Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are vitamin D receptor polymorphisms associated with bone mineral density? A meta‐analysis

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms have been strongly associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in some studies but not in others. We used a meta‐analytic approach to assess quantitatively the association between VDR and BMD and to examine the influence of specific study characteristics (e.g., skeletal site, mean age of subjects, menopausal status) on the reported results. Sixteen papers published in peer‐reviewed journals through July 1996 were included. We calculated the mean difference, percent difference, and effect size (mean difference divided by standard deviation), comparing BMD between homozygous genotypes. At the hip, BMD in the BB genotype was lower than in the bb genotype (mean difference, −0.02 g/cm2; percent difference, −2.4%; and effect size −0.18; p = 0.032). At the spine, the mean difference was −0.03 g/cm2; percent difference, −2.5%; and effect size, −0.19; p = 0.062. At the distal radius, the VDR effect was estimated as the mean difference, −0.01 g/cm2; percent difference, −1.7% and effect size, −0.16; p = 0.078. The spine measurements exhibited the greatest between‐ and within‐study variability. The difference in hip BMD between genotypes was larger (i.e., a more negative number) among the younger women and seemed to decrease with increasing age. However, statistical evidence for this trend was weak (p = 0.06). Data from the spine and the radius showed no evidence of a comparable interaction of the VDR effect with age. When we omitted data from the first report of an association between VDR polymorphisms and BMD, our analyses gave similar results, although the overall effect estimates were smaller. In the combined data from 29 study groups, the BB genotype frequency was 17.2, 4.9, and 2.3% in studies of whites, blacks, and Asians, respectively. VDR polymorphisms represent one genetic factor affecting BMD, but further research into the mechanisms, clinical significance, and its relation between other genetic and environmental factors is needed.
Dihydrotestosterone decreases tumor necrosis factor-alpha and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in human endothelial cells.

CONTEXT An increasing body of evidence suggests that testosterone may exert beneficial effects on the development of atherosclerosis. It was suggested that testosterone may act after conversion into estradiol and activation of the estrogen receptors; however, a direct role of androgens on the vascular wall has been proposed. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone on the proinflammatory response observed in human endothelial cells. DESIGN Human endothelial cells isolated from umbilical cords were incubated with lipopolysaccharide or TNFalpha in the presence or absence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). mRNA and cellular proteins were processed for gene expression studies, and transient transfection experiments were performed to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the effects observed. SETTING These studies took place at the Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. RESULTS Lipopolysaccharide and TNFalpha induced VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expression, as detected by real-time quantitative PCR, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and confocal microscopy, but this effect was inhibited when cells were incubated with DHT. In addition, DHT inhibited mRNA expression of IL-6, MCP-1, CD40, TLR4, PAI-1, and Cox-2 and the release of cytokines and chemokines such as GRO, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and TNF. The DHT effect was counteracted by bicalutamide, an antagonist of the androgen receptor. Furthermore, when cells were cotransfected with a Cox-2 promoter or a 3X-NF-kappaB luciferase reporter vector and a plasmid expressing the human androgen receptor, DHT treatment inhibited the increase of the luciferase activity observed with TNFalpha. CONCLUSION DHT could positively regulate endothelial function through the control of the inflammatory response mediated by nuclear factor-kappaB in endothelial cells.
Treatment of Scaphoid Non-Unions of the Proximal third with Conventional Bone Grafting and Mini-Herbert Screws: an Analysis of Clinical and Radiological Results

This study assessed the clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of scaphoid non-union of the proximal third by non-vascularised bone grafts and stabilisation by Mini-Herbert Screws from a dorsal approach. Thirty-one patients, one woman and 30 men, were reviewed retrospectively at a mean of 42 (12–77) months. All patients received pre- and postoperative CT scans to assess bone union. In addition to demographic data, the range of motion, grip strength, DASH score, Krimmer score, Mayo wrist score and radiological parameters (carpal height, scapholunate and radiolunate angles) were recorded. Bone union was achieved in 21 patients. The average DASH score in patients with bone union was 12 and that in patients with persistent non-union it was 30. No progression into carpal collapse or increase of scapholunate angles was detected. Our study demonstrates that acceptable union rates can be achieved with non-vascularised bone grafts, and this technique compares favourably with other reports in the literature.
Relationships between mite allergen levels, mold concentrations, and sick building syndrome symptoms in newly built dwellings in Japan.

UNLABELLED This study investigated the possible relationships between exposures to mite allergen and airborne fungi with sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms for residents living in newly built dwellings. We randomly sampled 5709 newly built dwellings in six prefectures from northern to southern Japan. A total of 1479 residents in 425 households participated in the study by completing questionnaire surveys and agreeing to environmental monitoring for mite allergen (Der 1), airborne fungi, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds. Stepwise logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders were used to obtain odds ratios (OR) of mite allergen and fungi for SBS symptoms. Der 1 had a significantly high OR for nose symptoms. Rhodotorula had a significantly high OR for any symptoms, and Aspergillus had significantly high OR for eye symptoms. However, the total colony-forming units had a significantly low OR for throat and respiratory symptoms. Eurotium had a significantly low OR for skin symptoms. In conclusion, dust-mite allergen levels and indoor airborne Rhodotorula and Aspergillus concentrations may result in SBS symptoms in newly built dwellings. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Various factors can cause sick building syndrome symptoms. This study focused on biologic factors such as dust-mite allergen and airborne fungi in newly built dwellings in Japan. Dust-mite allergen levels were significantly associated with higher rates of nose symptoms, airborne Rhodotorula concentrations were significantly associated with higher rates of any symptoms, and Aspergillus concentrations were significantly associated with higher rates of eye symptoms. Measures should be taken to reduce mite allergen levels and fungal concentrations in these dwellings.
Citalopram treatment of social anxiety disorder with comorbid major depression

Treatment of patients with both social anxiety disorder and major depression has been little studied although social anxiety disorder and depression frequently co‐occur. Each disorder has been shown to respond to serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. Objectives of this study were to characterize a sample of these comorbid patients and to assess response to treatment with citalopram. Patients with primary DSM‐IV generalized subtype of social anxiety disorder and comorbid major depression (N = 21) were assessed for symptoms of each disorder, including atypical depressive features, and functional impairment. Patients were treated with a flexible dose of open label citalopram for 12 weeks. Response rates for the intention‐to‐treat sample at week 12 were 14/21 (66.7%) for social anxiety disorder and 16/21 (76.2%) for depression. All continuous measures of social anxiety, depression, and functional impairment improved significantly with treatment, but depression symptoms responded more rapidly and more completely than social anxiety symptoms. Mean dose of citalopram at study endpoint was 37.6 mg/day. Only three patients (14.3%) fulfilled DSM‐IV criteria for atypical features of depression, although 18 (85.7%) fulfilled the criterion for interpersonal rejection sensitivity. Citalopram treatment may benefit patients with primary social anxiety disorder and comorbid major depression, and it should be further studied in controlled trials. Improvement in social anxiety disorder symptoms lagged behind improvement in depression, and greater than 12 weeks of treatment may be required to assess full social anxiety response in patients with comorbid depression. The overlap of social anxiety disorder with atypical features of depression may primarily be due to the shared feature of rejection sensitivity. Depression and Anxiety 17:191–196, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hämatologische und klinisch-chemische Referenzwerte für Hunde

Zusammenfassung Ziel dieser Studie war, Referenzwerte für hämatologische und blutchemische Parameter bei adulten Hunden zu etablieren und diese hinsichtlich einer Abhängigkeit von Alter, Geschlecht und Fütterung zu überprüfen. Material und MethodenBei den Probanden handelte es sich um 508 klinisch gesunde Hunde beiderlei Geschlechts im Alter von ≤ 1 bis 17 Jahren, die unterschiedlichen Rassen angehörten. Für die Bestimmung der Referenzbereiche wurden die Werte von 396 Hunden mit einem Alter von 1–9 Jahren herangezogen. Zur hämatologischen und blutchemischen Untersuchung der Blutproben dienten folgende Geräte: Cell-Dyn 3500, Kugelkoagulometer BE CL 4, Blutgasanalysegerät GEM Premier 3000, Elecsys 1010 und der Hitachi 911. Die Referenzwerte wurden statistisch mit SPSS 14 erstellt. Ergebnisse: Bei 75% der Parameter unterschieden sich die Resultate unwesentlich von bestehenden Referenzbereichen. Abweichungen ergaben sich für folgende Parameter: eosinophile und basophile Granulozyten, Monozyten, Alaninaminotransferase (ALT), alkalische Phosphatase (AP), Glutamatdehydrogenase (GLDH), Lipase, Kreatinkinase, Bilirubin sowie Kreatinin. Der Referenzbereich der eosinophilen Granulozyten, Monozyten sowie der GLDH lag höher, als in der Literatur angegeben. Ein niedrigerer Referenzbereich im Vergleich zur Literaturangaben war für die basophilen Granulozyten festzustellen. Bei den Enzymen ALT, AP und Lipase differierten die Referenzbereiche der jungen (< 1 Jahr) und alten Hunde (≥ 10 Jahre) signifikant von den Referenzbereichen der 1–9 Jahre alten Tiere. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Referenzwerte sollten in regelmäßigen Zeitintervallen überprüft werden, da sich durch fortschreitende Entwicklung und neue Erkenntnisse einige Faktoren der Bestimmung, vor allem Geräte und Methoden, ändern.
High‐resolution magic angle spinning MRS of breast cancer tissue

High‐resolution magic angle spinning (HR MAS) may develop into a new diagnostic tool for studying intact tissue samples, and several types of cancer have been investigated with promising results. In this study HR MAS spectra of breast cancer tissue from 10 patients have been compared to conventional high‐resolution spectra of perchloric acid extracts of the same tissue type. The HR MAS spectra show resolution comparable to spectra of extracts, and two‐dimensional techniques lead to identification of a majority of the constituents. More than 30 different metabolites have been detected and assigned. To our knowledge this is the most detailed assignment of biochemical components in intact human breast tissue. The spectra of intact breast cancer tissue differ from perchloric acid extracts by the presence of lipids and fewer signals in the low field region. HR MAS analysis of intact breast tissue specimens is a rapid method, providing spectra with resolution where relative quantification of the majority of the detected metabolites is possible. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intraoperative "Micro Breaks" With Targeted Stretching Enhance Surgeon Physical Function and Mental Focus: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intraoperative targeted stretching micro breaks (TSMBs) on the experienced pain and fatigue, physical functions, and mental focus of surgeons. BACKGROUND Surgeons are routinely subject to mental and physical stresses through the course of their work in the operating room. One of the factors most contributory to the shortening of a surgeon's career is work-related pain and its effects on patient safety and personal relationships. METHODS Surgeons and operating room staff from 4 medical centers rated pain/fatigue, physical, and mental performance using validated scales during 2 operative days: 1 day without implementing TSMB, the other including standardized (1.5 to 2 minutes) guided TSMB at appropriate 20 to 40-minute intervals throughout each case. Case type and duration were recorded as were surgeon pain data before and after each procedure and at the end of the surgical day. Individual body part pre/postdiscomfort difference was modeled, controlling for clinical center. Random coefficient mixed models accounted for surgeon variability. RESULTS Sixty-six participants (69% men, 31% women; mean 47 years) completed 193 "non-TSMB" and 148 "TSMB" procedures. Forty-seven percent of surgeons were concerned that musculoskeletal pain may shorten their career. TSMB improved surgeon postprocedure pain scores in the neck, lower back, shoulders, upper back, wrists/hands, knees, and ankles. Operative duration did not differ (P> 0.05). Improved pain scores with TSMB were statistically equivalent (P > 0.05) for laparoscopic and open procedures. Surgeons perceived improvements in physical performance (57%) and mental focus (38%); 87% of respondents planned to continue TSMB. CONCLUSIONS Many surgeons are concerned about career-ending or limiting musculoskeletal pain. Intraoperative TSMB may represent a practical, effective means to reduce surgeon pain, enhance performance, and increase mental focus without extending operative time.
Retrospective success and survival rates of dental implants placed with simultaneous bone augmentation in partially edentulous patients.

AIM The aim of this study was to assess the success and survival rate of dental implants placed with simultaneous hard tissue grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS All patients treated in Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne who had implant placement with and without guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures were identified. Seventy-three attended a follow-up appointment. These patients were examined recording probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque accumulation and radiographic bone loss by one examiner. Clinical and radiographic findings were compared in grafted and non-grafted groups and also analysed for years in function. RESULTS Approximately 50% of implants were placed simultaneous guided bone regeneration technique. In the majority of cases, defects were filled by deproteinized bovine bone mineral and covered with collagen membrane. The range of time in function was 20-88 months with a mean 34.8 (±1.7). Seventy-nine per cent of the implants placed in anterior maxilla were placed with GBR, while only 18% in posterior mandible needed grafting procedure. The cumulative implant survival rates at the time of examination was 97.95% for both GBR and non-GBR group. The mean PPD, BOP, and Plaque index were not statistically significantly different in GBR vs. non-GBR groups two to seven years in function. However, bone loss is significantly less in GBR group 2-7 years after function. The overall success rate was around 90% after 2-7 years in function with the GBR group slightly less than the non-GBR group, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS For the subjects included in this retrospective study, the data demonstrate that GBR is a predictable procedure. The survival and success rates of the implants inserted with simultaneous GBR were similar, if slightly lower, to the non-grafted implants.
Parents’ Perspectives on Homelessness And Its Effects on The Educational Development of Their Children

This qualitative study explored parents’ perceptions of how their homelessness affected the development and academic achievement of their children. Grounded theory with symbolic interactionism was the framework for this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 34 homeless families in a variety of settings. Multiple factors were found, including unstable relationships, abuse and violence, abdication of parental responsibility, poor parenting models, and resilient children. The findings present a case for supportive educational services for homeless school-age children. School nurses play a dual role. They can ensure that school personnel and resource providers understand the culture of homelessness, and they can develop and implement innovative programs for parents and school personnel to help homeless children.
TV-based multi-scale super resolution using intra- and inter-scale correlations

A multi-scale approach is proposed in this paper for image super resolution (SR) from a single source image of a low resolution (LR). In this approach, a sequence of "coarse" SR images, called multi-scales, are first generated from the source image via a total variation (TV) based restoration scheme. All multi-scale images are then brought into the minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) estimation to compose the final SR image. We demonstrate that these multi-scale images contain some geometric information and are highly correlated with each other. Therefore, by making use of intra- and inter-scale correlations, the joint MMSE estimation is able to produce a better quality (both objective and subjective) in the composed SR image. Experimental results are provided to confirm the performance gain over several state-of-the-art methods.
Space-time slicer architectures for analog-to-information conversion in channel equalizers

As modern communication transceivers scale to multi-Gbps speeds, the power consumption and cost of highresolution, high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) become a crucial bottleneck in realizing “mostly digital” receiver architectures that leverage Moore's law. This bottleneck could potentially be alleviated by designing analog front ends for the more specific goal of analog-to-information conversion (i.e., preserving the digital information residing in the received signal). As one possible approach towards this goal, we consider a generalization of the standard flash ADC: instead of implementing n bit quantization of a sample by passing it through 2n -1 slicers as in a standard ADC, the slicers are dispersed in time as well as space (i.e., amplitude). Considering BPSK over a dispersive channel, we first show, using ideas similar to those underlying compressive sensing, that randomly dispersing enough one-bit slicers over space and time does provide information sufficient for reliable demodulation over a dispersive channel. We then propose an iterative algorithm for optimizing the design of the sampling times and amplitude thresholds, and provide numerical results showing that the number of slicers can be significantly reduced relative to a conventional flash ADC with comparable bit error rate (BER). These system-level results motivate further investigation, in terms of both circuit and system design, into looking beyond conventional ADC architectures when designing analog front-ends for high-speed communication.
The lung's "quiet zone".

Two articles in this issue call attention to the functional importance of disease in smaller airways: Gas Exchange Abnormalities in Mild Bronchitis and Asymptomatic Asthma, by Levine, Housley, MacLeod and Macklem, and Age as a Factor in the Distribution of Lower-Airway Conductance and in the Pathologic Anatomy of Obstructive Lung Disease, by Hogg, Williams, Richardson, Macklem and Thurlbeck. These papers come from the same institution and stem from an idea that originated there a year or so ago. To express the idea, we need to have in mind some rudiments of tracheobronchial anatomy. The modern source book for this is .
Surface electromyography diagnostics in women with partial vaginismus with or without vulvar vestibulitis and in asymptomatic women

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent women with superficial dyspareunia can be diagnosed for both partial vaginismus (PaV) and vulvar vestibulitis (VVS) and to discover to what extent surface electromyography (sEMG) of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can distinguish between women with PaV solely, PaV + VVS, and asymptomatic women. A total of 224 consecutive women with superficial dyspareunia were examined clinically for both PaV and VVS diagnoses. We examined 47 women with PaV ± VVS and 27 asymptomatic women with sEMG of the PFM. The results showed that 102/224 women with superficial dyspareunia and 33/47 women with PaV in the sEMG part of the study had both PaV and VVS. All women with VVS had vaginismus, while 42/224 had PaV but not VVS. sEMG measurements revealed no significant differences between the three groups of women (PaV solely, PaV + VVS, and asymptomatic). Almost half of the women with superficial dyspareunia referred to our clinic have both the diagnosis PaV and VVS. sEMG was not a method of any value to distinguish between women with PaV solely, PaV + VVS, or asymptomatic women. The increased tone found clinically in the PFM of women with PaV ± VVS may be of other origin than electrogenic contractions.
Sequential Development of Lesions 3, 6, 9, and 12 Months After Experimental Infection of Goat Kids With Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis

The development of lesions after infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) was examined in an experimental infection model. Goat kids were orally inoculated 10 times with 10 mg bacterial wet mass of MAP (total dose 2.6 × 108 colony-forming units). Six to 7 inoculated goats and 3 controls were autopsied 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postinoculation (mpi), lesions were documented, and samples were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and bacterial culture. Twenty-five of the 26 inoculated goats did not develop clinical signs. Macroscopic lesions were detected in 3 of the 7 inoculated goats as soon as 3 mpi. Jejunal Peyer’s patches (JPPs) were thickened and had ulcerated surfaces and circumscribed serositis. Characteristic granulomatous infiltrates were seen in all goats in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs), especially JPPs and lymphoid tissue at the ileocecal valve and in intestinal lymph nodes. Granulomatous intestinal infiltrates not associated with GALT were seen beginning at 6 mpi and with increasing frequency thereafter. Interindividual differences in lesions were most pronounced at 12 mpi, varying from mild focal paucibacillary to severe diffuse multibacillary patterns. Bacterial culture of MAP confirmed the IHC findings but was more sensitive and revealed widespread dissemination at 3 and 12 mpi. Granulomatous arteritis was found in intestinal submucosa of several goats. This may contribute to the spreading of MAP to the intestinal wall and possibly systemically. The different lesions observed during the clinically inapparent period of paratuberculosis are most likely indicators for the later progression of infection and development of clinical disease.