Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ligaments of the ankle: normal anatomy with MR arthrography.

PURPOSE Our purpose was to define the normal MR arthrographic anatomy of ankle ligaments. METHOD Prior to injection of intraarticular gadolinium in cadaveric ankle joints, proton density and T2-weighted images were obtained to assess the integrity of the ligaments and tendons as well as the amount of preexisting joint effusion. Following injection of 10 ml of contrast agent (gadopentetate dimeglumine 1:250, Omnipaqe 300, Knox gelatin 50%, and methylene blue), T1-weighted images with fat saturation in axial, oblique axial, coronal, and sagittal planes were obtained in neutral, dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion positions. Specimens were sectioned, allowing anatomic and MR correlation. RESULTS Contrast agent outlining anterior and posterior aspects of the anterior talofibular ligament and posterior talofibular ligament (PTAF) was a normal finding, related to anterior and posterior recesses of the ankle joint that extend out beyond these ligaments in an anteroposterior direction above the level of the ligaments. Intraarticular contrast material allowed resolution of superficial and deep components of the posterior tibiofibular ligament. Both were seen separately from PTAF with dorsiflexion. Posterior intermalleolar ligament was not present in our specimens. Visualization of calcaneofibular ligament was much improved by contrast material outlining the articular aspect of the ligament. Visualization of the syndesmotic ligamentous complex also was improved by contrast material outlining the articular side of the ligaments and separating them from adjacent bone. Superiorly, the distribution of contrast agent was limited by the interosseous ligament. Visualization of the medial collateral ligaments was not improved by the presence of the intraarticular contrast material. CONCLUSION MR arthrography of the ankle allows improved visualization and evaluation of the lateral and syndesmotic ligamentous complex.
Hyperlipidemia in Renal Transplant Recipients: Natural History and Response to Treatment

The lipid profiles of 192 patients with functioning renal transplants and their etiologic associations and response to therapy, in particular simvastatin, were assessed. Hypercholesterolemia was present in 71.3% of patients within 3 years following transplantation. There were independent associations of serum cholesterol with prednisone dosage (p < 0.05), renal function (p < 0.05), and smoking (p < 0.05) in the early posttransplant period (up to 3 months posttransplant). Those patients whose immunosuppression included cyclosporin had lower serum cholesterol levels than those receiving azathioprine and prednisone (p < 0.02). Plasma triglyceride levels reflected a marked interindividual variation, and no independent correlations were observed. The presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (or the use of antihypertensive agents), or the form or duration of prior dialysis did not independently influence the lipid profiles. During the study period 22 patients died, 54.5% due to vascular causes. Those who died of vascular causes had higher serum cholesterol levels than those who died of other causes, which reached statistical significance at 3 years posttransplant (7.74 +/- 0.4 versus 5.5 +/- 0.52 mmol/L; p < 0.02). Cholestyramine was introduced in 30 patients, only 2 of whom continued with therapy beyond 3 months. Simvastatin was used in 43 patients, 20 of whom were receiving cyclosporin, resulting in a mean reduction in serum cholesterol of 16.5% (p < 0.001) and in serum triglycerides of 21% (p < 0.05). No clinical or biochemical evidence of muscle, liver, or renal toxicity occurred in 15.4 +/- 0.9 months of follow-up.
Identification of citrinin biosynthesis gene under the ultrasonic induction of Monascus purpureus

Polyketide synthases are multifunctional enzymes that involve the synthesis of pigments and mycotoxin which is normally known as citrinin. The gene involving citrinin biosynthesis especially, acyltransferase in polyketide synthase gene of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 isolated in Thailand as the wild type and the ultrasonic induced mutation of this wild type as the mutants (generations 1–4, G1–G4) was investigated. The transcription level of the acyltransferase in M. purpureus TISTR 3541 wild type (G0) and of mutants (G1 to G4) was studied by using RT-PCR with the actin gene as a positive control. The nucleotide sequences were analyzed by using Automated DNA Sequencing. Results showed that the nucleotide sequences of acyltransferase in polyketide synthase gene of M. purpureus mutants and wild type were absolutely similar. When the sequence comparison was aligned, the obtained nucleotide sequence showed 100% sequence similarity with pksCT gene that involving in citrinin biosynthesis in M. purpureus. The RT – PCR results were in agreement with real – time PCR analysis which was showed that shape intact DNA band of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 G2 more than other generations resulting in the better acyltransferase expression than others.
Development of Group- and Serotype-Specific One-Step SYBR Green I-Based Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay for Dengue Virus

ABSTRACT A quantitative one-step SYBR Green I-based reverse transcription (RT)-PCR system was developed for the detection and differentiation of four different dengue virus serotypes in acute-phase serum samples. A set of group- and serotype-specific primer pairs was designed against conserved sequences in the core region and evaluated for clinical diagnosis. A linear relationship was obtained between the amount of input RNA and cycle threshold (Ct) value over a range of 10 to 107 PFU per ml of cell culture-derived dengue viruses. The detection limit of the group-specific primer pair was between 4.1 and 43.5 PFU/ml for four dengue serotypes. The detection limit of each of the serotype-specific primer pairs was calculated to be 10 PFU/ml for dengue virus serotype 1 (DEN-1), 4.6 PFU/ml for DEN-2, 4.1 PFU/ml for DEN-3, and 5 PFU/ml for DEN-4. Comparisons between the one-step SYBR Green-based RT-PCR assay and the conventional cell culture method in the clinical diagnosis of dengue virus infection from acute-phase serum samples of confirmed dengue patients were performed. The results showed that 83 and 67% of 193 acute-phase serum samples tested were positive by the one-step SYBR Green-based RT-PCR method and cell culture method, respectively. Further analysis showed that the one-step SYBR Green-based RT-PCR method could detect twice as many acute-phase serum samples with positive dengue-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and/or IgG antibodies than cell culture method. Our results demonstrate the potential clinical application of the one-step SYBR Green I-based RT-PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of dengue virus RNA.
Prospective evaluation of neurological soft signs in first-episode schizophrenia in relation to psychopathology: state versus trait phenomena

Background. Although patients with schizophrenia have increased rates of neurological soft signs, few studies have examined prospectively their trait or state characteristics in relation to psychopathology. Method. In a prospective study of 97 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) we assessed neurological soft signs and psychopathology at presentation and at 6 month follow-up for 73 cases. To establish whether soft signs were associated with variations in clinical state, neurological soft signs were measured using two validated examinations (Neurological Evaluation Scale and Condensed Neurological Examination); psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results. There was significant improvement in overall neurological function, primarily in motor-related and cortical signs, which were associated with improvement in psychopathology. Conversely, ‘harder’ signs were unrelated to improvement in psychopathology. Conclusions. Neurological soft signs in schizophrenia are heterogenous. Motor and cortical signs evidence state-like characteristics and vary with clinical course, while ‘harder’ signs evidence more static, trait-like characteristics in accordance with a neurodevelopmental basis.
Polymerase chain reaction for screening clinical isolates of corynebacteria for the production of diphtheria toxin.

AIMS--To assess the performance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) when used to screen rapidly large numbers of corynebacteria for toxin production; and to determine the incidence of false positive PCR results with non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates. METHODS--Eighty seven recent British isolates of corynebacteria were assayed by PCR. All isolates were assayed from both blood and tellurite agar within a five day period. Thirty three non-toxigenic isolates of C diphtheriae from six countries were also tested by PCR and by the Elek immunodiffusion assay. RESULTS--There was complete concordance between the results of PCR and traditional methods on the recent British isolates, with one exception: an Elek positive "C ulcerans" isolate, which was PCR positive from tellurite but not from blood agar. One of the thirty three (3%) non-toxigenic isolates of C diphtheriae was PCR positive. CONCLUSIONS--These results suggest that PCR compares favourably with traditional methods for the detection of toxigenic corynebacteria and that it represents a powerful new tool in the diagnosis of an old disease.
In Their Own Words: Why Teenagers Don't Use Social Networking Sites

We explored common reasons for non-use of the rapidly growing popularity of social networking sites among a sample of Australian adolescents (N = 69). Transcripts were coded by grouping responses along similar themes for non-use that had been commonly stated by participants. The primary reasons offered by adolescents were: lack of motivation, poor use of time, preference for other forms of communication, preference for engaging in other activities, cybersafety concerns, and a dislike of self-presentation online. The identification of these themes allows for a greater understanding of teenagers' decisions not to engage in the popular medium of communication and points to possible strategies that could be utilised by Web site developers in efforts to appeal to a wider teenage audience.
[Incidence of congenital infections].

The discussions on the pros and cons of obstetric screening for connatal infections have been going on for years. We, therefore, conducted a prevalence study of the most common connatal infections. HIV infection, rubella and syphilis were not subjects of this study. We analysed the relevance of these infections in 512 pregnant women and their newborn infants at the moment of delivery. Further serological tests were run three months post partum, if necessary even for a longer period. Cytomegaly IgG antibodies were found in 46% of the examined women, IgM antibodies in 1.3%. Women under the age of twenty and women of low social standing showed the highest rate of prevalence of infection with CMV. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against parvovirus B 19 was 29%. In 10 mothers, positive IgM titers were found at the time of delivery. In all these women, pregnancies had been uneventful. However, 9 mothers exhibited a significantly raised abortion rate within the last 20 months before delivery. 7 of 512 women turned out to be HBs antigen carriers, 3 women and their babies were anti-HCV positive. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis IgG antibodies was 36%, of IgM antibodies 5.3%. By further investigation (Toxo ISAGA, Toxo IgA) we were able to detect one child with connatal toxoplasmosis. We conclude, that screening for parvovirus B 19 and hepatitis C is required only, if there are contact or clinical hints that the patients might have acquired either one of these infections. But we postulate, that a routine screening programme for hepatitis B and toxoplasmosis should be carried out in all pregnant women. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analytical subcloning of a clonal cell line demonstrates cellular heterogeneity that does not impact process consistency or robustness

During development of a cell line intended to support production of an IgG2 monoclonal antibody, a sequence variant caused by a genetic mutation was identified in the bulk drug substance. Gene copy number analysis together with the level of the observed variant in genomic DNA indicated that the master cell bank was a mixed population of cells; some harboring the variant copy and some mutation free. Since the cell bank had been single‐cell cloned, this variant could be used as a biomarker to demonstrate either that the bank was not derived from a single cell, or that the variant was a result of a post‐cloning genetic event, leading to a mixed population of cells. The sequence variant was only present in a small percentage of subclones, confirming the hypothesis that the cell bank was indeed a mixed population. Interrogation of subclones via Southern blot analysis revealed that almost all subclones had very similar transgene integrant structures, suggesting that the cell bank was likely derived from a single cell, and the cellular event that yielded the sequence variant was a post‐cloning event. Further, there were likely several other post‐cloning events that impacted transgene loci, leading to a population of related, yet genetically distinct cells comprising the cell bank. Despite this, the heterogeneous bank performed consistently in a bioprocess across generational age with comparable product quality. These results experimentally demonstrate the heterogeneity of a cell bank derived from a single cell, and its relationship to process consistency. © 2018 The Authors Biotechnology Progress published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 34:602–612, 2018
Laser midline glossectomy as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea

Multiple site specific procedures have been proposed to treat obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Midline glossectomy (MLG) is a procedure that directly enlarges the hypopharyngeal airspace using the carbon dioxide laser. The initial experience of 12 patients is presented. Midline glossectomy as the sole procedure was performed on 11 patients who had failed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and who were felt to have significant hypopharyngeal collapse on physical examination and Müller's maneuver. One patient with primary hypopharyngeal narrowing underwent MLG. Five (42%) were considered responders with Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) decreasing from 60.6 per hour to 14.5 per hour. In seven nonresponders, there was no significant change in the RDI (62.6 events per hour to 48.4 events per hour). Cephalometric analysis showed that responders tended to be more retrognathic (sella‐nasion‐supramentale (S‐N‐B = 74.4° )) than nonresponders (S‐N‐B = 79.3° ). Responders were significantly less obese (body mass index (BMI = 30.6)) than nonresponders (BMI = 37.9). There were five minor complications including minor bleeding (n = 3), prolonged odynophagia (n = 1), and minor change in taste (n = 1). There were no major complications, and no persistent difficulties with speech or swallowing. These results demonstrate that direct surgical modification of the tongue base and associated structures can significantly impact obstructive apnea. Midline glossectomy or similar procedures may be useful in a subset of patients with OSAS.
Substance Abuse, Temperament and Suicide Risk: Evidence from a Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT The aim of the current study was to evaluate differences between two matched groups of psychiatric outpatients (those with and those without substance abuse) on clinical variables that previous research has suggested may be associated with substance abuse comorbidity. The sample consisted of 31 consecutively admitted psychiatric outpatients (16 men and 15 women) with substance use comorbidity; controls were 31 outpatients without substance use comorbidity who were matched for sex and age. The patients completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-autoquestionnaire version, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Gotland Male Depression Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. As a group, the substance abusers had a different temperament profile (higher dysthymic/cyclothymic/anxiety and irritability and lower hyperthymic traits), a higher hopelessness, global psychopathology severity, impulsivity/aggression, and suicide risk (higher lifetime suicide ideation and suicide attempts), and were more frequently depressed. However, few differences were significant and almost all were of small magnitude. Furthermore, bipolar disorders type II were overrepresented in the abuser group compared to the control group (45% vs. 22%, respectively).
Implementation and Evaluation of a Smartphone-Based Telemonitoring Program for Patients With Heart Failure: Mixed-Methods Study Protocol

Background Meta-analyses of telemonitoring for patients with heart failure conclude that it can lower the utilization of health services and improve health outcomes compared with the standard of care. A smartphone-based telemonitoring program is being implemented as part of the standard of care at a specialty care clinic for patients with heart failure in Toronto, Canada. Objective The objectives of this study are to (1) evaluate the impact of the telemonitoring program on health service utilization, patient health outcomes, and their ability to self-care; (2) identify the contextual barriers and facilitators of implementation at the physician, clinic, and institutional level; (3) describe patient usage patterns to determine adherence and other behaviors in the telemonitoring program; and (4) evaluate the costs associated with implementation of the telemonitoring program from the perspective of the health care system (ie, public payer), hospital, and patient. Methods The evaluation will use a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative component will include a pragmatic pre- and posttest study design for the impact and cost analyses, which will make use of clinical data and questionnaires administered to at least 108 patients at baseline and 6 months. Furthermore, outcome data will be collected at 1, 12, and 24 months to explore the longitudinal impact of the program. In addition, quantitative data related to implementation outcomes and patient usage patterns of the telemonitoring system will be reported. The qualitative component involves an embedded single case study design to identify the contextual factors that influenced the implementation. The implementation evaluation will be completed using semistructured interviews with clinicians, and other program staff at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months after the program start date. Interviews conducted with patients will be triangulated with usage data to explain usage patterns and adherence to the system. Results The telemonitoring program was launched in August 2016 and patient enrollment is ongoing. Conclusions The methods described provide an example for conducting comprehensive evaluations of telemonitoring programs. The combination of impact, implementation, and cost evaluations will inform the quality improvement of the existing program and will yield insights into the sustainability of smartphone-based telemonitoring programs for patients with heart failure within a specialty care setting.
Toxoplasma gondii inhibits Fas/CD95‐triggered cell death by inducing aberrant processing and degradation of caspase 8

Ligation of the death receptor Fas/CD95 activates an apoptotic cascade and plays critical roles during infectious diseases. Previous work has established that infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii renders cells resistant to multiple inducers of apoptosis. However, the effect of T. gondii on the death receptor pathway is poorly characterized. Here we have determined the impact of the parasite on apoptosis in type I cells that transduce Fas/CD95 engagement via the death receptor pathway without the need of a mitochondrial amplification loop. The results have shown that T. gondii significantly reduced Fas/CD95‐triggered apoptosis by impairing activation of the initiator caspase 8. Parasitic infection diminished the cellular amount of procaspase 8, resulting in its decreased recruitment to the death‐inducing signalling complex and the impaired activation of effector caspases. Remarkably, downregulation of caspase 8 protein in T. gondii‐infected cells also occurred in the absence of Fas/CD95 engagement and was associated with the appearance of non‐canonical caspase 8 cleavage fragments. Distinct parasite proteins were associated with caspase 8 and its proteolytic fragments. These findings indicate that T. gondii aberrantly processes and finally degrades the initiator caspase 8, thereby, blocking Fas/CD95‐mediated apoptosis which signals independently of the apoptogenic function of host cell mitochondria.
Severe Hypoglycemia from Helicobacter Pylori Triple‐Drug Therapy and Insulin Detemir Drug Interaction

Two drugs commonly used in triple‐drug therapy for treatment of a Helicobacter pylori infection, clarithromycin and omeprazole, have rarely been associated with hypoglycemia when given alone. No documented interactions between H. pylori treatment with clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole and insulin detemir have been previously reported. This case report describes an 82‐year‐old man with drug‐controlled type 2 diabetes who experienced severe hypoglycemia during treatment for a H. pylori infection in an outpatient setting. His diabetes treatment included 32 units of insulin detemir once/day at bedtime and insulin aspart, determined by carbohydrate intake, 3 times/day with meals. After 5 days of clarithromycin 500 mg twice/day, amoxicillin 500 mg twice/day, and omeprazole 20 mg twice/day for treatment of the H. pylori infection, the patient experienced hypoglycemia and self‐discontinued clarithromycin. Insulin detemir was decreased to 15 units and hypoglycemia reoccurred. Insulin detemir was further decreased to 10 units without further symptoms of hypoglycemia for the remainder of the H. pylori treatment. Once treatment was completed, the patient was instructed to resume taking 32 units of insulin detemir once/day. His blood glucose concentration returned to a baseline value, and he denied experiencing further hypoglycemic episodes. Health care practitioners should be aware of this possible drug interaction and anticipate that insulin detemir dosage adjustments may be required during treatment of H. pylori infection to avoid significant adverse events.
Effect of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 on Proliferation and Death of Rat Prostatic Cells*

The ability of transforming growth factor B1 (TGFβ1) to inhibit proliferation and activate death of rat ventral prostatic glandular cells was tested both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo administration of 50 ng TGFβ1/day directly to the regressed ventral prostate of previously castrated male rats had no effect on the proliferative regrowth of the prostatic glandular cells induced by exogeneous androgen replacement. In addition, androgen- stimulated ventral prostatic cell proliferation in vitro in organ culture was not affected by exposure to 0.1–20 ng/ml TGFβ1. In contrast in vivo administration of 50 ng TGFβ1/day directly to the ventral prostate of intact noncastrated male rats resulted in the death of about 25% of the prostatic glandular cells within 7 days of treatment. Such TGFjSi treatment did not lower serum testosterone, nor did it affect the size or DNA content of the seminal vesicles, demonstrating the local nature of the response. Likewise, in androgen-maintained ventral prostate organ cultures in .