Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Threshold and variability properties of matrix frequency-doubling technology and standard automated perimetry in glaucoma.

PURPOSE To compare test results from second-generation Frequency-Doubling Technology perimetry (FDT2, Humphrey Matrix; Carl-Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) in patients with glaucoma. Specifically, to examine the relationship between visual field sensitivity and test-retest variability and to compare total and pattern deviation probability maps between both techniques. METHODS Fifteen patients with glaucoma who had early to moderately advanced visual field loss with SAP (mean MD, -4.0 dB; range, +0.2 to -16.1) were enrolled in the study. Patients attended three sessions. During each session, one eye was examined twice with FDT2 (24-2 threshold test) and twice with SAP (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm [SITA] Standard 24-2 test), in random order. We compared threshold values between FDT2 and SAP at test locations with similar visual field coordinates. Test-retest variability, established in terms of test-retest intervals and standard deviations (SDs), was investigated as a function of visual field sensitivity (estimated by baseline threshold and mean threshold, respectively). The magnitude of visual field defects apparent in total and pattern deviation probability maps were compared between both techniques by ordinal scoring. RESULTS The global visual field indices mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) of FDT2 and SAP correlated highly (r > 0.8; P < 0.001). At test locations with high sensitivity (>25 dB with SAP), threshold estimates from FDT2 and SAP exhibited a close, linear relationship, with a slope of approximately 2.0. However, at test locations with lower sensitivity, the relationship was much weaker and ceased to be linear. In comparison with FDT2, SAP showed a slightly larger proportion of test locations with absolute defects (3.0% vs. 2.2% with SAP and FDT2, respectively, P < 0.001). Whereas SAP showed a significant increase in test-retest variability at test locations with lower sensitivity (P < 0.001), there was no relationship between variability and sensitivity with FDT2 (P = 0.46). In comparison with SAP, FDT2 exhibited narrower test-retest intervals at test locations with lower sensitivity (SAP thresholds <25 dB). A comparison of the total and pattern deviation maps between both techniques showed that the total deviation analyses of FDT2 may slightly underestimate the visual field loss apparent with SAP. However, the pattern-deviation maps of both instruments agreed well with each other. CONCLUSIONS The test-retest variability of FDT2 is uniform over the measurement range of the instrument. These properties may provide advantages for the monitoring of patients with glaucoma that should be investigated in longitudinal studies.
Paget's Disease of Bone in Italy

Epidemiological studies of Paget's disease of bone (PDB) suggest a pronounced geographical variation in the prevalence of the disease and a decrease in prevalence and clinical severity over time. To analyze epidemiological and clinical features of PDB in Italy, we recently established a registry of Italian PDB cases and performed radiological, biochemical, and bone scan surveys in the towns of Siena and Turin. The overall prevalence of PDB in Italy varied between 0.7% and 2.4%. Prevalence rates increased with age and were higher in men than in women. We observed clinically confirmed familial aggregation in 15–26% of cases. Pedigree analysis indicated an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with variable penetrance. SQSTM1 gene analysis in two Italian studies revealed the presence of at least three different mutations accounting for both familial and sporadic cases. Interestingly, no decrease in the prevalence of PDB over time was observed, the opposite of what is described in populations of British descent. However, clinical severity of PDB cases included in the Registry in 2002–2004 seemed reduced with respect to that of PDB patients from the previous epidemiological studies, including a 1950–1956 Italian study. Of interest, a consistent association between PDB and animal‐related factors and a significantly higher prevalence of the disease in rural than in urban districts were observed. These findings are in keeping with an important role of the environment in the pathogenesis of PDB, perhaps facilitating the expression of the disease in genetically susceptible subjects. Finally, there was also preliminary evidence indicating regional clustering of PDB in Italy, with a concentration of cases in rural districts of Campania and Tuscany. These districts may represent high prevalence areas of PDB in Italy, similar to what has been observed in other countries. Extrapolation estimates suggest that ∼150,000–300,000 subjects may be affected with PDB in our country. These results confirm PDB to be the most common bone remodeling disorder in elderly people in Italy, excluding osteoporosis.
Diversity in specific gravity and water content of wood among Bornean tropical rainforest trees

Wood properties were measured for trees in lowland dipterocarp forests in West Kalimantan. In 1993 and 1994, 353 samples of 286 species were collected from trunk base of trees of approximately 5 cm in diameter, and the specific gravities (SG: oven dry weight/fresh volume) and water contents of wood including bark were measured. The SG of each species ranged from 0.21 to 0.84, and the mean ± SD was 0.53 ± 0.13. The wide range of SG suggests that the forest had a high diversity in wood properties. The most dominant and diversified genus in this area was Shorea, and the SG of 15 species varied from 0.21 to 0.71. The range covered SG of pioneer (six Macaranga, 0.29–0.43) and small trees in primary forests (nine Eugenia and 10 Xanthophyllum, 0.55–0.77). The SG average for tree species of secondary forests of 2–6 years old was 0.31. It was significantly smaller than that of primary forests (0.58). In a primary dipterocarp forest plot, light-wood species grew faster in diameter than heavy-wood species. Water content ranged from 0.26 to 0.76. Heavy wood had low water content. Among light-wood species, some (Shorea, Artocarpus) had low water contents and others (Ficus) had high water contents. Some riverine trees also had high water contents. These wood properties appear strongly related to the life history of trees and successional stage.
Recombination-Mediated Changes in Coreceptor Usage Confer an Augmented Pathogenic Phenotype in a Nonhuman Primate Model of HIV-1-Induced AIDS

ABSTRACT Evolution of the env gene in transmitted R5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains is the most widely accepted mechanism driving coreceptor switching. In some infected individuals, however, a shift in coreceptor utilization can occur as a result of the reemergence of a cotransmitted, but rapidly controlled, X4 virus. The latter possibility was studied by dually infecting rhesus macaques with X4 and R5 chimeric simian simian/human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) and monitoring the replication status of each virus using specific primer pairs. In one of the infected monkeys, both SHIVs were potently suppressed by week 12 postinoculation, but a burst of viremia at week 51 was accompanied by an unrelenting loss of total CD4+ T cells and the development of clinical disease. PCR analyses of plasma viral RNA indicated an env gene segment containing the V3 region from the inoculated X4 SHIV had been transferred into the genetic background of the input R5 SHIV by intergenomic recombination, creating an X4 virus with novel replicative, serological, and pathogenic properties. These results indicate that the effects of retrovirus recombination in vivo can be functionally profound and may even occur when one of the recombination participants is undetectable in the circulation as cell-free virus.
Interaction of a Neurotropic Strain of Borrelia turicatae with the Cerebral Microcirculation System

ABSTRACT Relapsing fever (RF) is a spirochetal infection characterized by relapses of a febrile illness and spirochetemia due to the sequential appearance and disappearance of isogenic serotypes in the blood. The only difference between isogenic serotypes is the variable major outer membrane lipoprotein. In the absence of specific antibody, established serotypes cause persistent infection. Studies in our laboratory indicate that another consequence of serotype switching in RF is a change in neuroinvasiveness. As the next step to elucidate this phenomenon, we studied the interaction of the neurotropic Oz1 strain of the RF agent Borrelia turicatae with the cerebral microcirculation. During persistent infection of antibody-deficient mice, we found that serotype 1 entered the brain in larger numbers and caused more severe cerebral microgliosis than isogenic serotype 2. Microscopic examination revealed binding of B. turicatae to brain microvascular endothelial cells in vivo. In vitro we found that B. turicatae associated with brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) significantly more than with fibroblasts or arachnoidal cells. The binding was completely eliminated by pretreatment of BMEC with proteinase K. Using transwell chambers with BMEC barriers, we found that serotype 1 crossed into the lower compartment significantly better than serotype 2. Heat killing significantly reduced BMEC crossing but not binding. We concluded that the interaction of B. turicatae with the cerebral microcirculation involves both binding and crossing brain microvascular endothelial cells, with significant differences among isogenic serotypes.
Up-regulated mTOR pathway indicates active disease in both human native and transplant kidneys.

BACKGROUND Recent studies show that up-regulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) indicates cellular repair and senescence, possibly through interaction with reactive oxygen species and autophagy in vivo and in vitro. In human native and transplant biopsies, we investigated whether injured renal tissue had activated mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) branch of mTOR pathway in glomerular and tubular epithelia. METHODS A total of 238 native and transplant renal sections were stained for phosphorylated (p)-mTOR and two downstream signals, p-p70S6K and p-4EBP, of the mTORC1 branch. The signals' expressions were correlated with several clinical factors. RESULTS There was significant up-regulation of all three makers in the tubular epithelium and in glomerular visceral and parietal epithelium in both native and transplant biopsies when compared to controls. The up-regulated mTOR activity was significantly correlated with serum creatinine levels and interstitial fibrosis but not with proteinuria levels. CONCLUSIONS The up-regulated mTOR activity (limited to mTORC1 branch) in all glomerular and tubular epithelia from both transplant and native biopsies indicates that the activated mTOR signaling is a general phenomenon in variants of progressing renal diseases and may be used as a marker of active renal disease states.
CD18 deficiency improves liver injury in the MCD model of steatohepatitis

Neutrophils and macrophages are important constituents of the hepatic inflammatory infiltrate in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. These innate immune cells express CD18, an adhesion molecule that facilitates leukocyte activation. In the context of fatty liver, activation of infiltrated leukocytes is believed to enhance hepatocellular injury. The objective of this study was to determine the degree to which activated innate immune cells promote steatohepatitis by comparing hepatic outcomes in wild-type and CD18-mutant mice fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet. After 3 weeks of MCD feeding, hepatocyte injury, based on serum ALT elevation, was 40% lower in CD18-mutant than wild-type mice. Leukocyte infiltration into the liver was not impaired in CD18-mutant mice, but leukocyte activation was markedly reduced, as shown by the lack of evidence of oxidant production. Despite having reduced hepatocellular injury, CD18-mutant mice developed significantly more hepatic steatosis than wild-type mice after MCD feeding. This coincided with greater hepatic induction of pro-inflammatory and lipogenic genes as well as a modest reduction in hepatic expression of adipose triglyceride lipase. Overall, the data indicate that CD18 deficiency curbs MCD-mediated liver injury by limiting the activation of innate immune cells in the liver without compromising intrahepatic cytokine activation. Reduced liver injury occurs at the expense of increased hepatic steatosis, which suggests that in addition to damaging hepatocytes, infiltrating leukocytes may influence lipid homeostasis in the liver.
Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Congestive Heart Failure in a Subtropical City: Taipei, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between air pollutant levels and hospital admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) in Taipei, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for CHF and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period from 1996 to 2004. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant model, the number of CHF admissions was significantly associated with the environmental presence of the contaminants particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) on warm days (>20°C). However, statistically significant positive effects on increased CHF admissions on cool days (<20°C) was observed only for CO levels. For the two-pollutant model, NO2 and O3 were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days for enhanced CHF admissions. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient air pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for CHF.
Towards longitudinal mapping of extracellular pH in gliomas

Biosensor imaging of redundant deviation in shifts (BIRDS), an ultrafast chemical shift imaging technique, requires infusion of paramagnetic probes such as 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrakis methylene phosphonate (DOTP8−) complexed with thulium (Tm3+) ion (i.e. TmDOTP5−), where the pH‐sensitive resonances of hyperfine‐shifted non‐exchangeable protons contained within the paramagnetic probe are detected. While imaging extracellular pH (pHe) with BIRDS meets an important cancer research need by mapping the intratumoral–peritumoral pHe gradient, the surgical intervention used to raise the probe's plasma concentration limits longitudinal scans on the same subject. Here we describe using probenecid (i.e. an organic anion transporter inhibitor) to temporarily restrict renal clearance of TmDOTP5−, thereby facilitating molecular imaging by BIRDS without surgical intervention. Co‐infusion of probenecid with TmDOTP5− increased the probe's distribution into various organs, including the brain, compared with infusing TmDOTP5− alone. In vivo BIRDS data using the probenecid–TmDOTP5− co‐infusion method in rats bearing RG2, 9 L, and U87 brain tumors showed intratumoral–peritumoral pHe gradients that were unaffected by the probe dose. This co‐infusion method can be used for pHe mapping with BIRDS in preclinical models for tumor characterization and therapeutic monitoring, given the possibility of repeated scans with BIRDS (e.g. over days and even weeks) in the same subject. The longitudinal pHe readout by the probenecid–TmDOTP5− co‐infusion method for BIRDS adds translational value in tumor assessment and treatment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A controlled re-entry study on the effectiveness of bovine porous bone mineral used in combination with a collagen membrane of porcine origin in the treatment of intrabony defects in humans.

AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a bovine porous bone mineral used in combination with a porcine derived collagen membrane as a barrier in promoting periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study employed a split-mouth design. 22 paired intrabony defects were treated and surgically re-entered 6 months after treatment. Experimental sites were grafted with bovine porous bone mineral and received a collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration. Control sites were treated with an open flap debridement. RESULTS Preoperative pocket depths, attachment levels and trans-operative bone measurements were similar for control and experimental sites. Post surgical measurements revealed a significantly greater reduction in pocket depth (differences of 1.89 +/- 0.31 mm on buccal 0.88 +/- 0.27 mm on lingual measurements) and more gain in clinical attachment (differences of 1.51 +/- 0.33 mm on buccal and 1.50 +/- 0.35 mm on lingual measurements) in experimental sites. Surgical reentry of the treated defects revealed a significantly greater amount of defect fill in favor of experimental sites (differences of 2.67 +/- 0.91 mm on buccal and 2.54 +/- 0.87 mm on lingual measurements). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that clinical resolution of intrabony defects can be achieved using a combination of bovine porous bone mineral and an absorbable, porcine derived collagen membrane when employing a technique based on the principles of guided tissue regeneration. The nature of the attachment between the newly regenerated tissue and the root surfaces needs to be evaluated histologically to confirm the presence of new attachment.
Effect of self-measurement of blood pressure on adherence to treatment in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension

Background Poor adherence to treatment is one of the major problems in the treatment of hypertension. Self blood pressure measurement may help patients to improve their adherence to treatment. Method In this prospective, randomized, controlled study coordinated by a university hospital, a total of 228 mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients were randomized to either a group that performed self-measurements at home in addition to office blood pressure measurements [the self-pressure group (n = 114)] or a group that only underwent office blood pressure measurement [the office pressure group (n = 114)]. Patients were followed for 1 year in which treatment was adjusted, if necessary, at each visit to the physician's office according to the achieved blood pressure. Adherence to treatment was assessed by means of medication event monitoring system TrackCaps. Results Median adherence was slightly greater in patients from the self-pressure group than in those from the office pressure group (92.3 vs. 90.9%; P = 0.043). Although identical among both groups, in the week directly after each visit to the physician's office, adherence [71.4% (interquartile range 71–79%)] was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that at the last 7 days prior to each visit [100% (interquartile range 90–100%)]. On the remaining days between the visits, patients from the self-pressure group displayed a modestly better adherence than patients from the office pressure group (97.6 vs. 97.0%; P = 0.024). Conclusion Although self-blood pressure measurement as an adjunct to office blood pressure measurement led to somewhat better adherence to treatment in this study, the difference was only small and not clinically significant. The time relative to a visit to the doctor seems to be a more important predictor of adherence.
Typhoid ileal perforation: surgical experience of 64 cases.

OBJECTIVE Intestinal complications of typhoid fever are quite common in developing countries. In order to contribute to the improvement of the prognosis of typhoid ileal perforation, the authors report their own surgical experience PATIENTS AND METHODS between May 95 and July 98, 64 patients, (31 men and 33 women), with an average age of 34 years (ranging from 5 to 63 years) underwent surgery for typhoid ileal perforation. The surgical techniques used were excision-suture (n = 31) and resection-ileostomy (n = 33). All the patients were operated under similar pre-, per- and postoperative care facilities. RESULTS Postoperative complications were observed in 59 patients (88.1%). The mean hospital stay was 30 days (ranging from 8 to 52 days). The overall postoperative mortality was 34% (22/64), mainly due to digestive fistula in 11 cases (8 cases of anastomotic leak after excision-suture, 3 cases of bowel fistula after conservative resection-ileostomy) and to chronic peristomal ulceration in 9 cases, which led to progressive malnutrition, cachexy and death. CONCLUSION The mortality and morbidity after surgical treatment of typhoid ileal perforation remains very high in developing countries. However some recommendations could improve the outcome: aggressive resuscitation by intravenous hydratation of 4 to 6 hours, associated with adequate antibiotherapy, the resection of the last 60 centimetres of the ileum, in cases of serious abdominal suppuration, and a large abdominal washout.
Assessment of pharyngeal airway volume in adolescent patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE To test the null hypothesis that there were no significant differences for pharyngeal airway volumes between the adolescent patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and well-matched controls using cone beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study sample consisted of 16 patients (11 female and 5 male; mean [SD] age 14.1 [2.1] years) affected by BCLP and 16 patients (10 female and 6 male; mean [SD] age 13.4 [2.0] years) as age- and sex-matched control group. Craniofacial measurements and pharyngeal airway dimension, area, and volume measurements of patients in both groups were calculated and statistically examined using Student's t-test and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS Statistically significant differences were found between the BCLP and control groups for SNB (P < .05), SN-GoGn (P < .05), Co-A (P < .05), PAS (P < .01), minAx (P < .01), and oropharyngeal airway volume (P < .05). The most predictive variables for oropharyngeal airway volume were found as PAS (r = .655 and P = .000) and minAx (r = .787 and P = .000). CONCLUSIONS The null hypothesis was rejected. Oropharyngeal (P < .05) and total (P > .05) airway volumes were found to be less in the BCLP group, and thus the treatment choice in these patients should have positive effects on the pharyngeal airway.