treatment of Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux

We compared the effects of cimetidine, metoclopramide, and placebo in the short-term therapy of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux in a placebo double-blind trial. Of 50 patients, 20 received cimetidine 300 mg, 20 received metoclopramide 10 mg, and 10 received placebo, all four times a day before meals and at bedtime. Patients followed other conventional therapy for gastroesophageal reflux. Before and at the end of the 8-week period, the esophagus was assessed endoscopically, its mucosal sensitivity was tested by a quantitative Bernstein test, and its mean resting lower sphincter pressure (LESP) was measured. We made frequent assessments of symptom severity, frequency of antacid usage, adverse effects, and laboratory studies. After 8 weeks, the percentage of patients with endoscopic improvement was slightly higher for metoclopramide-treated patients than for the others. LESP was not different for cimetidine, metoclopramide, or placebo patients and did not rise from low pretreatment values. Bernstein tests showed mucosai sensitivity had not altered in cimetidine or metoclopramide patients. A significant number of patients who were taking cimetidine or metoclopramide, however, had less pain than before. Although antacid usage decreased in all three groups, it was significantly lower only in patients treated with cimetidine or metoclopramide. There were no laboratory abnormalities. Six of 20 patients taking metoclopramide reported neurologic and psychotropic symptoms such as drowsiness, lethargy and hyperactivity; three withdrew after 48 hours, one had acute torticollis, and of the remaining three, two became depressed. Cimetidine or metoclopramide is therefore more effective than placebo for the relief of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, but metoclopramide is attended by significant side effects.
Comment on "Origin of Human Bipedalism As an Adaptation for Locomotion on Flexible Branches"

Thorpe et al. (Reports, 1 June 2007, p. 1328) concluded that human bipedalism evolved from a type of bipedal posture they observed in extant orangutans with seemingly human-like extended knees. However, humans share knuckle-walking characters with African apes that are absent in orangutans. These are most parsimoniously explained by positing a knuckle-walking precursor to human bipedalism.
Human renal tubular epithelial cells suppress alloreactive T cell proliferation

Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the main targets of alloreactive T cells during acute rejection. We hypothesize that TECs modulate the outcome of alloimmunity by executing immunosuppressive effects in order to dampen the local inflammation. We studied whether TECs possess immunosuppressive capacities and if indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) might play a role in suppressing T cell alloreactivity. Next, we studied the role of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1 with regard to TEC‐related immunomodulatory effects. CD3/CD28 and alloactivated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co‐cultured with activated TECs. We analysed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation and apoptosis in the absence or presence of IDO inhibitor 1‐methyl‐L‐tryptophan (1‐L‐MT), anti‐PD‐L1 and anti‐ICAM‐1. Further, we examined whether inhibition of T cell proliferation was cell–cell contact‐dependent. We found that TECs dose‐dependently inhibited CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation (P < 0·05). Activated TECs showed significantly increased IDO activity and up‐regulated PD‐L1 and ICAM‐1 expression. Suppressed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation was only partially restored or failed to restore using 1‐L‐MT. Activated TECs increased early and late apoptosis of proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; only CD4+ T cell apoptosis was statistically affected by 1‐L‐MT. Transwell experiments revealed that TEC‐mediated immunosuppression is cell–cell contact‐dependent. We found that anti‐ICAM‐1 affected only CD4+ T cell apoptosis and not T cell proliferation. Our data show that TECs suppress both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation contact dependently. Interestingly, inhibition of proliferation and enhancement of apoptosis of T cell subsets is differentially regulated by indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase and ICAM‐1, with no evidence for the involvement of PD‐L1 in our system.
“ A Study of Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus ”

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases in the world and is acquiring epidemic proportions. Indians are genetically more susceptible to diabetes compared to other races. Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of morbidity and death in diabetic patients. The objective of this study was to find out abnormalities in left ventricular function in patients of diabetes mellitus by echocardiographic measures, its correlation with glycemic control and the duration of diabetes and to compare the left ventricular function of diabetic patients with normal patients. There is an increased rate of ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy which may lead to heart failure (Diastolic and systolic heart failure) Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction represents an early stage of heart failure, without any clinical manifestations. In the view of these above facts the present study was done to assess the diastolic and systolic dysfunction in diabetic patients by echocardiography. The present study is of 75 patients, 50 diabetics and 25 control who had undergone echocardiography to estimate LV function. Diabetic patients were selected according to WHO criteria. Diabetic patients of Type 2 are selected either on insulin or oral treatment. Patients with following conditions were excluded from the study which were likely to impair LV function. The conditions were age more than 65 years, morbid obesity, hypertension, valvular/congenital/ischemic heart disease, heart failure, renal failure and cerebrovascular disease. Patients with altered renal function test and heavy smokers and alcoholics were also excluded from the study. Patients with resting ECG without any evidence of ischemia, infarct or bundle branch block, LVH were included and patients with echocardiograms showing regional wall motion abnormality were excluded from the study. Heart rate and blood pressure were comparable in both groups. Glycatedhaemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly higher in diabetic patients i.e. 7.92 %. HbA1c has inverse relationship with systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. FBS has linear correlation with systolic blood pressure and S. cholesterol in diabetes. The mean S. cholesterol and S. triglyceride in diabetes patients was 210.52 mg/dl and 202.36 mg/dl respectively higher compare to controls 180.32mg/dland 122.60 mg/dl respectively. Only 16% diabetes patients had acceptable glycemic control as measured by glycated hemoglobin. (HbA1c %). Systolic dysfunction was found in 36% of diabetic patients. The LV ejection fraction (LVEF %) was 49.40 % in diabetics, significantly lower than in control 57.00%. Diastolic dysfunction was found in 76% of diabetic patients by Doppler transmitral flow velocity curve. The mitral 'A' Vmax was significantly higher in diabetics 0.76 m/sec than control 0.57 m/sec. The VE / VA ratio was significantly lower in diabetics 0.86compared to 1.20 in control. The LV systolic and diastolic functionwere correlated with duration of diabetes and glycemic control.
Hepatitis C virus infection, mixed cryoglobulinemia, and B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

2. Bianchi DW, Zickwolf GK, Weil GJ, Sylvetser S, DeMaria MA. Male fetalprogenitor cells persist in maternal blood for as long as 27 yearspostpartum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1996;93:705-708.3. Arlett CM, Smith JB, Jimenez SA. Identification of fetal DNA and cells inskin lesions from women with systemic sclerosis N Engl J Med 1998;338:1186-1191.4. Nelson JL, Furst DE, Maloney S, Gooley T, Evans PC, Smith A, Bean MA,et al. Michrochimerism and HLA-compatible relationships of pregnancyin sclerodermia. Lancet 1998;351:559-562.5. McDonnell WM. Is primary biliary cirrhosis a complication of pregnancy? H
The Electrochemical Properties of Biochars and How They Affect Soil Redox Properties and Processes

Biochars are complex heterogeneous materials that consist of mineral phases, amorphous C, graphitic C, and labile organic molecules, many of which can be either electron donors or acceptors when placed in soil. Biochar is a reductant, but its electrical and electrochemical properties are a function of both the temperature of production and the concentration and composition of the various redox active mineral and organic phases present. When biochars are added to soils, they interact with plant roots and root hairs, micro-organisms, soil organic matter, proteins and the nutrient-rich water to form complex organo-mineral-biochar complexes Redox reactions can play an important role in the development of these complexes, and can also result in significant changes in the original C matrix. This paper reviews the redox processes that take place in soil and how they may be affected by the addition of biochar. It reviews the available literature on the redox properties of different biochars. It also reviews how biochar redox properties have been measured and presents new methods and data for determining redox properties of fresh biochars and for biochar/soil systems.
Relevance of IgVH Gene Somatic Hypermutation and Interphase Cytogenetics in Lymphomatous Presentation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma

Background. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are regarded as the same entity, with SLL restricted to tissue cases featuring no leukemic phase. In this study, the authors evaluate a group of SLL cases for cytogenetic abnormalities and IgVH gene mutational status to illicit differences between CLL and SLL. Design. IgVH gene polymerase chain reaction amplification and subsequent sequencing were preformed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue of 44 patients (SLL n = 34 or CLL n = 10). Cytogenetic data, CD38, and ZAP-70 expression were also evaluated for these cases. Results. The data indicate that 9/34 (26%) SLL cases have somatic hypermutation >2%, which is less than the CLL group where 40% were mutated (4/10). Cytogenetic abnormalities were seen in 58% of the SLL cases with many showing abnormalities associated with favorable to intermediate prognosis. Conclusion. The authors’ attempt to compare CLL with SLL with regards to cytogenetic and IgVH mutational status shows no statistically significant difference.
Joint associations of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with subsequent sickness absence: The Helsinki Health Study

Aims: We aimed to examine the joint associations of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with subsequent sickness absence of various lengths while considering several covariates. Methods: Baseline surveys among 40–60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, (N = 6535) were prospectively linked with employer’s personnel register data comprising short self-certified (1–3 days), medically-certified intermediate (4–14 days) and long (15 days or more) sickness absence spells. Average follow-up time was 4.1 years. Sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, sociodemographics, working conditions, health behaviours and health were self-reported in the surveys. Poisson regression analysis was used. Results: Insomnia symptoms were associated with sickness absence at all levels of sleep duration. Adjusting for gender and age, U-shaped associations regarding sleep hours were found. Thus, those reporting short or long sleep and reporting insomnia symptoms had a higher risk for medically-certified intermediate and long sickness absence as compared to those reporting 7 hours of sleep without insomnia symptoms. Also, those reporting 6, 7, and 8 hours of sleep had a higher risk for such sickness absence, if they reported insomnia. Weak associations were also found for self-certified sickness absence, and for those reporting short and long sleep without insomnia. Adjustments attenuated the associations, but they mainly remained. Conclusions: These results suggest primacy of the effects of insomnia symptoms over sleep duration on sickness absence. Although insomnia dominated the joint association, U-shaped associations suggest that both sleep duration and insomnia symptoms need to be considered to promote work ability.
Ontogeny of gonadotrophin and inhibin secretion in normal girls through puberty based on overnight serial sampling and a comparison with normal boys.

We measured luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by immunofluorometric assays and alpha-inhibin by radioimmunoassay in serum sampled every 10 min throughout the night (2100-0500 h) from 44 normal girls. Mean overnight LH values rose log-linearly from a mean of 0.2 IU/l in prepubertal girls to 3.0 IU/l in late pubertal girls. Log2 mean overnight FSH rose rapidly through early puberty and then remained constant; mean FSH rose from 1.0 IU/l in prepubertal girls to approximately 2.8 IU/l in Tanner III-V girls. Mean overnight inhibin increased through puberty, rising from 151 ng/l in prepubertal girls to 432 ng/l in fully pubescent girls. Within each of the first three Tanner stages, LH differed approximately 100-fold between the smallest and largest mean concentrations but differed <10-fold within stages IV or V. Such within-pubertal stage variability was less pronounced for FSH, which differed approximately 16-fold among Tanner I subjects and 4-10-fold at later stages, and for inhibin, which varied approximately 4-fold within each Tanner stage. The frequency of LH pulses during overnight sampling increased significantly during puberty, but the frequency of FSH and inhibin pulses remained constant. We compared the results from girls to those from 50 normal boys [Manasco et al. (1995) J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. , 80, 20462052]. At each pubertal stage, girls had approximately the same mean overnight LH values as boys; girls had higher mean overnight FSH, particularly during Tanner stages II-IV; and boys had mean overnight alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity approximately 1.5 times that of girls at each pubertal stage. Still, hormone concentrations for individuals of both sexes intergraded at each pubertal stage.
Representing and eliciting knowledge about uncertain evidence and its implications

A reasoning system and associated assessment methodology built on a natural schema for an evidential argument are discussed. This argument schema is based on the underlying causal chains linking conclusions and evidence. The framework couples a probabilistic calculus with qualitative approaches to evidential reasoning. The resulting knowledge structure leads to a natural assessment methodology in which the expert first specifies a qualitative argument from evidence to conclusion. Next the expert specifies a series of premises on which the argument is based. Invalidating any of these premises would disrupt the causal link between evidence and conclusion. The final step is the assessment of the strength of the argument, in the form of degrees of belief for the premises underlying the argument. The expert may also explicitly adopt assumptions affecting the strength of evidential arguments. A higher-level 'metareasoning' process is described, in which assumptions underlying the strength and direction of evidential arguments may be revised in response to conflict. >
A new, accurate predictive model for incident hypertension

Objective: Data mining represents an alternative approach to identify new predictors of multifactorial diseases. This work aimed at building an accurate predictive model for incident hypertension using data mining procedures. Methods: The primary study population consisted of 1605 normotensive individuals aged 20–79 years with 5-year follow-up from the population-based study, that is the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). The initial set was randomly split into a training and a testing set. We used a probabilistic graphical model applying a Bayesian network to create a predictive model for incident hypertension and compared the predictive performance with the established Framingham risk score for hypertension. Finally, the model was validated in 2887 participants from INTER99, a Danish community-based intervention study. Results: In the training set of SHIP data, the Bayesian network used a small subset of relevant baseline features including age, mean arterial pressure, rs16998073, serum glucose and urinary albumin concentrations. Furthermore, we detected relevant interactions between age and serum glucose as well as between rs16998073 and urinary albumin concentrations [area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC 0.76)]. The model was confirmed in the SHIP validation set (AUC 0.78) and externally replicated in INTER99 (AUC 0.77). Compared to the established Framingham risk score for hypertension, the predictive performance of the new model was similar in the SHIP validation set and moderately better in INTER99. Conclusion: Data mining procedures identified a predictive model for incident hypertension, which included innovative and easy-to-measure variables. The findings promise great applicability in screening settings and clinical practice.
Osteoprotegerin is associated with depletion of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with systolic heart failure

Objective Osteoprotegerin (OPG) may predict progression of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) with increased mortality and play an important role in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Mounting evidence suggests that PAH developed during CHF is not solely caused by a “passive” increase from the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, but rather a “reactive” response from contributing lung endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodelling, a pathological process that can be signifi cantly infl uenced by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). This study aims to examine whether circulating EPCs from patients with CHF are aff ected and if OPG could be implicated during disease progression. Methods In this study EPCs were isolated, cultured, and quantifi ed from patients of CHF with (n = 20) or without PAH (n = 40) as measured by right heart catheterization. Serum levels of OPG and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT- pro BNP) were analysed and correlated with EPCs. Results A signifi cant decrease in circulating EPCs (39.3 ± 9.1 vs 67.1 ± 10.5 EPCs/×200 fi eld; P < 0.05) was found in CHF patients who developed PAH compared to those without PAH. Both OPG (551.90 ± 49.83 vs 312.29 ± 31.12 pg/ml; P < 0.05) and NT-pro BNP (2,946.50 ± 1,434.50 vs 1,328.20 ± 811.90; P < 0.05) were also signifi cantly elevated in CHF patients with PAH. Circulating level of OPG correlated inversely with EPCs (r=–0.45, P= 0.037) but positively with mPAP (r = 0.53, P= 0.011). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that OPG elevation and EPC depletion are associated with CHF patients who have developed PAH. The inverse relationship of circulating OPG with EPCs suggests a possible mechanism for OPG in the development of pulmonary vascular dysfunction, thus worsening prognosis for CHF patients.
Short boys treated with growth hormone show normal progression of testicular size and achieve normal serum testosterone concentrations.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether there is evidence for impaired testicular function at final height in short boys treated with growth hormone (GH) during their childhood and adolescence. STUDY DESIGN The analysis was restricted to males who had isolated GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature, and who were included in the Swedish National Registry and the Swedish GH trials. The subjects had to have been treated with GH for at least 4 years; the treatment had to have been started prepubertally, given for at least one year before the onset of puberty and the subjects had to have reached final height. One hundred and eleven boys fulfilled the criteria. METHODS Testicular volumes were determined by orchidometer in each boy when GH treatment was started and at final height. Samples for testosterone measurements were collected from 77 boys at final height, and were measured by RIA. RESULTS Each subject had normal testicular size (15 ml or more) and for those in whom concentrations were determined, serum testosterone levels and diurnal rhythm were normal. CONCLUSIONS The results of our survey do not show evidence of testicular impairment following GH therapy.
Associative morphological memories for endmember determination in spectral unmixing

Autoassociative morphological memories (AMM) are a construct similar to hopfield autoassociatived memories defined on the (R, +, v, /spl and/) lattice algebra. Unlimited storage and perfect recall of noiseless real valued patterns has been proved for AMMs. However AMMs suffer from sensitivity to specific noise models, that can be characterized as erosive and dilative noise. On the other hand, spectral unmixing of hyperspectral images needs the prior definition of a set of endmembers, which correspond to material spectra lying on vertices of the minimum convex region covering the image data. These vertices can be characterized as morphologically independent patterns. We present a procedure based on the AMM noise sensitivity for endmember detection based on this characterization.
Physical fitness and performance. Cardiorespiratory fitness in girls-change from middle to high school.

PURPOSE To determine how factors are related to change in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) across time in middle school girls followed through high school. METHODS Adolescent girls (N = 274, 59% African American, baseline age = 13.6 +/- 0.6 yr) performed a submaximal fitness test (PWC170) in 8th, 9th, and 12th grades. Height, weight, sports participation, and physical activity were also measured. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) were determined by the number of blocks reported on the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR). Individual differences and developmental change in CRF were assessed simultaneously by calculating individual growth curves for each participant, using growth curve modeling. RESULTS Both weight-relative and absolute CRF increased from 8th to 9th grade and decreased from 9th to 12th grade. On average, girls lost 0.16 kg.m. min.kg. yr in weight-relative PWC170 scores (P < 0.01) and gained 10.3 kg.m. min.yr in absolute PWC170 scores. Girls reporting two or more blocks of MVPA or one or more blocks of VPA at baseline showed an average increase in PWC170 scores of 0.40-0.52 kg.m. min.kg. yr (weight relative) and 22-28 kg.m. min.yr (absolute) in CRF. In weight-relative models, girls with higher BMI showed lower CRF (approximately 0.37 g.m.min.kg.yr), but this was not shown in absolute models. In absolute models, white girls (approximately 40 kg.m.min.yr) and sport participants (approximately 28 kg.m.min.yr) showed an increase in CRF over time. CONCLUSION Although there were fluctuations in PWC170 scores across time, average scores decreased during 4 yr. Physical activity was related to change in CRF over time; BMI, race, and sport participation were also important factors related to change over time in CRF (depending on expression of CRF-weight-relative vs absolute). Subsequent research should focus on explaining the complex longitudinal interactions between CRF, physical activity, race, BMI, and sports participation.