Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Superficial siderosis in the general population

Background: Superficial siderosis is a rare radiologic diagnosis of hemosiderin deposition in subpial brain layers. In case studies, an association between superficial siderosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) has been described. Also, a potential role of superficial siderosis in Alzheimer disease (AD) was hypothesized. All previously reported cases of superficial siderosis were detected because of overt clinical symptoms. We studied the occurrence of superficial siderosis on brain MRI in a general population of nondemented elderly. Methods: In 1,062 persons (mean age 69.6 years) from the population-based Rotterdam Scan Study, we performed T2*-weighted MRI to assess the presence of superficial siderosis. Furthermore, the presence, number, and location of cerebral microbleeds were rated, as lobar microbleeds are thought to be indicative of CAA. Results: We found that superficial siderosis was present in 7 (0.7%) individuals, all of whom had cerebral microbleeds in lobar locations. Furthermore, in all 7 persons, microbleeds were located in close vicinity to superficial siderosis. Conclusions: Our results provide further indirect support for the presumed link between superficial siderosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Whether superficial siderosis may be a marker for severity or worse prognosis of CAA needs to be further evaluated in longitudinal follow-up.
Second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour—A population‐based cohort study from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

A British population‐based cohort study was carried out to determine the risk of second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour. The cohort was obtained from the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a population‐based cohort study of treatment toxicities in 18,044 individuals diagnosed with childhood cancer, at an age of less than 15 years, between 1940 and 1991 in Britain. There were 1,441 Wilms' tumour survivors in the cohort: 732 males (50.8%) and 709 females (49.2%). Total follow‐up from 5‐year survival was 27,841 person years, mean follow‐up of 19.3 years per survivor. There were 81 second primary neoplasms, including 52 solid neoplasms, 3 acute myeloid leukaemias and 26 basal cell carcinomas. Thirty‐five of the 39 solid neoplasms that developed in the thoracic, abdominal or pelvic region occurred within irradiated tissue. The standardised incidence ratio for all solid second primary neoplasms was 6.7 (95% CI: 5.0–8.8). Cumulative incidence for all solid second primary neoplasms by ages 30, 40 and 50 years was 2.3% (1.4–3.5%), 6.8% (4.6–9.5%) and 12.2% (7.3–18.4%). The overall risk of second primary neoplasms in survivors of Wilms' tumour treated between 1940 and 1991 was substantial, and solid second tumours tended to develop in the irradiated tissue. Continued follow‐up of these survivors is important to monitor such late effects of treatment. It is also important to evaluate the risk of second primary neoplasms following more recent lower radiation dose treatment practices. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability of subjective, linear, ratio and area cephalometric measurements in assessing adenoid hypertrophy among different age groups.

OBJECTIVE To test the validity of four different types of lateral cephalometric radiograph (LCR) measurements as a diagnostic test of adenoid hypertrophy in different age groups of mouth-breathing children. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-six mouth-breathing children (male 54.65%, mean age 7.0 ± 2.2 years) were randomly selected from a hospital population. Adenoid obstruction of the nasopharynx was evaluated by subjective, linear, ratio, and area LCR measurements. Each measurement was compared with flexible fiberoptic endoscopy diagnosis. RESULTS Kendall correlation coefficients for agreement between tests were ≥ 0.67 and kappa scores were substantial (≥ 0.64). Higher correlation coefficients and agreement values were found in older age groups. When the sample was stratified by age, the 3- to 5-year-old age group showed lower correlation coefficients and agreement strength for subjective, linear, and ratio measurements. The sensitivity of LCR varied from 71% (ratio) to 84% (linear). The specificity varied from 83% (linear) to 97% (ratio). The positive predictive value varied from 88% (linear) to 97% (ratio). The negative predictive value varied from 70% (ratio) to 78% (linear). The validity of each measure was different among the age groups. CONCLUSIONS LCR is a valid method for measuring adenoid hypertrophy in children from 6 to 12 years old. The diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy, based on LCR measurements, in children with primary dentition (3-5 years old) should be made with caution. The combination of linear and ratio LCR measurements is a reliable screening tool to determine the need for an ear, nose, and throat evaluation.
Expression Profiles of the Nuclear Receptors and Their Transcriptional Coregulators During Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells

Abstract Neural stem cells (NSCs) are pluripotent precursors with the ability to proliferate and differentiate into 3 neural cell lineages, neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying these biologic processes is essential for understanding both physiologic and pathologic neural development and regeneration after injury. Nuclear hormone receptors (NRs) and their transcriptional coregulators also play crucial roles in neural development, functions and fate. To identify key NRs and their transcriptional regulators in NSC differentiation, we examined mRNA expression of 49 NRs and many of their coregulators during differentiation (0–5 days) of mouse embryonic NSCs induced by withdrawal of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2). 37 out of 49 NRs were expressed in NSCs before induction of differentiation, while receptors known to play major roles in neural development, such as THRα, RXRs, RORs, TRs, and COUP-TFs, were highly expressed. CAR, which plays important roles in xenobiotic metabolism, was also highly expressed. FGF2 withdrawal induced mRNA expression of RORγ, RXRγ, and MR by over 20-fold. Most of the transcriptional coregulators examined were expressed basally and throughout differentiation without major changes, while FGF2 withdrawal strongly induced mRNA expression of several histone deacetylases (HDACs), including HDAC11. Dexamethasone and aldosterone, respectively a synthetic glucocorticoid and natural mineralocorticoid, increased NSC numbers and induced differentiation into neurons and astrocytes. These results indicate that the NRs and their coregulators are present and/or change their expression during NSC differentiation, suggesting that they may influence development of the central nervous system in the absence or presence of their ligands.
Prostacyclin treatment and clinical outcome in severe traumatic brain injury patients managed with an ICP-targeted therapy: A prospective study

Objective: To prospectively assess clinical outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) managed according to an ICP-targeted programme as well as additional treatment with prostacyclin. Materials and methods: Inclusion criteria were GCS ≤8, age 15–70 years, first recorded cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) > 10 mm Hg. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, breastfeeding or penetrating brain injury. The patients were treated using the same ICP-guided protocol, with one group randomized to receive prostacyclin in a low dose (0.5 ng kg−1 min−1). The clinical outcome was prospectively assessed at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using structured interviews. Results: Forty-eight patients were included, mean age 35.5 years, median GCS 6 (3–8), 69% were multi-traumatized. Mortality at 3 months was 12.5%. Median Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at all follow-up points was 4. Favourable outcome (GOS 4–5) at 3 months was 52%, at 24 months 64%. Favourable outcome increased over time. There was a statistically significant association between GOS, GCS at admission and age. Higher ICPmax was associated with worse outcome. Conclusion: With this treatment protocol, a low number of deaths and a high number of favourable outcomes in sTBI were observed. Prostacyclin in this low dose does not seem to improve the outcome. ICPmax is a positive predictor of worse outcome. Higher GCS at admission and lower age are correlated to better outcome.
Double-blinded, placebo-controlled, prospective randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of paravertebral block with and without continuous paravertebral block analgesia in outpatient breast cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND Paravertebral block (PVB) is an effective alternative to general anesthesia for breast cancer surgery. Continuous paravertebral block (CPVB) anesthesia may extend postoperative analgesia at home and improve quality of early postoperative recovery of breast cancer patients. PURPOSE This double-blinded randomized trial was conducted to compare degree of pain, nausea, mood, level of symptom distress, and time to return to normal daily activity between PVB and PVB + CPVB in patients undergoing outpatient breast cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 2003 and April 2008 we randomly assigned 94 (73 evaluable) patients in a 1:1:1 ratio with early breast cancer to single injection PVB followed by CPVB infusion of 0.1% or 0.2% ropivacaine vs placebo (saline) for 48 hours postoperatively for unilateral breast cancer surgery without reconstruction. The primary study endpoint was the degree of pain, nausea, mood state, level of symptom distress, and recovery time. RESULTS Of the 468 patients assessed for eligibility, 94 consented and 21 with incomplete data or follow-up were excluded, leaving 73 subjects for analysis. There was no clinically significant difference in degree of postoperative pain, nausea, mood state, level of symptom distress, or return to normal activity among the three study groups. CONCLUSION The current study does not support the routine use of continuous paravertebral catheter anesthesia in patients undergoing operative treatment for breast cancer.
Ramelteon attenuates age‐associated hypertension and weight gain in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The neuroendocrine theory of aging suggests the common mechanisms of developmental (prereproductive) and aging (postreproductive) processes and identified a cluster of conditions (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, menopause, late onset depression, vascular cognitive impairment, impairment of immune defense, and some forms of cancer) as age‐associated neuroendocrine disorders (AAND). Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes were later described as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Because melatonin attenuated development of MetS is age‐dependent, that is, in young and old, but not in middle‐aged rats, we studied the effect of the selective melatonin agonist, Ramelteon, on the two core symptoms of MetS/AAND: hypertension and body weight gain in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto male rats (WKY). SHR rats developed hypertension at the time of maximal weight gain that coincided with the onset of reproductive activity (8–10 weeks old). Chronic (but not acute) administration of Ramelteon (in drinking water, 8 mg/kg/day, from 4 to 12 weeks of age) attenuated age‐associated increase of systolic blood pressure (tail‐cuff method) by 45%, and age‐associated body weight gain by 30%. Acute and chronic Ramelteon did not affect blood pressure and body weight in normotensive WKY rats. Ramelteon‐induced attenuation of age‐associated hypertension and weight gain suggests that Ramelteon might attenuate the other symptoms of MetS/AAND and might be useful in the treatment of MetS/AAND during puberty, menopause, and old age.
The Efficacy of a Prevascularized, Retrievable Poly(D,L,-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Subcutaneous Scaffold as Transplantation Site for Pancreatic Islets

Background The liver as transplantation site for human pancreatic islets is a harsh microenvironment for islets and it lacks the ability to retrieve the graft. A retrievable, extrahepatic transplantation site that mimics the pancreatic environment is desired. Ideally, this transplantation site should be located subdermal for easy surgical-access but this never resulted in normoglycemia. Here, we describe the design and efficacy of a novel prevascularized, subcutaneously implanted, retrievable poly (D,L-lactide-co-&egr;-caprolactone) scaffold. Method Three dosages of rat islets, that is, 400, 800, and 1200, were implanted in immune compromised mice to test the efficacy (n = 5). Islet transplantation under the kidney capsule served as control (n = 5). The efficacy was determined by nonfasting blood glucose measurements and glucose tolerance tests. Results Transplantation of 800 (n = 5) and 1200 islets (n = 5) into the scaffold reversed diabetes in respectively 80 and 100% of the mice within 6.8 to 18.5 days posttransplant. The marginal dose of 400 islets (n = 5) induced normoglycemia in 20%. The glucose tolerance test showed major improvement of the glucose clearance in the scaffold groups compared to diabetic controls. However, the kidney capsule was slightly more efficacious because all 800 (n = 5) and 1200 islets (n = 5) recipients and 40% of the 400 islets (n = 5) recipients became normoglycemic within 8 days. Removal of the scaffolds or kidney grafts resulted in immediate return to hyperglycemia. Normoglycemia was not achieved with 1200 islets in the unmodified skin group. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the prevascularized poly (D,L-lactide-co-&egr;-caprolactone) scaffold maintains viability and function of islets in the subcutaneous site.
Periventricular White Matter Flumazenil Binding and Postoperative Outcome in Hippocampal Sclerosis

Summary: Purpose: In patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS), anterior temporal lobe resection offers the possibility of a long‐lasting suppression of seizures in two thirds of patients. White matter (WM) [11C]flumazenil volume of distribution (FMZ‐Vd) reflects the number of neuronal cell bodies in WM. Our objective was to correlate WM FMZ‐Vd in patients with unilateral HS and postsurgical outcome.
Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Neurogenesis in the Adult Brain of the Pulse Type Weakly Electric Fish, Gymnotus omarorum

Adult neurogenesis, an essential mechanism of brain plasticity, enables brain development along postnatal life, constant addition of new neurons, neuronal turnover, and/or regeneration. It is amply distributed but negatively modulated during development and along evolution. Widespread cell proliferation, high neurogenic, and regenerative capacities are considered characteristics of teleost brains during adulthood. These anamniotes are promising models to depict factors that modulate cell proliferation, migration, and neurogenesis, and might be intervened to promote brain plasticity in mammals. Nevertheless, the migration path of derived cells to their final destination was not studied in various teleosts, including most weakly electric fish. In this group adult brain morphology is attributed to sensory specialization, involving the concerted evolution of peripheral electroreceptors and electric organs, encompassed by the evolution of neural networks involved in electrosensory information processing. In wave type gymnotids adult brain morphology is proposed to result from lifelong region specific cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Consistently, pulse type weakly electric gymnotids and mormyrids show widespread distribution of proliferation zones that persists in adulthood, but their neurogenic potential is still unknown. Here we studied the migration process and differentiation of newborn cells into the neuronal phenotype in the pulse type gymnotid Gymnotus omarorum. Pulse labeling of S-phase cells with 5-Chloro-2′-deoxyuridine thymidine followed by 1 to 180 day survivals evidenced long distance migration of newborn cells from the rostralmost telencephalic ventricle to the olfactory bulb, and between layers of all cerebellar divisions. Shorter migration appeared in the tectum opticum and torus semicircularis. In many brain regions, derived cells expressed early neuronal markers doublecortin (chase: 1–30 days) and HuC/HuD (chase: 7–180 days). Some newborn cells expressed the mature neuronal marker tyrosine hydroxylase in the subpallium (chase: 90 days) and olfactory bulb (chase: 180 days), indicating the acquisition of a mature neuronal phenotype. Long term CldU labeled newborn cells of the granular layer of the corpus cerebelli were also retrogradely labeled “in vivo,” suggesting their insertion into the neural networks. These findings evidence the neurogenic capacity of telencephalic, mesencephalic, and rhombencephalic brain proliferation zones in G. omarorum, supporting the phylogenetic conserved feature of adult neurogenesis and its functional significance.
Caudal Anesthesia in Pediatric Surgery: Success Rate and Adverse Effects in 750 Consecutive Patients

&NA; The success rate and occurrence of adverse effects are reported in a retrospective study of 750 caudal analgesias in children. In 94% of the patients, the blocks were performed under light general anesthesia. Standard 1M or short‐beveled needles were used in all. Four anesthetic solutions of lidocaine and/or bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine were injected in volumes ranging from 0.5 to 1.25 ml/kg. The overall success rate of caudal blocks was 96%, but several attempts were necessary in 25% of patients. Most failures occurred in children more than 7 years old. The use of short‐beveled needles considerably decreased the number of traumatic punctures. The upper limit of analgesia varied widely and appropriate distribution of anesthesia was reliably obtained only after the injection of 0.75 to 1.0 ml/kg of local anesthetic solution. Conscious children tolerated surgery poorly (from a psychological point of view) although they were free of pain. Conversely, breathing difficulties occurred in 12% of lightly anesthetized patients. Hemodynamic disturbances were infrequent, as were adverse effects except for postoperative vomiting (17%). Motor block, present in 54% of patients, was poorly tolerated postoperatively by 10% of patients. Long‐lasting postoperative pain relief was usually obtained. There were no major complications or neurological sequelae and good patient and parental acceptance of caudal anesthesia. Caudal anesthesia is a reliable and safe technique in young children.
Impact of socioeconomic position on frailty trajectories in 10 European countries: evidence from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2004–2013)

Background Whether or not, and how, health inequalities change throughout older age is currently under debate. The goal of this study was to assess the net impact of education, occupational class, income and wealth on frailty trajectories among older adults in Continental Europe. Methods We modelled frailty index trajectories within a repeated cohort design among the community-dwelling population (50+) in 10 countries, using growth curve models based on 54 036 observations from 20 965 respondents in 4 waves (2004–2013) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Results Gaps in frailty due to education, occupational class and wealth continued throughout old age, while the gap due to income, smaller in comparison, converged. Frailty levels were higher and trajectories steeper in later birth cohorts, and the impact of education increased over time. Frailty levels and growth curves were higher in Southern European countries, and results were consistent across countries regarding the continuous effect of education and occupation and more mixed regarding wealth and income. Conclusions Health inequalities due to education, occupational class and wealth tend to persist throughout old age, whereas the negligible effect of income declines with age, which, substantially, highlights the importance of social conditions on the pace of physiological decline in older Europeans and, methodologically, highlights the need to assess multiple measures of socioeconomic position.
Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis in chronic uremic patients.

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been shown to constitute an independent risk factor for premature occlusive arterial disease (N Engl J Med 324:1149), a frequent complication in chronic uremic patients in whom homocysteine (Hcy) accumulation has been reported to occur. We prospectively determined fasting plasma level of total, protein-bound Hcy in 118 adult chronic uremic patients, either dialyzed or not. In 79 non-dialyzed patients (47 male) with various degrees of chronic renal failure (RF) assessed by creatinine clearance (CCr), none receiving folate, B6 or B12 vitamin supplementation, mean (+/- 1 SD) plasma Hcy level was 16.2 +/- 8.1 mumol/liter in 28 patients with mild RF (CCr 30 to 75 ml/min), 23.3 +/- 14.7 in 29 patients with moderate RF (CCr 10 to 29.9), and 29.5 +/- 14.4 in 22 patients with advanced RF (CCr < 10), a significant difference (P < 0.01 for all groups) compared to 45 healthy controls (8.2 +/- 2.2 mumol/liter). Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between plasma creatinine and Hcy concentrations (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001). Hcy was significantly higher in 20 patients (16 males) who had past histories of occlusive arterial disease than in the 59 (31 males) who did not (30.9 +/- 19.1 vs. 19.6 +/- 9.7 mumol/liter, P < 0.001) and all of the former had Hcy level > 14.1 mumol/liter (the upper limit in healthy controls) versus 35 of 59 in the latter. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Towards Precise Visual Navigation and Direct Georeferencing for MAV Using ORB-SLAM2

A low accuracy of positioning using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are not meet geodetic requirements for direct images georeferencing for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry. A majority of UAVs are equipped with a monocular or stereo non-metric cameras for either visual data gathering or live video feed for operator. A cheap positioning techniques used on board commercial UAVs are not that precise as geodetic community requires. Moreover, a traditional satellite navigation suffers from a multipath Global Positioning System (GPS) signal in an industrial environment and cities or during operation in poor GPS space segment geometry or in indoor environment. In that cases, the UAV position can be enhanced by a visual navigation method. The paper presents a results of implementation of recently developed robust simultaneous localization and mapping method for a low cost hexacopter platforms navigation system augmentation, in order to support a precise and robust direct images georeferencing.
Polygyny and its fitness consequences for primary and secondary female pied flycatchers

In polygynous species with biparental care, the amount of paternal support often varies considerably. In the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), females mated with monogamous males receive more male assistance during the nestling phase than females mated with bigynous males, as the latter have to share their mates with another female. Bigynous males, however, give more support to their primary broods than to their secondary broods. Using a long-term dataset (31 years), the present study revealed that direct reproductive success, i.e. number of fledglings, was lower in females that mated with bigynous males, especially in secondary broods without male assistance, than in females that mated with monogamous males. Secondary broods with male assistance were more affected than primary broods. Female survival was independent of mating status. In primary broods, a delayed compensation for inferior direct reproductive success was found in terms of the number of grandoffspring, a phenomenon that did not occur in secondary broods. Delayed compensation in primary broods refers to indirect effects, i.e. good genes. According to the sexy son hypothesis, genetically superior (i.e. sexy) males may have sons with a higher number of broods belonging to a polygynous breeding status than do sons from broods with a monogamous father. This was indeed the case for sons descending from primary broods, but not for sons descending from secondary broods.