Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Pulmonary Perfusion in Emphysema: Automated Quantification of Perfused Blood Volume in Dual-Energy CTPA

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine whether automated quantification of lung perfused blood volume (PBV) in dual-energy computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (DE-CTPA) can be used to assess the severity and regional distribution of pulmonary hypoperfusion in emphysema. Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 67 [13] years) with pulmonary emphysema, who have no cardiopulmonary comorbidities, and a DE-CTPA negative for pulmonary embolism. Automated quantification of global and regional pulmonary PBV was performed using the syngo Dual Energy application (Siemens Healthcare). Similarly, the global and regional degrees of parenchymal hypodensity were assessed automatically as the percentage of voxels with a computed tomographic density less than −900 Hounsfield unit. Emphysema severity was rated visually, and pulmonary function tests were obtained by chart review, if available. ResultsGlobal PBV generated by automated quantification of pulmonary PBV in the DE-CTPA data sets showed a moderately strong but highly significant negative correlation with residual volume in percentage of the predicted residual volume (r = −0.62; P = 0.002; n = 23) and a positive correlation with forced expiratory volume in 1 second in percentage of the predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r = 0.67; P < 0.001; n = 23). Global PBV values strongly correlated with diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (r = 0.80; P < 0.001; n = 15). Pulmonary PBV values decreased with visual emphysema severity (r = −0.46, P = 0.003, n = 40). Moderate negative correlations were found between global PBV values and parenchymal hypodensity both in a per-patient (r = −0.63; P < 0.001; n = 40) and per-region analyses (r = −0.62; P < 0.001; n = 40). ConclusionsDual-energy computed tomographic pulmonary angiography allows simultaneous assessment of lung morphology, parenchymal density, and pulmonary PBV. In patients with pulmonary emphysema, automated quantification of pulmonary PBV in DE-CTPA can be used for a quick, reader-independent estimation of global and regional pulmonary perfusion, which correlates with several lung function parameters.
Expression of coinhibitory receptors on T cells in the microenvironment of usual vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia is related to proinflammatory effector T cells and an increased recurrence‐free survival

Human papillomavirus‐induced usual‐type vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (uVIN) are infiltrated by immune cells but apparently not cleared. A potential explanation for this is an impaired T cell effector function by an immunesuppressive milieu, coinfiltrating regulatory T cells or the expression of coinhibitory molecules. Here, the role of these potential inhibitory mechanisms was evaluated by a detailed immunohistochemical analysis of T cell infiltration in the context of FoxP3, Tbet, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase, programmed cell death 1, T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (TIM3), natural killer cell lectin‐like receptor A (NKG2A) and galectins‐1, −3 and −9. Paraffin‐embedded tissues of primary uVIN lesions (n = 43), recurrent uVIN lesions (n = 20), vulvar carcinoma (n = 21) and healthy vulvar tissue (n = 26) were studied. We show that the vulva constitutes an area intensely surveyed by CD8+, CD4+, Tbet+ and regulatory T cell populations, parts of which express the examined coinhibitory molecules. In uVIN especially, the number of regulatory T cells and TIM3+ T cells increased. The expression of the coinhibitory markers TIM3 and NKG2A probably reflected a higher degree of T cell activation as a dense infiltration with stromal CD8+TIM3+ T cells and CD3+NKG2A+ T cells was related to the absence of recurrences and/or a prolonged recurrence‐free survival. A dense coinfiltrate with regulatory T cells was negatively associated with the time to recurrence, most dominantly when the stromal CD8+TIM3+ infiltration was limited. This notion was sustained in vulvar carcinoma's where the numbers of regulatory T cells progressively increased to outnumber coinfiltrating CD8+TIM3+ T cells and CD3+NKG2A+ T cells.
Clusterin expression in primary and metastatic melanoma

Abstract: Clusterin is a pleiotrophic glycoprotein that has been implicated in diverse physiologic processes. Recent studies of gene expression profiling found clusterin to be expressed in desmoplastic variants of malignant melanoma. In this study, we extended those observations and examined clusterin expression in a larger number of primary as well as in metastatic melanomas and melanocytic nevi. We used tissue microarray panels as well as selected conventional sections from formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissue blocks. Positive staining for clusterin was found in seven of 21 (30%) primary desmoplastic and three of 21 (7%) non‐desmoplastic melanoma. Among metastatic tumors, clusterin expression was found in five of 37 tumors (13.5%). Clusterin expression was not seen in melanocytes of normal skin or in any of the 10 melanocytic nevi tested. Clusterin expression was not entirely restricted to melanoma; it was also seen in a few non‐neoplastic tissues, including perifollicular fibroblasts, occasional sebocytes, and the epithelial cells lining sebaceous duct and the isthmus of the hair follicle. Our findings confirm the observation that clusterin can be expressed in melanoma, in particular primary desmoplastic melanoma. However, clusterin appears to be present only in a minority of melanomas.
A comparison of reported differences in definitions of vital events and statistics.

The international comparability of statistics on perinatal mortality is examined using the results of a survey questionnaire completed in 1980 by each country participating in the WHO European Region Perinatal Study Group. The questionnaire covered legal organizational and functional aspects of care for pregnant women women giving birth and newborn babies; the focus of the present paper is on the registration of vital events. The differences in recording and reporting births fetal deaths and infant deaths among and within countries are considered. (ANNOTATION)
Evidence for direct axonal toxicity in vincristine neuropathy

Abstract There is a long‐standing debate concerning the localization of the primary insult that results in distal axonal degeneration, or ‘dying back’ neuropathy. To address this question, we created an in vitro model of vincristine neuropathy in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). DRGs were grown in compartmentalized chambers, allowing for isolated exposure of the cell body or the axon to vincristine. Initial dose‐finding studies identified a dose of vincristine that showed differential effects on cell death when delivered to either the cell body or the axonal compartment. At this dose of 0.05 μM, exposure of the cell bodies had no effect on the growth of axons, whereas addition of vincristine to the axonal compartment caused axonal shortening without affecting the growth of unexposed ‘sister’ axons. Toxicity was seen only with exposure of the growing axonal tips. These data support localized axonal toxicity as a cause of distal axonal degeneration due to vincristine.
Functional therapy for children with cerebral palsy: an ecological approach

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate functional training for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The outcomes examined were goal‐achievement, gross motor function, performance of everyday activities, caregiver assistance, parents’perception of family‐centredness, and preschool assistants’feeling of competence in the care of the children. The outcome measures used were goal attainment scaling, Gross Motor Function Measure, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (functional skills and caregiver assistance scales), Measure of Processes of Care, and a questionnaire. The intervention was carried out in the context of daily life settings, i.e. in an ecological framework. Fourteen children (three females, 11 males; age range 1y 6mo to 6y) with diplegia and tetraplegia, classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II‐V, participated in the five‐month intervention. Frequency of training towards a specific goal varied between twice a day and 23 times a day, depending on the type of goal. Seventy‐seven per cent of goals were fully attained. Gross motor function and performance of daily activities, including social function, improved significantly. A decrease in caregiver assistance was noted in relation to the children's mobility. Parents’perception of family‐centredness improved in all domains. Furthermore, the children's preschool assistants felt more competent in their care of the children.
Association between SRBD1 and ELOVL5 gene polymorphisms and primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE The S1 RNA binding domain 1 (SRBD1) and elongation of long-chain fatty acids family member 5 (ELOVL5) have been reported to be susceptibility genes for early-onset normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The present study we conducted to assess whether these genes were associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), including late-onset NTG and high-tension glaucoma (HTG). METHODS Three hundred seventy Japanese patients with POAG, including 158 NTG and 212 HTG patients and 191 control subjects were analyzed for SRBD1 (rs3213787) and ELOVL5 (rs735860) gene polymorphisms. RESULTS The A allele frequencies of rs3213787 were significantly higher in NTG (98.4%, P = 0.0003) and HTG (97.6%, P = 0.0013) patients than in the control subjects (92.7%). The A allele frequency was significantly higher (P = 0.014), even though the NTG patients were limited to those diagnosed at ages older than 60 years. The POAG patients with the CC or CT risk genotypes of rs735860 were significantly older (P = 0.032, analysis of variance, P = 0.043 and P = 0.015, respectively) than were the POAG patients with the TT genotype, and the frequency of a family history of glaucoma in POAG patients with the CC risk genotype was significantly higher (P = 0.015) than that in POAG patients with the TT genotype. CONCLUSIONS SRBD1 gene polymorphism is associated with the development of HTG as well as NTG, including late-onset NTG. Typical POAG associated with ELOVL5 gene polymorphism may have a late rather than an early onset.
Ubiquitin E3 ligase Wwp1 negatively regulates osteoblast function by inhibiting osteoblast differentiation and migration

Ubiquitin E3 ligase‐mediated protein degradation promotes proteasomal degradation of key positive regulators of osteoblast functions. For example, the E3 ligases—SMAD‐specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Smurf1), Itch, and WW domain–containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Wwp1)—promote degradation of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), transcription factor jun‐B (JunB), and chemokine (C‐X‐C) receptor type 4 (CXCR‐4) proteins to inhibit their functions. However, the role of E3 ligases in age‐associated bone loss is unknown. We found that the expression level of Wwp1, but not Smurf1 or Itch, was significantly increased in CD45‐negative (CD45−) bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells from 6‐month‐old and 12‐month‐old wild‐type (WT) mice. Wwp1 knockout (Wwp1−/−) mice developed increased bone mass as they aged, associated with increased bone formation rates and normal bone resorption parameters. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) from Wwp1−/− mice formed increased numbers and areas of alkaline phosphatase+ and Alizarin red+ nodules and had increased migration potential toward chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) gradients. Runx2, JunB, and CXCR‐4 protein levels were significantly increased in Wwp1−/− BMSCs. Wwp1−/− BMSCs had increased amount of ubiquitinated JunB protein, but Runx2 ubiquitination was no change. Knocking down JunB in Wwp1−/− BMSCs returned Runx2 protein levels to that in WT cells. Thus, Wwp1 negatively regulates osteoblast functions by affecting both their migration and differentiation. Mechanisms designed to decrease Wwp1 levels in BMSCs may represent a new approach to prevent the decrease in osteoblastic bone formation associated with aging.
Cortically driven Fos induction in the striatum is amplified by local dopamine D2‐class receptor blockade

Dopamine D2‐class receptors have been shown to control the excitability of striatal neurons in response to cortical activation. It has been unclear, however, whether such receptors could regulate the number of striatal neurons activated by cortical stimulation, and thus affect the population response of the striatum to its cortical inputs. We used Fos induction as a readout to measure the ensemble response of striatal neurons to localized stimulation of the frontal cortex and tested for the effects of D2‐class dopamine receptor blockade on this response. In freely moving rats, we stimulated the frontal cortex by local epidural application of a dose of a GABAA receptor antagonist (picrotoxin) just threshold for inducing Fos in the striatum. We combined this treatment with D2‐class dopamine receptor antagonist treatments at dose levels also just threshold for inducing Fos, using either (i) systemic haloperidol or (ii) intrastriatal (–)sulpiride. Both systemic and intrastriatal blockade of D2‐class receptors sharply increased the numbers of striatal neurons exhibiting cortically evoked Fos induction. These findings suggest that local activation of intrastriatal D2‐class dopamine receptors can regulate the number of striatal neurons responsive to cortical inputs, thus dynamically shaping the flow of information through the striatum.
Beyond Krabbe's disease: The potential contribution of galactosylceramidase deficiency to neuronal vulnerability in late‐onset synucleinopathies

New insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms behind late‐onset neurodegenerative diseases have come from unexpected sources in recent years. Specifically, the group of inherited metabolic disorders known as lysosomal storage diseases that most commonly affect infants has been found to have surprising similarities with adult neurodegenerative disorders. Most notable has been the identification of Gaucher's disease as a comorbidity for Parkinson's disease. Prompted by the recent identification of neuronal aggregates of α‐synuclein in another lysosomal storage disease, Krabbe's disease, we propose the idea that a similar connection exists between adult synucleinopathies and Krabbe's. Similarities between the two diseases, including the pattern of α‐synuclein aggregation in the brain of the twitcher mouse (the authentic murine model of Krabbe's disease), changes to lipid membrane dynamics, and possible dysfunction in synaptic function and macroautophagy, underscore a link between Krabbe's disease and late‐onset synucleinopathies. Silent GALC mutations may even constitute a risk factor for the development of Parkinson's in certain patients. More research is required to identify definitively any link and the validity of this hypothesis, but such a connection would prove invaluable for developing novel therapeutic targets for Parkinson's based on our current understanding of Krabbe's disease and for establishing new biomarkers for the identification of at‐risk patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Suicide deaths and nonfatal hospital admissions for deliberate self-harm in the United States. Temporality by day of week and month of year.

BACKGROUND No one knows whether the temporality of nonfatal deliberate self-harm in the United States mirrors the temporality of suicide deaths. AIMS To analyze day- and month-specific variation in population rates for suicide fatalities and, separately, for hospital admissions for nonfatal deliberate self-harm. METHODS For 12 states, we extracted vital statistics data on all suicides (n = 11,429) and hospital discharge data on all nonfatal deliberate self-harm admissions (n = 60,870) occurring in 1997. We used multinomial logistic regression to analyze the significance of day-to-day and month-to-month variations in the occurrence of suicides and nonfatal deliberate self-harm admissions. RESULTS Both fatal and nonfatal events had a 6%-10% excess occurrence on Monday and Tuesday and were 5%-13% less likely to occur on Saturdays (p < .05). Males were more likely than females to act on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Nonfatal admission rates were 6% above the average in April and May (p < .05). In contrast, suicide rates were 6% above the average in February and March and 8% below it in November (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Suicides and nonfatal hospital admissions for deliberate self-harm have peaks and troughs on the same days in the United States. In contrast, the monthly patterns for these fatal and nonfatal events are not congruent.
Phototherapy and insensible water loss in the newborn infant.

Water balance studies were performed in 12 full-term hyperbilirubinemic newborn infants receiving phototherapy. The results were compared with 14 control and 10 jaundiced infants who did not receive phototherapy. In phototherapy infants, the respiratory rate, stool water loss, and insensible water loss were significantly greater than the control and jaundiced infants who did not receive phototherapy. These results emphasize the importance of careful calculation of water intake to maintain positive water balance in infants receiving this form of therapy.
Learning‐related patterns of CA1 spike trains parallel stimulation parameters optimal for inducing hippocampal long‐term potentiation

Recent studies have revealed 3 stimulation parameters that together comprise the temporal pattern of neuronal activation optimal for the induction of hippocampal LTP: high‐frequency bursts, activity 100–200 ms prior to a burst, and burst delivery in phase with the ongoing hippocampal theta rhythm. The present paper reports that these 3 aspects of patterned neural activity, collectively referred to as “theta‐bursting,” are characteristic of the spike trains of CA1 pyramidal cells in rats during the sampling and analysis of learning cues in an odor discrimination task and during performances of a spatial memory task. In contrast, theta‐bursting occurs relatively infrequently during behavioral events less directly related to task‐relevant mnemonic processing. These findings suggest that the optimal conditions for the induction of LTP occur naturally in behaving animals, time‐locked to behavioral events critical to learning.
An adaptive fast and efficient spatial error concealment technique for block-based video coding systems

Compressed video bitstream is sensitive to channel errors that may severely degrade the reconstructed pictures. Error concealment techniques implemented at decoders are effective approaches to reduce the impact of errors. They mask the effect of missing blocks by using the spatial or/and temporal correlation to create image or video of subjectively acceptable quality.
Design of Substrate Integrated Waveguide Components

This paper presents an overview of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) design activities at the University of Victoria. Mode-matching techniques (MMTs) are employed to facilitate the design of planar SIW circuits as well as surface mounted waveguide (SMW) components. Active component integration and antenna design employ commercially available field solvers. Each category is highlighted by a sample component, comparing theoretical and/or measured results for K-band applications. Good agreement between simulated and experimental results is observed. Keywords—substrate integrated waveguide; surface mounted waveguide; mode-matching technique; computer-aided design; low-noise amplifier; printed-circuit antennas.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Bahrain, 2000 through 2010

Hepatitis B infection is one of the world's major infectious diseases with about 350 million chronic carriers. Because no data is published on the prevalence and risk factors of this important disease in Bahrain, this article evaluates the available data from 2000 to 2010 to estimate the prevalence of the infection and to evaluate the risk factors. Epidemiologic data on HBV cases were collected from the major hospitals and health centers in Bahrain and statistically analyzed. Over this indicated decade, 877,892 individuals were screened for HBV infection and 5055 positive cases were reported in Bahrain. The prevalence of HBV infection during that period was 0.58%. Although there was no significant difference in the prevalence over the period of 10 years, the actual number of positive cases has almost doubled in the later years especially in 2007 and 2008. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (62.3%; P<0.01). Most cases were associated with non Bahrainis and the prevalence was significantly higher among them (68.3%; P<0.01) than it was among Bahrainis (31.7%). Seventy eight percent (2877/3690) of non Bahraini cases were for citizens of six countries which are highly endemic for HBV, namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Dental procedures and surgical operations were the main risk factors of infection as 37.2% and 35.6% of the patients were probably infected through this route. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Bahrain indicates that Bahrain had low HBV endemicity for the last 10 years (2000–2010). Our study verifies the significant role played by expatriates/immigrants in the present epidemiology of hepatitis B in Bahrain. Increasing HBV vaccination of high risk groups, active educational and media campaign, screening HBV infection during pregnancy, and surveillance of hepatitis B infected individuals will further decrease the prevalence of the disease in Bahrain.
Bloodstream infections in HIV-positive patients: a review of sixty-eight episodes.

A retrospective review of all episodes of bloodstream infection (BSI) in HIV-positive patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit at the Pisa General Hospital from 1991 to 1994 was performed. Sixty-eight episodes of BSI were recorded in 61 patients (5.8% of all patients admitted for HIV infection). BSI was community-acquired in 64.7% of cases. The patients were mainly male and i.v. drug abusers with a mean age of 33.8 yrs +/- 5.6 S.D. Sixty-four episodes occurred in AIDS patients (CDC criteria). CD4 count was less than 100 in 49 patients. The most frequent isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci 33, S. aureus 7, Pseudomonas spp 7, fungi 1, non-typhoidal Salmonella 4. The most common sources of BSI were the skin or subcutaneous tissue infections and intravascular catheters. The overall mortality associated with BSI was 27.3%. Vancomycin and teicoplanin were active in vitro against all but one of the staphylococcal isolates.
The 35% CO 2 Hyperreactivity and Clinical Symptomatology in Patients With Panic Disorder After 1 Week of Treatment With Citalopram: An Open Study

The effect of a short treatment (7 days) with citalopram on the reactivity to inhalations of 35% CO 2 and 65% oxygen and on clinical symptomatology was investigated in 15 patients with panic disorder who had a positive response to 35% CO 2 inhalation. An open study design was applied. On day 0, before starting drug treatment, and after 1 week of treatment, each patient underwent the 35% CO 2 challenge, and clinical symptomatology was evaluated with psychometric scales. The results showed a significant reduction of CO 2 reactivity and of scores on the anticipatory anxiety subscale of Panic Associated Symptoms Scale. These results confirm that the serotonergic system plays an important role in the modulation of CO 2 hyperreactivity and suggest an early anxiolytic effect of citalopram in patients who have panic disorder and are hyperreactive to CO 2 .