Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between left ventricular structure and post-exercise blood pressure in endurance athletes

Background The association between arterial blood pressure (BP) response to diff erent exercise stimulus and left ventricular (LV) size in various populations remains elusive. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between BP response to strength exercise and LV size in endurance athletes. Methods 205 healthy young adult Caucasian males were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups: sedentary controls (n = 143) and endurance athletes (n = 62). All subjects performed an exercise test that comprised a set of pull-ups performed till exhaustion. BP was evaluated at rest and at the fi rst minute of post-exercise recovery. Cardiac size dimensions were determined on standard two-dimensional M-mode echocardiography. Results Size-adjusted cardiac dimensions were signifi cantly greater in the athletes than in the control subjects (P < 0.001). Athletes achieved signifi cantly higher systolic BP after pull-ups than control subjects (P < 0.01), whereas systolic BP at rest was similar between the groups (P > 0.05). In the athletes, post-exercise systolic BP correlated more strongly to interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.297, P= 0.021), LV posterior wall thickness (r = 0.318, P= 0.013) and LV relative wall thickness (r = 0.361, P= 0.005) than in the control subjects (r = 0.163, P= 0.064; r = 0.183, P= 0.038 and r = 0.266, P= 0.002, respectively). These associations retained signifi cance after adjusting for body surface area and systolic BP at rest. Conclusions Thicker LV walls and more marked systolic blood pressure response to strength exercise in endurance athletes were directly intercorrelated, and though somewhat weaker, direct association between systolic blood pressure response to LV wall thickness in sedentary control subjects was also observed.
Acquired immunity in nude mice induced by expression of the IL‐2 or IL‐4 gene in human pancreatic carcinoma cells and anti‐tumor effect generated by In vivo gene transfer using retrovirus

We have examined the anti‐tumor effect in nude mice caused by human pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC‐1) modified to secrete IL‐2 or IL‐4. Loss of tumorigenicity of cytokine‐producing, but not wild‐type, cells was observed despite their unaltered in vitro proliferation rates; and these anti‐tumor effects were dependent on the amount of cytokine released. Wild‐type cells inoculated into mice which had rejected IL‐2‐ or IL‐4‐producer cells showed significant growth retardation, while no retardation was detected when unrelated human colon carcinoma cells were inoculated. Histological examination of regressing IL‐2‐ or IL‐4‐producing AsPC‐1 tumors in nude mice revealed infiltration by CD11b‐, but not CD90‐, positive cells around the tumors. Treatment of nude mice with anti‐asialoGM1 antibody did not affect loss of tumorigenicity. Mice injected i.p. with IL‐2‐ or IL‐4‐producing AsPC‐1 cells did not die, in contrast to mice inoculated with wild‐type cells. Injection of retrovirus‐bearing IL‐2, but not β‐galactosidase, gene into mice which had wild‐type cells in the peritoneal cavity also significantly prolonged survival. Thus, expression of the IL‐2 or IL‐4 gene in AsPC‐1 cells may generate tumor‐specific acquired immunity, even in mature T cell–deficient conditions. An anti‐tumor response can be induced by in vivo transfer of the IL‐2 gene. Int. J. Cancer 82:549–555, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Chemokine Receptor Cxcr3 Is Not Essential for Acute Cardiac Allograft Rejection in Mice and Rats

Chemokine receptors have gained attention as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies. We investigated the mechanisms of allograft rejection in chemokine receptor Cxcr3‐deficient mice using a model of acute heart allograft rejection in the strain combination BALB/c to C57BL/6. Allograft survival was minimally prolonged in Cxcr3‐deficient mice compared to wild‐type (wt) animals (8 vs. 7 days) and treatment with a subtherapeutic dose of cyclosporine A (CsA) led to similar survival in Cxcr3‐deficient and wt recipients (13 vs. 12 days). At rejection grafts were histologically indistinguishable. Microarray analysis revealed that besides Cxcr3 only few genes were differentially expressed in grafts or in spleens from transplanted or untransplanted animals. Transcript analysis by quantitative RT‐PCR of selected cytokines, chemokines, or chemokine receptors or serum levels of selected cytokines and chemokines showed similar levels between the two groups. Furthermore, in a rat heart allograft transplantation model treatment with a small molecule CXCR3 antagonist did not prolong survival despite full blockade of Cxcr3 in vivo. In summary, Cxcr3 deficiency or pharmacologic blockade does not diminish graft infiltration, tempo and severity of rejection. Thus, Cxcr3 does not appear to play a pivotal role in the allograft rejection models described here.
Impact of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring on Reclassification of Hypertension Prevalence and Control in Older People in Spain

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) accurately classifies blood pressure (BP) status but its impact on the prevalence and control of hypertension is little known. The authors conducted a cross‐sectional study in 2012 among 1047 individuals 60 years and older from the follow‐up of a population cohort in Spain. Three casual BP measurements and 24‐hour ABPM were performed under standardized conditions. Approximately 68.8% patients were hypertensive based on casual BP (≥140/90 mm Hg or current BP medication use) and 62.1% based on 24‐hour ABPM (≥130/80 mm Hg or current BP medication use) (P=.009). The proportion of patients with treatment‐eligible hypertension who met BP goals increased from 37.4% based on the casual BP target to 54.1% based on the 24‐hour BP target (absolute difference, 16.7%; P<.01). These results were consistent across alternative BP thresholds. Therefore, compared with casual BP, 24‐hour ABPM led to a reduction in the proportion of older patients recommended for hypertension treatment and a substantial increase in the proportion of those with hypertension control.
Peripartum referrals to korle bu teaching hospital, Ghana – a descriptive study

Summary A 6‐week prospective study of women referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital during labour and delivery was conducted to determine the sources of and indications for referral, and to assess the adequacy of various aspects of the referral mechanisms. Of 396 women referred, 86% were referred from polyclinics (which are state‐owned) and private midwives. The commonest indications were failure to progress (21.5%) and hypertensive disease (15.7%). A total of 35 (8.8%) women were referred with third‐stage or immediate postpartum complications. Referrals constituted 17.6% of hospital deliveries. Significant deficiencies were identified in the referral mechanisms. 72.7% of the patients travelled by public or private means of transport and 54.2% were not accompanied by any staff during transfer. Only 16.7% of those expected to have partographs came with one and 55.6% of women with complications of vaginal bleeding did not have intravenous infusions sited. However, in almost 90% of patients, the general condition on arrival in the hospital was good, and some referrals could probably have been avoided. Efforts must be made to improve patient transport and to evaluate labour management practices in the referring centres.
Retinal regeneration is facilitated by the presence of surviving neurons

Teleost fish regenerate their retinas after damage, in contrast to mammals. In zebrafish subjected to an extensive ouabain‐induced lesion that destroys all neurons and spares Müller glia, functional recovery and restoration of normal optic nerve head (ONH) diameter take place at 100 days postinjury. Subsequently, regenerated retinas overproduce cells in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer, and the ONH becomes enlarged. Here, we test the hypothesis that a selective injury, which spares photoreceptors and Müller glia, results in faster functional recovery and fewer long‐term histological abnormalities. Following this selective retinal damage, recovery of visual function required 60 days, consistent with this hypothesis. In contrast to extensively damaged retinas, selectively damaged retinas showed fewer histological errors and did not overproduce neurons. Extensively damaged retinas had RGC axons that were delayed in pathfinding to the ONH, and showed misrouted axons within the ONH, suggesting that delayed functional recovery following an extensive lesion is related to defects in RGC axons exiting the eye and/or reaching their central targets. The atoh7, fgf8a, Sonic hedgehog (shha), and netrin‐1 genes were differentially expressed, and the distribution of hedgehog protein was disrupted after extensive damage as compared with selective damage. Confirming a role for Shh signaling in supporting rapid regeneration, shhat4+/‐ zebrafish showed delayed functional recovery after selective damage. We suggest that surviving retinal neurons provide structural/molecular information to regenerating neurons, and that this patterning mechanism regulates factors such as Shh. These factors in turn control neuronal number, retinal lamination, and RGC axon pathfinding during retinal regeneration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 851–876, 2014
Cervical cancer screening in a Vietnamese nominal cohort

Background. In New South Wales (NSW) information on migrant status is not collected in routinely recorded cervical screening data, yet some migrant groups, particularly Vietnamese-born women, have a higher incidence of cervical cancer and, purportedly, lower cervical screening rates than Australian-born women. To investigate this, screening rates in a cohort of women with Vietnamese surnames were estimated and compared with survey data. Methods. A cohort of women with common Vietnamese surnames was extracted from the NSW electoral roll and matched over three periods with data held on the NSW Pap Test Register (PTR), and estimates of cervical screening in the cohort derived. Screening rates for each of the three periods were pro-rated to biennial rates, and time-related changes compared. Screening rates in the cohort were also compared to those in Vietnamese migrant respondents to a population-based health interview survey. Results. Estimated biennial screening rates in the overall Vietnamese nominal cohort of women aged 20–69 years were significantly and substantially lower than those for NSW overall, by 10–12 percentage points. Screening rates in the Vietnamese cohort were found to increase over the study period, from 44% for 1997/98 to 47% for 1998/99. While the biennial screening rate for 1998 in the nominal cohort was 19 percentage points lower than the self-reported surveyed screening rate of 63%, the relative screening ratios between Vietnamese and all NSW women were similar for both data sources. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the feasibility of estimating and monitoring cervical screening participation in minority groups with distinctive names using a Pap Test Register and information from a population register.
Ca2+/Calmodulin‐Dependent Protein Kinase II and Protein Kinase C Phosphorylate a Synthetic Peptide Corresponding to a Sequence That Is Specific for the γ2L Subunit of the GABAA Receptor

Abstract: The γ2 subunit of the GABAA receptor (GABAA‐R) is alternatively spliced. The long variant (γ2L) contains eight additional amino acids that possess a consensus sequence site for protein phosphorylation. Previous studies have demonstrated that a peptide or fusion protein containing these eight amino acids is a substrate for protein kinase C (PKC), but not cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA)‐stimulated phosphorylation. We have examined the ability of PKA, PKC, and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase (CAM kinase II) to phosphorylate a synthetic peptide corresponding to residues 336–351 of the intracellular loop of the γ2L subunit and inclusive of the alternatively spliced phosphorylation consensus sequence site. PKC and CAM kinase II produced significant phosphorylation of this peptide, but PKA was ineffective. The Km values for PKC‐and CAM kinase II‐stimulated phosphorylation of this peptide were 102 and 35 μM, respectively. Maximal velocities of 678 and 278 nmol of phosphate/min/mg were achieved by PKC and CAM kinase II, respectively. The phosphorylation site in the eight‐amino‐acid insert of the γ2L subunit has been shown to be necessary for ethanol potentiation of the GABAA‐R. Thus, our results suggest that PKC, CAM kinase II, or both may play a role in the effects of ethanol on GABAergic function.
Accuracy of Results Obtained by Performing a Second Ligase Chain Reaction Assay and PCR Analysis on Urine Samples with Positive or Near-Cutoff Results in the LCx Test for Chlamydia trachomatis

ABSTRACT Nucleic acid amplification assays such as the ligase chain reaction and PCR have encountered reproducibility problems. The initial extract and a newly extracted aliquot of urine specimens (n = 120) which had signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) ratios above 0.80 by the LCx Chlamydia assay were retested. Nucleic acid was extracted from an additional urine sample for testing by the AMPLICOR PCR Chlamydia assay. Fifteen percent (18 of 120) of the urine specimens were negative by all repeat tests (initial mean S/CO ratio by the LCx Chlamydia assay, 0.93; S/CO ratio range, 0.80 to 3.30). Repeat testing of the 102 specimens with possible positive results by the LCx Chlamydia assay by use of the initially extracted aliquot confirmed the results for 95 (93.1%) of the specimens; repeat testing of a newly extracted aliquot confirmed the results for 87 (85.3%) of the specimens. Twenty specimens had discordant results by the two repeat LCx Chlamydia assays. A total of 78 of 102 (76.5%) of the specimens were positive by the AMPLICOR PCR, and the AMPLICOR PCR confirmed the results for 82.1% (78 of 95) and 89.6% (78 of 87) of the specimens positive by the two repeat LCx Chlamydia assays, respectively. Some of the discrepancies observed by multiple repeat tests may have been due to specimen mislabeling or contamination during performance of the procedure rather than to the LCx Chlamydia assay. Both assays suffered from a lack of reproducibility on repeat testing with a small proportion of specimens, probably due to the presence of low levels of DNA, the presence of variable amounts of amplification inhibitors, and the loss of DNA during extraction.
Lack of Agreement Between Endocervical Brush and Endocervical Curettage in Women Undergoing Repeat Endocervical Sampling

Objective To evaluate agreement between an abnormal endocervical brush (ECB) collected at the time of colposcopy and subsequent endocervical curettage (ECC). Methods All women evaluated for lower genital tract disease at a single academic institution were prospectively entered into a database. The database was queried for those who had a colposcopic exam with ECB between April 1, 2013, and June 15, 2015, and who subsequently returned for an ECC to further evaluate eligibility for expectant management or ablative therapy. ECB and ECC results were divided into 2 groups: “low-grade” included low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, and “high-grade” included high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) or atypical squamous cells—cannot exclude high-grade. Women with atypical glandular cells and unsatisfactory ECB results were excluded. Percent agreement between ECB and ECC was calculated based on these categories. Results Seventy-nine women were included: 54 (68%) had a low-grade ECB, and 25 (32%) had a high-grade ECB. Of those who had a low-grade ECB, 4 had a low-grade ECC, 3 had a high-grade ECC, and 47 were negative, resulting in an agreement of 7.4% (4/54). Of those who had a high-grade ECB, 1 had a low-grade ECC, 4 had a high-grade ECC, and 20 were negative, resulting in 16% (4/25) agreement. Conclusions Our data suggest that there is poor agreement between ECC and ECB in our patient population.
Novel implementation of the convolution perfectly matched layer in ADI-FDTD method

We present a novel implementation of the convolution perfectly matched layer (CPML) with complex frequency shifted (CFS) parameters in ADI-FDTD. The developed method avoids treating intermediate (half-step) variables as approximate solutions of Maxwellpsilas equations. Our approach to the recursive convolution computation is straightforward to implement and numerical results show that the effectiveness of the developed CPML implementation is almost independent of Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) factor.
Genetics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Purpose of review Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common inherited cardiac disorder, exhibits remarkable genetic and clinical heterogeneity. This manuscript reviews recent discoveries of disease-causing genes and their clinical consequences, and provides an overview of research that aims to elucidate how HCM ensues from a single-nucleotide mutation. Recent findings The spectrum of genes that are mutated in HCM has expanded. In combination with newly developed sequencing technologies, there are now robust strategies for gene-based diagnosis in HCM. Understanding the molecular pathophysiology of HCM has emerged from the study of genetically engineered animal models of disease, and new data indicate important roles for altered intracellular Ca2+ regulation and oxidative stress. Pharmacologic strategies to normalize these processes show promise in attenuating HCM in experimental models. Summary The current repertoire of HCM genes allows effective gene-based diagnosis, information that enables accurate assessment of disease risk in family members, and provides some insight into clinical course. From mechanistic insights gleaned from fundamental investigations of experimental HCM models, novel therapeutic targets that may provide new benefits for HCM patients have surfaced.
Disease-related emotional distress of Hispanic and non-Hispanic type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a serious chronic illness that disproportionately affects prevalence and comorbidity rates among Hispanic populations. Little comparative research has been conducted on the emotional distress experienced by Hispanic patients living with type 2 diabetes. PURPOSE [corrected] To conduct a psychometric examination of an established measure of emotional distress specific to diabetes and to use this tool to examine levels and predictors of distress in a comparative study of Hispanic and non-Hispanic type 2 diabetes patients. METHOD Psychometric analyses were conducted (skewness, kurtosis, differential item function (DIF), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency reliability) to examine the equivalence of U.S. English and U.S. Spanish language versions of a measure of diabetes-related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID). Regression modeling was used to evaluate differences in distress by ethnic group, after adjusting for blood glucose control, sex, age, education, physical functioning, mental health functioning, and spirituality. Psychometric results showed that PAID had high reliability (alpha = 0.96). Skewness, kurtosis, and DIF were not present. CFA identified a large general factor, supporting use of the total PAID score. Univariate analyses found a significantly higher mean PAID score for Hispanic patients compared to non-Hispanic (45.9 +/- 28.5 vs. 35.9 +/- 26.4). A final regression model based on age, physical functioning, and mental functioning accounted for approximately 50% of PAID variance. CONCLUSION Our findings supported the reliability and unidimensionality of the U.S. Spanish and U.S. English PAID versions for comparative research. Compared to non-Hispanic patients, Hispanic patients reported higher distress, which was substantially predicted from age and physical and mental functioning.
PDGFRα Expression Distinguishes GFAP-Expressing Neural Stem Cells from PDGF-Responsive Neural Precursors in the Adult Periventricular Area

Jackson et al. (2006) have reported that adult glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-expressing neural stem cells (NSCs) also express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-α (PDGFRα), and that their stimulation by PDGF induced the formation of a glioma-like mass. Here, we reexamined the relationship between PDGFRα and GFAP expression within the three-dimensional organization of the adult periventricular area. Using four independent PDGFRα antibodies, we found that adult mouse GFAP-expressing NSCs and PDGFRα-expressing cells represent two distinct populations of neural precursors. Examination of the adult periventricular area in a mouse line that expresses nuclear-localized enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the PDGFRα promoter confirmed that GFAP-expressing NSCs do not express PDGFRα. Furthermore, PDGF-responsive neural precursors were found at least one cell layer subjacent to the ependymal layer, and were evenly distributed across the lateral ventricular wall, which contrasts with the reported patchy and often ependymal localization of adult GFAP-expressing NSCs. Adult human PDGFRα-expressing neural precursors were also found not to express GFAP. PDGF-responsive neural precursors, but not GFAP-expressing NSCs, responded to infusions of PDGF by generating glioma-like masses. Our results do not support the view that GFAP-expressing NSCs are the origin of glioma-like masses that form after intraventricular PDGF infusion.
Six First Metatarsal Shaft Osteotomies: Mechanical and Immobilization Comparisons

Because malunion (usually with dorsal elevation of the first metatarsal) has been reported after the treatment of severe hallux valgus deformities by proximal osteotomies, the current study was designed to compare the sagittal stability of six different metatarsal shaft osteotomies: the proximal crescentic, proximal chevron, Mau, Scarf, Ludloff, and biplanar closing wedge osteotomies. A plate was used in the biplanar closing wedge osteotomy; all others used screws for fixation. Ten fresh-frozen, human anatomic lower extremity specimens were used for each osteotomy. Failure loads were measured as units of force (newtons) and converted to pressure (kilopascals). Then the F-Scan system, which uses a thin insole to measure plantar pressure, was used to evaluate the pressure under the first metatarsal of seven volunteers using four types of shoes. According to the results, in patients with normal bone stock who are compliant, any of the four shoe types tested may be used after a Ludloff, Scarf, biplanar wedge (plantar screw fixation), or Mau osteotomy, but the wedge-based shoe should be used after a proximal crescentic or chevron osteotomy or for patients with severe osteopenic bone.