Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simplification for measuring input function of FDG PET: investigation of 1-point blood sampling method.

UNLABELLED The current method for quantitative FDG PET study requires application of multiple arterial blood sampling for measuring the input function, but the procedure is invasive and complicated. The purpose of this study was to establish a 1-point blood sampling technique that gives data comparable with the data of more elaborate serial arterial sampling. METHODS We established a time point for 1-point arterial sampling that exhibited the highest correlation between plasma radioactivity at the time point and the real integrated value (IV) of the measured input function obtained by multiple arterial sampling in 120 patients and the smallest coefficient of variation of the real IV divided by plasma radioactivity at the time point in 120 patients. Scaling factors for estimation at each sampling point were determined, and a reference table was established to make the supposed input function. RESULTS The optimal time for 1-point arterial sampling was 12 min after FDG injection. A good correlation was observed between the real IVs and those estimated from 1-point arterial blood sampling at 12 min using the supposed input function (n = 120; P < 0.001). The time point at which the difference between values of arterial and venous blood disappeared was 40 min after FDG injection. The percentage errors of IV estimation by 1-point sampling were 1.70% (n = 120) for arterial blood at 12 min and 3.64% (n = 10) for venous blood at 40 min. CONCLUSION We conclude that the simplified 1-point sample method works in a manner that is comparable with serial arterial sampling and should be useful for clinical PET.
Quality of life and health conditions reported from two post-polio clinics in Israel.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the perceptions of health and quality of life among a group of polio survivors in Israel and to identify potential activities for improving their quality of life. DESIGN An observational study. SUBJECTS The sample consisted of 101 polio survivors who sought treatment at 2 post-polio clinics in Israel. The majority of participants were between the ages of 45 and 65 years, and approximately 25% were wheelchair-bound. METHODS Participants were invited to attend a seminar, where they were invited to complete a questionnaire on demographic variables, mobility, perceptions of and satisfaction with health status and quality of life, and the potential contribution of 16 activities to improve their quality of life. RESULTS Participants had low physical scores and normative mental scores. Mean scores on the Short-Form-12 questionnaire for physical and mental components were 32.9 and 50.3, respectively. Approximately 70% expressed the belief that exposure to up-to-date information about post-polio, as well as participation in social activities, might improve their quality of life. CONCLUSION Information about the physical and mental components of polio survivors, as well as the desire to partake in specific activities for polio survivors, may serve as a basis for the operations and prioritization of service providers.
Concerns, Barriers, and Recommendations to Improve Transition from Pediatric to Adult IBD Care: Perspectives of Patients, Parents, and Health Professionals

Background:The current transition literature is a fragmented assortment of studies examining select subsections of transition stakeholders. Methods:Adolescent/young adult patients with IBD (40% transferred to adult care), parents, and health providers (53.8% adult providers) participated in 1 of 6 focus group interviews focused on concerns and needs surrounding transition to adult care. Data were analyzed through directed content analysis. Results:Transition needs/concerns focused on (1) losing relationships with pediatric providers, (2) perceptions of poorer quality care from adult providers, (3) high parent involvement preventing the development of youth self-management skills, and (4) finances and insurance. Suggestions to improve transition to adult care included the following: (1) meeting alone with adolescents during appointments, (2) providing concrete guidance on how/when to transition responsibility, and (3) increasing accountability for adolescents. Recommendations to improve transfer included the following: (1) providing more information about the transfer process and adult providers, (2) obtaining peer support and mentoring, and (3) setting goals and deadlines for transfer. Conclusions:Inclusion of several stakeholder groups allowed for the identification of commonalities across groups as well as their unique needs and concerns surrounding transition to adult care. Concerns and recommendations by participants should be targeted in future transition program efforts.
Estrogen receptor β is essential for sprouting of nociceptive primary afferents and for morphogenesis and maintenance of the dorsal horn interneurons

Estrogen is known to influence pain, but the specific roles of the two estrogen receptors (ERs) in the spinal cord are unknown. In the present study, we have examined the expression of ERα and ERβ in the spinal cord and have looked for defects in pain pathways in ERβ knockout (ERβ−/−) mice. In the spinal cords of 10-month-old WT mice, ERβ-positive cells were localized in lamina II, whereas ERα-positive cells were mainly localized in lamina I. In ERβ−/− mice, there were higher levels of calcitonin gene-regulated peptide and substance P in spinal cord dorsal horn and isolectin B4 in the dorsal root ganglion. In the superficial layers of the spinal cord, there was a decrease in the number of calretinin (CR)-positive neurons, and in the outer layer II, there was a loss of calbindin-positive interneurons. During embryogenesis, ERβ was first detectable in the spinal cord at embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5), and ERα was first detectable at E15.5. During middle and later embryonic stages, ERβ was abundantly expressed in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. ERα was also expressed in the dorsal horn but was limited to fewer neurons. Double staining for ERβ and CR showed that, in the superficial dorsal horn of WT neonates [postnatal day 0 (P0)], most CR neurons also expressed ERβ. At this stage, few CR-positive cells were detected in the dorsal horn of ERβ−/− mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that, early in embryogenesis, ERβ is involved in dorsal horn morphogenesis and in sensory afferent fiber projections to the dorsal horn and that ERβ is essential for survival of dorsal horn interneurons throughout life.
10-Gb/s standard fiber transmission using directly modulated 1.55-μm quantum-well DFB lasers

10-Gb/s long-haul transmission on standard single-mode fibers at 1.55 /spl mu/m with intensity modulated, low-chirp MQW DFB lasers is investigated. Successful transmission is achieved by operating the laser at increased bias. Thus, the laser chirp acts favorably on the propagation after an initial distance of 30 km in the fiber. A detailed system evaluation with an optical preamplified PIN-receiver, reveals a negligible dispersion power penalty for transmission distances between 35 and 70 km. The power penalty, mainly caused by a lower extinction ratio, must be accepted. <<ETX>>
epol hat factors influence participation in payment for ecosystem ervices programs ? An evaluation of Ecuador ’ s SocioPáramo program eah

PES programs have been touted as a means to achieve conservation goals while also alleviating poverty and promoting rural development. However, the degree to which these goals are met depends, in part, on accessibility and desirability of programs targeting rural communities and smallholders. Empirical research on factors motivating or dissuading PES landowner participation remains limited and a more complete understanding of these factors is critical to improving PES social equity outcomes. In this paper, we evaluate factors facilitating and constraining participation in Ecuador’s SocioPáramo program, a recently launched PES initiative targeting highland Andean grasslands (páramos). We conducted semi-structured interviews with all community landowner participants who had enrolled by May 2011, the majority of individual landowner participants who had enrolled by October 2010, and several nonparticipant communities and individuals. We found that, while SocioPáramo is attracting substantial participation among rural farmers and communities, a number of factors, including land tenure requirements, legal or biophysical land-use restrictions, and a need for pre-existing social, human, and financial capital, make SocioPáramo more accessible and desirable to larger, and often wealthier, landowners. While motivations for enrolling in the program varied, a key similarity among participants was access to alternative livelihood sources, a low opportunity cost associated with program land-use regulations, and a high value placed on the water provisioning services of the páramo. The majority of participants described incentives as a “reward” for conserving, as a means to strengthen existing conservation efforts or land security, or as a means to compensate for legal or biophysical land use restrictions. Our results suggest that the broader context of land tenure security, access to social capital, environmental attitudes, and alternative livelihood strategy development may require more attention in order to achieve greater participation among rural smallholders and communities. These results provide useful lessons ing th for developing and adapt
Health benefits of soy beans and soy products: a review

Sojabone is volop, ekonomiese dieetbronne van proteien. Tans word gefokus op die moontlike rol van sojabone in die voorkoming en behandeling van sekere degeneratiewe Westerse siektes soos hart- en bloedvatsiektes, osteoporose en sekere tipes kanker. Heel sojabone bevat 40% proteiene, terwyl sojameel, sojaproteienkonsentraat en geisoleerde sojaproteien respektiewelik 50%, 70% en 90% proteien bevat. Verskeie nie-nutrientbestanddele soos isoflavone, protease-inhibeerders, fitiensuur, saponiene en fitosterole kom in sojabone voor en is moontlik vir sekere van die voordelige gesondheidseienskappe van sojabone verantwoordelik. Die cholesterolverlagende effek van sojabone mag te danke wees aan die aminosuursamestelling daarvan, en/of verlaagde cholesterolabsorpsie of galsoutherabsorpsie, verhoogde laedigtheidlipoproteien-(LDL-) reseptoraktiwiteite, verlaagde lewercholesterolsintese, anti-oksidantaktiwiteit of verhoogde plasmatiroksienvlakke. Die nienutrientbestanddele van sojabone mag vir die cholesterolverlagende, antikarsinogeniese en beenversterkende effek verantwoordelik wees. Meer navorsing is nodig om die meganismes op te klaar waardeur sojabone en sojaprodukte die gesondheid van die mens beinvloed.
Identification of a switching model of calcium cycling in isolated rat hearts

So far, the processes involved in regulation of intracellular calcium (Ca/sub i//sup 2+/) in cardiomyocytes have been mainly studied through biochemical and isolated cell analysis. Here, we present a novel technique to model and identify cardiac Ca/sub i//sup 2+/-cycling under physiologically relevant conditions in the intact beating heart. Ca/sub i//sup 2+/ was measured using fluorescence techniques in ex vivo perfused rat hearts. For analysis, we developed a parametric mathematical model, switching between active and inactive calcium release. The kinetic parameters of the two submodes of the model were computed using a recently developed technique from hybrid system identification. Application of the method to control and isoproterenol-stimulated hearts resulted in parameter values within a physiologically reliable range.
Clinical and bacteriological characteristics of infective endocarditis in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and bacteriological features of infective endocarditis in the elderly. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: A university hospital that is both a referral and a primary care centre. PATIENTS: 114 consecutive patients treated for infective endocarditis from November 1990 to December 1993: 25 were > 70 years of age (group 1) and 89 were < 70 years old (group 2). RESULTS: Location of infective endocarditis, clinical signs, and symptoms were similar in the two groups, except for a lower occurrence of embolic episodes in the elderly (group 1:8%, group 2: 28%; P < 0.04). A higher rate of infective endocarditis on intracardiac prosthetic devices was noted in group 1 (group 1: 52%, group 2: 25%; P < 0.05). The distribution of causative micro-organisms showed a higher proportion of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract in the elderly (group D streptococci and enterococci: 48% in group 1 v 20% in group 2) and the presumed portal of entry was more often digestive (group 1: 50%, group 2: 17%; P = 0.01). Elderly patients were less often operated on (group 1: 24%, group 2: 43%; P = 0.07) and their mortality rate was higher (group 1: 28%, group 2: 13%; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Infective endocarditis in patients over 70 often occurs in those with intracardiac prosthetic devices and is more often due to bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract. Its prognosis appears to be worse than in younger subjects.
INTERACTIONS IN LY 2 CELL-MEDIATED SUPPRESSION of the cell that produced the Ly 2

The generation of suppression to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) l in vitro involves the interaction of T cell subsets in a well-defined regulatory circuit. The effector of this circuit is an Lyl,2 + T cell (Ly2 cell) that has the ability to suppress Lyl+,2 T helper cells (Lyl cells) to make primary anti-SE plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in culture. We have described biologically active antigen-specific cell-free products of Ly2 T cells (Ly2 TsF) that can functionally mimic the action of the T suppressor effector cell in vitro (1). This cell-free material, like the T suppressor effector cell, (a) can exert its suppressive effects early in the course of an in vitro immune response, in contrast to inducers of suppression, which require a long latency period before suppressive activity is expressed (2), and (b) does not express any I-J or other I region major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-controlled specificities that can be detected using a large battery of antisera. This second finding is especially important in light of the fact that the biological activity of the molecule is restricted by genes coded for by MHC polymorphisms expressed by suppressor acceptor cell partners (1). Previously we had thought that this molecule was produced by the terminal cell in the suppressor circuit, namely the Ly2 cell. Recently we found that by treating the Lyl T acceptor cell population with anti-I-J serum, we completely abrogated the ability of the Ly2 TsF to suppress the helper activity of these Lyl T cells, while not affecting their ability to deliver help to T cell-depleted spleen cells (B cells). The suppressive ability of the Ly2 TsF can be returned to cultures lacking I-J + Ly 1 cells by adding I-J + molecules recovered from immune Ly 1 cellsupernatants (3). In order for this I-J + material used to return suppressive activity to the Ly2 TsF, the donor of the I-J + molecule had to match the I-J haplotype
Mathematical representation of the normal proximal human femur: Application in planning of cam hip surgery

Precise modelling of the proximal femur can be used for detecting and planning corrective surgery for subjects with deformed femurs using robotic technology or navigation systems. In this study, the proximal femoral geometry has been modelled mathematically. It is hypothesised that it is possible to fit a quadratic surface or combinations of them onto different bone surfaces with a relatively good fit. Forty-six computed tomography datasets of normal proximal femora were segmented. A least-squares fitting algorithm was used to fit a quadratic surface on the femoral head and neck such that the sum of distances between a set of points on the femoral neck and the quadratic surface was minimised. Furthermore, the position of the head–neck articular margin was also measured. The femoral neck was found to be represented as a good fit to a hyperboloid with an average root mean-squared error of 1.0 ± 0.13 mm while the shape of the femoral articular margin was a reproducible sinusoidal wave form with two peaks. The mathematical description in this study can be used for planning corrective surgery for subjects with cam-type femoroacetabular impingement.
N-n-Butyl Haloperidol Iodide Preserves Cardiomyocyte Calcium Homeostasis during Hypoxia/Ischemia

Aims: N-n-Butyl haloperidol iodide (F2) is a novel compound derived from haloperidol. In our previous work, F2 was found to be an L-type calcium channel blocker which played a protective role in rat heart ischemic–reperfusion injury in a dose-dependent manner. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects and some possible mechanisms of F2 on calcium transients in hypoxic/ischemic rat cardiac myocytes. Methods and Results: Calcium transients’ images of rat cardiac myocytes were recorded during simulated hypoxia, using a confocal calcium imaging system. The amplitude, rising time from 25% to 75% (RT25-75), decay time from 75% to 25% (DT75-25) of calcium transients, and resting [Ca2+]i were extracted from the images by self-coding programs. In this study, hypoxia produced a substantial increase in diastolic [Ca2+]i and reduced the amplitude of calcium transients. Both RT25-75 and DT75-25 of Ca2+ transients were significantly prolonged. And F2 could reduce the increase in resting [Ca2+]iand the prolongation of RT25-75 and DT75-25 of Ca2+ transients during hypoxia. F2 also inhibited the reduction in amplitude of calcium transients which was caused by 30-min hypoxia. The activity of SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, determined by test kits) decreased after 30-min ischemia, and intravenous F2 in rats could ameliorate the decreased activity of SERCA2a. The inward and outward currents of NCX (recorded by whole-cell patch-clamp analysis) were reduced during 10-min hypoxia, and F2 further inhibited the outward currents of NCX during 10-min hypoxia. All these data of SERCA2a and NCX might be responsible for the changes in calcium transients during hypoxia. Conclusion: Our data suggest that F2 reduced changes in calcium transients that caused by hypoxia/ischemia, which was regarded to be a protective role in calcium homeostasis of ventricular myocytes, probably via changing the function of SERCA2a.
Drug Prescribing Pattern in Dermatophytosis at the Medical Outpatient Clinic of a Tertiary Healthcare in Karnataka, India

Abstract Aim of this study is to ascertain the drug prescribing pattern of the patients with Tinea infections attending a tertiary care teaching centre. This retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in the Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka for a period of one year. 158 prescriptions were audited to find generic/ brand names of drugs, number of drugs, dosage, forms, frequency, and duration of treatment. The age and sex distributions of patients and disease distribution were also studied. 72 (45.57%) patients were males and 86 (54.43%) were females. Terbinafine, Ketoconazole, Sertaconazole were prescribed as topical monotherapy . Clobetasone butyrate, Sertaconazole and Miconazole were prescribed as topical polytherapy. Terbinafine, Fluconazole and anti histaminics were prescribed as systemic monotherapy and polytherapy. Statistical analysis revealed p-value was > 0.05. Prescription patterns were in consensus with the general guidelines. Keywords: Dermatophytoses, medical audit, tertiary healthcare
Advances in Brief A Splice Variant of the Neuron-restrictive Silencer Factor Repressor Is Expressed in Small Cell Lung Cancer : A Potential Role in Derepression of Neuroendocrine Genes and a Useful Clinical Marker 1

The neuron-restrictive silencer factor [NRSF (RE-1 silencing transcription factor/X box repressor)] is a transcriptional silencer, which we have previously implicated in deregulation of the vasopressin promoter in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Here we describe a novel splice variant of the NRSF transcript, which is highly expressed in SCLCs. The variant was detected in both established cell lines and primary SCLC cultures as well as in some primitive neuroectodermal tumor biopsies. It was present at very low levels in human brain tissue, non-SCLC tumors, and normal bronchial epithelium. This human splice variant, which is massively overexpressed in SCLCs, incorporates a 50-bp insert between exons 5 and 6, introducing a stop codon and predicting translation of a truncated NRSF isoform. We propose that the encoded isoform may antagonize repression of the vasopressin promoter and other “neuronal” genes with neuronrestrictive silencer elements in SCLCs. Thus, up-regulated expression of this NRSF isoform may be a key early factor in defining the neuroendocrine phenotype of these tumors. The NRSF splice variant represents a specific clinical marker that could prove useful in detection of the major-
ALUMINUM AND FLUORIDE IMPACTS CORTEX AND HIPPOCAMPUS STRUCTURE IN RATS : PROTECTIVE ROLE OF RESVERATROL

Metals such as aluminum and Fluoride have been implicated in the etiology of several neurodegenerative disorders. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, exerting a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities including its antioxidative properties against neurodegenerative disorders through its ability to lessen oxidative stress. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Group –I was served as control. Group –II was intoxicated with Alcl3 (100 mg/kg b.w) along with Sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg b.w). Group –III was administered with Alcl3 (100 mg/kg b.w) + Sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg b.w) + resveretrol (30 mg/kg b.w). Group–IV was administered with resveretrol (30 mg/kg b.w) alone for 8 weeks. The obtained results showed significant oxidative stress induced neuronal damage in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in intoxicated rats where as significant reduction in neuronal damage in the rats administered with resveratrol against aluminium along with fluoride. Hence, the results of the present study reveal that the resveratrol has potential neuroprotective properties to reverse the cortical and hippocampal neuronal damage induced by aluminum and fluoride intoxication
Wideband Implantable Antenna for Body-Area High Data Rate Impulse Radio Communication

We successfully assess the feasibility of a passive body-implantable sensor antenna concept to reach 750 Mbps using impulse radio (IR) in the near-field. It is based on a uniplanar printed antenna configuration, operating in the 1.4- to 4.2-GHz band. The analysis includes the effect of the implant media, the performance in terms of data rate transmission (theoretical and experimental) and feasibility of a “passive” sensor concept in terms of power constraints associated with specific absorption rate (SAR) limits, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) power mask, energy scavenging circuit minimum activation energy, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Finally, we prove the potential of the overall system integrated with an electronic chip model and biocompatible material. To our knowledge there is no explicit study in the literature that fully demonstrates an implantable system with this kind of data rates addressing all the above.
Semiparametric fractional imputation using empirical likelihood in survey sampling

ABSTRACT The empirical likelihood method is a powerful tool for incorporating moment conditions in statistical inference. We propose a novel application of the empirical likelihood for handling item non-response in survey sampling. The proposed method takes the form of fractional imputation but it does not require parametric model assumptions. Instead, only the first moment condition based on a regression model is assumed and the empirical likelihood method is applied to the observed residuals to get the fractional weights. The resulting semiparametric fractional imputation provides -consistent estimates for various parameters. Variance estimation is implemented using a jackknife method. Two limited simulation studies are presented to compare several imputation estimators.