Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double contrast-enhanced two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography for evaluation of gastric lesions.

AIM To investigate the value of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCUS) imaging for evaluation of gastric lesions. METHODS 2D and 3D DCUS imaging with both oral and intravenous administrations of contrast agents was used to assess gastroscopiclly-confirmed gastric lesions in 46 patients with benign and malignant diseases. Initially, liquid-based ultrasound contrast agent (Xinzhang®) was given orally at dose of 500-600 mL for conventional ultrasound examination of the gastric lesions, and then a microbubble-based contrast agent (SonoVue) was injected intravenously at dose of 1.2-2.4 mL in bolus fashion to assess the perfusion pattern of the lesions using contrast imaging modes. The parameters derived from time-intensity curves including the arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI) and enhanced intensity (EI) were measured on the 2D DCUS imaging. 3D DCUS of the lesions was acquired to demonstrate the value of this imaging mode. RESULTS There were 22 cases with benign lesions including chronic gastritis (n = 5), gastric ulcer (n = 9), gastric polyps (n = 3), gastric stromal tumors (n = 5), and 24 cases with malignant lesions including gastric cancer (n = 20), gastric cardia carcinoma (n = 3) and post-operative recurrent gastric cancer (n = 1) in the study. The oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) imaging of the stomach clearly demonstrated the anatomy of the stomach and morphologic features of gastric lesions. With optimal scanning window and imaging display under oral CEUS, intravenous CEUS clearly showed the perfusion of gastric lesions with various characteristic manifestations. Both 2D and 3D DCUS images clearly demonstrated normal gastric wall as a three-layer structure, from the inside out, hyperechoic mucosa, hypoechoic muscularis and hyperechoic serosa, respectively. There were statistical significant differences of AT (8.68 ± 2.06 vs 10.43 ± 2.75, P = 0.017), PI (34.64 ± 6.63 vs 29.58 ± 8.22, P = 0.023) and EI (29.72 ± 6.69 vs 22.66 ± 7.01, P = 0.001) between malignant lesions and normal gastric wall. However, no differences of AT, PI and EI between benign lesions and normal gastric wall tissue were found. 3D DCUS could intuitively display morphological features and vascularities of the lesions with multiplanar and volume views. 3D DCUS imaging provided comprehensive information complementary to 2D imaging. The crater or wellhead appearances and feeding vessels as well as distorted nourishing vasculature of gastric carcinoma were better seen with 3D imaging than 2D imaging. CONCLUSION DCUS imaging can simultaneously display the anatomic and perfusion features of gastric lesions. 3D DCUS can provide additional information to 2D DCUS for evaluation of gastric lesions.
Risk factors for delusion of theft in patients with Alzheimer's disease showing mild Dementia in Japan

The mechanism underlying delusion in Alzheimer's disease patients has not been fully clarified; however, the occurrence of delusion is a critical issue for dementia patients and their caregivers. In Japan, delusion of theft is the most frequent delusion in AD patients. We examined the risk factors for delusion of theft in AD patients showing mild dementia. Fifty-six AD patients were administered HDS-R, MMSE and COGNISTAT, including the ‘speech sample’, to assess their neuropsychological and social cognitive functions. The age, years of education, presence of cohabiting family members and premorbid personality traits were obtained from family members. About 25.0% of AD patients showed delusion of theft (D-group), and 75% did not (non-D-group). About 33.3% of female patients and 5.9% of male patients were included in the D-group (p < 0.05). About 13.6% of patients who were cohabiting with family members and 66.7% of patients who were living alone were included in the D-group (p < 0.05). About 35.1% of patients who had a neurotic personality and 5.3% of patients who did not were included in the D-group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in scores on HDS-R, MMSE and COGNISTAT sub-scales, except for ‘speech sample’, between the two groups. In the ‘speech sample’, 38.7% of patients who understood a relationship between two boys and 12.0% of patients who did not were included in the D-group (p < 0.05). These results indicated that delusion of theft in AD patients was related to female gender, absence of cohabiting family members, neurotic personality and retained social cognitive function.
Cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression in relation to apoptotic potential and its prognostic significance in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a critical enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2, influences the biological behavior of human tumors, being involved in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, reduced apoptosis and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of COX-2 protein expression in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder in relation to clinicopathological data and indices of apoptotic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry was applied to 134 paraffin-embedded specimens of UC for the detection of COX-2, p53, bcl-2, caspase-3, bax protein, MLH1 and hTERT. RESULTS Ninety-four UCs (70.1%) had an enhanced expression of COX-2. The COX-2 semi-quantitative expression was unrelated to tumor grade and local invasion, but it was positively linked with caspase-3 (CPP32) and bax protein semi-quantitative immunoreactivity (p = 0.007 and p = 0.026), as well as with the quantitative expression of MLH1 (p = 0.019). COX-2 was also found to be inversely correlated with the nuclear localization of the catalyst component of the telomerase complex, hTERT (p = 0.009). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that COX-2 immunopositivity was independently associated with worse prognosis of patients with non muscle-invasive UCs (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION COX-2 overexpression, being possibly a subsequence of apoptosis activation, is associated with an unfavorable overall survival of patients with pTa-T1 UCs.
Endoscopically assisted repair of subcondylar fractures of the mandible: an evolving technique.

OBJECTIVE To review one surgeon's experience with the endoscopic approach to assist with reduction and rigid fixation of subcondylar fractures of the mandible. DESIGN Chart review of all cases in which endoscopic techniques were used to assist with the reduction and, when possible, repair of these fractures. The numbers of fractures approached, successfully repaired with the use of plates and screws, and not successfully plated with this approach were documented. SETTING All surgeries were performed in the operating room at a university hospital. PATIENTS All patients who underwent endoscopic exploration of a single or bilateral subcondylar fractures of the mandible were included. Seventeen explorations were carried out in 12 patients (age range, 16-39 years). Associated mandibular and other facial fractures were noted. INTERVENTIONS Endoscopic exploration via a transoral approach. A secondary port in the submandibular region was made in 13 of 17 fracture explorations, and this second port was used primarily for the application of downward traction on the angle of the mandible. Plates were introduced transorally, while screws were placed through a transbuccal trochar. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Success was judged by the successful reduction of the fracture and application of a rigid fixation plate by means of the limited, endoscopically assisted approach, a measure of the ability to accomplish the procedure, not an evaluation of functional results. (With these criteria, 9 of 10 successes had normal function at last follow-up, as did the 10th after revision.) RESULTS Rigid plate fixation was completed endoscopically for 10 fractures, and 2 were plated after conversion to a full open approach. Four were reduced but could not be plated, and in 1 exploration, a bent plate was removed, but a new plate was not applied. Nine of the 10 fractures plated endoscopically resulted in normal occlusion and function. In the 10th case, a persistent malocclusion necessitated reexploration and refixation, resulting in a successful functional outcome with normal occlusion. CONCLUSION The endoscopically assisted approach for the repair of subcondylar fractures of the mandible is a feasible but challenging technique.
Effects of physical activity on debilitating behaviours in 13- to 20-year-old males with severe autism spectrum disorder

The presented study investigated the extent to which engaging in a therapeutic sporting programme in males with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improves the debilitating behaviours commonly associated with ASD. Furthermore, the views of parents of the autistic participants were assessed concerning the effectiveness of the programme. Participants were eight 13- to 20-year-old males born in the United Kingdom from a school and sports college for pupils with severe learning difficulties. The selection was using volunteer sampling from the “Monday Club” initiative, run by Saracens Sports Foundation in partnership with a local school and specialist sports college. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, 3rd edition was administered to identify and measure the severity of ASD behaviours at four time periods namely: at programme entry as the baseline (Time 1, T1), a second time after 8 weeks (Time 2, T2), a third time after 16 weeks (Time 3, T3), and a fourth time post programme (Time 4, T4). The results showed that for the more severe cases of ASD (Autism Index >101) there was no positive change in subscale performance from T1 to T2. For milder cases (Autism Index, 71–100) there were subtle non-significant improvements on the subscale scores from T1 to T2. Of the 6 subscales at T2, emotional responses, cognitive style, and maladaptive speech approached significance at the P=0.05 level. At T3 and T4, there was also no statistically significant improvement in ASD behaviours compared to the baseline for either condition. Finally parents’ were “very satisfied” with their child’s participation in the physical activity programme.
Identification of a haplosufficient 3.6-Mb region in human chromosome 11q14.3→q21

Cytogenetic deletions are almost always associated with phenotypic abnormality and are very rarely transmitted. We have located a hitherto undescribed, familial deletion involving the region 11q14.3→q21 in five individuals in a three-generation kindred. Four of the deletion carriers show no phenotypic abnormality; the other, who is the proband, was investigated for short stature and poor academic progress. In view of the apparent innocuous nature of this genetic imbalance, the deletion was investigated in detail to determine its size (3.6 Mb) and location with reference to molecular markers and genetic content. The deleted region is described by a contig of 37 BACS including the flanking regions, which we have assembled. Several possible contributory factors are considered, which might explain the lack of clinical significance of this large deletion. It is notable that there are few genes in this region and none have known functions. All most likely have copies elsewhere in the genome and a number of other hypothetical genes appear to be members of certain gene families, i.e. none is unique. Part of the region (1 Mb) is also duplicated at the pericentromeric region 11p11. Given the very low proportion of the genome occupied by single copy genes and their uneven distribution, regions such as this, which appear to be functionally haplosufficient, may be more common than hitherto recognised.
The Evolution of Surgical Treatment for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: Era of Mid-Urethral Slings

Based on the integral theory, tension-free placement of a mid-urethral sling (MUS) for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) has gained substantial popularity owing to the ease of the procedure and its effectiveness. Published series with long-term follow-up show continence rates after the MUS procedure ranging from 70% to 80%. Complication rates after MUS procedures are usually low. This review aimed to describe the historical change and the current use of the MUS. We discuss the efficacy and complications of various MUS procedures and the current strategies for managing failed slings.
Correlations between orbitofrontal dysfunction and tobacco smoking

Orbitofrontal cortex is involved in various reward and reinforcement processes in the human brain. There is both anatomical and functional evidence for a dysfunction of orbitofrontal cortex in substance abusers, and nicotine has been shown to activate reward‐related structures in the brain similarly to other abused drugs. This study shows positive correlations between smoking parameters (smoking status and packs smoked per day) and impairment on putative measures of orbitofrontal dysfunction (go/no‐go, antisaccades, delayed alternation and impulsivity ratings). While causality could not be determined, other research suggests that an orbitofrontal dysfunction predisposes one toward tobacco abuse.
Prevention of Nephrotoxicity Induced by Cyclosporine‐A: Role of Antioxidants

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a powerful immunosuppressive drug used to prevent allograft rejection after organ transplantation as well as in human and veterinary medicine. Unfortunately, its use is hampered by its nephrotoxic effects. The mechanisms of CsA‐induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity are not clear, but several studies suggest the possible involvement of free radicals. In this review we have summarized the effect of some antioxidants that we have used in the recent years, in combination with CsA, to better understand the exact mechanism of action of CsA and to try to open new perspectives in the treatment of CsA nephrotoxicity. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 364–369, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of desensitizing agents on dentin permeability.

PURPOSE To investigate the in vitro efficacy of two dentin desensitizing products at reducing liquid permeability through human dentin discs. The tested hypothesis was that the products, in spite of different chemical mechanisms were not different at reducing or eliminating flow through dentin discs. METHODS Dentin slices (1 mm thick) were prepared from 16 extracted human third molars and their permeability was indirectly recorded in a split chamber model, using a chemiluminescence technique, after EDTA treatment (control), after soaking with albumin, and after desensitizer application. Two products were studied: MS Coat, a self-curing resin-containing oxalate product, and Gluma Desensitizer, a glutaraldehyde/HEMA-based agent without initiator. The dentin slices were mounted between an upper chamber, filled with an aqueous solution of 1% potassium ferricyanide and 0.3% hydrogen peroxide, and a lower chamber filled with 1% sodium hydroxide solution and 0.02% luminol. The upper solution was pressurized, and upon contact with the luminol solution a photochemical signal was generated and recorded as a measure of permeability throughout two consecutive pressurizing cycles at 2.5 and 13 kPa (26 and 133 cm H2O), respectively. RESULTS The permeability of the control and albumin-soaked samples was similarly high. After application of the desensitizing agents, dentin permeability was reduced to virtually zero at both pressure levels (P < 0.001).
Localized Cerebral Blood Flow Reductions in Patients With Heart Failure: A Study Using 99mTc‐HMPAO SPECT

Background and Purpose. Reduced resting global cerebral blood flow has been previously detected in association with heart failure (HF), but it is not clear whether there are brain regions that could be specifically affected by those brain perfusion deficits. The authors used a fully automated, voxel‐based image analysis method to investigate, across the entire cerebral volume, the presence of resting regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) abnormalities in HF patients compared to healthy controls. Methods. rCBF was evaluated with 99m Tc‐single‐photon emission computed tomography in 17 HF patients (New York Heart Association functional class II or III) and 18 elderly healthy volunteers. Voxel‐based analyses of rCBF data were conducted using the statistical parametric mapping software. Results. Significant rCBF reductions in HF patients relative to controls (P < .05, corrected for multiple comparisons) were detected in 2 foci, encompassing, respectively, the left and right precuneus and cuneus and the right lateral temporoparietal cortex and posterior cingulated gyrus. In the HF group, there was also a significant direct correlation between the degree of cognitive impairment as assessed using the Cambridge Mental Disorders of the Elderly Examination and rCBF on a voxel cluster involving the right posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, located closely to the site where between‐group rCBF differences had been identified. Conclusions. These preliminary findings indicate that posterior cortical areas of the brain may be particularly vulnerable to brain perfusion reductions associated with HF and sug est that functional deficits in these regions might be relevant to the pathophysiology of the cognitive impairments presented by HF patients.
Reliability and validity of measures from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

OBJECTIVES To assess the reliability and validity of measures on the BRFSS, to assist users in evaluating the quality of BRFSS data, and to identify areas for further research. METHODS Review and summary of reliability and validity studies of measures on the BRFSS and studies of measures that were the same or similar to those on the BRFSS from other surveys. RESULTS Measures determined to be of high reliability and high validity were current smoker, blood pressure screening, height, weight, and BMI, and several demographic characteristics. Measures of both moderate reliability and validity included when last mammography was received, clinical breast exam, sedentary lifestyle, intense leisure-time physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Few measures were of low validity and only one measure was determined to be of low reliability. Several other measures were of high or moderate reliability or validity, but not both. The reliability or validity could not be determined for some measures, primarily due to lack of research. CONCLUSIONS Most questions on the core BRFSS instrument were at least moderately reliable and valid, and many were highly reliable and valid. Additional research is needed for some measures.
Tissue harmonic images obtained with parallel transmit beamforming by means of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

In classic pulse echo ultrasound imaging, the data acquisition rate is limited by the speed of sound. To overcome this limitation, parallel beamforming techniques in transmit (PBT) and in receive mode (PBR) have been developed. To perform harmonic imaging, PBT techniques are preferable being capable of generating stronger harmonics thanks to the possibility to use focused beams in transmission. Recently, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been explored to perform PBT. To date, only numerical studies and in-vitro experiments in water have been performed, thus neglecting the effect of frequency dependent absorption. In this paper, PBT by means of OFDM tissue harmonic images are presented. A homemade agarose tissue mimicking phantom containing water filled cylindrical cavities was utilized as test object. The ULA-OP ultrasound open platform was used in combination with the linear array probe LA533 (Esaote Italy). Starting from the available transducer bandwidth, sub-bands were allocated to each beam transmitted in parallel. Three orthogonal sub-bands were used, improving the frame rate by a factor three. A classic B-mode tissue harmonic image was then obtained with the same setup for comparison. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and average background brightness inside the cavities were evaluated to provide an indirect measure of the influence of interbeam interference.
RARE imaging: A fast imaging method for clinical MR

Based on the principles of echo imaging, we presnet a method to acquire sufficient data for a 256 × 256 image in from 2 to 40s. The image contrast is dominated by the transverse relaxation time T2 Sampling all projections for 2D FT image reconstruction in one (or a few) echo trains leads to image artifacts due to the different T2 weighting of the echo. These artifacts cannot be described by a simple smearing out of the image in the phase direction. Proper distribution of the phase‐encoding steps on the echoes can be used to minimize artifacts and even lead to resolution enhancement. In spite of the short data acquisition times, the signal amplitudes of structures with long T2 are nearly the same as those in a conventional 2D FT experiment. Our method, therefore, is an ideal screening technique for lesions with long T2. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.
ARF1-mediated actin polymerization produces movement of artificial vesicles

Vesicular trafficking and actin dynamics on Golgi membranes are both regulated by ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) through the recruitment of various effectors, including vesicular coats. Actin assembly on Golgi membranes contributes to the architecture of the Golgi complex, vesicle formation, and trafficking and is mediated by ARF1 through a cascade that leads to Arp2/3 complex activation. Here we addressed the role of Golgi actin downstream of ARF1 by using a biomimetic assay consisting of liposomes of defined lipid composition, carrying an activated form of ARF1 incubated in cytosolic cell extracts. We observed actin polymerization around the liposomes resulting in thick actin shells and actin comet tails that pushed the ARF1 liposomes forward. The assay was used to characterize the ARF1-dependent pathway, leading to actin polymerization, and confirmed a dependency on CDC42 and its downstream effector N-WASP. Overall, this study demonstrates that actin polymerization driven by the complex multicomponent signaling cascade of the Golgi apparatus can be reproduced with a biomimetic system. Moreover, our results are consistent with the view that actin-based force generation at the site of vesicle formation contributes to the mechanism of fission. In addition to its well established function in coat recruitment, the ARF1 machinery also might produce movement- and fission-promoting forces through actin polymerization.