Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of the Clinical SUV Ratio in Amyloid PET Imaging Using a Biomathematic Modeling Approach Toward the Efficient Development of a Radioligand

Our study aimed to develop a method to mathematically predict the kinetic parameters K1 (influx rate constant), k2 (efflux rate constant), and BPND (nondisplaceable binding potential) of amyloid PET tracers and obtain SUV ratios (SUVRs) from predicted time–activity curves of target and reference regions. Methods: We investigated 10 clinically applied amyloid PET radioligands: 11C-Pittsburgh compound B, 11C-BF-227, 11C-AZD2184, 11C-SB-13, 18F-FACT, 18F-florbetapir, 18F-florbetaben, 18F-flutemetamol, 18F-FDDNP, and 18F-AZD4694. For each tracer, time–activity curves of both target and reference regions were generated using a simplified 1-tissue-compartment model, with an arterial plasma input function and the predicted kinetic parameters. K1, k2, and BPND were derived from the lipophilicity (logP), apparent volume, free fraction in plasma, free fraction in tissue, dissociation constant, and density of amyloid β using biomathematic modeling. Density was fixed at 3 nM to represent healthy control conditions and 50 nM to represent severe Alzheimer disease (AD). Predicted SUVRs for the healthy and AD groups were then obtained by dividing the integrated time–activity curve of the target region by that of the reference region. To validate the presented method, the predicted K1, k2, BPND, and SUVR for the healthy and AD groups were compared with the respective clinically observed values. Results: The correlation between predicted and clinical kinetic parameters had an R2 value of 0.73 for K1 in the healthy group, 0.71 for K1 in the AD group, 0.81 for k2 in the healthy group, 0.85 for k2 in the AD group, and 0.63 for BPND in the AD group. The regression relationship between the predicted SUVR (y) and the clinical SUVR (x) for the healthy and the AD groups was y = 2.73x – 2.11 (R2 = 0.72). Conclusion: The proposed method showed a good correlation between predicted and clinical SUVR for the 10 clinically applied amyloid tracers.
2-18F-Fluoroethanol Is a PET Reporter of Solid Tumor Perfusion

Solid tumor perfusion is a proven variable of interest for predicting cancer aggression and response to therapy. Current methods for noninvasively imaging tumor perfusion with PET are limited by restricted accessibility and short half-lives of perfusion radiotracers. This study presents 2-18F-fluoroethanol (2-18F-FEtOH) as a perfusion reporter that can distinguish between tumors of varying perfusion levels and can be applied to screening drugs that modify tumor perfusion. Methods: Uptake of 2-18F-FEtOH in 4T1 and 67NR murine mammary carcinoma tumors grown in mice was measured using ex vivo radiography as well as static and dynamic PET imaging. 2-18F-FEtOH uptake was directly compared with the 14C-iodoantipyrine perfusion reporter, and the perfusion-modifying drugs nicotinamide, pentoxifylline, and hydralazine were used to manipulate tumor perfusion before 2-18F-FEtOH quantification. Results: Uptake of 2-18F-FEtOH in 4T1 and 67NR tumors was consistent with known perfusion differences within and between these tumors. 2-18F-FEtOH uptake corresponded well with 14C-iodoantipyrine and reflected the tumor perfusion-modifying effects of each drug. Conclusion: 2-18F-FEtOH is a novel 18F-based radiotracer for investigating tumor perfusion with PET imaging. Quantification of 2-18F-FEtOH uptake can be used to distinguish between tumors of varying perfusion and to screen the efficacy of blood flow–modifying drugs for use as adjuvants to existing cancer therapies.
Addition of Clonidine or Dexmedetomidine to Ropivacaine prolongs caudal analgesia in children

Background: Caudal block is a common technique for pediatric analgesia, but with the disadvantage of short duration of action after single injection. We compared the analgesic effects and side-effects of dexmedetomidine and clonidine added to ropivacaine in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted among 60 pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. A total of 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status I and II pediatric patients between the age of 1 and 6 years were enrolled in this study. The caudal block was administered with inj. ropivacaine 0.2% with clonidine 2 μg/kg (group A) and inj. ropivacaine 0.2% with dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg (group B) after induction with general anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters were observed before, during, and after the surgical procedure. Postoperative analgesic duration, total dose of rescue analgesia, pain scores, and any side effects were looked for and recorded. Results: Addition of dexmedetomidine or clonidine to caudal ropivacaine significantly promoted analgesic time. Also, there was statistically significant difference between dexmedetomidine and clonidine as regard to duration of analgesia. No significant difference was observed in incidence of hemodynamic changes or side effects. Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine or clonidine to caudal ropivacaine significantly promoted analgesia in children undergoing lower abdominal surgeries with significant advantage of dexmedetomidine over clonidine and without an increase in incidence of side-effects.
Existence and uniqueness of fixed point for contractive mapping of integral type

In this paper, we prove a fixed point theorem for contractive mapping of integral type in complete metric spaces by using iterative approximations. This paper extends and improves results of Rakotch 1962, Branciari 2002, and several other results announced by many authors. An example and few remarks are given to show that our result is a proper extension of existing ones.
Prevalence of osteoporosis and factors associated with osteoporosis in women above 40 years in the Northern Part of Saudi Arabia

Background: Women have lower bone density than men and they lose bone mass more quickly as they advance in age, which leads to osteoporosis. The Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association in the Eastern Province revealed that 30 to 50% of Saudi women above 40 years of age develop osteoporosis. Factors related to the development of osteoporosis include poor diet, low calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency, sedentary lifestyle and smoking. Previous studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi women. Methods: The present study was done in 100 Saudi women above 40 years of age who were outpatients in Arar Central Hospital during a period of four months. After taking an informed consent, data was collected relating to the risk factors, vitamin D levels were assessed and the patients underwent a Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. Results: The results showed that 82% of Saudi women patients had vitamin D deficiency. Only 21% of women were exposed to sunlight. 58% of the women had low BMD (18% with osteoporosis and 40% with osteopenia). Only 5% of patients took Vitamin D and Calcium rich diet and 7% were in the habit of doing exercise. There was a significant association between bone mass density and exercise when Fisher's exact test was used (P value < 0.05) Conclusion: Prevalence of osteopenia is higher than osteoporosis in the Saudi women above 40 years in the Northern part of Saudi Arabia. The major cause of low BMD is lack of exercise even though there is a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency.
PET-Guided Evaluation and Optimization of Internalized Antibody–Drug Conjugates Targeting Erythropoietin-Producing Hepatoma A2 Receptor

The erythropoietin-producing hepatoma A2 receptor (EphA2) is a tyrosine kinase overexpressed by tumor stroma and cancer cells. A high expression level of EphA2 predicts poor prognosis, correlating with disease progression and metastasis. Therefore, EphA2 is a relevant therapeutic target for human cancer. Antibodies, selectively bound to EphA2, can induce rapid receptor phosphorylation that results in antibody internalization and degradation. This internalization mechanism has been exploited with the development of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we used PET imaging to study the pharmacokinetics and tumor delivery of a panel of anti-EphA2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with and without drug conjugates. Methods: A library of human anti-EphA2 mAbs were screened and evaluated for EphA2 internalization rate, binding affinity, epitope binding, and hydrophobicity. We chose 3 of these antibodies, denoted as 1C1, 3B10, and 2H7, which recognize different epitopes, for further evaluation. ADCs were generated by S239C mutation to give a ratio of 2 drug molecules per antibody. Native mAbs and ADCs were characterized, after conjugation to a DFO chelator and 89Zr radiolabeling, in assays including cell uptake, internalization, hydrophobicity, and in vivo imaging using PET. Results: All 3 mAbs had high affinities for EphA2 but exhibited different internalization rates following the order of 1C1 > 3B10 > 2H7. Internalization rate is only 1 factor that affects in vitro cell uptake and in vivo tumor accumulation. Interestingly, the hydrophobicity of the mAbs, which followed the order of 2H7 > 1C1 > 3B10, had a strong correlation with in vivo tumor uptake measured by PET, with the least hydrophobic antibody, 3B10, showing the highest tumor uptake. ADC significantly reduced the in vivo uptake of all 3 mAbs. Conclusion: Tumor uptake of mAb is a complex process that is affected by multiple parameters, including internalization, hydrophobicity, and chemical modification. Our results suggest that the addition of drug molecules to mAb increases the clearance of the mAb presumably due to the increased hydrophobicity. Understanding the complexity of antibody-based tumor delivery may help improve ADC engineering for better tumor targeting and reduced side effects.
Interleukin‐1α and Interleukin‐1 β in Preterm and Term Human Parturition

ABSTRACT: Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) has been implicated in the mechanism of human parturition in the setting of infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of labor (term and preterm) and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity on amniotic fluid (AF) concentrations IL‐1 α and IL‐1 β. AF was retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis from the following groups of women: midtrimester genetic amniocentesis (16 to 18 wk) (N = 15), preterm labor with intact membranes (21 to 36 wk) with or without infection (N = 72), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (N = 88), and term not in labor or in active labor with or without infection (N = 58). AF was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as Mycoplasmas. IL‐1 was measured with a commercially available immunoassay validated for AF (sensitivity: IL‐1α, 157 pg/ml; IL‐1β, 50 pg/ml). All women at midtrimester had undetectable AF IL‐1α and IL‐1 β. Among women in preterm labor with positive AF cultures, IL‐1α and IL‐1 β were detectable in the AF in 86.6% (13/15) and 100% (15/15), respectively. In contrast, all women with negative AF cultures without labor (N = 36) had undetectable AF IL‐1α concentrations and 52.7% (19/36) had undetectable AF IL‐1β concentrations. Histopathological chorioamnionitis was present in 92.8% (13/14) of patients who had positive AF cultures and detectable IL‐1 in the AF. IL‐1 was significantly higher in patients with preterm PROM, labor, and positive AF cultures than in the other subgroups of patients with preterm PROM. Among women at term who were not in labor, 26.3% (5/19) had detectable IL‐1α and 19.8% (3/19) had detectable IL‐1β in the AF. Among those in active labor with positive AF cultures, 44.4% (4/9) had detectable IL‐1α and 88.8% (8/9) had detectable IL‐1β in the AF. IL‐1β was detected more frequently in patients at term with positive AF cultures than in those with negative AF cultures (88.8% [8/9] vs. 38.7% [19/49]; P = 0.0088). We conclude that AF IL‐1 concentrations are elevated in women with preterm labor an microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and in women with spontaneous parturition at term.
Enhanced social emotional optimisation algorithm with generalised opposition-based learning

Social emotional optimisation algorithm SEOA is a newly developed evolutionary algorithm, which exhibits excellent performance for various engineering problems in real-world applications. However, SEOA may easily trap into local optima when solving complex multimodal function optimisation problems. This paper proposes a novel social emotional optimisation algorithm, called GOSEOA, which performs the generalised opposition-based learning GOBL strategy with a certain probability during the evolution process. The proposed algorithm uses the generalised opposition-based learning strategy to transform the current population to a generalised opposition-based population. Accordingly, the current population and the generalised opposition-based population are simultaneously considered to increase the probability for finding the global optimum. Experiments conducted on a comprehensive set of benchmark functions indicate that GOSEOA can obtain promising performance on the majority of the test functions.
Hypertension and associated risk factors in some selected rural areas of Bangladesh

Background: Although, Bangladesh has the ninth highest rate of age-standardized rates of deaths due to chronic diseases, mostly due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. There is scanty literature on the estimated burden, and the determinants of hypertension in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Methods: This facility based cross-sectional survey was conducted at sub-urban field research clinic from four unions of Araihazar upazilla of Narayangong district, Bangladesh. The analyses were based on 212 male and female respondents of more than 30 years of age. The prevalence of hypertension was the main outcome of interest. Results: The study found that the prevalence of systolic hypertension among the respondents is 15.6% and that of diastolic pressure is 12.3%. Systolic pressure was found in an increasing manner with the increase of age and BMI. Tendency of increase systolic pressure was observed among those who took extra salt. Significant association was also found between increasing systolic pressure with the heart disease. No significant association was found between increasing systolic pressure with smoking habit, physical activity and vegetable intake and with the development of systemic diseases namely cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus and coronary obstetrics pulmonary disease. Conclusion: Suggestion on regular periodical health check-up especially including blood pressure monitoring and restriction of taking extra salt to all the people of age more than 30 years is recommended.
18F-FEDAC as a Targeting Agent for Activated Macrophages in DBA/1 Mice with Collagen-Induced Arthritis: Comparison with 18F-FDG

Activated macrophages have been known to play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 18F-FEDAC (N-benzyl-N-methyl-2-[7,8-dihydro-7-(2-18F-fluoroethyl)-8-oxo-2-phenyl-9H-purin-9-yl]acetamide) is a radiolabeled ligand for the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO), which is abundant in activated macrophages. We evaluated the feasibility of using 18F-FEDAC in a murine RA model. Methods: RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages were activated by lipopolysaccharide. TSPO expression levels in activated and inactivated macrophages were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The cellular uptake and specific binding of 18F-FEDAC were measured using a γ-counter. For the in vivo study, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was developed in DBA/1 mice, and the clinical score for arthritis was measured regularly. 18F-FEDAC and 18F-FDG PET images were acquired on days 23 and 37 after the first immunization. Histologic examinations were performed to evaluate macrophages and TSPO expression. Results: We found increased TSPO messenger RNA and protein expression in activated macrophages. Uptake of 18F-FEDAC in activated macrophages was higher than that in nonactivated cells and was successfully blocked by the competitor, PK11195. In CIA mice, joint swelling was apparent on day 26 after the first immunization, and the condition worsened by day 37. 18F-FEDAC uptake by arthritic joints increased early on (day 23), whereas 18F-FDG uptake did not. However, 18F-FDG uptake by arthritic joints markedly increased at later stages (day 37) to a higher level than 18F-FEDAC uptake. The 18F-FEDAC uptake correlated weakly with summed severity score (P = 0.019, r = 0.313), whereas the 18F-FDG uptake correlated strongly with summed severity score (P < 0.001, r = 0.897). Histologic sections of arthritic joints demonstrated an influx of macrophages compared with that in normal joints. Conclusion: 18F-FEDAC enabled the visualization of active inflammation sites in arthritic joints in a CIA model by targeting TSPO expression in activated macrophages. The results suggest the potential usefulness of 18F-FEDAC imaging in the early phase of RA.
18F-FDG PET/CT in Erdheim–Chester Disease: Imaging Findings and Potential BRAF Mutation Biomarker

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 18F-FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD). Methods: Our institutional database (2007–2017) was retrospectively reviewed for patients with pathologically proven ECD. A chart review yielded demographics, clinical information, and 5 categories of clinical impact. Two radiologists in consensus interpreted the images. Imaging findings were correlated with clinical data. Results: Seventy-one 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations were performed for 32 patients. The average SUVmax of the most active disease site was 9.2 (SD, 6.1). The most common sites involved were the skeleton (90.6% of patients, including 47% with axial and pelvic skeletal involvement), kidneys (81.3%), and central nervous system (CNS) (46.9%). Twenty-six patients were tested for a proto-oncogene B-Raf V600E (BRAF) mutation (18 had the mutation and 8 did not). The presence of a BRAF mutation was associated with 18F-FDG–avid CNS disease (P = 0.0357), higher SUVmax (P = 0.0044), and greater mortality (P = 0.0215). The presence of CNS disease had 88% specificity and a 92% positive predictive value for predicting the presence of a BRAF mutation. PET/CT examination results influenced patient management in 48% of cases (34/71). Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT results may act as a biomarker for the presence of a BRAF mutation, aid in establishing a diagnosis, guide biopsies, and gauge the treatment response in ECD patients. Axial and pelvic skeletal involvement is greater than previously reported.
Hepatoprotective and Safety Evaluation Studies on Sarsaparilla

The effect of the ethanol extract of sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii) has been studied on carbon tetra­ chloride (CCi4)-induced hepatocellular damage in rats. Pretreatment with an ethanol extract of sar­ saparilla significantly inhibited CCI4-induced biochemical changes. Acute and chronic toxicity studies were also undertaken to determine the safety of prolonged use of sarsaparilla. Acute administration of sarsaparilla extract in the dose range of 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg did not produce any adverse effects or mortality in mice over a period of 24 hours. Animals treated with sarsaparilla extract (100 mg/kg/ day) for a period of 90 days in drinking water showed no symptoms of toxicity. There was no significant change in body weight and hematological parameters in the chronically treated animals as compared to the control group. These findings suggest that sarsaparilla, besides having hepatoprotective potential, has no untoward effects in rodents.
Multi-modal weight control intervention for people with persistent mental disorders.

Obesity, a major problem worldwide, is more prevalent among people with schizophrenia. This study examined the effect of behavior intervention, nutritional information and physical exercise on the body mass index (BMI) and weight of people who were hospitalized with persistent DSM-IV schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Fifty nine inpatients with a BMI greater than 25 participated, (28 intervention group; 31 control group). Significant reductions in BMI and weight were observed in the intervention group after 3 months and were maintained 1-year post study [F(1,52) = 6.1, p = . 017) and F(1,52) = 3.7, P = . 006, respectively]. If provided with adequate information and an appropriate framework, people with persistent schizophrenia can significantly reduce BMI and weight and maintain the loss.
The Personal Norm of Reciprocity among mental health service users: conceptual development and measurement.

OBJECTIVE A measure of an individual's level of internalization of the norm of reciprocity may signal exchange preferences and indicate whether "active" or "passive" mental health services are preferable to consumers. We evaluated the psychometric properties of one such measure, the Personal Norm of Reciprocity (PNR) scale. METHODS We recruited 70 persons receiving mental health services and 65 comparison participants to complete questionnaires assessing reciprocity tendencies and correlates of mental illness. RESULTS Two of three subscales of a shortened PNR showed evidence of reliability and validity. Consumers endorsed higher levels of the reciprocity norm than persons not seeking services. Persons in "active" service settings displayed greater rigidity in application of the reciprocity norm than individuals in "passive" service settings or comparison participants. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The shortened PNR can be a useful measure of individual reciprocity preferences. Measurement of the internalization of the norm of reciprocity may assist practitioners in identifying what types of services are more likely to retain and benefit mental health service consumers.
Integrated primary and mental health care services: an evolving partnership model.

TOPIC Persons with serious psychiatric disabilities experience high rates of medical co-morbidities that, if properly treated, could improve overall well-being and the course of recovery. PURPOSE This brief reports describes how two organizations-Thresholds Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centers and University of Illinois College of Nursing-partnered to offer integrated behavioral and physical health care responsive to the needs of the population and committed to consumer-centered, holistic and preventative care. Most recently, the partnership offers primary care in different community settings through different service models-tele-monitoring, home visits, group visits. SOURCES USED A combination of published literature, staff report, and quality assurance data informs this report. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The authors conclude that primary care outreach is a promising strategy in mental health settings and that the Chronic Care Model (CCM) provides a set of guidelines for designing and monitoring quality integrated care for a partnership model of integrated care.
Sustaining recovery through the night: impact of a peer-run warm line.

OBJECTIVE This exploratory study describes the impact of a peer-run warm line on the lives of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. METHODS Phone surveys were completed with 480 warm line callers over four years. RESULTS Warm line callers reported a reduction in the use of crisis services and a reduction of feelings of isolation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The results indicate that peer-run warm lines can fill an important void in the lives of individuals living with mental illnesses. Although warm lines at any time of day are helpful, keeping warm lines running after 5pm and throughout the night provides support services not typically available after office hours and can assist with loneliness, symptom management, and the process of recovery. Warm lines staffed with appropriately trained, clinically supervised, compensated peer specialists can help round out mental health services in rural and urban communities. Future research should focus on the various implementation and funding options of this unique peer support service.