Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Tomosynthesis for Detection of Bone Erosions of the Foot in Patients With Established Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparison With Radiography and CT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare tomosynthesis with radiography for the detection of bone erosions of the foot in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using MDCT as a reference standard. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eighteen consecutive patients with established RA were included. Each patient underwent radiography, tomosynthesis, and CT examinations of the feet on the same day. Two radiologists independently determined the number of bone erosions and the Sharp-van der Heijde score with each of the three imaging modalities. RESULTS On a total of 216 joints from 18 patients, 216 bone erosions were detected on CT, 215 on tomosynthesis, and 181 with radiography. The mean (± SD) Sharp-van der Heijde score was equivalent for tomosynthesis (18.8 ± 16.8) and CT (19.8 ± 18.5) but was statistically lower for radiography (16.4 ± 18.0) (p = 0.030). The respective overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for tomosynthesis were 80%, 75%, 78%, 76%, and 80%, whereas the respective corresponding values for radiography were 66%, 81%, 74%, 77%, and 71%. The radiation burden of tomosynthesis was almost equivalent to that of radiography. CONCLUSION Tomosynthesis has a higher sensitivity than radiography to detect bone erosions of the foot in patients with established RA and imparts an almost equivalent radiation burden.
The Economic Effects of Exclusionary Discipline on Grade Retention and High School Dropout

Nearly 15% of students are disciplined in a given year, with 60% of students being disciplined at-least once between grades 7 through 12. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of school discipline contact on students’ risk for grade retention and school dropout using a statewide sample of 7th grade students tracked through their 12th grade year. Results indicate that school discipline is associated with approximately 4,700 grade retentions per year in the state of Texas. The delayed workforce entry related to grade retention has an effect of over $68 million for the state, including $5.6 million in lost tax revenue. Given the higher discipline rate for minorities, these costs disproportionately affect them. Further, the additional year of instruction costs the state nearly $41 million dollars. For each year an individual student is retained the effect on the net social surplus exceeds $23,000. Results also indicate that school discipline relates to a 29% increase in high school dropout. These additional dropouts account for an economic effect of $711 million per year. It is recommended that educational agencies adopt evidenced-based programs that reduce school officials’ use of punitive and exclusionary measures to manage student behavior such as Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports. Further, these results underscore the need for school officials to employ secondary and tertiary dropout prevention programs that are targeted at the most academically and behaviorally at-risk students in schools in addition to primary prevention programs.
THE EFFECT OF INFECTION WITH GENITAL MYCOPLASMA HOMINIS AND THE PRESENCE OF ANTISPERM ANTIBODIES IN IRANIAN WOMEN WITH UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY

Objectives: Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) infection is considered as one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Antibodies against sperm can influence fertilization through different mechanisms. These two factors can affect women’s fertility status. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between infection with genital M. hominis and the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA). Materials and Methods: Case-control study was conducted using 50 patients with primary or secondary infertility as a case group and 50 healthy women as a control group in Sarem’s women hospital. DNA was extracted from urine samples and the presence of M. hominis (past infection) was determined by PCR. In addition, the presence of antibody against M. hominis in the serum (current infection) was assessed by ELISA. On the other hand, the presence of ASA was further evaluated by IgG-MAR test in the serum. Results: Our results clearly demonstrated that the prevalence of M. hominis (evaluated by PCR) in the two groups was not significantly different. Furthermore, the presence of antibodies against M. hominis and sperm was not significantly different as compared between fertile and infertile women. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that there is no distinct association between current or past infection with M. hominis and the levels of antisperm antibody in women with unexplained infertility. This result can be due to limitation in antiserum used in
Associations between the hospitalist model of care and quality-of-care-related outcomes in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the hospitalist consultant model of care and both length of hospital stay (LOS) and hospital cost for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively studied 118 consecutive patients admitted with hip fracture (diagnosis related groups 79.35 and 81.52) between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002, at a community-based academic medical center. For each patient, consultations for preoperative medical evaluation and management of postoperative complications were performed by a hospitalist or a traditional medical consultant (nonhospitalist). We defined "hospitalist" as dedicated hospital-based physicians who provide their maximum professional time in inpatient health care delivery and who are completely free of outpatient responsibilities. Time to consultation (TTC), time to surgery (TTS), LOS, and total hospital costs were determined for each patient by review of the medical records and were compared between hospitalist and nonhospitalist consultants. RESULTS Both TTC and TTS were significantly lower for hospitalist patients (P < .001 and P = .004, respectively). Although not statistically significant, cost and LOS also were lower for patients receiving hospitalist care. In the hospitalist group, median cost was an estimated dollar 1777 less, and median LOS was 1 day less than in the nonhospitalist group. CONCLUSION Hospitalist Involvement in the medical management of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery may be associated with decreases in TTC, TTS, LOS, and total hospital cost. The results of this study have implications for consultative medical care of patients undergoing urgent surgery and their health outcomes.
Mobilization of CD34+ hematopoietic cells, colony-forming cells and long-term culture-initiating cells into the peripheral blood of patients with an acute cerebral ischemic insult.

BACKGROUND In vitro and in vivo data indicate that stem cells found in the bone marrow (BM) are capable of differentiating into neural cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether potentially pluripotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are recruited from the BM into the peripheral blood as a reaction to ischemic damage of neural tissues. MATERIALS The number of CD34+ cells, colony-forming cells (CFC) and long-term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC) was measured within 24 h and on day 7 after stroke onset by flow cytometry, or in functional assays in the peripheral blood of 10 patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarct. The National Institute of Health stroke scale, Barthel index and modified Rankin scale were used to monitor the clinical outcome. RESULTS In four patients receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy (tissue plasminogen activator; TPA), no significant increase of CD34+ cells, CFC or LTC-IC was detected. In six patients without thrombolytic treatment, the mean number of CD34+ cells/mL increased significantly from 1181+/-248 at day 1 to 3001+/-881 at day 7. Accordingly, the numbers of CFC and LTC-IC increased 2.7- and 1.7-fold. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and neutrophil elastase were monitored by ELISA and remained unchanged during the study period. DISCUSSION Our results showed a recruitment of hematopoietic progenitor cells from the BM into the peripheral blood after acute ischemic stroke when no thrombolytic treatment was given. Increased progenitor cell recruitment might be caused by so far unknown signaling stimuli of the ischemic penumbra for stem cell mobilization.
Implementation of parallel transmit beamforming using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-achievable resolution and interbeam interference

The speed of sound in the human body limits the achievable data acquisition rate of pulsed ultrasound scanners. To overcome this limitation, parallel beamforming techniques are used in ultrasound 2-D and 3-D imaging systems. Different parallel beamforming approaches have been proposed. They may be grouped into two major categories: parallel beamforming in reception and parallel beamforming in transmission. The first category is not optimal for harmonic imaging; the second category may be more easily applied to harmonic imaging. However, inter-beam interference represents an issue. To overcome these shortcomings and exploit the benefit of combining harmonic imaging and high data acquisition rate, a new approach has been recently presented which relies on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to perform parallel beamforming in transmission. In this paper, parallel transmit beamforming using OFDM is implemented for the first time on an ultrasound scanner. An advanced open platform for ultrasound research is used to investigate the axial resolution and interbeam interference achievable with parallel transmit beamforming using OFDM. Both fundamental and second-harmonic imaging modalities have been considered. Results show that, for fundamental imaging, axial resolution in the order of 2 mm can be achieved in combination with interbeam interference in the order of -30 dB. For second-harmonic imaging, axial resolution in the order of 1 mm can be achieved in combination with interbeam interference in the order of -35 dB.
Population Dynamics and Economic Outcomes in West Africa

In recent times, there appears to have been a resurgence in research investigating the effects of population dynamics on economic outcomes in different regions of the world. This has further been inspired by the performance of some Asian economies, where the demographic transition has been observed to play a prominent role. Most African countries are beginning to experience declining fertility and mortality rates. This is expected to enhance economic outcomes. It is against this backdrop that the present study attempts to examine the effect of population dynamics (declining fertility and mortality, growth of population and labour force) on economic growth in West Africa over the period 1970 to 2011. A panel data modelling approach was employed, using fixed effects and random effects estimation techniques. The findings revealed that the demographic transition is beginning to yield positive and significant effects on growth in the region, while some negative effect through mortality remains. Specifically, growth rates of fertility, labour force and population enhanced economic growth, while infant mortality growth lowered the level of output in West Africa. To maximize the gains from the demographic transition, the study recommends, among other things, increased investment in education and training of the younger population to enhance their productivity.
Families changing families: The protective function of multi-family therapy for children in education

The Marlborough Family Education Centre (MFEC) uses a specific multi-family group approach with families where children exhibit (primarily) conduct problems and function poorly in school. Research indicates that failure to intervene with these children carries great potential cost to both the family and society. Outcomes for 50 families receiving intervention from the MFEC were compared with a control group of 28 who had access to a range of interventions, but not the multi-family group approach pioneered by the MFEC. Data on child and family social, emotional and behavioural functioning were collected at the point of referral, and at 6 and 12 months. Parents of children receiving support from the MFEC reported statistically and clinically significant improvements in their children that were maintained at 12 months whereas there was no change in the control group. In addition, measures of family functioning were fairly stable for the MFEC group, while the control group showed significant deterioration over the same time period. Other results were not significant. These findings are interpreted within the context of early intervention. The methodological limitations of the study are considered and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Mesodermal (Müllerian) Adenosarcoma of the Ovary: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 40 Cases and a Review of the Literature

Forty cases of mesodermal adenosarcoma of the ovary occurred in women 30–84 years of age (mean 54 years). Abdominal discomfort and distension were the usual complaints. All the patients were treated with an oophorectomy, which was accompanied by a hysterectomy in 85%, a contralateral oophorectomy in 65%, and nonsurgical therapy in 28%. Tumor rupture occurred at or before the operation in 67% of the cases. Twenty-six tumors were stage I, 11 stage II, and 3 stage III. The tumors were unilateral in 97.5% of the cases and 5.5–50 cm (mean 14 cm) in greatest dimension; most of the tumors were predominantly solid but contained numerous small cysts. Microscopic examination revealed sarcomatous overgrowth in 12 tumors. Sex cord-like elements were present in six tumors (including four with sarcomatous overgrowth) and heterologous elements in five (including two with sarcomatous overgrowth). The highest mitotic index of the sarcomatous component was 1–25 (mean 6) mitotic figures per 10 high power fields. Only 6 of 26 women (23%) who were followed postoperatively for ≥5 years were free of tumor. In the other 20 patients recurrent tumor appeared at 0.4–6.6 years (mean 2.6 years) after operation as pure sarcoma (low grade or high grade) or adenosarcoma (with or without sarcomatous overgrowth). Eight women had additional recurrences, and four women had blood-borne metastases. One patient was alive at 15.7 years after the excision of pulmonary metastases. The 5-, 10-, and 15-year survival rates were 64%, 46%, and 30%, respectively. Age <53 years, tumor rupture, a high grade, and the presence of high-grade sarcomatous overgrowth appeared to be associated with recurrence or extraovarian spread. Ovarian adenosarcomas have a worse prognosis than uterine adenosarcomas, presumably because of the greater ease of peritoneal spread. Many of the tumors caused problems in differential diagnosis.
Catch-Up Growth Is Associated with Delayed Senescence of the Growth Plate in Rabbits

In mammals, release from growth-inhibiting conditions results in catch-up growth. To explain this phenomenon, we proposed the following model:1) The normal senescent decline in growth plate function depends not on age per se, but on the cumulative number of replications that growth plate chondrocytes have undergone. 2) Conditions that suppress growth plate chondrocyte proliferation therefore slow senescence. 3) After transient growth inhibition, growth plates are thus less senescent and hence show a greater growth rate than expected for age, resulting in catch-up growth. To test this model, we administered dexamethasone to growing rabbits to suppress linear growth. After stopping dexamethasone, catch-up growth occurred. In distal femoral growth plates of untreated controls, we observed a senescent decline in the growth rate and in the heights of the proliferative zone, hypertrophic zone, and total growth plate. During the period of catch-up growth, in the animals previously treated with dexamethasone, the senescent decline in all these variables was delayed. Prior treatment with dexamethasone also delayed epiphyseal fusion. These findings support our model that linear catch-up growth is caused, at least in part, by a delay in growth plate senescence.
International Banking and Cross-Border Effects of Regulation: Lessons from the United Kingdom

This paper examines whether U.K.-owned banks’ domestic lending is affected by prudential actions in other countries where the banks have exposures. We also examine the impact of a change in prudential policy in a foreign-owned U.K.- resident bank’s home jurisdiction on its lending to the United Kingdom. Our results suggest that prudential actions taken abroad do not have significant spillover effects on bank lending in the U.K. economy as a whole. But there are more disaggregated sectoral effects: for instance, when a foreign authority tightens loan-to-value standards, U.K. affiliates of banks owned from that country expand their lending to U.K. households.
Development and Validation of a Computational Fluid Dynamics Methodology for Simulation of Pulsatile Left Ventricular Assist Devices

An unsteady computational fluid dynamic methodology was developed so that design analyses could be undertaken for devices such as the 50cc Penn State positive-displacement left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The piston motion observed in vitro was modeled, yielding the physiologic flow waveform observed during pulsatile experiments. Valve closure was modeled numerically by locally increasing fluid viscosity during the closed phase. Computational geometry contained Bjork-Shiley Monostrut mechanical heart valves in mitral and aortic positions. Cases for computational analysis included LVAD operation under steady-flow and pulsatile-flow conditions. Computations were validated by comparing simulation results with previously obtained in vitro particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The steady portion of the analysis studied effects of mitral valve orientation, comparing the computational results with in vitro data obtained from mock circulatory loop experiments. The velocity field showed good qualitative agreement with the in vitro PIV data. The pulsatile flow simulations modeled the unsteady flow phenomena associated with a positive-displacement LVAD operating through several beat cycles. Flow velocity gradients allowed computation of the scalar wall strain rate, an important factor for determining hemodynamics of the device. Velocity magnitude contours compared well with PIV data throughout the cycle. Computational wall shear rates over the pulsatile cycle were found to be in the same range as wall shear rates observed in vitro.
Prostate Cancer Screening Behavior in Men from Seven Ethnic Groups: the Fear Factor

Rates of prostate cancer screening are known to vary among the major ethnic groups. However, likely variations in screening behavior among ethnic subpopulations and the likely role of psychological characteristics remain understudied. We examined differences in prostate cancer screening among samples of 44 men from each of seven ethnic groups (N = 308; U.S.-born European Americans, U.S.-born African Americans, men from the English-speaking Caribbean, Haitians, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and Eastern Europeans) and the associations among trait fear, emotion regulatory characteristics, and screening. As expected, there were differences in the frequency of both digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests among the groups, even when demographic factors and access were controlled. Haitian men reported fewer DRE and PSA tests than either U.S.-born European American or Dominican men, and immigrant Eastern European men reported fewer tests than U.S.-born European Americans; consistent with prior research, U.S.-born African Americans differed from U.S.-born European Americans for DRE but not PSA frequency. Second, the addition of trait fear significantly improved model fit, as did the inclusion of a quadratic, inverted U, trait fear term, even where demographics, access, and ethnicity were controlled. Trait fear did not interact with ethnicity, suggesting its effect may operate equally across groups, and adding patterns of information processing and emotion regulation to the model did not improve model fit. Overall, our data suggest that fear is among the key psychological determinants of male screening behavior and would be usefully considered in models designed to increase male screening frequency. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(2):228–37)
Cytokine dependency of human B cell cycle progression elicited by ligands which coengage BCR and the CD21/CD19/CD81 costimulatory complex.

Coengagement of BCR and the C3dg binding CD21/CD19/CD81 costimulatory complex can profoundly reduce the BCR binding threshold for eliciting B cell S phase entry, provided cytokine is present. IL-4 is substantially better than IL-2, IL-13, and TNF-alpha at exhibiting synergy with BCR:CD21 coengaging ligand (anti-IgM:anti-CD21:dextran) in promoting B cell DNA synthesis. Synergy between IL-4 and anti-IgM:anti-CD21:dextran (a) is not explained by the viability-promoting function of IL-4, (b) occurs when the anti-CD21 moiety engages either C3dg binding or non-C3dg binding domains, (c) does not reflect reversal of FcgammaRII-mediated negative regulation, and (d) involves differing temporal requirements for BCR and IL-4R signal transduction during the activation process. The IL-4R signaling pathway appears to synergize directly with the BCR:CD21 signaling pathway(s) in promoting the progression of resting B cells past an early G1 checkpoint, as well as to promote independently the progression of activated B cells past a later G1 to S checkpoint.
Distal regulatory elements control MRF4 gene expression in early and late myogenic cell populations

MRF4 is a muscle‐specific transcription factor that belongs to a family of basic helix‐loop‐helix proteins known as the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). In vitro studies have shown that expression of the MRF4 gene is controlled by a proximal promoter element (−336 to +71) that binds the muscle‐specific transcription factors MEF2 and myogenin to activate transcription. To examine further the regulatory elements necessary for endogenous MRF4 gene expression during development, transgenic mice were generated that contained either a proximal MRF4 promoter‐LacZ reporter gene (−336 MRF4‐nLacZ) or a MRF4‐LacZ reporter gene containing 8.5 kb of 5′ flanking sequence (−8500 MRF4‐nLacZ). Characterization of individual transgenic mouse lines throughout development revealed that expression of both transgenes is restricted to skeletal muscle tissue. However, unlike previous in vitro data, the proximal promoter transgene exhibits only limited transcriptional activity at all developmental time points, whereas the −8500 MRF4‐nLacZ lines fully recapitulate the later developmental expression patterns and exhibit transcription in myotomal cells during somitic differentiation. Tissue culture analysis of myogenic cells isolated from E12.5, E16.5, and adults confirmed that the −8500 MRF4‐nLacZ transgene is expressed in greater than 90% of the myotubes for all myogenic populations. These results indicate that 8.5 kb of MRF4 5′ flanking sequence contains all the regulatory elements necessary for late MRF4 expression and that at least some of these elements lie upstream of the −336 proximal promoter. It is also likely that distant upstream regulatory sequences control early somitic MRF4 expression. These findings, coupled with previous in vitro studies, suggest that the early and late developmental expression patterns of the MRF4 gene are controlled by distinct sets of regulatory elements. Dev. Dyn. 208:299–312, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.