Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimally Important Differences of the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument

Objective. To provide minimally important difference (MID) estimates for the UCLA Scleroderma Clinical Trial Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract 2.0 (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) in a longitudinal observational cohort. Methods. We administered the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 to 115 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) at 2 timepoints 6 months apart. The UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 has 7 multi-item scales: Reflux, Distension/Bloating, Diarrhea, Fecal Soilage, Constipation, Emotional Well-being, and Social Functioning and a total GIT score. All scales are scored from 0 [better health-related quality of life (HRQOL)] to 3 (worse HRQOL) except the diarrhea and constipation scales (ranges 0–2 and 0–2.5, respectively). Patients also rated their overall and upper and lower GIT involvement during the second visit using a response scale with options “much better; somewhat better; almost the same; somewhat worse; or much worse. ” The minimally changed group was defined by those reporting they were somewhat better or somewhat worse compared to first visit. Results. Study participants were 84% female and 81% white with a mean disease duration of 6.9 years. The MID estimates for improvement ranged from 0.07 for the Social Functioning scale to 0.36 for the Emotional Well-being scale. For worsening, the MID estimates ranged from 0.06 for the Fecal Soilage scale to 0.21 for the Social Functioning scale. Conclusion. We provide MID estimates for the UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 scales. This information can aid in interpreting scale scores in future randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
Hickman catheters: left-sided insertion, male gender, and obesity are associated with an increased risk of complications.

BACKGROUND Semipermanent tunnelled silicone rubber Hickman catheters are widely used to provide durable central venous access for patients with cancer or haematological disease. AIMS To document the frequency and severity of Hickman catheter related adverse events and to identify predisposing factors. METHODS A retrospective review was undertaken of 153 sequential Hickman catheters inserted into patients receiving treatment for cancer or haematological disease. All Hickman catheters were inserted percutaneously in a radiology department under local anaesthesia and fluoroscopic control. The exact position of the catheter tip was determined by reviewing post-insertion radiographs. RESULTS The median duration of catheter use was 55 days (range one-650). Complications led to the removal of 32% of catheters. Exit site infection complicated 22% of catheters, septicaemia 7%, migration or dislodgment 7%, and venous thrombosis 8%. Complications were more common in male patients (exit site infection and catheter loss), in patients with acute leukaemia (septicaemia) and in obese patients (catheter migration). Left sided catheters caused more venous thrombosis and were more likely to malfunction or block. Left sided catheters required removal more frequently than right sided catheters. Termination of the Hickman catheter within the high superior vena cava (SVC) resulted in loss of function earlier when compared to termination with the low SVC or right atrium (RA). CONCLUSIONS Right-sided Hickman catheters terminating in the low SVC/RA offer the best chance of durable function. The use of subcutaneously tunnelled catheters in obese patients poses unique problems with catheter migration. Vigilance in the placement and care of Hickman catheters remains essential.
ABO / Rhesus blood group systems and malaria prevalence among students of the University of Dschang , Cameroon

Background. A study was carr ied out on students of the University of Dschang, Cameroon, to examine the relationship between ABO blood group, rhesus factor and prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Materials and methods. Blood group and rhesus factor were typed by agglutination using antisera while malar ia infection was determined using Rapid Diagnostic Test CareStart malaria HRP2 pf. Out of 620 students 582 were screened for ABO blood group and Rhesus factor, and 276 were tested for P. falciparum infection. Results. Faculty of Science (FS) members and male students were highly represented, with 356 (61.2% ) and 303 (52.1%) participants, respectively. Blood group O was most common (48.8%), followed by blood group A (25.8%), B (23.0%) and AB (2.4%). Total percentage of rhesus positive was 92.4%, and its distribution varied across ABO blood groups. Of the 276 students examined for malaria infection, 27 were found positive (9.8%). Except for blood group AB individuals, of which none were infected, malaria infection did not vary among blood groups. Conclusion. Rhesus factor and blood group did not impact on malar ia infection in the hypo-endemic highland area of Dschang, Cameroon.
Nucleotide sequence analysis of the termini and chromosomal locus involved in site-specific integration of the streptococcal conjugative transposon Tn5252

The 47-kb, broad-host-range, streptococcal conjugative transposon Tn5252 is capable of site-specific integration into the pneumococcal chromosome. We present the nucleotide sequence of the terminal regions of the transposon and its target site in the pneumococcal genome. No inverted repeats were found at the termini of the transposon. A 72-bp region of the target was present on either side following the insertion of Tn5252 and appeared to serve as a signal for its integration and excision. The data suggest that the left copy of the 72-bp segment was a part of the conjugative element, the crossover point of integration was nonrandom within this region, and the mechanism of insertion could resemble that of the site-specific temperate phages.
Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure.

The role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of blood pressure in the anesthetized rabbit was studied with N omega-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of its formation from L-arginine. L-NMMA (3-100 mg.kg-1), but not its D-enantiomer, induced a dose-dependent long-lasting (15-90 min) increase in mean systemic arterial blood pressure. L-NMMA (100 mg.kg-1) also inhibited significantly the hypotensive action of acetylcholine, without affecting that of glyceryl trinitrate. Both these actions of L-NMMA were reversed by L-arginine (300 mg.kg-1), but not by D-arginine (300 mg.kg-1), indomethacin (1 mg.kg-1), prazosin (0.3 mg.kg-1), or by vagotomy. The effects of L-NMMA in vivo were associated with a significant inhibition of the release of nitric oxide from perfused aortic segments ex vivo. This inhibition was reversed by infusing L-arginine through the aortic segments. These results indicate that nitric oxide formation from L-arginine by the vascular endothelium plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and in the hypotensive actions of acetylcholine.
Ketoconazole and other imidazole derivatives as inhibitors of steroidogenesis.

Background IMIDAZOLE antifungal drugs are effective therapeutic agents in the treatment of mycotic infections (1). Because ketoconazole can be administered orally and has a broad spectrum of activity against both superficial and deep mycoses, this imidazole derivative has become widely used throughout the world as an antifungal agent (1, 2). In recent years it as become apparent that ketoconazole has additional potent actions to inhibit steroidogenesis. Much of the discussion to follow will be directed at the specific drug ketoconazole and its ability to suppress the synthesis of steroid hormones. However, other structurally related imidazole antifungal agents share in these antihormonal actions. In addition, other categories of drugs contain imidazole or azole structures, and some element of the hormonal effects to be discussed for ketoconazole may also apply to these drugs as well. Prominent examples are cimetidine, thiobendazole, and metronidazole. The ability to inhibit steroidogenesis is especially r.
PREVALENCE OF CLINICAL TUBERCULOSIS IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS FROM KERMANSHAH PROVINCE, IRAN

Background: Tuberculosis is a common infection among HIV positive patients. It causes a lot of obstacles in diagnosis, and it can significantly affect the course of HIV infection. Materials and Methods: Between March 1997 and April 2001, we evaluated the rate of clinical tuberculosis among 638 HIV positive patients in Kermanshah province in IRAN. The study population was consisted of HIV infected patients who had been received anti tuberculosis drug regimen. Medical records of the patients were reviewed for age, gender, marital status, clinical presentation, infection source, and treatment outcome. Results: Clinical tuberculosis was observed in 73 (11.4%) HIVinfected patients, 80.9% of whom were smear-positive, 10.9% were smear-negative, and the remaining 8.2% revealing t have extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients were adapted to anti tuberculosis treatment with a cure rate of about 80%. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of clinical tuberculosis is high but underestimated, and it seems to be due to vulnerability of our patients to tuberculosis in the setting of intravenous drug usage as a major underlying factor for HIV among infected individuals and also residence in prisons due to illegal drug consumption. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(2): 27-33)
Low-Complexity Expectation Propagation Detection for Uplink MIMO-SCMA Systems

We consider uplink sparse code multiple access (SCMA) systems associated with multiple input multiple output (MIMO), where the transmitters and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, for enhanced reliability (diversity gain) or improved data rate (multiplexing gain). For each diversity or multiplexing based MIMO scheme combined with SCMA, we develop low-complexity iterative detection algorithms based on the message passing algorithm (MPA) and the expectation propagation algorithm (EPA). We show that the MIMO-SCMA under EPA enjoys the salient advantage of linear complexity (in comparison to the MPA counterpart with exponential complexity) as well as enhanced error rate performances due to the MIMO transmission. We also show that the performance of EPA depends on the codebook size and the number of antennas.
An fMRI study on memory discriminability for complex visual scenes

The fan effect represents an increase in reaction time for the recognition of an item as a function of the amount of information associated with that item in memory. The present study used fMRI to study the neural correlates of the fan effect for complex visual scenes. We used a test in which landscape pictures were divided vertically into three equal segments. In the high discriminability condition only one segment was presented during encoding, whereas in the low discriminability condition two different segments from the same picture were presented. During a subsequent forced‐choice recognition test, reaction times were significantly faster for the high discriminability condition. Increase in brain activity for the low relative to high discriminability condition was observed in the right prefrontal cortex, several regions of parietal cortex bilaterally, and several late visual processing areas, including the occipito‐temporal regions, precuneus, and cuneus. These results support the hypothesis that a region of the prefrontal cortex is involved in the control of memory interference at retrieval elicited by the amount of related information in memory, and further suggests that this involvement is right‐lateralized for nonverbal material. The high versus low discriminability contrast showed an increase in activity principally in the bilateral medial temporal gyrus, including the enthorinal cortex/hippocampus and in several bilateral prefrontal cortex regions mostly located in BA 10. These activations were associated with a condition, in which the stimuli were more salient in memory and thus could represent the perceptual salience of items in memory. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of complication after percutaneous ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy in HIV-infected individuals: possible role of hepatitis C and HIV co-infection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES HIV-infected patients often undergo kidney biopsy. The risks of percutaneous ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy in this population are not well established. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This was a case-control, single-center study of 1116 (243 with HIV infection and 873 without) consecutive ultrasound-guided biopsies from 1024 patients. The primary outcome was any major or minor complication. Major complications included biopsy-associated bleeding that required transfusion, angiography, or surgery; hypotension that required intervention; and death. Minor complications included development of a hematoma or gross hematuria. The odds of complication was assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS Overall complication rates (8.6 versus 7.2%) did not significantly differ between HIV-infected and noninfected individuals. HIV-positive status did not predict complication. In the entire cohort, hepatitis C infection was associated with a 2.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47 to 2.93) increased odds of complication, and each 10,000-cells/mm(3) decrease in prebiopsy platelet count a 1.05 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.08) increased odds of complication. In addition, prebiopsy hematocrit <30% and estimated GFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) were associated with major complication. Whereas the association of prebiopsy platelet count was not modified by HIV infection, hepatitis C/HIV co-infection was associated with a 5.71 (95% CI 1.89 to 17.2) increased odds of complication as compared with 1.27 (95% CI 0.73 to 2.19) in hepatitis C-positive/HIV-negative individuals. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-guided percutaneous kidney biopsy is a relatively safe, well-tolerated procedure in the HIV-infected population. HIV-infected individuals who are co-infected with hepatitis C seem to be at greatest risk.
Review : Teratogenic Causes of Malformations

Crucial morphogenetic processes during the blastogenesis period, which extends throughout the first 4 wk of development, from fertilization until the end of the gastrulation stage (days 27 to 28 postconception), can be altered and result in structural abnormalities, including patterns of multiple congenital anomalies (MCAs) arising from developmental field defects. Severe damage may cause death of the product of conception or, because of the pluripotential nature of the cells, the damage may be compensated allowing development to continue in a normal fashion. Most investigators believe that the all-or-none rule applies to the first 2 wk of development. Because the fetus is less susceptible to morphologic alterations when the developmental process of the majority of organs has been completed, the most common anomalies associated with teratogenic exposures during the fetal period are fetal growth restriction (intrauterine growth retardation) and mild errors of morphogenesis (abnormalities of phenogenesis), such as epicanthic folds, clinodactyly, and others. Thus, teratogenic exposures result in a wide variety of effects that range from infertility, prenatal onset growth restriction, structural defects, and functional CNS abnormalities to miscarriage or fetal death.
A post-hoc subgroup analysis of outcomes in the first phase III clinical study of edaravone (MCI-186) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Our first phase III study failed to demonstrate efficacy of edaravone for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to placebo. Here, we performed post-hoc subgroup analysis to identify a subgroup in which edaravone might be expected to show efficacy. We focussed on two newly defined subgroups, EESP and dpEESP2y. The EESP was defined as the efficacy-expected subpopulation with % forced vital capacity of ≥80%, and ≥2 points for all item scores in the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) score before treatment. The dpEESP2y was defined as the greater-efficacy-expected subpopulation within EESP having a diagnosis of ‘definite’ or ‘probable’ ALS according to the El Escorial revised Airlie House diagnostic criteria and onset of disease within two years. The primary endpoint of the post-hoc analysis was the change in the ALSFRS-R score during the 24-week treatment period. The intergroup differences of the least-squares mean change in the ALSFRS-R score ± standard error during treatment were 0.65 ± 0.78 (p = 0.4108) in the full analysis set, 2.20 ± 1.03 (p = 0.0360) in the EESP, and 3.01 ± 1.33 (p = 0.0270) in the dpEESP2y. Edaravone exhibited efficacy in the dpEESP2y subgroup. A further clinical study in patients meeting dpEESP2y criteria is warranted.
Prevalent, treatable and significant: barriers to the control of Trichomonas vaginalis in women

Trichomoniasis is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is more common than Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae in most populations of women. In most instances, Trichomonas vaginalis can be effectively eradicated using a single dose of an inexpensive antimicrobial agent such as metronidazole or tinidazole. In addition to causing vaginal symptoms in some women, trichomoniasis has been linked with a broad range of reproductive health sequelae including preterm delivery, low birth weight, pelvic inflammatory disease and increased susceptibility to HIV. In men, infection due to T. vaginalis has been linked with urethritis but its prevalence and clinical significance has not been well studied. However, treatment of male partners is necessary to prevent reinfection in women. Although T. vaginalis is prevalent, treatable and clinically significant in women, trichomoniasis is often poorly diagnosed and ineffectively treated, which leads to reproductive health sequelae and a significant public heath burden. In this issue, Lewis et al 1 …
[Expression of HER2/neu in meningiomas: an immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization study].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of HER2/neu, Ki-67 and TK1 protein in meningiomas in correlation with tumor grades and recurrence. METHODS Twenty cases of each of the following types of meningiomas were selected for the study, namely: the benign non-recurrent, recurrent benign, atypical and malignant, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification of nervous system, 2007. Immunohistochemistry study for HER2/neu, Ki-67 and TK1 protein was performed. HER2/neu gene amplification was detected using FISH. Cases with HER2 protein overexpression were studied by immunohistochemistry staining. The results of the biomarker assays were also used to study the correlationship with the tumor grades and tumor recurrency. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive rates of HER2 expression in non-recurrence benign group, recurrence benign group, atypical group and malignant group were 3 cases (15%), 6 cases (30%), 7 cases (35%), and 10 cases (50%), respectively (P < 0.05). A higher tumor grade was correlated with a higher rate of HER2/neu expression. The Ki-67 and TK1 labeling index (LI) in non-recurrence group were lower than those in the atypical or malignant group (P < 0.05), whereas the atypical group had lower LI than that of the malignant group (P < 0.05). Higher levels of LI of Ki-67 and TK1 were correlated with higher tumor grades and recurrence of the benign meningiomas (P < 0.05). Expression of HER2 was positively correlated with Ki-67 and TK1 (r = 0.445, P < 0.01; r = 0.501, P < 0.01, respectively), and there was a positive correlation between Ki-67 and TK1 (r = 0.450, P < 0.01) as well. HER2/neu gene copy amplification in 7 of 26 cases (26.9%) of HER2 immunopositive meningiomas. The rates of HER2/neu gene amplification were 0 in tumors with 1+ immunopositivity, 4/6 in tumor with 2+ immunopositivity and 3/4 in tumor with 3+ immunopositivity. HER2/neu gene amplification in 3+ and 2+ immunopositive cases had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Aneuploidy of chromosome 17 existed in 9 of 26 of HER2 immunopositive meningiomas (34.6%). However, the rates of chromosome 17 aneuploidy had no significant difference among tumors with variable HER2/neu imumopositivity (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS High levels of HER2 and Ki-67 or TK1 expression correlate with the increase of tumor grades and tumor recurrence. HER2/neu gene amplification is seen in a subset of meningiomas with the protein expression (26.9%). A combination of biomarker study including HER2/neu, Ki-67 and TK1 may be useful in predicting the biological behavior of meningiomas.
WALLEYE STOCKING AS A TOOL TO SUPPRESS FATHEAD MINNOWS AND IMPROVE HABITAT QUALITY IN SEMIPERMANENT AND PERMANENT WETLANDS IN THE PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION OF MINNESOTA

Bemidji, MN 56601. Phone: (218)-755-4628. Email: Brian.Herwig@dnr.state. mn.us 2. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wetland Wildlife Populations and Research Group, 102 23 Street, Bemidji, MN 56601. Phone: (218)-755-3920. Email: Mark.Hanson@dnr.state. mn.us 3. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 23070 North Lakeshore Drive, Glenwood, MN 56334. 4. Department of Zoology, North Dakota State University, Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58105. 5. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University, Box 2140B, NPB Room 138, Brookings, SD 57007. 6. Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, Mail# OWS 390, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Special Publication 159, August 2004
Inherited Wealth, Corporate Control and Economic Growth: the Canadian Disease

Countries in which billionaire heirs' wealth is large relative to G.D. P. grow more slowly, show signs of more political rent-seeking, and spend less on innovation than do other countries at similar levels of development. In contrast, countries in which self-made entrepreneur billionaire wealth is large relative to G.D. P. grow more rapidly and show fewer signs of rent seeking. We argue that this is consistent with wealthy entrenched families' having objectives other than creating public shareholder value. Also, the control pyramids through which they are entrenched give wealthy families preferential access to capital and enhanced lobbying power. Entrenched families also have vested interest in preserving the value of existing capital. To investigate these arguments, we use firm-level Canadian data. Heir-controlled Canadian firms show low industry-adjusted financial performance, labor capital ratios, and R&D spending relative to other firms the same ages and sizes. We argue that concentrated, inherited corporate control impedes growth, and dub this the Canadian disease. ' Further research is needed to determine the international incidence of this condition. Finally, heir-controlled Canadian firms' share prices fell relative to those of comparable firms on the news that the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement would be ratified. A key provision of that treaty is capital market openness. Under the treaty, heir-controlled Canadian firms' labor capital ratios rose, while the incidence of heir-control fell. We suggest that openness, especially of capital markets, may mitigate the ill effects of concentrated inherited control. If so, capital market openness matters for reasons not captured by standard international trade and finance models.