Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CT time-attenuation washout curves of adrenal adenomas and nonadenomas.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the CT contrast enhancement washout curves of adrenal masses and to determine the earliest time after initial enhancement that differentiation of adenomas from nonadenomas is possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS Contrast enhancement washout curves were generated after delayed contrast-enhanced CT scans of 52 adrenal adenomas and 24 nonadenomas. The optimal threshold value and corresponding sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of adenoma were determined according to attenuation values. Also, we calculated the percentage and relative percentage of enhancement washout at time delays from 5 to 45 min after initial enhancement. RESULTS The mean percentage of enhancement washout for adrenal adenomas was 51% at 5 min and 70% at 15 min, compared with 8% and 20%, respectively, for nonadenomas. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of adenoma were both 96% at a threshold attenuation value of 37 H on the 15-min delayed enhanced scan. CONCLUSION On CT, adrenal adenomas show a much earlier and more rapid washout of contrast enhancement than do nonadenomas. Adenomas and nonadenomas can be differentiated by attenuation values or the percentage or relative percentage of washout as early as 5-15 min after enhancement.
Novel vs. Well-learned Memory for Faces: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

Previous work has suggested that familiarity/novelty of learned materials affects the circuitry involved in memory, primarily in the size of activations rather than the pattern of activation. Although this work has examined both recall and recognition, it has been limited to verbal material. In this study, we set out to determine if the same result applies to nonverbal memory. We used the same experimental design, but used faces as the memory task. Healthy volunteers thoroughly learned a set of 18 faces a week prior to the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) experiment (well-learned memory) and were asked to remember another set of 18 faces, to which they were exposed 1 min before the PET experiment (novel memory). During the PET session, their task was to recognize the faces learned a week before and the faces seen a minute before; the remembered faces were interspersed among entirely new (distractor) faces. We found that, unlike for verbal material, the retention interval and the familiarity level of the faces affected both the pattern and the size of activations. Comparing the novel and well-learned recognition tasks revealed that novel memory for faces is primarily a frontallobe task, while well-learned recognition memory for faces utilizes a more distributed neural circuit, including visual areas, which appear to serve as memory-storage sites.
IL-6 Amplifier, NF-κB–Triggered Positive Feedback for IL-6 Signaling, in Grafts Is Involved in Allogeneic Rejection Responses

The IL-6-amplifier first was discovered as a synergistic activation mechanism for NF-κB/STAT3 in type 1 collagen+ cells. This process is marked by the hyperinduction of chemokines and subsequent local inflammation that leads to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays important roles in allogeneic graft rejection by using a tracheal heterotopic transplantation model that includes bronchiolitis obliterans, a pathological marker for chronic rejection. IL-6, epidermal growth factor, and IFN-γ all stimulate IL-6 amplifier activation, whereas CCL2, a chemotactic factor for Th1 cells, was one of the amplifier’s main targets. Interestingly, IFN-γ hyperinduced CCL2 in type 1 collagen+ cells via the IL-6 amplifier at least in vitro. In addition, we detected IL-6, CCL2, phospho-STAT3, and phospho-NF-κB in epithelial type 1 collagen+ cells of allogeneic tracheal grafts. These results show that IL-6 amplifier activation in grafts plays a critical role for graft rejection responses after allogeneic transplantation, including chronic rejection. From these results, we consider whether the IL-6 amplifier in grafts might be a valuable therapeutic target for the prevention of transplant rejection, including chronic rejection.
Biochemical methods for bacteriology.

Summary: A series of biochemical methods using heavy suspensions of organisms and chemically-defined solutions are described; they include fermentations, reduction of nitrate and of methylene blue, production of indole, hydrogen sulphide and acetoin, and hydrolysis of gelatin, starch and urea. The tests use the preformed enzymes of the bacterial cells and the results are not complicated by side effects or the multiple reactions that occur in cultures growing in a nutrient medium containing the test substrate.
Poor Nutrient Intake and High Obese Rate in an Urban African American Population with Hypertension

Objective: To describe the nutrient intake patterns and general health conditions in an African American (AA) hypertensive population living in Detroit, MI. Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, general health condition and 3-day dietary recalls were collected from 387 AAs in community-based settings. Only data from 342 participants who met the inclusion criteria were reported. Results: The obesity and type 2 diabetes prevalence in this minority population were significantly higher, and both energy and nutrient intakes were significantly lower than the RDAs or those reported in NHANES. Female participants reported their highest weight at an earlier age but their body weight reduced in the older group. No such trend was observed in male participants. Both males and females consumed significantly fewer servings of fruit, vegetable and grains as recommended by USDA. As household income increased, the consumption of fruits and vegetables were also increased. Conclusion: In order to reduce the incidence of obesity and hypertension in this minority population, dietary intervention should begin at adolescence or even earlier. DASH diet would be beneficial for this population.
Increased proteasome‐dependent degradation of estrogen receptor‐alpha by TGF‐β1 in breast cancer cell lines

Normal mammary epithelial cells are rapidly induced to G1 arrest by the widely expressed cytokine, transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β1). Studies in established breast cancer cell lines that express the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) have demonstrated loss of this responsiveness. This inverse correlation suggests interpathway signaling important to cell growth and regulation. The adenocarcinoma breast cell line BT474, which was not growth arrested by TGF‐β1, was used as a model of estrogen‐inducible growth to explore interpathway crosstalk. Although BT474 cells were not growth‐arrested by TGF‐β1 as determined by flow cytometry analysis and 5′‐bromo‐3′‐deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA, estrogen receptor protein levels were attenuated by 100 pM TGF‐β1 after 6 h. This decrease in ERα reached 50% of untreated control levels by 24 h of treatment and was further supported by a 50% decrease in estrogen‐inducible DNA synthesis. Inspection of ERα transcripts suggested that this decrease was primarily the result of altered ERα protein stability or availability. Use of the proteasome inhibitor, MG132, abolished all effects on ERα by TGF‐β1. Collectively, this data supports a role for TGF‐β1 in regulating the growth of otherwise insensitive breast cancer cells through modulation of ERα stability. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of a new phosphorothionate (RPR‐V) on ATPases and acetylcholinesterase in rat brain by subchronic dosing

The effect of a new phosphorothionate, the ethyl ester of 2‐butenoic acid 3‐diethoxy phosphinothioyl (RPR‐V) synthesized at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad was studied using peroral doses of 0.033, 0.066 and 0.099 mg kg−1 in male and female rats daily over 90 days. This repeated administration of RPR‐V caused significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, Na+−K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+‐ATPases in the brain of male and female rats when measured after 45 and 90 days of treatment. The effects of the low dose were generally not statistically significant, whereas medium and high doses caused significant effects. Females were more susceptible with regard to brain AChE, but the reverse was seen with Mg2+‐ATPase, suggesting sexual dimorphism. Enzyme recoveries were seen 28 days after the final dose. Since RPR‐V not only inhibited AChE but also ATPases, it is possible that both synaptic transmission and nerve conduction were affected. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of different types of alcoholic beverages on disrupting highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) outcome.

AIMS Studies have yielded conflicting results regarding alcohol's influence on HIV outcomes, particularly after highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Discrepant findings may be related to confounding variables, including gender, patterns of alcohol abuse and type of alcohol beverage beyond the amount consumed. METHODS Using a cohort study, differences in HAART effectiveness after 24 weeks of therapy were compared as a function of amount and preference for alcohol, drinking only liquor (LI, n = 55) or only wine or beer (BW, n = 110). Given the critical role of thymus on HAART response, changes in thymus size, CD4s, naïve lymphocytes and viral loads were assessed. RESULTS After HAART, positive increases in both CD4s (+12 cell counts/mm(3)) and thymus size (+0.7 mm(3)) were evident in the BW group. In contrast, the LI subgroup exhibited a decline in both parameters (-4 CD4 cells/mm(3) and -0.6 mm(3) in thymus size). Women in the LI group exhibited significantly lower CD4 (163.4 +/- 46.2) and naïve counts (178 +/- 69.5) than LI men (CD4: 281.6 +/- 203, P = 0.05; lymphocytes: 301.4 +/- 198, P = 0.04). In adjusted regression models, the LI compared to the BW subgroup had greater odds of maintaining detectable viral loads (RR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75; P = 0.03), increased thymus volumes (RR = 3.8, P = 0.04) and replenished naïve cells (RR = 13, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Liquor was associated with thymus deterioration and thus with poorer viro-immune outcomes after HAART. Subtyping participants by alcohol consumption patterns seems to be clinically relevant and needs to be accounted for in future studies.
Protein export in malaria parasites: an update

Symptomatic malaria is caused by the infection of human red blood cells (RBCs) with Plasmodium parasites. The RBC is a peculiar environment for parasites to thrive in as they lack many of the normal cellular processes and resources present in other cells. Because of this, Plasmodium spp. have adapted to extensively remodel the host cell through the export of hundreds of proteins that have a range of functions, the best known of which are virulence‐associated. Many exported parasite proteins are themselves involved in generating a novel trafficking system in the RBC that further promotes export. In this review we provide an overview of the parasite synthesized export machinery as well as recent developments in how different classes of exported proteins are recognized by this machinery.
Reconstruction of Postburn Antebrachial Contractures Using Pedicled Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flaps

Background: Full-thickness burns involving the antecubital area result in severe contractures. Functional impairment is inevitable if the affected areas are not managed properly. Proper treatment requires complete release and radical excision of the scar tissue, followed by reconstruction using durable tissue that will not contract during long-term follow-up. Methods: Nine patients with flexion contractures were reconstructed with pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps between 2004 and 2008. All of the patients were male, and their ages ranged from 20 to 23 years (mean, 21.4 years). The size and orientation of the skin islands were planned according to the defect size and orientation. The size of the flaps varied from 6.5 to 9.0 cm in width (mean, 8.0 cm) and 16.0 to 21.0 cm in length (mean, 20.0 cm). All of the patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (mean, 9.3 months). Results: All of the flaps used on the postburn antecubital contractures survived completely. Minimal transient venous congestion occurred in two flaps during the early postoperative period. A complete range of motion at the elbow joint was achieved in all patients by the end of the reconstruction period. Conclusions: This study revealed that the pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator flap is a suitable alternative for postburn elbow contractures. A very long pedicle can be obtained to transfer the flap to the antecubital area without tension. With its thin, pliable texture and large size, it adapts well to forearm skin and the donor-site scar is considered cosmetically acceptable.
Analysis of Dose Distribution for Heavily Exposed Workers in the First Criticality Accident in Japan

Abstract Endo, A. and Yamaguchi, Y. Analysis of Dose Distribution for Heavily Exposed Workers in the First Criticality Accident in Japan. Radiat. Res. 159, 535–542 (2003). The first criticality accident in Japan occurred in a uranium processing plant in Tokai-mura on September 30, 1999. The accident, which occurred while a large amount of enriched uranyl nitrate solution was being loaded into a tank, led to a chain reaction that continued for 20 h. Two workers who were pouring the uranium solution into the tank at the time were heterogeneously exposed to neutrons and γ rays produced by nuclear fission. Analysis of dose distributions was essential for the understanding of the clinical course observed in the skin and organs of these workers. We developed a numerical simulation system, which consists of mathematical human models and Monte Carlo radiation transport programs, for analyzing dose distributions in various postures and applied the system to the dose analysis for the two workers. This analysis revealed the extreme heterogeneity of the doses from neutrons and γ rays in the skin and body, which depended on the positions and postures of the workers. The detailed dose analysis presented here using color maps is indispensable for an understanding of the biological effects of high-dose exposure to a mixed field of neutrons and γ rays as well as for the development of emergency treatments for victims of radiation exposure.
Functional Connectivity and Anesthesia

Various anesthetic agents at various concentrations have been studied as described above. The analysis techniques for the BOLD fMRI data are also institution and investigator dependent. Despite this variability there seems to be some common patterns in the connectivity effect of various anesthetics/sedatives when the endpoint is LOC. Anesthesia in lower doses does not affect lower-order sensory/motor networks. Anesthetic agents primarily affect cortico-cortical and within-network connectivity. Higher-order networks (such as DMN, ECN, and the salience) are more sensitive to anesthesia.38 Salience network (the term “salience” meaning dominant, important) coordinates the function of the DMN and ECN network. The communication and information processing between the lowerorder networks and the higher-order networks (related to association cortices) is disrupted by anesthesia, leading to LOC. Connectivity in the precuneus, PCC, and posterior inferior parietal cortex (3 regions that are among the most active regions in the awake state) decreases with LOC.
Parenchymal liver injury in orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND A 35-year period of clinical development resulted in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) becoming a standardized surgical procedure. Despite this progress, the rate of technical complications is still high. Although the main problem in most analyses is vascular or bile duct failure, we observed a remarkable number of parenchymal liver injuries that led to intraoperative problems. Our aim, therefore, is to present an overall report on the incidence, treatment, and clinical course of parenchymal liver injuries in OLT. METHODS Five hundred seventy-two consecutive OLT procedures performed between 1988 and 1998 were analyzed in a retrospective study. Parenchymal liver injury was diagnosed by means of examination of the surgical reports. Donor- and recipient-related data followed the medical report. The lesions were classified according to the Organ Injury Scale. RESULTS Parenchymal liver injury was diagnosed in 23 patients (4%). The lesions were classified as grade Ia (13.1%), grade Ib (13.1%), grade IIb (52.1%), grade IIIa (17.1%), and grade IIIb (4.3%). In 19 patients (82.6%), the lesion was detected during OLT, and in four patients (17.4%), during relaparotomy. The latter group showed significantly higher-grade injuries. Treatment was suture or fibringlue alone, 17.4%; fibringlue and hemostyptics, 26.1%, mesh wrapping 30.4%, and mesh packing 26.1%. Seven patients (30.4%) underwent relaparotomy. Further active bleeding was not found in any of them. Statistical analysis found a correlation between injury grade and relaparotomy rate. No patients died as a result of parenchymal liver injury. CONCLUSIONS Parenchymal liver injuries can be treated well, with no adverse effect on patient or graft survival. An early decision concerning the surgical procedure for controlling hemorrhage is required. A basically aggressive therapeutic approach might avoid further complications relating to reperfusion edema.
Emittance of a Field Emission Electron Source

An analytical formula of the emittance of a field emitter is given. In contrast to thermal and photoemission, such a formula contains complexity due to the multidimensional nature of the source. A formulation of emittance is given for one- and three-dimensional (3D) field emitters. The 3D formulation makes use of the point charge model of a unit cell emitter coupled with a trajectory analysis to follow electrons to an evaluation plane where emittance is determined. The single tip theory is extended to an array and the resulting theory predicts the emittance of a Spindt-type square array of emitters 0.2cm on a side producing 2000A∕cm2 is 23mmmrad. Theory compares favorably with experimental measurements in the literature from ungated and gated sources. The impacts of several complications are estimated: the effects of a gate for modulating the emitter; the influence of space charge within the unit cell on the beam; and constraints imposed by modulation frequency, emitter dimensions, and rise/fall time requ.
Serum level of soluble human leukocyte antigen-G molecules in non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Does it have a prognostic value?

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) molecules belong to the non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. HLA-G molecules differ from the other MHC class I molecules because they show limited polymorphism [1] and their distribution is restricted to normal fetal and adult tissues that display a tolerogeneic function toward innate and acquired immune cells [2,3]. Thus, this unique tissue-distribution implies the role of HLA-G in the development of immune tolerance of the mother to the fetus [4]. However, these properties of HLA-G regulating immune responses could contribute to immune escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance [5]. This is supported by the finding that HLA-G can suppress the immune system, such as inhibition of natural killer (NK) and T-cell mediated cytolysis or T4 cell proliferation in response to allogeneic stimulation [6,7]. There are seven isoforms of HLA-G molecules that have been identified, including four membrane-bound forms (G1-G4) and three soluble forms (G5-G7). Soluble HLA-G molecules can also be generated by shedding from membrane-bound isoforms, such as HLA-G1 [8]. These soluble HLA-G molecules have been reported to be more frequently expressed in pathologic conditions than the membrane-bound isoforms. Thus, HLA-G expression is increased in solid malignancies, such as breast cancer [9], melanoma [10] and renal cancer [11]. In hematologic malignancies, the serum level of soluble HLA-G has been reported to be elevated, such as in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and multiple myeloma [12– 15]. However, few data exist about the impact of soluble HLA-G molecules on the clinical outcome of NHL. Therefore, we measured the serum level of soluble HLA-G in patients with NHL and studied whether it has a prognostic value or not. Soluble HLA-G molecules were measured in serum which was cryo-preserved from 82 patients who were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, or peripheral Tcell lymphoma at the Korea University Anam Hospital using a commercially available ELISA kit (sHLA-G ELISA; BioVendor, Czech Republic). All patients had adequate renal and hepatic functions at the time of diagnosis, they were initially treated with chemotherapy, as follows: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP); rituximab plus CHOP; rituximab plus CHOP or CHOP-like regimens followed by involved field radiotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation. The mean serum level of soluble HLA-G (+standard deviation, SD) of NHL patients showed a significant difference from 20 healthy controls (357.86+ 193.00 ng/mL versus 6.31+ 10.15 ng/ mL; Mann–Whitney U test, p5 0.05). The mean value of each subtype is summarized in Table I. Although the difference among the three hematologic malignancy subtypes was not significant,
Larval amphibians seek warm temperatures and do not avoid harmful UVB radiation

Habitat use by animals often reflects the balance between conflicting demands such as foraging and avoiding predation. Environmental stressors such as temperature can also affect habitat use in many organisms, particularly in ectothermic animals. For example, warm, shallow thermal regimes in ponds can optimize growth and developmental rate of amphibian larvae but may also expose larvae to potentially harmful levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Thus, optimally, amphibians seeking sunlight for thermoregulation must balance this behavior while limiting their exposure to harmful UVB radiation. We conducted a series of laboratory and field experiments to test the hypothesis that larval amphibians avoid UVB by selecting microhabitats with lower exposure to UVB. We then quantified habitat use of the larvae of 4 amphibian species using field transects in 3 ponds with different UVB transmission. Tadpoles did not avoid UVB radiation in laboratory or field experiments and preferred warmer temperatures in laboratory thermal gradients regardless of UVB exposure. The majority of anuran larvae were observed in water less than 10--15 cm deep in field surveys, whereas salamander larvae were most often observed in deeper, cooler water. The similarity in habitat use across different sites and the lack of evidence of UVB avoidance in choice tests suggest that larval anuran amphibians may be exposed to harmful levels of UVB radiation due to habitat choice behaviors that have been established over evolutionary time. Levels of UVB radiation at the earth's surface have recently increased due to stratospheric ozone depletion. Thus, long-term selection pressures such as thermoregulation may override the relatively recent selection pressure of increased UVB radiation. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.