Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Left and right ventricular long-axis function and prognosis

It only takes a cursory look at a beating heart to realise that the heart contracts with a twisting motion. This has been commented on over several centuries.1 This twisting motion pulls the mitral and tricuspid valve down towards the apex in systole and involves the coordinated action of longitudinal, circumferential and radial orientated fibres.2 3 Immediately after aortic valve closure as the myocytes begin to relax untwisting starts using the energy stored during systole within ventricular and atrial myocytes and the interstitium. This energy creates the negative pressure gradient that produces ventricular suction that is a vital process in the normal heart as it allows rapid filling at low pressures.4 5 After the left ventricular (LV) pressure has fallen the atrioventricular (AV) plane springs back to its equilibrium position moving around the column of blood passing through the mitral valve thus aiding filling of the ventricle. By this simple mechanism blood that was in the left atrium finds itself in the ventricle.6 Thus the longitudinal movement of the mitral and tricuspid annulus—akin to a pumping action—is a major component of normal function in both left and right ventricles. The importance of this was confirmed in a recent study using magnetic resonance imaging which quantified the percentage of the stroke volume due to longitudinal AV plane displacement (AVPD) in normal subjects, elite athletes and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and an ejection fraction <30%. 7 It was found that although stroke volume was higher in the athletes and lower in the patients with cardiomyopathy (as would be expected), the percentage of the stroke volume explained …
An integrated genome screen identifies the Wnt signaling pathway as a major target of WT1

WT1, a critical regulator of kidney development, is a tumor suppressor for nephroblastoma but in some contexts functions as an oncogene. A limited number of direct transcriptional targets of WT1 have been identified to explain its complex roles in tumorigenesis and organogenesis. In this study we performed genome-wide screening for direct WT1 targets, using a combination of ChIP–ChIP and expression arrays. Promoter regions bound by WT1 were highly G-rich and resembled the sites for a number of other widely expressed transcription factors such as SP1, MAZ, and ZNF219. Genes directly regulated by WT1 were implicated in MAPK signaling, axon guidance, and Wnt pathways. Among directly bound and regulated genes by WT1, nine were identified in the Wnt signaling pathway, suggesting that WT1 modulates a subset of Wnt components and responsive genes by direct binding. To prove the biological importance of the interplay between WT1 and Wnt signaling, we showed that WT1 blocked the ability of Wnt8 to induce a secondary body axis during Xenopus embryonic development. WT1 inhibited TCF-mediated transcription activated by Wnt ligand, wild type and mutant, stabilized β-catenin by preventing TCF4 loading onto a promoter. This was neither due to direct binding of WT1 to the TCF binding site nor to interaction between WT1 and TCF4, but by competition of WT1 and TCF4 for CBP. WT1 interference with Wnt signaling represents an important mode of its action relevant to the suppression of tumor growth and guidance of development.
The influence of sex and age on appendicitis in children and young adults

A study has been made of the influence of age and sex on the incidence of cases of appendicitis and of fatal appendicitis in children and young adults. Appendicitis is uncommon in children under the age of 5, but the proportion of cases complicated by peritonitis is large, and the death rate in the population of this age is relatively high. Appendicitis is very common in adolescents, but here the proportion of cases complicated by peritonitis is small. However, because of the frequency of the condition, the death rate in the general population of this age is high, with a maximum at about the age of 15 years. These findings are compatible with the suggestion that the appendix during the 'teens is particularly liable to obstruct and hence to become inflamed because of the large proportion of lymphoid tissue which it contains. Inflammation of the appendix is more common in males than in females, and this male excess is greater in infants and pre-school children than it is in children of school age.
Physical Activity and Pregnancy

Purpose. In this review, we provide researchers and practitioners with an overview of the physical activity and pregnancy literature to promote prenatal physical activity, improve measurement, further elucidate the role of activity in reducing maternal health complications, and inform future research. Method. We examined past and present physical activity and pregnancy studies and highlight key papers with a focus on maternal health outcomes to best inform physical activity promotion efforts. Results. We discuss: (a) historical overview of prenatal physical activity relative to the physical activity guidelines, how they have changed over time, and how evidence of the effect of prenatal activity on maternal/fetal health outcomes has affected clinical recommendations; (b) existing tools and challenges associated with measuring prenatal physical activity; (c) empirical evidence on multilevel determinants of prenatal activity to guide future intervention work; (d) empirical evidence of prenatal activity on adverse maternal outcomes (gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, excessive gestational weight gain) from observational and intervention studies; and (e) summary/recommendations for future research and practice. Conclusions. The physical activity and pregnancy literature has evolved over the past 50 years, and there is sufficient empirical evidence to support the promotion of moderate-to-vigorous prenatal physical activity for maternal health benefits. Future studies and interventions should be carefully designed, theoretically driven, and include validated and reliable activity measures. Researchers and practitioners should also consider the multifaceted determinants and outcomes of prenatal physical activity and intervene to promote physical activity before, during, and after pregnancy.
Relación entre la fuerza, la potencia, la carga de entrenamiento y el rendimiento deportivo en velocistas de nivel nacional e internacional

En esta Tesis Doctoral se estudia una problematica en la que se aborda: la relacion entre distintas variables de fuerza y potencia y el rendimiento deportivo, entre las propias variables de fuerza y potencia entre si, entre estas variables y la carga de entrenamiento y entre los efectos metabolicos y mecanicos agudos y el rendimiento especifico en tareas de alta intensidad absoluta y corta duracion. Se analizo a traves de tres estudios: Estudio 1: Se analizo la relacion entre la capacidad de salto, la potencia y fuerza en sentadilla y la capacidad de aceleracion en carrera. En este estudio participaron 36 atletas especialistas en pruebas de velocidad. Tras un calentamiento, los atletas realizaron tests de 20 y 30m, CMJ y sentadilla. El analisis de estas variables nos puede proporcionar informacion sobre algunos de los factores relacionados con la capacidad de aceleracion de los velocistas y nos puede marcar algunas pautas para la organizacion del entrenamiento. Estudio 2: Se analizo el efecto del empleo de diferentes distancias de carrera repetidas realizadas a la maxima velocidad posible sobre la perdida de velocidad, el estres metabolico y la capacidad de salto. Participaron 18 atletas especialistas en pruebas de velocidad que realizaron en 3 sesiones diferentes carreras de 40, 60 y 80m con saltos CMJ antes y despues de cada carrera hasta que perdian un 3% de velocidad a lo largo de la sesion. Una semana despues de la sesion de 80m realizaron un test de CMJ con cargas y otro de fuerza y potencia en sentadilla para relacionar los valores de fuerza y potencia con los datos de carrera. Estudio 3: Participaron 24 atletas especialistas en pruebas de velocidad y el objetivo era comprobar la evolucion de la relacion entre la fuerza, la potencia y el rendimiento especifico y la carga de entrenamiento durante 2 temporadas de competicion. Este estudio consistio en un seguimiento de la condicion fisica medida a traves del CMJ de forma semanal, junto al CMJ se recogian los datos de la carga de entrenamiento semanal y se analizaban las competiciones en las que los atletas participaban. Con este estudio, se puede obtener la valoracion de algunos indicadores de condicion fisica de los cuales se comprueba su evolucion con respecto a la del rendimiento deportivo especifico. Estos indicadores de rendimiento fisico se pueden utilizar como referencias para controlar la evolucion de la condicion fisica una vez comprobada su relacion con el rendimiento especifico. Por tanto, lo que nos proponemos en esta Tesis Doctoral es aportar conocimiento acerca de la explicacion del rendimiento deportivo que puedan proporcionar determinadas variables dinamicas y cinematicas medidas a traves de ejercicios relacionados con el rendimiento deportivo, asi como la relacion entre el estres metabolico y mecanico provocado por cargas habituales de entrenamiento en deportistas que realizan esfuerzos de alta intensidad y corta duracion.
Overview : archaeology and the medieval life-course.

Historical evidence has provided a rich source of information concerning the structure and experience of the medieval life-course. Archaeology has also contributed to these debates, through the material remains associated with different age groups and the structural remains of houses, but primarily via the wealth of evidence provided by the medieval cemeteries. Human skeletal remains are proving to be a particularly fruitful source of data for understanding the relationship between chronological, biological, and social ages in medieval England. This overview examines the historical, archaeological, and bioarchaeological evidence for the medieval life-course, from infancy to old age. This range of evidence is integrated and discussed with reference to current theoretical approaches to the life course and age identity within the social sciences.
Analysis of factors used in calculations based upon radiocardiograms on dogs.

The radiocardiogram4 provides information on the circulation of radioactive material through the heart and lungs. Because the radiocardiograph records cardiac output with little trauma to the patient and because it offers minimal in terference with circulation, it is a potentially valuable method of studying circulation. This method, however, has not provided the desired accuracy in quantitative measurements, probably because of errors related to the geometry of the detector system. This study suggests identification of the background radio activity as one method to minimize the effect of geometry. Prinzmetal et at ( 1 ) proposed the use of an externally placed detector to determine the characteristics of circulation. Shipley (2 ) and Huff (3) with their associateS provided the basis for the present use of the radiocardiogram in making quantitative estimates of cardiac output. Huff based his calculations on equations derived from the dye-dilution principle, then compared the results with simultaneous estimations obtained by the application of the Fick Principle. Powers and Sevelius (4) have presented a different mathematical model based on mean transit time for the tagged particles. Both theories lead to similar equa tions for the calculation of cardiac output. In models of circulation, Glick (5) and others (6,7) have tested and supported the use of the radiocardiogram as the basis for estimating cardiac output. The geometry of the detector system relates the field of the detector and dis tribution of radioactive particles in the field. During radiocardiograph recording, two sets of conditions lead to different geometries of recording in a single record.
Ceramides and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity

Obesity is an epidemic, complex disease that is characterized by increased glucose, lipids, and low‐grade inflammation in the circulation, among other factors. It creates the perfect scenario for the production of ceramide, the building block of the sphingolipid family of lipids, which is involved in metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In addition, obesity causes a decrease in fatty acid oxidation (FAO), which contributes to lipid accumulation within the cells, conferring more susceptibility to cell dysfunction. C16:0 ceramide, a specific ceramide species, has been identified recently as the principal mediator of obesity‐derived insulin resistance, impaired fatty acid oxidation, and hepatic steatosis. In this review, we have sought to cover the importance of the ceramide species and their metabolism, the main ceramide signaling pathways in obesity, and the link between C16:0 ceramide, FAO, and obesity. —Fucho, R. , Casals, N. , Serra, D. , Herrero, L. Ceramides and mito‐chondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity. FASEB J. 31, 1263–1272 (2017) www.fasebj. org
Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS 374 r-Induced Systemic Resistance in Rice against Magnaporthe oryzae Is Based on Pseudobactin-Mediated Priming for a Salicylic Acid-Repressible Multifaceted Defense Response 1

Selected strains of nonpathogenic rhizobacteria can reduce disease in foliar tissues through the induction of a defense state known as induced systemic resistance (ISR). Compared with the large body of information on ISR in dicotyledonous plants, little is known about the mechanisms underlying rhizobacteria-induced resistance in cereal crops. Here, we demonstrate the ability of Pseudomonas fluorescens WCS374r to trigger ISR in rice (Oryza sativa) against the leaf blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Using salicylic acid (SA)-nonaccumulating NahG rice, an ethylene-insensitive OsEIN2 antisense line, and the jasmonatedeficient mutant hebiba, we show that this WCS374r-induced resistance is regulated by an SA-independent but jasmonic acid/ ethylene-modulated signal transduction pathway. Bacterial mutant analysis uncovered a pseudobactin-type siderophore as the crucial determinant responsible for ISR elicitation. Root application of WCS374r-derived pseudobactin (Psb374) primed naive leaves for accelerated expression of a pronounced multifaceted defense response, consisting of rapid recruitment of phenolic compounds at sites of pathogen entry, concerted expression of a diverse set of structural defenses, and a timely hyperinduction of hydrogen peroxide formation putatively driving cell wall fortification. Exogenous SA application alleviated this Psb374modulated defense priming, while Psb374 pretreatment antagonized infection-induced transcription of SA-responsive PR genes, suggesting that the Psb374and SA-modulated signaling pathways are mutually antagonistic. Interestingly, in sharp contrast to WCS374r-mediated ISR, chemical induction of blast resistance by the SA analog benzothiadiazole was independent of jasmonic acid/ethylene signaling and involved the potentiation of SA-responsive gene expression. Together, these results offer novel insights into the signaling circuitry governing induced resistance againstM. oryzae and suggest that rice is endowed with multiple blast-effective resistance pathways.
The Effect of Protein and Glycemic Index on Children's Body Composition: The DiOGenes Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of protein and glycemic index (GI) on body composition among European children in the randomized, 6-month dietary intervention DiOGenes (diet, obesity, and genes) family-based study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the study, 827 children (381 boys and 446 girls), aged 5 to 18 years, completed baseline examinations. Families with parents who lost ≥8% of their weight during an 8-week run-in low-calorie diet period were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 ad libitum diets: low protein (LP)/low glycemic index (LGI); LP/high GI (HGI); high protein (HP)/LGI; HP/HGI; and control diet. The target difference was 15 GI U between the LGI/HGI groups and 13 protein percentage points between the LP/HP groups. There were 658 children examined after 4 weeks. Advice on food-choice modification was provided at 6 visits during this period. No advice on weight loss was provided because the focus of the study was the ability of the diets to affect outcomes through appetite regulation. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 26. RESULTS: In the study, 465 children (58.1%) completed all assessments. The achieved differences between the GI and protein groups were 2.3 GI U and 4.9 protein percentage points, respectively. The LP/HGI group increased body fat percentage significantly more than the other groups (P = .040; partial η2 = 0.039), and the percentage of overweight/obese children in the HP/LGI group decreased significantly during the intervention (P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Neither GI nor protein had an isolated effect on body composition. However, the LP/HGI combination increased body fat, whereas the HP/LGI combination was protective against obesity in this sample of children.
A Comparison of the USA Health Care Effort with Other OECD Countries

We use a sample of OECD countries in order to better understand why the US health care expenditure as a percentage of its Gross Domestic Product («health care effort») is so far above any other. To this end we employ a descriptive cross-country methodology based partially on econometric estimations, synthetic indicators and the Lerner's formula of market power, that allows us to dismiss as explanatory variables all those factors that were not differential across the sample. We advance the exploratory hypothesis that the availability of a universal public health coverage would increase the price elasticity of demand and thus would reduce the control of prices by the suppliers. Classification-JEL : H51, I18.
Epirubicin/paclitaxel (EP) vs. capecitabine/paclitaxel (XP) in first-line metastatic breast cancer (MBC): A prospective, randomized multicentre phase III study of the AGO breast cancer study group.

517 Background: Anthracyline-taxane combinations have the highest response rates in high risk MBC. Recently, anthracyclines and taxanes have become standards for adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy. The addition of capecitabine to docetaxel improved overall survival in MBC. This regime was associated with a high rate of side effects (actually FN was not different from Taxotere mono - it was more the addition of cape AEs to Taxotere AEs). Earlier phase II studies with XP are able to show efficacy with better tolerability including less febrile neutropenia. METHODS Our aim was to show non-inferiority of XP to EP. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints were toxicity and overall survival (OS). Patients (pts) were treated with 6x E 60 mg/m2 and P 175 mg/m2 d1 q21d, or with 6× X 2×1000 mg/m2 d1-14 q 21d and P 175 mg/m2 d1 q21d. RESULTS During a period of 2.5 y the planned 340 pts (170 in each arm) in 63 centres were recruited. The median number of cycles was 6 in both arms. The median PFS for EP was 11.8 months, and 12.3 for XP (p=ns). OS also was not different between the arms. The response rate (RECIST) was 41.0% (CR 6.6%, PR 34.4%) for EP and 41.5% (CR 8.5%, PR 33.1%) for XP. The main toxicity was myelosuppression (10% of cycles grade 3/4). Febrile neutropenia was seen in 5 cases in EP and in 1 case in XP. Skin toxicity grade 3 was observed in 5 of XP pts. Two patients stopped treatment for cardiological reasons in EP, and 4 patients for GI reasons in XP. CONCLUSIONS This first analysis shows a comparable efficacy of the non-anthracycline regimen XP to the EP combination in first-line MBC. The toxicity is relatively low compared to other non-anthracycline containing combination therapies. XP is therefore an appropriate option for pts with anthracycline pretreated first line MBC. [Table: see text].
Statin Use and the Risk of Breast and Prostate Cancer

Background. Laboratory data suggest that the cholesterol-lowering “statin” drugs may have chemopreventive potential against cancer at various sites, including breast and prostate. However, in one trial of pravastatin there was a significant excess of breast cancer in the treatment group. In the present study, we assessed the relation of statin use to the risk of breast and prostate cancer in our hospital-based Case-Control Surveillance Study of Drugs and Serious Illnesses. Methods. Cases were 1,132 women with breast cancer and 1,009 men with prostate cancer; controls were 1,331 women and 1,387 men admitted for conditions unrelated to statin use. We used multivariate unconditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for use of statins compared with no use. Results. The OR for breast cancer among statin users was 1.5 (95% CI = 1.0–2.3), largely accounted for by an OR of 1.8 (95% CI = 0.9–3.6) among cases with carcinoma in situ. Among invasive cases, the OR was 1.2 (95% CI = 0.7–2.0). The odds ratio for prostate cancer overall was 1.2 (95% CI = 0.8–1.7), and it was 1.4 (95% CI = 0.7–2.5) for Stage A. Conclusions. The data from the present study do not support a protective effect of statins against breast or prostate cancer. Detection bias is a possible explanation for the higher ORs observed for carcinoma in situ or early-stage cancer as compared with more invasive cancer.
Partial distal aphalangia, duplication of metatarsal IV, microcephaly, and borderline intelligence: a fourth patient with parental consanguinity and additional feature of massive cerebral thrombosis.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology Unit, Department of Radiology and Pediatric Genetics Unit, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey Correspondence to Yasemin Ozsurekci, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Sıhhıye, Ankara 06100, Turkey Tel: + 90 312 3051166; fax: + 90 312 3108241; e-mails: yas.oguz99@yahoo.com and yasemin.ozsurekci@gmail.com
EHealth Technologies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Electronic-health technologies (eHealth) such as Web-based interventions, virtual clinics, smart-phone applications, and telemedicine are being used to manage patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to: (1) Evaluate the impact of eHealth technologies on conventional clinical indices and patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) in IBD; (2) assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of using eHealth technologies to facilitate the self-management of individuals with IBD, and; (3) provide recommendations for their design and optimal use for patient care. METHODS Relevant publications were identified via a literature search, and 17 publications were selected based on predefined quality parameters. RESULTS Six randomized controlled trials and nine observational studies utilizing eHealth technologies in IBD were identified. Compared with standard outpatient-led care, eHealth technologies have led to improvements in: Relapse duration [(n = 1) 18 days vs 77 days, p < 0.001]; disease activity (n = 2); short-term medication adherence (n = 3); quality of life (n = 4); IBD knowledge (n = 2); healthcare costs (n = 4); the number of acute visits to the outpatient clinic due to IBD symptoms (n = 1), and; facilitating the remote management of up to 20% of an IBD cohort (n = 2). Methodological shortcomings of eHealth studies include heterogeneity of outcome measures, lack of clinician/patient input, lack of validation against conventional clinical indices and PROs, and limited cost-benefit analyses. CONCLUSIONS EHealth technologies have the potential for promoting self-management and reducing the impact of the growing burden of IBD on health care resource utilization. A theoretical framework should be applied to the development, implementation, and evaluation of eHealth interventions.