Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of transmitter B1 inhomogeneity with transmit SENSE slice‐select pulses

Parallel transmitter techniques are a promising approach for reducing transmitter B1 inhomogeneity due to the potential for adjusting the spatial excitation profile with independent RF pulses. These techniques may be further improved with transmit sensitivity encoding (SENSE) methods because the sensitivity information in pulse design provides an excitation that is inherently compensated for transmitter B1 inhomogeneity. This paper presents a proof of this concept using transmit SENSE 3D tailored RF pulses designed for small flip angles. An eight‐channel receiver coil was used to mimic parallel transmission for brain imaging at 3T. The transmit SENSE pulses were based on the fast‐kz design and produced 5‐mm‐thick slices at a flip angle of 30° with only a 4.3‐ms pulse length. It was found that the transmit SENSE pulses produced more homogeneous images than those obtained from the complex sum of images from all receivers excited with a standard RF pulse. Magn Reson Med 57:842–847, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiation dose reduction with hybrid iterative reconstruction for pediatric CT.

PURPOSE To assess image quality and radiation dose reduction with hybrid iterative reconstruction of pediatric chest and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) data compared with conventional filtered back projection (FBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 234 patients (median age, 12 years; age range, 6 weeks to 18 years) underwent chest and abdominal CT in this institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. CT was performed with a hybrid adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)-enabled 64-detector row CT scanner. Scanning protocols were adjusted for clinical indication and patient weight to enable acquisition of reduced-dose CT images in all patients, and tube current was further lowered for ASIR protocols. Weight, age, and sex were recorded, and objective noise was measured in the descending thoracic aorta for chest CT and in the liver for abdominal CT. Of the 234 consecutive patients who underwent ASIR-enabled CT (115 chest and 119 abdominal examinations), 70 patients had undergone prior FBP CT. ASIR and FBP CT studies (29 chest and 41 abdominal studies) in these 70 patients were reviewed for image quality, artifacts, and diagnostic confidence by two pediatric radiologists working independently. Data were analyzed with multiple paired t tests. RESULTS Compared with FBP, ASIR enabled dose reduction of 46.4% (3.7 vs 6.9 mGy) for chest CT and 38.2% (5.0 vs 8.1 mGy) for abdominal CT (P < .0001). Both radiologists deemed image quality of and diagnostic confidence with ASIR and FBP CT images as acceptable, without any artifacts. Despite the lower radiation dose used, ASIR images (chest, 10.7 ± 2.5 [mean ± standard deviation]; abdomen, 11.8 ± 3.4) had substantially less objective noise than did FBP images (chest, 13.3 ± 3.8; abdomen, 13.8 ± 5.2) (P = .001, P =.006, respectively). CONCLUSION Use of a hybrid iterative reconstruction technique, such as ASIR, enables substantial radiation dose reduction for pediatric CT when compared with FBP and maintains image quality and diagnostic confidence.
Crystal Structure of the P38α-MAPKAP Kinase 2 Heterodimer*

The p38 signaling pathway is activated in response to cell stress and induces production of proinflammatory cytokines. P38α is phosphorylated and activated in response to cell stress by MKK3 and MKK6 and in turn phosphorylates a number of substrates, including MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2). We have determined the crystal structure of the unphosphorylated p38α-MK2 heterodimer. The C-terminal regulatory domain of MK2 binds in the docking groove of p38α, and the ATP-binding sites of both kinases are at the heterodimer interface. The conformation suggests an extra mechanism in addition to the regulation of the p38α and MK2 phosphorylation states that prevents phosphorylation of substrates in the absence of cell stress. Addition of constitutively active MKK6-DD results in rapid phosphorylation of the p38α-MK2 heterodimer.
The association between the FTO gene and fat mass in humans develops by the postnatal age of two weeks.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about the genetic determinants of fat mass around birth. We hypothesized that the common rs9939609 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in FTO is associated with fat mass and metabolic parameters in neonates. DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional, hospital-based study. PATIENTS Patients included 234 full-term, healthy newborns [122 girls and 112 boys; gestational age (mean, range), 39.0 (37.0-42.0) wk; birth weight, 3.2 (1.9-4.2) kg]. METHODS Cord-blood insulin, IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-1, adiponectin, and visfatin were measured by specific immunoassays. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at about 13 d (range, 9-20 d). Genotyping of rs9939609 was achieved by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS The rs9939609 SNP in FTO was not associated with birth weight; however, it was associated with serum visfatin (P < 0.001), with weight and ponderal index at age 2 wk (P < 0.05), and with total, truncal, and abdominal fat (P < 0.05 to P = 0.01), so that AA homozygotes had 37% higher plasma visfatin concentration and 17, 20, and 17% higher total, truncal, and abdominal fat mass, respectively, than T-carrier neonates. CONCLUSION Our findings support a role of the common rs9939609 SNP in FTO gene in the early stages of fat accretion in humans and disclose novel associations between this SNP and both serum visfatin and abdominal fat mass in neonates.
Highly stable individual differences in the emission of separation calls during early development in the domestic cat

Study of the development of individuality is often hampered by rapidly changing behavioral repertoires and the need for minimally intrusive tests. We individually tested 33 kittens from eight litters of the domestic cat in an arena for 3 min once a week for the first 3 postnatal weeks, recording the number of separation calls and the duration of locomotor activity. Kittens showed consistent and stable individual differences on both measures across and within trials. Stable individual differences in the emission of separation calls across trials emerged already within the first 10 s of testing, and in locomotor activity within the first 30 s. Furthermore, individual kittens' emission of separation calls, but not their locomotor activity, was highly stable within trials. We conclude that separation calls provide an efficient, minimally intrusive and reliable measure of individual differences in behavior during development in the cat, and possibly in other species emitting such calls.
Hysterectomy through minilaparotomy for benign gynaecological conditions: a valid option.

OBJECTIVE Efforts are continuously being made for surgery to be less invasive with a minimal access approach. This article reports our experience with minilaparotomy hysterectomy in patients with benign gynecological disease or preinvasive pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study to analyse the outcome and per-operative and post-operative complications was conducted in 69 patients undergoing hysterectomy by the minilaparotomy approach through 4-5cm Pfannenstiel incision. RESULTS The mean operating time and postoperative hospital stay were 41.3 min and 3.1 days, respectively. Composite morbidity was encountered in 12 women (17.4%) with no major complications or mortality. None of the patients had an estimated blood loss over 500ml. CONCLUSION Minilaparotomy hysterectomy in benign gynecological disease provides an appealing, effective, expeditious, minimal access and cost-effective option/alternative to the traditional abdominal hysterectomy. It obviates the need for any additional expensive equipment and above all improves upon the per-operative and post-operative outcomes without compromising, whatsoever, the quality of surgery.
Using Motivational Interviewing for Smoking Cessation in Primary Care

Objectives To compare the effects of resident physician motivational interviewing (MI), resident physician MI plus registered nurse (RN), and the standard of care counseling approach— ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange follow-up (5 As)—on current smokers’ behaviors (readiness to quit, cigarettes smoked per day, current smoking rates), self-efficacy to quit smoking, and nicotine dependence. Methods The study design was quasi-experimental pretest/posttest with a comparison group. Pencil/paper measures were completed in the clinic setting at baseline and via telephone approximately 1 and 2 months after the clinic visit. Results There were no differences among the three groups in the proportion of participants who quit smoking, and the stages of change did not differ among the groups or over time. There was a significant time effect and a decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked per day (F2,160 = 41.04, P < 0.001). Significant group × time interactions were present for self-efficacy (F4,140 = 8.20, P < 0.001), nicotine dependence (F4,140 = 6.22, P < 0.001) and satisfaction with clinician (F4,160 = 3.81, P = 0.006). Post hoc analyses showed that participants in the MI groups smoked fewer cigarettes, had higher self-efficacy, and had lower nicotine dependence scores. Only participants in the MD-plus-RN follow-up group had significant positive changes in satisfaction scores. Conclusions Resident physicians who use MI techniques have a tremendous effect on patients’ smoking behaviors. When the resident physician and the RN worked together, participants achieved better outcomes.
O valor nutricional de refeições escolares

Todos os países envolvidos no estudo, nomeadamente, os 28 Estados-membros da União Europeia a Noruega e a Suíça, têm diretrizes para a alimentação escolar, contudo estas variam consideravelmente. As regras são de caráter voluntário em Espanha, Portugal, Itália, Irlanda, Holanda, Bélgica, Dinamarca, Alemanha, Polónia, Noruega, Suíça e na Áustria, enquanto nos restantes países são de caráter obrigatório (1).
Dual Pharmacotherapy and Motivational Interviewing for Tobacco Dependence Among Drug Treatment Patients

Abstract This pilot study is the first to examine the feasibility and outcomes of dual pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation among drug treatment patients. The intervention consisted of 7 weeks of bupropion (300 mg), 12 weeks of nicotine gum, and 6 sessions of motivational interviewing. The trial was conducted among 28 patients recruited from 5 methadone clinics and employed a pretest-posttest design. At 6 months post quit date, 14% of participants met criteria for biochemically-verified abstinence. Among those still smoking, number of cigarettes smoked decreased significantly and most (88%) had made at least 1 serious quit attempt. Participation rates were excellent and no adverse effects on alcohol or illicit drug use were found. Although not a definitive test of the intervention, findings suggest that a multi-component approach to tobacco dependence is feasible and potentially effective in helping drug treatment patients achieve smoking cessation well beyond the end of treatment and that a large-scale randomized trial is warranted.
Treatment outcome in patients younger than 60 years with advanced stages (IIB–IV) of Hodgkin's disease: the Swedish National Health Care Programme experience

Abstract: Background –Despite improved treatment results achieved in Hodgkin's disease (HD), only about 70% of patients with advanced stages are cured. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of advanced stages (IIB–IVB) of HD in younger patients in an unselected population‐based group of patients. The patients were recommended individualized treatment with respect to number of chemotherapy (CT) courses and post‐CT radiotherapy (RT) based on pretreatment characteristics and tumour response. Secondly, we investigated if variables of prognostic importance could be detected. Patients and methods –Between 1985–92, 307 patients between 17–59 yr of age (median 36) were diagnosed with HD in stages IIB–IVB in 5/6 health care regions in Sweden. Median follow‐up time was 7.8 yr (1.3–13). Retrospectively, laboratory parameters were collected. Results –In total, 267 (87%) patients had a complete response (CR). The overall and disease‐free 10‐yr survivals in the whole cohort were 76% and 67%, respectively. There was no difference in survival between the groups of patients who received 6 or 8 cycles of CT. Survival was not higher for patients in CR after CT when RT was added. For those in PR after CT, additional RT raised the frequencies of CR. A selected group of pathologically staged patients was successfully treated with a short course (2 cycles) of CT+RT. In univariate analyses survival was affected by age, stage IVB, bone‐marrow involvement, B‐symptoms, S‐LDH, S‐Alb and reaching CR or not after 2, 4 and 6 cycles of CT. In a multivariate analysis, age and reaching CR after 6 cycles of CT remained statistically significant. Conclusions –The lack of difference in survival between the groups of patients who received 6 versus 8 cycles of CT indicates a successful selection of patients for the shorter treatment. Reaching a rapid CR significantly affected outcome. Whether some patients need less CT than the generally recommended 8 courses can properly only be evaluated in a randomised study. Additional RT may play a role in successful outcome, particularly if residual tumours are present, but its precise role can also only be defined in prospectively randomised studies. Reaching CR after CT was the most important variable affecting survival besides age.
Aging- and activation-induced platelet microparticles suppress apoptosis in monocytic cells and differentially signal to proinflammatory mediator release.

BACKGROUND Platelet microparticles (PM) are the most abundant cell-derived microparticles in the blood, and accumulate in thrombo-inflammatory diseases. Platelets produce PM upon aging via an apoptosis-like process and by activation with strong agonists. We previously showed that long-term treatment of monocytic cells with apoptosis-induced PM (PMap) promotes their differentiation into resident macrophages. Here we investigated shorter term effects of various types of PM on monocyte signalling and function. METHODS AND RESULTS Flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy revealed that PM formed upon platelet aging (PMap) or ultra-sonication (PMsonic) expressed activated αIIbβ3 integrins and tended to assemble into aggregates. In contrast, PM formed upon platelet activation with thrombin (PMthr) or Ca(2+) ionophore (PMiono) had mostly non-activated αIIbβ3 and little aggregate formation, but had increased CD63 expression. PM from activated and sonicated platelets expressed phosphatidylserine at their surface, while only the latter were enriched in the receptors CD40L and CX3CR1. All PM types expressed P-selectin, interacted with monocytic cells via this receptor, and were internalised into these cells. The various PM types promoted actin cytoskeletal rearrangements and hydrogen peroxide production by monocytic cells. Markedly, both aging- and activation-induced PM types stimulated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway, suppressing apoptosis induced by several agonists, in a P-selectin-dependent manner. On the other hand, the PM types differentially influenced monocyte signalling in eliciting Ca(2+) fluxes (particularly PMap) and in releasing secondary mediators (complement factor C5a with PMap, and pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor-α with PMthr). CONCLUSIONS In spite of their common anti-apoptotic potential via Akt activation, aging- and activation-induced PM cause different Ca(2+) signalling events and mediator release in monocytic cells. By implication, aging and activated platelets may modulate monocyte function in different way by the shedding of different PM types.
Rates of mantle cooling and exhumation during rifting constrained by REE‐in‐pyroxene speedometry

Ocean basins are formed when continents are broken apart. Adiabatic melt generation that is driven by rifting of continental lithosphere is strongly dependent on the rate of extension. Slow extension results in conductive heat loss from the upwelling mantle, whereas cooling is limited during fast extension and can result in the geotherm intersecting the peridotite solidus. However, there are few direct constraints on the rates of mantle upwelling during extension of continental lithosphere. Here we use diffusion modeling of subsolidus REE re‐equilibration between orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene to show that the Lanzo peridotite massif—lithospheric mantle exhumed during opening of the Ligurian Tethys—cooled at rates between 5 and 25°C/Myr across the spinel‐to‐plagioclase peridotite facies transition. We show that these rates are sufficiently slow to suppress significant adiabatic melt generation, providing an explanation for the magma‐poor nature of the Alpine Tethys margin.
Actions of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 in a murine neuropathic pain model

While cannabinoids have been proposed as a potential treatment for neuropathic pain, they have limitations. Cannabinoid receptor agonists have good efficacy in animal models of neuropathic pain; they have a poor therapeutic window. Conversely, selective fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors that enhance the endocannabinoid system have a better therapeutic window, but lesser efficacy. We examined whether JZL195, a dual inhibitor of FAAH and monacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), could overcome these limitations.
Renal handling of uric acid after kidney donation: a concern for further study

There are many published papers ensuring that kidney donation is a safe procedure. The follow-up studies have focused mainly on glomerular filtration (GFR) and the incidence of proteinuria before and after nephrectomy (Nx). However, the kidney has other functions, such as the excretion of uric acid (Uac), that have been systematically ignored by researchers when analyzing the functionality of the remaining kidney among donors. This avoidance is worrisome because other studies conducted in non-kidney donors revealed that changes in the Uac can be responsible for renal parenchymal lesions (1, 2). Studies evaluating changes in serum uric acid after kidney donation are scarce, and no reports that assess the renal excretion of this organic compound exist. We evaluated 21 kidney donors with average 57 months post-Nx (range: 4–134 months). The serum Uac increased from a baseline value of 4.2 1.1 mg% to 5.4 1.6 mg% post-Nx (p < 0.0001), but five of the 21 donors (24%) presented serum Uac values higher than 6.0 mg% after Nx. We also measured the urinary Uac/creatinine ratio in the urine (Uac/cr) collected over 24 h in all donors post-donation, and the average value was 0.36 0.10 mg/mg. Consequently, we separated the donors with a urinary Uac/cr ratio > 0.36 and those with a value ≤0.36 mg/mg after the donation and verified the clinical and laboratory findings of the individuals in each group (Table 1). Interestingly, the donors who were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m) presented the lowest excretion of uric acid and plasma triglyceride levels higher than those of the leaner donors. In the group with a urinary Uac/cr ratio < 0.36 mg/mg, we found 5 of 12 (42%) with a serum Uac level higher than 6.0 mg%. It is possible that the expected increase in the elimination of Uac by the remaining kidney is unable to occur, and in certain situations, the
Imatinib preserves blood–brain barrier integrity following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and consequent edema formation contribute to the development of early brain injury following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Various cerebrovascular insults result in increased platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)‐α stimulation, which has been linked to BBB breakdown and edema formation. This study examines whether imatinib, a PDGFR inhibitor, can preserve BBB integrity in a rat endovascular perforation SAH model. Imatinib (40 or 120 mg/kg) or a vehicle was administered intraperitoneally at 1 hr after SAH induction. BBB leakage, brain edema, and neurological deficits were evaluated. Total and phosphorylated protein expressions of PDGFR‐α, c‐Src, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and c‐Jun were measured, and enzymatic activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)−2 and MMP‐9 were determined in the injured brain. Imatinib treatment significantly ameliorated BBB leakage and edema formation 24 hr after SAH, which was paralleled by improved neurological functions. Decreased brain expressions of phosphorylated PDGFR‐α, c‐Src, JNK, and c‐Jun as well as reduced MMP‐9 activities were found in treated animals. PDGFR‐α inhibition preserved BBB integrity following experimental SAH; however, the protective mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Targeting PDGFR‐α signaling might be advantageous to ameliorate early brain injury following SAH. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Socioeconomic inequalities in knee pain, knee osteoarthritis, and health-related quality of life: a population-based cohort study in southern Sweden

Objectives: To determine socioeconomic inequalities in frequent knee pain (FKP), knee osteoarthritis (OA), and associated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Sweden. Method: In 2007 a postal questionnaire about knee pain was sent to a random sample of 10 000 residents of Malmö, Sweden (7402 individuals responded). Subjects reporting pain with duration ≥ 4 weeks in one or both knees in the past 12 months were classified as having FKP. A random sample of 1527 subjects with and without FKP attended a clinical and radiographic knee examination and responded to generic and disease-specific HRQoL questionnaires. We used the individuals’ level of education and occupation as socioeconomic status (SES) measures, and we calculated the relative index of inequality (RII) using Poisson regression with robust standard errors adjusted for age and gender. We applied weighting to account for a possible selection bias that might arise from non-responses in the study. Results: With education, the RIIs for FKP and knee OA were 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–0.84] and 0.56 (95% CI 0.34–0.93), respectively. With occupation, the corresponding figures were 0.70 (95% CI 0.60–0.82) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.37–0.94), respectively. There were socioeconomic gradients in HRQoL in favour of people with better SES. RIIs for FKP and HRQoL but not knee OA were essentially similar after additional adjustment for mediators. Conclusions: In Sweden there are socioeconomic gradients related to both FKP and knee OA as well as HRQoL in favour of people with better SES. SES should be taken into account in health resource allocation pertaining to knee-related disorders.
Agile Software Development: The Business of Innovation

The rise and fall of the dotcom-driven Internet economy shouldn't distract us from seeing that the business environment continues to change at a dramatically increasing pace. To thrive in this turbulent environment, we must confront the business need for relentless innovation and forge the future workforce culture. Agile software development approaches, such as extreme programming, Crystal methods, lean development, Scrum, adaptive software development (ASD) and others, view change from a perspective that mirrors today's turbulent business and technology environment.