Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic Issues and Demographics of Total Knee Arthroplasty Revision

Despite rising numbers of total knee arthroplasty revision (TKAR) procedures there remains a paucity of information regarding the relationships between total knee arthroplasty failure and socioeconomic and educational status, demographics, general health and functional disability. We performed a multicenter prospective study of 290 consecutive TKAR patients in order to determine whether they differed from the population they were drawn from in terms of socioeconomic or educational status, race or gender. Secondary aims were to establish the relative comorbid status of this population, social supports and their general health status compared to national norms and their modes of failure. Our cohort consisted of 137 males and 153 females with a mean age of 68.6 years (range, 34-85 years), substantial overall functional disability according to the SF-36 and a large average number of comorbidities at baseline. We found a relative overrepresentation of patients of comparatively low socioeconomic and educational status and also of Caucasian patients in the TKAR population. This large prospective investigation demonstrates demographic features associated with TKA failure and provides a platform for further investigations on the effect demographic characteristics have on the outcomes of TKAR.Level of Evidence: Prognostic Study, Level II (Lesser quality prospective study). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of the Levels of Evidence.
Nonperturbative renormalization group for the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation: general framework and first applications.

We present an analytical method, rooted in the nonperturbative renormalization group, that allows one to calculate the critical exponents and the correlation and response functions of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) growth equation in all its different regimes, including the strong-coupling one. We analyze the symmetries of the KPZ problem and derive an approximation scheme that satisfies the linearly realized ones. We implement this scheme at the minimal order in the response field, and show that it yields a complete, qualitatively correct phase diagram in all dimensions, with reasonable values for the critical exponents in physical dimensions. We also compute in one dimension the full (momentum and frequency dependent) correlation function, and the associated universal scaling function. We find a very satisfactory quantitative agreement with the exact result from Prähofer and Spohn [J. Stat. Phys. 115, 255 (2004)]. In particular, we obtain for the universal amplitude ratio g_{0}≃1.149(18), to be compared with the exact value g_{0}=1.1504. (the Baik and Rain [J. Stat. Phys. 100, 523 (2000)] constant). We emphasize that all these results, which can be systematically improved, are obtained with sole input the bare action and its symmetries, without further assumptions on the existence of scaling or on the form of the scaling function.
Neuroimaging in Pineal Tumors

Background and Purpose. The authors report radiological findings in 11 tumors in the pineal region, which were histologically diagnosed as germinomas, pineocytomas pineoblastomas, ependymomas, teratomas, and astrocytomas. Methods. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients. Results. CT showed a solid or solid/cystic mass with variable contrast enhancement. MRI showed a heterogeneous mass, with hypointense signal on T1 and iso/hyperintense signal on T2‐weighted images (WI) and gadolinium enhancement. Extension to adjacent structures occurred in five patients and spread through the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in two. Conclusions. Pineal region tumors have no pathognomonic imaging pattern. MRI and CT are complementary in diagnosis and are important to determine localization, extension, and meningeal spread.
Reliability of the SF-36 in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its associations with disease activity and damage: a two-consecutive year prospective study

We aimed to validate the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) among Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Japanese patients with SLE (n = 233) completed the SF-36 and other related demographic questionnaires, and physicians simultaneously completed the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI). Patients were prospectively followed for a repeat assessment the following year. The SF-36 subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.85–0.89), and an overall good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70). The average baseline SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for “bodily pain” were significantly lower than those of the Japanese general population (p < 0.05). The SDI showed an inverse correlation with the SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for “vitality” and “mental component summary” at baseline, whereas the SLEDAI-2K did not. In the second year, “social functioning” and “mental component summary” of the SF-36 deteriorated among patients whose SDI or SLEDAI-2K score increased (effect sizes < −0.20). In conclusion, the SF-36 demonstrated acceptable reliability among Japanese patients with SLE. Health-related quality of life measured by the SF-36 was reduced in Japanese patients with SLE and associated with disease damage, rather than disease activity.
Mood-congruent false memories persist over time

In this study, we examined the role of mood-congruency and retention interval on the false recognition of emotion laden items using the Deese/Roediger–McDermott (DRM) paradigm. Previous research has shown a mood-congruent false memory enhancement during immediate recognition tasks. The present study examined the persistence of this effect following a one-week delay. Participants were placed in a negative or neutral mood, presented with negative-emotion and neutral-emotion DRM word lists, and administered with both immediate and delayed recognition tests. Results showed that a negative mood state increased remember judgments for negative-emotion critical lures, in comparison to neutral-emotion critical lures, on both immediate and delayed testing. These findings are discussed in relation to theories of spreading activation and emotion-enhanced memory, with consideration of the applied forensic implications of such findings.
Breast cancer sentinel node metastases: histopathologic detection and clinical significance.

BACKGROUND Lymphatic mapping with sentinel lymphadenectomy (LM/SL) is an accurate and less morbid means of determining the tumor status of the axilla in breast cancer patients than standard level I and II axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). This review addresses the handling and pathologic examination of the sentinel node (SN), the clinical significance of tumor within the SN, and the risk factors for non-SN tumor involvement. METHODS The seminal works that have addressed pathologic examination of ALND specimens and SN specimens are summarized, and the important studies attempting to identify predictors of non-SN metastases in patients with a tumor-involved SN are reviewed. RESULTS Standard single-section hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) examination is inadequate for reliable detection of axillary or SN metastases. Large studies appropriately powered to detect a survival difference for patients with micrometastatic disease are reviewed. The current data on the clinical significance of micrometastatic nodal disease is inconclusive. While several strong predictors of non-SN tumor involvement have been identified, none is reliable enough to allow omission of ALND in patients with a tumor-involved SN. CONCLUSIONS Routine examination of the SN specimen should include serial sections with H&E stain. Ongoing prospective clinical trials should help to define the clinical significance of SN micrometastases. Furthermore, these trials could help identify predictors of non-SN metastasis that would allow a subset of patients with a tumor-involved SN to avoid the morbidity of ALND.
Functional Mapping of the Human Somatosensory Cortex with Echo‐Planar MRI

The somatotopical organization of the human somatosensory cortex was analyzed with echo‐planar imaging at 1.5 Tesla, utilizing deoxyhemoglobin as an endogenous contrast medium. Scrubbing stimulation at a frequency of 3 Hz was applied to one of three cutaneous areas: toes, fingertips, and tongue tip. Parasagittal echo‐planar slices were obtained every 2 s. We found focal bands of increased signal intensity (4% on average) during the stimulation, with a rise time of 2–6 s. These activated bands were located on the contralateral postcentral gyrus. The cortical responses from the three stimulation sites were anatomically distinct and organized medially‐to‐laterally in the order of toes, fingertips, and tongue tip.
Convoluted Plasma Membrane Domains in the Green Alga Chara are Depleted of Microtubules and Actin Filaments

Charasomes are convoluted plasma membrane domains in the green alga Chara australis. They harbor H+-ATPases involved in acidification of the medium, which facilitates carbon uptake required for photosynthesis. In this study we investigated the distribution of cortical microtubules and cortical actin filaments in relation to the distribution of charasomes. We found that microtubules and actin filaments were largely lacking beneath the charasomes, suggesting the absence of nucleating and/or anchoring complexes or an inhibitory effect on polymerization. We also investigated the influence of cytoskeleton inhibitors on the light-dependent growth and the darkness-induced degradation of charasomes. Inhibition of cytoplasmic streaming by cytochalasin D significantly inhibited charasome growth and delayed charasome degradation, whereas depolymerization of microtubules by oryzalin or stabilization of microtubules by paclitaxel had no effect. Our data indicate that the membrane at the cytoplasmic surface of charasomes has different properties in comparison with the smooth plasma membrane. We show further that the actin cytoskeleton is necessary for charasome growth and facilitates charasome degradation presumably via trafficking of secretory and endocytic vesicles, respectively. However, microtubules are required neither for charasome growth nor for charasome degradation.
Prevalence of Vitamin Deficiencies on Admission: Relationship to Hospital Mortality in Critically Ill Patients

Vitamin deficiency is believed to be common in critical illness. Water soluble and antioxidant vitamins are those most frequently used for supplementation in these patients. There are no data to confirm the prevalence of vitamin deficiencies in high-risk emergently admitted intensive care patients, nor their association with hospital mortality. One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive, critically ill patients who were emergently admitted to intensive care were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study. Patient data including diagnosis, source of admission and severity of illness scores were prospectively collected. Within the first 48 hours of admission, concentrations of C-reactive protein, Vitamins A, E, B1, B12 and folate were measured on arterial blood. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression modelling was performed to examine the association of vitamin concentrations with hospital mortality. Fifty-five patients (43%) had a biochemical deficiency of one of the five vitamins on admission to the intensive care unit. A total of 18 patients died (14%) during their hospital stay (15 of those in the intensive care unit). Moderate correlations with C-reactive protein concentrations were demonstrated for Vitamins B12, A and E (Spearman's r=0.309, −0.541 and −0.299, P=0.001, 0.001 and 0.007 respectively). Hospital mortality was significantly associated with age, APACHE II score, admission and maximum Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and admission source in the univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis did not demonstrate an association between biochemical deficiency and mortality. Biochemical deficiencies of water-soluble and antioxidant vitamins are common on admission in unplanned or emergency admissions to the intensive care unit, but we could not demonstrate an independent association with hospital mortality.
Regulation of gastric and pancreatic lipase secretion by CCK and cholinergic mechanisms in humans.

Gastric lipase (HGL) contributes significantly to fat digestion. However, little is known about its neurohormonal regulation in humans. We studied the role of CCK and cholinergic mechanisms in the postprandial regulation of HGL and pancreatic lipase (HPL) secretion in six healthy subjects. Gastric emptying of a mixed meal and outputs of HGL, pepsin, acid, and HPL were determined with a double-indicator technique. Three experiments were performed in random order: intravenous infusion of 1) placebo, 2) low-dose atropine (5 micrograms.kg-.h-1), and 3) the CCK-A receptor antagonist loxiglumide (22 mumol.kg-.h-1). Atropine decreased postprandial outputs of HGL, pepsin, gastric acid, and HPL (P < 0.03) while slowing gastric emptying (P < 0.05). Loxiglumide markedly increased the secretion of HGL, pepsin, and acid while distinctly reducing HPL outputs and accelerating gastric emptying (P < 0.03). Plasma CCK and gastrin levels increased during loxiglumide infusion (P < 0.03). Atropine enhanced gastrin but not CCK release. Postprandial HGL, pepsin, and acid secretion are under positive cholinergic but negative CCK control, whereas HPL is stimulated by cholinergic and CCK mechanisms. We conclude that CCK and cholinergic mechanisms have an important role in the coordination of HGL and HPL secretion to optimize digestion of dietary lipids in humans.
Suitability of Self-Collected Vaginal Samples for Cervical Cancer Screening in Periurban Villages in Andhra Pradesh, India

Objectives: Our aim was to determine if (1) Hybrid Capture 2 and a PCR-based method were comparable for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) clinician-collected and self-collected samples were equally efficient to detect HPV and cervical cancer precursor lesions, and (3) if participation rates improved with home-based versus clinic-based self collection. Methods: Samples were selected from women participating in a cervical cancer screening study according to HPV, visual inspection with acetic acid, or Pap smear screening results. From 432 of 892 selected women, split sample aliquots were tested for HPV DNA using both the Hybrid Capture 2 assay and the Roche prototype line blot assay. Women from a subset of villages were recruited at two separate time points for clinic-based self-collection and home-based self-collection, and participation rates were compared. Results: Pairwise agreement between self- and clinician-collected samples was high by both Hybrid Capture 2 (90.8% agreement, κ = 0.7) and PCR (92.6% agreement, κ = 0.8), with significantly increased high-risk HPV detection in clinician-collected specimens (McNemar's P < 0.01). Ability to detect precursor lesions was highest by PCR testing of clinician-collected samples and lowest by Hybrid Capture 2 testing of self-collected samples (11 of 11 and 9 of 11 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 and cancer detected, respectively). Participation in home-based screening was significantly higher than clinic-based screening (71.5% and 53.8%, respectively; P < 0.001) among women ages 30 to 45 years. Conclusion: The combination of improved screening coverage and a high single test sensitivity afforded by HPV DNA testing of home-based self-collected swabs may have a greater programmatic effect on cervical cancer mortality reduction compared with programs requiring a pelvic exam. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(5):1373–8)
Volunteering to take on power: Experimental evidence from matrilineal and patriarchal societies in India

Gender equity in the creation and enforcement of social norms is important not only as a normative principle but it can also support long term economic growth. Yet in most societies, coercive power is in the hands of men. We investigate whether this form of segregation is due to gender differences in the willingness to volunteer for take on positions of power. In order to study whether potential differences are innate or driven by social factors, we implement a public goods game with endogenous third-party punishment in matrilineal and patriarchal societies in India. Our findings indicate that segregation in coercive roles is due to conformity with pre-assigned gender roles in both cultures. We find that women in the matrilineal society are more willing to assume the role of norm enforcer than men while the opposite is true in the patriarchal society. Moreover, we find that changes in the institutional environment that are associated with a decrease in the exposure and retaliation against the norm enforcer, result in increased participation of the segregated gender. Our results suggest that the organizational environment can be adjusted to increase the representation of women in positions of power, and that it is critical to take the cultural context into account.
Increased Age Is Associated With Epigenetic and Structural Changes in Chromatin From Neuronal Nuclei

Chromatin organization has been considered to play a major role on aging, by regulating DNA accessibility to transcription and repair machinery. Such organization can be modulated by epigenetic events, such as DNA methylation and histone post‐translational modifications. Since changes on gene expression profiles have been described in aged neurons, our aim was to study the age‐dependent relationship between structural and epigenetic alterations on chromatin of cortical neurons from mice. For this purpose, isolated neuronal nuclei from mice of two ages were studied by image analysis after cytochemistry, or assessed for chromatin accessibility by enzymatic digestion. Additionally, two epigenetic marks, for open and for densely packed chromatin fibers were quantified. Results indicate epigenetically driven alterations on chromatin organization of cortical neurons with advancing age, whose fibers seem to undergo redistribution and unpackaging. Since increased transcriptional activity is not characteristic of aged neurons, these loosened chromatin fibers may be associated with impaired genome stability, as well as with increased accessibility of repair machinery to a life span damaged DNA. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 659–665, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Central and Peripheral Mechanism of Acupuncture Analgesia on Visceral Pain: A Systematic Review

Background/Aims Despite the wide use of acupuncture for the management of visceral pain and the growing interest in the pathophysiology of visceral pain, there is no conclusive elucidation of the mechanisms behind the effects of acupuncture on visceral pain. This systematic review aims to provide an integrative understanding of the treatment mechanism of acupuncture for visceral pain. Methods Electronic and hand searches were conducted to identify studies that involved visceral pain and acupuncture. Results We retrieved 192 articles, out of which 46 studies were included in our review. The results of our review demonstrated that visceral pain behaviors were significantly alleviated in response to acupuncture treatment in groups treated with this intervention compared to in sham acupuncture or no-treatment groups. Changes in the concentrations of β-endorphin, epinephrine, cortisol, and prostaglandin E2 in plasma, the levels of c-Fos, substance P, corticotropin-releasing hormone, P2X3, acetylcholinesterase (AchE), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and serotonin in the gut/spinal cord, and the neuronal activity of the thalamus were associated with acupuncture treatment in visceral pain. Conclusions Acupuncture reduced visceral pain behavior and induced significant changes in neuronal activity as well as in the levels of pain/inflammation-related cytokines and neurotransmitters in the brain-gut axis. Further researches on the thalamus and on a standard animal model are warranted to improve our knowledge on the mechanism of acupuncture that facilitates visceral pain modulation.
The Winner's Curse: Evidence on the Danger of Aggressive Credit Growth in Banking

Excessive credit creation by banks was at the root of the recent financial crisis. Nevertheless, micro-prudential regulation lacks a clear methodology to identify these banks. Combining arguments from banking and auction theory, we show that overoptimism causes excessive lending, subsequently yielding abnormal loan write-offs. We propose a new measure of excessive credit growth known from macroeconomics to identify credit booms and test our model for German bank and bankportfolio level data. Unlike traditional measures of (excessive) loan growth, our new measure identifies banks that are affected by abnormal loan write-offs, need capital support, or default in subsequent years.
Homocysteine lowering with folic acid and B vitamins in vascular disease.

BACKGROUND In observational studies, lower homocysteine levels are associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease and stroke. Folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 lower homocysteine levels. We assessed whether supplementation reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with vascular disease. METHODS We randomly assigned 5522 patients 55 years of age or older who had vascular disease or diabetes to daily treatment either with the combination of 2.5 mg of folic acid, 50 mg of vitamin B6, and 1 mg of vitamin B12 or with placebo for an average of five years. The primary outcome was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, and stroke. RESULTS Mean plasma homocysteine levels decreased by 2.4 micromol per liter (0.3 mg per liter) in the active-treatment group and increased by 0.8 micromol per liter (0.1 mg per liter) in the placebo group. Primary outcome events occurred in 519 patients (18.8 percent) assigned to active therapy and 547 (19.8 percent) assigned to placebo (relative risk, 0.95; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.84 to 1.07; P=0.41). As compared with placebo, active treatment did not significantly decrease the risk of death from cardiovascular causes (relative risk, 0.96; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.81 to 1.13), myocardial infarction (relative risk, 0.98; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.14), or any of the secondary outcomes. Fewer patients assigned to active treatment than to placebo had a stroke (relative risk, 0.75; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.59 to 0.97). More patients in the active-treatment group were hospitalized for unstable angina (relative risk, 1.24; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.49). CONCLUSIONS Supplements combining folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 did not reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with vascular disease. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00106886; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN14017017.).