Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular failure predicted from right bundle branch block: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging validation.

BACKGROUND Right ventricular (RV) failure has proven to be independently associated with adverse outcomes. Electrocardiographic parameters assessing RV function are largely unknown, making echocardiography the first line for RV function assessment. It is however, limited by geometrical assumptions and is inferior to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) which is widely regarded as the most accurate tool for assessing RV function. METHODS We seek to determine the correlation of ECG parameters of right bundle branch block (RBBB) with RV ejection fraction (EF) and RV dimensions using the CMRI. QRS duration, R amplitude and R' duration were obtained from precordial lead V1; S duration and amplitude were obtained from lead I and AVL. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as RV EF <40%. RV systolic dysfunction group (mean EF of 24±10%) were compared with normal RV systolic function group which acted as control (mean EF of 48±8%). CMRI and ECG parameters were compared between the two groups. Rank correlations and scatter diagrams between individual CMRI parameters and ECG parameters were done using medcalc for windows, version 12.5. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS RV systolic dysfunction group was found to have larger RV end systolic volumes (90±42 vs. 59±40 mL, P=0.02). ECG evaluation of RV dysfunction group revealed longer R' duration (103±22 vs. 84±18 msec, P=0.005) as compared to the control group. The specificity of R' duration >100 msec to detect RV systolic dysfunction was found to be 93%. R' duration was found to have an inverse correlation with RV EF (r=-0.49, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS Larger RV end systolic volumes seen with RV dysfunction can affect the latter part of right bundle branch leading to prolonged R' duration. We here found prolonged R' duration in lead V1 to have a highly specific inverse correlation to RV systolic function. ECG can be used as an inexpensive tool for RV function assessment and should be used alongside echocardiography to evaluate RV dysfunction when CMRI is not available.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessing carotid atherosclerotic plaque lesions.

OBJECTIVE Contrast-enhanced ultrasound that is used to assess atherosclerotic carotid plaques improves visualization of vessel wall irregularities and provides direct visualization of intraplaque neovascularization. This article illustrates the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the assessment of carotid atherosclerotic lesions. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a new, noninvasive, and safe procedure for imaging carotid atherosclerotic lesions. It is a valuable tool for evaluating the vulnerable plaque at risk for rupture and for evaluating both the development and severity of systemic atherosclerotic disease.
Concentrations of prostaglandins D2, E2, F2 alpha, 6-keto-F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 in synovial fluid from patients with inflammatory joint disorders and osteoarthritis.

The concentrations of PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Reiter's disease (RD), acute gouty arthritis (GA) and osteoarthritis (OA) were measured by radioimmunoassay. PGE2 was found to be the most predominant prostanoid (pg/ml; Mean +/- S.E.M.): RA 887 +/- 85, RD 870 +/- 71, GA 1064 +/- 155 and OA 665 +/- 71. In patients with OA lower mean levels of all the prostanoids were found than compared to the other groups of patients. Only in patients with RA a slight correlation between PGD2/PGF2 alpha, PGE2/PGF2 alpha and PGE2/6-keto-PGF1 alpha could be demonstrated. No significant correlations between the leucocyte cell counts in the synovial fluid and the prostanoid concentrations were found. In patients with RA developing recurrent knee joint effusions within four weeks after the first sampling significantly lower levels of PGE2 and TXB2 were found in the recurrent samples (PGE2 792 +/- 183; TXB2 179 +/- 33) than compared with the original samples (PGE2 984 +/- 146; TXB2 239 +/- 32).
Target-Dependent Compartmentalization of the Corelease of Glutamate and GABA from the Mossy Fibers

The mossy fibers (MFs) corelease glutamate and GABA onto pyramidal cells of CA3 during development, until the end of the third postnatal week. However, the major target cells of the MF are the interneurons of CA3. Therefore, it has been shown that the interneurons of the hilus and stratum lucidum receive this dual monosynaptic input on MF stimulation. Because the plasticity of glutamatergic transmission from the different terminals of the MF is target specific, we here asked whether the corelease of glutamate and GABA was also subjected to a target-dependent compartmentalization. We analyzed the occurrence and plasticity of MF simultaneous glutamatergic–GABAergic signaling onto interneurons of the different strata of CA3 in rats during the third postnatal week. We show the coexistence of time-locked, glutamate receptor and GABA receptor-mediated mono synaptic responses evoked by MF stimulation in interneurons from stratum lucidum and stratum radiatum, but not in interneurons from stratum lacunosum-moleculare. As expected from the transmission of MF origin, MF GABAergic responses were depressed by the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors. Strikingly, while MF glutamatergic responses underwent LTD, the simultaneous MF GABAergic responses of stratum lucidum interneurons, but not of stratum radiatum interneurons, displayed a Hebbian form of LTP that was mimicked by PKC activation. PKA activation potentiated MF glutamatergic responses of stratum radiatum interneurons, whereas in stratum lucidum interneurons only GABAergic responses were potentiated. We here disclose that the corelease of glutamate and GABA, as well as their plasticity are compartmentalized in a target-dependent manner, showing counterbalanced compensatory plasticity of two neurotransmitters released by different terminals of the same pathway. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The mossy fibers transiently corelease glutamate and GABA onto pyramidal cells of CA3. We here describe that they can also corelease these amino acids onto interneurons, in a target-dependent manner. Many interneurons in stratum lucidum and stratum radiatum receive both signals, while those in stratum lacunosum-moleculare exclusively receive a glutamatergic signal. It is noteworthy that glutamatergic LTD, which is known to exist on stratum lucidum interneurons, coexists in the same pathway with a presynaptic form of GABAergic LTP, while interneurons of stratum radiatum, despite receiving this dual signaling, do not display such plasticity. The GABAergic LTP is mimicked with PKA or PKC activation. We disclose compartmentalized corelease of glutamate and GABA and its differential plasticity from a single pathway onto different interneuron sets.
Estimate of dietary exposure to sulphites using Brazilian students as a sample population

In Brazil, there is neither a register of the use of sulphites by the food industry nor is research being undertaken on their dietary exposure to the population. The objective of the work reported here was to estimate the dietary exposure to sulphites in two different groups of high school students, a fee-paying school group and a state school group. The data were collected through a 24-hour dietary recall, which provided estimates of sulphited foods and beverages in the diet. The Maximum Permitted Level (MPL), established by the Brazilian legislation for each of the sulphited food and beverages, was used to measure the dietary exposure to this additive. On this basis none of the students could have exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.70 mg SO2/kg bw/day, with a average dietary exposure of 0.07 mg SO2/kg bw/day (p < 0.001), with no significant statistical difference (p = 0.643) between fee-paying and state school students. Highly exposed consumers (dietary exposure to more than 50% of the ADI, or either, 0.35 mg SO2/kg bw/day, to the maximum of 0.52 mg SO2/kg bw/dia) represented 4.5% of the researched samples and reached these levels of intake due to a consumption beyond 500 ml/day of industrialized packaged fruit juices, and, in the fee-paying school, for associating its consumption with alcoholic beverages like beer and wine.
Patch testing for permanent‐pressallergic contact dermatitis

During the decade of the 90s, 24 cases of permanent‐press textile‐resin contact dermatitis were identified. The most common allergen associated with these cases was dimethylol propylene urea (DMPU). Although previous reports had suggested ethylene urea melamine formaldehyde resin (EUMF) or dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) as the most appropriate test materials for this type of contact dermatitis, we could not confirm EUMF as appropriate but, with some limitations, can support DMDHEU due to its widespread and continued use. DMPU has been withdrawn from the marketplace and replaced with what may be less reactive materials. In this study, we also observed discordance between EUMF patch tests in the range of 30%, which is consistent with previous reports about the biovariability of patch test results.
Value of 18F-FDG PET versus iliac biopsy in the initial evaluation of bone marrow infiltration in the case of Hodgkin’s disease: a meta-analysis

ObjectiveWe carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the performance of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) PET and PET/CT against bone marrow biopsy (BMB) in the initial diagnosis of bone marrow infiltration (BMI) in patients with Hodgkin’s disease (HD). Materials and methodsRetrospective and prospective studies with direct comparison of 18F-FDG PET with BMB in the initial evaluation of BMI in HD were included. Seven eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis comprising a total of 687 patients. ResultsBoth 18F-FDG PET and BMB had excellent specificity in detecting BMI. However, 18F-FDG PET had excellent pooled sensitivity (94.5%; 95% confidence interval: 89.0–97.8%) in detecting BMI in the initial staging of HD patients, whereas the pooled sensitivity of iliac BMB was very poor (39.4%; 95% confidence interval: 30.8–48.4%). The diagnostic odds ratio, a measure of the overall diagnostic power of the test, was much higher for PET (pooled value of 1591) than for iliac BMB (pooled value of 137). Conclusion18F-FDG PET significantly outperforms iliac BMB in the detection of BMI in the initial staging of HD patients and therefore should be used as a first-line study. Iliac BMB has low sensitivity and a high rate of false-negative findings. Thus, a negative BMB finding cannot rule out marrow involvement in HD patients on initial staging.
Cultured Cell Sublines Highly Susceptible to Prion Infection

ABSTRACT Cultured cell lines infected with prions produce an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc). In order to derive cell lines producing sufficient quantities of PrPSc for most studies, it has been necessary to subclone infected cultures and select the subclones producing the largest amounts of PrPSc. Since postinfection cloning can introduce differences between infected and uninfected cell lines, we sought an approach to generate prion-infected cell lines that would avoid clonal artifacts. Using an improved cell blot technique, which permits sensitive and rapid comparison of PrPSc levels in multiple independent cell cultures, we discovered marked heterogeneity with regard to prion susceptibility in tumor cell sublines. We exploited this heterogeneity to derive sublines which are highly susceptible to prion infection and used these cells to generate prion-infected lines without further subcloning. These infected sublines can be compared to the cognate uninfected cultures without interference from cloning artifacts. We also used susceptible cell lines and our modified cell blot procedure to develop a sensitive and reproducible quantitative cell culture bioassay for prions. We found that the sublines were at least 100-fold more susceptible to strain RML prions than to strain ME7 prions. Comparisons between scrapie-susceptible and -resistant cell lines may reveal factors that modulate prion propagation.
Leukemia‐associated aberrant immunophenotype in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: changes at refractory disease or first relapse and clinicopathological findings

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) is commonly used to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) during the course of chemotherapy or relapse. Only one study addressed the immunophenotypic changes in refractory disease. We studied changes in leukemia‐associated aberrant immunophenotype (LAIP) in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Lack of association between PSA‐NCAM expression and migration in the rostral migratory stream of a Huntington's disease transgenic mouse model

Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative autosomal disorder characterized by selective loss of striatal and cortical neurons. The mammalian brain subventricular zone contains a population of neural precursors involved in postnatal neurogenesis. These newly generated cells migrate from the subventricular zone along the rostral migratory stream and differentiate into mature olfactory bulb neurons throughout adulthood. The establishment of this pathway depends upon a variety of molecules, including polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM). We used a murine model of Huntington's disease, the R6/2 transgenic mouse, and in vivo bromodeoxyuridine administration to label cells undergoing proliferation and to follow their migration along the rostral migratory stream. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling did not show any significant increase in proliferation of progenitor cells in symptomatic R6/2 mice, but migration of neuroblasts along the rostral migratory stream was significantly diminished. The decrease in neuroblast migration was not due to an alteration in the expression of PSA‐NCAM along the rostral migratory stream since immunohistochemical analysis showed no significant differences between R6/2 and wild type mice. In addition, we used Fluoro‐Jade C to evaluate apoptosis and demonstrated that the number of apoptotic cells in the rostral migratory stream is similar in affected and wild type animals, suggesting that cell death is not responsible for the differences observed in neuroblast migration. We conclude that in R6/2 mice, progenitor cells have an impaired migration in their route to the olfactory bulb, with accumulation of cells in the caudal rostral migratory stream that does not result from changes in PSA‐NCAM expression and/or cell death.
Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria in caries-free and caries-active children.

BACKGROUND Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria have been shown to be significantly correlated with caries experience in adults but not as yet in children. HYPOTHESIS Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are positively associated with caries experience in children. AIM To compare the salivary concentrations of Bifidobacteria of caries-free and caries-active children. DESIGN Saliva was collected using the tongue-loop method from 38 caries-active children and from 22 clinically caries-free children, and the numbers of Bifidobacteria, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined. Additionally, the age and gender of the children, a plaque index, sugar amount in diet, sugar frequency in diet, hygiene practice and fluoride toothpaste usage were recorded. RESULTS Bifidobacteria were isolated from 95% of the caries-active children and from only 9% of the caries-free children (P < 0.001). Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria were significantly correlated with amount of sugar in the diet, frequency of sugar consumption and oral hygiene practice. The significant variables that discriminated between the caries-free and caries-active subjects were salivary levels of Bifidobacteria, salivary levels of mutans streptococci and oral hygiene practice (χ(2) = 72.57, P < 0.001) and overall 90.0% of cases were correctly classified. CONCLUSIONS Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are significantly associated with caries experience in children. The salivary levels of this genus may be a useful marker of caries risk.
Influence of Foot Characteristics on the Site of Lower Limb Osteoarthritis

Background: Foot structure and range of motion have been linked to lower limb musculoskeletal injuries in sports medicine, 11,14,41 and recently there have been attempts to establish a connection between the foot and lower limb osteoarthritis (OA). 19,13 Considering the fact that OA of the knee and hip are the most important causes of pain and disability in older people, 12,25 it is surprising that there has been no research comparing the foot types of those with knee OA and those with hip OA. To evaluate an apparent difference in the feet and gaits of patients with hip OA and medial compartment OA of the knee that was noted during routine clinical assessment, a prospective observation study was undertaken. Methods: The study included patients with OA either of the hip or the medial compartment of the knee and a control group of healthy subjects. There were 60 in each group determined by sample size calculation. The groups were matched for age and gender. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle, calcaneal angle, and navicular height in both sitting and standing were measured. Results were analyzed by ANOVA and linear regression analysis. Results: There were significant differences among all three groups, particularly in ankle dorsiflexion (p >0.001) and calcaneal angle (p >0.001). Conclusions: Differences in foot type between patients with OA of hip and knee were confirmed. These two groups also were different from the control group of healthy subjects. The lack of ankle dorsiflexion and high arches of patients with OA of the hip contrasted with the ample dorsiflexion and flatfeet of patients with OA of the knee.
The effects of object orientation and object type on children's interpretation of the word big.

Previous research indicates that preschool children have persistent difficulty interpreting big: 4-5-year-olds typically interpret big to mean tall, and 3-year-olds fail to use any consistent interpretation. We propose that children's interpretation may vary depending on 2 contextual factors: type of object and orientation of object. 40 children (ages 3 and 5) each saw 35 pairs of items and, for each pair, were asked to point to "the big one. " Type of object was varied by showing each child 3 kinds of objects: "people," "brownies," and rectangles. Orientation of object was varied by presenting objects either standing perpendicular to the tabletop (vertical condition) or lying flat on the tabletop (horizontal condition). Older children relied on height more consistently than younger children, all subjects relied on area more often in the horizontal condition than in the vertical condition, and 3-year-olds relied on height more when judging the bigness of people than of rectangles matched for size. Taken together, these results demonstrate that contextual factors clearly influence children's responses. These results demonstrate the interplay of cognitive and semantic factors in the process of semantic development.
Using MRI to examine brain-behavior relationships in males with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

OBJECTIVE The relationship between neuropsychological measures of inhibition and sustained attention and structural brain differences in the regions of the caudate and the frontal region was examined in males with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H). METHOD Ten males with ADD/H (aged 8-17) and 11 male controls (aged 9-18) participated in a neuropsychological evaluation and had a magnetic resonance imaging scan. RESULTS As had been reported previously by these authors, the children with ADD/H were found to have reversed asymmetry of the head of the caudate, smaller volume of the left caudate head, and smaller volume of the white matter of the right frontal lobe. Children with ADD/H were found to score more poorly on measures of inhibition and sustained attention but not on measures of IQ, achievement, or motor speed. Comparison of neuropsychological measures and brain structure measures indicated a significant relationship between reversed caudate asymmetry and measures of inhibition and externalizing behavior; i.e., children with reversed caudate asymmetry performed more poorly on measures of inhibition regardless of group membership. Poorer performance on sustained attention tasks was related to smaller volume of the right-hemispheric white matter. CONCLUSIONS There is emerging evidence that compromised brain morphology of selected regions is related to behavioral measures of inhibition and attention.
Multi-Layered Interbank Model For Assessing Systemic Risk

In this paper, we develop an agent-based multi-layered interbank network model based on a sample of large EU banks. The model allows for taking a more holistic approach to interbank contagion than is standard in the literature. A key finding of the paper is that there are non-negligible non-linearities in the propagation of shocks to individual banks when taking into account that banks are related to each other in various market segments. In a nutshell, the contagion effects when considering the shock propagation simultaneously across multiple layers of interbank networks can be substantially larger than the sum of the contagion-induced losses when considering the network layers individually. In addition, a bank 'systemic importance' measure based on the multi-layered network model is developed and is shown to outperform standard network centrality indicators.
INVESTIGATING Hα, UV, AND IR STAR-FORMATION RATE DIAGNOSTICS FOR A LARGE SAMPLE OF z ∼ 2 GALAXIES

We use a sample of 262 spectroscopically confirmed star-forming galaxies at redshifts 2.08 ≤ z ≤ 2.51 ? > to compare Hα, ultraviolet (UV), and IR star formation rate (SFR) diagnostics and to investigate the dust properties of the galaxies. At these redshifts, the Hα line shifts to the K s ? > band. By comparing K s ? > -band photometry to underlying stellar population model fits to other UV, optical, and near-infrared data, we infer the Hα flux for each galaxy. We obtain the best agreement between Hα- and UV-based SFRs if we assume that the ionized gas and stellar continuum are reddened by the same value and that the Calzetti attenuation curve is applied to both. Aided with MIPS 24 μm data, we find that an attenuation curve steeper than the Calzetti curve is needed to reproduce the observed IR/UV ratios of galaxies younger than 100 Myr. Furthermore, using the bolometric SFR inferred from the UV and mid-IR data (SFR IR ? > +SFR UV ? > ), we calculated the conversion between the Hα luminosity and SFR to be ( 7.5 ± 1.3 ) × 10 − 42 ? > for a Salpeter initial mass function, which is consistent with the Kennicutt conversion. The derived conversion factor is independent of any assumption of the dust correction and is robust to stellar population model uncertainties.
Quantitative assessment of foetal exposure to trenbolone acetate, zeranol and melengestrol acetate, following maternal dosing in rabbits

1. Residues of commonly used growth-promoting agents found in animal meat can be hormonally active and they have been implicated as possible endocrine disruptors in man. Although these compounds could be potentially detrimental to the developing foetus, it is not clear whether and to what extent they pass through placental barrier. 2. This issue was addressed using the rabbit as an animal model. Pregnant rabbits were treated with trenbolone acetate, zeranol or melengestrol acetate beginning at gestation day 14. Levels of active substances in plasma were screened by means of specific ELISA systems. The residues of parent compounds and their metabolites were quantified in maternal and foetal tissues on gestation day 27 using validated, sensitive HPLC/ELISA methods. 3. All three compounds crossed the placental barrier and were detectable in foetal tissues. The extent of tissue concentration varied depending on the compound and tissue analysed. Gender differences were observed in some instances.