Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Comparison of 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA-Peptide PET/CT for Pulmonary Carcinoid

Purpose The aims of this study were to retrospectively evaluate and compare the detection rate (DR) of 68Ga-DOTA-peptide and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the preoperative workup of patients with pulmonary carcinoid (PC) and to assess the utility of various functional indices obtained with the 2 tracers in predicting the histological characterization of PC, that is, typical versus atypical. Methods Thirty-three consecutive patients with confirmed PC referred for 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT in 2 centers between January 2009 and April 2013 were included. The semiquantitative evaluation included the SUVmax, the SUV of the tumor relative to the maximal liver uptake for 18F-FDG (SUVT/L) or the maximal spleen uptake for 68Ga-DOTA-peptides (SUVT/S), the ratio between SUVmax of 68Ga-DOTA-peptides PET/CT, and the SUVmax of 18F-FDG PET/CT (SUVmax ratio). Histology was used as reference standard. Results Definitive diagnosis consisted of 23 typical carcinoids (TCs) and 10 atypical carcinoids. 18F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 18 cases and negative in 15 (55% DR). 68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT was positive in 26 cases and negative in 7 (79% DR). In the subgroup analysis, 68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT was superior in detecting TC (91% DR; P < 0.001), whereas 18F-FDG PET/CT was superior in detecting atypical carcinoid (100% DR; P = 0.04). The SUVmax ratio was the most accurate semiquantitative index in identifying TC. Conclusions Overall diagnostic performance of PET/CT in detecting PC is optimal when integrating 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT findings. In the subgroup analysis, the SUVmax ratio seems to be the most accurate index in predicting TC. Both methods should be performed when PC is suspected or when the histological subtype is undefined.
Exposure to soy-based formula in infancy and endocrinological and reproductive outcomes in young adulthood.

CONTEXT A large body of evidence documents the role of phytoestrogens in influencing hormone-dependent states. Infants fed soy formula receive high levels of phytoestrogens, in the form of soy isoflavones, during a stage of development at which permanent effects are theoretically possible. However, a paucity of data exists on the long-term effects of infant soy formulas. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between infant exposure to soy formula and health in young adulthood, with an emphasis on reproductive health. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective cohort study conducted from March to August 1999 among adults aged 20 to 34 years who, as infants, participated during 1965-1978 in controlled feeding studies conducted at the University of Iowa, Iowa City (248 were fed soy formula and 563 were fed cow milk formula during infancy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported pubertal maturation, menstrual and reproductive history, height and usual weight, and current health, compared based on type of formula exposure during infancy. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in either women or men for more than 30 outcomes. However, women who had been fed soy formula reported slightly longer duration of menstrual bleeding (adjusted mean difference, 0.37 days; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06-0.68), with no difference in severity of menstrual flow. They also reported greater discomfort with menstruation (unadjusted relative risk for extreme discomfort vs no or mild pain, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.04-3.00). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to soy formula does not appear to lead to different general health or reproductive outcomes than exposure to cow milk formula. Although the few positive findings should be explored in future studies, our findings are reassuring about the safety of infant soy formula.
Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcome reports: update and simplification of the Utstein templates for resuscitation registries: a statement for healthcare professionals from a task force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (American Heart Association, European 

Outcome after cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is dependent on critical interventions, particularly early defibrillation, effective chest compressions, and advanced life support. Utstein-style definitions and reporting templates have been used extensively in published studies of cardiac arrest, which has led to greater understanding of the elements of resuscitation practice and progress toward international consensus on science and resuscitation guidelines. Despite the development of Utstein templates to standardize research reports of cardiac arrest, international registries have yet to be developed. In April 2002, a task force of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) met in Melbourne, Australia, to review worldwide experience with the Utstein definitions and reporting templates. The task force revised the core reporting template and definitions by consensus. Care was taken to build on previous definitions, changing data elements and operational definitions only on the basis of published data and experience derived from those registries that have used Utstein-style reporting. Attention was focused on decreasing the complexity of the existing templates and addressing logistical difficulties in collecting specific core and supplementary (ie, essential and desirable) data elements recommended by previous Utstein consensus conferences. Inconsistencies in terminology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital Utstein templates were also addressed. The task force produced a reporting tool for essential data that can be used for both quality improvement (registries) and research reports and that should be applicable to both adults and children. The revised and simplified template includes practical and succinct operational definitions. It is anticipated that the revised template will enable better and more accurate completion of all reports of cardiac arrest and resuscitation attempts. Problems with data definition, collection, linkage, confidentiality, management, and registry implementation are acknowledged and potential solutions offered. Uniform collection and tracking of registry data should enable better continuous quality improvement within every hospital, emergency medical services system, and community.
Factors Which Influence Tobacco Use among Junior Enlisted Personnel in the United States Army and Air Force: A Formative Research Study

Background. Despite the implementation of a host of tobacco control initiatives, tobacco use among active duty members of the U.S. Military remains high. It has been suggested that a positive culture of tobacco, which drives consumption, exists in the military. However, little is know about factors that impact tobacco use among military personnel. Objective. This study provides the first formative data on the culture of tobacco in the U.S. Military. Methods. A total of 15 focus groups on six military installations were conducted (n = 189). These military installations were located throughout the continental United States and were of average size for each service. Results. Participants suggested that the primary method the military uses to discourage use is tobacco bans. Unfortunately, they also believed that the military accommodates tobacco use so that smoking remains convenient despite the bans on tobacco use. Smoking was believed to be encouraged through liberal smoking breaks, social interaction within designated smoking areas, and cheap and convenient tobacco products sold on military installations. Additionally, smoking was seen as an effective method to combat the stress and boredom of military life and to avoid weight gain. Conclusions. Suggestions for addressing the culture of tobacco are suggested.
Diabetes, Heart Rate, and Mortality

A large body of evidence indicates that a persistently high heart rate is associated with a significant risk for higher mortality and sudden death in individuals with a variety cardiovascu- lar disorders, as well as in the general population. Heart rates elevated beyond a certain threshold have been found to be a risk factor for mortality in patients with hypertension, in survivors of myocardial infarction, and in patients with impaired cardiac function. Conversely, a naturally slow heart rate, or one that is slow by virtue of sympathetic blockade induced by pharmacologic agents, may result in longer survival. This is particularly evident in the case of f-adrenergic blocking drugs, especially in patients after myocardial infarction and in those with acute as well as chronic cardiac failure, a syndrome in which there is a com- plex neurohormonal disturbance with elevated heart rate. Persistently elevated heart rate is also a feature of diabetes mellitus associated with autonomic neuropathy. Whether this also constitutes an independent risk factor for sudden and augmented mortality is not well defined. In this review, the data on the role of increased heart rate as a risk factor for mortality are examined in the context of other factors that may have therapeutic implications.
Effect of hypothermia on the coagulation cascade

Background and MethodsThe development of a multifactorial coagulopathy after massive transfusion is a well-recognized clinical problem that is almost always accompanied by hypothermia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the isolated effect of alterations of temperature on the integrity of the coagulation cascade. Prothrombin times and partial thromboplastin times were each performed 15 times on samples of pooled normal plasma at the temperatures of 37°C, 34°C, 31°C, and 28°C, as well as 39°C and 41°C. ResultsMean prothrombin time results increased from 11.8 ±PT 0.3 (SD) secs at 37°C to 12.9 ±PT 0.5, 14.2 ±PT 0.5, and 16.6 ±PT 0.2 secs at 34°C, 31°C, and 28°C, respectively (p < .001 for each). Partial thromboplastin time determinations increased from 36.0 ±PT 0.7 (SD) secs at 37°C to 39.4 ±PT 1.0, 46.1 ±PT 1.1, and 57.2 ±PT 0.6 secs at 34°C, 31°C, and 28°C, respectively (p < .001 for each). Both prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time determinations were only minimally shortened at hyperthermic temperatures. ConclusionsThe series of enzymatic reactions of the coagulation cascade are strongly inhibited by hypothermia, as demonstrated by the dramatic prolongation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time tests at hypothermic deviations from normal temperature in a situation where factor levels were all known to be normal. Clinicians who deal with critically ill massively transfused hypothermic patients all recognize the inevitable appearance of a coagulopathy that has a multifactorial origin. Unless specifically considered, the contribution of hypothermia to the hemorrhagic diathesis may be overlooked since coagulation testing is performed at 37°C, rather than at the patient's actual in vivo temperature.
The Power of Example: Corruption Spurs Corruption

Does political corruption erode civic values and foster dishonest behavior? I test this hypothesis in the context of Mexico by combining data on local government corruption and cheating on school tests. I find that, following revelations of corruption by local officials, secondary students' cheating on cognitive tests increases significantly. The effect is large and robust and persists for over a year after malfeasance is revealed. These findings are validated by evidence from individual survey data, which documents that individuals interviewed right after corruption is revealed report being less honest, less trustworthy, and more prone to thinking that cheating is necessary to succeed, compared to similar individuals interviewed just beforehand. (JEL D72, H70, I21, K42, O17, Z13)
Entry characteristics, academic achievement and teaching practices: A comparative study of two categories of newly qualified teachers in basic schools in Ghana

Abstract Entry qualification, academic achievement, and teaching practices of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) qenrolled into the teacher education programme directly from senior high school (DfSHS) were compared with NQTs enrolled through the Untrained Teacher Diploma in Basic Education (UTDBE) programme. Survey data collected from 140 NQTs (84 DfSHS and 56 UTDBE) of 20 public schools in central Ghana and lesson observations showed that the two categories of Newly qualified teachers differed greatly in entry grades and academic achievements during training. Differences in teaching practices pertained to content knowledge, classroom interactions, and lesson closure. Implications for pre-service and in-service teaching training are discussed.
Airborne high-resolution ISAR imaging of ship targets at sea

We address the problem of airborne high resolution two-dimensional inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) side-view imaging of ship targets. Using a simple model of the ship motions avoids the use of advanced joint-time frequency (JTF) transforms. A robust processing scheme including motion estimation and correction, optimal processing time and duration estimation and target shape extraction are developed. We stress the fact that the robustness of this processing leads to a single ISAR image analysis and that no merging of data from a set of radar images is necessary.
c-Myc Mediates Activation of the cad Promoter via a Post-RNA Polymerase II Recruitment Mechanism*

The c-Myc protein is a site-specific DNA-binding transcription factor that is up-regulated in a number of different cancers. We have previously shown that binding of Myc correlates with increased transcription of the cadpromoter. We have now further investigated the mechanism by which Myc mediates transcriptional activation of the cad gene. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we found high levels of RNA polymerase II bound to the cad promoter in quiescent NIH 3T3 cells and in differentiated U937 cells, even though the promoter is inactive. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation with an antibody that recognizes the hyperphosphorylated form of the RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) revealed that phosphorylation of the CTD does correlate with c-Myc binding andcad transcription. We have also found that the c-Myc transactivation domain interacts with cdk9 and cyclin T1, components of the CTD kinase P-TEFb. Furthermore, activator bypass experiments have shown that direct recruitment of cyclin T1 to the cadpromoter can substitute for c-Myc to activate the promoter. In summary, our results suggest that c-Myc activates transcription ofcad by stimulating promoter clearance and elongation, perhaps via recruitment of P-TEFb.
A library of yeast genomic MCM1 binding sites contains genes involved in cell cycle control, cell wall and membrane structure, and metabolism

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MCM1 protein, which is essential for viability, participates in both transcription activation and repression as well as DNA replication. However, neither the full network of genes at which MCM1 acts nor whether MCM1 itself mediates a regulatory response is known. Thus far, sites of MCM1 action have been identified by chance during analysis of particular genes. To identify a more complete set of genes on which MCM1 acts, we isolated a library of yeast genomic sequences to which MCM1 binds and then identified known genes within this library. Fragments of genomic DNA, bound to bacterially expressed MCM1 protein, were collected on a nitrocellulose filter, cloned, and analyzed. This selected library contains a large number of genes. As expected, it is enriched for strong MCM1 binding sites and contains cell-type-specific genes known to require MCM1. In addition, it also includes sequences upstream (or near the 5' end) of a number of identified yeast genes that have not yet been shown to be controlled by MCM1. These include genes whose products are involved in (i) the control of cell cycle progression (CLN3, CLB2, and FAR1), (ii) synthesis and maintenance of cell wall or cell membrane structures (PMA1, PIS1, DIT1,2, and GFA1), (iii) cellular metabolism (PCK1, MET2, and CCP1), and (iv) production of a secreted glycoprotein which is heat shock inducible (HSP150). The previously unidentified MCM1 binding site in the essential PMA1 gene is required for expression of a PMA1:lacZ fusion gene, providing evidence that one site is functionally important. We speculate that MCM1 coordinates decisions about cell cycle progression with changes in cell wall integrity and metabolic activity. The presence in the library of three genes involved in cell cycle progression reinforces the idea that one of the functions of MCM1 is indeed analogous to that of the mammalian serum response factor.
Detection of myocardial bridging with ECG-gated MDCT and multiplanar reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of myocardial bridging in 626 patients examined with MDCT angiography of the coronary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six hundred twenty-six patients who were referred to Florence Nightingale and Atatürk University Hospitals were involved in this study. These patients had atypical chest pain, symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease, or no significant cardiac complaint. Patients were in sinus rhythm and were premedicated with metoprolol tartrate (5 mg/mL IV bolus) to decrease the heart rate and nitroglycerin (5 mg sublingual 1 min before the examination) to dilate the coronary arteries. MDCT was performed on two different 16-MDCT scanners. RESULTS Among the 626 patients, 22 cases (3.5%) of myocardial bridging were detected. Fifteen cases of myocardial bridging (2.4%) were located at the middle third of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), five (0.8%) were at the distal third of the LAD, and two (0.3%) were at the proximal third of the LAD. In these patients, the length of tunneled artery was between 6 and 22 mm, with a mean of 17 mm, and the depth of tunneled artery was between 1.2 and 3.3 mm, with a mean of 2.5 mm. CONCLUSION We found the incidence of myocardial bridging in this patient group to be 3.5%. This result is in agreement with some of the angiographic studies in the literature. Our study showed that MDCT is a reliable and noninvasive tool for diagnosing coronary myocardial bridging. After evaluating resource axial images, it is necessary to also evaluate the sagittal multiplanar reconstruction images for myocardial bridging.
Comparison of acute toxicity of ketoprofen to juvenile and embryonic stages of Danio rerio.

OBJECTIVES Ketoprofen is a common human medicine from a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which is provably detected in surface waters in concentrations ordinarily in μg. L-1. The aim of this study was to compare the acute toxicity of ketoprofen to embryonic and juvenile stages of aquarium fish - zebrafish (Danio rerio). METHODS Tests were performed according to the methods of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) No. 203 (Fish, acute toxicity test) and OECD No. 212 (Fish, short-term toxicity test on embryo and sac-fry stages). RESULTS The results showed (mean ± SD) LC50 value of ketoprofen to be 632.30 ± 10.10 mg.L-1 in juvenile zebrafish and 6.44 ± 2.22 mg.L-1 in embryonic stages of zebrafish. The results revealed statistically significantly higher sensitivity (p<0.01) of the embryonic stages of zebrafish to ketoprofen compared to its juveniles. The susceptibility of embryos depends on many factors, especially yet improperly developed enzymatic system in embryos, different ways of the absorption of the substance into the organism or differences in metabolism pathways. CONCLUSIONS The acute toxicity of ketoprofen for juvenile stages of zebrafish is low, but the substance seems to be toxic for embryonic stages.
Constituent elements of political marketing in creating a positive attitude for voting for a particular candidate

This study was conducted to draw the structural model of constituent elements of political marketing in one of the large governmental organizations in Gilan of Iran. For this purpose, we randomly selected 217 subjects who completed the questionnaire. The results showed that seven major factors, economic, political, social, cultural, marketing mix, personality, and supporting individuals and factions, are involved in political marketing. Moreover, the strongest factor influencing political marketing has been economic indicators (p<0.01). Political, social, and cultural factors, as well as marketing mix with standard coefficients of 0.39, 0.30, 0.32, and 0.33, respectively, are the factors that directly predict political marketing (p<0.01), and variables such as personality and supporting individuals and factions indirectly affect political marketing.
Endothelin-1 stimulates human colonic myofibroblast contraction and migration

Background: Although the contractile, migratory, and proliferative responses of subepithelial myofibroblasts to injury have been postulated to be important events in intestinal wound healing, contractile force generation and migration by these cells has not been investigated previously, and the signals that regulate proliferation by these cells are poorly understood. Aims: The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the inflammatory mediator endothelin-1 modulates contraction, migration, and proliferation of intestinal myofibroblasts. We also sought to examine the signal transduction pathways which might underlie these putative effects. Methods: Contraction, migration, proliferation, cytosolic [Ca2+], and myosin phosphorylation were measured in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts in the absence and presence of endothelin receptor agonists and antagonists. Results: Endothelin-1, but not interleukin 1α, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, or tumour necrosis factor α, induced a rapid and robust generation of contractile force, which was associated with an increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] and myosin phosphorylation. Inhibition of rho associated kinase reduced endothelin-1 stimulated myosin phosphorylation and contractile force development. Endothelin-1 stimulated migration with a dose-response relationship similar to that observed for contraction. Endothelin A and B receptors mediated contraction while migration was mediated predominantly through endothelin B receptors. Platelet derived growth factor and serum, but not endothelin-1, induced proliferation. Conclusions: Endothelin-1 stimulates colonic subepithelial myofibroblast contraction and migration via endothelin receptor mediated myosin phosphorylation. These results support an important role for subepithelial myofibroblasts in the injury response of the gut and consequently intestinal wound repair.