Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of the image obtained with a wide-field scanning ophthalmoscope.

PURPOSE To quantify the angle of view, the magnification, and the quality of images acquired with an Optos 200Tx. METHODS We obtained fundus images of a model eye with the Optos 200Tx and recorded the maximal scale imaged in each direction. We measured the length of the scale bar and the interval of the scale bars at each angle and calculated the magnification. We also measured the contrast between scale bars and the intervals between scale bars. RESULTS The fundus image obtained with the Optos 200Tx covered 96, 101, 76, and 102° in the up, right, down, and left directions, respectively. Quantitative measurement showed that the overall image is stretched 1.12-fold in the horizontal direction with respect to the vertical. The magnification with respect to the posterior pole increased quadratically in all directions, most steeply in the vertical direction, reaching 2.0 × 1.5 in the most extreme case. The image quality was best in the left part and was worse in the inferior and superior parts. CONCLUSIONS The Optos 200Tx can obtain an image duplicated, with an angular range of approximately 200° horizontally and 170° vertically, with greatest limitation in the inferior direction. It should be noted that the most peripheral part of the image is significantly and unequally magnified. In addition, the contrast is not the same at all positions. The present data would serve as a guide to correct the peripheral magnification in future studies.
Glutamine Improves Myocardial Function following Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is common during cardiac procedures. Glutamine may protect the myocardium by preserving metabolic substrates. Glutamine (0.52 g·kg−1) or Ringer's lactate solution (control group) was administered intraperitoneally to 63 Sprague-Dawley rats at 4 or 18 hours prior to experimental ischemia and reperfusion. The hearts were excised and perfused on an isolated working heart model, exposed to global ischemia for 15 min and reperfusion for 1 hour. Left atrial pressure, mean aortic pressure, cardiac flow, coronary flow, and aortic output were measured 15 min before ischemia and every 15 min during reperfusion. There was significantly better cardiac output in the glutamine pretreated groups. Pretreatment at 4 hours before the experiment was superior to pretreatment at 18 hours, with better maintenance of cardiac output and coronary flow. The enhanced protective effect of pretreatment at 4 hours highlights the importance of timing, and suggests a potential clinical benefit.
Prescription drug cost sharing: associations with medication and medical utilization and spending and health.

CONTEXT Prescription drugs are instrumental to managing and preventing chronic disease. Recent changes in US prescription drug cost sharing could affect access to them. OBJECTIVE To synthesize published evidence on the associations among cost-sharing features of prescription drug benefits and use of prescription drugs, use of nonpharmaceutical services, and health outcomes. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed for studies published in English between 1985 and 2006. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Among 923 articles found in the search, we identified 132 articles examining the associations between prescription drug plan cost-containment measures, including co-payments, tiering, or coinsurance (n = 65), pharmacy benefit caps or monthly prescription limits (n = 11), formulary restrictions (n = 41), and reference pricing (n = 16), and salient outcomes, including pharmacy utilization and spending, medical care utilization and spending, and health outcomes. RESULTS Increased cost sharing is associated with lower rates of drug treatment, worse adherence among existing users, and more frequent discontinuation of therapy. For each 10% increase in cost sharing, prescription drug spending decreases by 2% to 6%, depending on class of drug and condition of the patient. The reduction in use associated with a benefit cap, which limits either the coverage amount or the number of covered prescriptions, is consistent with other cost-sharing features. For some chronic conditions, higher cost sharing is associated with increased use of medical services, at least for patients with congestive heart failure, lipid disorders, diabetes, and schizophrenia. While low-income groups may be more sensitive to increased cost sharing, there is little evidence to support this contention. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacy benefit design represents an important public health tool for improving patient treatment and adherence. While increased cost sharing is highly correlated with reductions in pharmacy use, the long-term consequences of benefit changes on health are still uncertain.
Gender does not influence cystatin C concentrations in healthy volunteers

Abstract Background: Current data are conflicting about the influence of gender on cystatin C concentrations. The goal of this study was to determine the reference interval for serum cystatin C in normal Brazilian subjects, taking into account the influence of gender. Methods: Ninety-seven healthy volunteers, aged 18–70 years, 44% male, had glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured using a 51Cr-EDTA method and estimated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. Serum cystatin C was measured using a turbidimetric method, and creatinine by the Jaffe method. Results: Mean serum cystatin C was not significantly different between males and females, 0.62±0.12 vs. 0.65±0.12 mg/L, respectively (p=0.26). However, median serum creatinine was significantly higher in men [97 (80–115) vs. 80 (53–88) μmol/L; p=0.0001]. There were also no significant differences between genders with respect to GFR measured using 51Cr-EDTA (103±14 for males and 106±19 mL/min/1.73 m2 for females, p=0.47), and estimated with the MDRD equation (86±12 vs. 83±16 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, p=0.24). Conclusions: There was no effect of gender on serum cystatin C, as well as on measured and estimated GFR. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:405–8.
Correlates of condom use among male high school students in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND Correct and consistent condom use is an effective strategy to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics of 3 groups of adolescent males: consistent, sporadic, and non-condom users. METHODS The sample consisted of 931 sexually experienced male high school students in Nairobi, Kenya. Cross tabulations and general linear models were used to test the relation between each explanatory variable and condom user group. RESULTS Fifty-three percent of respondents reported having used condoms. Compared with nonusers and sporadic users, consistent users engaged in sexual intercourse for the first time at an older age and reported higher condom use self-efficacy, more positive peer attitudes toward safe sex, and stronger attitudes toward condom use. Compared with sporadic and consistent users, nonusers reported fewer sexual partners, less substance use, and more frequent intercourse with non-romantic partners. Sporadic users, compared with the other 2 groups, had more sexual partners and stronger attitudes that support that males and females have separate roles. The 3 groups did not differ in HIV/AIDS knowledge. On average, respondents responded correctly to two thirds of the questions. All groups perceived their risk of contracting an STI as low, and this perception did not differ by condom use. Differences in participants' age by group were minimal. CONCLUSIONS The study supports the need for interventions that target specific condom use groups.
Clinicoepidemiological manifestations of RPGN and ANCA-associated vasculitides: an 11-year retrospective hospital-based study in Japan

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated small-vessel vasculitides are major causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Although recent papers suggest differences in clinicoepidemiological manifestations of ANCA-associated vasculitis between Japan [microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) ≫ Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG)] and Europe (WG ≫MPA), little is known about the prevalence and serological pattern. We retrospectively analyzed 27 RPGN patients who were admitted in our hospital over the past 11 years and who could be basically followed for more than 1 year, concerning the incidence of ANCA-related vasculitis, the presence of (MPO)/proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA and their clinical outcomes. As there were no PR3-ANCA single positive and/or WG patients, all patients were serologically divided into four groups; Groups I: MPO-ANCA single-positive patients (N = 11), II: MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA double-positive patients (N = 3), III: antiglomerular basement membrane antibody (anti-GBM Ab)-positive patients (N = 6), and IV: all negative patients (N = 7). Patients in Groups II/III showed more severe manifestation at admission. However, in Group I, only 36.3% patients avoided death and/or dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease. Most patients in Group IV were women (85.7%), and 50% of these patients was diagnosed as having rheumatic diseases. Every patient in Groups I−III was treated with oral corticosteroid and/or methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Most patients treated with immunosuppressants showed severe prognosis because of frequent recurrences of vasculitis and infectious episodes after repeated and prolonged treatments with immunosuppressants. Present analysis further confirms the epidemiological and serological differences in ANCA-related RPGN between Japan and Europe, and reinforced the fact that ANCA-associated vasculitis is the most serious causal disease for RPGN.
Age‐related decline in the osteogenic potential of human bone marrow cells cultured in three‐dimensional collagen sponges

Studies with human and animal culture systems indicate that a sub‐population of bone marrow stromal cells has the potential to differentiate into osteoblasts. There are conflicting reports on the effects of age on human marrow‐derived osteogenic cells. In this study, we used a three dimensional (3D) culture system and quantitative RT‐PCR methods to test the hypothesis that the osteogenic potential of human bone marrow stromal cells decreases with age. Marrow was obtained from 39 men aged 37 to 86 years, during the course of total hip arthroplasty. Low‐density mononuclear cells were seeded onto 3D collagen sponges and cultured for 3 weeks. Histological sections of sponges were stained for alkaline phosphatase activity and were scored as positive or negative. In the group ≤ 50 years, 7 of 11 samples (63%) were positive, whereas only 5 of 19 (26%) of the samples in the group ≥ 60 years were positive (p = 0.0504). As revealed by RT‐PCR, there was no expression of alkaline phosphatase or collagen type I mRNA before culture, however there were strong signals after 3 weeks, an indication of osteoblast differentiation in vitro. We performed a quantitative, competitive RT‐PCR assay with 8 samples (age range 38–80) and showed that the group ≤ 50 years had 3‐fold more mRNA for alkaline phosphatase than the group ≥ 60 years (p = 0.021). There was a significant decrease with age (r = − 0.78, p = 0.028). These molecular and histoenzymatic data indicate that the osteogenic potential of human bone marrow cells decreases with age. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 583–590, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative severity of fumonisin contamination of cereal crops in West Africa

Traditional and improved varieties of maize, pearl millet and sorghum were planted by small-scale farmers under the direction of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture in two Nigerian agro-ecological zones: the Sudan Savanna and the Northern Guinea Savanna. Samples were collected for the determination of Fusarium infection and fumonisin (B1, B2 and B3) contamination. A previous paper reported Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin contamination of these samples. Fusarium infection levels, measured by per cent kernels infected, were modest with mean levels for the above cereals of 16% ± 11% (SD), 12% ± 7% and 13% ± 16%, respectively. However, the Fusarium species recovered from maize were predominantly the fumonisin producers F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, together making an infection rate of 15% ± 10%, whereas these species were present to a limited extent only in the other two cereals, 1% ± 1% for pearl millet and 2% ± 6% for sorghum. Fumonisin contamination was variable but reflected the diversity of Fusarium producers in these three cereals. Mean levels were 228 ± 579 µg kg–1 (range < 5–2860 µg kg–1) for maize, 18 ± 7 µg kg–1 (range = 6–29 µg kg–1) for pearl millet and 131 ± 270 µg kg–1 (range < 5–1340 µg kg–1) for sorghum. Together with previous results on aflatoxin, this study confirmed the co-occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize as well as in the traditional African cereals, millet and sorghum (89% co-occurrence across all three cereals). The low fumonisin levels may be ascribed to the use of good agricultural practices. Of the Fusarium species present, those in maize consisted mainly of fumonisin producers, the opposite of what was observed in pearl millet and sorghum. It is concluded that replacement of maize by pearl millet and sorghum could improve food safety with regards to aflatoxin B and fumonisin B exposure.
A double-blind comparison of olanzapine versus risperidone in the acute treatment of dementia-related behavioral disturbances in extended care facilities.

BACKGROUND In addition to demonstrating their superiority to placebo, there is a need to compare the relative efficacy and side effects of atypical neuroleptics for the acute treatment of dementia-related behavioral disturbances in residents of long-term care facilities. METHOD In a double-blind parallel study allowing dose titration over 14 days, 39 agitated persons with DSM-IV dementia who were residing in long-term care facilities were administered olanzapine (N = 20) or risperidone (N = 19) as acute treatment. Drug was administered once a day at bedtime. The initial dosages were olanzapine, 2.5 mg/day, and risperidone, 0.5 mg/day. Titration was allowed to maximum doses of olanzapine, 10 mg/day, and risperidone, 2.0 mg/day. The primary outcome measures were the Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Data were gathered from 2000 to 2002. RESULTS Both drugs produced significant reductions in CGI and NPI scores (p <.0001), but there was no significant difference between drugs. The mean olanzapine dose was 6.65 mg/day; for risperidone, the dose was 1.47 mg/day. The positive drug effect was not accompanied by decreased mobility, and there was improvement on a quality-of-life measure. The chief adverse events were drowsiness and falls. At baseline, 42% (16/38) of subjects in both groups had extrapyramidal symptoms that increased slightly, but not significantly, by the end of the study. CONCLUSION Low-dose, once-a-day olanzapine and risperidone appear to be equally safe and equally effective in the treatment of dementia-related behavioral disturbances in residents of extended care facilities.
"Pretranscriptional capping" in the biosynthesis of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus mRNA.

The in vitro synthesis of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) mRNA was previously shown to be dependent upon the presence of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). We now find that the competitive inhibitor of methylation, S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), also stimulates CPV mRNA synthesis efficiently, resulting in the synthesis of viral mRNAs containing 5'-terminal GpppA and ppA, rather than m(7)GpppAm as observed with Adomet. In addition to AdoHcy, other AdoMet analogues, including S-adenosylethionine and adenosine, also stimulate CPV mRNA synthesis but to a smaller extent than does AdoHcy or AdoMet. In order to study the relationship between cap formation and mRNA synthesis, nucleoside triphosphates were replaced in the RNA-synthesizing reaction mixture (containing AdoMet) by the corresponding beta,gamma-imido analogues, which are resistant to nucleotide phosphohydrolase, an enzyme involved in cap formation. Although mRNA synthesis occurred in the presence of UMP-pNHp or GMP-pNHp, none was observed when AMP-pNHp was substituted for ATP. Because the ATP molecule that becomes the 5'-terminal nucleotide of CPV mRNA must be cleaved at the beta-gamma position during cap formation, the results suggest that, in this viral transcription system, cap formation is prerequisite to mRNA synthesis-i.e., a "pretranscriptional" event.
Production of Infectious Human Cytomegalovirus Virions Is Inhibited by Drugs That Disrupt Calcium Homeostasis in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

ABSTRACT We previously reported that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Although some normal consequences of UPR activation (e.g., translation attenuation) are detrimental to viral infection, we have previously shown that HCMV infection adapts the UPR to benefit the viral infection (14). For example, UPR-induced translation attenuation is inhibited by viral infection, while potentially beneficial aspects of the UPR are maintained. In the present work, we tested the ability of HCMV to overcome a robust induction of the UPR by the drugs thapsigargin and clotrimazole (CLT), which disrupt ER calcium homeostasis. A 24-h treatment with these drugs beginning at 48, 72, or 96 h postinfection (hpi) completely inhibited further production of infectious virions. HCMV could not overcome the inhibition of global translation by CLT; however, between 48 and 72 hpi, HCMV overcame translational inhibition caused by thapsigargin. Despite the restoration of translation in thapsigargin, the accumulation of immediate-early and early gene products was modestly retarded (50% or less), whereas the accumulation of an early-late and late gene product was significantly retarded. Electron microscopic analysis shows that the drugs severely disrupt the maturation of HCMV virions. This can be accounted for by both the retarded accumulation of late gene products and the drug-induced depletion of ER calcium, which disrupts critical cellular functions needed for maturation.
Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: Tertiary Care Center Experience in Management and Review of the Literature

Introduction: In recent years there have been changes in management modality and a lower mortality with conservative management. We analyzed the result of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) management by a review of the literature. Material and Methods: We made a retrospective study for the period from August 2005 to July 2009. Patients were evaluated by CT and subclassified based on CT. The patients managed in different modalities and their outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 28 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of EPN. The age range was 22–70 years. Five patients were managed conservatively, 17 patients underwent minimally invasive modalities (double J stent, pigtail drainage). Open drainage of the abscess was conducted in 2 patients, and 4 patients required emergency nephrectomy. Emergency nephrectomy is associated with a high mortality (75%). Conclusions: In the majority of cases, EPN was successfully treated by resuscitation and minimally invasive modalities. Percutaneous drainage should be part of the initial management strategy. This strategy is associated with a lower mortality than emergency nephrectomy.
Task-Irrelevant Novel Sounds have Antithetical Effects on Visual Target Processing in Young and Old Adults

In young adults, primary visual task processing can be either enhanced or disrupted by novel auditory stimuli preceding target events, depending on task demands. Little is known about this phenomenon in older individuals, who, in general, are more susceptible to distraction. In the current study, age-related differences in the electrophysiological effects of task-irrelevant auditory stimuli on visual target processing were examined. Under both low and high primary task loads, the categorization/updating process in response to visual targets preceded by auditory novels, as indexed by the target P3 component, was enhanced in young, but diminished in old adults. In both age groups, the alerting/orienting response to novel auditory stimuli, as measured by the P3a, was smaller under high task load, whereas redirecting attention to the visual task after a novel auditory event, as indexed by the reorienting negativity (RON), tended to be augmented under high task load. Old subjects generated a smaller P3a and RON. We conclude that task irrelevant novel auditory stimuli have the opposite effect on the processing of visual targets in young and old adults. This finding may help explain age-related increases in the disruption of primary task activity by irrelevant, but salient auditory events.
Platelet aggregation responses are critically regulated in vivo by endogenous nitric oxide but not by endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Background and purpose: Although exogenous nitric oxide (NO) clearly modifies platelet function, the role and the source of endogenous NO in vivo remain undefined. In addition, endothelial NO synthase (NOS‐3) critically regulates vessel tone but its role in modulating platelet function is unclear. In this paper we have investigated the roles of endogenous NO and NOS‐3 in regulating platelet function in vivo and determined the functional contribution made by platelet‐derived NO.
Patterns of Arginine and Nitric Oxide in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease With Vaso-occlusive Crisis and Acute Chest Syndrome

Purpose Our objective was to evaluate l-arginine and nitric oxide metabolite (NOx) levels in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) at steady-state and during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Because alterations in nitric oxide production may have an important role in the pathophysiology of SCD, our second aim was to determine if a relationship exists between these levels and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Patients and Methods Plasma l-arginine and serum NOx levels were examined in 36 patients with SCD with 39 episodes of VOC and 10 children with SCD at steady-state. Daily levels were obtained in children requiring hospitalization. Results Steady-state l-arginine levels were normal in children with SCD. l-arginine levels were low, however, in children with VOC (37.4 ± 2.7 vs. 53.6 ± 4.6 &mgr;mol/L;P = 0.008) but returned to baseline during hospitalization. In contrast, NOx levels were normal at presentation but decreased during hospitalization for both patients with VOC and patients with acute chest syndrome (ACS) (21.1 ± 2.0, 17.4 ± 2.4, and 12.3 ± 1.6 &mgr;mol/L, respectively;P < 0.05). In the patients with VOC who had ACS develop, l-arginine decreased to the lowest levels at the time of the ACS diagnosis, correlating with decreasing NOx levels. Conclusion These data suggest that there may be a relationship between the l-arginine–nitric oxide pathway and vaso-occlusion in SCD. Low arginine levels during VOC could reflect a state of acute substrate depletion that results in a decrease in nitric oxide production.