Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subthalamic nucleus stimulation selectively improves motor and visual memory performance in Parkinson's disease

Although the treatment of Parkinson's disease via subthalamic stimulation yields remarkable improvements in motor symptoms, its effects on memory function are less clear. In this context, we previously demonstrated dissociable effects of levodopa therapy on parkinsonian performance in spatial and nonspatial visual working memory. Here we used the same protocol with an additional, purely motor task to investigate visual memory and motor performance in 2 groups of patients with Parkinson's disease with or without subthalamic stimulation. In each stimulation condition, subjects performed a simple motor task and 3 successive cognitive tasks: 1 conditional color‐response association task and 2 visual (spatial and nonspatial) working memory tasks. The Parkinson's groups were compared with a control group of age‐matched healthy subjects. Our principal results demonstrated that (1) in the motor task, stimulated patients were significantly improved with respect to nonstimulated patients and did not differ significantly from healthy controls, and (2) in the cognitive tasks, stimulated patients were significantly improved with respect to nonstimulated patients, but both remained significantly impaired when compared with healthy controls. These results demonstrate selective effects of subthalamic stimulation on parkinsonian disorders of motor and visual memory functions, with clear motor improvement for stimulated patients and a partial improvement for their visual memory processing. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Risk factors for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreaks in Vietnamese small stock farms

AIM: To examine risk factors that could have played a role in the 2010 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) outbreak in Yenhung district, Quangninh province, North-Vietnam, with the purpose of establishing why existing control measures implemented after previous outbreaks had failed to prevent further outbreaks. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out in Yenhung district. Data were obtained by an interview-based questionnaire survey. The sampling unit was households, which equated to small-scale pig farms. A total of 150 case and 150 control households were selected at communes affected by the 2010 PRRS epidemic during April to June. Risk factors were analysed using binary logistic regression and unconditional multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Households infected with PRRS were significantly associated with multiple variables belonging to three main groups: (1) location of the farms: i.e. farms positioned <1,000 m from a pig abattoir or within 500 m of local markets or 100 m of main roads; (2) farm management: i.e. where there was non-application of weekly farm disinfection, feeding uncooked swill, new introduction of purchased pigs without isolation, or usage of water from irrigation systems for raising pigs; (3) people and animal contact: i.e. where households kept animals with either no confinement or partial confinement, had visits by family members to other affected farms or had frequent visits by neighbours. The use of water from irrigation systems was found to be the risk factor most strongly associated with infected households in the 2010 outbreak (OR=22; 95% CI=12–42). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the epidemiology of PRRS in Quangninh province was linked to sociological and cultural practices, and that effective PRRS control needs an integrated approach coupled with behavioural changes in the pig raising practices of the general public. Failure to recognise this could explain why further outbreaks have occurred.
Organization of visual cortex in the mouse revealed by correlating callosal and striate-extrastriate connections

Abstract In this study, we have investigated the organization of mouse visual cortex by correlating in detail the distribution of striate-extrastriate projections with the pattern of callosal connections revealed by the transport of horseradish peroxidase from the contralateral hemisphere. Single injections of 3H-proline into striate cortex produce 8–9 discrete projection fields in the belt of cortex surrounding area 17. The number and arrangement of these fields closely resemble the pattern of extrastriate visual areas in the rat. The callosal pattern is also very similar to that in the rat, and provides a set of landmarks for the location of the striate-recipient zones. Thus, cortical regions containing dense aggregations of callosal cells and terminations surround totally or partially the sparsely callosal striate-recipient zones. By comparing our results with previous accounts of the rat visual plan, we were able to identify in lateral extrastriate cortex of the mouse areas anterolateral (AL), lateromedial (LM), laterointermediate (LI), laterolateral (LL), posterolateral (PL), and posterior (P). We also observed 1–2 projections fields into anteromedial (AM) extrastriate cortex, and one field (S) into the posteromedial border of the head representation in primary somatosensory cortex. Our results support the notions that the visual cortex in the mouse is subdivided into multiple visual areas, and that these areas are arranged according to a plan that is common in rodents.
EFFECT OF ESMOLOL ON FLUID THERAPY IN NORMOVOLEMIA AND HYPOVOLEMIA

ABSTRACT &bgr;-Adrenergic agonists can enhance vascular volume expansion after a fluid bolus. The present study addresses how the &bgr;-adrenergic antagonist esmolol influences volume expansion and fluid balance during normovolemia (series 1) and hypovolemia (series 2). Sheep were instrumented, and the spleen was removed. For series 1, continuous infusion of 50 to 100 µg·kg−1·min−1 esmolol (n = 6) or control (no drug; n = 6) was begun 30 min before administration of a 24-mL kg−1 20-min bolus of 0.9% NaCl. For series 2, anesthetized sheep were infused with 50 to 100 µg·kg−1·min−1 esmolol (n = 6) or control (no drug; n = 6) 30 min before a-20 mL kg−1 hemorrhage. Fluid resuscitation (0.9% NaCl) was begun 30 min after hemorrhage. The 24-mL kg−1 20-min bolus was followed by titrated fluid therapy. Hemoglobin, fluid in, and urinary output were used to calculate changes in plasma volume (&Dgr;PV), extravascular volume (&Dgr;EVV = fluid in − urinary output − &Dgr;PV), volume expansion efficiency (VEE = fluid in / &Dgr;PV), and fluid distribution ratio (&Dgr;PV/&Dgr;EVV). Hemodynamics for both series were similar with the exception of heart rate. In series 1, peak &Dgr;PV was 9.1 ± 1.0 mL kg−1 in control and 3.7 ± 1.0 mL kg−1 at study end. Esmolol resulted in a lower peak &Dgr;PV (6.4 ± 2.0 mL kg−1) and a negative &Dgr;PV (−0.4 ± 0.6 mL kg−1) at study's end. Urinary output was lower, and EVV was greater with esmolol. In series 2, esmolol increased fluid requirements (67 ± 7 mL kg−1) compared with control (54 ± 5 mL kg−1). Esmolol reduced &Dgr;PV/&Dgr;EVV. These data suggest that esmolol impairs the vascular retention of fluid and may increase the amount of volume support during fluid resuscitation.
Antitumor activity of N,N'-bis(ethyl)spermine homologues against human MALME-3 melanoma xenografts.

The spermine analogues, N1,N12-bis(ethyl)spermine (BESPM), N1,N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine (BENSPM), and N1,N14-bis(ethyl)-homospermine (BEHSPM) behave similarly in down-regulating the key polyamine biosynthetic enzymes, ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, but differ distinctly in their abilities to induce the polyamine catabolic enzyme, spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase; BENSPM is 6-fold more effective than BESPM in increasing spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase activity and BEHSPM is 10-fold less effective. Since MALME-3 human melanoma cells are extremely responsive to spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase induction (i.e., increases greater than 200-fold) and since this induction correlates with growth inhibition among melanoma cell lines, the ability of these homologues to inhibit the growth of MALME-3 xenografts was examined. Analogues were administered i.p. three times per day (i.e., every 8 h) for 6 days at the following doses per injection: BEHSPM, 1.5, 3, or 6 mg/kg; BESPM, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg; BENSPM, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg. At the highest tolerated doses, all of the analogues fully suppressed growth of established (100-200 mm3) MALME-3 tumor during treatment and sustained tumor growth inhibition following treatment as follows: BEHSPM, 14 days; BESPM, 27 days, and BENSPM, 37 days. The tumor delay (to reach 1000 mm3 relative to control) at the highest tolerated doses was as follows: BEHSPM, 20 days; BESPM, 34 days, and BENSPM, 63 days. The rank order of analogue host toxicity as indicated by weight loss was opposite that for antitumor activity, BEHSPM was most toxic, BESPM, intermediate, and BENSPM, least toxic. Thus, the most effective of the three homologues, BENSPM, was best tolerated, and produced an initial tumor regression, full suppression of tumor regrowth during treatment, and sustained inhibition of tumor regrowth for 37 days after treatment stopped. Owing to its potent antitumor activity, mild host toxicity, and novel apparent mechanism of action, BENSPM is being considered for further development toward clinical trial.
Follow-up of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair: Preliminary validation of digital tomosynthesis and contrast enhanced ultrasound in detection of medium- to long-term complications.

AIM To validate the feasibility of digital tomosynthesis of the abdomen (DTA) combined with contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in assessing complications after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) by using computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the gold standard. METHODS For this prospective study we enrolled 163 patients (123 men; mean age, 65.7 years) referred for CTA for EVAR follow-up. CTA, DTA and CEUS were performed at 1 and 12 mo in all patients, with a maximum time interval of 2 d. RESULTS Among 163 patients 33 presented complications at CTA. DTA and CTA correlated for the presence of complications in 32/33 (96.96%) patients and for the absence of complications in 127/130 (97.69%) patients; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of DTA were 97%, 98%, 91%, 99%, and 98%, respectively. CEUS and CTA correlated for the presence of complications in 19/33 (57.57%) patients and for the absence of complications in 129/130 (99.23%) patients; the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of CEUS were 58%, 99%, 95%, 90%, and 91%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of combining DTA and CEUS together in detecting EVAR complications were 77%, 98% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSION Combining DTA and CEUS in EVAR follow-up has the potential to limit the use of CTA only in doubtful cases.
An evaluation of protocolised weaning on the duration of mechanical ventilation *

Using a before and after study design, we compared protocolised weaning from mechanical ventilation with usual non‐protocolised practice in intensive care. Outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of intubation, intensive care stay) and complications (re‐intubations, tracheostomy, mortality) were compared between baseline (Phase I) and following implementation of protocolised weaning (Phase II). Over the same period, we collected data in a second (reference) unit to monitor practice changes over time. In the intervention unit, outcomes were longer in Phase II compared with Phase I (all p < 0.005). When adjusted for admission APACHE II score and diagnostic category, only intensive care stay remained significantly longer (p = 0.002). There were significantly more tracheostomies in Phase II (p = 0.004). The reference unit demonstrated no statistically significant differences in study outcomes or complications between Phases. Protocolised weaning did not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and was not associated with an increased rate of re‐intubation or intensive care unit mortality.
Relationship between fibrillin-1 genotype and severity of cardiovascular involvement in Marfan syndrome

Background The effect of FBN1 mutation type on the severity of cardiovascular manifestations in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) has been reported with disparity results. Objectives This study aims to determine the impact of the FBN1 mutation type on aortic diameters, aortic dilation rates and on cardiovascular events (ie, aortic dissection and cardiovascular mortality). Methods MFS patients with a pathogenic FBN1 mutation followed at two specialised units were included. FBN1 mutations were classified as being dominant negative (DN; incorporation of non-mutated and mutated fibrillin-1 in the extracellular matrix) or having haploinsufficiency (HI; only incorporation of non-mutated fibrillin-1, thus a decreased amount of fibrillin-1 protein). Aortic diameters and the aortic dilation rate at the level of the aortic root, ascending aorta, arch, descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta by echocardiography and clinical endpoints comprising dissection and death were compared between HI and DN patients. Results Two hundred and ninety patients with MFS were included: 113 (39%) with an HI-FBN1 mutation and 177 (61%) with a DN-FBN1. At baseline, patients with HI-FBN1 had a larger aortic root diameter than patients with DN-FBN1 (HI: 39.3±7.2 mm vs DN: 37.3±6.8 mm, p=0.022), with no differences in age or body surface area. After a mean follow-up of 4.9±2.0 years, aortic root and ascending dilation rates were increased in patients with HI-FBN1 (HI: 0.57±0.8 vs DN: 0.28±0.5 mm/year, p=0.004 and HI: 0.59±0.9 vs DN: 0.30±0.7 mm/year, p=0.032, respectively). Furthermore, patients with HI-FBN1 tended to be at increased risk for the combined endpoint of dissection and death compared with patients with DN-FBN1 (HR: 3.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 11.4, p=0.060). Conclusions Patients with an HI mutation had a more severely affected aortic phenotype, with larger aortic root diameters and a more rapid dilation rate, and tended to have an increased risk of death and dissections compared with patients with a DN mutation.
Effect of dietary crude protein level on the reproductive performance and growth of New Zealand white rabbits.

An experiment utilizing 391 preweaning and 187 postweaning litter records from 145 does was conducted for 12 mo to determine the effect of dietary crude protein level on performance of commercial New Zealand White rabbits. Does and their litters were fed alfalfa-based pelleted diets containing either 17.5, 19 or 20.5% crude protein (CP). In a separate experiment, the 17.5 and 20.5% CP diets were fed during lactation to 10 does to determine nitrogen (N) digestibility and retention. Body weights of does fed 17.5% CP were lower (P less than .01) than for the other treatments after 21 and 28 d of lactation. No differences (P greater than .10) were observed for doe weight at kindling, percentage fertility, litter size, preweaning litter mortality, 1- to 21-d consumption, preweaning feed efficiency and 28- to 56-d average daily consumption, average daily gain and average weight. Total born tended to be higher (P = .07) on higher protein levels but percentage born alive was greatest (P less than .01) on the 17.5% CP diet. Does fed 19% CP tended to have a greater number of parities (P = .06). Other significant differences observed for preweaning litter traits were between 17.5 and 19% CP groups. Does fed 19% CP had heavier litters at birth (P less than .01), at 21 d (P = .05) and 28 d (P = .06) and had greater 1- to 21-d litter gains and 21- to 28-d consumption (P = .05) than those fed 17.5% CP. For postweaning performance, feed efficiency values were lowest and mortality was highest for litters fed 20.5% CP. When litters were switched to different diets after weaning, mortality tended to be higher (P = .07) for animals that were fed 20.5% CP before weaning. The month of experiment effect did not influence any of the characters studied (P greater than .05). Parity number was important for percentage fertility, percentage born alive, litter birth weight and doe weight at 21 and 28 d (P less than .05). Does at first parity showed the poorest performance for all traits (except percentage fertility). Fertility fluctuated throughout the first four parities and then steadily declined. Does fed 20.5% CP had greater apparent dry matter and acid detergent fiber digestibilities and N intakes (P less than .05) and retained 90% more N during lactation (P = .22) than does fed 17.5% CP. Milk production and CP digestibility did not differ between the two diets tested. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Role of Psychosocial Risk Factors for Injury in Elite Youth Ice Hockey

Objective:To determine the risk of injury associated with athletic identity, attitudes toward body checking, competitive state anxiety, and reinjury fear in elite youth ice hockey. Also, to determine if there is an elevated risk of subsequent injury associated with return to play before medical clearance. Design:Cohort study. Setting:Hockey arenas, Calgary, Alberta. Participants:A total of 316 male participants from 18 elite (A, AA, AAA), Bantam (age, 13-14 years), and Midget (age, 15-17 years) teams. Assessment of Risk Factors:At season commencement and postinjury, participants completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R, Body Checking Questionnaire, and fear of reinjury questions. Main Outcome Measures:Hockey injury resulting in medical attention, the inability to complete a hockey session, and/or missing a subsequent hockey session. Results:Players scoring below the 25th percentile in athletic identity were at increased risk of a first injury [incidence rate ratios (IRR), 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-2.22], but scoring above the 25th percentile was associated with subsequent injury (IRR = 2.28; 95% CI, 1.01-6.04). There was no increase in risk associated with return to play before clearance (IRR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.30-5.42). Conclusions:Athletic identity was implicated as an injury risk factor in this population. Return to play before medical clearance was not a risk factor in this study, but the point estimate warrants additional investigation.
gamma Interferon gene expression and release in human lymphocytes directly activated by Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans

Previous studies in our laboratory and others have demonstrated that T and/or NK cells can directly bind to and inhibit the growth of the medically important fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans by apparently non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted mechanisms. Here, we examined whether this direct interaction between lymphocytes and fungi also results in cytokine gene expression and release. Nonadherent lymphocytes (NAL), isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by depletion of cells adherent to plastic and nylon wool, released gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), but not interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10, following stimulation with C. neoformans yeast cells and C. albicans yeast cells, hyphae, and supernatants. The fungal stimuli also induced IFN-gamma mRNA, with peak gene expression seen at or after 18 h. IFN-gamma release was still seen even when either NK cells or T lymphocytes were depleted by negative selection, suggesting that both cell types can be stimulated by fungi to produce IFN-gamma. Release of IFN-gamma from fungus-stimulated NAL occurred in the absence of an intact complement system and was not especially enhanced by culture with IL-2 or IL-12. These data expand the mechanisms by which the direct interaction of NAL with fungal targets can lead to immune activation. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of direct stimulation of T-cell cytokine release by microbial pathogens.
A multimodality regimen for deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis in total knee arthroplasty.

Data indicate that deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurs at the time of knee arthroplasty. Nevertheless, literature concerning DVT prophylaxis has only recently addressed this contention. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of a perioperative prophylactic regimen. Between January 1996 and June 2001, 1,308 knees (964 surgeries) underwent total knee arthroplasty. Patients were treated routinely with intraoperative heparin (1000 units intravenous push before inflation of the tourniquet and 500 units at deflation), hypotensive epidural anesthesia (MAP 70-90), external pneumatic compression boots, and aspirin (325 mg, PO, BID for 6 weeks). Duplex venous ultrasonography was performed before discharge. DVT was detected in 4% of cases (1% proximal and 3% distal). Bleeding complications occurred in 1%, and perioperative medical complications occurred in 12%.
Mast cell tryptase and histamine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with interstitial lung disease.

1. Mast cell activation in the lung was investigated by measuring concentrations of mast cell tryptase and histamine in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with bronchial carcinoma, sarcoidosis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis or cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and from normal subjects. 2. Histamine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid supernatants were elevated in the bronchial carcinoma and cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis groups, and were correlated with the histamine content of the cells recovered. 3. An avidin-biotin-enhanced antigen-capture e.l. i.s. a. , using polyclonal rabbit antibody specific for tryptase, and mouse monoclonal antibody AA5, allowed the quantification of tryptase in all samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Tryptase concentrations were increased in the bronchial carcinoma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis groups and in some of the patients with sarcoidosis, and the levels correlated with mast cell numbers and also with concentrations of albumin. 4. There was no significant correlation between levels of tryptase and histamine, suggesting differences in the rates of metabolism or different cellular sources. 5. The tryptase and histamine concentrations measured suggest that there is continuous degranulation of mast cells within the normal lung, but that this process is more pronounced in patients with bronchial carcinoma or interstitial lung disease.
Distinct and redundant functions of histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 in proliferation and tumorigenesis

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are negative regulators of gene expression and have been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Therefore, HDACs are promising targets for anti-tumor drugs. However, the relevant isoforms of the 18 members encompassing HDAC family have not been identified. Studies utilizing either gene targeting or knockdown approaches reveal both specific and redundant functions of the closely related class I deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the control of proliferation and differentiation. Combined ablation of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in different cell types led to a severe proliferation defects or enhanced apoptosis supporting the idea that both enzymes are relevant targets for tumor therapy. In a recent study on the role of HDAC1 in teratoma formation we have reported a novel and surprising function of HDAC1 in tumorigenesis. In this tumor model HDAC1 attenuates proliferation during teratoma formation. In the present work we discuss new findings on redundant and unique functions of HDAC1 and HDAC2 as regulators of proliferation and tumorigenesis and potential implications for applications of HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic drugs.