Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Posterior white matter disease distribution as a predictor of amyloid angiopathy

Objectives: We sought to examine whether a posterior distribution of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) is an independent predictor of pathologically confirmed cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and whether it is associated with MRI markers of CAA, in patients without lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: We developed a quantitative method to measure anteroposterior (AP) distribution of WMH. A retrospective cohort of patients without intracerebral hemorrhage and with pathologic evaluation of CAA was examined to determine whether posterior WMH distribution was an independent predictor of CAA (n = 59). The relationship of AP distributions of WMH to strictly lobar microbleeds (MBs) (n = 259) and location of dilated perivascular spaces (DPVS) (n = 85) was examined in a separate cohort of patients evaluated in a memory clinic. Results: A more posterior WMH distribution was found to be an independent predictor of pathologic evidence of CAA (p = 0.001, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.19 [1.07–1.32]), even in the subgroup without lobar MBs (p = 0.016, odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.18 [1.03–1.36]). In the memory clinic cohort, strictly lobar MBs were independently associated with more posterior WMH distribution (p = 0.009). AP distribution of WMH was also associated with location of DPVS (p = 0.001), in that patients with predominant DPVS in the white matter over the basal ganglia harbored a more posterior WMH distribution. Conclusions: Our results suggest that AP distribution of WMH may represent an additional marker of CAA, irrespective of the presence of lobar hemorrhages. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that there is a significant association between the AP distribution of WMH on MRI with the presence of pathologically confirmed CAA pathology.
Glimpses of the Dark Side of the Petexbatun Project: The Petexbatun Regional Cave Survey

Abstract The Petexbatun Regional Cave Survey (PRCS) is the first large cave study to be undertaken as part of a major archaeological expedition. The survey's primary objective was assessing the extent to which surface architecture at Dos Pilas was configured by features in the sacred landscape. All three of the major architectural complexes at the site had a direct relation to caves, and a number of important secondary buildings and even residential units were deliberately laid out to incorporate caves. Excavation revealed evidence of Preclassic utilization of all of the major caves, indicating that their status as sacred landmarks had been established long before the eighth century florescence of the site. The importance of the caves in site configuration was mirrored in the artifact assemblage. Despite the survey's much smaller size, the cave investigations recovered 20–50% more of the overall assemblage at Dos Pilas in an array of artifact categories. A review of the archaeological literature suggests that the importance ascribed to caves at Dos Pilas in both site configuration and local economy can be found elsewhere and probably reflects a much wider pattern of utilization.
Sensory and Neural Degeneration with Aging, as Seen in Microdissections of the Human Inner Ear

Presbycusis, the gradual loss of hearing that occurs with advancing age, is as subtle and complex as the aging process itself. Schuknecht’has suggested that there are four main types of presbycusis: 1) sensory, with primary loss of the hair cells of Corti’s organ; 2 ) neural, with primary degeneration of neurons of the cochlear nerve and central auditory pathways; 3 ) metabolic, with primary atrophy of the stria vascularis; and 4 ) mechanical, with primary changes in the physical properties of the basilar membrane. To these four might be added vascular presbycusis, characterized by loss of minute vessels supplying the spiral ligament, stria vascularis, and tympanic lip, of which metabolic presbycusis may prove to be a special case. Central presbycusis, with loss of neurons from the cochlear nucleus and other auditory centers of the brain, might also be classified as a distinct type, the term neural presbycusis being reserved for degeneration of first-order neurons of the cochlear nerve. Above all, it should be emphasized that the various types of presbycusis seldom, if ever, occur singly. Any attempt, therefore, to set up an exhaustive classification or a complete list of causative factors in presbycusis at this time is necessarily premature.
Relationship of Periodontal Disease and Edentulism to Stroke/TIA

Periodontitis has been shown to increase the systemic inflammatory response, which has been implicated in atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular events. We hypothesized an association between periodontitis or edentulism and Stroke/TIA in the ARIC Study. Data on 9415 dentate and 1491 edentulous adults included demographics, cardiovascular outcomes, lifestyle, laboratory measures, and, for 6436 of the dentate, a dental examination. The dependent variable was Stroke/TIA, and the exposure was extent (%) of attachment level 3+ millimeters (AL). Quartiles of AL and edentulism were compared for Stroke/TIA using odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and confounders were controlled by logistic regression. Stroke/TIA was prevalent in 13.5% of periodontal examinees, 15.6% of dentate non-examinees, and 22.5% of edentulous persons. The highest quartile of AL (OR 1.3, CI 1.02-1.7) and edentulism (OR 1.4, CI 1.5-2.0) were associated with Stroke/TIA.
Giant Colonic Diverticula

Background: A rare complication of diverticulosis of the colon is giant colonic diverticula (GCD). The condition was first described in English literature in 1953 [1, 2]. Methods: A Medline search was undertaken for English, French and German language articles on ’giant colonic diverticula’. Results: A total of 135 patients were identified, presenting with a total of 155 GCD [1–98]. With a complication rate of 28% and an operative mortality of 5%, GCD seems to have a high clinical significance. Radiological examination of choice seems to be plain abdominal X-ray and CT examination, barium enema carries the risk of perforation of the diverticulum, and should not be performed. Conclusions: There are different therapeutic options, in our opinion diverticulectomy alone is not the treatment of choice. Because of the possibility of recurrence and oncological reasons, colectomy seems to be the best treatment. The creation of a protecting colostomy depends on other operative findings.
Reproductive Health Practices in Women Attending an Inner‐City STD Clinic

Inner-city sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics may provide an important access point to educate patients at high risk for reproductive health problems and their peers in order to effect behavior change. In a pilot study to evaluate the knowledge, health practices, and behavior of patients attending an inner-city STD clinic, 116 women were surveyed concerning their reproductive and general health practices, their knowledge of both, and screened for STDs. The women who had a history of first intercourse before age 18 years had a statistically significant higher rate of infection. Thirty-three percent of the patients did not know the purpose of a Pap smear; of the 67% who stated that they did know, only 30% actually stated that a Pap smear is used to detect cancer. STD clinics offer a unique opportunity for the integration of health care services and education to a group of high-risk patients.
Parental Immunisation Needs and Attitudes Survey in paediatric hospital clinics and community maternal and child health centres in Melbourne, Australia

Despite Australia's high vaccination rates, an estimated 3.3% of children are under‐vaccinated due to vaccine refusal and the proportion of parents with concerns is unclear. Amongst Australian parents, we aimed to determine the prevalence of vaccine concerns, resources and health‐care providers (HCPs) accessed and satisfaction with these resources in two different settings. We also aimed to identify relationships between the level of vaccine concern, socio‐economic status and vaccine uptake.
The occurrence of large ('northern') Razorbills in British and Irish waters

Breeding populations of Razorbills Alca torda in Europe can be divided into one group of smaller birds, usually referred to in the literature as A. t. islandica (France, Great Britain, Ireland, Faroe and Iceland), and one of larger birds, usually referred to as A. t. torda (Scandinavia and Russia). A proportion of the larger group can be distinguished on winglength, but only when bill‐groove categories have been established. The large form (defined in the text for different age categories) occurs in Britain and Ireland mostly in the late winter, and chiefly on coasts of eastern Scotland and England, with at least 73 records in Great Britain and 11 in Ireland.
Antithrombotic drugs for carotid artery dissection.

BACKGROUND Extracranial internal carotid artery dissection (eICAD) is a leading cause of stroke in younger patients. OBJECTIVES 1. To determine whether, in patients with eICAD, treatment with anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents or control was associated with a better functional outcome. 2. To compare, among patients treated with either anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, the risk of ischaemic strokes and major bleeding episodes. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 3 October 2009). In addition, we performed comprehensive searches of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2009), MEDLINE (January 1966 to November 2009) and EMBASE (January 1980 to November 2009), checked all relevant papers for additional eligible studies and contacted authors and researchers in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and non-randomised studies (if they reported on outcome stratified by antithrombotic treatment and included at least four patients) of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents for the treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery dissection. Two review authors independently extracted data. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Primary outcomes were death (all causes) and death or disability. Secondary outcomes were ischaemic stroke, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage, and major extracranial haemorrhage during the reported follow-up period. The first choice treatment was taken for analyses. MAIN RESULTS We did not find any completed randomised trials. Comparing antiplatelets with anticoagulants across 36 observational studies (1285 patients), there were no significant differences in the odds of death (Peto odds ratio (Peto OR) 2.02, 95% CI 0.62 to 6.60), or the occurrence of ischaemic stroke (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.86) (34 studies, 1262 patients). For the outcome of death or disability, there was a non-significant trend in favour of anticoagulants (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.22; P = 0.06) (26 studies, 463 patients). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages (5/627; 0.8%) and major extracranial haemorrhages (7/425; 1.6%) occurred only in the anticoagulation group; however, for both these outcomes, the estimates were imprecise and indicated no significant difference between the two treatment modalities. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There were no randomised trials comparing either anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs with control, thus there is no evidence to support their routine use for the treatment of extracranial internal carotid artery dissection. There were also no randomised trials that directly compared anticoagulants with antiplatelet drugs and the reported non-randomised studies did not show any evidence of a significant difference between the two.
Diagnosis of bone infection by complementary role of technetium-99m MDP and technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene-amineoxime-leukocytes

Purpose: Valuate complementary role of 99mTc-MDP bone scan and 99mTechnetium hexamethylpropylene-amineoxime (99mTc-HMPAO) labeled leukocyte scintigraphy in diagnosis of bone infection. Patients and Methods: Ninety one sites suspected to have bone infection were divided in to two groups: Group I 49 sites with current endo-prothesis; and group II 42 sites with no prosthesis. All patients were subjected to serial images of 99mTc-HMPAO labeled leukocyte (99mTc-white blood cells (WBCs)), triple phase bone scan (99mTc-MDP) and plain X-ray, in addition to clinical and bacteriological assessment, together with follow-up. Results: The overall sensitivity (Sn) was found to be 34.9%, 95.4%, and 86% for plain X-ray, 99mTc-MDP, and 99mTc-WBCs respectively. Concerning specificity (Sp) was found to be 47.9%, 45.8%, and 91.7% respectively for the three imaging modalities. 99mTc-WBCs showed better Sn, Sp, and accuracy in group I (95%, 93.1% and 93.9%, respectively) compared to 40%, 41.4%, and 40.8% for plain X-ray and 90%, 62%, and 73.5% respectively for 99mTc-MDP. On the other hand, 99mTc-MDP proved to have best Sn 100% versus 78.3% and 30.4% for 99mTc-WBCs and plain X-ray respectively. Yet, Sp and accuracy was found to best for 99mTc-WBCs (89.5% and 83.3% respectively) compared to 57.9% and 42.9% for plain X-ray and 21.1% and 64.3% for 99mTc-MDP. Conclusion: Combined imaging with 99mTc-WBCs and 99mTc-MDP proved to be effective in early detection of bone infection in the presence or absence of prosthesis.
Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Dehydrogenation of Substituted Cyclohexanones to Phenols

Phenol derivatives are prepared from nonaromatic ring compounds that can bear a wide variety of substitutents. Aromatic molecules are key constituents of many pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, and commodity plastics. The utility of these molecules directly reflects the identity and pattern of substituents on the aromatic ring. Here, we report a palladium(II) catalyst system, incorporating an unconventional ortho-dimethylaminopyridine ligand, for the conversion of substituted cyclohexanones to the corresponding phenols. The reaction proceeds via successive dehydrogenation of two saturated carbon-carbon bonds of the six-membered ring and uses molecular oxygen as the hydrogen acceptor. This reactivity demonstrates a versatile and efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted aromatic molecules with fundamentally different selectivity constraints from the numerous known synthetic methods that rely on substitution of a preexisting aromatic ring.
The impact of peritoneal dialysis upon quality of life and mortality of patients with end-stage congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND Aged patients affected by congestive heart failure refractory to pharmacologic therapy, coupled with severe comorbidities that preclude heart transplantation have a gloomy prognosis. Use of automated peritoneal dialysis resulted in a significantly improved quality of life and survival. METHODS Twenty patients (mean age: 65.7 +/- 7.7 years) with severe congestive heart failure (Class IV-NYHA) and a high Charlson comorbidity index (7.8 +/- 1.8) were treated by means of automated peritoneal dialysis (3 sessions/week, 8 h each). The period of follow-up ranged between 7 and 35 months (19.8 +/- 7.4 months). RESULTS After 1 year of follow-up, all patients showed functional (Class I-NYHA) and hemodynamic improvement: left cardiac work index increased from 2.33 +/- 0.69 to 2.59 +/- 0.47 kg/min/m(2) (p < 0.01); systolic times ratio was significantly reduced (from 61.14 +/- 12.57 to 39.18 +/- 13.44%, p < 0.01); and the thoracic fluid contents was substantially reduced (from 0.04 +/- 0.005 to 0.003 +/- 0.0001 Omega). A marked drop of hospitalization days was observed. CONCLUSIONS Automated peritoneal dialysis appears as a promising tool for treating patients suffering from refractory, end stage congestive heart failure. Improvement of cardiac function may result from clearing the blood from middle molecular weight myocardial depressant substances, including atrial natriuretic peptide. Results of this investigation are a call for a prospective multicenter study in order to confirm these promising observations.
Relationship Between Depression and C-Reactive Protein in a Screening Population

Background: Both depression and C-reactive protein (CRP) are markers of increased risk for cardiovascular events. This study examined the relationship between CRP and depression in a cohort of participants undergoing a periodic physical to assess potential for interaction as either mediation or confounding of effect on cardiovascular risk. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 696 consenting, active duty US Army personnel undergoing a periodic physical. We measured depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the depression module of the self-administered version of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD). We used a highly sensitive assay to measure CRP. Results: The mean age in the cohort was 44 years (SD ± 3; 82% male). The mean CRP level was 1.7 mg/l (range, 0.3–9.9; SD ± 1.6 mg/l). Depression scores ranged from 0 to 26 with a mean of 2 (SD ± 3). Depression scores correlated with prevalences of major depressive disorder and of any depressive disorder of 3.3% and 15%, respectively. Depression scores correlated positively with CRP levels (r = 0.085; p = .028), as did other variables known to be associated with CRP: body mass index (BMI; r = 0.36), insulin levels (r = 0.22), mean arterial pressure (r = 0.21), triglycerides (r = 0.18), exercise (r = −0.12), female sex (r = 0.097), current smoking status (r = 0.08), and high density lipoprotein (r = −0.09). After controlling only for BMI, the relationship between depression and CRP lost statistical significance among women (adjusted r = 0.08; p = .37), among men (adjusted r = −0.11; p = .8), and overall (adjusted r = 0.047; p = .219). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are only weakly correlated with CRP. However, after adjusting for BMI, we found no significant relationship between CRP and depression. The relationship between depression and clinical coronary disease is unlikely to be explained through direct effects on CRP levels, but may be mediated by BMI. CRP = C-reactive protein; BMI = body mass index; PHQ-9 = 9-question depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire.
Type 2 diabetes prevalence in Asian subjects.

McNeely and Boyko (1) recently demonstrated that the BMI-adjusted odds ratio for type 2 diabetes in Asian Americans was 1.6 times that of white Americans. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the preadjusted values of these two ethnic groups. As the BMI adjustment only affected Asians, it is possible that the influence of BMI on the development of type 2 diabetes is more potent in Asians than in other ethnic …
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of moclobemide and imipramine in the treatment of depression in Indian patients

Background: Moclobemide, a benzamide, is one of the new-generation monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors (MAO-AIs) which belongs to the class of reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (RIMA). Numerous studies have shown that moclobemide is well-tolerated and as effective as other antidepressants. So far, there is no evidence available regarding its efficacy and tolerability in India. Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of moclobemide with that of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Methods: In this prospective study, patients (n=60) were randomly assigned to treatment with moclobemide or imipramine for 6 weeks. Efficacy of the drugs was assessed by observing the mean change in scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS). Results: Both the groups showed significant decrease in scores at the end of 6 weeks. Patients who received moclobemide had a better side-effect profile. Conclusion: Moclobemide is an effective antidepressant and is better tolerated than imipramine.
Resolute italian study in all comers

Objectives: To assess clinical performance of the second‐generation Endeavor Resolute® drug‐eluting stents (DES) in an unrestricted high‐risk cohort of patients. Background: New‐generation DESs aim to further increase its clinical safety and efficacy by means of more biocompatible components limiting inflammatory response, assuring strut coverage and preserving endothelial vascular function. Methods: Between January 2008 and April 2009 820 unselected consecutive high‐risk patients (1,352 lesions) treated with the Endeavor Resolute® stent were enrolled in an independent multicenter registry. Primary end‐points of this registry were immediate procedural outcome, incidence of target lesion failure (TLF, defined as composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) and rate of ARC stent thrombosis at 12‐months follow‐up. Results: High‐risk patient/lesion profile included acute coronary syndrome diagnosis in 57% of patients, diabetes mellitus in 23% and ACC/AHA type B2/C lesion in 74%. Endeavor Resolute® stent was used in an off‐label indication in 52% of cases with stent/patient ratio of 1.93 and average stented segment of 39.8±26.6mm. Immediate procedural success was accomplished in 96.0% of cases and at median 12‐month follow‐up TLF rate was 7.1% with 4.0% of clinically driven repeat revascularizations and 1.1% of definite/probable stent thrombosis incidence. At multivariable analysis, nor off‐label Endeavor Resolute® stent use or multiple stent implantations were associated to an increased risk of adverse events. Conclusions: Extensive use of the new Endeavor Resolute® stent was associated with favorable procedural and 12‐month outcomes despite the treatment of unselected complex clinical and anatomical presentation. Endeavor Resolute® stent showed excellent safety and efficacy profile also in off‐label indications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Podocalyxin promotes proliferation and survival in mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells

Podocalyxin (PCLP1) is a CD34-related sialomucin expressed by some normal cells and a variety of malignant tumors, including leukemia, and associated with the most aggressive cancers and poor clinical outcome. PCLP1 increases breast tumor growth, migration and invasion; however, its role in hematologic malignancies still remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and function of PCLP1 in mature B-cell lymphoma cells. We found that overexpression of PCLP1 significantly increases proliferation, cell-to-cell interaction, clonogenicity, and migration of B-cell lymphoma cells. Furthermore, PCLP1 overexpression results in higher resistance to death induced by dexamethasone, reactive oxygen species and type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab. Strikingly, enforced expression of PCLP1 enhances lipid droplet formation as well as pentose phosphate pathway and glutamine dependence, indicative of metabolic reprogramming necessary to support the abnormal proliferation rate of tumor cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed augmented levels of PCLP1 in malignant cells from some patients with mature B-cell lymphoma compared to their normal B-cell counterparts. In summary, our results demonstrate that PCLP1 contributes to proliferation and survival of mature B-cell lymphoma cells, suggesting that PCLP1 may promote lymphomagenesis and represents a therapeutic target for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas.