Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Survival of Chosen Atrial‐Based Pacing Modalities

Atrial‐based cardiac pacing modalities were chosen in 341 of 684 (50%) patients selected for permanent cardiac pacing at the Grey Nuns Community Health Center between 1989 and 1995. There were 183 males and 158 females. Mean age was 70 years (range 8–97 years). The indications for atrial‐based pacing were: advanced atri‐ oventricular (AV) block (n = 166) 49%; sick sinus syndrome (n = 153) 45%; hypersensitive carotid sinus syndrome (n = 11) 3%; neurocardiac syncope (n = 10) 2.9%; and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n = 1) 0.3%. Forty‐eight patients had a known history of paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias. All patients had routine follow‐up performed at 24 hours, 7 days, 6 weeks, 3 months, and then 6 biannuallv. Mean follow‐up was 6.5 years (range 1 month to 12 years). Observed survival of the programmed atrial‐based modality was compared to the original mode chosen at the time of implantation. Thirty‐five of 37 (95%) chosen for AAIR modes remain programmed AAIR. Twenty‐two of 24 (92%) chosen for VDDR modes remain programmed VDDR. Two hundred and fifty‐five of 280 (91 %) chosen for DDD or DDDR modes remain programmed DDDR. Two of 37 (5%) patients originally implanted with AAI pacing systems were upgraded to DDDR mode due to new onset AV block. One of 24 (4%) patients originally implanted with a VDDR pacing system was upgraded to DDDR due to loss of atrial sensing of the single pass lead. Twenty‐six of 304 (8.5%) patients originally implanted with DDD/DDDR (n ‐ 25) and VDDR (n = 1) pacing systems were reprogrammed to VVI or WIR: 16 (62%) due to sustained refractory atrial arrhythmias; 5 (19%) due to atrial lead malfunction; and 5 (19%) due to reasons unrelated to the pacing system. With careful review of the patients' conduction disorder and appropriate selection of pacing modality, the observed survival of long‐term atrial‐based pacing remains at 92% when compared to the chosen modality at the time of implantation. Atrial‐based pacing may be used to reduce the incidence of atrial dysrhythmia with careful programming of the base atrial pacing rates.
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: early diagnosis and risk factors

Encapsulerende peritoneale sclerose (EPS) is een ernstige complicatie van langdurige buikspoeling of peritoneale dialyse (PD). Denise Sampimon onderzocht de vroege stadia van deze complicatie. Zij keek naar peritoneale functietesten, effluent markers en zette een multicenterstudie op om risicofactoren te onderzoeken. Op basis daarvan concludeert ze dat jaarlijks peritoneale functietesten zouden moeten worden uitgevoerd. Zodra een patient na meer dan twee jaar PD-ultrafiltratiefalen ontwikkelt, dient men PD binnen twee jaar te staken.
A single chicken anemia virus protein induces apoptosis

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) causes cytopathogenic effects in chicken thymocytes and cultured transformed mononuclear cells via apoptosis. Early after infection of chicken mononuclear cells, the CAV-encoded protein VP3 exhibits a finely granular distribution within the nucleus. At a later stage after infection, VP3 forms aggregates. At this point, the cell becomes apoptotic and the cellular DNA is fragmented and condensed. By immunogold electron microscopy VP3 was shown to be associated with apoptotic structures. In vitro, expression of VP3 induced apoptosis in chicken lymphoblastoid T cells and myeloid cells, which are susceptible to CAV infection, but not in chicken embryo fibroblasts, which are not susceptible to CAV. Expression of a C-terminally truncated VP3 induced much less pronounced apoptosis in the chicken lymphoblastoid T cells.
A Lesson from “The Brodie Ultimatum”: The Locus of Control for Epilepsy is outside the Therapeutic Alliance

Commentary Some stories are so intriguing, they must have a sequel. Some cliffhangers even need a second sequel. Professor Brodie’s recent update of his ongoing prospective observational study (1) was perhaps not as eagerly anticipated as the Jason Bourne psycho-bio-über-dramas. For epilepsy watchers though, in another landmark paper, this third update (1–3) presents an ever-sharpening snapshot of the long-term course of persons diagnosed with epilepsy. And the picture is not so pretty. In the authors’ epilepsy clinic, new-onset patients were treated (usually after two seizures) according to a sensible protocol of trying one antiepileptic drug (AED) followed by substitution monotherapy if the first AED was not effective or not tolerated, or by add-on therapy in the case of incomplete response to the first AED. After this initial strategy, the clinicians treated refractory patients by aiming for monotherapy but also trying polytherapy. Patients with poor adherence were excluded from the study. The outcome at last follow-up was categorized into one of four mutually exclusive groups: 1. Seizure-free within 6 months of therapy and remaining so during follow-up.
Quantitative assessment of dielectric parameters for membrane lipid bi‐layers from RF permittivity measurements

In this article, we propose and validate theoretical and experimental methods to quantitatively assess the Debye dielectric model of membrane lipid bi‐layers. This consists of two steps: permittivity measurements of biological solutions (liposomes), and estimation of the model parameters by inverse application of the Effective Medium Theory. The measurements are conducted in the frequency domain between 100 MHz and 2 GHz using a modified coaxial connector, at the temperatures of 27 and 30 °C. Estimations have been performed using a three‐layered model based on the Maxwell–Wagner formulation. Debye parameters (mean value ± standard error) found from fitting experimental data are: εs = 11.69 ± 0.09, ε∞ = 4.00 ± 0.07, frelax = 179.85 ± 6.20 MHz and εs = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10−7 S/m. This model can be used in microdosimetric studies aiming to precisely determine the E‐field distribution in a biological target down to the single cell level. In this context the use of an accurate membrane dielectric model, valid through a wide frequency range, is particularly appropriate. Bioelectromagnetics 30:286–298, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intrinsic spectra and energetics of BeppoSAX Gamma-Ray Bursts with known redshifts

We present the main results of a study of spectral and energetics properties of twelve gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with redshift estimates. All GRBs in our sample were detected by BeppoSAX in a broad energy range (2-700 keV). From the redshift estimates and the good-quality BeppoSAX time-integrated spectra we deduce the main properties of GRBs in their cosmological rest frames. All spectra in our sample are satisfactorily represented by the Band model, with no significant soft X-ray excesses or spectral absorptions. We find a positive correlation between the estimated total (isotropic) energies in the 1-10 000 keV energy range (Erad) and redshifts z. Interestingly, more luminous GRBs are characterized also by larger peak energies Ep so f theirEF(E) spectra. Furthermore, more distant GRBs appear to be systematically harder in the X-ray band compared to GRBs with lower redshifts. We discuss how selection and data truncation eects could bias our results and give possible explanations for the correlations that we found.
Fine-scale features on the sea surface in SAR satellite imagery - Part 1: Simultaneous in-situ measurements

Abstract. This work is aimed at identifying the origin of fine-scale features on the sea surface in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery with the help of in-situ measurements as well as numerical models (presented in a companion paper). We are interested in natural and artificial features starting from the horizontal scale of the upper ocean mixed layer, around 30–50 m. These features are often associated with three-dimensional upper ocean dynamics. We have conducted a number of studies involving in-situ observations in the Straits of Florida during SAR satellite overpass. The data include examples of sharp frontal interfaces, wakes of surface ships, internal wave signatures, as well as slicks of artificial and natural origin. Atmospheric processes, such as squall lines and rain cells, produced prominent signatures on the sea surface. This data has allowed us to test an approach for distinguishing between natural and artificial features and atmospheric influences in SAR images that is based on a co-polarized phase difference filter.
Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and hemodialysis to manage massive dabigatran-associated postcardiac surgery bleeding.

To the editor: Dabigatran is a new oral direct thrombin inhibitor approved to prevent stroke in atrial fibrillation. It has no antidote, and management of severe bleeding is uncertain. A participant in RE-LY (randomized trial that compared dabigatran with warfarin[1][1]) unintentionally underwent
Ellagic acid derivatives from Terminalia chebula Retz. increase the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to stress by inhibiting polyphosphate kinase

Polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1) plays an important role in virulence, antibiotic resistance and survival under stress conditions and, therefore, is an attractive therapeutic target to control infections caused by multiple drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study explores the PPK1 inhibiting activity of ellagic acid derivatives (EADs) from Terminalia chebula Retz. that could increase the susceptibility of Ps. aeruginosa to in vitro stress conditions.
Retinal bipolar cell types differ in their inventory of ion channels

Bipolar cells were recorded in rat retinal slices to study the distribution of hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. Patch-clamp whole cell measurements were combined with intracellular filling and recorded cells were morphologically identified. HCN channel isoforms HCN1-4 are differentially expressed in bipolar cells. Each bipolar cell type has a characteristic inventory of HCN channels. The combination of HCN channel currents and other voltage-gated currents can be used as a kind of “finger print” to electrophysiologically identify and classify bipolar cell types. Using this approach of combined electrophysiological and morphological classification we could identify a new ON-cone bipolar cell type.
The pathological assessment of ovarian neoplasms. III: The malignant "epithelial" tumours.

One thousand common "epithelial" tumours of the ovary were encountered in a 25-yr study period at the King George V Memorial Hospital. These tumours were classified according to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) Histological Classification of Ovarian Tumours. In this report a detailed histological assessment of the 298 malignant "epithelial" tumours is presented, including criteria for histological grading and typing. Evidence for the multifocal tumorigenesis of serous tumours and the pathological correlates of endometrioid carcinoma are stressed.
Tumor-Infiltrating Plasma Cells Are Associated with Tertiary Lymphoid Structures, Cytolytic T-Cell Responses, and Superior Prognosis in Ovarian Cancer

Purpose: CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are key mediators of antitumor immunity and are strongly associated with survival in virtually all solid tumors. However, the prognostic effect of CD8+ TIL is markedly higher in the presence of CD20+ B cells, suggesting that cooperative interactions between these lymphocyte subsets lead to more potent antitumor immunity. Experimental Design: We assessed the colocalization patterns, phenotypes, and gene expression profiles of tumor-associated T- and B-lineage cells in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) by multicolor IHC, flow cytometry, and bioinformatic analysis of gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Results: T cells and B cells colocalized in four types of lymphoid aggregate, ranging from small, diffuse clusters to large, well-organized tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) resembling activated lymph nodes. TLS were frequently surrounded by dense infiltrates of plasma cells (PC), which comprised up to 90% of tumor stroma. PCs expressed mature, oligoclonal IgG transcripts, indicative of antigen-specific responses. PCs were associated with the highest levels of CD8+, CD4+, and CD20+ TIL, as well as numerous cytotoxicity-related gene products. CD8+ TIL carried prognostic benefit only in the presence of PCs and these other TIL subsets. PCs were independent of mutation load, BRCA1/2 status, and differentiation antigens but positively associated with cancer–testis antigens. Conclusions: PCs are associated with the most robust, prognostically favorable CD8+ TIL responses in HGSC. We propose that TLS facilitate coordinated antitumor responses involving the combined actions of cytolytic T cells and antibody-producing PCs. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 3005–15. ©2016 AACR.
Na/Ca Exchange and Cardiac Ventricular Arrhythmias

Abstract: Ventricular arrhythmias are a major cause of death in cardiovascular disease. Ca2+ removal from the cell by the electrogenic Na/Ca exchanger is essential for the Ca2+ flux balance during excitation–contraction coupling but also contributes to the electrical events. “Classic” views on the exchanger in arrhythmias include its well‐recognized role as depolarizing current underlying delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) during spontaneous Ca2+ release and the alterations in expression in certain forms of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. “Novel” views relate to more subtle roles for the exchanger in arrhythmias. Na/Ca exchange function in disease could be modulated indirectly, through phosphorylation or anchoring proteins. Ongoing studies relate Na/Ca exchange to variability in action potential duration (APD) and early afterdepolarizations (EADs) in a dog model of cardiac hypertrophy and arrhythmias. Further research on drugs that target Na/Ca exchange will have to carefully examine the effects on Ca2+ balance.
Effect of body mass index and physical exercise on risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis: longitudinal data from the Norwegian HUNT Study

Background Mechanical joint stress imposed by high body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis. This prospective study investigated the independent and joint association of BMI and physical exercise on risk of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Methods The study includes 15 191 women and 14 766 men in the Norwegian HUNT Study without pain or physical impairment at baseline. Occurrence of self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis was assessed at 11 years of follow-up. Results BMI was positively related to risk of knee osteoarthritis (Ptrend<0.001), with an RR of 4.37 (95% CI 3.01 to 6.33) in women and 2.78 (95% CI 1.59 to 4.84) in men, comparing obese and normal weight persons. No clear association was observed for hip osteoarthritis. Obesity increased the risk of severe activity-limiting osteoarthritis, with an RR of 2.30 (95% CI 1.68 to 3.15) and 2.50 (95% CI 1.56 to 4.03) in women and men, respectively. Physical exercise did not modify the above associations (Pinteraction>0.34). Exercise intensity was not associated with risk of osteoarthritis in any BMI category; that is, obese persons reporting high-intensity exercise had an RR of 1.28 (95% CI 0.59 to 2.79) for severe osteoarthritis compared with inactive persons. Conclusion High BMI increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis and severe osteoarthritis. Physical exercise does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis at any level of BMI, suggesting that exercise could be encouraged also among individuals with excessive body mass, without concern for an increased risk of osteoarthritis.
Attenuation of ventilator-induced acute lung injury in an animal model by inhibition of neutrophil adhesion by leumedins (NPC 15669).

OBJECTIVES Beta2-integrin (CD11b/CD18) expression, an indicator of neutrophil activation, has been associated with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Leumedins act directly on leukocytes to inhibit the up-regulated expression of beta2-integrins involved in leukocyte adhesion. We examined the effect of such a new anti-inflammatory agent, NPC 15669 (N-[9H-(2,7-dimethylfluorenyl-9-methoxy)-carbonyl]-L-leucine), on neutrophil-mediated acute lung injury in an animal model. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled animal study. SETTING An animal laboratory in a university setting. SUBJECTS Adult New Zealand rabbits. INTERVENTIONS After repeated lung lavages with normal saline to induce acute lung injury, anesthetized rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two groups (n = 6 per group): a) treatment group (pretreated with NPC 15669 [10 mg/kg i.v. bolus] 30 mins before lavage, followed by a continuous infusion [5 mg/kg/hr] for the duration [4 hrs] of the experiment); or b) control group (pretreatment and continuous infusion with placebo). All animals were mechanically ventilated with identical pressure settings over 4 hrs and were killed at the end of the experiment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS PaO2, PaCO2, and tidal volumes were repeatedly measured and airway pressure settings were noted every 30 mins. At the end of the experiment, lungs were taken out for measurements of the myeloperoxidase content, for conventional histology (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and for intracellular adhesion molecule-1 immunohistostaining. Pretreatment with NPC 15669 profoundly improved oxygenation from a PaO2 of 52 +/- 5 torr (6.9 +/- 0.7 kPa) to 250 +/- 161 torr (33.3 +/- 21.5 kPa) within 60 mins after lung lavage (p < .05). Oxygenation continued to improve throughout the study, reaching a maximal PaO2 value of 395 +/- 98 torr (52.7 +/- 13.1 kPa) at 4 hrs. In the control group, oxygenation remained poor throughout the observation period. PaO2 values differed significantly (51 +/- 20 torr [6.8 +/- 2.7 kPa] vs. 306 +/- 126 torr [40.8 +/- 16.8 kPa], p < .005) at 90 mins and at all subsequent measurements from those values in the NPC 15669 group. Dynamic lung compliance improved significantly 60 to 90 mins after repeated lung lavage. Histology demonstrated markedly less lung damage (hyaline membrane formation and leukocyte infiltration) in treated animals (p < .05) than in controls. CONCLUSIONS NPC 15669 seems to block inflammatory reactions by inhibiting the sequestration of neutrophils in acute, ventilator-associated lung injury. As a result, gas exchange and total lung compliance improve. Application of this and similar compounds affecting neutrophil adhesion warrants further investigation as a treatment modality for acute lung injury.
Injections of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate into the ventral hippocampus increase extracellular dopamine in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens

The nucleus accumbens septi receives inputs from dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and glutamatergic neurons of the ventral subiculum (VS). The convergence of these inputs in the NAS is important for the normal expression of exploratory locomotion; stimulation of the VS by injection of the glutamate receptor agonist N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) causes dopamine‐dependent increases in locomotion. In the present study, in vivo microdialysis in conjunction with high‐performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection (HPLC‐EC) was used to estimate changes in extracellular dopamine in the VTA and NAS in response to intra‐VS injections of NMDA (0.074, 0.28, 0.74 μg). NMDA injections caused dose‐dependent elevations in extracellular dopamine in each region. Each dose of NMDA clearly increased extracellular dopamine in the NAS, whereas only the two higher doses increased dopamine significantly in the VTA. The highest dose of NMDA elevated extracellular dopamine to approximately 180% of baseline in each region. Whereas elevations in NAS dopamine might be induced by impulse‐independent local mechanisms, elevations of dopamine in the VTA are presumed to reflect increased somatodendritic release associated with increased impulse flow through dopamine neurons. Thus, the present study suggests that the modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission by the ventral subiculum results from a trans‐synaptic activation of dopamine cell bodies in the VTA. Synapse 31:241–249, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictive validity of the International Hospital Outcomes Study questionnaire: an RN4CAST pilot study.

PURPOSE To study the predictive validity of the instrument used in the International Hospital Outcomes Study (IHOS) for an upcoming EU-funded project (RN4CAST), which will indicate the effect of the nursing work environment and nursing staff deployment on nurse recruitment, retention, and productivity; and on patient outcomes in 11 European countries. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of data from 179 nurses (75% response rate) who completed an IHOS-like nurse survey questionnaire, which included the Revised Nursing Work Index and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The nurses worked in four Belgian acute-care hospitals. Logistic regression modeling was performed to explore associations between nurse-perceived outcomes and nursing work environment factors that were checked with confirmatory factor analysis. FINDINGS We confirmed associations between nurse-perceived outcomes and the following nursing work environment factors: nurse-physician relationship; staffing, and resource adequacy; and nurse manager ability, leadership, and support of nurses. A 1-point increase in the rating of the factor nurse-physician relationship was significantly associated with a 2.5-fold (OR, 2.53; 95%CI, 1.29-4.93; p<0.01) increase in the odds of reporting high job satisfaction and with a fourfold (OR, 4.02; 95%CI, 1.85-8.70; p<0.001) increase in the odds of reporting excellent nurse-perceived quality of care. A 1-point increase in the rating of the factor staffing and resource adequacy was significantly associated with an approximate threefold (OR, 2.81; 95%CI, 1.38-5.72; p<0.01) increase in the odds of reporting high job satisfaction and with a fourfold (OR, 0.23; 95%CI, 0.12-0.47; p<0.001) decrease in the odds of reporting burnout. CONCLUSIONS The predictive validity of the IHOS instrument was supported by the confirmation of key factors, which were previously identified by previous international research, and by the finding of similar associations between these factors and nurse-perceived outcomes. The IHOS questionnaire that will be used in the RN4CAST project is robust and psychometrically sound. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The RN4CAST consortium, consisting of members from 15 countries, will use a similar instrument to that used in the International Hospital Outcomes study to measure the nursing work environment. This information will be linked with patients' experiences and data extracted from routinely collected hospital discharge data. RN4CAST will show the important role of nursing staff in providing high quality care and allow refinement of current forecasting models for personnel planning in nursing.