Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging of human knee cartilage at 3 T and 7 T

The sensitivity of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) on glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in human knee cartilage (gagCEST) in vivo was evaluated at 3 and 7 T field strengths. Calculated gagCEST values without accounting for B0 inhomogeneity (∼0.6 ppm) were >20%. After B0 inhomogeneity correction, calculated gagCEST values were negligible at 3 T and ∼6% at 7 T. These results suggest that accurate B0 correction is a prerequisite for observing reliable gagCEST. Results obtained with varying saturation pulse durations and amplitudes as well as the consistency between numerical simulations and our experimental results indicate that the negligible gagCEST observed at 3 T is due to direct saturation effects and fast exchange rate. As GAG loss from cartilage is expected to result in a further reduction in gagCEST, gagCEST method is not expected to be clinically useful at 3 T. At high fields such as 7 T, this method holds promise as a viable clinical technique. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complex-Frequency Shifted PMLs for Maxwell’s Equations With Hyperbolic Divergence Cleaning and Their Application in Particle-in-Cell Codes

The simulation of unbounded domains inevitably requires an artificial truncation of the computational domain and spurious reflections resulting from this procedure are a common problem. In this paper, a perfectly matched layer formulation for Maxwell's equations in purely hyperbolic form is presented. The model is applied to standard wave attenuation problems and particle-in-cell simulations of electron beam devices.
Disparities in Firearms Ownership and Storage Practices in North Carolina

Objective Because household firearms pose a risk to children, this study examined firearms accessibility in North Carolina households with children. Methods In 2008, parents completing the North Carolina Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program survey were asked how many firearms they owned and their firearms storage practices. Weighted analyses provided estimates of ownership and storage practices and examined variation by sociodemographics. Results A total of 37% of 2885 parents reported owning firearms. Whites (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.9 [95% confidence interval {CI} 2.9–5.2]), households with income >200% of the federal poverty level (aOR 1.7 [95% CI 1.2–2.5]) and married parents (aOR 2.4 [95% CI 1.8–3.4]) were more likely to own firearms. Ownership of more than one firearm was greater among whites (aOR 2.2 [95% CI 1.4–3.4]) and married parents (aOR 1.8 [95% CI 1.5–2.8]) than other groups. The number of firearms owned increased with children’s age. Although most parents reported keeping firearms locked and unloaded (57%), many reported unsafe storage practices, which varied by race/ethnicity. Whites were more likely (45%) to store firearms unlocked and/or loaded than other groups (35%). Conclusions Many North Carolina youth have access to household firearms, with white youth being more likely to have firearms, a greater number of firearms, and less safely stored firearms than other race/ethnicity groups. Further interventions and policies to reduce youth access to household firearms are needed. Future research should examine and address why whites, married couples, and those with socioeconomic advantages are more likely than individuals not belonging to these groups to own household firearms and store them unsafely.
Autoimmunity and inflammation are independent of class II transactivator type PIV-dependent class II major histocompatibility complex expression in peripheral tissues during collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the regulation of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in order to investigate their role as nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS Expression of class II MHC, class II MHC transactivator (CIITA), and Ciita isoforms PI, PIII, and PIV was examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry in human synovial tissues, arthritic mouse joints, and human and murine FLS. CIA was induced in mice in which isoform PIV of Ciita was knocked out (PIV(-/-) ), in PIV(-/-) mice transgenic for CIITA in the thymus (K14 CIITA), and in their control littermates. RESULTS HLA-DRA, total CIITA, and CIITA PIII messenger RNA levels were significantly increased in synovial tissue samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with the levels in tissue from patients with osteoarthritis. Human FLS expressed surface class II MHC via CIITA PIII and PIV, while class II MHC expression in murine FLS was entirely mediated by PIV. Mice with a targeted deletion of CIITA PIV lack CD4+ T cells and were protected against CIA. The expression of CIITA was restored in the thymus of PIV(-/-) K14 CIITA-transgenic mice, which had a normal CD4+ T cell repertoire and normal surface levels of class II MHC on professional antigen-presenting cells, but did not induce class II MHC on FLS. Synovial inflammation and immune responses against type II collagen were similar in PIV(-/-) K14 CIITA-transgenic mice and control mice with CIA, but bone erosion was significantly reduced in the absence of PIV. CONCLUSION Overexpression of class II MHC is tightly correlated with CIITA expression in arthritic synovium and in FLS. Selective targeting of Ciita PIV in peripheral tissues abrogates class II MHC expression by murine FLS but does not protect against inflammation and autoimmune responses in CIA.
Recombinant human thyrotropin administration enhances thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine in hyperthyroid cats.

BACKGROUND Hyperthyroidism is the most diagnosed endocrine disorder in cats and radioiodine (131I) is the treatment of choice. The dose emission rate and radioactivity in urine, saliva, and on hair and paws are determined by the dose of administered 131I. A dose reduction of therapeutic 131I could possibly be achieved after recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) administration as in humans with nodular goiter. HYPOTHESIS rhTSH will increase radioiodine uptake in hyperthyroid cats. ANIMALS Five hyperthyroid cats. METHODS Twenty-five micrograms rhTSH (day 1) or 2 mL 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) (day 9) was injected IV. One hour later, 11.4 +/- 4.1 (mean +/- SD) MBq 123I was injected IV. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) was measured 6, 12, and 24 hours after rhTSH (RAIU-rhTSH) or NaCl (RAIU-blanco) injection. Blood samples for measurement of TT4 were taken before injection of rhTSH or NaCl (TT4(0)) and at the time of imaging. RESULTS Percentages of RAIU-rhTSH (and RAIU-blanco) at 6, 12, and 24 hours after administration of rhTSH were 34 +/- 18 (31 +/- 21), 46 +/- 20 (38 +/- 18), and 47 +/- 15 (36 +/- 14). There was a statistically significant effect of rhTSH administration on RAIU (P = .043) but not on serum TT4 concentration. Baseline serum TT4(0) concentration influenced RAIU-rhTSH significantly at 6 hours (P = .037). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The increased RAIU observed after rhTSH administration in hyperthyroid cats could lead to a lower therapeutic dose of 131I after rhTSH administration in hyperthyroid cats and decreased risk of environmental and owner contamination during and after hospitalization.
Lossless Image and Intra-Frame Compression With Integer-to-Integer DST

Video coding standards are primarily designed for efficient lossy compression, but it is also desirable to support efficient lossless compression within video coding standards using small modifications to the lossy coding architecture. A simple approach is to skip transform and quantization, and simply entropy code the prediction residual. However, this approach is inefficient at compression. A more efficient and popular approach is to skip transform and quantization but also process the residual block in some modes with differential pulse code modulation (DPCM), along the horizontal or vertical direction, prior to entropy coding. This paper explores an alternative approach based on processing the residual block with integer-to-integer (i2i) transforms. I2i transforms can map integer pixels to integer transform coefficients without increasing the dynamic range and can be used for lossless compression. We focus on lossless intra coding and develop novel i2i approximations of the odd type-3 discrete sine transform (ODST-3). Experimental results with the high efficiency video coding (HEVC) reference software show that when the developed i2i approximations of the ODST-3 are used along the DPCM method of HEVC, an average 2.7% improvement of lossless intra frame compression efficiency is achieved over HEVC version 2, which uses only the DPCM method, without a significant increase in computational complexity.
Use of Novel Bone Biopsy System to Study Molecular Effectst of Growth Hormone in Human Bone‐ A Pilot Study

In this study, we have examined whether a novel bone biopsy system combined with reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or differential display PCR (ddPCR) can be used to detect specific mRNAs induced by growth hormone (GH) in human bone. In a 58‐year‐old man with complete GH deficiency as a result of empty sella, bone biopsies were taken before, and 5 and 24h after administration of 24 recombinant human GH. Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) mRNA levels in this patient, measured in a semiquantitative RT‐PCR assay, increased about 40% 24 h after GH administration. This increase was not seen in a healthy control who did not receive GH, suggesting that the increase was an effect of GH rather than of the biopsy itself. Several differentially expressed mRNAs were detected by ddPCR. Thus, this pilot study suggests that our novel bone biopsy system may be suitable for in vivo studies of the molecular effects of substances with essential functions in human bone.
Orientation in Complementary Pivot Algorithms

Shapley introduced an index theory for bimatrix games that oriented the paths generated by the Lemke-Howson algorithm and thus partitioned equilibrium points into two sets. Here we develop a similar orientation theory for a generalized complementary pivot algorithm and apply our results to bimatrix games, the linear complementarity problem, and fixed point algorithms. We provide the weakest known general sufficiency conditions (based on those of Garcia) for Lemke's algorithm to process the linear complementarity problem. We also show that if the linear complementarity version of a quadratic programming problem is solved and gives a Kuhn-Tucker solution, then the hessian of the objective function restricted to the subspace of active constraints has positive determinant. Finally we show that fixed point algorithms will only approximate fixed points of f at which the determinant of the Jacobian of f minus the identity has the appropriate sign.
Keratin 16 Expression in Epidermal Melanocytes of Normal Human Skin

Although the prevailing dogma states that keratin filaments are the hallmark of keratinocytes and other epithelial cells, recent publications suggest that they may be expressed by a variety of normal and malignant cells of different embryonic origin. Keratin expression has been reported in fibroblasts and endothelial cells as well as in various sarcomas. Also, some human melanomas express keratins in addition to the traditional diagnostic markers of differentiation, such as S-100 and melanocyte-specific antigens. Many studies have shown that cultured cells obtained from various melanomas express keratin. Most recently, keratin expression has also been shown in cultured melanocytes of normal skin. We now report that normal human melanocytes in vivo express keratin 16 (K16) but not keratins 1, 5, 8, 10, 14, or even keratin 6, the type II partner that is normally expressed with K16 in keratinocytes. Similarly, melanocytes in vitro express K16 but not K6. Keratin 16 expression in vivo was present in basal melanocytes in specimens derived from donors (0-77 years) and from different anatomic locations, suggesting that keratin 16 is constitutively expressed by all melanocytes. It appears that keratin expression may be more prevalent than previously assumed, and that these cytoskeletal filaments may play important roles in tissues and cells other than epithelia.
[Cultural adaptation of 2 questionnaires for health measurement in patients with vertigo].

OBJECTIVE To perform a transcultural adaptation form English to Spanish of two common questionnaires of handicap assessment in vestibular disorders. STUDY DESIGN Prospective study. PATIENTS 337 patients seen for non-acute dizziness from peripheral or central origin in a tertiary referral setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Dizziness Handicap Inventory test and UCLA-Dizziness Questionnaire after transcultural adaptation following the method of translation-backtranslation, expert assessment and statistical validation. RESULTS The results after cultural adaptation and reliability assessment provide a firm basis to demonstrate the close relation of the Spanish and English version in all the items and their meaning. CONCLUSION This adapted questionnaires can be used to assess vestibular disability with no loss of metric values of the original version.
High Molecular Weight Protein of Human Central Nervous System Myelin Inhibits Neurite Outgrowth: an Effect which can be Neutralized by the Monoclonal Antibody IN‐1

Neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in the presence of nerve growth factor and the spreading of 3T3 fibroblasts were inhibited by human myelin proteins from different areas of the central nervous system (CNS) in a dose‐dependent manner. Application of liposomes containing human CNS myelin proteins induced rapid collapse of PC12 growth cones. When 3T3 fibroblasts were plated on a human CNS myelin protein‐coated substrate the cells remained round, and spreading was inhibited. All these inhibitory effects could be neutralized by the monoclonal antibody IN‐1, which was raised against a 250 kDa neurite growth‐inhibiting protein (NI‐250) of rat CNS myelin. Comparison of the inhibitory properties of human and bovine CNS myelin on PC12 neurite outgrowth showed that human CNS myelin was slightly more inhibitory per unit of myelin protein. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that in human myelin, as in rat and bovine myelin, a high molecular weight protein is responsible for the inhibitory activities on neurite outgrowth and fibroblast spreading.
Use of Multidimensional Library Anxiety Scale on Education and Psychology Students in Iran

This study was conducted to investigate different aspects of library anxiety using a modified version of Multidimensional Library Anxiety Scale (Van Kampen, 2003). Participants were 123 M.A. students in the field of education and psychology at Shiraz University in Iran. The results indicated that 18% of students experience high levels of library anxiety. The result of ANOVA indicated that there is a significant correlation in all aspects of the library anxiety among students of different majors. Library and Information Science students were experienced the lowest level of library anxiety in most of aspects. Moreover, the significant difference between each major and all other majors was measured. T-tests showed that male students, in general, encounter higher levels of anxiety than females. Also it was found that the students of the second semester have experienced most amount of library anxiety. Implications of the findings are discussed. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Review of evidence for a toxicological mechanism of idiopathic environmental intolerance

Idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) is a medically unexplained disorder characterised by a wide variety of unspecific symptoms in different organ systems and attributed to nontoxic concentrations of chemicals and other environmental factors that are tolerated by the majority of individuals. Both exposure to chemicals and behavioural conditioning are considered as possible contributors to the development of IEI. However, owing to the heterogeneity of the condition, it is difficult to separate the toxicological, physiological and psychological aspects of IEI. Here, we review the evidence for postulated toxicologically mediated mechanisms for IEI. Available data do not support either a classical receptor-mediated or an idiosyncratic toxicological mechanism. Furthermore, if there were convincing evidence for a psychological cause for many patients with IEI, then this would suggest that the priority for the future is the development of psychological treatments for IEI. Finally, we advocate genome wide screening of IEI patients to elucidate genotypic features of the condition.
Platelet-Related Hemostasis before and after Hemodialysis with Five Different Anticoagulation Methods

Purpose To evaluate platelet-related hemostasis during hemodialysis performed with five different anticoagulation methods. Methods 31 chronic hemodialysis patients, 71% men, aged 57.5 ∓ 17.4 years, participated in our prospective study. Platelet function analyzer PFA -100 closure time (collagen/epinephrine -CEPI, collagen/adenosine diphosphate -CADP) was measured before and after hemodialysis, which was performed consecutively with five different anticoagulation methods: full-dose unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH): 31 patients, regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA): 28 patients, low-dose heparin: 25 patients and “heparin-free” dialysis: 9 patients. The degree of clotting in the dialysis system was graded on a 5 point scale. Results CEPI (mean ∓ SD, reference range 80-160 sec) before vs. after hemodialysis: UFH: 171.7 ∓ 62.1 vs. 170.8 ∓ 67.3; LMWH: 167.4 ∓ 56.9 vs. 159.4 ∓ 56.4; low-dose heparin: 175.3 ∓ 69.0 vs. 183.1 ∓ 60.5; RCA: 172.6 ∓ 57.4 vs. 161.6 ∓ 57.0; “heparin-free”: 181.7 ∓ 56.8 vs. 209.0 ∓ 66.5; all differences nonsignificant. CADP (mean ∓ SD, reference range: 68-121 sec) before vs. after hemodialysis: UFH: 132.0 ∓ 56.6 vs.146. 3 ∓ 68.4; LMWH: 132.4 ∓ 57,0 vs. 123.1 ∓ 50.8; low-dose heparin: 137.2 ∓ 64.2 vs. 143.8 ∓ 55.5; RCA: 140.7 ∓ 48.2 vs. 132.9 ∓ 48.1; “heparin-free”: 137.1 ∓ 68.0 vs.139. 2 ∓ 29.7; all differences nonsignificant. Before hemodialysis procedure CEPI was increased in 51.2% and CADP in 48.4% of the patients. The best dialysis system clotting score was found with UFH, LMWH and RCA. Conclusions Platelet dysfunction was demonstrated in approximately half of the chronic hemodialysis patients and was not improved after hemodialysis, regardless of the anticoagulation regimen used.
Dietary α‐Linolenic Acid, Marine ω‐3 Fatty Acids, and Mortality in a Population With High Fish Consumption: Findings From the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Study

Background Epidemiological evidence suggests a cardioprotective role of α‐linolenic acid (ALA), a plant‐derived ω‐3 fatty acid. It is unclear whether ALA is beneficial in a background of high marine ω‐3 fatty acids (long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) intake. In persons at high cardiovascular risk from Spain, a country in which fish consumption is customarily high, we investigated whether meeting the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids recommendation for dietary ALA (0.7% of total energy) at baseline was related to all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. We also examined the effect of meeting the society's recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥500 mg/day). Methods and Results We longitudinally evaluated 7202 participants in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios. ALA intake correlated to walnut consumption (r=0.94). During a 5.9‐y follow‐up, 431 deaths occurred (104 cardiovascular disease, 55 coronary heart disease, 32 sudden cardiac death, 25 stroke). The hazard ratios for meeting ALA recommendation (n=1615, 22.4%) were 0.72 (95% CI 0.56–0.92) for all‐cause mortality and 0.95 (95% CI 0.58–1.57) for fatal cardiovascular disease. The hazard ratios for meeting the recommendation for long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n=5452, 75.7%) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.67–1.05) for all‐cause mortality, 0.61 (95% CI 0.39–0.96) for fatal cardiovascular disease, 0.54 (95% CI 0.29–0.99) for fatal coronary heart disease, and 0.49 (95% CI 0.22–1.01) for sudden cardiac death. The highest reduction in all‐cause mortality occurred in participants meeting both recommendations (hazard ratio 0.63 [95% CI 0.45–0.87]). Conclusions In participants without prior cardiovascular disease and high fish consumption, dietary ALA, supplied mainly by walnuts and olive oil, relates inversely to all‐cause mortality, whereas protection from cardiac mortality is limited to fish‐derived long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.Controlled-trials.com/. Unique identifier: ISRCTN35739639.
Unmet care needs of parents of children with cancer in Jordan: implications for bed-side practice.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the perceived care needs of parents of children with cancer in Jordan. (1) What are the parents' priority caring needs; (2) to what extent these needs are met by the healthcare team members; (3) the parents' need for further information (4) and whether socio-demographic, disease and treatment variables predict parents' needs for further information. BACKGROUND Providing support for families caring for a child with a long-term illness has been recognised all through literature, yet studies focusing on parent needs are lacking. DESIGN Descriptive survey. METHODS A total of 98 parents from a tertiary oncology hospital in metropolitan area in Amman completed the Arabic Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatric II. RESULTS Most of the 17 needs measured by the Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatric II were considered important. Only 78% of parents needs were met by the healthcare professionals; yet, the results clearly highlighted the importance of informing parents about the child's illness, treatment and outcome. The socio-demographic variables were not significant predictors for the family needs for further information, with two major exceptions; parents with lower level of education and parents of children undergoing bone marrow transplantation or surgery. CONCLUSIONS The needs of parents vary from family to another, and healthcare professionals must become familiar to these needs and acquire the skills to direct their interventions more appropriately. The Family Inventory of Needs-Pediatric II may be a useful adjunct in assessing the parents' needs for care and for information, as well as the quality of care services provided. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Priority needs should be central in the daily care of these families and support programmes should be adopted in Jordan for planning and developing the system of care for these families, as well as their children.