Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of an integrated electroanatomic mapping system and intracardiac echocardiography to reduce radiation exposure in children and young adults undergoing ablation of supraventricular tachycardia.

AIMS Non-fluoroscopic imaging (NFI) devices are increasingly used in ablations. The objective was to determine the utility of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in ablating paediatric supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs) and assess whether its integrated use with electroanatomic mapping (EAM) resulted in lower radiation exposure than use of EAM alone. METHODS AND RESULTS Prospective, controlled, single-centre study of patients (pts) age ≥10 years, weight ≥35 kg, with SVT and normal cardiac anatomy. Patients were randomized to ICE + EAM (ICE) or EAM only (no ICE). Both had access to fluoroscopy as needed. Eighty-four pts were enroled (42 ICE, 42 no ICE). Median age was 15 years (range 10.4-23.7 years); 57% had accessory pathways, 42% atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. There was no difference in radiation dose (9 mGy ICE vs. 23 mGy no ICE, P = 0.37) or fluoroscopy time (1.1 min ICE vs. 1.5 min no ICE, P = 0.38). Transseptal punctures were performed in 25 pts (16 ICE, 9 no ICE), with ICE reducing radiation (8 mGy ICE vs. 62 mGy no ICE, P = 0.002) and fluoroscopy time (1.1 min ICE vs. 4.5 min no ICE, P = 0.01). Zero fluoroscopy was achieved in 13 pts (15% of total, 5 ICE, 8 no ICE), and low-dose cases (<50 mGy) in 57 pts (68% of total, 33 ICE, 24 no ICE). Acute success was 95% for ICE, 88% for no ICE. CONCLUSION Use of an integrated EAM/ICE system was no better than EAM alone in limiting radiation, but can be helpful for transseptal punctures. Given the low dose savings, use of ICE may be weighed against its financial cost. Low-fluoroscopy cases are performed in most NFI procedures.
Treatment of tuberculosis in HIV-infected persons in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Objective To assess the risks and benefits of administering highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in HIV-infected patients. Design and methods HIV-1 patients presenting to 12 HIV centres in Greater London and south-east England with culture-proven TB were identified from January 1996 to June 1999. Case-notes were reviewed retrospectively. Results Patients (n = 188) were severely immunocompromised with a median CD4 cell count at TB diagnosis of 90 × 106 cells/l (IQR: 30–180). At presentation, 85% (n = 159) were not taking antiretrovirals. A total of 45% commenced HAART during TB treatment, which was associated with significant reductions in viral load, AIDS-defining illness (ADI) [3.5 versus 24.5%; relative risk (RR) = 0.14] and mortality. Only nine of 91 (10%) patients with a CD4 count > 100 × 106 cells/l at TB diagnosis experienced a further ADI, whereas 18 of 92 (20%) patients with a CD4 count < 100 × 106 cells/l developed this complication. Adverse events (AE) occurred in 99 (54%) of 183 patients, one-third of whom changed or interrupted HIV and/or TB medication. The majority of AE occurred within the first 2 months, with peripheral neuropathy (21%), rash (17%) and gastrointestinal upset (10%) occurring most commonly. Conclusions Many physicians delay HAART in patients presenting with TB because of pill burden, drug/drug interactions and toxicity. Although the use of HAART led to significant reductions in viral load, ADI and mortality, co-infected patients commonly experienced AE leading to interruptions in TB/HIV therapy. We therefore recommend starting HAART early for patients with advanced HIV disease (CD4 < 100 × 106 cells/l) and deferring HAART until the continuation phase of TB therapy (i.e. after 2 months) for patients who are clinically stable (CD4 > 100 × 106 cells/l).
Behavior patterns of Southern Bearded Sakis (Chiropotes satanas) in the fragmented landscape of Eastern Brazilian Amazonia

The endangered but poorly studied southern bearded saki, Chiropotes satanas, faces extremes of habitat fragmentation throughout its geographic range in eastern Amazonia. This article focuses on the behavior of the members of two groups—a large one (30–34 members) in continuous forest (home range=69 ha) and a much smaller one (7 members) on a 17‐ha man‐made island—at the Tucuruí Reservoir on the Tocantins River. Quantitative behavioral data were collected through scan and all‐events sampling. Both groups were characterized by the fission–fusion pattern of social organization typical of the genus and relatively high rates of traveling and feeding, also characteristic of the genus. However, the island group spent significantly more time resting and significantly less traveling than the mainland group, presumably as a function of its much smaller home range. Despite resting more, island group members engaged in significantly less social interaction, possibly because of the much smaller size of this group (which also affected visibility), or other factors, such as nutritional stress. Affiliative associations of males were a mainstay of social behavior in both groups and interspecific associations with capuchins (Cebus apella) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were relatively common, especially in the mainland group. Overall, the island group presented a relatively reduced behavioral repertoire, apparently reflecting factors such as group size and the size and quality of its home range. Am. J. Primatol. 71:1–7, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An outcome evaluation of a hospital-based early intervention program.

AIM To determine the effectiveness of the Health Care Intervention Service (HIS), an early intervention program for general hospital patients with alcohol dependence or at risk for alcohol dependence. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS HIS consists of screening, assessment and assignment to either full or risk-reduction intervention. Full intervention includes a referral to treatment. Outcomes were compared across three groups: those who received a full intervention, those who received a risk-reduction intervention, and a comparison group of similar patients from hospitals with no HIS program. Patients were screened for alcohol involvement and interviewed during their hospitalization (prior to the intervention in HIS hospitals) and again 6 months following the intervention. FINDINGS Full intervention was effective in increasing the probability of abstinence, reducing the number of heavy drinking days, and encouraging patients to accept the referral to treatment. Risk-reduction intervention was effective in reducing alcohol consumption and consequences, but only for those patients who had some signs of dependence at the first interview. CONCLUSIONS HIS has demonstrated its effectiveness in a "real world" bureaucratic and clinical environment.
Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts by mediating transforming growth factor‐β / Smad pathway

Background The transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β/Smad pathway plays a key role in keloid development. We have previously demonstrated that compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE) inhibits liver fibrosis and reduces invasion capacity of HepG2 cells by mediating the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. We therefore hypothesize that CASE may also exert antifibrotic effects in keloids by mediating the TGF‐β/Smad pathway.
In vivo modulation of the allogeneic immune response by human fetal kidneys: the role of cytokines, chemokines, and cytolytic effector molecules.

BACKGROUND We have recently demonstrated that human fetal renal tissue, implanted under the kidney capsule of severe immunodeficient rats, escapes early destruction by intraperitoneal infusion of allogeneic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, compared with the rapid rejection of implants of human adult kidney tissue. Variable amounts of human mononuclear infiltrates were seen in the transplanted fetal kidney, however, prolonged survival of the fetal tissue (maintenance of graft architecture and significant growth) was independent of the cellular infiltrate. METHODS We have used this experimental model to sequentially analyze transcript levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 (T helper 1 cytokines), IL-4 and IL-10 (T helper 2 cytokines), RANTES, MIP1beta (beta chemokines) and their receptor CCR5, and Fas ligand (cytolytic effector molecule). Analysis was performed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in both fetal and adult kidney grafts, after infusion of allogeneic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS Transcript levels of interferon-gamma and IL-2 in the fetal grafts were markedly reduced throughout follow-up, compared with those observed in the adult implants. Peak levels of these cytokines appeared late in the rejection process. Concomitant with these findings, IL-4 mRNA was up-regulated during the early phase, whereas IL-10 mRNA persisted throughout the rejection process, indicating that a T helper 2 bias occurred in the fetal grafts. In addition, RANTES (after an early peak), MIP1beta, CCR5, and Fas ligand mRNA levels were suppressed in the fetal grafts compared with those in the adult grafts. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the immune response of kidney rejection is dependent on whether the target organ is of fetal or adult origin, and suggest that an allogeneic immune system mounts a T helper 2-biased response when the target organ is of fetal origin.
CE: Original Research: The Efficacy of a Nurse-Led Breathing Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundDepression is common in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on hemodialysis. Available behavioral modalities for treating depression may not be feasible for patients who receive hemodialysis two or three times per week. ObjectivesThe purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of a nurse-led, in-center breathing training program in reducing depressive symptoms and improving sleep quality and health-related quality of life in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Participants and methodsFifty-seven patients on hemodialysis were randomly assigned either to an eight-session breathing training group or to a control group. The Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Medical Outcome Studies 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess self-reported depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life, respectively. ResultsThe intervention group exhibited significantly greater decreases in BDI-II scores than the control group. No significant differences in PSQI change scores were observed between the groups. SF-36 change scores for both the domain of role limitation due to emotional problems and the mental component summary were significantly higher in the breathing training group than in the control group. ConclusionThis intervention significantly alleviated depressive symptoms, reduced perceived role limitation due to emotional problems, and improved the overall mental health component of quality of life in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
Whispering gallery modes in semiconductor optical fibres and optical bottle microresonators

We explore the optical properties of whispering gallery modes (WGMs) in silicon optical fibres and optical bottle microresonators. In particular, a pump-probe technique is used to experimentally demonstrate thermally induced all-optical modulation. High quality (Q) factors and small mode volumes are utilized to demonstrate ultrafast Kerr effect based modulation and switching. Q factors exceeding ~107 are demonstrated for novel microbottle resonators (MBRs), fabricated from standard telecommunications fibres.
Assessing the Impact of Direct Payments Convergence on Farm Income Inequality: The Case of Italian Farms

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of the convergence process of direct payments (DPs) on farm income inequality. The analysis uses the Gini coefficient concept and its decomposition on the FADN Italian sample in 2014 and 2019 to assess the impact of the DPs reform in Italy. Results of the analysis show that a marginal increase in direct payments will reduce income concentration. However, a shift of resources toward mountain areas could occur. The results of the analysis have some policy implications regarding the application of the convergence mechanism of the CAP in Italy: in fact, the convergence process leads to a redistribution of resources in favour of mountain areas. These results could feed the debate on the future of CAP direct payments after 2020, when the cut or, at least, the reduction of DPs could increase income concentration.
The Price and Employment Response of Firms to the Introduction of Minimum Wages

This paper studies the price and employment response of firms to the introduction of a nation-wide minimum wage in Germany. In line with previous studies, the estimated employment effect is only modestly negative and statistically insignificant. In contrast, affected firms increased prices much more frequently. The price effect is prevalent across different sectors of the economy including manufacturing and is thus not limited to low wage industries. I document that speed and degree of price pass-through were high and firms rolled over the lion’s share of the costs generated by the minimum wage to their customers. Consistent with the role of price pass-through, I find considerable heterogeneity in firms’ responses to the minimum wage depending on their own business expectations, product market competition, and local labor market conditions.
Fetal and neonatal deaths and congenital anomalies associated with open dumpsites in Alaska Native villages

Objective. To determine if women living in Alaska Native villages with open dumpsites ranked as higher hazard have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes than women living in villages with sites that have lower hazard rankings. Adverse pregnancy outcomes examined included fetal and neonatal death and congenital anomalies. Study Design. A population-based retrospective cohort study. Methods. Birth records from 1997–2001 were used to identify the 10 360 eligible infants born to mothers who resided in 197 Alaska Native villages with dumpsite rankings. Exposure variables were derived from hazard rankings of dumpsites. Covariates were obtained from both birth certificate information and village-specific characteristics. Results. Neither crude, nor adjusted estimates detected a statistically significant difference in rates between exposure levels, although adjusted estimates were positive in all congenital anomaly categories, except gastrointestinal defects. Infants born to mothers residing in villages with high hazard dumpsite contents were more likely (RR=4.27; 95% CI: 1.76, 10.36) to have anomalies classified as other defects. Other hazard factors were not significant predictors for any of the adverse outcomes examined. Conclusions. This is the first study to evaluate fetal and neonatal deaths and congenital anomalies associated with open dumpsites in Alaska Native villages. Problems with the study include a population-based exposure measurement, small sample size, and biases related to birth record information. Future studies should include more comprehensive registries of congenital anomalies. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2006;65(2):133–147. )
Allopurinol and Nitric Oxide Activity in the Cerebral Circulation of Those With Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Type 2 diabetes increases risk of stroke, perhaps because of impaired cerebrovascular basal nitric oxide (NO) activity. We investigated whether this activity is improved by a 2-week course of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. We measured the response to infusion of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (l-NMMA) in males with type 2 diabetes before and after allopurinol or placebo. The primary end point was the change in internal carotid artery flow following l-NMMA infusion, expressed as the area under the flow-per-time curve. RESULTS—We enrolled 14 participants. Allopurinol improved responses to l-NMMA when compared with responses associated with placebo (P = 0.032; median reduction in internal carotid artery flow following l-NMMA of 3,144 ml [95% CI 375–7,143]). CONCLUSIONS—Xanthine oxidase inhibition with allopurinol appears to improve cerebral NO bioavailability, as evidenced by a greater response to infusion of l-NMMA.
Use of linkage to improve the completeness of the SIM and SINASC in the Brazilian capitals

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the contribution of linkage between databases of live births and infant mortality to improve the completeness of the variables common to the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) in Brazilian capitals in 2012. METHODS We studied 9,001 deaths of children under one year registered in the SIM in 2012 and 1,424,691 live births present in the SINASC in 2011 and 2012. The databases were related with linkage in two steps – deterministic and probabilistic. We calculated the percentage of incompleteness of the variables common to the SIM and SINASC before and after using the technique. RESULTS We could relate 90.8% of the deaths to their respective declarations of live birth, most of them paired deterministically. We found a higher percentage of pairs in Porto Alegre, Curitiba, and Campo Grande. In the capitals of the North region, the average of pairs was 84.2%; in the South region, this result reached 97.9%. The 11 variables common to the SIM and SINASC had 11,278 incomplete fields cumulatively, and we could recover 91.4% of the data after linkage. Before linkage, five variables presented excellent completeness in the SINASC in all Brazilian capitals, but only one variable had the same status in the SIM. After applying this technique, all 11 variables of the SINASC became excellent, while this occurred in seven variables of the SIM. The city of birth was significantly associated with the death component in the quality of the information. CONCLUSIONS Despite advances in the coverage and quality of the SIM and SINASC, problems in the completeness of the variables can still be identified, especially in the SIM. In this perspective, linkage can be used to qualify important information for the analysis of infant mortality.
A New Caryosporan and Eimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Green Anoles, Anolis carolinensis (Sauria: Dactyloidae), from Arkansas and Louisiana, with a Summary of the Coccidia of Dactyloidae

Abstract: Between April 2012 and September 2013, feces from 18 green anoles, Anolis carolinensis from Arkansas (n = 14), Louisiana (n = 1), and Oklahoma (n = 3) were examined for coccidia. Two species of coccidians were found, including a new caryosporan and a new eimerian. Oocysts of Caryospora natchitochesensis n. sp. from a single A. carolinensis from Louisiana were subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth, yellow-to-brown–pigmented, bilayered wall of equal thickness (∼0.3–0.7) and measured (L × W) 13.1 × 12.3 μm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar granule was present. Sporocysts were ovoidal and measured 10.1 × 7.4 μm, L/W was 1.4. A Stieda body (∼1.0 μm) was present, but substieda and parastieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of dispersed granules or globules among sporozoites. Oocysts of Eimeria robisoni n. sp. from 1 of 12 (8%) green anoles from Arkansas were ellipsoidal with a smooth, unilayered wall (∼0.4–0.5) and measured (L × W) 14.5 × 10.5 μm, with L/W ratio of 1.4. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but 1–4 (usually 2) polar granules were present. Sporocysts were subspheroidal to ovoidal and measured 5.8 × 4.9 μm, L/W was 1.2. Stieda, substieda, and parastieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of dispersed granules between sporozoites. None of the anoles from Oklahoma was found to be passing oocysts. This is the second time an eimerian and a caryosporan have been reported from green anoles. A summary of the coccidians of lizards of the family Dactyloidae is provided, with special emphasis on the Anolis of the United States.
Effects of low dose dexamethasone treatment on basal cardiovascular and endocrine function in fetal sheep during late gestation

This study investigated the effects on ovine fetal basal cardiovascular and endocrine functions of fetal intravenous dexamethasone treatment, resulting in circulating concentrations that were one‐fifth of the values measured clinically in human infants following maternal antenatal glucocorticoid therapy. Between 117‐120 days gestation (dGA; term: ca 145 dGA), 26 Welsh Mountain sheep fetuses were surgically prepared under general anaesthesia with vascular catheters and a Transonic flow probe positioned around a femoral artery. At 125 ± 1 dGA, fetuses were infused with dexamethasone (2.06 ± 0.13 μg kg−1 h−1i.v.; n= 13) or saline (n= 13) for 48 h. Daily fetal arterial blood samples were taken and cardiovascular data were recorded continuously (data acquisition system). Pressor, vasoconstrictor and chronotropic responses to exogenously administered doses of phenylephrine, angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were determined at 124 ± 1 (pre‐infusion), 126 ± 1 (during infusion) and 128 ± 1 (post‐infusion) dGA. Fetal cardiac baroreflex curves were constructed using peak pressor and heart rate responses to phenylephrine. Dexamethasone treatment elevated fetal mean arterial blood pressure by 8.1 ± 1.0 mmHg (P < 0.05), increased femoral vascular resistance by 0.65 ± 0.12 mmHg (ml min−1)−1 (P < 0.05), depressed plasma noradrenaline concentrations and produced a shift in set‐point, but not sensitivity, of the cardiac baroreflex (P < 0.05). Elevations in fetal arterial blood pressure, but not femoral vascular resistance and the shift in baroreflex set‐point, persisted at 48 h following dexamethasone treatment. By 48 h following dexamethasone infusion, basal plasma noradrenaline concentration was restored, whilst plasma adrenaline and neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations were enhanced, compared with controls (P < 0.05). Fetal dexamethasone treatment did not alter the fetal pressor or femoral vasoconstrictor responses to adrenergic, vasopressinergic or angiotensinergic agonists. These data show that fetal treatment with low concentrations of dexamethasone modifies fetal basal cardiovascular and endocrine functions. Depending on the variable measured, these changes may reverse, persist or become enhanced by 48 h following the cessation of treatment.