Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Clinical features and prognostic analysis of retroperitoneal fibrosis in 32 patients].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical features and imaging manifestations of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) for improving clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS The medical records of 32 cases from Jul. 2009 to Dec. 2011 with definite diagnosis of RPF were reviewed retrospectively, and the fibro-inflammatory tissue in CT/MRI imagings were classified and measured. The clinical symptoms, the acute phase reactants, kidney function, and radiological imaging,with or without double-J ureteral stenting were observed and compared between prior and post medications and their correlations were also analysed. RESULTS The average age at onset was 60 years, ranging from 30-78, with male-to-female ratio of 1.91:1. Among these 32 cases, the most common presenting manifestations included abdominal pain, abdominal distension, lumbago, loss of body weight, and pitting edema of lower extremities. Hydronephrosis was found by colour doppler untrasonography in 26 (81.25%) patients. RPF was confirmed by typical CT/MRI imagings in all the patients. All of the patients in our study were treated with corticosteroids and in combination with tamoxifen or immunosuppressive agents in most of the patients, of whom 18 patients were followed up for an average of 14 months. After drug therapy, the patients' symptoms were relieved, ESR and CRP droped, renal function improved, and the size of RPF reflected in CT/MRI imagings became smaller significantly. The average time of removal double-J ureteral stenting was 13.1 months and the extubated rate was 80%. The correlation coefficients between changes of ESR or CRP and transverse diameter in CT/MRI imagings were 0.50 or 0.66 (P<0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION The presenting manifestations of RPF were nonspecific. However, it is extremely important to recognize RPF, because early drug therapy could alleviate symptoms and reduce the acute phase reactants, improve renal function and improve imaging and extubated rate. When compared with the changes between prior and post medications, changes of ESR and CRP had good correlations with CT/MRI imaging changes respectively.
Daily sedative interruption in mechanically ventilated patients at risk for coronary artery disease*

Objectives:To determine the prevalence of myocardial ischemia in mechanically ventilated patients with coronary risk factors and compare periods of sedative interruption vs. sedative infusion. Design:Prospective, blinded observational study. Setting:Medical intensive care unit of tertiary care medical center. Patients:Intubated, mechanically ventilated patients with established coronary artery disease risk factors. Interventions:Continuous three-lead Holter monitors with ST-segment analysis by a blinded cardiologist were used to detect myocardial ischemia. Ischemia was defined as ST-segment elevation or depression of >0.1 mV from baseline. Measurements and Main Results:Comparisons between periods of awakening from sedation vs. sedative infusion were made. Vital signs, catecholamine levels, and time with ischemia detected by Holter monitor during the two periods were compared. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, rate–pressure product, respiratory rate, and catecholamine levels were all significantly higher during sedative interruption. Eighteen of 74 patients (24%) demonstrated ischemic changes. Patients with myocardial ischemia had a longer intensive care unit length of stay (17.4 ± 17.5 vs. 9.6 ± 6.7 days, p = .04). Despite changes in vital signs and catecholamine levels during sedative interruption, fraction of ischemic time did not differ between the time awake vs. time sedated [median [interquartile range] of 0% [0, 0] compared with 0% [0, 0] while they were sedated [p = . 17]). The finding of similar fractions of ischemic time between awake and sedated states persisted with analysis of the subgroup of 18 patients with ischemia. Conclusions:Myocardial ischemia is common in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients with coronary artery disease risk factors. Daily sedative interruption is not associated with an increased occurrence of myocardial ischemia in these patients.
Classical Swine Fever Virus Npro Limits Type I Interferon Induction in Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells by Interacting with Interferon Regulatory Factor 7

ABSTRACT Viruses are detected by different classes of pattern recognition receptors that lead to the activation of interferon regulatory factors (IRF) and consequently to the induction of alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β). In turn, efficient viral strategies to escape the type I IFN-induced antiviral mechanisms have evolved. Previous studies established that pestivirus Npro antagonizes the early innate immune response by targeting the transcription factor IRF3 for proteasomal degradation. Here, we report that Npro of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) interacts also with IRF7, another mediator of type I IFN induction. We demonstrate that the Zn-binding domain of Npro is essential for the interaction of Npro with IRF7. For IRF3 and IRF7, the DNA-binding domain, the central region, and most of the regulatory domain are required for the interaction with Npro. Importantly, the induction of IRF7-dependent type I IFN responses in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) is reduced after wild-type CSFV infection compared with infection with virus mutants unable to interact with IRF7. This is associated with lower levels of IRF7 in pDC. Consequently, wild-type but not Npro mutant CSFV-infected pDC show reduced responses to other stimuli. Taken together, the results of this study show that CSFV Npro is capable of manipulating the function of IRF7 in pDC and provides the virus with an additional strategy to circumvent the innate defense.
Critical Role of MHC Class I-Related Chain A and B Expression on IFN-α-Stimulated Dendritic Cells in NK Cell Activation: Impairment in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection 1

Dendritic cells (DCs) augment effector functions of NK cells, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we show in an in vitro coculture system that human monocyte-derived DCs enhance IFN-γ production, CD69 expression, and K562 cytolytic ability of NK cells when DCs are prestimulated with various maturation stimuli such as IFN-α or LPS. Of interest is the finding that NK cell activation mediated by LPS-stimulated DCs was dependent on IL-12 produced in DC/NK coculture, but that IFN-α-stimulated DC-mediated activation was not. Alternatively, MHC class I-related chain A and B (MICA/B), ligands for NKG2D activating receptor, were found to be induced on DCs upon IFN-α stimulation and to be responsible for the NK activation because mAb-mediated masking of MICA/B as well as inhibition of direct cell-to-cell contact using transwell insert completely abolished DC-dependent NK cell activation by IFN-α. Finally, DCs recovered from chronic hepatitis C virus-infected patients showed defects in the induction of MICA/B and impaired ability to activate NK cells in response to IFN-α stimulation. These findings suggested that MICA/B induction on DCs may be one of the mechanisms by which IFN-α activates NK cells; this impairment might affect IFN-α responsiveness in hepatitis C virus infection.
Confirmation of the role of ATG16l1 as a Crohn's disease susceptibility gene

Background: A German genome‐wide nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNP) association study identified ATG16L1 as a Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility gene. The association appeared to be confined to the nsSNP rs2241880 and was confirmed in 2 German independent case‐control collections (combined P = 4.0 × 10−8, odds ratio [OR] 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21‐1.74), a CD transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) collection, and an independent UK cohort. A weak statistical interaction with CARD15 was demonstrated. No association with ulcerative colitis (UC) was demonstrated. The aims of the study were to replicate the association with CD, examine subphenotype associations and statistical interactions with CARD15, IL23R, and the IBD5 risk haplotype, as well as explore the association with UC. Methods: The study included 645 CD and 676 UC rigorously phenotyped patients recruited from a single UK center. Unaffected controls comprised either spouses of patients (141) or individuals recruited from well‐person clinics (1049). The nsSNP rs2241880 was genotyped using MassArray (Sequenom). Results: A strong association with CD was demonstrated (P = 2.33 × 10−7, OR 1.45 [1.25–1.67]), but no significant association was demonstrated with any subphenotype. We failed to replicate the reported interaction between rs2241880 and the CARD15 low‐risk haplotypes dd and Dd. No significant statistical interaction with the 3 known CD susceptibility genes was seen. No association with UC susceptibility (P = 0.37, OR 1.06 [0.93‐1.22]), or any UC subphenotype was identified. Conclusions: We confirmed the findings that ATG16L1 is a CD susceptibility gene and found no evidence of interaction with CARD15, IL23R, or IBD5.
Stay away from tobacco: a pilot trial of a school-based adolescent smoking prevention program in Beijing, China.

A quasiexperimental study was conducted to explore the efficacy of the program Stay Away from Tobacco (SAFT). Participants-from 11 classes with 381 students total in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11-were assigned by class to three groups (intervention group T with school teachers delivering the program, intervention group R with researchers delivering the program, and comparison group C). Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 6 months after the intervention. Self-reported smoking was the outcome measure. The 30-day smoking prevalence in group C increased from 4% at baseline to 10% at the 6-month follow-up, whereas this rate declined from 11% to 6% in group T, and from 9% to 1% in group R. For group T, the odds ratio (for 30-day smoking) and the regression coefficient (for indexed number of cigarettes smoked) assessing interactions between intervention and time were 0.20 (p < .001) and -. 1605 (p < .05), respectively. The same statistics for group R were 0.09 (p < .001) and -. 2406 (p < .01), respectively. The predicted smoking rate declined by 19% from baseline to 6-month follow-up in group T (11.5% vs. 9.3%), and the same rate declined by 26% in group R (11.1% vs. 8.2%). The results from this pilot trial suggest that SAFT can reduce cigarette smoking among middle and high school students through its effect on improving these students' refusal skills and changing their perceived mental and physical values from smoking. A full-scale evaluation is recommended.
Color-Naming and Color-Matching by Preschool Children as a Function of Visual Field and Sex

The accuracy for both a color-naming and a color-matching task as a function of visual field and sex was investigated in preschool children. Subjects were 17 boys and 17 girls ranging in age from 4.4 to 5.6 yr. Each subject was tested on both tasks, for which the target stimuli were presented tachistoscopically. Accuracy measures for each task were obtained separately for both left and right visual fields. A two-factor (sex x visual field) analysis of variance with repeated measures on the visual-field factor showed a significant difference between the sexes on the color-naming task only. No significant difference between visual fields was found for either task. However, significant interactions between sex and visual field for both the color-naming and color-matching tasks were obtained, t tests for simple main effects showed a significant right visual-field advantage for girls in naming colors. Conversely, a significant left visual-field advantage for color-matching was found for boys. Also, on the color-matching task, significant sex differences were found for both visual fields when compared separately. Boys were more accurate for left and girls more accurate for right visual field. Boys performed in a more strongly lateralized fashion on the color-matching task than did the girls, supporting the notion of greater lateralization among males.
Induction of apoptosis by type Iβ protein kinase G in the human breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐468

Activation of protein kinase G (PKG) by cyclic guanosine 3,5‐monophosphate (cGMP) has become of considerable interest as a novel molecular approach for the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. This study was conducted to investigate the role of PKG isoforms in the regulation of cell growth in human breast cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB468. The expression levels of PKG isoforms were also examined using real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. No differences in the gene expression of PKG isoforms were observed between MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐468 cells. To investigate the effects of PKG isoforms on the regulation of cell growth, the cGMP analogues 8‐APT‐cGMP (PKGIα activator), 8‐Br‐PET‐cGMP (PKGIβ activator) and 8‐pCPT‐cGMP (PKGII activator) were employed. Apoptosis was assessed with the Annexin‐V–propidium iodide (PI) staining, cell cycle analysis and caspase‐3/9 activity assay. Treatment of MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐468 cells with 8‐Br‐PET‐cGMP resulted in a concentration‐dependent cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, whereas neither PKGIα nor PKGII activators had any effect on the cell growth. The role of PKGIβ in the inhibition of cell growth was confirmed using PKGI and PKGII inhibitors. The present study is the first to demonstrate the involvement of PKGIβ in the inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulatory effect of seabuckthorn leaf extract on oxidative stress parameters in rats during exposure to cold, hypoxia and restraint (C‐H‐R) stress and post stress recovery

This study was carried out to examine the antioxidative potential, if any, of seabuckthorn leaf aqueous extract, administered orally in rats at a dose of 100 mg kg−1 both in single and five doses, 30 min before cold (5°C)–hypoxia (428 mm Hg)–restraint (C‐H‐R) exposure. The effect of the extract was studied on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant parameters in liver and gastrocnemius muscle of rats on attaining the rectal temperature (Trec) of 23°C during C‐H‐R exposure and after recovery (Trec37°C) from C‐H‐R‐induced hypothermia. In untreated rats exposed to C‐H‐R, there was a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver and muscle along with decreased activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) in liver and muscle. Single‐ and five‐dose extract treatment restricted the increase in liver and muscle MDA levels and five doses of extract treatment further improved the levels of liver antioxidants, viz. reduced glutathione (GSH), on recovery of Trec37°C, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) during exposure and recovery, normalized CAT activity in liver during C‐H‐R exposure and an increase on recovery of Trec37°C. The decreasing pattern of liver and muscle GST levels both in single‐dose and five‐dose extract treated rats was similar to that in untreated rats. Results suggested that supplementation with seabuckthorn extract helps to reduce oxidative stress in liver and muscle of rats during C‐H‐R exposure and post‐stress recovery.
Consistency of reported alcohol use by pregnant women: anonymous versus confidential questionnaires with item nonresponse differences.

BACKGROUND Self-report is the best method to attain information about moderate alcohol consumption. However, reported alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy is sensitive to response bias. METHODS We compared identical questionnaires completed either confidentially or anonymously by pregnant women. A representative half of the pregnant women in Oslo attending ultrasound screening between June 2000 and May 2001 were invited to join a confidential questionnaire study. Another group of pregnant women, selected in the identical manner, were asked to answer the same questionnaire anonymously during the summer of 2001. The questionnaire was completed by 1749 confidentially and 191 anonymously (response rate 93.4% vs 84.4%). For the current study, only women with Scandinavian ethnicity were included: 1707 and 178, respectively. Measures were T-ACE (screening measure for pregnancy risk drinking), reported frequency of alcohol use, Standard Units (SU) per occasion (po), SU per week, and binge drinking (>or=5 SU po), before and during pregnancy. RESULTS There were no significant differences in reported alcohol consumption between the confidential and the anonymous group for the sample as a whole. Any alcohol consumption was reported by 22.6% and 23.3% during pregnancy week 7-12 and 13+ (confidential group) versus 22.5% and 25.8% (anonymous group). Differences between the groups tended to be larger for SU per week (p=0.07 both before pregnancy and after week 12 of pregnancy) than for the indirect alcohol (T-ACE) and the binge drinking questions. In the confidential group, the women with lower education had close to twice as high item nonresponse on the direct alcohol questions during pregnancy compared with those with higher education. This difference was smaller in the anonymous group. The rate of smoking was not reported differently in the anonymous group. CONCLUSIONS Among pregnant women, there was no significant difference in self-reported alcohol consumption obtained by confidential or anonymous questionnaires.
Approximal caries increment: a three-year longitudinal radiographic study.

AIM To determine, for different age groups, the approximal caries increment in a three-year longitudinal retrospective study and to investigate the relationship between the caries increment and self-reported measures for oral health behaviour, dental knowledge and attitude (cynicism, health concern and motivation). SUBJECTS 14, 17, 20 and 23-year-olds, who participated in a clinical epidemiological survey. Bitewings were taken of approximately 52% of the participants. Longitudinally, three cohorts were followed radiographically for three years. The self-reported measures were derived from questionnaires with sufficient reliability. RESULTS For all participants, on average, 3.7 enamel lesions and 1.2 dentine lesions were found. The number of sound surfaces, adequate restorations and the D1FS score showed significant differences over a three-year period, for all age groups. Stepwise regression analysis showed that for the explanation of the change in number of sound surfaces, number of enamel lesions and D1S between the age of 17 and 20, the variable 'health concern' contributed significantly to the regression. The change in D3FS score was explained by the variable 'behaviour', while the change in D1Fs score was explained by both 'behaviour' and 'health concern'. Neither of the dental variables, 'dental knowledge' or 'motivation' contributed significantly. For the ages 14-17 and 20-23 no significant contributions were found. CONCLUSIONS A considerable caries increment was found in this three-year retrospective radiographic study, which was not related to dental knowledge and motivation, and only for one age group (17-20) to oral health behaviour and health concern.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine by persons with arthritis: results of the National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVE To compare the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by adults ages 45 years and older with and without arthritis, and to investigate the prevalence and predictors of CAM use by persons who report being told by a doctor they had arthritis. METHODS Data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey with a supplemental section on CAM use were analyzed. Data on overall use and use by 4 CAM modalities were calculated by arthritis status. CAM use for treatment of any health condition, including arthritis, was calculated and compared by arthritis status. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of CAM use among persons with arthritis. RESULTS Overall use of CAM and use of 3 of 4 major CAM categories were higher for persons who reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis compared with those without arthritis. Biologically based therapies were the most frequently reported modalities. Although persons with arthritis were more likely than those without arthritis to report using CAM for treatment, most of their CAM use was for conditions other than arthritis. Joint pain and poor functional status were the most common predictors of CAM modalities among persons with arthritis. CONCLUSION Health care providers of persons with arthritis should be aware that CAM use is common among their patients. A complete medication history is needed to obtain information on CAM use for all conditions.
Psychological distress in college-aged women: Links with unresolved/preoccupied attachment status and the mediating role of negative mood regulation expectancies

In the present study, associations between state of mind regarding attachment, expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR), and the frequency of psychological problems were specified in a sample of young women (N = 104) involved in a collegiate setting. State of mind regarding attachment was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan, & Main, 1996), while NMR expectancies and psychological health were measured via self-report instruments. The results supported the study hypotheses. As predicted, preoccupied women displayed less confidence in NMR and reported more psychological problems than 7secure and dismissing women. Similar findings were documented when contrasting unresolved/insecure and unresolved/secure women. NMR expectancies mediated relations between state of mind regarding attachment and psychological health. The study results have implications for attachment research and interventions with young adult women involved in collegiate settings.
Adenosine receptors expression in cardiac fibroblasts of patients with left ventricular dysfunction due to valvular disease

Abstract Context: Adenosine restores tissue homeostasis through the interaction with its membrane receptors (AR) expressed on fibroblasts, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and leukocytes, but their modulation is still not fully understood. Objective: To evaluate whether changes in the transcriptomic profiling of adenosine receptors (AR) occur in cardiac fibroblasts (CF) of patients (pts) with LV dysfunction due to valvular disease (V). The secondary aim was to compare in the same pts the results obtained at cardiac level with those found in circulating leukocytes. Materials and methods: Auricle fragments were excised from 13 pts during prosthetic implantation while blood samples were collected from pts (n = 9) and from healthy subjects (C, n = 7). In 7 pts cardiac biopsy and blood samples were taken simultaneously. A human CF atrial cell line (cc) was used as control. Results: AR higher levels of mRNA expression were observed with real-time PCR in Vpts compared to C, both at cardiac (overexpression A1R:98%, A2AR:63%, A2BR:87%, A3R:85%, CD39:92%, CD73:93%) and at peripheral level (A1R vs C: p = .0056; A2AR vs C: p = .0173; A2BR vs C: p = .0272; A3R vs C: p = .855; CD39 vs C: p = .0001; CD73 vs C: p = .0091). Conclusion: All AR subtypes were overexpressed in CF of Vpts. The same trends in AR expression at cardiac level was assessed on circulating leukocytes, thus opening a new road to minimally invasive studies of the adenosinergic system in cardiac patients.